Pastor Robb is meeting with a small group of students at Augustana College on Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m. They meet in the Geology Building, where there is a small reading room adjacent to the museum. Right now the group is going to work through the book The Awakened Life: An 8-week Guide to Student Well Being. You do not have to be a student at Augustana to participate in the group. If you have missed a few sessions with the book, you are still welcome to come along. The book teaches some simple spiritual exercises that can help your mental and spiritual health. There are also monthly dinners at Pastor Robb’s house. Look for special “Sunday Dinner Club” invitations on our pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Category: News
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Allied Youth Retreat
What: Allied Youth Fall Retreat
Who: Middle school and high school youth from multiple area churches, all dedicated to LGBTQ inclusion.
Where: Camp Milan Retreat Center
When: Registration is 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8. Pick up is at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Why: To have some fun, enjoy nature, build relationships, and share a retreat focusing on Gratitude.
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Trunk or Treat
Two Rivers Church has been invited to be a part of the Trunk or Treat event at Earl Hanson Elementary School (4100 9th Street, Rock Island, IL)
The theme for the Trunk or Treat is “The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,” which is a wonderful coincidence since we will be in the midst of our Gospel According to the Peanuts sermon series. We would love to have several trunks available, and with the candy we pass out we can gently let people know of both our Saturday meal site as well as our exciting series and Sunday school events.
We are hoping that this is the start of a longer relationship with Earl Hanson as we “Adopt the Hawks.” We will be encouraging volunteers to read in classrooms, connecting our coat ministry, and making more connections with the school, teachers, and staff over the coming months.
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Braver Angels workshop
“Skills to Disagree Better” is a not a workshop about how to win arguments or convince people that you are right. It is about gaining skills to see other viewpoints as well as communicate more clearly. This workshop will take place at Port Byron First United Methodist Church (9412 228th St. N; Port Byron, IL) on Saturday, October 26 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves–their core values and central concerns–but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.
When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.
We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.
Goals:
- Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear — even if they disagree
- More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
- Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard
Register for this event by clicking the button below. The event is free, but there is a chance to make a donation to cover the costs of the speaker, the hosts, and help support Braver Angels, which is a national 501(c)3 organization with the mission of helping bridge the political divide.
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Two QC Pride events
Look for the Two Rivers Church tables at two Quad Cities Pride fests this June. We will have a table on May 31-June 1 at Schwiebert Park, Rock Island; and June 15 at Bass Street Landing, Moline. Our first Pride event was last year at Bass Street Landing, and everyone who participated shared what a wonderful experience it was. Volunteers can help make buttons, pass out literature, or just be a warm and friendly face. There are two-hour blocs to sign up to be a part of our table. Volunteers are still responsible for entrance fees to the Schwiebert Park festival. There will be a tent for our table and chairs.
These two pride events are an important way to let people know that LGBTQ people and Christian allies can find a spiritual home at Two Rivers Church.
To volunteer at either of these events, see the schedule of two-hour blocs in the form.
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER
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2024 OPEN ARMS FOR OLIVIA BLOOD DRIVE
DATE: March 21, 2024
TIME: 3pm-7pm
LOCATION: Two Rivers UMC, 1820 5th Ave, Rock Island, IL
