Foundations

Foundations

FoundationsMarch Schedule

March 4th, 2012 - The Refugees in Our Midst: Anne Wentz

“Working with refugees is one of the most fulfilling ways I know of expressing the love of the Gospel,” according to Anne Wentz.  Refugees are people who have fled their home country because of religious, political or ethnic persecution.  Most of them fled for their lives.

Refugees come to the U.S. with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a small suitcase. Most speak little or no English, have no job skills and have no understanding of American culture, schools, or customs – things that we all take for granted. Yet, they are expected to find jobs and become self-supporting within 3-6 months of arriving.

Anne Wentz has been working for more than eight years with refugees in the western suburbs through her church, Exodus World Service and World Relief.  She first became involved with refuges when she helped to collect and deliver a “Welcome to America” Pack (about 50 basic household items for kitchen, bedroom and bath) for a newly arrived refugee family. 

From there, Anne became a “New Neighbor” volunteer, meeting with families on a regular basis, and responding to the needs:  understanding a new culture, language and our medical and educational systems.  Anne has helped with applying for food stamps, finding doctors who accept Medicaid, finding dentists who would do pro bono work, providing transportation to medical appointments, and enrolling children in school.

Location: 
Room 212
Date: 
Sunday, March 4, 2012 - 9:30am

Foundations

Foundations

February Schedule

February 5th, 2012 - The Courage to Change: Facing Life Transitions

February 12th, 2012 - My Spiritual Journey: Ermalou Roller

February 19th, 2012 - BOLD: Stories from BOLD members: Lenore Pitstick

February 26th, 2012 - Sin: What Is It?

Location: 
Room 212
Date: 
Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 9:30am

Foundations

Foundations

January Schedule

January 8th, 2012 - Confessions of an Atheist: Jerry Moyar
Jerry is a steadfast supporter of Christian Adult Education even though he considers himself an Atheist with regard to the conventional understanding of "God in the church's creeds." He has served on the Adult Education Work Area in several capacities, has traveled to many places to learn from the Jesus scholars, and has organized and supported many justice workshops. Come and hear why he works so tirelessly to teach the meaning behind Jesus' words to love your neighbor as yourself.

January 15th, 2012 - The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness
Ruth and Jerry Moyar will lead the discussion about Karen Armstrong's The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness

January 22nd and 29th, 2012 - Courage
Dr. Jeff Ediger draws from a wide range of sources: his past work in counseling, his craft of architectural restoration, and interdisciplinary studies in spirituality and the humanities; to weave new images and forge new tools for soul-making.

January 22nd - He Restoreth My Soul...Like a Door?
In this first presentation, Jeff will consider the correspondence between architectural restoration and restoration of the soul.

January 29th - The Red Door of Courage
In this second presentation, Jeff will consider what the image of the door can teach us about crossing our own thresholds into new life.

Location: 
Room 212
Date: 
Sunday, January 8, 2012 - 9:30am

Foundations

Spiritual Heroes: Karen Armstrong shares her spiritual journey. From Kristin Tippet on Being.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, November 27, 2011 - 9:30am

Foundations

Jonathan DeanThis week's class will be led by Jonathan Dean, our former Associate Pastor, who is now Assistant Professor of Religion and a Fellow of the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action in Aurora University. He will share what he has learned since he joined the university.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 9:30am

Foundations

Randy SchoofRandy Schoof is the founding pastor of the Aurora Warehouse Church where all sinners are welcome and the music rocks! He will share his story of redemption and the unique ways the Warehouse Church ministers, especially to the men in the community.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, November 13, 2011 - 9:30am

Foundations

Foundations

My Spiritual Journey:
or How I Became a Quaker.

The class will be led by Sarah Sainsbury, who was raised Catholic and was a member of our church when she was inspired to attend seminary to become a Chaplain.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, November 6, 2011 - 9:30am

Foundations

FoundationsIn October, four retired ministers share what they learned over the course of their ministry. The series continues with Peg Schultz who served as a hospital chaplain at Loyola where she received an education in love and loss.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, October 30, 2011 - 9:30am

Foundations

FoundationsIn October, four retired ministers share what they learned over the course of their ministry. The series continues with Fred Conger, who served this church for 20 years before he retired. He still likes to lead groups or fill in for vacationing ministers.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 9:30am

Foundations

FoundationsIn October, four retired ministers share what they learned over the course of their ministry. The series continues with John Gilham, who is a retired Methodist minister and currently helps to lead small groups understand the Bible.

All are welcome to attend.

Location: 
Room 213
Date: 
Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 9:30am

Pages

Subscribe to Foundations

Facebook Twitter  Flickr  YouTube

Welcome

God, as known to us in Jesus Christ, welcomes all.

We welcome people of any race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social or economic status, employment status, or life situation; including people with physical or mental illness or disability.

We practice loving acceptance of each person and respectful discussion
Reconciling Ministries Network of our differences.

Affiliated to Reconciling Ministries Network

First United Methodist Church 1032 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 - Phone: 630.968.7120 - E-mail: dgfumc@dgfumc.org

Copyright © 2023 First United Methodist Church, Downers Grove. Please report any problems to webmaster@dgfumc.org.