Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL supports a variety of local, regional, and international organizations, enabling individuals to live their faith through prayer, hands-on work, financial support, donations of needed items, companionship, presence, and/or systemic change. In addition to these missions, many of which arose from the interests and passions of our congregation, we support other causes of the United Methodist Church that allow us to combine our offerings with those of other United Methodists, nationally and globally, to enact change around the world.



Help keep PRC shelves stocked

The People’s Resource Center continues to see increased visits to its food pantries. Some of the items needed are rice, dry pasta, peanut butter, and personal care items like diapers in sizes 5-7, bar soap and toothpaste. Tuna and soups are always welcome. Due to overwhelming donations of clothing, the PRC is taking a break from accepting clothes for now. Thank you to all for your donations! If you have food to donate, please feel free to leave it in the bin in the Commons.


Habitat for Humanity
Tuesday, May 16–Friday, May 19
You are invited to join “Gary’s Gang” as we help build a new house for a family in Lafayette, Ind. No specialized skills, tools or previous experience are required; Lafayette is only a 2 ½-hour drive from Wheaton, so you are welcome to come for the full four days or even for just a day. You will work alongside the homeowners and help them realize their dream of home ownership. For more information, contact Lois Davisson through the Church Office.


Sign up for August Blood Drive
Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2-6 p.m., Commons (Save the date for Nov. 29)
Each pint donated can save up to three lives. The need is constant, and every pint is precious.


Recycle Styrofoam
Sundays, July 16, Oct. 15, 8:45­–10:30 a.m., South Driveway
Bring your Styrofoam to church, and we will recycle it for you. Please separate clean food containers from other Styrofoam. No packing peanuts. If you miss the date, feel free to drop off Styrofoam at Dart Container Corporation, 310 Evergreen Dr., North Aurora.


Educate a Girl / Change the World: Gary Church Makes a Difference
Prior to the pandemic, 132 million girls did not attend school worldwide. Less than half of girls who start primary school do not enter secondary. Their fate is child marriage, a life of household duties, or worse yet, human trafficking. This is a human crisis for girls across the globe and COVID-19 has only worsened the problem. Yet, when girls attend school, everyone wins. Multifaceted gains occur in family health, women’s wages, and community welfare.

The good news is that Gary Church is making a difference by supporting impactful educational programs through UMCOR and Kenya Children’s Fund. Gary Church is funding scholarships for Kenyan girls in primary grades at the Kinyago Dandora School in Nairobi, Cambodian teenagers via UMCOR Project 3020791, and a college student at Africa University, a Methodist school located in Zimbabwe. This year, we also hope to support an indigenous student in the United States. Our goal is to raise $7,200 to provide scholarships for all nine students. You can contribute online or by sending a check to the Church Office with "Educate a Girl" in the memo.