Interested in learning about new opportunities to help others? You can volunteer for an ongoing effort or get a taste of trying something new.
September
Cluster Tutoring expands to third night. Cluster Tutoring will restart in late September with in-person tutoring three nights a week. Tutoring will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at the following venues: Mondays at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 744 Fair Oaks Ave.; Tuesdays at the Circle Urban Ministries Building at 118 N. Central Ave. in Chicago; and Thursdays at First United. An orientation for new tutors will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, at First United, and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 744 Fair Oaks Ave. Tutoring itself starts the week of Sept. 27. Masks must be worn, and all safety protocols must be followed. Learn more about Cluster Tutoring, one of First United’s mission partners, at the group’s website.
Hunger Action Month. All across the country in September, anti-hunger advocates and communities are standing together with food pantries, food banks, and the Feeding America Network to take action in ending hunger locally and all over the nation. There are donation boxes to help Beyond Hunger at several local restaurants, including Alpine Food Shop, Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor, Cucina Paradiso, Lunges ‘n’ Lattes, and One Lake Brewing (some of those restaurants also donate up to 10% of a bill’s proceeds). Learn more about Beyond Hunger, one of First United’s Mission partners, at the group’s website. And don’t forget the upcoming fundraising fall concerts featuring Mavis Staples on Nov. 19 and 20.
Annual House to Home Kit project for Housing Forward, Sept. 19 to Oct. 3. The Housing Justice Team will kick off the 8th annual House to Home Kit project on Sunday, Sept. 19. People are asked to provide NEW items to furnish five apartments for five families setting up their new homes. Needed items include toilet paper, alarm clocks, bedding, pots and pans, TVs, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, and much more. You can see the whole list and sign up on this SignUp Genius link. Items can be delivered in person to the church’s makeshift outdoor “lounge” on Sept. 19, Sept. 26, and Oct. 3. Items ordered online also can be shipped to the church; see the SignUp Genius link for more details. If you prefer, the Housing Justice Team will gladly accept cash donations and do the shopping for you. Click on the church website’s “Give” page and choose “House to Home” in the drop-down menu. Or text FIRSTUNITED to 73256 followed by your gift amount.
Makuebo family volunteer opportunity. The Makuebo family, the refugee family in Oak Park being co-sponsored by First United, is becoming more involved in activities around town. This involvement means they need transportation assistance. If you have a car and can sign up to drive them to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and other activities, contact Tara Dull, co-chair of the Faith in Action Team.
Strides for Peace Race Against Gun Violence, Sept. 23. A run to promote the fight against gun violence is aiming to raise funds for groups working in the field to stop gun deaths. The race, which can be run as a two-mile run, a 5K, or an 8K, will be dedicated to first responders in the community. Participants are invited to join in the run at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at Avery Field in Chicago’s Grant Park, or to do it anytime on their own as a virtual run. All of all contributions raised through the race will go back to the community to organizations dedicated to fighting gun violence, such as BUILD, one of First United’s mission partners. To register or donate, visit Strides for Peace at the group’s website.
Fourth Sunday Offering for the Inclusive Collective, Sept. 26. Each month, all undesignated money donated on the fourth Sunday goes to a specific beneficiary supported by First United. This month’s Fourth Sunday Offering on Sept. 26 will go to the Inclusive Collective, a campus-based LGBTQIA+ Christian ministry open to everyone regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and much more. The Inclusive Collective is active at the University of Illinois at Chicago campus and is currently establishing a presence at Northern Illinois University. You can learn more about the Inclusive Collective at the group’s website. NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, church is being streamed at 11 a.m. Sundays instead of being held in the Sanctuary. Church members can donate electronically using their Realm accounts. Click on the church website’s “Giving” page and select the “+Give” button. Choose “4th Sunday Offering” in the drop-down menu. Or text FIRSTUNITED to 73256 followed by your gift amount. You also can donate by mailing checks to First United.
