2014 Easter Offering - Gifts of Hope and Healing

Dear Church Family,

As we anticipate trees quietly beginning to blossom and flowers stretching towards the emerging sun, we are reminded that Easter will soon be here. On Sunday, April 20th, we will worship with full hearts, proclaiming to the world that “Christ is alive!”

Easter is a wondrous celebration of Christ’s Resurrection and the promise of eternal life. And it is a time to remember that Jesus came to heal and provide hope to all. Each year we invite our congregation to help carry out this mission of hope and healing by participating in our Special Easter Offering.

This annual offering helps fund the outreach of our congregation’s Missions Work Area which takes seriously its role as stewards of your generosity and compassion.  This year we are asking that you consider enhancing your Easter giving so that, as a church body, DGFUMC can increase its outreach in a more impactful way. The resources gathered on Easter Sunday will make a critical difference in the lives of individuals in DuPage County, as well as in national and international missions programs.

We live out our Easter faith and proclaim the selfless love of God in Christ by using this special offering to support many ministries including (but not limited to) the following:

• Nourishment for the homeless in DuPage County and hungry children in DG elementary schools
• Support of People’s Resource Center, Wheaton/Westmont
        o  Learn more about the People's Resource Center. 
        o  Watch a video about how PRC provides basic needs for its clients.
• Contributions to Justice For Our (local immigrant) Neighbors
        o  Learn more about Justice For Our Neighbors.
        o  Watch a video about the services JFON provides to its clients. 
        o  Learn more about how United Methodist Churches are addressing immigration issues.
• Support of the United Church of Rogers Park, Chicago – our sister church
        o  Visit the United Church of Rogers Park website.
        o  See the members of United Church of Rogers Park.
• Financial support for DGFUMC adults and youth in mission
• Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – disaster relief & rebuilding; Bread for the World
       o  Learn more about UMCOR.
• Donations to the Peru/Bolivia Border Ministry – a UMC General Board of Global Ministries mission serving the poorest people of the region
       o  Learn more about Mision Fronteras. 
       o  Read the blog of our DGFUMC Mision Fronteras missionary, Debbie Rissing.
• Sharing friendship, faith and encouragement with our sisters at UPAVIM in Guatemala City in person and through prayer, videos and written communications
       o  Learn more about UPAVIM.
       o  Watch a video to see UPAVIM at work. 
       o  Watch a video to see the crafts made by the women of UPAVIM.
• Donations to the Imagine No Malaria UMC campaign to eradicate malaria and help save thousands of lives in Africa, especially pregnant women and small children
       o  Learn more about the Imagine No Malaria effort. 
       o  Visit the Imagine No Malaria YouTube site to learn more.
• Financial support of the UMC Missionary in the Middle East

Please prayerfully consider how you might contribute to our mission efforts this year. Envelopes will be provided on Easter Sunday if you did not receive one in the mail. You may also contribute to the Easter Offering online by clicking the button on the right. In addition to financial support, please pause and consider how you and your family could get involved personally in these programs.

Jesus calls us to bring healing and restoration wherever we can.  Let us celebrate Christ this year with even greater passion and live out our calling together.

Serving together with you,

Greta McDonald Pastor
Jim McDonald, Pastor
Jean Krusinski, Chair, Missions Work Area
Robert Witzel, Chair, Finance Committee