Current Events

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Book Discussion
The Help will be reviewed on Aug. 29, 7:00 p.m., Fireside. All are welcome to read the book beforehand and join in on the discussion.

Yarn Ministry
Selected Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., this ministry welcomes those who knit or crochet or want to learn. Shawls and sweaters are made for this outreach ministry. Yarn donations are welcome. See calendar for scheduled meetings.

Family Night
Selected Wednesdays beginning at 6:00 p.m., Family Night is held. Bring a food dish to share and join in the fellowship and a fun family activity. See calendar for the current schedule.

Library Update: the church library has been newly reorganized and new materials received - books, DVDs, CDs, etc. The library is available after worship on Sundays and weekdays during office hours.

PADS Lunches: the first Sunday of the month, the Evangelism Committee coordinates sack lunches for PADS, a homeless shelter in Elgin. Donations of the food items and volunteers to package them are needed. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Fireside Room.

FISH Monthly Donation: the September request is for peanut butter and jelly.

Buy a Bucket: fund-raising has begun to paint the church exterior. Donations of any amount are welcome.

Holiday Helpers: meet monthly to prepare items for the December fund-raiser. A list of supplies needed is posted on the Fireside Room bulletin board. Everyone is welcome to help at the workshops (held monthly) or donate supplies.

Rummage Sale: will be Sept. 10 & 11. Donations are welcome.

Nickels for Nothing But Nets: spare change is welcome in the Fireside Room jar to help buy mosquito nets for African children.

Phase I Building Program
In 2003 our church completed the third year of a three-year building renovation program. Beginning in summer of 2001 the church exterior was repainted basic white. The steeple leak was repaired, rotted wood replaced, the west side railings were replaced, recaulking was done, the windows were reglazed, and a replacement front door installed. The addition of a transom window above the front door is very attractive and has brought light into the Narthex. More recently electrical work, in order to reach code in the Narthex, sanctuary and Fireside Room, has been completed. There are self-illuminating exit signs and emergency lights in the sanctuary and in the Fireside Room. New "dusk to dawn" lights have been added to the west entrance. We are exploring alternatives to provide better, enhanced lighting in the sanctuary and balcony, and plaster has been repaired. The sanctuary & Narthex interior has been painted. The sanctuary floor has been refinished, new carpeting has been installed, and the pews refinished. New pew cushions, chancel kneeling cushions, and new matching chancel furniture upholstery have been added. We rejoice as these needed improvements to our historic building, erected in 1865, provide a more comfortable, brighter, and safer environment and invigorate the spirit of First Church to pursue our many existing and new ministries with a renewed sense of purpose.

Phase II Building Program
Beginning in June 2004 a three-year fund drive began to raise necessary funding to install sanctuary air conditioning, improve sanctuary lighting and sound, and begin preparations to make our building more handicapped accessible.

Beginning in August 2005 work began to create a handicap access ramp on the west side of the church: a new asphalt discharge and parking area, access ramp and new steps plus the carpentry work to level out the thresholds into the Fireside Room and a new outside west door.

In February 2006 the bathrooms on the first floor were remodeled to provide access for everyone.

Air Conditioning for Sanctuary
As part of the Phase II Building Program, work began the week of June 20, 2004, to install air conditioning in the sanctuary. Work was completed, and the sanctuary was air conditioned for the first time on July 11, 2004.