Putting faith into action: Aurora Methodists help fill mission truck

Aurora Methodists like a challenge.

Congregants at Aurora's Flowing Forth UMC responded to a Fill-the-Truck Mission Challenge issued by the UMC Northern Illinois Conference. Donations of household products and cash will benefit the UMC Midwest Mission Distribution Center in downstate Chatham.

The conference goal for the MMDC was 6,000 pounds of items and $1,000.

The Rev. Derek Rogers, Flowing Forth UMC pastor, said local congregants collected 19 bottles of dish soap, 15 liquid household cleaners, 10 liquid laundry detergents and $80 in funds.

According to the Rev. Rogers, the challenge is issued annually in connection with northern Illinois Methodists' annual conference, a business meeting of clergy and laity.

The 182nd Northern Illinois annual conference will be held July 16-17 online via a Zoom webinar on the theme "Jesus Makes a Way."

The UMC Northern Illinois Conference includes more than 370 churches and new faith communities spanning the upper one-third of Illinois. Interim Bishop John Hopkins is the episcopal leader.

Storms and tornadoes swept across northern Illinois Jan. 20, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. In response, the MMDC packed up and delivered more than 12,000 United Methodist Committee on Relief personal hygiene kits to Salvation Army locations in Elk Grove Village, Freeport and Pekin. The three shipments had a value of $145,152.

Donations were collected through July 5.

Flowing Forth UMC holds a worship service online and in person at 10 a.m. Sundays at Aurora Christian Schools, 2255 Sullivan Road in Aurora. The public is invited.

Call (630) 239-2321 or visit flowingforthumc.org for more information.