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Pastor Dave's Blog Post
Who is Hungry?
UPDATE! Hello
again, Meant to include these links in what we put in the
eNews rather than just in the post in case people don’t get
to the post:
As we saw last week, advocacy works. Advocacy is important
and necessary because it is effective. If we aren’t using
our voice to make our neighbors’ lives better (which also
makes our lives better), we are leaving a vital tool
locked away in a shed.
Over the last two weeks we sent 30 letters to
Congress! That’s wonderful! THANK YOU!
It is, however, also quite a few less letters than we had
people at church and watching worship on our YouTube
channel.
Perhaps you emailed your letter but forgot to let me know you
did so. If this is you, thank you for sending the
letters! Now please take a moment to send me an email: pastordave@woodridgeumc.org to let me know you sent them. It can be as
simple as “Letters sent.” (Heck, you don’t even have to
use capitalization or punctuation if you don’t want
to!)
Perhaps you've been meaning to send your letters but haven't
had time. It's not too late! Here are those links again:
Click here to email Congress about
preventing malnutrition for the 800 million people
across the globe who don’t have enough to eat.
Click here to email Congress about feeding
the 12 million USAmerican children experiencing food
insecurity
Perhaps you
are intrigued by the idea of writing a letter, but you want
more information? Fair enough! Let's see what we can do
about that...
Click here to continue reading Pastor
Dave’s blog post
Maintenance and Upgrade to AV System
Our audio visual system is in desperate need of
some maintenance and upgrades. Some of the areas of
concern include: the aging of our projector and screen
and computer replacement and upgrades that are needed.
These items are not in the budget we approved last week but
are greatly needed very soon. The total cost of this project
is $10,000. This includes
2 new 85" tv's to replace our current screen and
projector at a cost of between $1,500 and $2,000. We
invite you to help us with this effort through your
gifts. Please make sure to specify "media
ministry" on your gift, whether it is a check or through
electronic giving. If you are interested in purchasing
one of the 85" tv's needed, please contact Pastor Danita
for specific model information and yes, it can be ordered
through AmazonSmile (which gives an additional donation to
the church). We need your help in making this
happen. We would like to complete this project during
the next couple of months. Any questions, please
contact Pastor Danita or Kevin Read.
Native
American Ministries Sunday, May 1st
Native American Ministries Sunday serves to
remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made
by Native Americans to our society and in our communities.
With more than 20,000 Native Americans within the
denomination, this Special Sunday helps to ensure
that Native American United Methodist leaders are
recognized and to celebrate their special voice in The United
Methodist Church.
This Special Sunday was officially recognized in
1988 and has been celebrated on the Third Sunday of Easter
since 1989. An offering is taken on this day and is used to
develop and strengthen Native American ministries in the
annual conferences, and Native American rural, urban,
reservation ministries and communities. It also provides
scholarships for Native Americans attending United Methodist
schools of theology.
Donations
support vital ministries and churches in the Native American
communities and allow The UMC to partner with existing native
ministries to develop new programs on behalf of Native
Americans. Half of the donations collected remain within the
Annual Conference to provide hope to children and youth, hope
for a brighter future in impoverished communities and a voice
to those who have felt voiceless for years. This fund is
distributed by the General Board of Higher Education and
Ministry.
There is still time to give
Opportunities/Events
Saturday, May 7th: Confirmation Retreat! Meet at Nelson’s at 8am;
pick up there 9pm. Be sure to sign the online waiver and
bring gym shoes, gloves, and bandana or cap.
Sundays, May 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th: Confirmation and HS Youth Group at regular
time, ~11am-12noon.
Sunday,
May 22nd: Graduate Recognition! During the
worship service we’ll take time to honor all our graduates
and hear from them: a favorite HS memory and what’s next for
them.
Sunday,
June 5th: Confirmation Sunday! This will be built into
the regular 10AM worship service.
Tuesday,
June 14th: Serve at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora!
Meet at FMSC at 8:45am. 555 Exchange Ct., Aurora 60504. After
our packing session, we’ll get an early lunch together — our
treat! — finishing about 12noon. Contact Pastor Dave to
reserve your spot (pastordave@woodridgeumc.org).
The
Bible for Curious People
Our Tuesday
bible study meets at 10:30am on Zoom. This study is open to
all. Email Pastor Dave for more information and the Zoom
link: pastordave@woodridgeumc.org
Reading
Assignment for Tuesday, May 10th
1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and any introduction your bible
provides for the book and for Paul’s letters.
Questions
to consider:
- Where was Thessalonica?
- Approximately when was this letter
written?
- Chapter 1 also mentions Macedonia
and Achaia. Where were they and what does their
inclusion suggest to us?
- What are your initial impressions of
this letter? e.g. In what tone does the letter seem to
be written?
- Do any themes emerge from this first
chapter?
Wednesday
Bible Study
The Wednesday
Bible study class with Pastor Danita is at 6:00 p.m.
until 7:30 p.m. and is a hybrid
class (in person and ZOOM simultaneously). We are
studying Hebrews:
Grace and Gratitude by David A. de
Silva. You are invited to join us on this
journey. If you wish to participate via ZOOM, please
contact Pastor Danita (PastorDanita@woodridgeumc.org) for the ZOOM link.
Radical Hospitality Volunteers
We are in
need of volunteers to practice our church's radical
hospitality and make the family and friends of our sisters
and brother in Christ feel welcome. We are in need of your
smiling face and cheerful spirit for the following Memorial
Services:
Friday, June 17th: we will be celebrating the life of Florence
Wentworth. (A meal will also be included with this
service.)
Please let either Pastor Danita or the church
office know if you will be available for any of these dates.
Worship Band
The Worship Band performance has been
postponed. The performance date will be announced once
it is available.
All
Church Workday
Green thumb?!
Black thumb?! Any kind of thumb!! All levels of
skill are welcome! On Saturday, May 14th,
we will do weed and debris removal, complete transplantings
and install mulch and herbicide. These events have been
setup on Facebook under the name of Angelique Drzik-Edman for
the public to view. Attendees are requested to come dressed
to get dirty and bring gloves, a bucket, a hand trowel and a
weeder or old screwdriver (and a scooping shovel and
wheelbarrow on mulch installation day). Tools will also
be provided to attendees who do not bring their own.
The events are from 9:00
am to 1:00 pm, but come anytime, for any
amount of time-any and all help is welcome! Snacks and water
will be provided. A perfect opportunity for service
hour completion! Please contact Angelique Edman at
630.267.4591 or rangelfish@hotmail.com with questions or for further
information. See you there!
Graduate Recognition May 22nd
During the worship
service on Sunday, May 22nd we will honor all our graduates:
high school, college, and beyond. If you or a family
member are graduating this spring let us know so we can
include you! Please email the church office (office@woodridgeumc.org) with the graduate’s name and
the school from which they are graduating.
We’ll spend a little extra time that morning with our high
school graduates, asking them to share a favorite memory and
what’s next for them.
Upper Rooms
A few Upper Rooms
for May-June are still available in the narthex.
Woodridge Jubilee
Summer doesn’t
begin until you attend the Woodridge Jubilee! The annual
summer festival, organized by the Woodridge Park District and
the Village of Woodridge, will take place Wednesday, June 15 -
Sunday, June 19 at Town Centre (corner of
Woodridge & Center Drives). Featuring free admission,
carnival rides, live music and a variety of food, the Jubilee
is sure to please every type of crowd.
Birthdays
May Birthdays
2 Robert
Kettell
4 Deb Cortez
6 Karen Smith
10 Amanda Smith
11 Jean Lamorena
12 Marisa McGinty
14 Larry Cash
18 Charlotte Ashworth
21 Kathy Manderfield
22 Dione McConnell
23 Velma Getty
23 Robyn Harris White
25 Drew Byczynski
Outreach Opportunities
Drive to End Hunger
The 9th
Annual West Suburban Community Pantry Golf Outings is Wednesday, June
22nd at Seven Bridges Golf Club. Check
In is at (8:00 am and the shot gun start is at 9:00 am.
Register by June 1st to lock in early birdie pricing
(includes greens fee and cart, breakfast, lunch, drinks and
more). Register at wscpantry.org/golf-outing.
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 or underwear.
"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).
May Outreach Offering
The Reconciling
Ministries Network
Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) mobilizes
United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender
identities to transform our Church and world into the full
expression of Christ’s inclusive love. Website: rmnetwork.org.
RMN works to influence the UMC to be more inclusive and
resources and empowers local churches to participate in this
ministry. The network has a presence in all jurisdictions of
the UMC.
The Reconciling Ministries Network is made up of over 700
Reconciling communities and over 34,000 individuals…
Mission:
Reconciling Ministries Network equips and mobilizes United
Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities
to resist
evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they
present themselves.
Vision:
Reconciling Ministries Network envisions a renewed and
vibrant Wesleyan movement that is biblically and
theologically centered. As committed disciples of Jesus
Christ, we strive to transform ourselves and the world by
living out the Gospel’s teachings of grace, love, justice,
and celebration of all of God’s children.
Northern Illinois Conference
General
Conference Postponed until 2024
Statement
from Bishop John L. Hopkins
The
Commission on the General Conference has announced the further postponement
of the 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. The next General
Conference will be in 2024.
In response to the decision, Bishop John L. Hopkins said:
I want to express appreciation to the Commission on General
Conference that is made up of elected delegates. They
were entrusted to represent General Conference and have
consistently upheld the principle of having everyone at the
table.
If we believe in a church with a strong democratic
foundation, we need to support the decision to meet in 2024
whether we agree with it or not. God does not stop
working when we cannot gather at a General Conference and
neither should we.
There are many questions about a General Conference in 2024
that we cannot answer at this time. Between now and our
annual conference, we will know more about the possibility of
electing bishops, changing representatives on
church agencies, resetting the general church budget,
and how a postponed 2020 conference and a 2024 conference can
be held at the same time.
Do not let the news of General Conference being postponed
take your attention away from the suffering of our United
Methodist churches in Ukraine. I have gathered, sung,
and prayed with our United Methodists brothers and sisters in
Kyiv and in Moscow who are both led by Bishop Eduard Khegay.
Support them with your prayers, offerings, and actions. Your
gifts can be received through your local church and
designated to Ukrainian assistance.
In the meantime, keep thinking globally and acting locally to
serve Jesus and his Church. Use this Lenten Season to
focus on what is most important and pray for peace.
~Bishop John L. Hopkins
Read
Commission on General Conference Statement
Read
Council of Bishops Statement
Ukrainian
Assistance
 The 2022 Northern Illinois Annual Conference
Bishop's Appeal special offering will go toward Ukraine
assistance, as the needs will be long term. Stay tuned for
more details but in the meantime, you are encouraged to give
through your local church designating gifts “Ukraine
Assistance."
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 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
May
6th, 2022, Volume 12, Edition 18
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