United Methodist Church Reaching the Local Community!
By Cindy Ladage
The Pawnee Methodist Church has a long history in town with the first church being established in 1864, a year before the ending of the Civil War! Today it is a vibrant part of our town’s faith community. Headed up by Rev. Bobby Davis, the church is reaching out to the local community through a series of opportunities to worship and learn about Jesus.
Reverand Bobby Davis
Rev. Davis has been in Pawnee for four years and along with the Pawnee United Methodist Church, also ministers to the Divernon United Methodist Church, and Thayer United Methodist Church. Previously Rev. Bobby Davis previously served Ellsworth, Colfax, and Pleasant Grove Methodist Churches from July 1, 2018, to July 1 of 2021.
Today he and his mother Erna Davis Dean live in the parsonage in Pawnee. Although each of the three churches he serves are Methodist and in small towns, Rev. Davis said each church has its own distinct personality.
“I am full time,” he said about the three churches he serves. In an early Facebook post when Rev. Davis began at Pawnee on July 1st , 2021, he shared a bit about himself. “I’m originally from the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Illinois area which is south of Pawnee Illinois, and I considered that my home. My faith journey began when I came to know Jesus Christ as my savior at the age of 14. Since then, I have been involved in different areas of ministry throughout my life and it was and it’s still a joy to be a part of. I am indeed a Cardinals fan and love to be outdoors, cook (not the greatest lol), reading, teaching God’s word, being with family, having a nice cup of coffee and conversation with people and enjoy history. When I attended 2012 Annual Conference and Bishop Keaton gave the invitation for those that felt the call to go into ministry, I knew right then the Lord was speaking into my heart even though I was hesitant to go up.”
This call to follow God resulted in Rev. Davis completing an associate’s in arts degree from Lewis and Clark Community College and continuing to complete the coursework for License to Preach School at the United Methodist Center in Springfield, Illinois. Since then, he enrolled in the St. Paul School of Theology in Leewood, Kansas. He takes courses online and expects to be done in the next two years.
This sports minded minister that loves the Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and working out has made his home here in Pawnee.
The Pawnee United Methodist Church Outreach
“We have 20-30 in attendance,” Rev. Davis said. “We are small, but mighty. We are trying to do more outreach and discipleship.”
Rev. Davis said the church is also active in the community. “I am a crossing guard at the school every morning,” he said which gives him a chance to interact with kids and parents alike.
Sunday school is available to all ages at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, and worship is at 11:00 a.m. “Worship is blended, it is a combination of the Praise team, and traditional singing.”
For those unable to make it to service, a livestream option is offered. The link for this can be found on their Facebook page. The mission for the Pawnee United Methodist Church is, “The Pawnee United Methodist Church welcomes Christians and those who seek to understand Christianity in the Pawnee area. Our aim is to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-enhancing Christian journey.”
A new outreach they are offering from the United Methodist Church is a grief ministry. “People that are grieving need to find comfort and hope,” Rev. Bobby Davis said.
The grief ministry is open to all. Besides the grief ministry, they also have a fun community opportunity with free Bingo the 2nd Tuesday of the month. The next bingo will be on October 8th. It is from 10-11:30 a.m. “We offer coffee and donuts and snacks.”
Rev. Davis said he also offers a five-week Bible study rotating between the three churches. The Bible study is open to all, and participants may travel to the other churches and join in when it is not being held in Pawnee. Bible study wraps up in Divernon on October 16th and begins in Pawnee on October 23rd continuing until November 20th. It is held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night and is open to all. “Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be a member to attend, God’s grace is open to all. We encourage everyone to come and bring a friend.”
Besides the five-week Bible studies, there is also a Men’s Bible Study Prayer group that meets at Tony’s Café the 3rd Saturday of the Month. The next meeting is October 19th. “Me and a colleague share, we have a devotion study and dine. We meet here rather than at the church to be out there, so others can see outreach.”
With the holidays right around the corner, everyone will want to mark their calendar for the popular December 14th cookie walk and Bizarre that takes place from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Come early, baked goods go fast! This is a great opportunity to share some Christmas gifts or goodies.
Church History
The church has been part of the Pawnee community for160 years! According to the history on the Village of Pawnee website, the church was established here in 1864. The church was, “the result of a revival conducted by Rev. J. N. Reed of Chatham, Illinois – with Peter Cartwright as the presiding Elder. The first church building was erected on the southwest corner of 1st and Jefferson Streets.”
Peter Cartwright, the circuit rider preacher made his home in Pleasant Plains, Illinois the last years of his life, and there is a historic marker sharing a bit of his history. The Village website continues about the church’s history, “The one room church, with a small bell tower, was dedicated Christmas Day, 1865.
It was later replaced by another church in 1902 at the southeast corner of 6th and Washington Streets. The current brick structure dedicated on December 10, 1978, replaced the 1902 structure.” 
Recently the church, which is a lovely combination of the old stained-glass windows, and modern amenities, added a new sign to the front of the church.
To find out more about the Pawnee United Methodist Church, check out their Facebook page, or call 217-625-4381.