Updated: July 20th, 2020

We at Batavia UMC recognize that the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic has been an immense disruption in each of our lives. This is no less true in the life and practices of the church! Because of this, we want to keep you up-to-date on how we at BUMC are responding to and planning during the duration of this pandemic.

Online Worship

Firstly, since Sunday, March 15th, 2020, Batavia UMC has been worshipping exclusively online, live each Sunday morning via our YouTube page. We would encourage each of you to click “subscribe” on that page, to receive updates and alerts when there are new videos and livestreams available.

‘Response’ Team established

We also have a team of church members who have volunteered to discern together when and how we might return to in-person worship. This team meets regularly via Zoom to discuss current circumstances and prayerfully update the plan for our return to gathering in the physical sanctuary space of Batavia UMC.

In line with UMC Conference and Local Health Officials

We remain in line with the recommendations of our Northern Illinois Annual Conference as well as our Illinois state officials and health experts, in determining the course of action that keeps ourselves and our neighbors safe and healthy, while also aiming to preserve a worshipful experience for all participants.

Currently, there is no specific date on which we will return to in-person worship. As we continue to discern and watch the development of the situation in our country and our world, we will keep you notified as our plans become clearer. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding, as well as your continued participation in our online community and worship!

On Sunday, June 28th, many families and children were led via Zoom in learning a new craft, rock painting, by Melonie Wallace and Danice Craney! Thank you two, and all who participated! Below are some photos of the final product:

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If you’d like to join us for future fellowship and fun activities like this, reach out to our office coordinator at office@bataviaumc.org and let us know you’d like to be included in future events!

For three weeks, we are exploring the essential lessons from the pandemic, and asking ourselves what lessons we don’t want to forget going forward. These include lessons regarding ourselves, our church, and our communities.

July 12th – “Part 1: What’s Essential for Ourselves” (Rev. Cynthia Anderson)

July 19th – Part 2: What Does it Mean to Be the Church? (Rev. Cynthia Anderson)

July 26th – Part 3: What is Essential for Our Communities? (Rev. Josh Bailey-Green)

Join us for a time of both study and prayer. We’ll go through the Lord’s Prayer, reflecting on the meaning of each of the elements of the prayer and then using them to pray together.

Wednesdays, beginning on June 17th

To register, email office@bataviaumc.org