News and Events

"Sing with Joy"
"Sing for your supper" Sunday, April 27. Join us in Great Hall at 6:00 pm where a salad bar will be set up with all the fixin’s to create your own customized salad. (Desserts will also be available.) Joyful singing around the “campfire” will follow the meal. This event is being planned and directed by the youth of First Christian and Mt. Gilead Christian Churches. You won’t want to miss this special edition of “Sing with Joy.” All are welcome. Invite a neighbor or friend as well. Please bring your favorite salad topping, or a salad dressing or a dessert to share. Salad greens will be provided.

Roller Skating Party
The Families Having Fun group invites all church families to a roller skating party Sunday, May 4 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Western Skateland, 930 W. 17th Street. Cost is $3 for skaters and non-skaters. For more details, call Dayna Hummel, 824-1206.

Vacation Church School
All kids between the ages of 4 years and completion of 4th grade are invited to swing in to Rainforest Adventure Vacation Bible School! Listen to great stories about Jesus, make cool crafts, sing fun songs, play zany games, and make a jungle of friends. Rainforest Adventure will have your kids soaring above the tree tops and swinging into a canopy of fun!

When: June 1 to June 5, 2008

Time: 5:45 to 8:00 pm (June 1-4)

6:30 pm (June 5)

Where: Trinity Episcopal Church

Sponsors: First Presbyterian, FCC, and

Trinity Episcopal Churches

Call the church office, 332-4459, for more information and a registration form.

New Friday Bible Study: Romans begins February 1 10:00 am -Chapel/Gathering Space Rev. Helen Enari, leader This Bible study is designed for those who don’t mind asking questions (there is no such thing as a “dumb” question), offering perspectives, and “digging” into scripture to discover what it meant 2000 years ago and what it means for us today. Participants are asked to commit to approximately one hour of homework each week outside of the class. Student books are available at the reception desk. While there is no charge for the student book, donations up to $7 per book are gladly accepted.

10,000 Disciples Praying

More than 7,000 Disciples and ecumenical partners have joined “10,000 Disciples Praying” to pray on behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and its leaders. As of this date, about 90 churches have signed on since March 1, adding nearly 5,500 people to the list of those becoming part of the prayer community. Churches from more than 20 states have joined with General Minister and President Sharon Watkins and other church leaders in praying for the Church. Another 1,585 individuals have become part of “10,000 Disciples Praying.”

"I believe God is working in the midst of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and this prayer group is just an example," said one writer from Fullerton, California. "I hope you continue to do this for a long time. It brings cohesiveness to our denomination." Please visit www.disciples.org/10000 to read new prayers, essays and prayer requests.

Book Bunch
May 29 the Book Bunch will meet at Bryan Park at 4:00 pm to review "Letter from Point Clear” by Richard McFarland. Contact Betsy Watson, 935-8486 for more information.

Centering Prayer
In keeping within our mission to reach out to the community, we have made our Fireplace Study available for Centering Prayer on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:15 am. Centering Prayer (also known as contemplative prayer) is an ancient method of prayer which prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence in our lives. The format will consist of 10 minutes of conversation and orientation followed by a 5-minute prayer walk around the sanctuary and 20 minutes of silence, and ending with 5 minutes of conversation. You are invited to experience it once or twice, or you may decide to become a “regular.” Lawrie Hamilton, facilitator of this group, was trained in Centering Prayer at Kordes Retreat Center (in Ferdinand) and has been practicing the discipline for 11 years.

Children's Worship
Attention 4th and 5th graders! You are invited to a Children’s Worship Service the last Sunday of every month. During second service, leave when the younger children go downstairs and meet in the Fireside Study for prayer, scripture and songs (an adult supervisor will be present). Rejoin your family in the sanctuary before communion. If you have questions, please contact Amy or Lily Hoover, Gabby Johnson or Erin Wilkerson.

FCC Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast
The bus is full! Thirty persons (adults and youth) have signed up to help with hurricane recovery in the Gulf, June 15-21, 2008 through the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative. In the coming months, the youth will be raising awareness and funds for this ministry. Contact Jen Goins at jrgoins@indiana.edu for more information.

Friday Morning Bible Study: Romans
Fridays at 10:00 am Rev. Helen Enari leads a Bible study designed for those who don't mind asking questions, offering perspectives and "digging" into scripture to discover what it meant 2000 years ago and what it means for us today. Participants are asked to commit to approximately one hour of homework each week outside of the class. There is no charge for the student book, but donations up to $7 per book are accepted.

Shalom Community Center Housed at FCC
The Shalom Community Center’s Day Shelter at 110 Washington Avenue closed on Thursday, May 31. The center was closed because the building it was housed in has been sold to a commercial developer who has asked the center to move. But thanks to the efforts of the Shalom staff, volunteers, and First Christian Church, services are up and running at a new location.

Beginning June 4 people will receive Shalom services at our church. Several rooms in the basement of First Christian have been designated for clients to visit with representatives from social services agencies. Clients will also be able to take a shower, pick up mail and store items. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. (Note: Shalom’s free breakfast and lunch program and day shelter will operate out of First United Methodist Church.)

The Gathering Place
“The Gathering Place” is a program that provides food and fellowship from 8:00-9:30 am on Sunday for our neighbors in need. A hot breakfast is furnished and served by church volunteers to persons currently without a home or experiencing financial need. Breakfast guests are also given a sack lunch when they leave.