Ministries

Spiritual Formation through Ministries

Spiritual formation is intentionally interwoven into our life of worship, study, prayer and programming. Discipleship always undergirds our work and play together.

Through shared worship, study, community engagement, missional outreach and conference training events, we will continue to equip disciples for ministry to God and God’s world. Our Church community includes those who are a part of our outreach programs for children, families, seniors, young adults and our neighbors!

We foster a Christ-centered, compassionate, reconciling, supportive, faith environment where leaders are committed to God and have an understanding that

living our faith involves stepping out in trust, love, and faith.

Below, learn more about our church groups supporting spiritual formation.

Poinsettia Project

For this year's Advent season, you can honor, or celebrate a person or event through the gift of a poinsettia plant for our sanctuary. The money donated will go toward the purchase of animals for families within Heifer International. Tasteful, artificial poinsettias will grace our sanctuary representing your dedications which will appear in our digital services and in the Christmas Eve Bulletin and those immediately following.

Since outreach missions are an important part of our faith community here at Galena United Methodist Church, this project provides a means of sharing from any range of income. Any amount provided for the Heifer project will contribute to a cumulative fund for the purchase of animals. We hope to purchase two Heifers at $250 each and choose other animals as funds permit.

Heifer International is a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable, values-based holistic community development. “Giving an animal is like giving someone a small business, providing wool, milk, eggs, and more. Animal donations can provide families a hand up, increasing access to medicine, school, food, and sustainable livelihood."

Please email, or call Pastor Catiana with your dedication,. Your donation may also be mailed to the church or given through our website under Support Us. If you choose to send a check, please include Poinsettia Project or Heifer Project on the memo line.

Giving Tree

In years past, Galena United Methodist Church (GUMC) has partnered with First Community Bank to support less fortunate children and seniors in Galena.

This year due to Covid 19 concerns the program has changed. We are not doing our small giving tree but if you are able to participate, you may drop off a donation at the bank or mail a donation to the bank. All donations, regardless of their size, are appreciated. Visa gift cards will be prepared for families with children.

You can mail donations to GUMC, and Pastor Catiana will send all donations together representing our church.

In addition, Poopsies in Galena is doing gift baskets for seniors at the senior center and assisted living. Donations of any amount are also welcome for this community project.

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HOPE Youth Group

he Mission of Galena United Methodist HOPE Youth Group is to encourage youth in cultivating authentic relationships with God, each other, and the larger community.

HOPE Youth Group supports many local and national ministries including local clothing drives, Galena's Sunshine Box of free, non-perishable items, Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Mission, and numerous YouthWorks mission trips.

To learn how you can help support their latest effort, the Sunshine Box, please click here to read "Donate to the Sunshine Box."

Change for the Better

During the months of October, November, and December, our Change for the Better will be supporting Northwest Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors (NIJFON), an organization that works to spread equality and justice through advocating for immigration reform.

NIJFON educates communities about immigration issues and laws. The organization strives to keep families together and to provide immigrant neighbors with hospitality, compassion, and respect. NIJFON offers free high-quality legal services to low-income immigrants, engages in education and advocacy efforts, and builds cross-cultural relationships. In addition to legal services provided by skilled attorneys at clinics across Northern Illinois, staff and volunteers provide hospitality and needed childcare, assist with requisite paperwork and offer a free legal consultation for every immigrant who comes to the clinic.

To learn more about NJFON, visit njfon.org.

United Methodist Women

United Methodist Women (UMW) is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

UMW is trusted with pledges and donations from individual members and local member organizations, as well as mission partners and anonymous donors who have a heart for mission. We support programs in the United States and around the world that benefit women, children and youth, thereby impacting entire communities. For the latest information and upcoming events, visit umwnic.org.

Click the button below for a full list of organizations Galena UMW supports.

our mission giving

Mission Team

Our goal is to grow in faith and action, as followers of Jesus, witnessing in our community and in our life an expression of a Christianity lived with radical hospitality, a love for all neighbors and a heart for social justice.

Connection is at the core of our work. Global Ministries connects The United Methodist Church, its people and congregations to partner with others engaged in God’s global work, which takes place in a variety of settings, countries and cultures.

GUMC mission engagement spans across local, regional, national and world commitments. Where there is a need, United Methodists are there or supporting others through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). umcmission.org/umcor.

Click the button below for a full list of organizations GUMC Mission team supports.

our mission giving