Interested in learning more about what membership at Sanctuary looks like? If you've already attended Sanctuary 101, this class is the next step in helping us "throw the party" that is Sanctuary Community Church! RSVP to Beth Faga at beth@sanctuaryic.org. 

Snacks will be provided, as well as childcare. 

We’re partnering with dozens of faith communities to collect winter clothing and distribute the items in October to families in need. You can donate the following new or gently used items:

• Coats, snow pants, hats, gloves & mittens, scarves

• Boots, shoes, warm socks

• Sweatpants, sweatshirts, and jeans

• Halloween Costumes for kids

Simply bring the items to church and place them in the collection bin near the Welcome Table in the foyer. Thank you!

Stick around after the service to check out the great Fall Small Groups that will be starting in October. There's something for nearly everyone! Brochures with specific info about groups for the 2019 fall semester will be available soon. If you have an idea for a small group that you’d like to lead, contact Beth@sanctuaryic.org.

We’re hosting a lunch for anyone at Sanctuary who identifies as LGBTQ on Sunday, September 22 after church. It’s a chance to connect with others and share a little of our own stories and how they connect to the mission of Sanctuary. RSVP by emailing phyllis@sanctuaryic.org and please share any dietary preferences and/or childcare needs.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, we’ll collect a special Kids Wing Offering. Right now, we have about 170 kids who call Sanctuary their church home, and over 70 volunteers and hired workers regularly serve in the Kids Wing.. Our hope is that the Kids Wing can be a fun, safe place where kids can experience God’s love and enter into the wonder of faith. Our goal is to raise $15,000 through this offering, and all of the funds raised will support our ongoing programming in the Kids Wing. Please consider how you might contribute to this special offering. And if you won’t be on church on the 22nd, you can give online. Thank you!

Newer to Sanctuary? Wondering what we're about or hoping to meet some of the leadership? This is the class for you and a great place to start! Light snacks will be served, and childcare is available. You can enjoy the food while hearing a bit about Sanctuary -- our history, our leadership, and what we're passionate about. Click HERE to sign up!

Join us for an All Church Party at Sugar Bottom Rec Area on Sunday, August 25, 5-7 p.m. Swim, hang out with new and old friends, and join in some group games: water balloon toss (or fight!), outdoor Giant Jenga, cornhole, and more! We’ll kick off the party with baptisms at 5 p.m. and then dinner after. The church will provide sub sandwiches and beverages, and we ask everyone to bring either a side dish or dessert to share. What better way to close out the summer celebrating God’s goodness?! RSVP on this form.

On Sunday, August 25, we’re planning our annual Baptism & Rededication Ceremony at Sugar Bottom. Everyone’s invited to this party which begins at 5 pm, so save the date! Baptism is one of the most meaningful steps anyone makes in connecting with Jesus and following him. If you’ve never been baptized, please consider taking this step. You can read more about baptism (and rededication for those who have already been baptized) on the church’s website. If you’re interested in signing up or have questions, email David (david@sanctuaryic.org).

This one-time class, led by Erika Lauer, will use small and large group activities along with meditation exercises to facilitate further awareness on how our consumer choices impact the environment. We’re offering this class in conjunction with our current teaching series The Created World. What and how we buy and consume affects a number of aspects related to human health and social justice. We hope that this class assists us in naming those choices and how we may change some of them to reflect God's values for creation. The class will take place on Thursday, July 25, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Sanctuary. We're requesting RSVP's so we can better plan. Sign up on this form.

We’re holding a 20-minute Members Meeting on Sunday, June 30 following the Sunday service. Pastoral staff will share a few updates including an important change in the Blue Ocean church network.

Join Hands on Faith’s Habitat for Humanity Build on Saturday, June 22. Habitat is a nonprofit organization that assists people with building and owning their home. You can work a morning shift (8-noon) or an afternoon shift (1-5) or both. Lunch is served at noon for anyone who works either shift. Sign up using the form below. Questions? Email david@sanctuaryic.org.  

Sanctuary is looking for volunteers to help us celebrate and support the LGBTQ community at Iowa City Pride Fest this year! It will be our first year participating, and we'd love to see a strong church turnout. Help decorate our float, walk in the parade, or do both on Saturday, June 15th. You can sign up on this form to volunteer.

Questions can be directed to Ashley Lindley at ashekae@gmail.com.

Our Hands on Faith ministry is partnering with Coralville Central to assist with their Ride Into Summer event on May 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Volunteers can help with dinner (set up, serve, cleanup) or the bike rodeo for kids. We’re also hoping to provide 400 cookies. If you can serve or provide some cookies (or both!), please sign up on this form or on the clipboard at the welcome table. Contact David (david@sanctuaryic.org) with any questions. Thank you!

Newer to Sanctuary? Wondering what we're about or hoping to meet some of the leadership? This is the class for you and a great place to start! We'll provide lunch and childcare. You can enjoy the food while hearing a bit about Sanctuary -- our history, our leadership, and what we're passionate about. Click HERE to sign up!

Join us for worship on Easter Sunday (April 21) as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection! We’ll offer two Sunday services: 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. PLUS: we’ll have a free Easter themed PHOTO BOOTH for family and friend photos.

Please join us for our Good Friday Service on Friday, April 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Good Friday is the annual remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion. We mark this important date through a worship service that includes scripture readings, music, and imagery. As we contemplate Jesus' suffering, we are drawn more into God's fullness. This is one of the most important special worship services all year that brings the Lenten season to its climax. Childcare is available for kids ages 0-5, but we ask that you RSVP to Phyllis (phyllis@sanctuaryic.org) to reserve a spot.

Sunday, April 14 is our annual HoFfering (Hands on Faith Offering). Our goal is to raise $20,000, and all of the money raised through the HoFfering goes towards financial support of organizations beyond our church. This past year, for example, we gave $10,000 to G! WORLD as a part of our Easter $10,000 Blessing. Our church supports many local organizations and relief efforts as well. Financial giving from our church makes a huge impact because it signals so much about Jesus’ goodness and generosity. If you won’t be at church on April. 14, you can give online at www.sanctuaryic.org/give.

We’re excited to launch a new teaching series in Lent called Flipped, which will explore how God flips our worlds upside down. We see the ultimate example in Jesus’ death and resurrection, but there are all kinds of ways that God’s goodness surprises us through radical reversals.  Join us every Sunday in Lent, or catch the live stream or podcast.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. Join us for our Ash Wednesday worship service (March 6, 6:30 p.m.) that includes music, prayers, and the symbolic distribution of ashes. Childcare is available (for ages 0-5), but please reserve a spot by emailing phyllis@sanctuaryic.org.

Led by Sanctuary member Dr. Katie Imborek, this seminar will focus on foundational terms, definitions, and concepts around LGBTQ identities. This knowledge is necessary for anyone interested in respectfully engaging with people of all gender and sexual identities whether in the workplace, church, family and/or social circles.  

This seminar is free and open to the public, but we request RSVP’s for space and resource planning. RSVP here.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Dr. Katie Imborek is an associate professor of family medicine and co-director of UI Health Care LGBTQ clinic. Together with Dr Nicole Nisly, she created the LGBTQ clinic in 2012. This multidisciplinary clinic has cared for over 800 patients since it opened, with the majority of these patients identifying as transgender or gender non-conforming. Dr. Imborek routinely lectures to medical students, residents, faculty and health care staff about providing competent and affirming care to LGBTQ patients.

Join us Monday, Dec. 24 at 4:00 or 5:15 p.m. for a traditional, family-friendly Christmas Eve service with carols, candles, Scripture readings, and a story for children. Cookies and cider will be served after each service.

Join us as we prepare our hearts and minds for this Advent season through contemplation and meditation, led by Valerie Keffala. We will be learning about and practicing a different faith-based meditation practice over the course of four weeks. You are welcome to come for any or all of these sessions. No previous experience is required. Feel free to come and explore as we learn to draw near to God with these practices. We will meet on Sunday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30 November 25 through December 16. Email Beth Faga at beth.faga@gmail.com with any questions and to RSVP.

Join us for Sanctuary’s fun, adults-only Christmas party featuring food, drinks, and a holiday themed photo booth. It will be hosted at the home of Dana and Erik Lehmann, 2301 Jessup Cir. Iowa City 52246, on Friday, December 7, 7:30-10:00 p.m. Bring a dessert or an appetizer to share, and the church will provide beverages. Please note: there’s additional street parking available on MacBride Dr.

Sanctuary will transition to only one Sunday service time, at 10 a.m., beginning Sunday, Nov. 4. After looking at attendance numbers, volunteer availability, and Kids Wing capacity, we’ve concluded that one Sunday service will best suit our community’s needs. We recognize only one option may present some challenges, and we’re happy to talk through anything we might do to accommodate.  

Single parents! You are invited to join us for a delicious breakfast and casual discussion about single parenting. Although a multiplicity of external factors leads us to be single parents, we will gather and share about our common experience of parenting on our own. Come as you are! We are ready to hear from you and learn from each other. Details: Saturday, Nov. 3rd, 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Sanctuary. Childcare and breakfast provided. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvVhRo3TQxRmF0G0sYz22Nt7lpRQBBq0_B4uMm4Q-vTSEYJQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Join other community members in a Rally for Immigration Reform on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the UI Pentacrest. Sponsored in part by the Iowa Poor People’s Campaign and the Eastern Iowa Community Bond Project, this rally is a peaceful, non-partisan gathering to HEAR stories from Iowans most impacted by negative immigration laws and to LEARN what action we can all take. Check out the Facebook event page HERE for more information.