First United Methodist Church, Decatur IL

SAVE THE DATE

What a great time we had at the Fall Frolic. Thanks to everyone who came and those that helped out.

Friends, please be aware of our policy regarding children in church:

If your kids are loud, please still come to church.

If you’re running late because getting everyone out the door was a battle, please still come to church.

If your toddler won’t sit still, please still come to church.

If your baby needs to eat, please still come to church.

If your child asks questions at the least convenient time, please still come to church.

If someone cries, drops a toy, needs a snack, or has to make their third trip to the bathroom, please still come to church.

If your child doesn’t know all the words, all the prayers, or exactly when to sit and stand, please still come to church.

If you feel like you spent the entire service managing your children and heard approximately 12% of the sermon, please still come to church.

If Sunday morning feels messy instead of peaceful, please still come to church.

If you’re worried your children are distracting the people around you, please still come to church.

Because children do not learn how to be part of the Church by staying home until they can sit quietly.

If your child has a disability, please still come to church.

They learn by being here.

They learn the hymns by hearing us sing them.

They learn the prayers by hearing us pray them.

They learn to worship by watching us worship.

They learn that church is home because we make room for them here.

The wiggles, whispers, dropped crayons, crying babies, and little voices are not interruptions to the life of the Church.

They are evidence that the Church is alive.

So bring the babies. Bring the toddlers. Bring the big kids. Come late. Sit in the back. Sit in the front. Step out when you need to and come right back in.

Just come.

Children are not simply the future of the Church. They are part of the Church right now.

Last Sunday was United Woman In Faith and it was pure JOY! Kate Matthews, chaplain, Cunningham Children's Home gave a great message. The women were recognized. A reception was held afterwards where the quilt Doris made from her grandmother's 1930 quilt was on display. Doris had won 1st place, two years in a row, in the Cunningham Quilt Show.

Summer Music Camp 2026
25 happy volunteers - 28 enthusastic children - 12 musical instruments and talented musicians.
Just a glimpse with more to come. So much fun and joy!!!!

Students entering 1st through 6th grades are invited to explore music with us through movement, song, instruments, and crafts. Monday through Friday, July 20-24, 5:30-8pm Please use the QR code, call the church office (217)423-9711, or email to register your child(ren) BY JULY 14

Don't forget the whole family is invited to eat at 5:30 pm - Please, just let us know how many are coming!!

REGISTER BY JULY 14

Come join the FUN! Sign up now.
There is No Fee it's all FREE
Register @ 217-423-9711/[email protected]

Please note the time change from am to pm. Families come join us for supper and then your children will enjoy experiencing all sorts of instruments from a harp to chimes. This will be an experience of a life time.