Articles

News magazines (ie. Time, Newsweek,etc.) are needed for Onward Bound. Please bring any donations to the church office.

The new year brings a new meal subscription for the Wednesday evening meals at church. You can download the form for the meals below. Please fill it out and return to the church office by or on Sunday, January 8.

DVDs are now available for the 4:00, 7:00, and 9:00 Christmas Eve Services. They are $3 apiece and can be purchased in the church office.

For over 11 years, the youth ministry at DGFUMC was run by two remarkable people, Nick Nicholas and Belford Hernandez. Nick Nicholas joined our congregation on June 12, 2000, the first day of church camp at Reynolds Wood. Since then, over 400 8th graders have been confirmed in their faith during the Onward Bound program. In addition to church camp, he expanded the number of mission trips each year to include junior, senior and post-high youth. He took the senior high to help rebuild communities from Milwaukee to Pascagoula, and the post-high to build shelters in the Bahamas and restore churches in London and Edinburgh. Locally, he established a particularly close relationship with the community of United Church of Rogers Park.

During this same period, the Chapel Choir was led by Belford Hernandez, a prodigiously talented musician from Venezuela, who was trained in Colombia and Chicago, before joining the music program at Downers Grove South High School. He was as accomplished playing jazz piano with the Worship Band as he was conducting the choir and brought an eclectic range of music to us on Sunday mornings, all played with passion and verve. Along with many wonderful adult leaders, Nick and Belford took the Chapel Choir to NYC, St Simons Island GA, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Boston, Wilmington NC, New Orleans, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Toronto.

During their time with us, Nick and Belford touched the lives of all our youth. Many of those that Nick led are now young adults that he keeps in touch with, officiating at many of their weddings and helping to baptize their children. Belford continues as director and piano collaborator for professional and amateur choirs and vocal ensembles throughout the Chicago area, including the local "Cantores" Community Choir.

On December 23, many of the alumni of the DGFUMC youth programs over the last decade gathered in the Open Door to show their appreciation for the years of service that Nick and Belford gave to our church. Below, you can see the slideshow prepared by Nikki Walters and Louise Osborn, that was presented the night of their good-bye party.

[[[http://www.youtube.com/embed/BOV2LfUZolQ?hd=1 height=385 width=524 allowfullscreen="" frameborder=0]]]

Help the Chapel Choir get to New York this Spring Break by sponsoring a bus seat for $25. You can direct your sponsorship to a particular student or have it applied to the tour fund. Sponsor forms are available in the church office or from Chapel Choir members.

Now available at the west entrance of the church. If you did not request envelopes or would like to sign up for ACH direct debit, please contact Carolyn Donnelly, financial secretary, in the church office.

PADS is always in need of items of clothing. Help make someone’s New Year a little brighter by donating socks, long underwear, flannel shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants. All must be new and at least a size large. Please bring to the church by January 15th.

Order yours today for only $10. Order forms are available from the church office or from Chapel Choir members.

On Sunday, January 8th at 9:30am and Sunday, January 22th at 11:00am, we will be holding a class for anyone interested in joining DGFUMC. Please contact Pastor Jim or Pastor Greta for more information.

Happy Thanksgiving! Everyone from First UMC is invited to the Interfaith Multicultural Thanksgiving Brunch to be held at the Islamic Foundation on Sunday, November 27, from 11am to 1pm. You can find more details here. It is a wonderful experience and I encourage you to come - individuals and families - all are welcome.

We need families or households to light the Advent Wreath during worship services on December 18 at either the 9:30 or 11:00am services, and on Christmas Eve at 7:00pm, 9:00pm or 11:00pm. If you are interested, please contact Sharon at the church office (630-968-7120).

What do you give the person with everything? Well, a gift from our Advent Alternative Gift Fair! Every Sunday until Christmas, the Missions work area will be in the Parlor offering a range of Christmas gifts to bring not just a smile to your loved one's face but also justice and hope to people far away.

The fair will be held from November 27 until December 18.