Held at First United Methodist Church, 232 S York St, Elmhurst. Sign-up here and to watch a trailer of the movie click here.
Keep the Dream Alive

Keep the Dream Alive – CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON
To commemorate the March on Washington, the Anti-Racism Task Force of the Northern Illinois Conference UMC is organizing two back-to-back events in Chicago. Our purpose is to continue to work towards a more equitable society for all and to live out our conviction that “racism is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Sign up HERE.
KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE – Sunday, August 27, 2023
Light Lunch , 1:00 at First UMC- Chicago
Worship Service, 1:30 at First UMC- Chicago
March & Rally, 2:30 at Daley Plaza, Chicago
ASIAN HISTORY & CULTURE
THURSDAY, MAY 25

Over 15 people gathered in Wesley Hall to participate in the Northern Illinois Conference’s Second Quarter Film Series highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander History and Culture. Participants watched Pew Research Center’s Being Asian in America.
We gathered over a meal catered by Ming Chef and heard a brief history of AAPI in North America by Dr. Dr. WOOHEE ANNE JOH. She also facilitated four panelists reflecting on their experiences of living in the United States and the church. You may watch this presentation by clicking this link.
The next film series is
PRIVILEGE, POWER AND RACE PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
Thursday, September 21, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Different locations across the conference
Join us for this FREE event Comemmorating Juneteenth
Sunday, June 18, 2023 – 10:30 am-12 Noon – First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 232 S York St, Elmhurst
We will have music, soul food, guest speakers, education, and activities for people of all ages.
This event will take place outside but will moved inside if the weather is bad. Restrooms will be available during the event.
Youth Group Service Retreat
June 2-4, 2023
During the weekend the youth will serve at DuPage Habitat for Humanity, The Northern Illinois Food Bank, and The Night Ministry in Chicago. In addition, we will travel to the DuSable Museum of African American History to see the virtual reality exhibit “Step Into History, The March”.
For fun, we will go to an escape room and will have a lock-in at the church on Saturday, June 3.
Cost for the retreat is $25 each for Friday or Saturday, $50 if attending both days. All food, supplies, and admissions are included in the cost.
Click HERE to register.
Family Fall Festival – October 30, 2022 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for a Free Celebratory lunch with Halloween-themed games and activities, a Costume contest, and a baking contest for all ages. The kids will be trick-or-treating for the United Community Concerns Association so please bring your change.

Click HERE for more information and to register for the event and enter the baking contest.
Birding with Pastor Joe
York Woods, September 11, 2022; 7 am-8 am; overcast and rain.

Four people took a chance today to go birding with Pastor Joe. We learned that DuPage County is home to 268 observed species and that York Woods was the first forest preseve of DuPage County. Woodpeckers were the most abundant bird family represented so we learned how to identify male and female wood peckers.
We heard many hermit thrushes and were rewarded with one on the path flitting its wings.
We recorded 14 species:
3 mourning dove
1 great blue heron
6 red bellied woodpecker
3 downy woodpecker
1 hairy woodpecker
1 eastern wood peewee
1 great crested flycatcher
10 blue jay
1 black capped chickadee
3 white breasted nut hatch
2 European starting
4 hermit thrush
10 American robin
6 common grackle
1 northern cardinal
Experiencing God’s Grace

This series explores the sacraments of holy communion and baptism. In preparation for this, consider watching the 1987 movie Babette’s Feast (available for rent on Amazon and Apple tv for $3.99 or free to checkout at Elmhurst Public Library). Additionally, the library is hosting a series of events called Common Connection: Around the Table that uses lectures, discussion and critical thinking to identify topics that influence the world today. Pastor Joe would love to hear about your experiences. You can leave him a comment by clicking this form.
Juneteenth Rally Against Racism
Join us as we continue to wrestle with racism and work toward meaningful change through a celebration of Black culture. We will share music, stories, creative activities, education, and a voter registration table. For more information click HERE
June 19, 2022 – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Elmhurst First United Methodist Church – 232 S. York St
Safari Adventure Pictures
Thank you to all who came out for the Safari Adventure on April 23rd. We had a great time exploring the wild with you! Check back here for more events like this in the future.
Take a look at the rest of the photos here.