How Your Special Needs Family is Crucial to the Church
If you’re a special needs family, we welcome you to Woodridge! Your family, your experiences, and your unique situation brings so much to the church as a whole. As a special needs mom, I didn’t always feel that. I’ve only been the Special Needs Ministry Director for Woodridge for a short time, but I have been a special needs mom for 10 years. My son has autism-the type of autism that sometimes makes our family feel like it is easier to stay away from crowds. He is certainly a blessing to us but being out in public and being [...]
A United Church
I have been thinking and praying a lot about unity* during the past several months as I have witnessed, along with everyone else the fractures and schisms that have become very apparent as we have all gone through a much more stressful year than anyone had anticipated. I have seen families, including my own at the dinner table, with our two emerging young adults holding two very different political viewpoints. Divided in their views. This at times can make for tense encounters (over some of the best grilled chicken you have ever had), yet we allow for disagreement [...]
Christmastime in Japan
Legend has it that Americans living in Japan finally gave up on finding a real Christmas turkey and settled for a feast of Kentucky Fried Chicken instead. Their compromise either misled a local branch manager into thinking that all Americans practiced a similar tradition or maybe this KFC employee simply saw an opportunity. Either way, Japanese people have been told that Christmastime equals KFC ever since, and it is now deeply ingrained in their minds and holiday traditions. It’s a tradition that my family has happily joined for the past three years as we have lived and served in Osaka, [...]
If Jesus Chose Disciples in the Year 2021
What would it be like if Jesus hadn’t come to earth 2,000+ years ago? What if God had decided to send His Son in our modern, messed up times? Throw out the picture of a man in a long white, perfectly ironed tunic with strappy leather sandals, maybe rocking a purple sash. It’s 2021. Maybe Jesus is rocking some skinny jeans, flannel, and a man bun. He is currently on the search for His disciples, but just like in the Bible, He’s not looking for the cream of the crop. No, He’s looking for the worst of the worst. [...]
Adaptability in 2020
Hi. My name is Bethany and I’m teaching during a global pandemic. This is by far my hardest year of teaching. This is lucky year number seven. And seven is the number of completion so my job is done, right? (I’m kidding, of course. Teaching has been my passion since I was a child. I can’t abandon it quite yet.) Anywho, I’m a part of the Young Adult Ministry (YAMs) here at WBC. The other night Grace (you might know her... she’s got bright blonde hair and is obsessed with animals) asked the group a question. She said, “If you [...]
Don’t Just Read Devotionals… Be Devoted!
Quiet Time. Daily Watch. Morning Devotional. Time Alone with God. Daily Office. All these terms are used to mean the same thing—a personal time with God and His Word in worship, prayer, and meditation, that lead you into a deeper commitment toward Jesus as your Lord. I first learned how to have a “quiet time” with the Lord when I was 16 years old. That’s—gulp—41 years ago. And while there isn’t “one way” along to have a quiet time with God, here are some simple guidelines: Find a place where you can be alone. This can be hard if [...]
Monitor and Adjust
We are in unprecedented times, and through this year our church has been faithful in its giving. For this we are grateful, and so are our ministry partners, as well as our community. We are able to do the work we are called to do through the spiritual discipline and act of worship, we call giving or tithing. As we wrap up this year, we ask that you continue to consider giving to the ministries of Woodridge, so that we can continue to minister well to our community. Because of your giving, we are able to develop an annual [...]
I’m Single and the World Isn’t Burning Down Yet
Hi, my name is Faith and I’m single. Now, before you go emailing me about your cousin’s neighbor’s goldfish who is single... it's really okay... Ahem. Moving on. Last February I showed up to a local high school’s Campus Crusade event. I was there to see my students and support a friend who was on the Valentine's Day panel. They were chatting about all things love, marriage, dating, and singleness. As I sat down, I heard two adults chatting and asking the question no single person particularly loves answering. “Excuse me, are you single?” “No, I’m not,” she answered. [...]
Evangelism Isn’t My Job
If there’s one thing that any missions pastor hates hearing, it’s “I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” Or even worse “I just don’t feel called to evangelism.”. In fact, I’m willing to bet a few of you even cringed a little bit just reading those statements. However, you’d be surprised if you knew how often I hear it from people who profess to be Christians. I experienced an example of this a few years ago at a meeting I was having with some other pastors from across the city. During the meeting we all introduced ourselves, and spoke [...]
The Friends Ministry at WBC
Before I joined the staff at Woodridge, I had already heard of the incredible Special Needs Ministry here. I was excited to be a part of something so rare and to meet church leadership that prioritized special needs. As the Director and as a special needs mom, the Friends Ministry has made a tremendous impact on my life. I have been blessed to see a church that values individuals with special needs as image bearers worthy of dignity and respect. I have met volunteers that not only serve but come into class excited and full of love and enthusiasm [...]