The First United Methodist Church has a commitment both to our local community and to the world through our service, prayers, financial support, and fellowship. This page contains descriptions of some of the mission activities that our church is involved in and explains how you can participate.

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DGFUMC Bridge Board

The Bridge Board at First United Methodist Church is a partner with Bridge Communities, a non-profit organization with offices in Glen Ellyn whose mission is to:

• Inspire and effect change by advocating for homeless families.
• Provide services and opportunities that connect families to a better future.
• Collaborate with faith-based partners, community groups and businesses to leverage resources and create long-term solutions.
• Lead by example through our innovative programs and grassroots involvement.

Bridge Communities was founded in 1988 by two community volunteers, Mark Milligan and Bob Wahlgren, and has grown to become the largest transitional housing program in DuPage County. The majority of families served are single parents with children, many who are survivors of domestic violence. Through the mentoring program, Bridge provides families with the necessary life skills to function successfully in their community. The two-year program often provides additional training or academic opportunities to increase income and reduce debt.

Bridge Communities depends on partnering with local faith and community groups who sponsor families in housing and provide volunteer mentors to work directly with each family to foster positive change. Additional resources, including employment counseling, case management, and tutoring for children and adults in the program, are provided by the Glen Ellyn Bridge staff.

The DGFUMC Bridge Board currently sponsors two families in partnership with Bridge Communities. Contact the church office (630-968-7120) if you are interested in supporting this effort. Each year, the board organizes a garden walk to raise funds for this important ministry.

| Bridge Communities | Garden Walk |

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PADS Homeless Shelter

DuPage P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) is an organization that provides emergency housing and other services for more than 1,200 men, women, and children in DuPage County that are homeless. Although their mission is to end homelessness in our neighborhood, one of their principal activities is to coordinate a network of sites to give temporary relief to those in need of shelter.

DGFUMC has been involved in the PADS program for many years, and now hosts PADS every Tuesday night from October to May, providing food and shelter for up to fifty guests. Volunteers from our church coordinate the program and work on the first Tuesday of each month, while other churches and religious organizations work on the remaining weeks. If you wish to be a part of this vital program in our community, please contact Diane Kerr (630-968-7120 x 206).

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Mission to Guatemala

What are the lives of our neighbors like that share the same hemisphere? What do we have in common? How are we different? In an effort to understand the lives of the Guatemalan people, and they of ours, DGFUMC has sent several teams to live with members of the Unidas Para Viver Mejor (UPAVIM) Christian community in the impoverished outskirts of Guatemala City. UPAVIM is a group of 66 women from marginalized areas. Some are widows, some were abandoned by their husbands, and some are dealing with alcoholism in their families. Many are sole providers of economic support for their families. They began helping themselves and their community in 1988 with a Healthy Baby program, then decided to create products to sell to generate funds. They are now working in a number of ways to achieve better housing, clean water, better education and health care for their people.

We travel not to build buildings, but to build a long-term relationship. As Christians, we are charged with reaching out in understanding. In the Beatitudes we are told to put ourselves in "the other person’s shoes." Because our world is so diverse, we need greater understanding of cultural traditions, religious practices, trade, sharing resources, reducing pollution, and peaceful ways of resolving conflict. And, as Christians, we need to stand in solidarity alongside one another in the problems we face.

If you are interested in being a part of the 2008 mission from July 1 to 9, please contact Rev. Jonathan Dean (630-968-7120 x 202).

This ministry is coordinated by Sister Parish, which has the goal of fostering mutual understanding and commitment to peace and justice among people in the United States and Central America.

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South-East DuPage
People's Resource Center

Since January, 2008, our congregation has staffed the food pantry housed at the Westmont Alliance Church one Thursday night per month. On July 2nd, the pantry will move to its new permanent location, the South-East DuPage People's Resource Center at 649 Blackhawk Drive in Westmont. Our church will now staff two Thursday nights. If you are interested in working the 2nd Thursday of the month from 5-8 pm, beginning July 10th, please contact Julie Stone through the church office.

If daytimes are better for you, volunteers are also needed Wednesday mornings from 8:00 to noon, starting July 2, 2008. Joyful workers are needed to stock shelves, assist clients, pick up donations, unload trucks and register clients. If you are interested in working Wednesday mornings, please fill out a volunteer application at the People's Resource Center website.

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South DuPage CROP Hunger Walk

The South DuPage CROP Hunger Walk is a 5 km (3.1 mile) walk held annually in October, with participants asking friends and family to sponsor them. All the money raised supports both the international programs of Church World Service (CWS) and local charities, such as our own PADS site. CWS works in more than 80 countries, combating hunger and helping to provide tools of hope that empower people to meet their own needs.

The 2008 CROP Walk will take place on October 19. Watch the News & Events page for more information.

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Stephen Ministry

Whether you are looking for a way to use your existing caring and listening skills to serve the community or you would love to further develop your communication and relationship lifeskills, Stephen Ministry training is the place for you.

Stephen Ministry is a caring lay ministry that offers the support of presence to individuals who are facing trying times. If your skills or experience have called you to reach out to people in times of trouble, our congregation's Stephen Ministry program may be one great way to practice your love of neighbor.

Stephen Ministry training prepares you to be a useful and caring presence with 50 hours of lifeskills training. This year's training class will begin in the middle of September and new Stephen Ministers will be commissioned in the spring. Training classes will meet on Monday nights from 7:30-9:30pm. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Jonathan Dean (630-968-7120 x 202).