What's New

This page has news and announcements, updated every week. Also check the Calendar and the Tidings.

Highlights:
   • August e-Tidings now available.
   • All-Church Gathering set for Sept. 14.
   • Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan at First UMC Downers Grove.
   • Auditions for the Community Players' production of "Amateurs".

UMC Connections

First UMC in Downers Grove presents a weekend with Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. These internationally-acclaimed authors and scholars will share their insights on Jesus in the 1st and 21st Century. The seminar is September 12 through 14. Registration is $30, which includes lunch, and forms are available in the church office. The registration deadline is September 8.

Meet Aurora District Superintendent Diana Facemyer at a "Fiesta" gathering at Trinity UMC in Yorkville, September 21 starting at 4:00 p.m. For more information contact Jodenn Immer, (630)409-8162.

By popular demand, the Bishop's Interfaith Bus Tour is back. The tour, hosted by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung from Sept. 19-21, will visit Jain, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Turkish Muslim, and other worship sites. Contact Harriet McCabe at (630)355-4617 for registration, by September 12.

Intimacy and Action, a Harvest 2020 workshop, will be held October 18 at the Hilltop Ministry Center in Machesney, IL. Community UMC is sending a group to participate in workshops on evangelism and outreach led by Dr. Tony Campolo, Rev. Dr. Frank Beard, and others. Contact Haeran Kim in the church office for information or to register; the deadline is September 15.

Potpourri

The Community Players fall show is "Amateurs" by Tom Griffin, directed by Ed Green. Auditions are Sunday Sept. 7 at 2:00 p.m. and Monday Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. on the stage. There are parts for five adult men and four adult women; a number of production crew positions are also still open. Contact Ed Green for more information.

Empty icing (cake frosting) containers are needed by the Hunger Commission. We can't obtain our usual Arks for the children's Heifer Project, so we are making our own. Please put out the word to friends and family. Containers can be given to Nancy Abernethy or dropped off in the church office.

Wash pots with the Hunger Commission for next June's Perennial Plant Sale. They'll be working Monday, Sept. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at the garage at 105 Benton. Contact Nancy Abernethy with questions.

A free piano is available. Visit the church to view the grand piano in room 202. It is offered "as-is."

Missions

A work trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL is being organized for Oct. 2 to 4. Lodging is available on-site for a $30 fee. For information or to register, contact Andrea Moore.

School kit supplies are being collected by the Hunger Commission. These kits are distributed (through the Chatham center) to children throughout the United States. Lists of supplies are available on the bulletin board, and supplies may be dropped off at the church office or in the Sunday School rooms.

Wash pots with the Hunger Commission for next June's Perennial Plant Sale. They'll be working Monday, Sept. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., at the garage at 105 Benton. Contact Nancy Abernethy with questions.

Stroll and Roll to raise money for the DuPage Center for Independent Living. The fundraiser will be September 27 at the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. To pledge or for more information, contact David Rash.

Also see the Missions Page for more information.

Caring Ministries

"Do all the good you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can." ?John Wesley

Looking for a way to serve? There is a need for lay communion ministry team persons to share communion with homebound members once a month; for prayer team members to pray daily for those requesting prayer; for team members to reach out to inactives in a caring way; for persons to visit with seniors on a regular basis. If any might fill a passion you are seeking, please contact Mary Jacobs at mjacobs@communityunitedmethodist.org or (630)355-1483 to find out more about training and serving.

All-Church Gathering

The gathering is September 14 following the 11:00 services. It will be a day of fun, food, and frolicking - all that is needed from you is to RSVP and bring a dish to share. You can RSVP on Sundays at the information tables at 20 N. Center or OnCenter, or by calling the church office.

Your dish will be served with the best ever free fried chicken. We are asking people who attend 5:00 chapel service to bring starters, 8:30 service to bring desserts, 11:00 service at North Center to bring a side dish, and 11:00 service at OnCenter to bring a salad.

Volunteers

Help is needed to extend our ministry of welcoming to the new OnCenter worship space at Meiley-Swallow Hall. This involves setting up and staffing the hospitality table in the new space. All supplies, as well as information about church events, will be in place. Individuals, couples, small groups, Sunday School classes, ministry teams, and others are invited to sign up to host the table. Join the welcoming faces of Community UMC by signing up at the OnCenter hospitality table, at the North Center table, or by contacting Mary Jacobs in the church office.

Christian Education needs a few more teachers for children's Sunday School. Help is especially needed at the 11:00 Children's Chapel offerings. Contact Beth Elders in the church office to sign up or for information.

Stroll and Roll to raise money for the DuPage Center for Independent Living. The fundraiser will be September 27 at the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. To pledge or for more information, contact David Rash.

Our thanks to all who have donated canned and dried goods for local food pantries. The food pantry was delighted to receive our gifts, which are especially needed in summer when children are not getting school lunches. Please keep up the good work and drop off your donations at Community UMC for delivery to pantries in Naperville and Aurora.

Men and Women

The United Methodist Men's 2008 Spiritual Congress is Sept. 12 to 14 in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Registration forms are available from our local UMM (contact George Groves) or by contacting Jeff Miller at jmiller35@sbcglobal.net. The registration deadline is Sept. 8.

The United Methodist Women Evening Outreach Circle will begin its fall schedule with a potluck on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the home of Mari Schirmer. Over the course of the year, the group will discuss the three studies recommended by the national UWM, starting with a biography of Susanna Wesley. All are welcome; contact Mari with questions.

The UMW's Book Circle will begin the fall season with a potluck on Wednesday, September 17, at the home of Sally Hines. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini is the selected book. Cindy Bunting or Marty Schwab will be happy to answer any questions about the book circle.

The UMW Fall Potluck is Wednesday, Sept. 24. The program by Kim Cosentino of Declutterbox.com features tips to help you get organized. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.; please bring a dish to share. Childcare is available, but contact the office by Sept. 10 to reserve it.

Church Women United's Human Rights Retreat is Friday, Sept. 19 from 9:30 to 2:00 at Knox Presbyterian. "God's Love Honors Children" is the theme for worship and for program activities. Contact Liz Bradley for more information.

Worship

Community UMC's Senior Outreach Team offers two special worship services each month. All are welcome at these services. On the second Tuesday of each month, Community offers the Reminiscence Service for persons with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The next service will be September 9 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. On the third Wednesday of each month, Community offers the Senior Assisted Living Service of worship and fellowship for homebound members of our community. The next service will be September 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor.

As God's faithful people, we are called to pray for and with each other. Every Wednesday we will meet in the Chapel from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., and together seek God's direction for our church life and ministries, for our facilities planning, and for whatever else the Lord places upon our hearts. Please prayerfully consider joining us in this important task, for wherever two or more are gathered in Christ's name, He is there.

Music and Dance

All of Community UMC's dance, vocal, and instrumental choirs welcome new members.

Liturgical Dancers
The Rejoice Dancers for older youth and adults will meet on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, and thereafter on Saturdays as scheduled.
Rainbow Dancers, for age kindergarten and up, meet every Monday from 5:30 to 6:25 p.m. in room 202 (the stage).
Contact Donna Pries for more information about liturgical dance.

Vocal Choirs
Joyful Noise for children age 3 through kindergarten and Hosanna for first through fifth grade practice Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. starting September 10.
Sine Nomine for sixth through twelfth grade practice Sundays at 3:30 p.m. starting September 14.
Sanctuary Choir for adults practice Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Contact Stephen Edwards for more information about vocal choirs.

Bell Choirs
Open Circle Ringers practice Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Carillon Bells practice Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Tower Bells for youth practice Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Contact Eldora Juha for more information about bell choirs.