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Groups & Retreats

First United offers several special interest groups based on the need for these groups by some members of the church. In addition, First United holds retreats through out the year. These groups and retreats are:

Alternative Christmas Store

Even though the U.S. economy needs you to shop-til-you-drop this Christmas season, so do the causes supported by First United’s Alternative Christmas Store. The Alternative Christmas Store exists to help people and their family transform the holiday giving ritual, while at the same time providing the opportunity to connect directly with some of our First United mission partners.

We all know that the true meaning of Christmas revolves around the goodwill of giving. By choosing to shop at the Alternative Christmas Store, you will not only fulfill the tradition of giving a gift to a friend or family member, but will simultaneously be giving the gift of needed financial support for families living day to day.

If you are tired of buying gift cards, standing in checkout lines and stressing over what to buy, then please check out the wide variety of items and unique donation opportunities that the Alternative Christmas Store offers. Through various worker cooperatives around the world such as Colores del Pueblo and SERRV, and local organizations such as PADS and Women’s Guild, Alternative Christmas Store offers some wonderful handcrafted items along with soups, chocolate and coffee; and of course, Erie House pecans. And when shopping for those who neither want nor need anything, consider the variety of alternative giving options provided through the Church World Service organization.

Through the Church World Service, you can help provide needed materials around the world. Why not consider purchasing a school kit for children in Kenya, or buying a sewing machine for women in an Argentinean village? Other necessities such as tools, seeds, medicine, water purification tablets, blankets and water buffaloes provide others the life sustaining gifts that we so often take for granted in our own country.

The Alternative Christmas Store will be open before and after worship on the four Sundays of Advent. Keep an eye out for the Alternative Christmas Store brochures, and for the December issue of Messenger Bell where we will highlight the mission partners and discuss ways to incorporate Alternative Christmas Store into your holiday ritual.

Contact: Laurie Jolicoeur, Beth Mrkvicka

Art Installation Committee

The Art Installation Committee are persons who are inspired and create thoughtful and inspiring liturgical art. Art “installations” are “installed” in the Sanctuary to coincide with events and dates in the liturgical calendar. The members of the committee have had to, on occasion, use bow and arrow to get some of the wiring for their art installations up and through the high wooden beams in the Sanctuary.

Members of the Art Installation Committee:

Dinner and a Movie

Once a month, members and guests get together to eat dinner, watch a movie and to have a good time together.

Contact: Church office

Environmental Stewardship Group

This group meets every two months to plan educational and worship activities that focus on protecting the earth’s natural resources. We feature a monthly column in the newsletter called “Green Space” to provide tips for the congregation. For more information, contact Ann Alexander aalexander@nrdf.org or Paul Aeschleman aeschlemanp@sbcglobal.net.

Evening Division

First United women and guests gather for warm fellowship dinners followed by engaging programs once a month. Members hold an annual White Elephant Sale which fund benevolent projects throughout the year.

Contact: Carole Ferguson and Meg Mizen

Family Camp

Singles, couples and families are welcome to a family camp weekend at Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, MI, from Aug. 12-16, 2010. This is a time to enjoy God’s creation and swim in Lake Michigan, as well as spending time with family and friends. For more information, contact Don and Priscilla Sibley at 708-280-7590 or dpsibley@earthlink.net.

Contact: Don and Priscilla Sibley

Friday Night Peace Vigil

Each Friday night from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. (year-round) those who wish to pray and witness for peace gather on the Lake Street steps of the church. This group was founded in 2001 and all are welcome to join.

Inner Peace World Peace

The Inner Peace World Peace has weekly meetings to discuss ways to find inner and world peace. Books are read and discussed as well as outside speakers make presentation. This group meets on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. There is a weekly Peace Prayer Vigil on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in front of the church.

Contact: Jeff Olson

Midpoint

We are a group for singles and couples in their 30s and 40s who gather every few months for a social gathering at a member’s home. For information about the next fellowship event, please contact Amber Stitziel Pareja aspareja@gmail.com or 708-383-0293 or Susan Buchanan at sbucha3@uic.edu or 708-848-6558).

Mission Trips

Each year we organize mission trips for youth and adults. See the Mission tab or Education tab for the latest information.

Peace with Justice Group

Members interested in serving as advocates for peace with justice in the world stay in touch via regular emails and periodic actions. In February 2010 the group organized a book study of “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson, about his outreach work in building schools in Afghanistan. To learn more, contact Bob Haisman at gardenoprf@sbcglobal.net.

Prime Time

Prime Time is a fellowship group for men and women age 60+ with the purpose of building community among First United Church members. “Main Events” are targeted to broad interests with various outings including a Summer Picnic, the Greek Isle Restaurant, a Wine and Appetizer Party, Christmas Carol Sing-along, Stress-Free Winter Picnic and more. “Extra Events” are frequently shared to share activities that may appeal to special interests.

Contact: Janet Haisman (708) 383-2035 and Marcia Ashton (708) 524-5126

Shawl Ministry

First United has a circle of knitters/crocheters who gather twice monthly as the Shawl Ministry. They create prayer shawls which are given to church members and others in need of comfort, healing prayers or a tangible reminder of the love of God through our congregation. The Shaw Ministry members do this together—and in concert with other shawl ministry groups across the country.

Softball Team

In the summer, First United has a coed softball team. The goal is to have fun and laugh a lot.

Contact: Church office

Seminary Intern Lay Support Team

This year we are hosting Jeffrey Foels as a McCormick Seminary Intern at First United. He serves here for 12-15 hours per week, rotating among the various ministries of the church. Pauline Coffman chairs a lay support team that meets frequently with Jeff to provide feedback and guidance in his journey. First United sees this as a way of contributing to the teaching ministry of the whole church.

Spiritual Guidance Groups

About 25 people meet once a month for our spiritual guidance groups. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the chapel. We listen to a scripture text, we pray together with words and silence, and then we break into small groups to share our own responses to the Word. These groups help us share our joys and sorrows and experience ways that God is speaking to us through the everyday experiences of our lives. For information about joining the groups, please contact Julie R. Harley, lead pastor.

Spiritual Retreat

We hold an all-church retreat each fall for up to 40 members and friends of the church. The goal of the retreat is to seek spiritual growth, explore our faith and deepen our relationships with one another. It is led by the pastoral staff. This year the retreat will be held on the weekend of Sept. 25-26, 2010, at Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center in Princeton, IL. Contact one of the pastors for more information.

Women’s Retreat

This is a weekend retreat for the women of the church in February at a retreat center in Wisconsin. It is co-sponsored by First United Church of Oak Park, Oak Park, and Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago. This retreat weekend provides a time away from the business of our daily lives. Women gather in kinship, for spiritual exploration, reflection, relaxation, renewal and to have fun. The program is lead by a nationally known woman facilitator.

Members on the Women’s Retreat Committee: