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Important Information
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
Woodridge UMC 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 August 1st.
Ai Chi
for Mind and Body Relaxation
Ai Chi starts today!! It runs July 12th – August 3rd
- 2
Options of Sundays after worship or Monday afternoons at 2:00
pm (4 sessions) Ai Chi is simple exercise,
usually done in water, and adaptable to land. It is
also a relaxation program using a combination of deep
breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs, and
torso in flowing continual patterns. It moves with
nature. Exercises include a mental component, focus on
muscle and movement sense, breath as a centering activity,
physical form, and perceiving the movement and flow of one’s
intrinsic energy aka chi. The movements will be adapted
to the capabilities one has. Appropriate instrumental
music will used to enhance the flow of movements and overall
experience.
Summer
Book Study
Wanting to learn more about prayer - that communication tool
God has given us to speak to and hear from the Holy
Trinity? If so, join us this summer for a 4-week study
on Monday nights, July 13 - August 3, 6:30 - 8:00. We
are using the book Praying with Mandalas by Sharon
Seyfarth Garner and will study and practice 4
different ways of prayer, all while coloring
mandalas. You will even learn what a mandala
is. For further information, please contact
Charlotte Ashworth at bacatx@gmail.com.
School
Supply Drive
Did you know there are almost 1,100 students in Woodridge
School District 68 whose families will struggle to purchase
their needed school supplies? YOU CAN HELP! The
Churches in Woodridge and the Woodridge Rotary are partnering
to provide BACKPACKS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES to Woodridge
residents in need. Will you please contribute?
Watch for sales - check the discount stores - visit Amazon -
whatever works for you. (Mondo Llama brand of crayons,
markers and colored pencils at Target are MOST welcome and
less expensive.) Please return donations to church by Sunday August
2nd. The needed supplies are on the list
found in the narthex or here. CORRECTION TO THE
CORRECTION: WE DO NEED BACKPACKS.
Introduction
to Prayer Labyrinths
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 1125 Franklin Street in
Downer Grove is offering an Understanding Prayer Labyrinths
at their church on Saturday,
July 18th, from 2 - 4 pm. All are invited to
this 1 hour talk and 1 hour experience of walking the
labyrinth located in their building. A prayer labyrinth
is a winding, circular path used as a tool for walking,
meditation and prayer. A group will leave our church at
1:30 to attend this opportunity. Questions or more
information, please contact Charlotte Ashworth at bacatx@gmail.com.
Men's
Group Meeting - Everyone Welcome
The next meeting of the Men’s Group will be on July 18th at 9:00
am. We will have a brief time of fellowship
and prayer before working on some projects. Everyone is
welcome to join us for the projects!
Ad
Council Meeting
There is an Administrative Council Meeting on Saturday, July
25th 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!
Native
Illinois History & Contemporary Issues
Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Dr. Dorene Wiese will guide
audiences through the historical foundations of tribal
nations such as the Chippewa, Potawatomi and Ottawa as well
as how urban Native communities developed in Chicago in the
20th century is presenting a discussion on Saturday, July
18th at 1:00 pm at Isle a la Cache
Museum. Through storytelling, music, dance and art,
Wiese will highlight how history is alive, how Native
contributions continue today, and why cultural respect
matters – reinforcing the importance of building both bridges
and dialogue together. Registration is free and
information and registration is available here.
Directory
Update
It’s been a few years since we updated our printed directory
so it’s time for a refresh! But in order to perfectly produce
a printed Directory, we presently need perfect information.
So please proceed to the Narthex, put pen to paper, and
perform an update to your information. Check one of the
samples in the narthex for your entry and its accuracy and
either initial the entry as it being fine OR fill out a
yellow Directory Information form in the narthex (or here).
DO NOT make corrections in the samples. Thank You!!
Share
Your Talents!
Do you play an instrument? Love to sing? Are you looking for
a concrete way to help? Want to become more involved at WUMC?
Join in our church's practice of radical hospitality? Let us
know! Fill out a Volunteer Opportunity form in the narthex (or here)
to let us know what you are interested in.
Summer
Outreach Opportunities
The Outreach Committee is happy to be able to offer multiple
opportunities for us to share out time, talents and treasure
this summer. Please check out the opportunities below!
Sign up sheets will be available in the Narthex starting this
week.
Serving at the West Suburban Community Pantry
(involves tasks such as stocking shelves, sorting produce)
Wednesday
July 22nd – Noon-2:00 pm 10 slots
available
Saturday
August 22nd – 10:00 am- Noon 6
slots available
Backpack Drive to Support Woodridge School Students
During the month of July we will be collecting school
supplies and free will cash donations. More information
will follow soon
August
7th (tentative)
– set up for backpack filling at St. Scholastica
August
8th –
9:00 am-Noon filling
backpacks at St. Scholastica
Summer
Learning Series
Woodridge UMC is interested in sponsoring a summer learning
series BUT some of the programs require a minimum number of
attendees to take place. If the class is running, you
are welcome to join at a later date. Please RSVP
though.
End of Life Advance Planning
Sunday,
August 16th after worship service - Many
people are overwhelmed or underprepared when it comes to
their final wishes, so Modell Funeral Home has put together a
seminar to share about funeral preplanning. It may not be
something we talk about all the time, but it is so important!
The presentation is designed to be a helpful, educational
experience focused on planning for end-of-life services,
answering questions, and allowing individuals to explore
their options in a comfortable, no-pressure setting on.
Be Red Cross Ready (10
minimum)
This
will be on a weekday afternoon in August.Be Red
Cross Ready is a preparedness education curriculum for adults
designed to help people understand, prepare for, and respond
appropriately to disasters. It’s important to prepare for
possible disasters and other emergencies. Natural and
human-caused disasters can strike suddenly, at anytime and
anywhere. There are three actions everyone can take that can
help make a difference...Get a kit. Make a plan. Be
informed.
Sharing
Our Gifts with Ray Graham
Our Ray Graham day program is looking for volunteers to spend
an hour or two sharing their gifts with their clients. Can
you bake (above the cupcake level), teach simple carpentry
(fastening two boards together), talk about your culture,
etc.? You are welcome to share your hobbies and knowledge!
Please let the church office know, and we will share the list
of volunteers with Ray Graham, so they can work out a
schedule.
Altar
Flower Donations
If you would like to donate an arrangement of flowers for the
altar, you are welcome to bring one in. Please let the
church office know by noon the Wednesday before, especially
if the flowers are in memory/honor of someone, so that they
may be acknowledged in the bulletin and announcements.
Sunday
School is on Break
Sunday
School will return after Labor Day. 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.
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.
Free
Square Dancing
Downers Grove Square Thrus is hosting a FREE Square Dance on Monday September
14th 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 Monday, September 21st. For more information go to www.SquareThrus.com or
call 630.881-4467.
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
Becoming
the Beloved Community
How to
Talk About Race in America
Saturday,
July 18th, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at Barrington UMC.
Becoming the Beloved Community is a four-hour workshop that
conveys not only facts and essential knowledge about race and
racism but also seeks to help us experience some of the harm
and hurt racial prejudice has caused. The emphasis on sharing
will also introduce ways all churches can become more closely
knit as its members share their own lives more deeply with
each other. This will help churches become more active,
intentional communities, honoring Christ's life and teachings
not only about fighting inequality but other forces that
prevent us from seeing all people and the earth as God's
beloved creations. The cost is $10 and includes a light
lunch and refreshments. The event is limited to 25 people.
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served
basis. More information is available here .
Online registration is available here.
NIC/GCORR
CRCC Cohort
Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Cohort Sponsored by the Northern
Illinois Conference and the General Commission on Religion
and Race
The cohort exists to strengthen adaptive leadership of
Cross-Racial/Cross-cultural (CRCC) clergy in the Northern
Illinois Conference by affirming belonging, creating space
for theological reflection and navigating cultural awareness
and healing. Through a trauma-informed and formational
learning environment, the cohort supports CRCC clergy in
integrating their lived experience, cultural identity, and
theological vocation, fostering both personal healing and
sustained leadership in CRCC ministry settings.
A few of the 2026-2027 events church leaders. Please
let Pastor Dave or the church office know if you are
interested in any of them:
Opening
Retreat: Identity, Self-Care and the Art of Theological
Reflection
Sat.
8/8/2026, 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm at Our Saviour’s
UMC in Schaumburg: Strengthen awareness of personal and
cultural identity as CRCC clergy and practice theological
reflection as a tool for belonging and resilience in CRCC
ministry.
World
Celebrations of Christmas
Sat.
12/5/2026, 10 a.m. to 1 pm at Journey of Hope
UMC in Elgin: Explore global expressions of Christmas and how
they enrich the church’s incarnational ministry
Closing
Retreat - Lessons for the journey ahead
Sat.
5/22/2027, 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm at Our Saviour’s
UMC in Schaumburg:
Outreach Opportunities
July Outreach Offering - Abounding Ministries
Abounding Ministries facilitates
multi-generational worship experiences in our Methodist
Churches each weekend, helping congregations reach out with
family-friendly worship using traditional source materials
and the creative use of Music. Rev. Rich Rubietta helps train
local church musicians, making disciples of Jesus Christ
through dynamic worship, workshops, retreats and writing. He
circuit rides throughout the NIC to strengthen the spiritual
life, mission and evangelism of congregations. Jane Rubietta
partners with Rich as an author and retreat leader focusing
on women’s issues, spiritual formation and strengthening
relationships between congregations and clergy
families. (From Mission Links: Living the Beatitudes
2026).
Ways
to donate to the July Outreach Offering:
- Check or cash in an
Outreach Offering envelope placed in the offering plate
in the Narthex (the room outside the sanctuary) or in
the gold-plated mail slot at the church’s east door.
- Online via our website.
Select “Current Month Outreach” in the drop-down menu.
- Text the amount you want
to give to 630-449-7121 and select “Current Month
Outreach” in the drop-down menu.
Ongoing Opportunities
"Goin' Green" Shoes & Clothes
Recycling Box
Located in the northeast corner of our parking lot,
this receptacle is a convenient place to recycle any shoes
and your clothes that are at or near the end of their
usefulness.
West Suburban Food Pantry
There is a shopping cart that is waiting
for donations. It sits in the narthex, usually near the
sanctuary doors. The food pantry serves many
households and always welcomes donations!!!
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