Aurora Methodist churches merge to expand worship and service opportunities
A new Aurora Methodist church was born July 1.
Flowing Forth UMC, a union of east and West Aurora Methodist congregations, held its inaugural combined worship service at Aurora Christian School.
The new church culminates a marriage of Fourth Street United Methodist UMC, a historic East Side church, and Flowing Grace UMC, born in 2007 on Aurora's West Side. After months of planning and discussions, members of both congregations approved the merger and the church's new name in April and May votes, respectively.
Rev. Derek Rogers, a North Aurora resident, debuted as Flowing Forth pastor. The Sandwich native formerly served as pastor at Wheatland Salem UMC in Oswego.
"We stand on the brink of a new adventure" Rev. Rogers said in his premiere sermon, "Who Are You?"
A newlywed of 23 days, Rev. Rogers likened his first appearance at Flowing Forth to his first date with wife Breann. He said his main goal will be to get acquainted with congregants from both former churches.
Joanne Mendicino, former Flowing Grace member, welcomed Rev. Rogers with varied gifts to launch his ministry. Gifts were a Bible, baptismal water, communion bread and cup, hymnal, Book of Discipline, and a liturgical stole signifying his ordination and shepherd of the Flowing Forth flock.
The service was followed by a celebratory potluck luncheon. The event concluded with Rev. Rogers and Breann fielding personal questions from visitors in an informal session moderated by Flowing Grace member Dan Kazlauski.
Until a new location is found to serve the former congregations, Flowing Forth will operate a two-campus structure. Rev. Rogers will lead worship services at 9 a.m. at Fourth Street UMC, 551 S. Fourth St. and at 11 a.m. at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road, former Flowing Grace location.
On the first Sunday of each month, a combined worship service will be held at 10 a.m. on a rotating basis at the two campuses.
Rev. Rogers comes to Flowing Forth from Wheatland Salem UMC in Oswego where he has served as pastor since 2015. A native of Sandwich, he was among four generations who attended Sandwich UMC.
After graduating from Sandwich High School, Rev. Rogers attended Wheaton College where he majored in Christian education. For postgraduate study, he attended Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C. As a seminary student he served in local churches, learning theology and practical ministry.
He graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2011 with a Master of Divinity degree. Ordained an elder in 2013, Rev. Rogers served four years as the solo pastor in Polo, Ill. There he helped to lead two UMC churches through a merger and subsequent growth.
Rev. Rogers said, "I have a deep love for the church, a passion for guiding people to become committed and passionate followers of Jesus Christ, and reaching out to the local community and world in mission and service."
His family includes his wife Breann, an elementary-school teacher and their dog Wrigley.
Flowing Grace UMC was founded in 2007 as an outreach ministry of Batavia UMC, establishing a rental church site at Herget Middle School in Aurora. The church's first service was held March 4, 2007, before moving to Aurora Christian in 2010. The church was chartered in a special service June 1, 2014.
Fourth Street UMC, 551 S. Fourth St., Aurora, was born in 1886 as the South End Mission chapel on Rosewood Avenue in Aurora to serve families south of North Avenue and east of the Fox River. After relocations for expansion, the church was chartered as Willard Methodist Episcopal Church on Aug. 25, 1891. In 1898, a cornerstone was laid for the church's current location. The church celebrated its centennial in 1991.