Category: Personal & Spiritual Development
Silent Retreat 2024, Register Now
Join us for an opportunity to be silent and a chance to retreat. What’s there to do at a silent… More >
Find a Generous Path at First Church
For a time, I volunteered at the Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC), a homeless shelter and food pantry in the… More >
Giving Attention: Purest Form of Generosity
During Journey to Membership, one of the exercises we do in pairs is to tell someone about a time when… More >
Give Generously, Receive Abundance
In our First Church Journey to Membership classes, we ask our new members to tell a story of a time… More >
Come Hear (and Tell!) Sabbatical Stories
On Sunday October 8 at 1:00 p.m., join us in Max Otto Hall for Sabbatical Stories! Rev. Jennifer will share… More >
Our Progressive Faith Heritage
I remember the day I told my grandmother I was not a Christian. Her response was, “Oh yes, you are!”… More >
Our Rich Heritage of Good Listening
Fourteen years ago, when I entered First Church, I inherited a rich culture of deep listening. One of the first… More >
Heritage Is Complicated
Heritage is full and complicated: we all have ancestors that have passed us beauty and pain, because all of our… More >
Farewell from Lynne & a Word from Rev. Jennifer
Dear First Church, I am writing this shortly after Ingathering Sunday heartbroken. The theme was Welcome and in the last… More >
Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Morter Lecture
We are excited and honored to welcome Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of Desmond Tutu and Episcopal priest, as our… More >
What Are Theme Circles?
Theme Circles are monthly small groups that deepen and support the spiritual journeys of participants in community with each other… More >
An Exciting September Ahead
My dear First Church, it is a delight to be joining you again after a beautiful, restorative sabbatical. I visited… More >
What Can Theme Circles Do for You?
Church member Dot Sherman describes her experience: “I enjoyed the opportunity to share life’s experience on a small intimate basis…. More >
Kin Outside Your Family of Origin
On a recent visit to Minneapolis, I was reunited with my “spiritual friends” group. We hadn’t seen each other in-person… More >
Theme Circle Facilitator Application Deadline July 15!
Do you enjoy our monthly worship themes? Can you help create a trusting space for reflection and exploration in a… More >
Farewell from Rev. Jim
Seems like just the other day that Rev. Kimberlee took my picture in the snow in front of church on… More >