Pastor Dave

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, Dave has been a pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1995. Dave started serving as Pastor of Minooka UMC in July 2023. 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, reading extensively, and praying contemplatively. He also enjoys geeking out to science fiction and superhero shows and is a White Sox fan. Dave and his spouse Joann have two children and reside in Naperville.

Nativity scene display with figures in stable.

Remember to breathe this Christmas

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,It is well known that I am bad at math, but even I can count the days well enough to realize this is our last newsletter before Christmas. I’m sure many of you are, like my family, feeling the pressure of seemingly innumerable expectations this holiday season. So allow me just

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Nativity scene display with figures in stable.

Give yourself some gifts

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,This Christmas and holiday season, as pressure and responsibilities ratchet up, it can be quite difficult to respond well to God’s incredible gift of self-revelation that is the Incarnation in Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us. My hope for you this Christmas is that you will give yourself some gifts. Give yourself the gift

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Church pulpit with Christmas tree and cross.

Invitation to Observe a Holy Advent

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, Everything feels different now, doesn’t it? Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, temperatures have plummeted, and snow blankets nearly all we see. Here in December, even this early in the month, everything just feels different somehow. I think it is part of the magic and the chaos of this month,

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Church Conference: Embodying Hope

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, Last week in this space, I shared a bit about our Church Conference that occurred at the end of October. You can read part one by clicking here. Read part two by clicking here. Today, I offer the third and final part. I asked our committee chairpersons and the leaders

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Church Conference: Wins

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family, Church Conference was a success! We gathered last week for, as Methodists have historically called it, Holy Conferencing. Meaning it was more than a business meeting.  Though it was a business meeting too. We handled all the required items: —We passed our 2026 budget —We elected our chairpersons and members

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Christmas Eve at Minooka UMC

Wednesday, Dec. 24


4:00PM featuring Pop-up Pageant

 
9:00PM featuring Communion

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