Recent News

This Sunday, May 1st, there will be NO Sunday school. There will be nursery care. Sunday is a special day in the life of our church. It is the annual children's cantata in worship. Many of the children will be singing in it. I am encouraging those who aren't singing to attend with their families.

Let us make this Sunday, a time to worship together as families!

One of the benefits of being United Methodist is the way we work together to be in mission all around the world.

The first, foundation level of mission outreach is through the “apportionment” giving that is a part of our regular church budget. Through apportionments, a portion of our offerings are used throughout the year to minister through the World Service and Conference Benevolence Funds. The World Service Fund enables our church’s world-wide mission outreach. All United Methodist churches share together in contributing to the World Service Fund. The Conference Benevolence Fund directs a portion of our offerings to mission and ministries within our Northern Illinois Conference, from the inner city neighborhoods of Chicago to the rural areas of western Illinois. All the United Methodist Churches in our Conference in our Conference share financially in our Conference Benevolences.

The second, “extra” level of mission giving is through the “Rainbow Covenant.” The Rainbow Covenant allows us a congregation to select specific ministries and mission projects for our congregation’s support. There are nine color “bands” of the Rainbow Covenant. To be a Rainbow Covenant church, a congregation first needs to pay its apportionments in full, and then give at least $25 to a mission in each of the color “bands” of the Rainbow.

The various colors each support an area of mission. They are:

• Burgundy— International
• Red—U.S.A
• Orange—United Methodist Committee of Relief
• Yellow—Children and Youth
• Green—Northern Illinois Conference
• Blue— District
• Indigo—Missionary Support
• Purple—Local Benevolences and Special Sundays
• White—Sister Church Relationships.

Special Opportunity for Children!

This Sunday, April 17, Palm Sunday, all children (3 year old through 6th grade) are invited to help decorate the wall between Fellowship Hall and Chapel Hall. Members of the Children and Family Work Area will be assisting children to put their handprint on the wall. We will be using different colors of water-based paint.

At 9:30 the 3 year old, 4 & 5 year old, and kindergarten class will begin in their regular classrooms. The 1st-4th grade classes will begin in the parlor. After the procession of palms in the sanctuary, the teachers and shepherds will lead the children down to the gym. The teachers and other adults will assist the children with their handprints on the wall. The 3 year old, 4 & 5 year old, and kindergarten classes will then return to their normal classrooms where parents can pick-up their children following the worship service. The 1st through 4th grade classes will remain in the gym where parents can pick them up.

At 11:00 the preschool through kindergarten class will start in their regular classroom. The 1st-6th graders will meet in the parlor. After the procession of palms in the sanctuary, all children will go to the gym for the handprint project. The preschool through kindergarten class will then return to their classroom. The 1st-6th will remain in the gym.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I look forward to a wonderful Palm Sunday!

Given the ever increasing impact of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, we invite everyone to join in a program to reduce our energy consumption, save money and protect the health and well- being of people and our planet - all at the same time.

During this coming month, commit to as many actions as possible to reduce your energy consumption and in friendly competition see who can score the most points in moving you and your family toward a lower carbon footprint.

Here is the list of action items for week 1. Report your score using the DGFUMC Contact Form (choose 'Environmental Stewardship' as the category). More details can be found on the Going Green page.

Action Items

1. Turn off lights, TV and other electronics whenever you leave the room for more than a minute - 2 pts.
2. Clean or replace furnace air filter regularly - 2 pts.
3. Reduce waste generation and recycle all aluminum, glass, plastic, paper, etc. (reducing half of a standard size garbage can per week can reduce about 2,000 lb/ yr. CO2 - 2 pts.
4. Plant new trees to commemorate births of children/ grandchildren- they not only sequester carbon but also provide shade, retain water and purify the air - 5 pts.
5. Tune-up furnace/ A/C at least every other year (saves 300 lb/ yr. CO2) - 3 pts.
6. Replace attic fan with solar powered fan (free energy for life- easier installation) - 10 pts.
7. Consider organic cleaning products such as vinegar, borax, baking soda - 1 pt.
8. Eat less meat (for each day of the week switching to vegetarian can save 700 lb/ yr. CO2) - 5 pts.
9. Buy foods locally - 2 pts.
10. Remove unneeded heavy objects from trunk to improve mileage - 1 pt.
11. Combine car trips while you’re out to reduce vehicle miles travelled (with planning most people can reduce VMT 20% saving 1,500 lb/ yr. CO2) - 3 pts.
12. Use mass transit whenever feasible, especially commuting to work-  5 pts.