Recent News

As you know, Jim and Greta McDonald have announced that they will be retiring at the end of June 2018.  We will miss them greatly.  After knowing this, with input from our church, Bishop Sally Dyck, District Superintendent Dick Wisdom and the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) Cabinet diligently worked to find the next Senior Pastor for our church.  These same people are now diligently working to find an Associate Pastor for our church. 

Bishop Dyck and the NIC Cabinet have prayerfully discerned that Rev. Claude R. King Sr. be appointed to serve as the Senior Pastor of First UMC Downers Grove for the following missional reasons: excellence in preaching and worship, creativity in developing outward focused ministry, passionate spirituality, and a deep love for God and God's people.

Pastor Claude is an ordained Elder and lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.  He received his BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Anthropology from Chicago State University. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.   He has served as Pastor and Associate Pastor at a variety of churches in Chicago, including the Chicago Temple, in Glen Ellyn, and is presently serving as Pastor of the Olympia Fields UMC.  Several of these appointments were in large multi-staff churches.  He is a practitioner in teamwork and a bridge builder as head of staff in the local church.  Rev. King also serves on the UMC-NIC Board of Ordained Ministry; this Board is responsible for guiding clergy candidates through the ordination process, including interviewing and recommending all candidates who are seeking to be fully ordained as ministers in the NIC-UMC. 

What if God was bigger than you ever imagined? Beyond Belief! - the camp curriculum - invites campers to ask the big questions about God and explore how God can be seen in the vastness of creation, the power of community, and even in their own hearts.

DGFUMC is offering this summer camp experience for children and youth from 2nd to 9th grade at the Wesley Woods Conference Center, Williams Bay, WI from June 25-29. The grade listed is the grade the student will be entering in the fall of 2018.

Camp lasts only one week - but what campers take home can last a lifetime.

Registration for Summer Camp begins March 1 for DGFUMC members and April 1 for non-members.

Registration deadline: June 1.

A $50 deposit is due at the time of registration with payment in full due by June 25.

Space is limited, so register early!

Click below for a registration form or visit the church office for more information.

Our church staffs the People’s Resource Center Pantry the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of each month. Located in Westmont (map), the PRC provides fresh produce, canned goods, and other food items to clients in DuPage County, as well as offering other services. As a volunteer, you would greet clients, show them what is available,and help with bagging the groceries and getting the food to their car.

If you would be willing to help, as seldom or as often as you’d like, please contact Julie Stone.

The first Wednesday family meal of this new year will be Wednesday, January 10 from 5-6:30 p.m.  This is a great time to have a meal and connect with others in the church. The other benefits include not planning a meal and not cooking it!  There are 15 Wednesday meals that you may purchase from January 10 to April 25.

You will notice there are four meals called “Don’s Home Cookin’.”    These are special meals planned and cooked by a wonderful team of chefs here at the church headed up by Don Safford.  Those meals are included when you purchase a meal plan.    If you are only interested in the “Don’s Home Cookin’” meals, then you will need to just email or contact me a week before the meal (those cost $6/person).  If you have any questions about this wonderful time for fellowship and food (not to mention no planning and meal preparation) please let me know.

See the form below for information on how to get registered for these church meals! Please register by January 7 if you plan on joining us on January 10.

Contact John Smoke at john@dgfumc.org with any questions.