About Us

Learn more about Minooka United Methodist Church

Visitors

Welcome! Together, we live out our calling to love God with our whole selves and love our neighbors as ourselves.

What to Expect:

Friendly, welcoming, casual atmosphere.
Hangout time before worship with coffee, tea, water, and light snacks available.
Brightly-lit stage area with altar table, cross, and the cloths that drape them (traditionally called paraments) all handmade by artisans from the congregation.
Screens and printed bulletins both with the full order of worship and song lyrics.

Children’s Corner: Dedicated space for children with quiet activities, books, and art supplies, so the whole family can participate in worship.
Open Communion offered to all (on the first Sunday of each month).
Hangout time after the worship experience.
Sunday School for children. A 30 minute session beginning right after the worship experience held next to Children’s Corner.

Interested in becoming a member? The church offers classes for new members in the fall and spring and culminates in a New Member's Ceremony during those seasons.

Join Us!
1210 S. Ridge Road
Minooka, IL 60447
(815) 467-2322

Office Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Services: Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
A live-stream of our worship can be found on our Facebook page and website.

Our History

Minooka United Methodist Church was founded in 1856. Those first services were held in a storefront and later in a school. The first church was built in 1866 and has been located at the corner of Church and Massasoit Streets since that time. When the original church was destroyed by a tornado in 1917, a new sanctuary was built. That 1917 building was remodeled and enlarged during 1981 and 1982.

Our congregation continues to grow and while most of our members are of United Methodist background, we have many members from many different faiths. The church serves the Minooka area and surrounding cities.

Come grow with us! We broke ground on the new home of Minooka United Methodist Church on May 1st, 2021. Our first service was held at our new Ridge Road church on March 3, 2024.

Our Team

Dave Buerstetta

Pastor

Striving to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors makes Dave passionate about building community, pursuing social justice, and exploring relational theology. From the biblical tradition and our own experiences, we’ve inherited a beautiful vision calling us to partner with God’s Spirit to create a just and caring society that understands “we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.”After growing up in eastern Iowa, Dave (he/him) earned a B.A. from Augustana College (IL) and an M.Div. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Though he is ordained by American Baptist Churches, USA, he has served as one of the pastors at Woodridge United Methodist Church since 1995. While Dave is devoted to the many aspects of pastoral ministry, he derives the most delight from preaching, designing worship services, conversing with children, teaching youth and adults, and organizing outreach projects.Recognizing that the body-mind-spirit connection is key for living abundantly, Dave stays active working out regularly (usually at CrossFit Thunderbolt in Oswego), reading extensively, and praying contemplative.As proud parents of high school students Joshua and Jacqueline, Dave and his spouse Joann can often be found at Josh’s baseball games or Jacqueline’s cheer competitions. They reside in Naperville.Dave’s creative expressions include writing and podcasting—especially in his entrepreneurial endeavor as co-founder of Coffee ’n’ Capes, an online retailer of premium coffee and comic books. He enjoys geeky science fiction and superhero shows and is a White Sox fan.

Katie Wojcieszak

Office Manager

As a child of five, Katie grew up in Evergreen Park, IL and attended Catholic grammar school and high school. She immediately went into the workforce and has held administrative assistant and secretary positions in small companies and churches all the way up to corporations. After having children, God led her to a position at St. Ann, her own parish. She worked in the Religious Education Department there for a number of years before God led her to Minooka United Methodist. She is very excited to be a part of this family. Katie has lived in Channahon since 2005 with her husband and young adult and teenage children. She has an active lifestyle and in her free time enjoys running, biking, and kayaking. She also enjoys crafting and volunteering her time.

Jillian Kohler

Music Director

Jillian is a full-time Home Care Aide for a local “help at home” company in Joliet, Illinois. She lives in Morris, Illinois, and grew up in rural Minooka. Jillian is married to William Kohler, and has one step-daughter, Kyla Kohler.Jillian has been studying and playing music since age six, with her primary instrument being the flute. Since she was ten, Jillian has been playing her flute in Minooka United Methodist Church. Jillian received her Associate’s in Arts at Joliet Junior College, and then went on to study Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.Jillian is a third generation organist and music director at Minooka United Methodist Church. For over thirty years prior to her direction, her Great Uncle Lew Davies served as the organist, and prior to those years, his mother (and Jillian’s Great Grandmother) Bette Davies was the organist for over fifty years!Jillian grew up in Minooka United Methodist Church, and is committed to being the hands and feet of our great Lord. Jillian also serves as the piano player in the MUMC Praise Band. Jillian looks forward to playing and directing music at MUMC for many years to come.