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Sycamore UMC
Reaches Out to Community Youth
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“Under the roof of our church, at-risk young people are finding acceptance, compassion and a loving welcome.”
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“We extend a warm welcome to those who need to be reminded of their worth, their value and their place in God’s abundant and colorful garden.”
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-- Rev. Nancy Weingartner
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Early this fall, Pastor Nancy Weingartner, Associate Pastor and youth leader, Diane Parrish from Sycamore United Methodist Church attended a presentation about homelessness in DeKalb County. They learned about pressing needs in the community, especially for at-risk children and teens – some who are homeless, others in difficult family situations, others attending alternative high school. Weingartner felt inspired to take action. She enlisted the help from the congregation. As a first step, the congregation donated warm winter clothes. Pastor Weingartner continued to research the needs of at-risk kids and learned that the teens needed more than clothes. She had the opportunity to meet three teens and she asked them, “If the church could provide a place for you to be after school, what would it look like?” The teens responded eagerly, “Food,” said one, “Just a couch to sit on,” or “Something fun to do,” said others.
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Weingartner arranged to meet the teens again at the school bus stop in a few days and was expecting to see the three teens she had talked to. She didn’t and some fun activities and a safe place to hang out. Pastor Weingartner also shared some rules and a short devotion. The program now takes place every Monday and Wednesday afternoon. “It is with absolute joy,” says Weingartner, “that I share that our church is becoming ‘home’ to a population of youth in our community that need a space, a place to connect with others. Under the roof of our church, at-risk young people are finding acceptance, compassion and a loving welcome.”
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In just two months, the program has grown quickly and now has as many as twenty-four teens are dropping in. The church has partnered with local social service agency, the Ben Gordon Center who provides trained staff who work alongside church members to mentor and provide adult leadership for the teens. The church has warmed to this venture by providing ping-pong and air hockey tables. Some church members are now in training “to learn more about how to get involved.”
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The teens have taken on service projects, cleaning up the roadside and serving a meal to a recent Northern Illinois Conference gathering of over 100 people. For their hard work, they earned gift certificates to shop at Steve & Barry’s, a popular teen clothing store. “One teen told Pastor Weingartner – this is the first pair of new pants I have had since I was five.” On another occasion, the teens were taken to Noodles Restaurant for a meal and then heard the store and regional managers talking to them about career opportunities. They have enjoyed apple picking and have even learned how to make apple pie. The Ben Gordon agency, a local social service agency is thrilled with the work that Sycamore is doing. The agency said that they hoped to provide just these kinds of services for at-risk kids, but they didn’t have a place to do it until the church offered their space and their willing volunteers.
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Pastor Weingartner has even given a name to this ministry, “Wildflowers,” because she says, “This is like a garden planted in our midst. We extend a warm welcome to those who need to be reminded of their worth, their value and their place in God’s abundant and colorful garden.”
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