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 friends,

Below this column several opportunities are listed for you as individuals to get involved in the community. And each one is important. At the same time, we are also trying to re-energize our efforts to reach out to the community as a congregation.

If you participated in worship this past Sunday, you heard James Nussbaum mention three opportunities.
  • The first is a food drive we are participating in to help the students at Parkside Elementary School. One of the sad realities of our time is that the primary meal that many children get each day is at school. And, of course, those meals are not available on weekends. Thus, the school is attempting to send food home with the kids on Fridays. They are looking for donations to help with that effort. A list of items they are requesting can be found on the church’s Facebook page. Please place donations on the table in the front of the sanctuary by the piano.
  • Second, Rita Hensley has asked that we help with an effort to collect new underwear for children who have an "accident" at school. Used outer clothing would also be welcome as would cash donations that Rita would use to purchase items. Donations will go to Bent School.
  • Third, Vicki Hall is spearheading an effort to collect clothing for patients who are leaving Carl Bro-Menn Hospital. Some of the patients who come in on an emergency basis do not have clothing to leave in. So, the hospital has asked for donations to help in those situations. A tub is available near the information center for Bro-Menn donations.

And one last way to help: we are still looking for people to sign up to donate blood on October 20.

So, between the list above and the opportunities below, you have lots of choices of how to make a difference in this community. I encourage you to think prayerfully about how you might participate.

God bless,
Hank
Attend the Team First Book -- McLean County Trivia Night Fundraiser
 
Thursday, October 14
6:30 p.m.
Bloomington Country Club
605 Towanda Ave.
Bloomington, IL 61701

 First Book McLean County raises money to put new books in the hands of students that might not otherwise ever own a book. Four dollars buys a book for a child. Teachers across McLean County are encouraged to apply for grants to give their students books to build their own library.

Help the cause by attending the event or making a donation. Click button below.
Run in the Snyder Shriners 5K Race
 
Saturday, October 16
10:00 a.m.
1 Brickyard Dr.
Bloomington, IL 61704

The Snyder companies are teaming up with Shriners Hospitals to bring you the Annual Snyder Shriners 5k run-walk! Come lace up your shoes and join us at 1 Brickyard Drive to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children, and maybe earn a medal too! Bring your children or your pets (or both), and enjoy the after party which will include awards for each Age Division Race Winners, snacks, drinks, and even massages for participants!
WHAT YOUR $25 DONATION GETS YOU:
-Entry into the Snyder-Shriners 5K Race
-5K Race T-Shirt
-1 Drink Ticket for After the Race
-1 Raffle Ticket
Attend the Pregnancy Resource Center Open House
 
Thursday, October 21
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Living Alternatives
127 North Williamsburg Dr.
Bloomington, IL 61704
The Pregnancy Resource Center is having an open house. It is a great opportunity to come see the new center location, learn more about the ministry, enjoy a fall treat, and see if volunteering may be something you may be interested in.
Attend the West Bloomington Revitalization Project's Annual Harvest Fest
 
Saturday, October 23
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
724 West Washington St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Join us for live music from The Dew Drops and arts & crafts such as sidewalk art, painting the shed, and making a mural on the fence. This event is perfect for families and all are welcome!
Attend the INtegRIty Counseling Fundraiser at Gill Street
 
Tuesday, October 26
11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Gill Street Sports Bar
3002 Gill Street
Bloomington, IL 61704

Support INtegRIty Counseling on Tuesday, October 26th by dining in or carrying out anytime between 11AM and 9PM. INtegRIty Counseling is a non-profit counseling center serving the uninsured and under-insured with mental health services for youth and adults. We use volunteers and paid staff to offer our services!

Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant is hosting an all-day fundraiser for us. You can participate in this fundraiser via:
  • Take out
  • Pick up

Please visit Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant and they will take your order from their storefront for take-out. When purchasing your meal, mention your group’s name to receive 20% of your meal’s price donated back to INtegRIty Counseling.

We have used both GroupRaise and Gill Street for previous fundraisers and they have worked out well for us. However, to ensure that the fundraiser will happen, we will need to have at least 20 people RSVP through the link below. You can still eat there and support us if you don't RSVP but doing so helps show the restaurant that we have supporters who will dine with them. 

Participate in the Black Lives Matter in Bloomington Book Club
 
Thursday, October 28
7:00 p.m.
Zoom

Join our intersectional book club Zoom meeting to discuss the 2016 documentary 13th by Ava DuVernay about the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison system. New, occasional, and one-time members welcome!

Maybe you have never seen this important documentary or maybe it's time to revisit the film. It's free to watch online. Join us to talk about it. Watch the movie here.

Discover more about this book club and event at the BLM in Bloomington Book Club Facebook page. This is the link to the Facebook event: Event

Support Recycling Furniture for Families
 
RF4F
515 North Center St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-829-6500

 A note from RF4F: Treacherous weather conditions and damage to our homes affect us all. No one is immune. But only some of us have the means to bounce back.

After record-high rainfall and flooding this summer, Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) held an event at Bloomington Middle School to connect flood victims with local resources. Our team at Recycling Furniture for Families was at the event to meet the people most in need and explain how we could help.

We ask that you join in our mission to put more furniture and household items into the hands of local families in dire need. More info at our website.
Donate VHS Tapes, DVDs, CDs and Audio Books to Nursing Homes with the Help of Merry Maids
 
Merry Maids of Bloomington/Normal
1702 W. College Ave. Ste. A-3
Normal, IL 61761
309-661-1726

 Clean, usable, manufacturer-produced items are repurposed for nursing home residents and kept out of the waste stream. Drop your items by Merry Maids and know that you are not only helping de-clutter your home, but also entertaining worthy recipients. Be sure to include your name, address, and email address with your donation.
Become a Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal Volunteer
 
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS (next one is November 2 at 1:00 p.m.)

Faith in Action of Bloomington Normal is seeking Volunteers to assist seniors who may need a ride, or help shopping, or even a friendly call. Experience the benefits of Volunteering and join Faith in Action.

Group Orientations are held at the ARC 2nd Floor Conference Room.
Email Stacey at Stacey@bnfia.org or call the FIA Office (309) 827-7780 to register for the next orientation.
Recycle with the Sugar Grove Nature Center
 
First Tuesday and First Saturday through December
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Various Locations

We are excited to announce our recycling initiative! There are so many ways that you can decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. If your community offers recycling, we sure hope that you take advantage of curbside pickup or drop-off bin locations. Here are some great ways to recycle even more!

Start saving items detailed on the Facebook page.
2021 collection drives will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday and 1st Saturday of every month through December 2021. We will also have collection drives during each of our special events throughout the year.

Items can ONLY be accepted during our scheduled collection dates and times and should be pre-sorted for a smooth experience. For a full packet of information regarding which recyclables we will accept, please email angela@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.
Learn CPR

The Illinois Red Cross is offering free virtual classes to learn about Hands-Only CPR so that you and the members of your organization are prepared to increase the chances of someone surviving a cardiac emergency. David Lee, an Illinois Disaster AmeriCorps member, would like to offer this free program to the members and friends of First Christian Church.
 
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital each year. Learn how to deliver lifesaving CPR care without rescue breaths and be prepared. When you immediately provide Hands-Only CPR, you can increase the chance of survival. 
 
To learn more or sign-up for a free 30-minute class, please contact David Lee at david.lee5@redcross.org.
 
You can get started today, by watching a free video tutorial at redcross.org/handsonly.
 
Contact: David Lee
AmeriCorps | Illinois Disaster Corps Member
American Red Cross of Illinois
Cell: (309) 202-5725
Tell Friends about Local Full-Service Affordable Medical Care
 
Third Monday Each Month (Coming up October 18)
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Woodhill Towers

The Mobile Health Clinic will be available 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Woodhill Towers, on the corner of Wood and Main Streets in Bloomington. The clinic provides:

  • Chronic condition management and education
  • Treatment of acute illness
  • Physicals, wellness care, and assessments
  • School and sports physicals and immunizations
  • Lab testing
  • Referrals and applications for social services
 
United Way, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, McLean County Health Department, and Chestnut Health Systems will also be available to provide nutrition and health information, diabetes prevention, FQHC information, and assistance signing up for Medicaid. Visit Carle.org/mobilehealth for more information.
Please share this information with others who need affordable medical care.
Learn More about Being an Anti-Racist
 
Subscribe to a daily blog that gives guidance on how to be an anti-racist:
First Christian Church | info@blmfcc.org| 309 829-9327 | www.blmfcc.org
401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation