November 2024

At UMCG, we believe in planning for the future while honoring the past. The Trustees, led by our chair, Ron Donovan, have developed a 40-year asset management plan to ensure the long-term health and vitality of our church. This proactive approach helps us move away from a “fix it when it breaks” mentality and embrace a thoughtful, forward-looking strategy. What Is an Asset Management Plan? An asset management plan is like a roadmap for caring for our facilities and properties. It helps us: The annual version of this plan, which Ron calls the “Book of Work,” provides a clear and easy-to-use system for managing projectsRead More →

As we look to the future of our ministry at UMCG, I’m excited to announce a bold new role: the Minister of Formation and Outreach. This full-time ordained position will focus on intentional outreach, lifelong faith formation, and additional pastoral support—all essential in helping UMCG grow and deepen its impact in our community. This role reflects the growth we’ve experienced since 2021 and our church’s commitment to building an engaged, intergenerational faith community. Our SPRC and Church Council have been praying and supporting the formation of this position. Building on a Legacy of Intentional Outreach Interestingly, this vision of reaching out intentionally and welcoming peopleRead More →

Months ago, long before the election tightened and pundits forecasted nail-biting outcomes, a few of us pastors planned to serve. We knew that whatever the results, this election would stir up difficult emotions and worries. To help us stay grounded in our mission as a church, we decided to roll up our sleeves together at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The election outcome, personally, left me unsettled—and I know I’m not alone. Many in our church community feel anxious, angry, even fearful. Like many of you, I carried a full range of emotions the day after the election. With all that care, prayer, and processingRead More →