Recent News

In September, Andrew Newberg, M.D., will be leading a two-day workshop at First United, exploring the fascinating link between religious experience and the biology of the brain. He will be using the latest advances in neuroscience to help us understand what is happening in our brains when we experience the transcendent as tangibly real. This is not a reductionist exercise designed to discredit religious faith. Newberg does not believe that neuroscience can say whether God exists or not, but he does believe that God seems to be hard-wired into the human brain, finding "echoes of the infinite buried within its convoluted folds."

To help us prepare for this stimulating workshop, all members of the church are invited to participate in reading and discussing two books by Andrew Newberg that explore in depth his neurological studies of religious experience and his ideas concerning the biological importance of religious belief in healing our bodies and minds. There will be two sets of discussions in June and August. Books can be purchased online or in bookstores. Contact the church office by June 3 if you want the church to order a copy for you.

Why God Won't Go Away

Wednesday, June 15, 10:00am (led by Pastor Greta McDonald)
Wednesday, June 15, 6:30pm (led by Pastor Jim McDonald)
Sunday, June 26, 9:00am (led by Carol Lysne)

Why We Believe What We Believe

Sunday, August 28, 9:00am (led by Carol Lysne)
Wednesday, August 31, 10:00am (led by Pastor Greta McDonald)
Wednesday, August 31, 6:30pm (led by Pastor Jim McDonald)
 

Donate your used cell phones & small electronics!

The Environmental Stewardship Work Area is conducting a recycling fundraiser. There’s nothing to buy. We are simply asking you to protect the environment by donating your used cell phones and small consumer electronics. Your used item(s) may be tax deductible and will be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations. 100% of the proceeds will help fund the First United Methodist Church’s change over to more environmentally friendly and economical light fixtures and lighting.

We are currently collecting the following items:

• Cell Phones
• Digital Cameras
• Digital Video Cameras
• Laptop Computers
• Electronic Book Readers
• Handheld Game Systems
• GPS Devices
• MP3 Player

Note: Please do not include any accessories (rechargers, earbuds, etc.) with your donations.

Drop off any of the above items you would like to recycle at the Collection Bin in the church office.

Home stays with host families have always been an important part of Chapel Choir tours. It has also allowed us to keep tour fees reasonable and for our youth to interact with members of other congregations. Now it's our turn. On Tuesday, June 14, our church will host the Revelation Choir from Custer Road UMC in Plano, TX. We need help with dinner preparation, housing and attendance for their concert. So far, only seven families have offered beds for the nights. Please contact Don Dunham (630-968-7120 x 210) if you are willing to assist or want more details.

Children around the world have benefited from the generosity of the FUMC congregation. Through your Easter gifts in 2010, we have also supported the following project and mission:

Lee Memorial Girl’s Dormitory, India—a residential school for girls in an area where girls are largely overlooked for education. Nurturing and educating the orphaned and destitute, this school makes it possible for girls to learn not only basic education, but also skills for a brighter future as empowered women.

Street Children Ministry, Cambodia—street children in Cambodia, including children living in orphanages and in poor communities, have limited access to local public school education, proper nutrition, fellowship activities, or opportunities to learn about the Bible. In each of the four communities where our NIC-supported missionary Clara Biswas works, the project has enhanced their education, provided means for fellowship, and filled various other needs to improve the overall quality of the child’s life and teaching about God’s love for them.