March
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Wednesdays through March 24: Radical Inclusion Lenten Study
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March 7: Youth Group Check-In
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March 28: Palm Sunday
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Office Hours (suspended during this time of social distancing) are listed at the bottom of each Messenger issue.
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FCC Ministry Priorities and News
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Reach Out /Meet the Neighbors |
Meet the Neighbors — Beginning with existing relationships, take a deeper dive into who God has given us to love in this area – and how our lives might intersect
- Reach Out collected food items for Abundant Life Church to serve lunches to the homeless in February. Thank you to all who contributed.
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A $2200 check was delivered to Caroline Bubulka, Director of School Nutrition, to help pay off District 87 student lunch card debt. The money was designated money left from the Block Party, which was discontinued in recent years past. (See photo on Facebook.)
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Mission Trip: Spend May 31 through June 5, a Monday through Saturday, in southern Kentucky. The cost will be $325 and financial assistance may be available. All participants must pass a background check (done by the church) and have a recent clean COVID report. All expenses at the site are included; however, you will need travel money for food and gas. Anyone interested contact Mike Robinson at 309-275-5908 or Julie Robinson (see below).
Call Julie Robinson at 309-838-4335, or email her at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com, with any questions.
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Property Use – Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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The Boys & Girls Club continues to use our building for their after school program when COVID restrictions allow. |
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Spiritual Growth/
Small Groups
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Small Groups — Build on what we’ve learned and do more of these
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Brown Bag Bible Bunch This weekly study group is taking a break while COVID-19 numbers are high in the area. When it resumes, the group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday.
Small Groups Small groups continue to offer us another way to connect with one another. If you are interested in joining a group, contact Bill Robitske at bill.robitske.jr@gmail.com. If you are in a small group, this is a great time to invite others to join you in your group's study or activities. If you have ideas for a new study, contact Bill.
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Welcome All – Building an inclusive faith community
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The Welcome All committee began meeting over a year ago, beginning a thoughtful, deliberate journey to discern the relationship we are being called to have with the LGBTQ+ community. Because we have not been able to meet in person with the congregation to fully engage in the discernment process, we paused some of our planned activities last year.
Our region, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin is offering virtual activities in the coming weeks and we encourage you to consider participating. In particular, every Wednesday, now through March 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Lenten Devotional over Zoom called “Radical Inclusion.” You can find more information at CCIW Disciples – Together Making Disciples of Christ.
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Youth News
Youth grades 3 through 12 will have a Zoom Check-In on March 7 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Check the Facebook FCC Youth Group for a Zoom link that day.
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Mickey Armstrong will be 103 on March 10!
Let's shower her with well-wishes!
Her mailing address is:
Luther Oaks Apt. 116
601 Lutz Road
Bloomington, IL 61705
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Interim Minister Search Team Update
During January, the Interim Minister Search Team completed three candidate interviews, contacted references, and met to discuss the qualifications of each candidate. After interviewing each candidate, our decision was unanimous. We then asked and received approval of the FCC Board in February to present this candidate to the congregation for a vote. Due to COVID-19 and our suspension of in-person worship, the vote will be conducted by e-mail with a voting option response. Members who do not have email will be mailed a ballot and return card for voting.
Our choice for Interim Minister is Rev. Hank Anderson. Hank feels called to interim ministry. He recently served at First Christian Church, Canton, IL since August of 2018. Prior to this assignment, he was at First Christian Church, Pekin, IL from September, 2016 to July, 2018. In both positions as interim minister, he helped the congregations through a transition, preparing for a new settled pastor. Hank has received additional training in Interim Ministry.
If elected, Hank is eager to begin his ministry at First Christian Church of Bloomington on July 1. He plans to meet with various church groups, individuals, and families to understand what his priorities should be for our church. He is energetic and passionate about helping with the process to search for a new settled pastor. We anticipate Hank fulfilling the role of interim minister for approximately two years.
In summary, the Interim Minister Search Team, comprised of Marla McElroy, Ryan Newton, Naomi Kosier, Doug Reed, Becky White, Matt Chapman, and Joe Bandy, unanimously endorses calling Rev. Hank Anderson as our Interim Minister effective July 1, 2021. He will assist the congregation at FCC to transition from the successful long-term ministry of Rev. Jim Warren and prepare the way for a new settled pastor in the next couple of years. If you have any questions for any of the committee members, please feel free to contact them or leave a message with the church office.
Joe Bandy
President
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2021 Church Budget
Thank you for submitting your vote to approve the 2021 FCC Budget. The proposed budget was approved with no votes of dissent.
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Radical Inclusion Lenten Study
The LGBTQ+ Alliance Ministry is holding a region-wide Zoom Lenten Study on Radical Inclusion, now through March 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Link to info about the study. In addition, AllianceQ will be hosting “Building an Inclusive Church” virtual workshops during this time.
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Lenten Resource from Disciples Home Missions
Check out the 2021 Lent Resource by Rev. Dr. Beth Rupe: Link
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A long obedience in the same direction…
Lent
Lint – with an “i” – comes from your belly button or clothes dryer, while lent – with an “e” – comes in late winter and early spring. Lent – with an “e” – is the season in the church year that leads up to Easter. Lent consists of the forty days prior to Easter, not counting Sundays, and begins Ash Wednesday.
Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, is one of the oldest holy days observed in the Christian calendar. Early Christians set aside the weeks prior to Easter so that those who were new to the faith could prepare for their baptism on Easter. Later, those who had been separated from the church used this time to reconcile themselves to the church. These weeks before Easter came to be a time of introspection, self-discipline, prayer, and penance.
Joan Chittister, in her book The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life, says this about Lent:
Lent is a call to renew a commitment grown dull, perhaps, by a life more marked by routine than by reflection. After a lifetime of mundane regularity or unconsidered adherence to the trappings of faith, Lent requires me, as a Christian, to stop for a while, to reflect again on what is going on in me. I am challenged again to decide whether I, myself, do truly believe that Jesus is the Christ – and if I believe, whether I will live accordingly when I can no longer hear the song of angels in my life and the star of Bethlehem has grown dim for me.
Lent is not a ritual. It is a time given to think seriously about who Jesus is for us, to renew our faith from the inside out.
Although we’re a week into Lent, it’s never too late to start a Lenten discipline. You can begin now to make this a Holy Lent. Fasting has long been considered a fundamental Lenten discipline, and I encourage you to take up fasting this Lent. But not just fasting from food and drink. Here are some ideas for fasting that are attributed to Pope Francis. These get to the heart of what fasting is all about. Francis asks, “Do you want to fast this Lent?”
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words; be silent and listen.
I shared these ideas for fasting in Tuesday’s video this week and said that we can all find something to fast from in that list.
Will you choose to fast this Lent? If so, what will be your fast? How will you make this a Holy Lent?
Jim Warren
PS: One Lenten tradition in our church has been the Pastors’ Class. This is for youth in sixth grade and older who are ready to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, learn about their faith, be baptized, and join the church. The youth meet with Holly and me in preparation for making their confession of faith and being baptized at Easter. COVID-19 has certainly complicated how to proceed this year, and Holly and I are in quandary about what to do. Do we postpone this year’s class and wait a year when there will be more youth eligible and when we may have a more “normal” Pastors’ Class? Or do we go ahead and offer a Pastors’ Class this year? We’d like to hear from the parents. So if you have a child in sixth grade, please contact Holly or me and let us know your preference. Thank you!
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Thank You
- We received a thank you note from Abundant Life in Christ Church for donations.
- Your church staff is so grateful for the showing of love at Christmas time in so many forms. We want to thank you for all the warm wishes, gifts, greetings, and the monetary expressions of appreciation. We are blessed to work with you all for the glory of Christ's church.
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FCC Swag
T-Shirts for Adults, Children, and Youth
FCC t-shirts have been designed and you can order yours now! There are three styles: adult, youth, and FCC kids. Click Here to see details and order on our website.
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Red FCC grocery bags are available for purchase for $5 for your use and for ministry projects. Contact Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org to purchase a bag. |
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Red Cross Blood Drives
The April 20 blood drive, to be hosted by First Christian Church, will be held at Eastland Mall. Watch for signup information and more details.
Please mark your calendars for blood drives we are hosting in the future. Details will follow about locations for each of these additional 2021 drives:
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Worship at FCC is Live Streamed
While in-person worship continues to be suspended, we live stream Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook and on our website. On our website, scroll down the homepage and see that the current or most recent broadcast is toward the top of the selections there. You can also watch older broadcasts. If you use Facebook, go to our page and see the broadcast start a few minutes before 9:00 a.m.
Are you in need of an audio recording on a CD? If so, contact Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org. If you need a CD player, the church has a few extra and you may have one at no cost. Just email Holly Irvin at hirvin@blmfcc.org.
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Tech Team Volunteers Needed
It is more than just advancing slides! The tech team is blessed to be used by God to bring the worship experience to a broad audience.
When we once-again return to in-person worship, we would like to add volunteers! There are opportunities to run the PowerPoint or MediaShout presentation, work the sound board, or work the cameras. Interested? Contact Brian Metz at medzy65@gmail.com or James Nussbaum at masterbimmertech@gmail.com.
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A New Website
In March we will begin publicizing beyond this newsletter a new, more usable, modern, and welcoming (we hope) website for the church. The development is in its final stages of fine-tuning and formatting for mobile platforms. Please feel free to take a look and offer critiques or ask questions. Keep in mind that it isn't a finished product, but input is welcome (email Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org). The website is www.blmfcc.org.
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Trustee News: Connect Transit
I reported last June that Connect Transit was launching a feasibility study to determine three downtown Bloomington sites as finalists for a downtown Bloomington transportation and transfer station. Our church property was among ten properties under consideration, but was not selected among the final choices. On February 23 (just prior to the mailing of this newsletter), the Connect Transit Board of Directors will have made its site selection from among (1) the former Pantagraph building and adjacent parking lots; (2) the Market Street parking deck; and (3) the CII East building and adjacent parking lots.
Alan Chapman
Chair of Trustees
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Serving Schedule
We publish serving schedules in the Friday Email/FCC Connected when we are worshipping in person.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor: James Warren
Minister Emeritus: John Trefzger
Dir. Music & Youth Ministries:
Holly Irvin
Organ/Piano: Lou Ann Fillingham
One and All Music Coordinator:
Bill West
Communications Coordinator:
Jenifer Petri
Office Receptionist: Maggie Burton
Financial Secretary:
Deborah Stumm
Child Care Coordinator: Trish Logan
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Witness of the Faithful
January 31: $18,688
February 7: $15,451.17
February 14: $14,526
February 21: $3,813
Prayer Concerns
Awaiting Tests: Mary Helen Haskell
Treatment: Jim Frizzell
COVID-19:
- Donnie Engel
- Chuck Smalley (home health care)
- Suzanne Summers
Aftercare:
- Bruce Auer
- Helen Joyce Barclay (Martin Health)
- Rob Blessing
- Betty Brandt (McLean Co. NH)
- Carrie Chapman
- Kipton Gummere
- Susan Hinrichsen
- Richard Malone
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Phyllis L. Miller (Heritage, Blm. Rehab)
- Ellis Ressler
- Kim Rott
- Mary Smart
- Jean Snyder
- Art Taylor
- James Wills
Hospice: Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Sympathy to Zoe Iutzi and family on the February 9 death of her brother, Kenneth W. Nafziger, of Hopedale
Please be in prayer for essential and emergency workers, of which our congregation has many.
Reminder: Please let the church office know if there’s someone who needs a call or is in the hospital. Email office@blmfcc.org.
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Hospital Patient Visitation Restrictions
Specific visitor restrictions took effect recently at Carle BroMenn and Carle Eureka. Other area hospitals have similar restrictions. Regular inpatients now are allowed one designated support person throughout their entire stay. If the patient has no designated person, or wants their designated person to be their faith leader, then a faith leader can visit. Otherwise, faith leaders are not allowed to visit that person. Please inquire about end-of-life situations.
People who come into the BroMenn and Eureka Emergency Department are allowed one visitor. It is considered in the patient’s best interest – especially in the case of elderly patients – to have an advocate with them in these emergency situations. If the person is admitted, then all additional COVID visitor protocols apply.
In all of these situations all visitors must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
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Deadlines for Publications
Please follow these deadlines for publications to ensure that your item is included!
The Messenger (mailed the last Wednesday of the month with some exceptions)
Deadline Friday at noon before mailing date as a general rule (verify with church calendar on FCC website or in previous issue of The Messenger)
Upcoming Messengers:
- March 26 deadline for March 31 mailing
- April 23 deadline for April 28 mailing
Beyond the Bricks (mailed two weeks after the Messenger, on Wednesday)
Deadline Sunday the week of mailing
FCC Connected/Friday Email
Deadline Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
Deadline Thursday noon, unless it is an emergent prayer concern
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Office Phone 309-829-9327 Fax 309 829-2865
Address 401 W. Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Hours The office is currently closed every day out of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff members are working from home as needed. Normally, the office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. The best times to contact the church office are while Maggie is there, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
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