Messenger - September 15, 2023 | |
We illuminate our community with God’s grace as we lovingly accept, listen to, and serve all in the Spirit of Jesus. | |
Christians have always believed families to be important. Families are the building blocks of society and, although we recognize that they can take many different forms, when they function as they ought families offer stability, belonging, closeness, and security in a way that no other human institution can. | | | |
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES | |
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SUNDAY SERVICES TAKE PLACE IN-PERSON & ONLINE AT 9:00 AM
Worship Service airs live on our Website , YouTube and Facebook at 9 am.
Go to the Worship Page on our Website to find more information about future services.
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SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves-2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
This phrase feels uniquely American. While we do have personal responsibility there are systems that reward or disadvantage some people more than others; how do we account for that, especially when throughout scripture we are commanded to help meet the needs of others? What about the times when God provides help for those who need it? Join Pastor Rob Hamilton as he reminds us that our God is the God who brings light into our darkness and helps us in the midst of anxiety and despair.
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EVENTS AND SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
The deadline for submissions for the week's Bulletin Announcements and/or Messenger is every Wednesday at Noon. Please click here for the COMMUNICATIONS submission form -- all requests for communicating an event should be made here, including getting items on the calendar and reserving rooms for your event. This form can also be found on the sign-ups page on our website. If you cannot use the submission form please send them to communications@genevaumc.org. Information sent to this email goes to Carolyn, Lorie and Kimberley. | |
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***Please note: Today, September 15, the church will be having the rooftop HVAC units removed so the parking lot near the West door will be blocked off as well as that door's access. Please be advised.***
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Road Closures for Fox Valley Marathon to Impact Traffic This Sunday
Geneva Police has told the church that barricades will be pulled in the downtown area between 8:30 and 8:45 am on Sunday. Please plan accordingly. More info here. Marathon course map here.
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Special All Church Conference Approves UMG Fund Committee Recommendation
Last Sunday, September 10, in a Special All Church Conference, the attending UMCG membership voted unanimously to approve the motion: "To address unbudgeted items, we allocate up to $100,000 from the UMG Fund for the Operating Reserve fund to be used on as-needed basis with an expiration date of our regular Annual Church Conference (date TBD in the 4th quarter in 2024). Any subsequent withdrawal will require Church Council vote and approval."
This recommendation was put forth in the August Church Council meeting by the UMG Fund Committee to address our Operating Reserve and was unanimously approved at that time. This decision will enable the Church to meet its financial needs on an as-needed basis. For more information regarding the meeting, refer to the minutes here. We are thankful for our church members' support in addressing this issue in a thoughtful and thorough manner.
UMG Fund Committee
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Do Your Loved Ones Know Your Final Wishes?
Join Pastor Rob on Sunday, October 8th from 10:30am-12pm in the Parlor for an informative, grace-filled workshop that will empower your loved ones to honor your wishes at the end of life and make plans for your pastor-led funeral or memorial service.
We will provide some resources, a planning guide and share with you what to expect upon death of yourself or loved one. The time spent in this workshop will be a gift to loved ones making your final arrangements. Light refreshments will be served. This workshop does not cover arrangements with life insurance, funeral homes, crematories or cemeteries.
Please sign up here so that we may prepare materials accordingly.
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What is a Friendly Visitor?
The Friendly Visitor Group is a Lay Ministry serving the social needs of the elderly and homebound members in our church. The members of the church who receive these visits are the “Care Receivers.” A Friendly Visitor provides a “social and positive connection” to our members who are not able to physically attend church anymore or be a part of its ministries. Their visits take place at least once or twice a month in the member's home, or at a Life Care Facility such as in an Independent, Assisted, or Memory Care institution.
Do you have a family member, or friend in the church, that would benefit from having a visit from one of our Friendly Visitors?
The Friendly Visitor Group is in need of male volunteers to serve as Friendly Visitors because our male care recipients enjoy and appreciate having a male visitor.
If you are interested in learning more about the Friendly Visitors Group, please come to our “check-in” meeting on Tuesday, September 19 at 10 AM in the library.
Also, if you have any questions, or know of a family or church member who would like to have a Friendly Visitor, please contact: Nancie Lillie, (231) 845-6097; Christine Donovan, (630) 698-0021; Pastor Rob, (630) 232-7120.
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MISSIONS/CHURCH IN SOCIETY MEETING
There will be a Missions/Church in Society meeting on September 18 at 7:00 P.M. in the church library.
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Fall Sessions of Yoga with Colleen
The schedule is out for the popular yoga series offered by member Colleen Fasbender weekly in the Fellowship Hall! Come join us for one or all weekly sessions!
For further information, please contact:
Val Erickson, Registrar: vl.erickson@yahoo.com or 630-643-2912
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Colleen Fasbender: colleenfas@icloud.com or 630-715-9012
The detailed schedule can be found here.
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MEMORY LOSS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP MEETING MONDAY AT 10 AM
Join our support group for persons with loved ones experiencing memory loss issues. We will be gathering in the Parlor next Monday, September 18 at 10 am. We are not experts on all aspects of memory loss illnesses, but we have become pretty good at "caring for the caregiver." If you or anyone you know is a caregiver of this type, please join us. For additional information, call Linda Tamlyn at (630) 406-6907.
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SEPTEMBER NEEDS FOR THE SALVATION ARMY FOOD PANTRY ARE:
- dry pasta
- ramen noodles
- cold and hot cereal
- shampoo and conditioner
- body wash
- toothpaste
- canned beans(except green)
- rice
The Food Pantry Coordinator writes…”Truthfully, we are in need of just about everything. We are serving more and more families and are struggling to keep up with the demand. As always we are very grateful for your continued support.”
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Pub Theology: Beverages, Conversation, and God
Co-Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church of Geneva!
Join Pastor Rob and others for an open and honest conversation about things that matter, at a table where all perspectives are welcome. We aim to dive deeply into topics involving faith, meaning, identity, culture, politics, and more! Bring your questions and your curiosity and respectfully engage with people of varying religious traditions, philosophical perspectives, and life experiences. A good time to be had by all!
September 28, 2023,
6:30-8:30pm
Sturdy Shelter Brewing
10 Shumway Ave Batavia, IL 60510
RSVP Here
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VOLUNTEER TO SERVE AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK
UMCG Family,
We are invited to volunteer at the Northern Illinois Food Bank on Thursday, October 12 from 1-3:30 pm. We will be sorting and packing food at the West Suburban Center at 273 Dearborn Court in Geneva.
NOTE: If you haven't already volunteered at the food bank you will need to create an account here. There is a volunteer consent form that people will need to fill out before volunteering.
Online Sign Up and more information.
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NEWS FROM THE UMC COMMUNITY | |
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Prairie Central eNews is here.
The NIC weekly eNews is here.
Download the NIC Reporter here.
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United Methodist Communications has created a video series The Recap to help us gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry, and learn how our denomination is transforming the world.
Find All of the Episodes Here
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ACCESS THE UMCG DOCUMENT CENTER | |
UMCG has a hidden page on the website for our church family to access called the Document Center. This includes our committee roster, communications submission forms and in the future, our committee agendas, reports and minutes. | |
211 Hamilton Street
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 232-7120
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Connect with us on Social Media | | | | |
