February
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February 17: Ash Wednesday
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February 24 - March 24: Radical Inclusion Lenten Study (kicks off with a Celebration on February 16 at 6:30 p.m., hosted by CCIW Regional LGBTQ+ Ministry)
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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 will begin to collect food items for Abundant Life Church to serve a lunch to the homeless each day. We will begin collecting for the February 3 lunch.
Items can be dropped off at FCC Monroe Street parking lot via drive up on Monday, February 1, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.or on Tuesday, February 2, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Someone will be available to come to your car to take your items. We will collect items at the same times each week after that (Mondays 1:00 to 2:00 and Tuesdays 4:00 to 5:00) for the month of February.
Suggestions are:
- Single package treats (Little Debbie)
- Single serve fruit cups
- Lunch meat
- Loaf of bread or buns
- Pasta (any kind we can use to make warm meals)
- Fresh veggies and fruit
- Homemade cookies or brownies
Monetary donations are also welcomed. On checks, please write "Abundant Life" in the memo line.
Call Julie Robinson at 309-838-4335, or email her at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com, with any questions.
Thanks to Linda Lehmann for this awesome suggestion for continuing to serve our neighbors.
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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.
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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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Interim Minister Search Committee Update
Our Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Teresa Dulyea-Parker, recently shared with the committee the names and profiles of three potential candidates for the position of Interim Minister at First Christian Church. January has been a busy month arranging and conducting interviews with each of the candidates over Zoom with the seven-member search committee. We are currently nearing completion of the interview process and hope to narrow the search to a single candidate by month’s end. After due diligence of talking with references and seeking unanimous approval from the committee, we will offer the position to the candidate. Our hope would be to seek PPR and Board approval in February or March.
Interim Search Committee
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2021 Church Budget
This time of year we would normally would be having a congregational meeting on a Sunday in the sanctuary following our first morning service to present and seek approval of the budget for the current year, January through December, 2021. Since we are not yet able to meet in person for worship, we will present this budget to you via either email or paper mail for your review and approval. Please watch your email inbox on Monday, February 1, or your USPS mailbox in the couple of days afterward. We will be seeking a simple response and the message next week will give instructions. Thank you.
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Stewardship Update
Recently you were asked to submit your 2021 pledges, the financial stewardship of FCC. There is an article below in this Messenger that provides details concerning the amount pledged to date and the pattern of pledging among our congregation. Personally, I would like to thank all those that pledged and continue to support First Christian Church. Those who have not pledged, we understand this has been an unprecedented year with the pandemic and we also know that everyone was affected differently. We will continue to be here for you in prayer and for physical assistance.
Also, I want to talk about time stewardship at FCC. We need some people to step up and accept critical positions in our church. I admit, at the peak of my career and with a young family, volunteering to take on more was not always the easy way of life. In order for FCC to function and function well, we need to look to the future when we return fully to in-person worship services. We need Greeters, Deacons, Welcome Center Hosts, and Board Members in the form of Ministry Stewards and Officers. My personal feeling is that you will be rewarded three-fold for the time you invest in our church.
The nominating committee will begin its work soon. When we call to invite you to serve, please consider how important it is to bring in new people with new ideas and talents and consider getting started with a position in our church. If you would like to inquire or secure that position early, consider contacting the following people to seek additional information or voice your interest: Chip Jamerson, James Nussbaum, Joe Bandy, or Maggie Burton.
Joe Bandy
President
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Stewardship Campaign Update
Thank you for being a partner in the ministry and mission of First Christian Church. God is working through us, and you are an integral part of the mission of our church. You have continued to give generously and, through your pledges for 2021, we will be able to continue to fulfill our mission.
Below is an update of the campaign. The Board is using this to help make plans for our budget in 2021.
We have received 110 pledges totaling $398,907 for 2021. This is 87% of the 2020 pledge total of $458,784 (127 pledges):
- 33 pledging units have increased their 2020 pledges a total of $12,565.
- 61 pledging units totaling $187,160 in 2020 have held their pledges constant.
- 1 previous pledging unit who did not pledge in 2020 has pledged a total of $500.
- 15 pledging units have reduced their 2020 pledges by a total of $29,804.
- 11 pledging units totaling $18,642 in 2020 have not yet pledged.
- 7 pledging units totaling $24,496 in 2020 have declined to pledge, died, moved away, or left FCC.
If you would still like to make a pledge for 2021, please click here or contact Debbie Stumm via email or phone.
Susan Cleaver
Stewardship Ministry Chair
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Legacy Circle News
The trustees of First Christian Church welcome Mickey Armstrong as the newest member of the Legacy Circle. They gratefully acknowledge her monetary gift and give thanks that Mickey has chosen to support her church in this way.
Options for including the church in planned giving are outlined in the Permanent Fund brochure available at the Information Desk. Please contact a trustee if you have questions on how you may include the church in your estate planning.
Trustees: Alan Chapman, Susan Cleaver,
Linda Lehmann, Don Mahannah, Becky White
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Mardi Gras: You Are Not Alone
A Zoom Gathering Tuesday, February 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m. One of our CCIW Regional Vision Initiatives is to be a church that is inclusive of our full diversity. Our LGBTQ+ Alliance Ministry is offering a chance for folks who want to overcome the isolation of this moment to gather for a Zoom party on Mardi Gras. Bring your favorite island snack and outfit. Prepare to have fun!
The LGBTQ+ Alliance Ministry is also preparing a five-week region-wide Zoom Lenten Study on Radical Inclusion, to be held February 24 - March 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. In addition, AllianceQ will be hosting “Building an Inclusive Church” virtual workshops during this time, as well.
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Thank You Notes Received
The following wrote thank you notes to the church: INtegRIty Counseling (for prayers, actions, and financial support), Sunnyside Garden (for a donation), Operation Santa, Home Sweet Home Ministries, Abundant Life, Shirley Wotherspoon (senior bag), and Marilyn Cope (senior bag).
Christmas greetings were received from Tom, Michele, and Katie Pugh.
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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
Please mark your calendars for blood drives we are hosting in the future. More information will follow about locations for each of these 2021 drives:
- April 20
- July 9
- October 19
Please also watch for blood drives around town that will fit into your schedule. The American Red Cross is in great need for donors at this time.
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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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Congratulations!
to Bethany Warren, who has been selected to serve on the Youth Council for our Christian Church Illinois Wisconsin region. We are so proud of you, Bethany!
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Tech Team Volunteers Needed
When we once-again return to in-person worship, we could use volunteers! We typically have a three-person crew: a person who runs the computer PowerPoint presentation, another who works the sound board, and a third (and sometimes fourth) working the cameras. Interested? Contact Brian Metz at medzy65@gmail.com or James Nussbaum at masterbimmertech@gmail.com.
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A New Website
Soon 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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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
December 31: $8,177
January 3: $9,054.67
January 10: $11,993
January 17: $9,938
January 24: $12,255
Prayer Concerns
Awaiting Tests/Surgery:
Treatment: Jim Frizzell
COVID-19:
- Donnie Engel
- Chuck Smalley (home health care)
- Suzanne Summers
Aftercare:
- Helen Joyce Barclay (Martin Health)
- Betty Brandt (McLean Co. NH)
- Carrie Chapman
- Susan Hinrichsen
- Richard Malone
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Phyllis L. Miller (Heritage, Blm. Rehab)
- Ellis Ressler
- Mary Smart
- James Wills
Hospice: Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Sympathy to:
- Connie Patterson and family on the December 19 death of her husband, Paul Patterson. Connie and Paul were long-time members of FCC.
- Ron & Nancy Gramley on the December 30 death of their sister-in-law, Cynthia Gramley. Nieces and nephew are Wendy Auer, Karen Riggs, and Mark Gramley.
- Friends and family of Niola Daily on her January 8 death.
- Peggy O'Neal and family (of the CCIW office) on the January 14 death of her sister, Penny Carter
- Shelley Eyman and family on the January 25 death of her husband, Dave
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. In general, no visitors will be permitted with limited exceptions (contact hospital for specifics). No outside faith leaders are allowed to visit general inpatients, regardless of unit. If a faith leader is visiting an end of life patient, they would be considered one of the two support people allowed at the bedside at a time and would be allowed to enter.
All support persons must be over 18 (except in end of life situations or if the support person is a patient’s parent). All support persons must wear required PPE and will be provided a sticker.
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Deadlines for Publications
Please follow these deadlines for publications to ensure that your item is included!
The Messenger (mailed 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:
- February 19 deadline for February 24 mailing
- March 26 deadline for March 31 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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