Woodridge United Methodist Church

"Plans and Promises"

Worship

Bible Study - Via Zoom

THE BIBLE FOR CURIOUS PEOPLE

Join us Tuesday mornings at 10:30am on Zoom as we explore the Gospel of Mark.
 
Reading Assignment for Tuesday, March 2nd
Chapter 11-12 of the book of Mark, plus any notes your bible provides.

Questions to consider:

—We’ve reached the Palm Sunday portion of Mark. Can you notice anything new rereading this familiar story?

—Why does Jesus curse the fig tree? Isn’t that just mean?

—Why do you think Jesus reacts as he does to the market at the Temple?

—So many trick questions. Why? What were the religious leaders hoping for?

Due to the pandemic, this class is meeting online through Zoom on Tuesday mornings at 10:30AM. Please contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) to join the conversation. It is a great way to stay connected and all are welcome.
 
No prior bible reading or knowledge or expertise needed. No question is dumb and no one is forced to read the bible in one particular way. We will all learn as we go along exploring what the text says, what it leaves unsaid, what history and tradition tell us about the text, and how our own experience influences our reading.

 
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY ON ZOOM

This year our Wednesday Lenten study will be SAVIOR:  What the Bible Says About the Cross by Magrey Devega.  Please join us on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m..  The book is available at Cokesbury.com and Amazon in hard copy or Kindle/e-reader versions.  Please join us on ZOOM for the study.

Employment Opportunities 

Small Miracles Preschool is Looking for an Office Assistant

We are in need of a person for 2-4 hours per week for a temporary position with possibilities of long term.  Responsibilities are very minimal and include but are not limited to answering/making phone calls and emails, updating and managing website and other social media.  Must have high school education. If interested, please send letter indicating such to PastorDanita@woodridgeumc.org.  No phone calls please.    

Small Miracles Preschool Open Director Position
Woodridge United Methodist Church's Small Miracles Preschool is seeking a Preschool Director to start immediately in preparation for the 2021-2022 school year. The Director is responsible for maintaining the daily operations of Small Miracles Preschool, a warm and friendly environment, and a quality Christian-based, child-centered program. The Director must meet and maintain the minimum State Licensing Requirements of Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for the State of Illinois, and lead and support the staff through teamwork and mutual respect to achieve individual and classroom goals. The Director reports to the Small Miracles Preschool Board of Directors with day-to-day accountability to the Lead Pastor of Woodridge United Methodist Church. You can find the requirements and how to apply at https://www.woodridgeumc.org/small-miracles-preschool/.



InterVarsity Press
InterVarsity Press is pleased to let you know that we have two job openings available.  Below are the titles along with the link to each job description:
 
Event Marketing Coordinator (Full-Time)
https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Downloads/job-postings/Event-Marketing-Coordin-0121.pdf
 
Marketing Copywriter (Part-Time)
https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Downloads/job-postings/multimedia-copywriter-1-21.pdf


Opportunities/Events 

Opportunity to Help the Manderfields with Meal Train
We all love the Manderfield family! They have done so much for so many people... Now it's our turn to be there to help support them during a most difficult time.  Mealtrain.com is a free meal calendar tool that makes planning meals among a wide group easy and less stressful.
 
But it's also more than that! Meal Train allows you to cook and deliver a meal, or to make a monetary donation the family can use for dinners, groceries, or anything else they might need right now. And it also allows Kathy to let us know, via the calendar tool, when she needs any other assistance... errands run, a ride somewhere, a visit from friends, etc. There are so many ways to show your support!  Here is where to go: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/0ooz73.

 

Vaccine Event for Seniors: Pre-Registration Required
The Village of Woodridge is partnering with School District 99 who is hosting a vaccination clinic on Sunday, February 28 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. There is a very limited supply of doses. A portion of these limited doses have been reserved for Woodridge residents who are 65 and older. In order to ensure that only eligible individuals are included in the clinic, you must first complete this pre-registration form.

This clinic is for the Pfizer vaccine and you must commit to having both shots administered. The first shot is this Sunday, February 28, and the second is on Sunday, March 21. By signing up you are agreeing to attend both clinics on those dates at a time you register for between 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 
Please pre-register only if you are a resident of the Village of Woodridge, and are 65 years of age or older. Proof of age and residency will be verified at the event.
Access to this form will close at 8:00 am on Friday, February 26. Please call 630-719-4705 if you need assistance.
Additional information available on the Village's website.


Coming Soon: WUMC Eggstravaganz
What’s an Eggstravaganza?? It’s our inaugural Easter Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, March 21st at 1:30pm. Just for fun, in-person gathering for the whole family. Masks and social distancing required.


Racism Awareness Zoom Workshop
Free Woodridge All Community Event
(Given by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
Sponsored by St. Scholastica Parish
Supported by Village of Woodridge Mayor, Gina Cunningham)

Saturday, March 20, 2021 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
GOAL: To engage residents in nondenominational dialogue and educational initiatives that result in awareness of racial and social inequities.  See attached flyer for details and how to register.



DUPAGE COUNTY CDC COVID VACCINE REGISTRATION
DuPage County CDC has set up a COVID Vaccine Registration page on its website as they transition to Phase 1b of the vaccination plan (adults age 65+ and front line workers). 
Please note: you will not be able to schedule an appointment until the time is right! Signing up here allows DuPage County CDC to contact you with specific information when appointments or clinics are available.  If you want to register please click here.  

• Vaccination is  by appointment only  and  dependent on vaccine supply.
• Eligible individuals will be asked to provide verification  of their eligibility through either photo ID to confirm age-based eligibility or employment verification (Employee ID Badge, check stub, state licensure or certificate) to identify occupational eligibility.

Youth Ministry Winter/Spring of 2021

Youth Group on Zoom this Sunday, February 28th at 1:30pm. All 7th-12th grade students are welcome. Contact Pastor Dave (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org) for the zoom link.

Youth Group on Zoom continues throughout February. But watch for special events and opportunities for safe in-person gatherings.

Special Event: Eggstravaganza! An Easter Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, March 21st at 1:30pm. Just for fun, in-person gathering for the whole family. Masks and social distancing required.

DuPage Pads 15th Annual Taste of Hope

March 4th – 11th, 2021 - Reserve your tickets today! 
 
The 15th Annual Taste of Hope has transformed in the face of the pandemic to a virtual week filled with delicious and delightful entertainment. Support DuPagePads by ordering from participating restaurants, with access to unique dining offers from some of the area’s leading restaurants. Bid on exclusive online auction items and raffle prizes. Join us throughout the week for one or all of the virtual presentations, cooking demonstrations, and interactive activities.

Your generous support strengthens client successes connecting more families and individuals to the proven solution of housing, coupled with support services and employment support to end homelessness.


Puzzle Exchange (New Location)

WUMC has started a PUZZLE EXCHANGE.

Every puzzle deserves a second, third, or even fourth shot. Let’s share the wealth!

Due to the snow the bin is now on the east side of the building by the main entrance labelled "Puzzle Exchange" by the north narthex doors for easy exchange anytime you would like.  Bring a puzzle.  Take a puzzle.  Please make sure that the bin is closed properly.

 

Upper Room Devotionals

The Upper Rooms for March - April are in. Contact the church office  or call 630.968.6050 if you would like a copy.  There are a few available in the mailbox.
 

Outreach Opportunities

February Outreach Offering: Black College Fund

Between 1866 and 1882, following the Civil War, the former Methodist Episcopal Church organized the Freedmen’s Aid Society to help educate black people newly freed from slavery. Between 1866 and 1882, the society established more than 70 schools in the U.S. South and Southwest.

In 1972, The United Methodist Church established the Black College Fund to provide a constant reliable way to support United Methodist-related historically Black colleges. Today we support more historically Black colleges and universities than any other religious denomination.

One of the 7 General Apportionment Funds that would have previously been funded through the churches general apportionments payments, this fund supports the programs and ministries of 11 historically black colleges and universities, including one medical school. These gifts reflect the value our Church has on education, especially those who have been historically excluded. The Black College Fund is raising up the leaders who are impacting lives and shaping communities.


DUPAGE PADS
Due to the continuing pandemic, DuPage Pads will not be using Downers Grove FUMC or any church to house Pads guests until late 2021.  They will continue to hotel guests at the guidance of the DuPage Health Department for both the Pads guests and the volunteers’ safety. 
 
DuPage Pads has enough funds to house 70 hotel rooms through March 31, 2021.  Their goal is 115 hotel rooms (approximately 150 guests) per night.  Each hotel room is approximately $45 a night which requires them to raise approximately $450,000.  Additional federal government funding is uncertain at the moment.
 
Cold weather has arrived, and people are still very much in need. There are several ways you can help:
 

1. Food and Toiletry Donations: Please consider donating essential items using this link using curbside drop off boxes located in the DuPage PADS parking lot of 703 W. Liberty Wheaton, IL 60187. Drop off hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm and Saturday-Sunday 8:00am-4:00pm. Please do not leave donations outside of the scheduled times, especially food items overnight.

2. Monetary Donations: A special fund has been set up for this purpose. PADS is working hard to maintain and add additional housing in hotels for guests, as well as provide them with food. This requires significant financial resources to sustain this long term.  Visit the PADS website here and look at the very top for the link to donate.

3. Bring Food or Monetary Donations to DGFUMC:  First United Methodist in Downers Grove is collecting microwave meals to bring to PADS guests starting November 5^th. Microwave meals may be brought to the church Monday thru Friday 10am-1pm and monetary donations can be made on the church website dgfumc.org using the Giving tab. The church is located at 1032 Maple Avenue in Downers Grove.

Please call or email Larry Cash with questions at 630-808-8713.

 

Northern Illinois Conference 
Bishop John Hopkins Lenten Video

In a new 6-minute video, Bishop Hopkins greets all NIC churches while reflecting on the meaning of the Lenten season. Click here to view the video. 

 A transcript of the video is also available. 


Get to Know Interim Bishop John Hopkins
With the new year, we welcome retired Bishop John L. Hopkins, who is serving as the interim bishop for the Northern Illinois Conference through 2021.

Typically we would host a meet-and-greet event or a formal welcome, but because COVID-19 prevents us from gathering we are introducing him through a Zoom interview.

Did you know Bishop Hopkins served in campus ministries? NIC Dir. of Communications Anne Marie Gerhardt "sat down" with Bishop Hopkins to ask a few questions about his background and ministry to help all of us get to know him a little better.

Watch this video.

Monthly Aurora District Lay Leader Virtual Meetings

There will be monthly Aurora District Lay Leader meetings on the Third Thursday of every month at 7 pm through May. "See" you there! If you are a lay leader and cannot make a meeting, invite another lay person from your church to attend. These meetings are not just for official lay leaders but any lay person who is a leader in a church! Your Zoom video conferencing invitation will be sent by Leola Tucker (ltucker@umcnic.org). Contact Leola if you would like to join.


New District Boundaries Set
The new names of the districts, which go into effect July 2021, are Lake North, Lake South, Prairie Central, Prairie North, and Prairie South. Click here to read the list of churches in each district.


2021 Laity Convocation



Amazon Smile 

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Woodridge United Methodist Church whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.       

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.  Support WUMC by starting your shopping here.  


Ways to Connect

Northern Illinois Conference
Find out about upcoming events in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church by clicking this link  

      
February 26th, 2021, Volume 12, Edition 9