Worship and Small Group Activities at
Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church
Opportunities to Worship, Learn, Pray, and Enjoy Fellowship at DAUMC!
Lent, Holy Week and Easter Activities & Worship
You don’t want to miss a single week of worship as we continue following Jesus’ teaching and modeling of deep listening. We’ll listen to God, one another, the Spirit’s promptings inside of us, people on the edges and more. Opportunities for reflection and small group listening conversations will be a special part of our worship experiences. Our messages through the end of Lent will include:
- March 17: “Listen from the Edges” with guest preacher Cindy Arnold
- March 26: “Listen to Serve” with guest preacher Dan Frachey
- April 2: “Listen to Remember” with Rev. Meredith Brown
Deep Listening Prayer Experiences Sunday Mornings or Tuesday Evenings
As a part of “A Listening Lent,” we have the opportunity to practice praying more often and in new ways. Much the way we practice different exercises to foster our physical health, we can also practice different methods of prayer to foster our spiritual health and our relationship with God. You are invited to the Deep Listening Prayer Experiences each week for the month of March. The Sunday Morning Prayer Experience will meet at DAUMC from 9:30-10:20am in the Chapel during the remainder of Lent; the Online Prayer Experience will meet via Zoom from 7:30pm-8:30pm on Tuesdays through March 28. Each week, we’ll discuss and practice a different method of prayer, and support each other for the coming week. Our weekly prayer methods will include praying traditional prayers, praying with scripture, praying with images, and fasting, all while focusing on how to discern God’s voice while we practice. To receive the link for the Tuesday evening Zoom calls, please contact the church office. We can’t wait to pray with you!
Worshipful Holy Week & Easter Celebrations With Douglas Avenue — Join Us!
Everyone is encouraged to fully participate in the worship journey of Holy Week, as we go with Jesus to the cross and death, and on to celebrate resurrection life at Easter.
Palm Sunday Worship & Communion for All People – Sunday, April 2. Worship in the Sanctuary at 8:15 & 10:30am, Online Worship at 10:30am. Come celebrate with palm waving and song, remembering the beginning of Jesus’ final week before his death and resurrection, as he was welcomed into the Holy City of Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday Worship & Communion for All People – Thursday, April 6. Worship in the Sanctuary and Online at 7:00pm. On Maundy Thursday, we remember Jesus’ last actions with his Disciples – foot-washing, the institution of Holy Communion, and his mandate that we, as Christians love all people.
Good Friday Worship – Friday, April 7. Worship in the Sanctuary and Online at 7:00pm. We remember Jesus’ suffering and death on a cross, with music by the Chancel Choir, and the service of Tenebrae, ending in silence.
DAUMC Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, April 8. Open to all children through 5th grade—bring your friends! We will gather on the Patio outside the Great Hall at 11 a.m. and complete the hunt by noon.
Easter Sunrise Worship – Sunday, April 9. In the Community Garden at 7:00am. Our first service of Easter is celebrated in the beauty of nature with the early morning light, and special music provided by our Guitar Choir. The Community Garden is located immediately behind the parking lot. In the event of inclement weather, we will meet in the Sanctuary.
Easter Worship & Holy Communion for All People – Sunday, April 9. Worship in the Sanctuary at 8:15 a.m. We celebrate the great joy of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, Holy Communion for All People.
Easter Festival Worship – Sunday, April 9. Worship in the Sanctuary and Online at 10:30 a.m. We celebrate the great joy of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, with special music provided by the Brickhouse Brass, Chancel Choir, and Praise Band.
Ongoing Worship, Classes and Opportunities
For more information, contact the church office at (217) 546-4631 or daumc@douglasavenue.org
Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary. 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, with Nursery Care. A Wiggler/Crawler Space at all services provides a live feed of the worship service. KidVenture Sunday School available at the 10:30 a.m. service.
10:30 a.m. DAUMC Online Worship. Join us on the DAUMC Facebook page or YouTube channel for weekly worship including music, prayer, and message. Kids will love Small Talk, featuring Laud the Lamb.
Sunday School and Small Groups.
- CrossConnections – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel (Wiggler/Crawler Space) at DAUMC, for weekly event conversation, scripture reflection, and prayer. Contact the church office for more information.
- Jr./Sr. High Youth Group – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Round Room (lower level). Contact Lauri Clemmer, lauri.clemmer@gmail.com, or Curtis Brown, revcurtisbrown@gmail.com for more information.
- Sunday Morning Book Club– Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in Room 102 and via Zoom. The class is open to all ages, discussing the book “Learning to Speak to God from Scratch” by Jonathan Merritt. Contact Justine Dion for links and more information: jedion8@gmail.com
- Zephyr Sunday School Class –Sundays at 9:15 a.m. for Bible study in Room 101 and via video/phone conference. Please contact Martha LeMay for links or more information: mlemay1651@gmail.com, or call the church office
- Spiritual Seekers Sunday School Class– Sundays at 9:15 a.m. For more information, contact Nancy Rosse: nsrosse65@gmail.com
- GriefShare – Sundays at 11:45 a.m. in Rm. 101 and via Zoom. Videos, workbook and small group sharing for anyone experiencing grief. Learn more and register at https://www.griefshare.org/groups/158219. Or connect with Dorene Kileen, kileen.dorene@yahoo.com, or contact the church office.
- Tuesday Morning Bible Study– Tuesdays at 10 a.m. via video/phone conference. Reading/discussing “Yes, Lord, I have Sinned, but I Have Several Excellent Excuses” by James W. Moore. For more information, and ways to participate, contact the church office or Pastor Meredith: revmeredithmbrown@gmail.com.
- “Coffee Hour with Women of Power” – Wednesdays at 9:15 a.m. Bible study via video and phone conference. Using the “The Circle of Paul” by Rev. Mary Jessup for study, discussion, and prayer. For information, contact the church office.
- Play/Pray Group – Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in the Wiggler/Crawler Room at DAUMC (use the entrance on Governor Street) For babies and younger children and their grown-ups. For more information, contact Lauri Clemmer, lauri.clemmer@gmail.com or the church office.
- Bible Art Journaling – 4th Sunday of the month at 4:00 p.m. Spend time in your Bible, while being creative with simple artistic techniques. Registration required, and there is a waiting list, but we may expand into new groups soon! For more information, contact Julie Krehbiel at tkjk88@comcast.net or (217) 899-1906.
Our Vision, Mission and Beliefs
We are a church of love, acceptance, and graciousness. We welcome all people, as they are, with arms wide open. We work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Written by DAUMC Youth Group Member
What do United Methodists believe? Click here to learn the basics of our faith!
Welcome To Douglas Avenue!
You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works! We believe each member of the church is called to minister to others in some way. Our staff can help you find your niche.
Meet Our Pastors!
Rev. Meredith Manning Brown – Pastor Meredith joined the DAUMC family on July 1, 2019. She has led a variety of new church planting efforts, pastored through several church revitalization and growth projects, and served in ministry staff positions across the United States. She was lead pastor for the Evergreen Faith Community in Lacey, Washington, an innovative, neighborhood-based, progressive, intergenerational community focused on connecting with people who don’t know, don’t like, or have had enough of church as usual. Meredith is also a musician, and comes to us after serving as interim pastor of Williamsville United Methodist Church (IL). She lives in Springfield with her delightful husband, two active teen-aged daughters, and a lazy housecat.
Rev. Margaret Ann Jessup – Named an Illinois Woman of tghe Year by USA Today, Pastor Margaret Ann is the Executive Director of Wooden It Be Lovely, the social enterprise ministry she founded at DAUMC. This unique ministry offers hope and employment to single mothers in need. She also serves in covenant with the members of Douglas Avenue. Pastor Margaret Ann graduated in 2014 from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis and was Ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in June of 2017. Prior to going to seminary, she was an Oncology and Hospice nurse for 25 years.
“I believe that most women want to help themselves, but opportunities for employment are limited to many and there are many barriers that are difficult to navigate. Some women need extra support and skills before transitioning to the secular world. And, it’s a beautiful thing to see how happy children are when their mothers become more hopeful.”
Ministries: Serving & Getting Involved
Use the form at the bottom of this web site to reach out to any staff member or seek answers to questions you may have!
Sunday School
KidVenture Sunday School for Grades 1-5 is held during 10:30 a.m. worship in the Sanctuary. Adult classes @9:30 a.m. Sundays.
Child Care
Nursery care Sundays from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. During worship, a Wiggler/ Crawler space provides a livestream of the service.
Youth Group
DAUMC has an active youth group program. Contact Lauri Clemmer or the church office for details!
Micro Food Pantry
Located at the west entrance to the Education Building. Take what you need, leave what you can.
Wooden It Be Lovely
A program offering hope to single mothers at risk. Click here for more details!
Compass for Kids
This award-winning after school program was started at DAUMC. Click here for more information.
Music at DAUMC
Like to make a joyful noise? Contact Music Director Bekah Philbrick through the office.
Scouting
DAUMC hosts an active Scouting program. Contact the church office for details.
Weddings
DAUMC welcomes weddings! Click here for our guide to all things wedding!
Funerals
Let us help in your time of grief. Please contact one of our Pastors.
United Women in Faith
Our active UWF (formally UMW) group features a number of Circle options. Contact the church office.
Methodist Men
Our men’s group meets the first Saturday of the month. The church office has the details.
Sewing Group
Our dedicated sewers meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Coffee with a Pastor
Would you like to have coffee with a Pastor. Use the form below to reach out!
GriefShare
Thirteen-week sessions are available. Call the church office for information.
Tech Ministry
Want to help run the sound board for worship? Visit the tech booth in the balcony any Sunday!
Visit Douglas Avenue
Join us for worship at 8:15 or 10:30 a.m. each Sunday
DOUGLAS AVENUE UMC
501 South Douglas Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62704
daumc@douglasavenue.org
Phone: 217.546.4631
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ABOUT DOUGLAS AVENUE
Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church is a unique and diverse congregation of all ages, races, orientations, and backgrounds. We love to welcome visitors! Even more, we love working in the community, loving and serving God and our neighbors!