From:                                         Woodridge United Methodist Church Communications <noreply@elexiochms.com>

Sent:                                           Friday, March 19, 2021 9:39 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     "Wiping the Slate Clean" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          161616468603.21.21_Worship_Guide.docx; 161616469203.21.21_Worship_Guide.pdf

 

            Woodridge United Methodist Church

Join us on Sunday for worship services
at  10:00 am.

Instructions can be found below.
All are Welcome!

 

 

 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

 

 

"Wiping the Slate Clean"

Here we are at the fifth week of Lent and getting closer and closer to Holy Week and Easter.  A season that is filled with sacrifice and penitence but also of promises and covenants.  We've even run across a few snakes!  Hopefully you have been on this journey with us!!

 

So this week we are reminded of the grace and mercy that we receive in our lives.  It's almost like a spring cleaning......everything is washed and aired out in anticipation of the newness/freshness of spring.  The dust and dirt of the past is washed away, cleaned up to make room for what is to come.

 

The same is true for our lives.  The season of Lent offers us a time to sweep away all that once kept our relationship with God being as transparent as it could.  We have the opportunity to have to clear away and take inventory so that we are prepared for the new.  In other words God is "WIPING THE SLATE CLEAN" for us as we look forward to the coming events.  Join us on our  Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel  Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. as we do a little spring cleaning.

Register to worship with us in person Sunday at 10:00 a.m. 

 

Woodridge UMC is an open and loving United Methodist community striving to:       

Welcoming to all;
Uniting in service toward greater social justice for all;
Moving forward with understanding and acceptance of all peoples;
Creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.       

Our purpose is to offer a safe place and community to all races, cultures, religions, genders, sexual identities, ethnicities, age groups and other beliefs.      

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Friday, March 19th

  • Noon Lunch on Zoom
  • 6:45 pm Scouts Scouts

Sunday, March 21st

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • Noon Communion
  • 1:30 pm Eggstravaganza
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 

Tuesday, March 23rd

  • 10:30 am Bible Study Online
  • 7:00 pm Return Team

Wednesday, March 24th

  • 6:00 pm Lenten Study Online

Thursday, March 25th

  • 7:00 pm Boy Scouts

Friday, March 26th

  • Noon Lunch on Zoom
  • 6:45 pm Scouts Scouts

Sunday, March 28th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • Noon Communion
  • 1:30 pm Youth Group/Eggstravaganza Rain Date
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist 

 

The spread of the COVID-19 virus requires our attention and immediate response to how we gather as a community of faith.  While serious, please know that we must refrain from becoming panicked.  Please be cautious and mindful of your own health and the safety of others.  Our Bishop and Annual Conference are regularly updating their website with information and resources for our church.  Please take a look at it for details:  www.umcnic.org.

 

 

 

Worship

STREAMING WORSHIP SERVICES

Where to find the YouTube Live Stream
From the YouTube app or on the YouTube web page, search for: Woodridge UMC or follow this
link.  Join us early for Joys and Concerns and the Prelude with music starting around 9:50 am. Services at 10:00 am.  If you have questions or problems, please contact media@woodridgeumc.onmicrosoft.com.  Full assistance will be available prior to 10:00 am on Sunday morning.  After 10:00 am, assistance becomes more limited. If you are not available at 10:00 am or cannot get the live streaming to work, a recording of the video will be posted to the Woodridge UMC YouTube page

We are now ready to welcome a limited amount of persons in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. You must register to let us know you will be attending.  The link for registering is:
register for worship.  Please be sure to register no later than Friday at noon.  Should you change your mind after you have registered, you may cancel your registration at any time. When you register to attend, you will receive the guidelines that all must follow for everyone's safety and well-being. 

For ease of access, you can now find both formats of the weekly worship guide attached to this email.  This will take the place of the Saturday Connections email.
 

OFFERING OPTIONS

There are different options for getting your offering to the church while worship services are online.

  • Go to the website & click on the Giving tab at the top of the page or go straight there with this link.
  • Text 630.449.7121 with the amount
  • Drop off in the gold mail slot next to the east door of the church.
  • Mail your offering to the church.

 

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

If you watch the online service, please email the church office at office@woodridgeumc.org and let us know that you joined us for worship, so that we might record your attendance.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR WORSHIP

If you want a prayer request shared during worship, please email the Pastor Danita at pastordanita@woodridgeumc.org by 8:00 am on Sundays.

 

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Palm Sunday          10:00 am online and in person
Maundy Thursday    6:00 pm online and 7:00 pm in the parking lot
Good Friday             6:00 pm online and 7:00 pm in the parking lot
Easter Sunday        10:00 am online and in person


 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Church Office Hours: Mondays & Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. – noon
                                     Wednesdays - Fridays 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Our building is not ready for full activity, so we ask that you call before visiting.

 

 

 

Pastor Danita's Vestment

Many people have asked about the purple vestment that Pastor Danita wears during the season of Lent.  It was a gift from her friend, Reverend J. Jeannette Cooper, retired clergywoman in South Carolina, which Pastor Danita wore as a part of Reverend Cooper's wedding ceremony.  It was handmade in Ghana, Africa and the symbol on the sleeve Means "believe in God".  There are only 12 of these vestments which were made exclusively for Reverend Cooper's Sisters in Spirit (S.O.S.) who served communion at the wedding ceremony.
 

Memorial Page Added

Please check the church's website to view a new page in memory of our beloved Jorie Manderfield.  Jorie was such an intricate part of the life of this church, we thought it only fitting to have a tribute to her life on our church's website.  You can also donate to the memorial fund set up in Jorie's memory on that same page.  The family will decide at a later date how the funds will be used.


Do You Know UMCOR?
UMCOR stands for United Methodist Committee on Relief and will be the focal point of a Special Sunday Service in March. When watching disaster unfold around the globe, many of us feel the call to help but are at a loss as to what we can actually do to help. UMCOR Sunday is the day for congregations around the globe to help.

Your donations to UMCOR on this Special Sunday help:
● Refugees in Clarkston, GA earn a living wage and get job training.
● Deliver food, water, shelter, and long-term recovery assistance to help many of the 68.5 million people displaced by war, persecution, and natural disaster.
● Distribute relief kits to those in need following the U.S. hurricanes of 2017.

The UMCOR Special Sunday is on March 31st, and we want to remind you that even though writing a check or putting cash in the offering doesn’t feel exciting, you really ARE making a difference.
Your gifts on UMCOR Special Sunday underwrite UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” This helps UMCOR keep the promise that 100% of any gift to a specific project will go toward that mission, not administrative costs. If you want to learn more about UMCOR visit:
www.umcgiving.org/UMCOR

This is such an important gift and one that we can do together. Let’s make a difference, together.
 


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 23rd
Chapter 15 of the book of Mark, plus any notes your bible provides.


Questions to consider:

—“The poor will always be with us.” So, like, why even bother trying to end poverty?

—Another faithful woman who understands Jesus when most (all?) of the men don’t. How many such women is that now in Mark? How did the church go from this to fully embracing patriarchy?

—What is it, do you think, about this opening scene that sets off Judas Iscariot?

—Exactly what Jesus meant by calling the bread and wine his body and blood has been debated for centuries. What does it mean to you?

—The Judas kiss as always seemed odd. As much notoriety as Jesus had, those plotting against him can’t pick him out of a small crowd? What’s that about?

—How do you feel about Peter at the end of this part of the story?


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 Opportunity

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/.


Opportunities/Events 

WUMC Eggstravaganza
What’s an Eggstravaganza?? It’s our inaugural Easter Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, March 21st at 1:30 - 3:00 pm. In place of our traditional Easter Egg hunt this year we are happy to be hosting a scavenger hunt that the whole family can enjoy together.  Search the church grounds for hidden Easter egg clues!  Treat bags will be given out to all children who participate and light refreshments will be available maybe there will even be a special guest. Everyone is welcome:  all ages and people from the congregation and community and friends.  Come enjoy the afternoon together and socialize.  Masks and social distancing are required.  We look forward to seeing you and having a chance to share in some of the joy of the season.  Please note that in the event of rain we will postpone the event until Sunday March 28 at the same time.  


Update on the Manderfields' Meal Train
The Manderfield family is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone.  The MealTrain was exactly what Kathy and Mike needed these past 4 weeks, and that it has been more helpful than anyone could imagine.  They are in a better place now and able to manage more on their own, so the MealTrain has been discontinued.  Thank you for your kindness.


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.


Youth Ministry Winter/Spring of 2021

No Youth Group on Zoom today. We hope you’ll come to the all church Easter Eggstravaganza at 1:30pm at church instead!

Special Event Sunday, March 21st at 1:30pm: Easter Eggstravaganza! An Easter Scavenger Hunt at church. This just for fun, in-person gathering is for the whole family. Easter-themed scavenger hunt, candy, donuts — what more could one want for an outdoor, fun event in 2021??

Masks and social distancing required.

Youth Group on Zoom returns March 28th.


Gift Cards to Feed People Experiencing Hunger
Thank you for helping our neighbors in need and our Youth Ministries at the same time! We expect the gift cards to be at church by the end of next week. If you ordered gift cards for yourself, please contact Office Manager Becky Jeske to arrange pick Thursday or Friday, March 25th or 26th.



Outreach Opportunities

March Outreach Offering: UMCOR


The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, operated under the auspices of the General Board of Global Ministries.
Vision: As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR strengthens and transforms people and communities.
Mission: Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope and healing.

UMCOR’s work can be categorized into three major areas
1) Humanitarian Relief / Disaster Response 
2) Sustainable Development
3) Global Health (in collaboration with Global Ministries)

UMCOR’s MANDATE
The United Methodist Committee on Relief exists to assist United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need through programs of relief, rehabilitation, and service, including issues of displaced persons, hunger and poverty, disaster response, and disaster risk reduction; and to assist organizations, institutions, and programs related to annual conferences and other units of The United Methodist Church in their involvement in direct service to such persons in need.



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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. Bring Food or Monetary Donations to DGFUMC:  First United Methodist in Downers Grove is collecting microwave meals to bring to PADS guests starting November 5th. 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.


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  

      
March 19th, 2021, Volume 12, Edition 12

 

 

 

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