COME AS YOU ARE. THERE'S A PLACE FOR YOU HERE.

At First Church in Des Plaines, we believe faith is action. That means feeding hungry students, serving free dinners, gathering for jazz and interfaith conversations, and showing up when our neighbors need help.

We believe in radical welcome. Whether you're Methodist, something-else, or still figuring it out—you're invited into our circle exactly as you are.

668 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, IL

Share the last weeks of SUMMER with us.

Chill with music under the stars. Learn & explore fascinating subjects like world faiths. Feed your soul with weekly discussions as we explore praying. There’s more: Peace Circles, women’s discussion circles, and Jazz Vespers.

Take a look and see what you like:

JAZZ VESPERS: A series of outdoor jazz nights with the Mick Archer Trio

WOMEN'S COMMUNITY PEACE CIRCLE: A space for connection and reflection. Meets monthly, sessions on the lawn when weather permits.

An exterior photo of the building and front lawn of First Church, 668 Graceland Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Explore Beloved Community This Fall

Today, many groups of people face harsh claims and accusations. This makes it a good time to revisit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s idea of the Beloved Community.

Nearly 60 years ago, Dr. King wrote his last book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? He named three threats to community: racism, militarism, and poverty. His vision was built on the teachings of Jesus and the ideas of Gandhi. This fall at First United Methodist Church of Des Plaines, we will explore Dr. King's vision alongside Jesus' teachings in the Gospel of Matthew.

September: Peace

We begin with peace and nonviolence as a way of life. What does it mean to "do no harm"? How do reconciliation, accountability, and forgiveness build Beloved Community? Dr. King's nonviolence reflects Jesus' teaching and offers another path besides power and force. We will learn simple ways to bring peace to ourselves, our families, our community, and our world.

October: Money and Sharing

Next, we look at how money shapes our relationships. Jesus' parables show a kind of fairness that may surprise us. The early church shared what it had, and people found they had plenty. We will talk about generosity and how sharing can push back against systems that leave people out.

November: Compassion

Finally, we turn to compassion. Instead of "othering" people who are different or who disagree with us, we will remember that ALL people are made in God's image. Compassion is not weakness. It is the base for strong relationships. Jesus teaches that we are judged by how we treat others, not by what we believe in our heads.

Join Us

Worship with us Sundays at 10 a.m. this fall. Together we practice habits that build a community where ALL people are beloved. We don't have to be shaped by poverty, militarism, or racism. We believe God can change us so we can change the world.

If you have questions, would like to receive prayer, or talk about your faith- you are always welcome to reach out to Pastor Hope for a one-on-one conversation at pastorhope.fumcdp@gmail.com.