2009 CAM/RA Youth Retreat

What’s New!

Offering nearly two dozen ministries geared to individuals and families of all ages, across all theological and political persuasions, things are always hopping at First!  Whether it’s singing in one of our choirs, volunteering to provide shelter and meals to the homeless, or delving deeper into the faith and hearing from others what passions they are moved by, ours is forever a community moved to action by love.  In fact, here is just a sampling of the many opportunities for spiritual engagement and enrichment you will discover:

§        A new program year that begins in the fall with Rally Sunday the 1st Sunday after Labor Day at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Rally Sunday functions as our annual “missions fair” where you can learn more about all the vital ministries that this congregation, from the Boy Scouts (Troop #2 has met in our building for more than 90 years!) to our underwriting and hosting the Yellowstone AIDS Project Annual Pride Breakfast whenever Billings serves as host city.

§       Two worship services—an early service in the Chapel featuring Holy Communion at 8:45 a.m., and our traditional service of worship, with choirs, at 11:00 a.m. where the Eucharist is celebrated the 1st Sunday of every month.  A Saturday contemporary service and an informal worship gathering offered specifically for LGBT members and friends are both in the works for fall 2010! 

§        Adult Education offerings featuring multiple electives, including our popular Church & Society Forum, Teresa Kennedy's Transitions class, or Primetimer's (55+) Study-time, and a new offering called Your Faith and You, which all meet weekly at 10:00 a.m.

§        A children's Sunday School that features a modular learning environment which rotates between lessons in Bible Story, Art, Science, Music, and Cooking.  Children interested in Melody Choir meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Children's Music Room for rehearsal (Melody Choir normally offers a "gift of song" the 2^nd Sunday of the month).  Meanwhile, Pre-K through 4^th attend the first 10 minutes of worship for a Children’s Time before departing for classes.

§        Our Sunday Journey to Starbucks “Java with Jesus” youth excursion (Grades 7-12) at 11:00 a.m. has been a huge hit.  Youth meet near the white board in the Narthex, then travel as a group to the Crown Plaza for a more relaxed time of Bible discussion and hot-topic round tables.  Additional youth and children’s programming, plus Chancel Choir rehearsal, is held on Wednesday evenings.

§       Weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly book groups including our popular Cultural Criticism Book Group that meets for breakfast every Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. in the Library; a Spiritual Growth Book Group that meets the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month (normally in someone's home) at 7:30 p.m.; a Contemporary Literature Reading Group (also hosted by someone) that meets the 1^st Sunday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

§        Older Adult programs featuring Primetimer's (55+) Dinner-time at 5:30 p.m. every 3^rd Thursday of the month, and Primetimer’s (55+) Wine-time every 4^th Thursday.  A weekly Grief Support Group also meets on Mondays at 1:00 p.m. in the Parlor.  A Transitions class, or  Primetimer’s (55+) Study-time convenes Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

§        News and other important happenings are shared via the Billings Congregationalist, now published the last Thursday of the month in full color; through the Weekly Word bulletin supplement worshippers receive each week; and through postings on the church Facebook site "Billings First"--updated daily.  Beginning with February 2010, all print media, plus sermons, will also be archived here on the website.