Updated, important, and new information is highlighted in aqua. We hope you are finding the resources and news helpful. Please remember to read to the end for FCC plans for the future!
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Expecting the Friday Email?
With in-person worship suspended, we again send a Friday newsletter that is a little different. We are in the unfortunate circumstance of "social distancing," but this doesn't mean we aren't a church family. There are many ways of ...
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A Message from Our Pastor, Jim Warren
Dear Christian Friends,
Yesterday Governor Pritzker announced that the stay-at-home orders, with some modifications, would continue through the end of May. Another month of social distancing!
This will be extremely difficult for those already experiencing problems with being quarantined. I think of those who are itching to get out and do something, those with mental health issues whose problems are magnified by these stay-at-home orders, those who feel socially isolated and alone, and those who’ve lost jobs and are having a tough time making ends meet. Do you know anyone like that?
If you do, then I strongly encourage you to reach out to them. Let them know
today that you’re thinking about them and praying for them, and see if there’s anything you can do for them.
This e-newsletter is called
FCC Connected, and we want to remain connected with our church, families, friends, and communities. Reach out to someone who needs you!
Jim Warren
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As of today,
and
through at least the end of May
, First Christian Church has not only suspended in-person worship, but has also cancelled on-site meetings of any sort. We are following recommendations and requirements put into effect for businesses like ours, in the interest of lowering risk of exposure to the virus COVID-19. The office is completely closed, out of caution, with specific instructions posted on the door for visitors on how to secure help or make deliveries.
But this time
is not about cancellations, suspensions, and inconveniences. This is a time of opportunity. We are a church with a beautiful building and wonderful church services full of meaningful teaching, music, communion, and even handshakes and hugs. We as a church are not defined by those things. The church is the people, no matter where we are.
Let's stay Connected
. Let's seek and find ways to do so. Let's share what we discover. Let's learn new things about each other in new ways, and support each other in new ways. Let's also stay Connected to our community. Opportunities abound in and around Bloomington/Normal and around the world.
This newsletter
is a resource for accomplishing "Being Church Together" whether you are at home or on the church premises, or anywhere you might find yourself now and in the future.
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Small Groups
:
At least five FCC small groups continue to meet over
Zoom
,
Skype,
and
Discord
. Is your small group meeting? Perhaps you'd like to join a group or start a new group.
The Church Board met Monday using Zoom and the group screenshot is to the right.
Contact Bill Robitske for help, and go to our website to learn more about S
mall Groups and study material available for groups to use. You may want to join a group or get a new one started during this suspension of in-person meeting.
Video Updates from Jim Warren:
Check Tuesdays and Thursdays on Facebook and our website homepage for a short video from Jim Warren. If you haven't seen these yet, they are always available for viewing on our website, lower portion of homepage.
Worship Online:
Watch the live streamed sermon by Rev. Jim Warren each Sunday morning. Not only will Jim keep us apprised of what's happening in the life of the church, he will share wisdom and faith-filled teaching.
Tune in on our Facebook page or on our website homepage.
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People at higher risk for illness are described on the Centers for Disease Control website. Think of someone you know and reach out by phone, or by email or mail, to check on their well-being or give an encouraging word. FCC members' addresses and phone numbers are in the Church Directory.
Don't forget you can access an updated church directory here and reach out by phone, text, email, or US mail to a church friend. All gestures are so appreciated!
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Being a Part of the Community
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So many in the community are suffering financially due to fewer work hours, or are coping with children being at home because school is suspended, or are in need of encouragement as a result of isolation. We can help those who are affected even if we can't be in their physical presence. How can we do this?
Pray:
In addition to praying for your church, pray for your community, and all affected by this pandemic, especially those at the greatest risk and the health care workers who get exposed to this virus every day. Also pray for our healthcare system to sustain patient numbers should they rise.
Follow the CDC Guidelines for Prevention:
These include knowing how it spreads, knowing how to protect yourself, and knowing how to protect others.
Read the guidelines often for updates that are made as we learn more about the virus.
Share News about Local Resources:
Many agencies and organizations are finding ways to help in a tangible way, and you can inform friends and family of these resources.
You can help, too!
A few are listed below.
Support the GFPD (Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders) and TeeItUp!, which had to be canceled this year. Go to the
Facebook page
to see how you can help.
A Source for Paper Products (was suspended on April 18, but will be back in May)
(Wesley United Methodist Church Distribution Ministry)
Your help is needed to make the May distribution a success. Items you can drop off include: Facial tissues, diapers (all sizes), baby wipes, napkins, toilet paper, paper plates,
feminine hygiene items, and adult diapers. How to do this?
Click here.
Boys and Girls Club Learning Online: S
hare 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. Please send your videos, links, or ideas to
jhall@bgcbn.org
,
or find her on Facebook:
Jenny.hall.14473
The Friends of the BCPA and the City of Bloomington in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal are kicking off a multi-week online concert series Your Dinner & Our Show via Facebook Live Tuesdays and Thursdays! So many of our classes attend performances at The BCPA throughout the year for field trips, now bring the show home to you!
Friends of the BCPA
will take your right to where you need to be every Tuesday and Thursday in April!
Share Online Resources for Learning and Entertainment:
Museums, theater arts, national parks, home schoolers, libraries, self-care coaches, and other entities have graciously shared a free peek into their offerings. Take advantage, and tell your friends!
Gregg Kiesewetter has shared a link to the results of a quiet evening observing a meteor shower this week. Enjoy his photos!
(Lyrid Meteor Shower 2020)
‘A Hope for the Future’ was written as a tribute to the true frontline heroes around the globe, health care specialists dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
(Hope for the Future Trumpet Tribute
)
Musicals: Andrew Lloyd Webber is releasing full-length hit musicals on YouTube on Fridays. Find more info here
(The Shows Must Go On)
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How do I make my offering?
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To ensure your offering is received by FCC in a timely manner, feel free to mail it to 401 West Jefferson St., Bloomington, IL 61701. Working from home we are unable to sign anyone up for automatic withdrawal. We appreciate your continued giving!
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How long will in-person worship be suspended?
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We’re scheduled to keep the office and church building closed through May, and should begin soon talking about when to resume in-person worship and meetings, and how to do so gradually.
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How do I get in touch with a staff member?
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Call the church office at 309.829.9327, and follow instructions on the answering machine.
Or send an email to the staff person you want to contact.
In case of an emergency, you may text or call Jim Warren at 309.212.6873.
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What if I, or someone I know, need pastoral care?
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What FCC activities are cancelled or postponed? What do we have to look forward to?
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Postponed or Cancelled:
- Cleanup of FCC grounds April 4 (rescheduled below)
- Music Sunday April 19
- Pastors' Class Sundays in Lent
- May & June Food & Fellowship are cancelled. Regular participants will be mailed a survey about your experiences.
We hope most events or efforts are rescheduled.
Looking Ahead:
- FCC Grounds Clean Up (see below) April 27 through May 2
- SAVE THE DATE! THE CORNBELTERS GAME IS STILL ON FOR MAY 28TH. (We may now see a postponement, so stay tuned). Tickets are $15 and include admission and an all you can eat buffet. Rumor has it that one of own will be throwing out the first pitch!
- Graduating seniors will be celebrated on May 17. If you are the parent or guardian of a graduating senior, or you are a graduating senior, please notify Jen at info@blmfcc.org so we can make sure no one is forgotten. Please include the school, as well as degree if post-high school. Also, please include your the address of the senior so we may mail a gift to the individual.
- Still collecting lids? Just bring them with you next time we are together again.
- Vacation Bible School may be postponed until July or August, or may be canceled or take a non-traditional form. Stay tuned for details.
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FCC Grounds Clean Up
You are needed! Have some free time to help make our church grounds beautiful for summer? Please go to this
SignUpGenius link
to find a time (between April 27 and May 2) for you or you and your family to spend an hour or so doing a much-needed task that will help spiff up our property.
Here is a note from John Dailey with details:
Just because we were not able to gather as a group to participate in the FCC grounds clean up day a couple of weeks ago does not mean we cannot help each other to get the church looking great for our eventual return to worship there. Our plan is to have times available for individuals to come to the church property and clean up a small area. With many small clean ups, we can accomplish much toward making our property beautiful for the summer. You will find a map of the church property with numbered areas indicated here. Each of these areas has weeds, leaves, debris, sticks, etc. that need to be pulled, raked, bagged, and thrown away. Please pick one of these areas and indicate the area number in the comments section when you sign up for a time slot. SignUpGenius has been built with a schedule for us to pick a one-hour slot during the days from Monday, April 27, through Saturday, May 2.
The link to the site to sign up is above. There are many one-hour time slots during that week, so you can pick one that is convenient for you. If the weather changes, feel free to reschedule to a time that is better. Each hour slot has room for only four people to sign up so that we can keep our social distance while working.
If you have garden tools, brooms, etc. that you want to bring from home, feel free to do that. Some tools from the church as well as garbage cans and bags will be placed for your use in the outside stairwell that leads from the parking lot down to Major Hall kitchen area. The church building will be closed, so you will not have access to the inside facilities. Please bring your own drinking water, etc. Any trash or yard waste should be bagged up and placed in the dumpster on the west side of the building.
If you have any questions, or if you are not comfortable with using SignUpGenius to pick your time, please call John Dailey at 309 846-0694. He will be able to find a time for you to volunteer and can answer any questions you may have about the nature of the work to be done. We will schedule another time later to add mulch and flowers to the areas that have been cleaned up.
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