May 2026

Summer, like most seasons, has a soundtrack. Sometimes it’s obvious and nostalgic: the splash of children at the pool, cicadas and crickets buzzing at dusk, the crack of a baseball bat, or fizz of a pop-top…or the sound of the wind whipping around your ears mingled with the first notes of a favorite song after you’ve rolled down the car windows. It’s the kind of soundtrack that can bring a memory back before we even know what hit us. But sometimes it’s a bit more “everyday,” like the hum of your ceiling fan, the beeping of construction equipment, or the clattering of tools. And, aroundRead More →

Earlier this year, before the current conflict with Iran began, someone from our congregation reached out to me. This person was raised in our church. They are someone we have loved, supported, and prayed for over the years. They are also currently serving in the military, one of the names we lift in prayer week after week. They reached out because they were wrestling with moral and spiritual questions. Questions like: What does God want from me? What does faithfulness look like in military service? What happens if I am asked to take a life, directly or indirectly, in the course of my duties? TheseRead More →

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, United Methodists around the world will share in something extraordinary. Across nearly 30,000 United Methodist churches worldwide, congregations will be invited to pray, worship, and give together through Miracle Sunday, a global offering supporting theological education outside the United States. At UMCG, Miracle Sunday will also be our 2026 Bishop’s Appeal Offering, which means our giving will join both the worldwide United Methodist effort and the mission priorities of the Northern Illinois Conference. This offering is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: God raises up leaders through the generosity of the church. In December 2024, three United Methodists wereRead More →