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

Sent:                                           Friday, February 25, 2022 10:45 AM

To:                                               office@woodridgeumc.org

Subject:                                     Wide World of Wisdom" - Woodridge United Methodist Church Newsletter

Attachments:                          164580624902.27.22_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

 

 

"Wide World of Wisdom"

To what or to whom do you listen most?

News? Sports? Satellite radio? Talking heads yelling at each other?

Your spouse? Your parent? Your sibling? Your child? Your friend?

Or maybe your employer? Your supervisor? Your barista?

 

Most likely, you can give multiple answers. Yet, as we’ve learned over the last 6+ years, we all tend to silo ourselves. That is, we tend to listen to the same, few voices over and over — and those voices tend to sound like ourselves. Additionally, we’ve learned, acutely over the last 6+ years, that to whom we listen — our sources for information and ideas — can cause great harm. Harm to our neighbors, which, really and truly, is just another way of harming ourselves.

 

So what are we who self-identify as followers of Jesus — people who purport to be committed to truth — supposed to do? Especially considering our texts for this week come from some of the most commonly heard voices in all of scripture: Isaiah (2:1-5), Paul (I Corinthians 1:25-31), and John (1:1-5)? How might we even go about hearing something new from that crew?

 

For one, we begin with the text itself. As we have been doing since the beginning of Advent, we’ll read translations of those scripture provided by the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney — a Black woman whose experience includes Army chaplain, AME Zion pastor, Rabbinical Seminary teacher, Episcopal priest, Divinity School professor, and biblical scholar.

 

How might it change our hearing and understanding of the texts if we sought out still other voices whose training, experiences, and traditions were largely different than most of ours?

How might we change by doing so?

 

Pastor Dave will attempt to wrestle with that and more this Sunday, February 27th, in his sermon, “Wide World of Wisdom”

 

All are welcome as we worship together Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in person and online via our Woodridge UMC YouTube channel.

 

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

 

Sunday, February 27th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Confirmation/Youth
  • Noon Communion (online)
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist
  • 6:30 pm CSA Committee

Monday, February 28th

  • 7:00 pm Den 2

Wednesday, March 2nd

  • 12:00 n Imposition of Ashes
  • 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday Worship Service

Thursday, March 3rd

  • 7:00 pm BSA
  • 7:00 pm Den 4

Saturday, March 5th

  • 9:00 am Chapter Meeting

Sunday, March 6th

  • 10:00 am Worship Service
  • 11:00 am Communion (in person)
  • 11:00 am Confirmation/Youth
  • 4:00 pm Filipino Baptist

 

 

 

Worship Services

In Person

We miss you and want to see more of you for worship in person Sundays at 10:00 a.m.! No registration needed, just walk in the door! As a way to keep the most vulnerable among us safer, we request you continue to wear a mask while in the building. Here are our updated safety guidelines: 

  • Please conduct a wellness check before your arrival.  If you are not feeling well, please stay home.
  • The Sunday morning worship service will continue to be recorded “live” for YouTube.  In preparation for the service, there will be sound, voice and light checks.
  • Masks/face coverings are required in the building.
  • Please no food or drinks in the sanctuary.
  • SINGING DURING Worship IS ALLOWED

 

Online

Where to find the YouTube Live Stream

The worship service is live-streamed every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel. All available worship service recordings are on our channel too.

 

The weekly worship guide is attached to this email for ease of access. 

 

OFFERING OPTIONS

There are different options for getting your offering to the church.

  • 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.
 


NEW LECTIONARY BEING USED
Pastor Dave and I invite you to continue to journey with us as we utilize the new "arrangement" of scripture lessons.  We are using "A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W" by Dr. Wil Gafney.  This lectionary includes the traditional four-fold model of an Old Testament scripture, Psalm, Gospel and Epistle lesson each week and uses gender-expansive language.  It specifically and intentionally makes women visible in these lectionary texts.  This commitment to the visibility of women and girls is challenging for some and refreshing to others.

 

Womanist biblical scholar, the Rev. Wil Gafney, Ph.D. is the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is an Episcopal priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Pennsylvania and licensed in the Diocese of North Texas, and a former Army chaplain.  You are invited to Google her, check her website and/or purchase the resource (which is now available on Kindle).  Please stay with us on this journey and please do not hesitate to give us your feedback.


SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION 1ST SUNDAYS
We will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion in person on the first Sunday of each month immediately following the livestream of our worship service. We will need a few moments to set up our ZOOM link for those who are not able to be with us in person.  Please remain seated following the postlude on the Sundays that we are serving communion.  Please remember that communion is available every Sunday via ZOOM.  Please contact the church office or Pastor Danita for the ZOOM link.

 

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.

(There have been requests that we include full names and/or more detailed information for people on our list of Joys & Concerns.  Please remember our services are broadcast on YouTube and are available to anyone who has internet access. Details are shared with our Prayer Ministry Team on Monday mornings.  You are invited to join them in prayer and share in this information by contacting the church office).

 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Church Office Hours:   Monday-Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - noon.
                                       Wednesday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We ask that you call before visiting.

 

 

 

Opportunities/Events 

Youth Ministry 2021-2022

Sunday, Feb. 27th:  Confirmation and High School Youth Group are in person at 11:00AM in the Youth Room. All ages are together as we finalize our plan for Ash Wednesday worship. We will likely need a few extra minutes today, please plan to pick up closer to 12:15pm this week.

Looking ahead:

Wednesday, March 2nd, 7:00PM: Confirmation Class and High School Youth Group leads Ash Wednesday worship for the whole congregation.
Sundays, March 6th, 13th & 20th: Confirmation and High School Youth Group at 11:00AM.


Ash Wednesday 
And so it begins! Lent, that is, in the traditional way: with Ash Wednesday, March 2nd. Ash Wednesday is a day to remember our mortality and repent of our sins — literally, to turn away from our sins and turn toward God.
 
Woodridge UMC offers two opportunities to do just that at 12:00 Noon and 7:00 PM. Both services are in the sanctuary. As is our tradition, our Confirmation Class and High School Youth Group have planned, and will lead, the evening service.



Lent 2022 at Woodridge UMC: 
March 2: Ash Wednesday services 12:00 n & 7:00 pm
March 8 & 9: Lent Study begins, 10:30 am & 6:00 pm
April 10: Palm Sunday service 10:00 am
April 14: Maundy Thursday service 7:00 pm
April 15: Good Friday service 7:00 pm
April 16: Holy Saturday service 5:00 pm
April 17: Easter Sunday service 10:00 am



Welcome Back Trustees! 
The Trustees will be meeting on Monday, March 7th at 7:00 pm for the first time since 2020!  These dedicated people guide the care and maintenance of the church building, grounds and parsonage.  We’re looking for some new folks to join us in this work. Come to the meeting to learn more. Contact Rick Cihlar or Tom Strong with any questions.

 

The Bible for Curious People 
This study is open to all and meets Tuesday mornings at 10:30am. 

This week, Tuesday, March 1st: No class

Next week, Tuesday, March 8th: Lent study begins, “Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent & Anti-Racism.” All materials will be provided. For the month of March (at least), this class will be on Zoom only.


Wednesday Bible Study
Our Wednesday Bible study meets from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  We are taking a few weeks off until the beginning of Lent and the Lenten Study.  If you are interested in joining the Wednesday class, please contact Pastor Danita or the church office.
 

LENTEN STUDY

For the season of Lent this year, our Tuesday and Wednesday Bible study classes will be utilizing a resources from our General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church entitled "Faithful Lent:  Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-Racism".  This is an opportunity for our church to see "how the faith traditions of Lent bring justice and anti-racism to life".  The participant's guide will be made available on Ash Wednesday.  If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office or one of the pastors with your name and email address.  Classes will meet as follows:

TUESDAY with Pastor Dave beginning March 8 at 10:30 a.m. to noon. Some classes will be in person and some via ZOOM.

WEDNESDAY with Pastor Danita beginning March 9 at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..  This class will be hybrid -- in person and via ZOOM simultaneously. 

We are looking forward to some interesting and engaging conversation.

 

WUMC Music Ensembles Upcoming Dates

As we look ahead to Lent, Easter, and beyond, we would like to incorporate some of our music ensembles into our services. In our continuing efforts to be mindful of people’s health and safety, we are delaying the return of the Chancel Choir. The handbells successfully played at a service in December, so we are planning to have them play again on Easter Sunday. Since the Praise Band has only two singers, we will plan to have them play at a few services, as well.
 
Due to a limited amount of rehearsal time, we are asking that participants commit to all rehearsals prior to playing at a given service. If one “cycle” does not fit your schedule, please consider joining in a different “cycle.” In order to plan ahead, please notify Carrie Marcotte by the deadlines below to confirm your participation for each cycle.
 
Her email address is:
carriemarcotte.chorus@gmail.com
Please list “Praise Band” or “Bell Choir” in the subject line of your email.
 
Here is the schedule for rehearsals and services:
 
Praise Band: Please RSVP by Feb. 20
Mandatory rehearsals (11:30 am-12:30 pm) after the Sunday services on
March 6
March 13
Play at the 10 am service on Mar. 20
 
Bell Choir: Please RSVP by March 6
Mandatory rehearsals (11:30 am-1 pm) after the Sunday services on
March 20                         April 3
March 27                         April 10
Play at the Easter Sunday service on Apr 17.
 
Praise Band: Please RSVP by April 10
Mandatory rehearsals (11:30 am-12:30 pm) after the Sunday services on
April 24
May 1
Play at the service on May 8 (Mother’s Day).
 
If you have further questions or need clarification, please reach out to Carrie at the email address above. Carrie thanks you, all, and is looking forward to making music with you.

 

Upper Rooms

Upper Rooms for March-April are now available in the narthex with a limited number in the mailbox.


Billy Elton Concert

Billy Elton is a band that celebrates the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, and features our very own Reid Spears on piano and lead vocals.  Every other year since 2008, they have performed a benefit concert at the Neuqua Valley Auditorium that raises money to support the memorial funds of three fondly remembered Neuqua Valley teachers who have passed away.  To date, they have raised over $20,000.  The next benefit concert is coming up on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are only $10 each in advance, or $15 at the door.  They can be purchased online here, or you can get them directly from Reid at church.  If you'd like to learn a little more about the band (and even see some video footage), visit their website at Billy-Elton.com.  Come on out for a fun night of music and help a great cause!  For anybody who chose not to obtain a refund from the canceled event in 2020 and are still holding those tickets, they will be honored at the door.

 

Birthdays

March Birthdays

1      Jay Hoffman
5      Sam Arvanis
        Heather Kostov
7      Barbara Lutz
        Elsie Munar
8      Janet Tuley
10    Carrie Santucci
11    Tracy Mullane
12    Marilyn Purdy-Stern
13    Leslie Bell
15    Benjamin Bell
20    Buster Bonaguro
21    Matthew Waynick
22    Kathy Falout
        Florence Wentworth
26    Sherrie Krughoff
27    Maya Santucci
29    Pat Ford
31    Courtney Byczynski
        Gillian Krughoff
        Lindsay Morton
        Taylor Morton

 


Outreach Opportunities

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

As you have probably heard from neighbors and news media sources, the tenants of Woodridge Country Club Condos have had to vacate their homes because of extensive building repairs.  Mayor Cunningham and her offices have been working diligently to relocate these families.  However, there are some very serious needs for the families in their temporary spaces at nearby hotels. The immediate needs are as follows:

1.)  Cases of water;

2.)  Personal care toiletries (such as full sized body wash, shampoo and conditioners, lotions, etc.);

3.)  Children's activities/games, hot cocoa, snacks, family-sized cereal;

4.)  Monetary donations (addressed to Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors).

Please feel free to assist where you can.  We will coordinate our efforts through the Outreach Committee and make a more concerted, church-wide effort in January.  However, you are invited to respond more immediately if you so desire.  Please watch our E-news for updates and details in the coming weeks.


DuPage Pads: Did You Know?

DuPagePads operates a Street Outreach call line for anyone who observes someone unsheltered or in need of services. Please notify our Street Outreach team at 630-682-3846, option 2, or email streetoutreach@dupagepads.org with the following information: 

Your name and contact information (for possible follow-up) 

  • Individual’s/Family’s Name (if known) 
  • Location (last seen) 
  • General Description

 


ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES


Suits for Success

There are donation boxes in the hallway by the coat rack just outside the narthex for both men and women's clothing.  The clothes are picked up, dry cleaned and then taken to area men and women's prisons for people being released.  NO belts, shoes, underwear or ties.

 

"Goin' Green" Shoes & Clothes Recycling Box

Located in the northeast corner of our parking lot, this receptacle is a convenient place to recycle any shoes and your clothes that are at or near the end of their usefulness.

Did you know discarded clothes account for more total landfill space than any other waste item? The “Goin’ Green” Box helps us reduce our waste.

How is this different from our “Suits for Success” ministry?

The big difference is that “Suits for Success” cannot accept shoes of any kind, nor can they accept belts, ties, or underwear. “Goin’ Green” accepts all shoes and clothes.

In summary: Keep bringing your gently used clothing donations to the “Suits for Success” collection boxes in the hallway.

For all shoes and any other clothes, instead of throwing them in the trash, put them in the “Goin’ Green” receptacle in the northeast corner of the parking lot.
 


West Suburban Food Pantry

We have a basket that we "inherited" from the Faith, Lisle church that is waiting for donations.  It sits in the narthex, usually near the sanctuary doors.  They did not stop operating during the pandemic and there is pending legislation in our state and nation that might cut their corporate donations in large amounts.  Let's replenish our basket!!!

 

Used Eyeglasses
There is a basket also in the narthex for collecting used eyeglasses.  Jorie would see that her sister, Kendra, got the eyeglasses and that they are recycled to the Lions Club and Gift of Sight groups.  Kendra is continuing this important mission. (Prescription eyeglasses only).
 

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.

 

Northern Illinois Conference
2021 Apportionments

Congratulations! The Northern Illinois Conference celebrates Woodridge UMC for faithfully paying 100% of its apportionments in 2021. Bishop John L. Hopkins gives thanks to all the Northern Illinois churches that stepped up and made connectional giving a priority despite these challenging times. 

“I praise God for the sacrificial giving of our churches, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hopkins said. “Many people will be served because of your faithfulness.”

Your apportionment dollars help support hundreds of global and local ministries and missions throughout our United Methodist connection. Thank You!

Prairie Central District
The new names of the districts, which went into effect July 2021, are Lake North, Lake South, Prairie Central, Prairie North, and Prairie South. We will be in the Prairie Central district.  Click here to read the list of churches in each district. Find the new district webpage here.


Prairie Central District Lay Academy
Five Sundays in Lent: March 6, 13, 20 & 27 and April 3
 at First UMC in Lombard
Cost $40
Register by February 28
Courses include:
 - Intro to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course
 - United Methodist Heritage
 - Planning Worship
 - Opening Ourselves to Grace



Prairie Central Monthly Lay Meetings
Please join the district superintendent and your lay colleagues in the PCD every SECOND Thursday of the month beginning on January 13th and ending on May 12 at 7pm.  We will share news, have some prayer and devotion, hear the call story of a colleague and laugh with your friends.  We try to keep it to an hour but if something is really important and we need some extra time, we can do so.  This is a no-stress way to stay connected and get lifted up and know you are not alone. 
 
Please note that ALL lay persons who are in leadership at their churches are invited. This is not just for designated "lay leaders" but anyone who has an interest in the church and gathering with other lay persons.  So, please share this with anyone in your church who is a lay "leader" and might like to join us on Zoom.  Call the church office for the link. 

 

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 25, 2022, Volume 12, Edition 8

 

 

 

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