Upcoming Events

"Departures," the winner of 10 Japan Academy Awards and the Oscar Winner for Best Foreign Film at the 2009 Academy Awards, tells the story of a young man Daigo Kobayashi and his wife who, down on their luck, move back to his small hometown to start over. When Daigo answers an advertisement seeking a person to work in the area of "departures," he assumes that he will be applying for a job associated with travel. To his surprise, however, he discovers the job entails training to become a "Nokanshi," a funeral professional who prepares the deceased for burial and entrance into the next life. He reluctantly takes the position. But, while learning his craft and working with the families of the departed, Daigo embarks on a spiritual journey as he begins to experience the joy and wonder of living. A funny, moving, powerful story, "Departures" is a true delight.

Sue Thornquist will lead our post-film discussion.

Popcorn, soft drinks, coffee, and dessert are available during the movie for a $2 suggested donation.

Sign up starting May 1 in the church office or using the web form.

Date:
Friday, May 18, 2012 - 7:30pm
Location:
Safford Home

Field Day

Come join the DGFUMC Youth for the 2012 field day on Saturday, May 19th from 2-5PM. We will have an inflatable water-slide, face painting, games, and food! It's pretty much going to be the best day ever.

Please contact Katie or JJ if you want to attend!!

Date:
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Spring Ring 2012

Date:
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 7:00pm
Location:
DGFUMC

FoundationsMay Schedule

May 6th, 2012 - Evolutionary Christianity: Richard Lewis

Evolutionary Christianity proposes that God acts in and through the evolutionary process. It draws upon the words of Jesus and Paul to explain the evolutionary impulse and our responsibility in creating the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of Love. Richard Lewis is a retired UCC Minister. He received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the Chicago Theological Seminary where he later worked as Dean of Students and Director of Field Education for 15 years. He has also served as an interim minister in several churches in the Chicago area. His current interest is in Evolutionary Christianity and Integral Philosophy.

May 13th, 2012 - Born Again Methodist: Ed Kras

Ed shares the challenges he faced on his spiritual journey and how he came to be a part of our church body.

May 20th, 2012 - Re-Cap: What we learned and how we can apply it.

LAST CLASS UNTIL FALL.

Date:
Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 9:30am
Location:
Room 212

Katie BartholomewPlease plan to stay after church next Sunday, May 20, to officially welcome our new Youth Minister, Katie Bartholomew. You can read more about her here, but now you can come to meet her in person.

A cake and punch reception will be held in the gym after the 9:30 and 11:00 services. See you there!

Date:
Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 10:30am
Location:
Gym

If you are like many, the idea of going green with your vehicle is appealing, but the challenge of understanding the technologies and picking out the right vehicle feels a bit overwhelming. You may be asking:

  • What is the difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid?
  • What happens to the battery at the end of it's life?
  • What is the true lifecycle cost of these vehicles and will I really save any money in the long run?
  • What is my true environmental impact if I choose one of these vehicles?

If you would like to hear the answers to these questions, please join us on Sunday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 213, where Ken Poindexter, church member and retired 40+ year employee at Electro-Motive Diesel/GM will lead a discussion about green vehicle technologies.

This program follows earlier Environmental Stewardship programs on choosing an alternative electricity provider, installing renewable energy systems and practical ways to reduce energy consumption in your home.

Date:
Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 11:00am
Location:
Room 213

Katie BartholomewPlease plan to stay after church next Sunday, May 20, to officially welcome our new Youth Minister, Katie Bartholomew. You can read more about her here, but now you can come to meet her in person.

A cake and punch reception will be held in the gym after the 9:30 and 11:00 services. See you there!

Date:
Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 12:00pm
Location:
Gym

The Young at Heart group for senior adults are going to try their skill at playing miniature golf on Wednesday, June 13. We will meet at McCollum Park, 6801 Main St, Downers Grove at 11:00 a.m. to play a round of golf at a cost of $4.00 per person playing. After showing off our talent at hitting the ball, we will go to Home Run Inn for lunch. Each person attending will pay for their own golf and Lunch.

You may sign up for this exciting event in the Parlor on Sunday mornings or by calling Marilou Welch at 630.968.4136.

Date:
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 11:00am
Location:
McCollum Park 6801 Main St, Downers Grove, Home Run Inn

Ichthus is a Christian Music Festival in Wilmore, Kentucky. It's a three day music, media, and ministry event. It involves over 120 different music artists and 20 speakers. We go down and camp for three days with thousands of other attendees. All Youth are invited to attend. For more information go to: www.icthusfestival.org or contact JJ Mannschreck.

Date:
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 12:00pm to Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 6:00pm
Location:
Wilmore, Kentucky

Secrets of the KingdomThe First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove is offering a summer camp experience for children and youth from June 25 to 29, 2012. 

Camp offers children and youth the opportunity for fellowship with other children. It offers youth and adults an experience of God’s creation while exploring nature. It offers everyone a chance to experience Christian community and develop skills for Christian living.

This year, the theme of the camp is The Secrets of the Kingdom. Jesus used stories, called parables, to teach his disciples—and us—about what it means to live in God’s kingdom. In Secrets of the Kingdom, campers look to the Master Storyteller, Jesus, to discover four different parables and their meanings for our lives.

Secret 1: We are the Soil (Mark 4:1-9, 4:13-20)

Secret 2: We Can Ask Boldly (Luke 11:5-10)

Secret 3-God is Generous (Matthew 20:1-16)

Secret 4-God Treasures Us (Luke 15:1-10)

Camp will be held at Wesley Woods Conference Center in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Wesley Woods is owned and operated by the Northern Illinois Conference.

To learn more about the camp site please visit their website.

Children and youth will be divided into small groups by grade. Each group will be led by at least one adult leader and a 11th or 12th grader or post-high school assistant.

There will be small group, large group and camp wide activities. Adults and high school youth from DGFUMC will provide leadership for all activities. There will be time for Bible Study, nature, games, swimming, arts and crafts and camp fire.

There will be three camps this year:

  • Elementary Camp: 2nd-6th grade
  • Junior High Camp: 7th-8th grade
  • Counselor-In-Training: 9th grade

The grade listed is the grade the student will be entering in the fall of 2012. Space is limited for all three camps.

Note: All first time 2nd and 3rd grader campers will need a parent to attend camp (the parent will attend at no cost).

Counselor-In-Training!

The Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program is for all 9th grade students. Each student accepted into CIT program will receive some guided experience in order to become a camp counselor. Each CIT will be assigned to a grade level and will be working directly with Pastor John Smoke and others on their way to becoming a camp counselor.

Camp Counselors!

All 10th-12th graders may apply to serve as a camp counselor. Cost will be reduced to cover lodging and food: $230.00. Post-high school (age 18-25) students are invited to apply to be hired as camp counselors. Post-high counselors will receive compensation of $100 for the week. Applications to serve as a camp counselor may be downloaded below. Applications are due by May 6th.

Camp Costs

Elementary Camp: 1st-6th Grades

Church Member: $290
Non-Member: $315

Junior High Camp: 7th-8th Grades

Church Member: $315
Non-Member: $340

Counselors-In-Training: 9th Grade

Church Member: $230
Non-Member: $255

Registration for members begins on March 1, 2012. Registration for non-members begins on April 1, 2012. A $50 deposit is due at time of registration with payment in full due by June 17, 2012.

You can find further details in the brochure that is available for download below.

Date:
Monday, June 25, 2012 - 8:00am to Friday, June 29, 2012 - 12:00pm
Location:
Wesley Woods Conference Center, Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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