Cary United Methodist Church sits on First Street in the village of Cary, Illinois, where it has ministered to the community for more than 130 years. The congregation is known locally for its long history, its traditional sanctuary worship, an active music program with chancel and hand bell choirs, and a wide network of small groups that gather throughout the week. The church is part of the United Methodist Church and the Prairie Central District, and it partners with Cary Methodist Preschool, which operates on the same campus.
From a Bicycle on High Road to a Sanctuary on First Street
The Methodist presence in Cary began in 1888, when Reverend Edward J. Aiken rode his bicycle from Elgin each week to lead worship in a one-room school building. From 1888 to 1952 the church met at 104 High Road, in a building that had been constructed in 1861 as the Cary School. When a new school opened on West Main Street in 1888, the High Road building became available for the church's use; it is now the Windbridge Funeral Home.
In 1939 the word Episcopal was dropped from the name when the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church came together, and the congregation became Cary Methodist Church. In 1960 the church acquired nine acres on First Street and built a two-story education building known as Wesley Hall. The sanctuary, fellowship hall, narthex and office space were consecrated in February 1973. In 1968 the Methodist Church united with the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the congregation took its present name, Cary United Methodist Church. As Cary continued to grow, a third phase of building in 1990 added new space and improved accessibility; that addition was consecrated in November 1992. The church continues to expand and adapt to the changing needs of the community under the leadership of its current pastor.
What the Church Believes and Aims For
The church's stated mission is to nurture Christians who respond faithfully in worship and service in all aspects of life, inviting all people to be transformed as they are inspired and challenged to know and experience God through Jesus Christ, to claim and live God's promises, and to grow and serve as Christian disciples. Its vision is to grow, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as a community of faith that reaches out on its journey, cultivating personal relationships with Jesus Christ and offering opportunities for worship, study, prayer, service and missions.
Sunday Morning: Worship and Sunday School
Sunday is the heart of the week at Cary UMC. The congregation gathers in the Sanctuary, and a recording of the most recent service is available on the church's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person. Sunday school classes meet from 10:30 to 11:30 AM and run in parallel with the worship hour.
- Ages 3-12 meet in the Wesley Wing. Leaders guide children through engaging experiences, spiritual practices and reflection, giving them a safe space to ask big questions and helping them claim their spiritual identity as children of God.
- Junior and Senior High students meet in the Wesley and Youth Wings on the lower level. They study God's word from the Bible, with group discussion that helps students engage with key doctrines, people and teachings and wrestle with issues relevant to their world.
- The Wesley Class, an adult class facilitated by Jeff Bivin, meets in Fellowship Hall, Room E, and walks through the Bible book by book, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. The class has worked from Genesis through Nehemiah and continues with Esther and Job.
- Homebuilders, a class for couples facilitated by Jim and Dawn Ferree, gathers in the Zoom Room for weekly devotional studies. Participants choose a book to study together in the fall.
Chancel Choir and Hand Bell Choir
Music is an important part of worship and a way of serving for many in the congregation. Two ensembles rehearse weekly from September through May.
- Chancel Choir - an adult men and women's choir - rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.
- Hand Bell Choir - an adult men and women's bell choir - rehearses on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Dave DCamp serves as Music Director and Penny Libert as Organist. Those who would like to share their musical gifts are encouraged to contact the music director through the church office.
United Women in Faith
United Women in Faith at Cary is dedicated to nurturing spiritual growth, building fellowship and increasing awareness of needs both locally and globally. Through its programs and events, the group seeks to share God's love within the church, the community and the world while supporting meaningful missions. The leadership team meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Several smaller circles and gatherings run throughout the week:
- Books 'n Bagels meets on the first Friday of the month at 7 PM for book discussion, good conversation and fellowship. Contacts: Dawn Ferree and Bethany Decker.
- Coffee & Crafts gathers on Wednesdays at 9 AM for coffee, conversation and creative projects. Contact: Pat Jacobson.
- Dorcas Circle meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM, lunching out together on fair days and gathering at the church in poor weather. Contact: Penny Libert.
- Evening Craft Group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 PM, with participants bringing their own projects or joining in a group craft. Contact: Lori McClellan.
- Prayer Breakfast gathers weekly on Thursdays at 8:30 AM at Eggville Cafe in Cary. Contact: Dorothy Fagerson.
United Women in Faith also runs several recurring events: an Annual Rummage Sale in July, a Craft/Vendor Fair in October, and in December the Kris Kringle Shop, Jingle & Mingle and Christmas Cookie Sale. Their ministries include a College Care program that sends encouragement to undergraduate students connected to the congregation and sponsorship of the Jerri Savuto Girls Center in rural Kenya, where the Cary unit supports a young girl named Michelle who is escaping forced marriage and pursuing her education.
The Men's Group
The Men's Group meets on the second Saturday of the month from 8:30 to 10 AM for breakfast, fellowship and planning time. The group hosts several churchwide events during the year, including the Easter Breakfast, the Car Show and Breakfast with Santa. Bruce Nordengren serves as the group's contact.
Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms
Cary United Methodist Church hosts weddings, funerals and baptisms for members and the wider community. Wedding arrangements are coordinated through the church office and a wedding coordinator, who can answer questions about fees, the availability of the church and the pastor, and assist with the details of the day.
On the death of a loved one, the pastors and congregation wish to minister to families, and a pastor can be reached at any hour through the church office. The Christian funeral is understood as a service of worship that gives thanks for the gifts of life, including those that extend beyond death. Pastors are happy to plan a service that meets a family's particular needs and wishes, drawing on the United Methodist Book of Worship. The pianist and organist are available on request. Services may be held in the Sanctuary, at a funeral home, or at the graveside; cremation and the contribution of remains for medical research are not considered a problem for the Christian faith, and a memorial service in the Sanctuary or Chapel can be arranged in such cases. The altar, cross, baptismal font and pulpit remain in place as the traditional symbols of the Christian faith. Flowers may be furnished by the family for the flower stands in the sanctuary, with additional arrangements in the narthex and at the graveside; the funeral director removes the flowers at the close of the service. A funeral luncheon or dinner is coordinated by Deb Kraemer under the umbrella of United Women in Faith.
Baptism is offered for children and adults, with the words of Mark 10:14 - Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Arrangements can be made by contacting the church office.
Committees That Carry the Work
Several committees share in the governance and ministry of the church. The Church Council, chaired by Sara Kelly, brings together committee chairs and at-large members as the official decision-making body and meets on the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 PM. The Finance & Stewardship committee, chaired by Tom Swider, oversees financial health, the budget and the annual audit, meeting on the second Tuesday at 7 PM. Trustees, chaired by Bruce Nordengren, supervise all property, insurance and building decisions and also meet on the second Tuesday at 7 PM. The Nurture Team, chaired by Josh Sukow, plans and oversees Christian education programs including Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, meeting on the second Thursday at 6:30 PM. The Witness/Outreach Team and Witness Team, both chaired by Jen Crick, coordinate the church's outreach and service in the community and beyond, meeting on the third Thursday at 7 PM on Zoom. The Worship Committee, chaired by Kevin Scott, helps plan and care for worship, recruits ushers, acolytes and liturgists, prepares paraments and communion, and assists with services such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, meeting on the fourth Thursday at 7 PM. The Memorial Team, chaired by Lois Voss, directs the use of memorial gifts. A Digital Communications committee guides technology, audio and visual needs across the congregation.
Safe Sanctuary
Cary UMC has developed written policies and procedures, known as Safe Sanctuaries, to reduce the risk of child abuse within the community of faith and to guide the church in reporting and responding to any allegation of abuse. The congregation views the church as a place where children and youth should be safe.
Preschool on the Same Campus
Cary Methodist Preschool shares the church's campus and offers early childhood education as an extension of the congregation's ministry to families in the area. Information and enrollment details are available through the preschool's own site.
Planning a Visit or Getting Involved
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. The mailing address and physical address are both 500 N. First St., Cary, IL 60013. The office phone is 847-639-7627, and the general email is Caryumc@caryumc.org. Those who wish to support the congregation financially can do so online through the church's giving service, and the most recent worship service is available on the church's YouTube channel. Newcomers looking for a place to serve will find a variety of choirs, classes, circles and committees, with Sunday school for ages 3 through high school, two adult Bible study classes during the Sunday school hour, weekly women's and men's fellowships, and choirs that rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays from September through May.