Recent News

Northern Illinois Open Letter to the Bishop

April 6, 2019 - 1:34pm

Church members are welcome to sign an open letter to Bishop Sally Dyck, which expresses concern for the harm done by the Special Session of General Conference to LGBTQIA+ persons and the damage to all of us who seek to worship in an inclusive church. In the past week, over 600 people from all over the Northern Illinois Conference have signed in support. If you wish to sign, there is a form at the bottom of the letter where you can add your name.

|Northern Illinois Open Letter to the Bishop|

All Church Read Begins April 28

April 6, 2019 - 1:17pm

The Hate U GiveJoin the All Church Read Discussion of the book, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas for those who are ages 14 and up.  Descriptions of the book are located here and here.

A copy of the book may be pre-ordered for $12 at the Adult Education table in the Parlor on Sundays or by calling the church office. Please pay when you register so that we know how many books to order.

Our book discussions will begin April 28 and continue through May 20. Discussions will be held on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. in Room 218 and on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Two dates and times will be held each week to allow for as many people as possible to participate. Come to one or the other during the week; the material will be the same at each time.

Host Families Needed (no Spanish required)

April 6, 2019 - 1:12pm

On April 25, 26, and 27, DGFUMC is hosting the North American Board of Directors' meeting of Sister Parish - the organization that links DGFUMC with the women of UPAVIM in Guatemala City.

We are looking for four host families to house members of the board during the meeting. There will be a married couple, two single men driving together, another single man, and a woman with a 2-year-old child requiring accommodation. Host families will provide breakfast, drive some members to and from DGFUMC for their meetings, and may choose to attend optional social events with the board and others.

If you are interested in hosting or would like more details, contact Ina Osborn at 630.308.8418 or call the church office.

Chancel Choir Cantata

April 6, 2019 - 1:13pm

A time for reflection and meditation...

Make plans to attend a presentation of Fauré’s Requiem by the Chancel Choir and guest chamber orchestra for their annual spring Cantata on Sunday, April 7 at the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. Faure’s gift for ethereal beauty has made this piece universally popular.

Featured soloists will be guest baritone Evan Tyrone Martin and soprano Jamie Calandriello. An offertory trio will feature Andrew Hesse, cello, Molly Hesse, violin, and Julie Spring, harp.

Please invite family members and friends to join you for this experience. They will be glad you did.

Ash Wednesday Service

March 6, 2019 - 11:50am

Sending Light to Guatemala

February 28, 2019 - 10:13pm

On Sunday, March 3, Maggie Roth will be flying to Guatemala with with a team from Watts of Love to bring clean, renewable, solar light to families who live in ultra-poverty. Watts of Love is a Downers Grove-based charity that has developed portable solar lights that they distribute to communities all over the world, including Haiti (see right), Nepal, the Phillipines, and many parts of Africa.

Solar lighting is much safer then the kerosene lamps typically used, provides protection for families at night, and helps children with their studies. According to a World Bank study, students attain nearly two years more of formal education when they have access to light.

  • If you'd like to support Maggie on her trip to Guatemala, you can donate here.

Results of UMC General Conference

February 27, 2019 - 12:17pm

All church members are invited to continue to pray for the UMC moving forward in regards to the inclusion of the LGBTQ community. The Special General Conference held in St. Louis, MO voted for the Traditional plan and the future of the organization of the United Methodist Church is uncertain. The resulting decisions could affect the United Methodist Church in profound ways and the Special General Conference outcomes will be determined in the days to come. In the meantime, please view the following websites for more information: 

Join the Bucket Brigade!

February 22, 2019 - 7:29pm

It’s time to fill a spring cleaning bucket! Please pick up an empty bucket in the parlor on Sunday, March 3, 10, or 17 and fill it with cleaning supplies for families served by the People’s Resource Center, Sharing Connections, and Bridge Communities.

  • Bucket pick-up Sundays, March 3, 10, or 17
  • Bucket drop-off Sundays, March 24 or 31

A list of suggested supplies is included in the bucket including an option for "green cleaner." Return the filled buckets to the parlor on Sunday, March 24 or 31 and MJC will coordinate delivery.

Thank you for your support!

Sponsor a Chapel Choir Tour Bus Seat Today!

February 14, 2019 - 5:04pm

The 49th Annual Chapel Choir Tour will take place March 23 - 30 to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. You can help choir members cover some tour expenses by Sponsoring a Bus Seat for $25. The cost of transportation is one of the largest line items in the tour budget, so offsetting  some of the cost through seat sponsorships helps reduce the individual tour fee for choir members.

You can direct your sponsorship to a particular student or have it applied to
the tour fund. Please complete the form below and drop it off in the church office. Make checks payable to DGFUMC and write ‘Bus Seat Sponsorship’ on the memo line. 

Thank you for your support!

Weather Cancellations

January 28, 2019 - 2:25pm

Please note that ALL church events on Wednesday, January 30, have been cancelled due to the frigid temperatures. These include:

  • Preschool (Thursday too!)
  • Women's Bible Study
  • Children's Choir rehearsals
  • Family dinner
  • Onward Bound classes
  • Chapel Choir rehearsal

The Administrative Council meeting rescheduled for Tuesday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. will be held as planned.

Bell Choir Rehearsal for Wednesday evening will be determined on Wednesday morning.

The Church Office will be closed on Wednesday, January 30 also, but will be open as usual on Thursday, January 31. 

Staff may be contacted by email and voicemail if needed. Access staff voicemail by calling the Church Office at 630.968.7120. Stay safe, warm, and dry!

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Office Hours

Monday to Friday
9:00am-2:00pm

Welcome

God, as known to us in Jesus Christ, welcomes all.

We welcome people of any race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, employment status, or life situation; including people with physical or mental illness or disability.

We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
Reconciling Ministries Network of our differences.

Affiliated to Reconciling Ministries Network

Upcoming Events

Church Office Closed Good Friday, April 19

April 19, 2019 - 8:00am

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

April 19, 2019 - 7:00pm

Easter Egg Hunt

April 20, 2019 - 9:00am

Easter Worship Service

April 21, 2019 - 8:00am

Easter Worship Service

April 21, 2019 - 9:30am

more events...

First United Methodist Church 1032 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 - Phone (630) 968-7120 - E-mail: dgfumc@dgfumc.org

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