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.
Remembering
Our Mothers: The Women of the Infancy Narratives and Liberation Theology
Sundays, Dec. 1–22, 10:10 a.m. led by Rev. Dr. Dong Hyeon Jeong
This Advent Bible study invites participants to collectively remember and approach the presence of the women in the infancy narratives (Matthew and Luke) and in our lives as an expression of liberation theology. Such an approach liberates because to remember is to undo the oppressive machinations that trivialize and even erase the memories and presence of the marginalized. We will remember and reflect together by listening once again to the song of Mary with Indian surrogate mothers (Sharon Jacob), to the cries of Rachel with mothers who lost their children (Mitzi Smith), and to the joys of Elizabeth (and other women in the infancy narratives) with our own mothers and the women in our lives to whom we owe our lives and our well-being.
The Rev. Dr. Dong Hyeon Jeong is the Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation and the Director of the Center for Asian/ Asian American Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He is an ordained elder/pastor of the United Methodist Church (Philippines Conference). His research highlights the importance of reading/interpreting the New Testament with social justice perspectives.
Picturing Mary: Midweek Advent Study
Wednesdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 6:30 p.m., led by Pastor Daniel Cochran
Come and explore the pivotal role of Mary in the Christmas Story as it is expressed through the rich artistic tradition of the church. We will consider ancient and modern images of Mary receiving the Angel Gabriel, visiting her cousin Elizabeth, and comforting the infant Jesus. Together, we'll explore how these images convey the radical nature of God's good news in Jesus Christ, made known to us in ways that are at once surprising, challenging and comforting. There is no book for this study. Please contact Pastor Daniel Cochran with any questions.
Image: The Annunciation, James B. Janknegt (2007)
Friday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m.–Saturday, Jan. 25, 4 p.m.
La Salle Manor Retreat Center | Plano, IL
“Darkness” is often used as a metaphor for something bad, something to be avoided. But what if “seasons of darkness” aren’t to be avoided but embraced? What if seasons of darkness allow us to experience God in new ways that help us grow? Gary Church women are invited to gather for connection, reflection, and conversation at a weekend retreat inspired by Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark.
Cost is
$150 per person. Register here.
Intercessory Prayer Group
Second Sunday of the month, 10:15 a.m., Chapel
You are invited to join a new ministry focused on offering intercessory prayers for the most pressing issues in the world today. We will plan to meet for 45 minutes, the second Sunday of the month.
Community Connection: World Relief
Sunday, Jan. 12, 10:10 a.m.
For 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has been engaging in the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. Learn about this Christian humanitarian organization that develops sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of our world's most urgent problems.
Painting on Canvas
Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.
Come
and paint with artist and painting teacher Pam Keller. You will create
an acrylic painting on canvas ready to hang on the wall in your own
gallery. Registration coming soon.
Educate a Girl / Change the World
Sunday, Jan. 19, 10:10 a.m.
Gary Church’s mission to educate girls and young women is celebrating its fifth year.
Your generosity continues to positively impact the lives of many young women. Because of your support, Educate a Girl (EAG) has grown every year and supported 21 girls and young women with scholarships, enabling them to attend primary, secondary school and college.
Hear more about this Gary Church mission in this adult education class.
Young Adult Pastor's Lunch
Sundays, Jan. 26 & Feb. 23, 12 p.m.
Our “post-High School/ college/ early on in adulthood/ probably in your 20s or 30s” adults are invited to join Pastor Dan Lee and a mix of other pastors for lunch in downtown Wheaton on the last Sunday of the month. Our treat! We will meet at Door 5 and go out for lunch and fellowship. RSVP to Pastor Dan Lee, or just come!
Exploring Celtic Spirituality
Sundays, Jan. 26-Feb. 9, 10:10 a.m.
With many ancestors from Ireland, Scotland and England, I have been fascinated by the history and practice of Celtic Christianity, born and nurtured in the British Isles.
The Celtic Church existed from the fifth to the
twelfth centuries. It was inspired by the desert mothers and fathers who, in
the fourth century, were determined to live holy lives amid an immoral and
declining church. It spread throughout the British Isles under the faithful and
creative leadership of saints Patrick, Brigid, Brendan and Columba, who
established large communities of devoted Christians.
According to the Rev. Ray Simpson, British Anglican
priest, author and speaker, “the Celtic Churches were orthodox in faith but
diverse in practice, evangelized and maintained unity through friendship,
respected women’s gifts, felt spiritually linked to all of creation, celebrated
God through the senses, inspired multitudes to holy lives of prayer, were
bathed in the supernatural, and kept learning alive through the Dark
Ages.”
Come and learn more about the faith and spirituality of our spiritual ancestors and how it can help us today to strengthen our spiritual practice and revive our churches.
Rev. Dr. Jamie Hanna Williams
We've Come This Far By Faith:
The Journey of Black Methodists
Sundays,
Feb. 16 and 23, 10:10 a.m., led by Rev. Dwight Stewart
We will look at the history of Black people in the Methodist church – a journey which has had its share of pain and struggle, and yet faith has helped them to survive. In this class we will visit the past to find hope for the future.
Ongoing studies during the week
Disciplines Devotional Study
Tuesdays,
10 a.m.
Read and discuss The
Upper Room Disciplines 2024: A Book
of Daily Devotions with faithful Gary Church members. Based on the Revised
Common Lectionary, a 3-year cycle of Sunday Scripture readings, Disciplines features a Scripture passage
for each day, short daily meditations from thought leaders from diverse
Christian traditions, a reflection or prayer to carry with you each day and a
guide to daily prayer. Contact the Church Office for more information.
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. Join
the growing Men’s Bible Study this Advent season with “Heaven and Earth” by
Will Willimon. Please contact Steve Novy the Church Office for more information.
Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays, 2 p.m., Anderson Room
The Women's Bible Study is open to all women seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible and Christian faith. In The Angels of Christmas by Susan Robb, we’ll explore the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. Contact Holly Trueblood through the Church Office for more information on this Advent study which begins on Nov. 6.
Fridays, 10 a.m., Commons (has moved from Wednesdays to Fridays for this fall session.)
We
welcome anyone grieving the death or loss of someone to be a part of
this group. It is a place where you can be with people who understand
how you feel and the pain of your loss. You’ll gain valuable tools to
help you as you continue on the journey of grief. Register here.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m., discussion led by Pastor Dwight Stewart
In We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For, Eddie S. Glaude Jr. makes the case that the hard work of becoming a better person should be a critical feature of Black politics. Glaude shows how ordinary people have the capacity to be the heroes our democracy requires, rather than outsourcing their needs to leaders who purportedly represent them. This book shows that we must build a better society that derives its strength from the pew, not the pulpit.
Read the book on your own and register here.
Anti-Racist Book Club | James by Percival Everett
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m., discussion led by Kim Austin
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond. Read the book on your own and register here.
Anti-Racist Book Club | Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dunge
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m., discussion led by Elaine McCluskey
In Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden, poet and scholar Camille T. Dungy recounts the seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden in the predominately white community of Fort Collins, Colorado. Soil encourages readers to recognize the relationship between the peoples of the African diaspora and the land on which they live, and to understand that wherever soil rests beneath their feet is home. Read the book on your own and register here.
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.
Fellowship
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
Mary Martha
Susanna Wesley
Walkers & Talkers Fellowship
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Commons
Stop in and chat with this welcoming fellowship group.
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 Barbara Wernicke 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.
