Sunday Sign-Ups:

• Worship in the Park Setup and Take down

• Ushering

• Scripture reading

• Offering counting

Lead Beyond Our Walls:

Presentation & Conversation on Justice and Mercy in the Middle East: Saturday July 11th, 11:00am-12:30pm

This is an opportunity to hear an update on the conflicts in the Middle East and the impact on communities that have been devastated by war. Bruce Rigdon, a pastor, a seminary professor, notable authority and friend to FUMC, who has shared his insights on several previous visits to our congregation. This event will be held in Glenna Hall.

Creation Camp Recap

Making connections in the connection, First Church Evanston joined in engaging camp ministry with Downers Grove First United Methodist Church at Wesley Woods in Williams Bay, WI last week for the fifth year in a row.

24 First Church campers, counselors, and adults enjoyed five days of field games, storytelling, archery, music, art, and time on the lake and around the campfire as together both churches explored the many ways God calls us to seek courage and connection in the wildernesses of our lives and life together. 

Interested in learning more about First Church summer camps? Contact Colin McDonald, Director of Children's Ministry. 

Nurture Within Our Church Community:

Pastor Paul Appointment Announcement

Greetings in the name of Christ!

On behalf of Bishop Dan Schwerin of the Northern Illinois - Wisconsin Conference and the cabinet, it is with pleasure to announce to you the appointment of Rev. Paul Lee to the community of Evanston at Evanston First United Methodist Church, effective July 1, 2026.

The bishop and the cabinet are committed to this appointment for the following missional reasons:

• To lead in preaching the Word and creative Worship.
• To bring in the gifts of administration and organizational skills.
• To provide healing, pastoral care and reconciliation to the congregation and staff.
• To strengthen the connectional system by 100% apportionment giving to fulfill the mission of the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Paul Lee’s brief profile 

Upcoming Dates for Rev. Dr. Paul Lee: July 5th, 12th, and 19th

Join us on July 5th as we welcome Rev. Dr. Paul Lee for his first service at First Church! He will be preaching in worship on July 5th & 12th leading up to his official installation on the 19th.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us on Sunday, July 19 as we officially install Rev. Dr. Paul Lee as the new senior pastor of First UMC Evanston.

There will be one service in the sanctuary that morning at 10:30 am. Following the service, we will welcome Pastor Paul with a celebratory coffee hour in the Great Hall. If you would like to help with welcoming Pastor Paul, please contact Jeanne-Marie Daly, chair of the Transition Team, or Carol Barnett, chair of SPRC.

Message Box Pastor Paul

Beginning June 1, please share a note of welcome and warm hospitality to Rev. Paul Lee. Place letters in the blue and white box near the church office entry.

Share about your faith journey, your prayer for our community, and your favorite ice cream flavor. A photo with your name(s) on it would also be helpful for Rev. Paul. With loving kindness, Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC)

Steward:

Photographers Needed-No Experience Necessary!

As we prepare to welcome Rev. Dr. Paul Lee as our new Senior Pastor, we are working to collect photos of church members -- individuals and families – that will be uploaded to Realm for the online First Church directory. The ability to match faces with names will be immensely helpful to Pastor Paul and also helpful for the congregation, as we have welcomed many new members in the past few years.

If you are comfortable using your phone to take photos, we need your help.  Seeking casual photographers to stick around after Worship in the Park or after 10:30 Worship in Tittle Chapel to take headshots of individuals and group photos of families.  Please sign up here for one, two or more Sundays.

Celebrate:

Summer Lunch Bunch returns for 2026

Lunch Bunch is back by popular demand this summer! BYO lunch to Evanston's Fountain Square on selected Wednesdays to gather informally with others in the congregation including some staff members. Whether you are new to First Church this summer or have been at the church for 50 years, all are welcome! 

Come when you can. Please sign up here so we know how many tables we need for the group.  

Summer 2026 dates: June 24; July 8, 22; August 5, 19; Sept. 2.

Questions? Contact Mary Taylor-Johnson or 847-864-6182.

Craft Day: July 18th, 10:00am-12:00pm

Join us for a fun and creative time together. Bring any project you would like to work on, including quilting, crochet, knitting, sewing, beading, jewelry, painting and more. All projects are welcome.

We will meet in the dining room, so there will be plenty of space to spread out. Please bring your sewing machine if sewing.

Beginners are welcome. All ages and skill levels are invited to join.

Please email Courtney Zirkle or Glynis Doyle if you need a building access code. If you are interested if a craft group during the week potentially starting in the fall, contact Courtney or Glynis.

Faith in the Wild Vacation Bible School: August 10-13th

"Faith in the Wild" is an original, environmentally-focused Vacation Bible School program that aims to inspire lifelong connections to the natural world and each other as agents of change in God’s unending story of creation. In partnership with local community organizations, campers engage in daily acts of stewardship, play, and prayerful reflection while exploring creation inside and out.

Learn more and register by July 1 for "early bird" discount!

Calendar at a Glance:

Check out the church calendar for details and a complete listing of events.

Need to reserve a room or request publicity for your church event? Please submit event information and room reservations via the Communications and Calendar Request.

This webpage is only accessible via the link in the weekly E-News or by using the search bar on the website.

FUMC Merch:

Want to rep FUMC? Click here to browse our merch!

Items are made to order, so you’ll get your gear fast. Click here to shop.

Stay Connected!

First United Methodist Church

516 Church St.

Evanston IL 60201

847-864-6181

www.faithatfirst.org

First United Methodist Church

is a community of Christians

inviting all people

to grow in their relationship with God

and to live their faith in the world.