FUMC Musical Ensembles Resume their Regular Schedules soon! All interested musicians are welcome to join!

Come to the Downbeat – your God-given gifts are needed!

Calling ALL musicians! We mean it! Opera singers, shower singers, happy birthday singers, bell ringers, ding-a-lings and musicians in training!  All humans from 3 years to 110 years are invited to give music @ FUMC a try.

Rehearsals for FUMC musical ensembles resume their regular schedules soon.  All interested musicians (and wanna-be musicians!) are welcome to join.  The rumor that you have to be an exceptional musician to join is NOT TRUE!  Invite your friends to join us.  If you miss the first rehearsal, come to another!  Contact Barbara Zachow for more information at 217‑356‑9078 or bzachow@comcast.net.

 First Regular Rehearsal:

·    Chancel Choir – Wednesday, August 20, 7:00 – 8:15 pm - Choir Room
o   Youth and adults of any age
o   Provide choral music in a variety of styles for worship services

·    Perceptions Praise Team - Thursday, August 28, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Sanctuary
o   Youth and adults of any age
o   Keyboard, guitar, drum set, vocalists, other instruments

·    Chancel Ringers – Tuesday, September 2, 6:00 – 7:00 pm - Bell Tables
o   Youth and Adults of any age
o   Intermediate or Advanced handbell experience
o   Provide music in a variety of styles for periodic worship services

·    Angel Choir - Sunday, September 7, 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Room J
o   3 years old through 5th graders
o   Singing, tone chimes, beginning bells, Orff and rhythm instruments, foundational music reading skills

·    Youth Music – Sunday, September 7, 5:00 – 6:00 pm - Choir Room
o   6th through 12th graders
o   Singing, intermediate bells, instruments, other artistic talents

 ·   FUMC also hosts Choral Union – Monday, September 8, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Choir Room
o   Adults with willingness to sing in and contribute to the community chorus, the ability to match pitch, and the ability to produce a pleasing vocal sound
o   Give periodic concerts throughout the community

Walking Talking Lunch Bunch - Every Tuesday

Building Reserve and Health:
A Walking and Lunch Program

FUMC has been blessed with funding from the United Methodist Foundation to start a weekly exercise, fitness, and nutrition program for adults in our congregation and community. We are happy to announce that Debbie Chew will lead the program. Debbie has many years of experience in directing physical rehabilitation programs.

Each session will consist of gentle warm up exercises, walking, and a time for a shared lunch. The walking will be adapted for varying levels of speed and endurance. No fee is required to participate. The costs per person for lunch will be $12. Funding may be available for those who would benefit from assistance with food costs.

Please join us in Friendship Center on:

Date: Tuesdays

Time: 11:30 a.m. (We walk from the church at 12:20 to the restaurant.)

Restaurant Schedule:

September 2 - Rainbow Garden

September 9 - Guido’s

September 16 - Hacienda Agave

September 23 - Farren’s

September 30 - Aspen Tap

Walkers and volunteers to assist with the program are welcome!! Please contact the church office at 217-356-9078 for any questions or further details.

Part-Time Organist

PART-TIME ORGANIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CHAMPAIGN
210 W Church Street, Champaign, IL 61820

ABOUT US
https://www.champaignfumc.org/

First United Methodist Church of Champaign is located downtown and serves the university community of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities.  The congregation has a rich history of music ministry.  The program is constantly evolving to utilize the talents of current musicians and to meet the needs of the worshiping community.

 The sanctuary holds a 1965 three manual Cassavant Pipe Organ with electric action, a Kawai Grand Piano, Roland FP-4 keyboard, five octaves of Schlumerich handbells and four octaves of chimes.  Additionally, a small chapel organ, three additional grand pianos, a set of three timpani, two drum sets and other miscellaneous instruments are available in the building.  Over five thousand titles of keyboard solos and ensembles are catalogued and housed in the church’s music library.

 REQUIREMENTS

·         A person of Christian faith

·         High degree of competence on organ, piano, and keyboard

·         Accompanying experience

·         Willingness to rehearse sufficiently to maintain a high quality of music

·         Sensitivity and ability to communicate in a friendly and professional manner with church staff, church members, members of the public, and other persons present in the church building

·         Ability to sight-read and improvise is desired

 POSITION TYPE AND HOURS

·         Organist is a salaried employee

·         Salary based on candidate’s education, experience, and skill level

·         Organist expected to work an average of 20 hours per week

·         Schedule is arranged according to program needs in consultation with the Directing Pastor and Director of Music and Worship

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Prepare and play hymns, songs, and anthem accompaniments during weekly and seasonal worship services

·         Accompany Chancel Choir during weekly rehearsals

·         Rehearse with and accompany other ensembles and soloists as needed for worship services

·         Play for Major Music Sundays (generally one each semester)

·         Play for weddings and funerals. If unavailable, organist shall find a substitute.

·         Play and/or support the organization of recitals

·         Assist in maintaining music library for organ and keyboard instruments

HOW TO APPLY

  • Review of applications begins October 28, 2024, on a rolling basis. Finalists will be invited to audition/interview on site. Submit the following to:
    llcurtis@illinois.edu

  • Letter of Application

  • CV/Resume

  • Sample recordings of two pieces appropriate for prelude/postlude, two hymns, and a short improvisation on a hymn

  • Names and contact information (emails/phone numbers) for three professional references

 NOTE

·         Persons interested in sharing this position will also be considered

 TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT
Laura Curtis, Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Chair
llcurtis@illinois.edu
2403 Waterbury Place
Champaign, IL 61822
(217) 778-2114

Welcome Home Bins Ministry

Today we celebrate new beginnings, new hopes, new pathways to progress.

Three new women have joined Austin’s Place at C-U at Home and are taking their first steps toward stable and independent lives. These women bring deep scars and resilient hope to this new chapter in their lives. One woman has survived three abusive relationships. Another is eight months sober after struggling with substance abuse since age 15. One woman is working toward regaining custody of her children. Two women have already secured jobs.

With the support and encouragement of case managers and the resources provided by the C-U at Home program, these women will find their ways - discovering new strengths and talents - and growing into their full potential as contributing members of our community.

Please pray for these women as they travel their new pathway to progress.

Each woman receives a Welcome Bin from Champaign First United Methodist Church. Each bin contains a set of sheets, a blanket, a pillow, towels, washcloths, a laundry hamper, and a shower caddy for her to use during her time at Austin’s Place. She will take these items with her when she graduates from the C-U at Home program. The bins also contain a set of color-coded folders for each woman to use as they move through the four phases of their recovery program.

As the original home of Austin’s Place, Champaign First UMC has a long history and deep love for the women served by this ministry. This Welcome Home bins ministry continues your support of the women at Austin’s Place.

Your generous donations make this ministry possible. To support this ministry, you can donate with a check payable to FUMC (210 W Church St, Champaign, IL 61820) or go to our website (www.champaignfumc.org) and click on GIVE. BE SURE TO DESIGNATE YOUR GIFT FOR AUSTIN’S PLACE/WELCOME BINS so it goes into the correct account.

Where Connecting, Growing and Serving are a Way of Life