A Small-Town Church on West Main
The United Methodist Church of Elmwood meets at 821 W. Main Street in the village of Elmwood, a quiet community in Peoria County, Illinois. The congregation's motto, "Connecting to God and One Another, Growing in Faith," says what those who walk through the door tend to find: a friendly set of faces, a pastor who knows their names, and a calendar full of ways to serve neighbors both near and far. Members describe being greeted at the door by smiling, friendly faces and feeling gently nudged by God to step outside a comfortable life and become a blessing to others.
Sunday Morning at Elmwood UMC
Worship begins at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings, with nursery care available throughout the service so parents of little ones can worship without distraction. At the same 9:00 hour, children gather for Sunday School during the regular school year. Visitors who arrive right at nine will hear the opening of worship in one room and the laughter of a Sunday School class in another.
On the last Sunday of each month, the hour following worship turns into Cookie Sunday, a fellowship time from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. It is the simplest thing in the world - a plate of cookies and a chance to linger - and it is one of the small traditions that keeps the Elmwood congregation tied together across the months.
A Pastor New to the Pulpit
The pastor who stepped into that pulpit is Austin Miller, who grew up the son of a pastor moving around Illinois and finished his seminary work at Emory's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. Before coming to Elmwood, he spent his most recent ministry as a youth director, and he brings that background into a congregation where young people and children are a real priority. His own words set the tone: his goal, he says, is "to become right," not "to have always been right," because he understands that everyone in the room is still learning.
Miller frames the Christian life in a single line: that humanity was saved by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and is called to replicate that love to create the most fulfilling and joyful life for others and for themselves. Outside the study he enjoys board games, movies ranging from historic greats to contemporary genre films, and fantasy and science fiction books. He also has a five-year-old German shepherd rescue who is slowly getting better with people.
Reaching Out Beyond the Walls
The congregation's outreach philosophy is twofold as well - to go out into the mission field beyond the walls of the church in their own communities and surrounding area, and to send and support others through giving generously to mission projects locally, nationally, and worldwide. Several concrete programs put that vision into practice.
Manna / Meals on Wheels is the church's longest-running food ministry. Three days a week, Manna delivers a hot meal to shut-ins in the surrounding communities at a low price. On the last Thursday of each month, the program serves a buffet lunch with entertainment, and each Friday it offers bread pick-up to anyone who needs it. The church also keeps a small food pantry to assist persons in immediate need of food stuffs and supports the Farmington Area Food Pantry, which distributes food to area needy monthly.
Once a year the entire congregation takes a Sunday to spread out across the surrounding communities for Faith in Action Sunday, showing God's love in practical ways. Each fall, near Halloween, the church joins with the other Elmwood churches to host Trunk or Treat, a family-friendly event at Central Park with hot dogs and hot chocolate for participants. In December, the children of Elmwood Elementary bring food stuffs to "stuff a bus" for Christmas baskets distributed to area families in need.
Children, Youth, and Camp Big Sky
Elmwood UMC has a heart for young people. Doreen Smith leads the Youth and Children Service, working alongside the Hart family (Seth and Dayna) who direct children's ministries and serve on Audio and Video. Sunday School runs during the regular school year, sign-ups are available online, and Vacation Bible School fills four evenings in July for ages K through 6, with a separate pre-K session on Saturday.
The church has a deep partnership with Camp Big Sky, an organization created to offer outdoor activities to any person of any age with a disability, along with their families, friends, and caregivers. Activities include fishing, boating, nature study, overnight camping, archery, hayrack rides, and lawn games, and for many campers these are first-time experiences - first fish caught, first boat ride, first kite flown. The congregation has supported Camp Big Sky in many ways over the years.
Adults Growing Together
Adult ministry at Elmwood centers on deepening love for God and love for others through participation in small groups and service opportunities. Sunday morning Adult Bible School meets in the same hour as the worship service and Sunday School, and a separate interactive Bible study led by Pastor Austin Miller meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 PM at the building. An online Bible study offers an option for participants who cannot be present in person.
Women of the church are organized through the United Women in Faith (UWF), with Celene Duley serving as president. The Manna program also serves as a monthly fellowship gathering for many adults.
Music, Fellowship, and the Wider Church Family
Worship is supported by many talented members who share their musical gifts during services, and by Seth and Dayna Hart who handle the audio and video each week. Steve Davis is also listed on the church's leadership team. A Church Council chaired by Nancy Davis, with Jeanette Morse as secretary and Heath Schulz as treasurer, oversees the work of the year, while the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee is chaired by Cathy Ekstrand. The church publishes a monthly newsletter called the Beacon, with issues running through the year.
Visiting and Getting in Touch
The church office at 821 W. Main Street is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed, nursery care is ready during worship, and Sunday School offers a natural entry point for families with children. The church can be reached by phone at 309-742-7221 or by email at umchurch@elmwoodumc.com, and the food pantry sign-up is available online for those in immediate need. Online giving is handled through the church's Church Center giving page, and updates flow through the church's Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok accounts.