Despite losing half of the church roof due to high winds late Friday night, the people of First United Methodist Church in Elgin, Ill., are looking ahead even as they wipe away tears.

As storms raced across much of the Midwest, the wind barreled down on First UMC—located 40 miles northwest of Chicago—a few minutes before midnight on March 14. It tore off about half of the copper roof over the sanctuary of this 101-year-old building.

Underneath the roof, rainwater leaked through the ceiling slats, causing some water damage.

Rev. Dr. Felicia LaBoy, the church’s pastor, was busy from about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, working with roofers, the police department, church trustees, and others who came to survey damage, provide urgent help, and determine next steps.

While Pastor LaBoy was clearly shaken by the situation, her faith never wavered.

“First, I thank God,” she says. “God has been with us throughout. In the midst of this, God has brought neighbors, the [United Methodist] connection, and many others alongside to help us.”

Bishop Dan Schwerin, leader of the Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, expresses gratitude for “the ways that God has brought resilience in the face of this storm from Rev. Dr. Felicia LaBoy, her congregation, and the connection of The United Methodist Church. First United Methodist Church of Elgin has been a good neighbor for many years and their neighbors are responding in kind with the love and mutual benefit we know in Christ.

“We are so grateful that there was no loss of life. These are the moments we consider the lilies and trust that God will provide clothing for this ministry and sustaining love and power for the days ahead.”

Indeed, the community’s affection for this church is the fruit of the congregation’s practical love for its neighbors. One of Pastor LaBoy’s first tasks after being appointed to that church was to meet community leaders such as the police chief, the fire department head, a city council member, and many others.

From them, she learned of community needs. The church houses Youth Build, a ministry that provides teens at risk help with homework, training in the construction field, breakfast every morning, and more. (A neighboring church donates milk.)

Maria Stamos, who heads that organization, spoke of her gratitude for not only the church’s providing a gathering space, but the interest that church members take in the youth. For example, a woman at the church knitted hoodies for each of the program’s participants.

The church offers a free meal on Monday nights, provides a meeting room to an Alcoholics Anonymous group for Spanish speakers, and opens its doors monthly to those who need a warm place to stay on cold Northern Illinois nights. Friday night was its last shelter day of the season. About 50 guests were sleeping in the basement when the storm hit. No one was injured.

United Methodists from across the episcopal area have pledged their prayers and offered their assistance, including a place to worship. (First UMC will offer online worship on March 16 at 10 a.m. and a prayer vigil at noon in the park next door.)

Jane Duffy, a 60-year member of the church, held doorkeeper duty on Saturday, making sure that folks did not enter the building while its safety was being assessed. She also listened to visitors’ concerns and thanked them for their interest.

Like other church members, she echoed what others said—she was “heartbroken” by the damage.

“It’s devastating,” she said. “At times like this, you think of all that has happened at the church—the baptisms and much more. The building is like a home to us.”

In addition to church members’ stopping by the building on Saturday, many neighbors—including Steve Thoren, a town council member, and the police chaplain—did as well. The investment that the church made in its community returned in the form of neighbors’ heartfelt concern and their offers to help with recovery.

This is not the First UMC’s first time to face a natural disaster. About 105 years ago, the church’s previous building on that corner of “Holy Hill”—where many churches are located—was demolished by a tornado.

Last year, the congregation celebrated the hundredth anniversary of this building, which replaced the one lost to a tornado. The congregation has been gathering as a church for 137 years.

Just three months ago, a pipe burst on the building’s third floor, and recovery from that continues.

Colin Monk, who heads the conference disaster response team, said that the conference will request a solidarity grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

He urges United Methodists to give generously on UMCOR Sunday, March 30, in thanks for its gift to us in our conference’s time of need.

After surveying the damage and expressing awe at the number of people expressing love for the church and Pastor LaBoy’s hope-filled leadership, Bishop Schwerin invited United Methodists to join him in this prayer:

“God, we give you thanks for the powerful faithfulness of this historic congregation, First United Methodist Church of Elgin. We know that you have stood with them through other storms and you have brought the power and love we know as Christ into their lives and through their lives to impact many. 

“We thank you that there was no loss of life and that you have reminded us of your deep connections through the neighbors who have responded with love and generosity. We thank you for the connection that works together for good to demonstrate your love. Grant, O God, that the days ahead would visit resilience on this congregation and that your name would be praised in Elgin and the world beyond because of the ways that our connection responds to your love. We pray, O God, for a double portion of your spirit for the pastor, staff, and leaders, for it is in Christ's name that we ask it. Amen.”

Bishop Schwerin encourages churches and individuals to make monetary gifts to the church to help not only with physical repairs but continuing ministry. This info is from the video of him taken at the church.

“I can see a thousand ways that they could spend it,” he said.

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