Woodridge United Methodist Church

Music Director Job Opening

The Staff Parish Committee has updated the job description for Music Director and will be posting the opening in various locations.  Please share that we are looking for people who are interested in the position. The committee prays for guidance as we work to fill this very important role in our church.
 

Ministry Opportunities

WUMC Hope Scholarship
The Scholarship Committee would like to announce the creation of the Hope Scholarship.  It is to be awarded to young, active members of Woodridge UMC who are continuing their education upon completing high school.  The scholarship will help our young adults with the high cost of continuing their education at a trade school, college, or professional school. Students are eligible to receive a one-time scholarship of $1000.  Only a small number of scholarships will be given out each year.  The applications are available attached here and are due by January first for second semester of this school year.

Advent 2025

Christmas Eve Services
Wednesday, December 24th: 5:00 pm Christmas Eve carols, children’s time, and candle lighting.
Wednesday, December 24th: 10:00 pm Christmas Eve carols, candle lighting & communion. 
 
Hat and Mitten Tree
Our Hat and Mitten Tree is in the Narthex through the beginning of January and all collected items will be given to Woodridge schools to be distributed to children who are in need.  (Please no scarves.  The Scarf Outreach project has successfully filled the need for any scarves).

Ad Council Meeting
There is an Administrative Council Meeting on Saturday, January 18th at 9:00 am in the Standing Rock room.  Please plan on attending if you are a member of the Ad Council, but everyone is welcome!
 
Prayer Ministry
Our Prayer Chain is a group of caring people who believe in the power of prayer. We are dedicated to praying for your concerns and joys. Prayer requests will be shared with the church’s prayer chain, honoring your confidentiality. If you are interested in being a part of the church’s prayer chain ministry, please contact the church office.

If you would like to submit prayers to the Prayer Chain of Joys and Concerns, please contact the church office, text Pastor Dave  with your prayer requests or give him a note before worship service.

Begin the New Year by Connecting Deeper with God
A Sunday morning study of the book, Sacred Pathways - 9 Ways to Connect with God, by Gary Thomas will run January 11th - February 8th.  Class will meet 8:45 am - 9:50 am.  If you are interested in attending, contact Charlotte Ashworth at bacatx@gmail.com.

Bible Study
We are studying Jeremiah.  The study will be offered on Tuesday mornings via Zoom (10:30 a.m. to Noon) and Wednesday evenings in person (6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.).  We will read one chapter together each week and go deeper with questions and discussions.  Let Pastor Dave know if you are interested in joining!
 

Sunday School
Please join us!
Most Sundays, Children begin the worship service in the sanctuary with their family. Following the “Praying” segment, the children will be invited up to the chancel steps for conversation with the pastors. Then, the Sunday School teacher will meet the children in the Narthex (the big room outside the sanctuary) & walk them to their classroom. They will be in the Trinity Room in the main hallway.

Activity Bags are available in the Narthex every Sunday.

Downers Grove Camera Club
The Downers Grove Camera Club (that meets in our building) has an exhibition at the Downers Grove LIbrary through the Month of December.  Take some time and go look at their beautiful artwork!

No January First Friday Lunch
There is no First Friday Lunch on January 2nd.  See you in February!
 
Second Saturday Diners
Second Saturday Diners will be gathering at Steven’s Restaurant, 2393 63rd Street, Woodridge. on Saturday, January 10th, at 5:00 pm. Let’s ring in the new year together because everyone is invited!  Please RSVP, Gwenn Edman 630/624-3227 or gwennedman@gmail.com by January 7, 2026.
 
Free Square Dancing
Downers Grove Square Thrus is hosting a FREE Square Dance on Monday January 12th 7:00pm - 9:00 pm at our church.  No experience needed. No partner required. Couples, singles and families are all welcome!  Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes.  Lessons start the following week.
 
For more information go to www.SquareThrus.com or call 630.747.9073.

Toastmasters
Would you like to speak with more confidence in any setting? Toastmasters can help! The Woodridge Toastmasters club meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at Woodridge United Methodist Church. Come visit us and see for yourself! For more information contact John.
 

Northern Illinois Conference
Read the Bible in a Year With Us
The NIC Committee on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation is inviting individuals and congregations to read the entire Bible using a daily guide organized in what is believed to be chronological order. Learn more.

In these difficult days, it has become increasingly dangerous for our Hispanic/Latine neighbors to leave their homes—including for work, which results in lost pay; to take children to their school bus stops; to shop for groceries; and to attend worship services.

To provide some relief, Bishop Schwerin has established an Emergency Solidarity Fund. It will assist primarily Hispanic/Latine people (but also other immigrants) who are increasingly vulnerable. (Read the Bishop's article here.)

People with whom our churches directly minister and those in our towns and neighborhoods can request help. Clergy can suggest needs they know about. The requests will be reviewed by a small, trustworthy group that includes clergy who minister in immigration contexts, laypeople, and conference staff.

This fund will be collecting funds through Jan. 16, 2026. The goal is for the first round of funds to be distributed in early November 2025.

Please consider giving to this fund as a way to follow Jesus’s commandment to love our neighbors.

Go here for immigrant resources in the Prairie Central District.


United Women in Faith Mission U (formerly UMW)
Mission U is January  11th-25th . Opening worship on January 11th at 3:00 pm; and closing worship on January 25th at 3:00 pm Between those dates, each study consists of two two-hour classes each week Virtual ONLY. Register by January 5th at
https://www.umcnic.org/calendar/uwfaith-mission-u-winter-2026. Cost: $10 registration fee – $15 /study (two studies would be a total of $40 – 10+15+15)
 
Classes:
“Practicing Hope, An Invitation to Dwell in the House of God” 
by Tabitha Holley: 3 class times
Monday and Wednesday (6-8 p.m.)
Tuesday and Thursday (2-4 p.m.)
Tuesday and Thursday (6-8 p.m.)
 
“Giving Our Heart Away, Native American Survival” 
by Thom White Wolf Fassett
Monday and Wednesday (2-4 p.m.)

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Join us in celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with prayers, testimonies, music and a guest speaker on Sunday, January 18th at 2:30 pm at Mount Prospect: Trinity UMC (605 W. Golf Road, Mt. Prospect).  There will be a worship service with light supper afterwards. There is no cost, but registration will be coming to help us prepare the correct amount of food.  Find more information and the registration here.
 
Theme: Voices from the Past, Leading Us into the Future
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Charles Woolery, Sr.

Culture Shift Leadership Training
The Prairie Central District Shepherding Team is bringing Rev. Jim Ozier back to Northern Illinois for Culture Shift: Cultivating Healthy Congregations, a one-day experience focused on helping pastors and lay leaders assess, shift, and shape their church culture toward vitality and growth. When culture shifts, everything shifts: worship, generosity, mission, and morale. Culture, not programs, budgets, or buildings, determines whether a church thrives or merely survives. The event is open to all church leaders. Join us at Grace UMC, Naperville, on Jan. 31st, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Registration is open, but space is limited. See the e-New for registration.