Reimagining Church: Making Room for Belief
In this column, Rev. Christian Coon reflects on the importance of making space in the church for both doubt and belief. Drawing on the idea that the Holy Spirit is actively at work am…
Posted: May 31 2026 at 04:50 PM
Author: Lisa Smith
Hope was alive on May 31 as an intergenerational group of over 300 gathered to celebrate the spirit of Pentecost.
For the third year in a row, churches in the Freeport area gathered in the Oakdale Tabernacle to worship together. Sixteen churches planned the event together with multiple choirs and pastors taking part in the service. The service was focused on the Northern Illinois Conference’s 2026 theme, “Practicing Hope.”
Churches involved included Cedarville UMC; Dakota UMC; Calvary UMC in Davis; First UMC in Forreston; Faith UMC, First UMC, and Harmony UMC, all in Freeport; German Valley UMC; Leaf River UMC; Lena UMC; Orangeville UMC; First UMC in Pearl City; Pecatonica UMC, Rock Grove UMC; Bethel UMC in Shannon; and Wesley UMC in Stockton.
Worshipers gathered under the recently renovated roof of the historic Oakdale Tabernacle.
The praise band of Faith UMC in Freeport led the music and were joined by other singers offering special selections.
Pastor Leslie Stanford preaches the children's message to more than 25 children before sending them off with bags of activities about Pentecost.
The service ended with the celebration of communion, reminding worshipers that while they attend separate churches, they all come to the same table.Â
