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Church Events in 2010

This page preserves links to church events that have already occurred in 2009 for reference purposes. Look at the News and Events page for future events and the sidebar for archives of previous years.


Vacation Bible School

July 27-29, 2010: 9am-Noon

At the Galactic Blast Vacation Bible School, your children will gain a new perspective on our planet Earth, and learn easy "green" earth tips they can practice at home. Children will continue to build their faith while having fun!

Children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade
Cost: $10/child or $25/family with 3 or more children

Please consider volunteering to help; it's fun and the children love having their parents there.

| Registration Form (PDF) |


Our New Facebook Page

Stay Connected!

We have a new Facebook page that will be used by the staff to provide the most up-to-date news from the church. You don't have to be a Facebook member to view it, but we encourage all those who are to click the Facebook Like button so that they can contribute to the online community. Please note that this is not the "group" that was set up a few months ago. The group will no longer be maintained so, if you belonged to it, please take a moment to join ("like") the new page.

For those who prefer tweets, we also have a new Twitter page. News posts to the Facebook page are automatically posted there as well.


Welcome the New Pastors!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

On Sunday, July 4, we will be welcoming our new senior pastors, Rev. Jim and Greta McDonald, to First UMC in a reception in the Fellowship Hall following the 10am service (Note: there will be only one service). Please join us in celebrating the start of their new ministry with us.


Rev. Jim & Greta McDonald

Greta McDonaldJim McDonaldThe Reverends Jim and Greta McDonald have been married since 1977, and each of them has 34 years of pastoral experience. Jim grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He received his BA with a double major in Sociology and History from the University of Manitoba. Greta grew up in northern Illinois, graduated from Dixon High School, received a BS in Communications-Journalism from the University of Illinois at Champaign, and served in 1974-75 as a part-time Senior High youth minister at Downers Grove First UMC.

Greta and Jim met at Iliff School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary in Denver, Colorado, where they both received Masters of Divinity degrees. Following seminary, Jim served the Hanover, Illinois UMC 8 years while Greta served the Elizabeth, Illinois UMC. They were both appointed as associate pastors to Libertyville UMC, where they served for 13½ years. For the past 11 years, they have served as co-pastors of the New Lenox UMC.

They have two adult children. Their daughter, Danica, is a pediatric intensive care nurse at Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Her husband, Dave Johnson, is a middle school teacher at Hinsdale, and they are parents of a 20-month old son, Kellen. Danica and her family live in New Lenox (guess what Greta's and Jim's favorite hobby is these days!). Their son, Colin, is completing his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree, at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.


Graduation CapCollege Scholarships

Deadline: July 1, 2010

College students and High School graduates may apply for The First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove Scholarships. Each applicant must be a member of the choir or youth program. All applications are due by July 1, 2010.

| Download Application (PDF) |


Summer Camp

Wesley Woods, June 28-July 2, 2010

What Is A Hero?

In the movies and fairy tales, heroes are those who leap tall buildings in a single bound, save damsels in distress, or thwart the powers of evil in climactic, spectacular battles. However, being a hero for God is different, although not nearly as dramatic.

In this year's summer camp, campers will consider the ways in which being a hero for God takes courage and bravery, requiring them to step out in faith and take risks for the sake of others. Being a hero calls them to trust God to use what they can offer and to equip them for welcoming, befriending, including, giving, rejoicing, and sharing the good news. Campers will leave camp knowing that it takes more courage and faith to be one of God's heroes than it takes to simply leap off tall buildings in a single bound!

| More Details |


Wash and Worship

9th Annual Youth Car Wash

June 26 & 27, 2010

Bucket and spongeThe 9th Annual Youth Car Wash will take place on Saturday, June 26, from 10am to 2pm and Sunday, June 27, from 8am to 11:30am.

Cost: ANY donation

Proceeds to support the Youth Mission and Chapel Choir.


Ice Cream SundaeFather's Day

Ice Cream Sundae

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Join the Membership Development Work Area for our Annual Father's Day Ice Cream Social!

This year it will be combined with the Farewell Reception for Tom and Gayle Ostrander on June 20 in Fellowship Hall at 11:00 am. Enjoy free ice cream which will be served with a piece of delicious cake. Bring the entire family for ice cream!


FarewellFarewell to Our Pastors

Sundays, June 20 & 27, 2010

Rev. Tom Ostrander's last Sunday with us will be on June 20th and Rev. Jonathan Dean's last Sunday with us will be on June 27th. Staff Parish will be sponsoring a farewell reception after both services in Fellowship Hall on both Sundays. Please plan on joining Tom and Jonathan on their respective day and wish them well.


Young-at-Heart Miniature Golf

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Young at HeartYoung At Heart will be enjoying the great outdoors when we will travel to McCollum Park Miniature Golf Course, 6801 S. Main Street, Downers Grove, to play miniature golf on Wednesday, June 9th. Play begins at 11:00am. Cost is $3.00 per person. Afterwards we will have a buffet lunch at Home Run Inn, 7521 Lemont Rd., Darien. Each person attending will pay for their own meal which will be approximately $11.00 for the buffet. This includes tax, tip and one drink.

Sign up is in the Parlor on Sunday mornings or by calling Marilou Welch at church (630.968.7120). Come and join the fun and fellowship.


On Thundering Wings

by Ermalou Roller

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Ermalou RollerOn Thundering Wings by Ermalou Roller has just been published and on June 6th from 11:15am to 12:30pm the Adult Education Work Area will be sponsoring a book signing, discussion, and question and answer period. Coffee and rolls will be served.

On Thundering Wings: Homosexuality, Love and the Church on Trial by Ermalou Roller has just been published. In 1999, Roller’s life intersected with that of Greg Dell, a Methodist minister put on trial by the church for performing union ceremonies for gay members of his congregation. The trial was held in the sanctuary of First UMC of Downers Grove. As Dell's colleague, Roller began to see and to write about the connection between his public ordeal and her own personal trials.

Books will be available for purchase in the office beginning Sunday, May 30th. Roller retired eight years ago from active ministry as a pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church where she served for 25 years.


Wacky Wednesdays

June 9 to August 18, 2010

The Children & Family Work Area is excited to announce a new summer program for children going into 1st grade through 6th grade called Wacky Wednesdays! The mission of this program is to bring children together for a lot of fun and a good message. Every child is welcome. Invite your children, grandchildren, children in your neighborhood, and children of friends---ALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME! The program will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 and there is NO cost!

Schedule

June 9: School is out…let's party!
A Hawaiian Dance! Coach Josh from the park district will be our DJ for the evening. Wear your fun Hawaiian clothes and come ready to party.
June 16: The 2010 Downers Grove Summer Olympics
Come play some fun games, get some exercise and maybe win a gold medal!
June 23: Family Night at the Fire House
Kids of all ages along with their parents/grandparents/guardians are invited to go on a trip to the new firehouse on Main Street. We will meet at the church and walk to the firehouse together.
July 7: Magic Show and Carnival
Magic Matt will be doing a magic show and then making balloons animals for us. There will also be many carnival type games with prizes and yummy treats!
July 14: Mystery Night!
Come to be surprised with a fun evening!
July 21: Family Night and Water Fun
Kids of all ages along with their parents/grandparents/guardians are invited to the church for an evening of fellowship and some fun with water. There will be a dunk tank with Pastor John in it along with other fun water games.
August 4: A Roundup
Every child attending is invited to wear a hat—any kind of hat (if you have a cheese hat – wear it). JD Allen from Minnesota, a cowboy singing guitar player, will be leading our program called "Hats On – Hats Off." The evening will conclude with a campfire and smores!
August 11: An Evening of Storytelling with Oba William King
Mr. King has been a storyteller on the Polar Express event through the park district. All kids will enjoy his great stories!
August 18: Family Night and Picnic
We will have the grill cooking hotdogs and hamburgers. All you have to do is bring a salad or dessert to share. There will be picnic games. Kids of all ages along with their parents/ grandparents/guardians are invited to an end-of-summer picnic!

There is no registration necessary! Come to one Wednesday OR come to them all — Whatever fits your schedule! For more information, contact John Smoke (630-968-7120).

| Download Brochure (PDF)|


A New Pictorial Directory

May 25-28 & June 15-19, 2010

Did you know that in 2011 we will mark the 175th anniversary of our church? To kick off our celebration, we are producing a new pictorial directory. That means we need you to get your picture taken.

Lifetouch will be here from May 25th through 28th and June 15th through 19th to take photographs. For every family that has its picture taken, Lifetouch will donate the cost of four meals to the People's Resource Center. In addition, if you bring in a donation to the food pantry when you get photographed, you will get a discount on your order. All participants will receive a complimentary 8 by 10 photo and a copy of the directory.

You can sign up online using the link below, or look out for our sign-up tables on Sunday mornings in the Parlor to make your appointment.

| Schedule an Appointment |


Chancel Choir

Spring Ring XVIII

Bells on Parade

7:00pm Sunday evening, May 23

The Chancel Ringers
The Westminster Handbell Ensemble

There will be no rain on our handbell parade
Only vibrant rainbows of bell colors!

The Ringers of First United Methodist Church lead us through a rainbow of beautiful bell colors, from Rutter's Angels' Carol to J. S. Bach's My Spirit Be Joyful, Havah Nagilah to The Waltz from Serenade for Strings by Tschaikovsky. William Payn's Visions, Leroy Anderson's rollicking Bugler's Holiday as well as All-American Hometown Band will be featured.

Tickets are $7 in advance; $9 at the door and are available in the Parlor between services or in the church office during the week. Child care is provided.

Will you join us for the festivities? Be sure to buy early. Please call the church 630-968-7120.


FUMC Quartet Concert

Sunday, May 16, 2010

FUMC QuartetThe FUMC Men's Quartet comprised of Ward Feste, Brett Goad, Scott Hudson, and Mark Kostelny will perform their second benefit concert for Bridge Communities on Sunday, May 16th, at 2:30pm with a reception to follow. Tickets are $7 in advance (on sale in the Parlor on Sunday mornings) and $9 at the door.

All proceeds will go to Bridge Communities, an organization devoted to helping homeless families achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The concert will feature both sacred and secular tunes as only our Quartet can do them. An afternoon of wonderful music is guaranteed. Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 16th!


Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
and may light eternal shine upon them.

Completed in 1985, Requiem by John Rutter is a musical adaptation of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass. This favorite of the choral repertoire is characterized by lyrical melodies and dissonant harmonies. Requiem contains seven movements in both English and Latin, each with its own distinctive sound; from somber funeral mass to the six-winged seraphim in the heavenly throne-room of God. Arise, Shine and A Clare Benediction, also by Rutter, will complete the musical offering.

Performed by the Chancel Choir in 1994, the group is pleased to revisit this musical treasure on its twenty-fifth year. These performances will be directed by Diane Hires accompanied by an ensemble of flute (member Chris Dortwegt), oboe, cello, harp, glockenspiel, timpani (frequent guest Justin Kono), and organ (organist Pattie Barnes.)

Please come to enjoy this wonderful music … and bring friends!


 

Creation Care 2010

April 17, 2010

Young-at-Heart Bingo

April 14, 2010

Wednesday Faith Forum

April 14, 2010

Chapel Choir Post-Tour Concert

April 11, 2010

Foundations: Mary Magdalene

April 11, 2010

Free Throw Shooting Contest

April 10, 2010

Holy Week

March 28, 2010

Chapel Choir Spring Break tour

March 27, 2010

Mother-Daughter Tea

March 20, 2010

FBG: Alias Grace

March 18, 2010

Geothermal Systems

March 14, 2010

YAH: Buddhist Temple

March 10, 2010

Midwest Mission Distribution Center

March 10, 2010

Rev. Grace Imathiu

March 6, 2010

Interfaith Book Discussion

February 28, 2010

Winging Our Way to Philly

February 28, 2010

My Search for Messiah

February 28, 2010

Lenten Courses

February 24, 2010

2nd Annual Variety Show

February 20, 2010

Ash Wednesday

February 17, 2010

NIU Soup and Sandwich Supper

February 17, 2010

Administrative Council

February 14, 2010

Building Dedication Sunday

January 24, 2010

Fiction Book Group

January 21, 2010

Friday Night at the Movies

January 15, 2010

YAH: Sing Them Over Again

January 13, 2010

Wednesday Faith Forum

January 13, 2010

Haiti Earthquake

January 12, 2010

Foundations

January 10, 2010

Leadership Training

January 6, 2010

Preschool Registration

January 5, 2010

 
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