We are committed to providing a variety of ways we can connect, grow and renew energy at Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL. Get connected through a variety of volunteer opportunities. Come find your place in the following study and fellowship opportunities as we walk together in our faith journeys.
New Young Adult Fellowship at Gary Church
Sunday, Oct. 4, noon, at Gary Church
All young adults are invited to the table where you can find good food, genuine relationships, honest conversation and room to explore faith.
Feel free to contact the Church Office or the pastors with any questions, but no RSVP is required.
Canopy of Creation
Sundays, Oct. 11-25, 10:10 a.m., Anderson Room
Trees are essential to community health and climate resilience to heat and flooding. However, not all communities have equal access to the benefits trees provide. Planting trees in areas that have not historically had access to the benefits of trees is one element of creation justice. Learn from presentations and speakers about where tree inequity exists in the Chicago area, how programs such as the Chicago Region Tree Initiative are working to correct inequities, and how God might be calling us to participate in this aspect of caring for God’s creation.
Epic of Eden Bible Study
Mondays, 7 p.m., Heritage Room
Does the Old Testament sometimes feel like a collection of disconnected stories and events? In this 12-week video study, Old Testament scholar Dr. Sandra Richter brings the biblical narrative together into one sweeping story of God's redeeming grace, while Dr. Daniel Somboonsiri leads our Monday evening discussions. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Old Testament's history, culture and how it continues to shape our faith today.
Please register for the study with Carey Williams Bebar.
Grief Support Group
Thursdays, Nov. 5 – Feb. 11, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Anderson Room
The Grief Support Group offers a safe and caring space to share, listen, remember and find support in the loving company of others. Open to everyone, including past participants, this group will meet for a total of 12 sessions. This year's updated program and new curriculum will be led by Rebekah Stoneberg, Pastor Jane Hawkins and Pastor Daniel Cochran.
If you or someone you know might find comfort and companionship in this group, please register (registration coming soon.) Questions? Contact Pastor Daniel Cochran.
Grow in faith and fellowship through the arts. You can get involved in several ways:
Join our team of sewers and painters working to create new banners and installations for the Gary Church Sanctuary.
Participate in one of our upcoming public programs offered every other month. Our next program will be a 3-part series on pottery.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – create your pottery
Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. – open studio time for pottery
Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. – paint your pottery
Sign up for pottery here.
Submit your art to be featured in a new rotating exhibition hosted in the Anderson Room. This gallery, featuring art from Gary Church members and local artists, is designed to encourage conversation, creativity and personal reflection. The next exhibition will be on display from November through January, and the theme is "Advent."
Mark your calendars for these fun art and fellowship opportunities:
- Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: assemblage and collage
- Thursday, Feb. 4 (on zoom): Lenten art and faith with Pastor Daniel Cochran
- March TBD: open art studio
- Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: framed live botanicals
- Friday, June 4-Saturday, June 5: Gary Church Art Gallery
For questions or to join the Creative Arts Team,
please see Lisa Grigsby, Pam Keller and Rebekah Stoneberg.
April 17–24, 2027 with an optional Greek Isle Cruise Extension April 23–27
Join Educational Opportunities for the Journeys
of Paul Tour in Greece! Walk in the footsteps of the Apostle across
Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea, Corinth and Athens. Stand on Mars Hill, visit
Philippi — home of Lydia, Paul’s first recorded convert in Europe —and explore
the ancient places where the Gospel first took root and spread throughout the
world.
More than a tour, this pilgrimage is an invitation to encounter Scripture with fresh eyes and an open heart. Through daily devotions, conversation, learning and fellowship, travelers will experience the biblical story in a living classroom full of sacred wonder. Plus, they can take in the majestic beauty of the Greek islands with an optional Greek Isle Cruise extension, with stops including Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Santorini and Athens.
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or considering your first pilgrimage abroad, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable journey of faith-filled discovery and holy adventure.
For more details and to register, click here. Questions? Contact Carey Williams Bebar.
Plan your own funeral – A celebration of life
Monday, Feb. 22, 2027, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Anderson Room, led by Pastors Daniel Cochran and Fred Kelsey
Planning your own funeral is an act of faith, love and hope that celebrates the gift of life and the promise of eternal life. The class is designed to help you thoughtfully plan your own funeral while reflecting on what our faith teaches us about death, resurrection and eternal life. Together, we’ll consider how our Christian faith and Methodist tradition provide meaningful resources that can ease the planning burden on our families and help them celebrate our lives in ways that honor our faith. Please contact Pastor Daniel Cochran with any questions. Registration coming soon.
Ongoing studies
Tuesday Morning Study Group
Every Tuesday starting Sept. 15, 10 a.m., Commons A, led by Jeff Bray, September through May
This friendly group will journey through
the gospels, starting with Mark. We will spend 5-6 weeks on the key points in
Mark and then proceed to Matthew, finishing it before Advent. We will listen to
a 15-minute video and then discuss how the gospel can be applied to our daily
lives. Preparation for each week will include reading 4-5 chapters of the
gospel and considering what resonates with you. Please join us, even if you
cannot attend every week. Contact Jeff Bray through the Church Office for more information.
Current Men’s Bible Study
Tuesdays, 6:30–8 p.m., Anderson Room
The Men's Bible Study is open to all men seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and Christian Faith. Referencing the Bible while studying Charles Bryant's best-selling book, Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts, we'll engage in a six-week challenge to identify and apply our unique gifts and talents in our life and how to build up the body of Christ, our church. Please contact Steve Novy through the Church Office for more information.
New Men’s Bible Study
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m., Anderson Room, Oct. 20 through Nov. 24
Referencing The Book of
Psalms, the Rev. Dr.
James Howell’s new book, The Heart of the Psalms, and an Abbington Video
Guide, this study focuses on six psalms. With trust in the author's belief that
"it's eloquent
words to God will become the Word of God for us and a road map to navigate life
with God in this world," we hope you will join the journey! Contact
Steve Novy through the Church
Office for more information.
Current Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays, 3 p.m., Anderson Room
The Women's Bible Study is open to all women seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and Christian faith. The group is studying Adam Hamilton's The Holy Spirit. Contact Holly Trueblood through the Church Office for more information.
New Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays, 3 p.m., Anderson Room, starting Oct. 14
Women's Bible Study will begin an all-video program from the Great Courses, Jesus and His Jewish Influences with Professor Jodi Magness. Contact Holly Trueblood through the Church Office for more information.
Anti-Racist Book Club
fourth Wednesday of the month, September through May
Each month, we explore a book or film. Read the book on your own and join the conversation. Register here.
Anti-Racist Book Club | Rest Is Resistance
Wednesdays, Sept. 23 & Oct. 28, 7 p.m., discussion led by Carey
Williams Bebar
In Rest Is Resistance, author Tricia Hersey, aka the Nap Bishop, casts
an illuminating light on our troubled relationship with rest and how to imagine
and dream our way to a future where rest is exalted. Our worth does not reside
in how much we produce, especially not for a system that exploits and
dehumanizes us. Rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a
reclaiming of power because it asserts our most basic humanity. We are enough.
The systems cannot have us.
Anti-Racist Book
Club | When Trees Testify
Wednesday,
Nov. 18, 7 p.m., discussion
led by Elaine McCluskey
In When Trees Testify, plant biologist Beronda L. Montgomery weaves
together science, personal memoir, and African American history to argue that
trees are living witnesses to Black American life. She explores seven tree
species and the cotton shrub, highlighting both the trauma and resilience
interwoven with them.
Special Blend Fellowship
Enjoy coffee, tea, treats and fellowship every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in Commons E and near the Sanctuary. If you'd like to help with set up, clean up or providing goodies, sign up here.
The Green Team invites you to bring your own reusable dishes and utensils for all your food and fellowship opportunities at church, including when you provide treats.
Fellowship
Fourth Friday of the month, 8:30 a.m., Seven Dwarfs Restaurant, 917 E Roosevelt Rd.
Join Dan and Sandy Fridley for food and fellowship. RSVP here to reserve your place at the table.
United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women)
United Women in Faith Circles are small groups that develop supportive fellowship and expand concepts of mission. All women are invited to participate. Contact the Church Office and we’ll put you in touch with the circle leader for more information on meeting dates and times.
Joy Circle
Knitting/Stitching Circle
Susanna Wesley
Men's pickleball
Mondays, 7 p.m., Activity Center
Let’s get together for some fellowship, laughs and a little bit of
exercise. We’ll set up courts in the gym and rotate through positions. No
experience necessary. Bring your own pickleball racquet and ball. Sign up here. Contact Mark Mathis through the Church Office for more
information.
Second and third Saturdays of the month (September through May), 7:30 a.m., Egg'lectic Cafe, 145 N. Hale Street, Wheaton
All Gary Church men are invited to join. RSVP here to reserve a place at the table.
Walkers & Talkers Fellowship
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Commons
Stop in and chat with this welcoming fellowship group.
Mom's Walking Group
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.,
Northside Park
Motherhood can be
such a beautiful and rewarding journey, but it can also be challenging at
times. This is a casual opportunity to get to know one another, share our
experiences and relate
in the joys and struggles of being a mom. Sometimes, it helps just to know that
we’re not alone and that someone else understands. We’ll meet across from the
tennis courts at Northside Park, and walk the path around the pond. We will
also have a short time of prayer.
Second Friday of the month, 7-9 p.m., Commons
This no-gambling, no-pressure, open-to-anyone version of Mahjong makes its debut at Gary Church. Register to get on the email list and let us know you're coming. Order your card through the National Mah Jongg League.
Game night
Fourth Friday of the month, 6:30–9 p.m., Commons
Join your Gary Church friends for games of bridge, dominoes or anything you like. Contact Fern Evelhoch through the Church Office for more information and to let us know you're coming.
Create cards
Thursdays, 1 p.m., Heritage Room
Anyone is welcome to drop in whenever you can to create cards. The cards go to people celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries. They go to people grieving or sick. And, the cards go to people to simply let them know their friends at Gary Church are thinking about them.
Help make Gary gardens gorgeous
Anyone can join the Gary Gardeners team, and in the spring, summer and fall, there’s always something to do. If you can help with weeding, watering, maintaining/updating planters, general landscaping or various short-term projects, please let Rick Vincent know through the Church Office.
Monday morning golfers
These golfers love to play together so much, they even meet in Florida in March! Here in Illinois, they try to play most Monday mornings in the spring, summer and fall at a different golf course each week. If you’d like to be a regular golfer or a substitute, contact the Church Office to get on the email list.
Class Meeting
each group decides best day/time
Looking for friendship? Belonging? A closer relationship with Jesus? You could find all that and more at the Class Meeting. Class Meeting is a small group that laughs, prays and encourages each other in Christ. We began our first Class Meeting the year before the pandemic, helping people grow in faith and develop deep friendships with others. For more information, contact Carey Williams Bebar.
