First United Methodist Church was founded in 1838. We'll be celebrating our 175th Anniversary in 2013!
We are a 900 member (adults + 150 children),) suburban congregation reflecting the community, which is predominately Caucasian, small number of Asian, African American and Latino members. We have a nice diversity of ages, a large number of young families, an overflowing nursery and growing list of members who are in nursing homes or who are homebound. We are a Reconciling Congregation that welcomes all persons and is working for the full inclusion of GBLTQ persons into the UMC.
First United Methodist Church works to live out our core values. We:
* Understand God to be loving, caring and forgiving
* Honor scripture, reason, tradition and personal experience
* Expect and respect questions
* Revere great music as proclamation and enjoys new songs of jubilation
* Celebrate differences
* Want to be in the world serving people
* Seek to be a warm, caring, growing family of faith
We have just completed a nine month renovation of our building, during which time we relocated to the METROPOLIS Performing Arts Center in downtown Arlington Heights. We have returned to a dramatic worship center complete with 21st century technology and offer students an area for employing and experimenting with multi-sensory worship. We employ both our classic Cassavant organ and the Jazz piano. We are NOT attempting to fill a job but rather to enter into a learning relationship for both congregation and seminarian(s). Opportunities to preach, teach, lead small groups, engage in diverse age level ministries can be yours. Check out www.fumcah.com [1] for a glimpse of our current programming.
Located in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, 1.5 miles from Arlington Heights METRA station. Take I-90 towards O’Hare, exit Arlington Heights Road north, 4 miles through downtown Arlington Heights to Euclid Ave., turn right (east) one mile to 1903 E. Euclid Ave.
Our pastor is the Rev. Bonnie Beckonchrist.
"I am confident and caring with high expectations of all our team members; recognizing that we each live complex lives which often require much grace. Our Monday morning Team meeting is critical as eleven staff persons’ ministries intersect. These meetings are also open to Lay leaders who play an important part on our team. By most accounts, I am perceived as a Vision-casting Change Agent. We currently have a strong ministry team which pulls together to assist one another as needed. We are seeking a team player who has a love of God and all God’s people and is seeking to live out that love by leading the Church; One who is eager to learn and demonstrates emotional maturity no matter their age.
I am committed to contextual learning, for myself and any student with whom I work. When a student can state their learning goals clearly, I find it fulfilling to discover with them places and opportunities to achieve these goals. I always hope for a learning relationship that opens us all to new experiences which emerge in a new context, that provides an arena for learners to try, without fear of failure, and stretches all of our hearts and minds. I recognize that I’ve learned a great deal from those I’ve mentored."
Links:
[1] http://www.fumcah.com/