We recognize racism as a sin.
We commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access.
We will work for equal and equitable opportunities in employment and promotion, education and training; in voting, access to public accommodations, and housing; to credit, loans, venture capital, and insurance; to positions of leadership and power in all elements of our life together; and to full participation in the Church and society.
What can you do? Find resources for change at UMC.org/EndRacism
In Creation With The Spirit • Online Worship for July 12, 2020
“THIS LAND IS ??? LAND?” In Creation with the Spirit is our worship focus for the month of July! With prayers & messages, songs and images, FUMC’s online worship invites everyone to consider the integration of Christian faith with issues ranging from energy & climate, sustainable food & land use, water preservation and environmental justice & environmental racism/advocacy. In this pandemic time, what might the Earth be teaching us about our human activities, consumption of resources and contributions good and bad to the circle of life? Let’s learn together and listen to the wind, the birdsong, the trees and the Spirit of God as we dig deep into the soil of God’s green grace, take in the “sonlight” of Christ’s love and rejoice in FUMC’s commitment to creation care.
First UMC & the COVID-19 Pandemic: Worship, Reopening, and Ministry
Prerecorded online worship will be continuing through the summer season with weekly postings to our YouTube and Facebook pages. In-person & in-sanctuary worship will not be available until precautions for the safety of our congregation members and friends are installed and made accessible per the guidelines of the State of Illinois, Cook County and the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.
However, opportunities for outdoor, small group, social distancing worship are being developed and will be published online at the church’s website and Facebook page. All decisions for re-opening will be consistent with our care for the health of all members and guests, old and young, those with sustained good health and those who are immunocompromised.
Ministry continues! Opportunities for learning and serving continue online and, later in the summer, in small, socially-distancing options. These include meals to healthcare workers, cleanup of Axehead Lake, support of local food pantries, creation of face coverings for anyone in need, prayer squares for first responders, care for the clients of Avenues to Independence and outreach to the most vulnerable neighbors: the homeless, refugees, and the unemployed.
We pray God’s blessing of good health and safety upon you and your loved ones. Check back here often for options to worship, learn and serve.
Office Hours, Staffing and Pastoral Care
The church office summer hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 2:00pm.
Staff can be reached by their cellphones and email addresses. As always, Pastor David Aslesen can be reached for any member and for church needs at 708.441.5179 (call or text) and pastordavid@parkridgeumc.org.
Our primary calling as church in this time is to keep our congregation safe and connected to God, to one another and to the people & communities we serve. There is great love to be made known in this time – for friend and neighbor alike. My prayer is this difficult sheltering-in-place decision may reveal our church’s desire to be proactive and caring as we listen to and follow the lead of the international and local medical community on helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus in our area. It is critical that we care for each other, listen for God’s wisdom, and support the work of the church.
Rev. David Aslesen, Pastor
First UMC Park Ridge • 418 West Touhy Avenue • Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-825-3144 • office@parkridgeumc.org
