The Bridge United Methodist Church

06/02/2026

The Bridge’s Mission Project at Midwest Food Bank is in ONE WEEK, on Tuesday, June 9th from 6-7:30pm. We would love to have your help packing boxes of food for people in our area. Please sign up here: https://volunteer.midwestfoodbank.org/opportunities/ej5LHQODtH

This is an active volunteer activity that requires participants to stand. Ages 5+ only.

The Bridge will be helping at Midwest Food Bank on Tuesday, June 9th from 6-7:30pm. We would love to have your help packing boxes of food for people in our area. Please sign up here: https://volunteer.midwestfoodbank.org/opportunities/ej5LHQODtH

This is an active volunteer activity that requires participants to stand. Ages 5+ only.

06/02/2026

The Missions collection for June 7th will focus on supporting Central Illinois Friends. We are seeking bottled water along with packaged nut-free snacks that can be provided to patients after blood and lab testing.

Central Illinois Friends is a local public health organization which offers free medical and counseling services to the LGBTQ+ community in Peoria and the surrounding area. Their mission evolved out of the poor response to the AIDS epidemic in the early 1990’s, and since has become a not-for-profit organization that helps support people living with HIV as well as vulnerable community members in need of comprehensive clinical care and supportive services. In addition to comprehensive sexual education, they link affected individuals to proper care, provide testing for sexually transmitted infections, and provide mental health counseling. All of this is done in an environment of anonymity along with compassionate and personalized care.

Please consider donating bottled water and nut-free packaged snacks to help support Central Illinois Friends and its mission for a healthier community.

06/01/2026

https://youtu.be/8oo8z6p_n6U

www.thebridgeumc.org

06/01/2026

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

In Jesus’s last commandment to the Disciples, he instructed them to “go forth”. Jesus did not instruct them to make Sunday morning worship perfect. Jesus did not instruct them to fixate on building a beautiful church space. Jesus did not instruct them to exclude people from the church. We are instructed to go out to all people and serve them as Christ would every day of the week and in every place we go.

You can find the Pastor Tom’s full sermon here: https://youtu.be/8oo8z6p_n6U?si=BI4RTjOR7aJnxQfd

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month to our LGBTQ+ siblings! You are all made, loved, and seen by God.

The Bridge would like to take this moment to also recognize the work of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a faith-based response to homophobia in the United Methodist Church since 1984. The UMC still has a long way to go before we reach full justice and inclusion across all congregations, but the RMN has helped make great strides since its formation.

To learn more about their work: https://rmnetwork.org/who-we-are/

To follow a Pride Month Devotional: https://rmnetwork.org/resources/queer-devotions-one-month-of-prayer-prose/

06/01/2026

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1B5y1gLi5kKgtsD1TnuDVf?si=Uc5Nn-4-QVq1zlhuzh6M5Q

05/31/2026

The Bridge is joining Bread for the World's "Nourish our Future Campaign" to...
1. Restore, protect, and strengthen U.S. nutrition programs—including SNAP and WIC
2. Fully fund and strengthen global food, health, and development programs
3. Pass a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that supports farmers, strengthens communities, and helps end hunger at home and overseas.

You can help by writing a letter to your senator and/or representative urging them to help families and children experiencing hunger and poverty- no matter where they live. We will be writing letters in church on Sunday, or you can complete yours at home by following these instructions.

Go to the Bread for the World Website --> Downloadable Tools --> Tools for Letters and Emails --> Download and Edit the "OL - Sample Letter" --> Bring to Church July 7th or 14th.

Bread for the World's Website: https://www.bread.org/offering-letters/

05/31/2026

Pastor Tom Goodell really loves old baseball cards, so in honor of his last preaching Sunday before retirement, we made him one. After 37 years in ministry, Pastor Tom (and family) have served at 9 churches.

During his time with them, each of these churches saw their congregations grow. He's done approximately 300 baptisms, 350 confirmations, and over 1,100 sermons. These stats do not include all of the hours at bedsides, funerals, weddings, Bible coloring sheets, children's lessons, meetings, and more that cannot be tracked. Thank you Pastor Tom, for almost 40 years of Shining God's Light in Central Illinois.

05/31/2026

www.thebridgeumc.org

05/29/2026

We’re so excited to welcome Pastor Will Meachum as our new Lead Pastor at The Bridge in July. To celebrate, we’re going to have a Meet-the-Pastor Potluck after church on July 19th. Please sign up to bring a dish or utensil here: https://www.signupready.com/go/Z6B9gI55aR