Christ United Methodist Church Surrounded by Snow and Filled with

Christ United Methodist Church in south Elmhurst serves a small, older congregation with few children among its members. Yet it has a youth ministry program that nearly filled its sanctuary on Sunday morning even amid the unplowed side streets leading to the church.

Sunday, February 11, this Methodist church celebrated Scout Sunday in its service, with Boy Scouts, Venturing Scouts, Cub Scouts and Exploring Club members and their families filling up the church. On February 8th, Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 108th birthday since the organization was founded. Some churches celebrate Scout Sunday on the Sunday before the anniversary, but the United Methodist Church celebrates it the Sunday after.

“It is our honor to be the chartering organization for the troops, pack, crew and exploring club,” said Reverend James Fu in comments prior to his sermon. Fu noted he is a former Scoutmaster and has two adult sons that were in Boy Scouts and a daughter currently in Venturing.

Christ United Methodist Church, or CUMC as it is informally known, is host to Troops 17 and 117, Pack 17, Venturing Crew 711 and Exploring Club 1, an all-girl unit. It also hosts multiple Girl Scout units. Combined it serves many more youth than it has congregation members.

CUMC also serves as the home to the monthly adult “Roundtable” meetings at CUMC, where leaders from across the Potawatomi Trails district collaborate, learn and share Scout spirit.Potawatomi Trails district covers Elmhurst, Villa Park, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, Berkley and Hillside.

Scouts from Troop 117 started the service with a flag ceremony where they recited the Scout Oath and Law.