Staying involved in the Bloomington/Normal area, and beyond. Where do you fit... Beyond the Bricks?
Welcome... to the latest issue of Beyond the Bricks!
Dear Christian Friends,
Every time we turn on the news we hear more about COVID-19. There seems to be no escaping it. But sometimes we have to turn off the news and focus on something else. And that's where Beyond the Bricks comes in.
There are many opportunities listed in this issue of Beyond the Bricks for you to be involved in your community. If you're looking for a way to step out of the unending news cycle, I encourage you to take a look at Beyond the Bricks. Maybe there's something here that will appeal to you!
Next up is Toni Morrison's
Tar Baby (1981). New and occasional members are more than welcome. Invite a friend!
Due to COVID-19 concerns and the shelter in place order, the next Black Lives Matter Book Club in Bloomington-Normal get-together is now a Zoom meeting. Watch Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/996185733787727/ for day and time.
Purchase Boys and Girls Club Popcorn... it's blue and white (B&G's colors),and it's vanilla flavor. Purchase a mini bag for $2.50 and $1 will be donated to the Club. Available online at www.donnybpopcorn.com
In early March, the INtegRIty Board voted to hire a part-time counselor for children, youth, and families. Shortly after that, the Governor ordered our state to engage in "shelter in place" due to COVID-19. At that time, our immediate focus was to get our telehealth care up and running as quickly as possible! We moved fast to make this happen for our clients, interns, and volunteer counselors. Between a grant from the Scott Health resource foundation and several generous donations, we have successfully received enough funds to cover the extra cost of telehealth and our new electronic medical records system.
Therefore, we have decided that it is time to move forward with fundraising efforts hire a children and youth counselor.
For the next couple of months, we will be actively fund raising to cover the costs of this position. Many of you have recently donated to cover the costs of telehealth so we are not looking for another financial gift. However, we are hoping you will commit to going to Portillo's on June 4. We understand they are now doing fundraisers for drive through and carry out. By June 4, they may even be allowing some indoor dining.
If you are going to be in town on the 4th, could you RSVP YES to this fundraiser? We need a total of 20 commitments by late May to be able to host this event.
The link to RSVP is below.
Thank you for always supporting our vision of Stigma-free mental health support for all!
A note from the organizers (Alan, Kathie, Todd, & Corin Chapman):
Regrettably, we are announcing that Tee It Up! For The GFPD 2020 will not be held May 14-15 as scheduled. Illinois State University is requiring that all events and activities scheduled to be held on campus through July 31, 2020 be postponed or cancelled and the State of Illinois has extended the Stay-at-Home order through May. Although we are disappointed, we completely support these moves in the interest of everyone's health and safety. We explored several possible options
to reschedule later in the year, but with the evolving guidance from health officials and the uncertainty ahead, we have reluctantly reached the conclusion that our most safe and prudent course of action is to cancel our Reception and Golf Outing for this year.
We are still planning to hold an online auction of our donated items later this summer to help promote those sponsors who have helped out so far. More details will be coming soon. Click below to see how you can support the efforts.
Donate Food for a Meal at Abundant Life This Saturday
Organized by The King's Carpenters
The King's Carpenters will serve a take-out meal for Abundant Life in Christ Church this Saturday! Cookies, and cans of baked beans are needed. If you can donate, please contact Julie Robinson at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com.
Contribute to the Not in Our School Food Drive
Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, 2020
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
1308 E. Empire St.
Bloomington, IL 6170
All Donations go to the Center for Hope Food Pantry. See information on the flyer in the button link below.
With the "STAY-AT-HOME Order" in full effect, people are in need of help, emotional support, and resources now more than ever. We know how important it is to stay informed and band together in this time of crisis, so thank you to all the community members who have helped us stay up to date with resources!
We have been making daily updates to our Google Document to keep up with changes. Please visit the link in the button below to see the last COVID-19 community resources.
Share your talents with our kids! Since we are all staying in our homes, we'd like you to share a video. This could be you doing something like cooking dinner or making your favorite snack, sewing a button on your favorite shirt, or playing music. It could be you talking about how much you miss the kids in the building or about your favorite app. We are open to all ideas and suggestions.
While services and events are suspended, the WBRP could use your monetary help. Your donation will benefit these things (you can designate what you want it to go to):
First Christian Church |
info@blmfcc.org| 309 829-9327 |
www.blmfcc.com 401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
