| JUNE 29 - Pastor Sara's Final Service - ONE SERVICE at 10:00am On the last Sunday of June, we’ll be having a single service at 10:00am instead of the usual two services. This will also be Pastor Sara’s final service as Pastor at Wesley UMC Bloomington before she moves on to become the superintendent of the East District of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. We invite you to join us at 10:00am to show Pastor Sara our appreciation and thanks for her years of leadership and guidance to our church and wish her well in the next stage of her journey. |
|
|
| As many of you know, following the reappointment of Pastor Sara, Wesley UMC will be receiving a new Senior Pastor, Pastor Nic Showalter! We're confident that the community of Wesley UMC will be excellent in their acceptance and welcome of Pastor Nic, and we all will do our part in aiding this process.
To the right, you can find a link to a video that Pastor Nic was kind enough to send us to say "hello" again to our congregation. Click on the image of Pastor Nic if you'd like to watch!
Below, you can find links to two resources that our Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) believes can be helpful in welcoming a new pastor to a congregation. We encourage you to give them a look!
And of course, remember to wear your name-tag if you have one! |
|
Click above for a video greeting from Pastor Nic! |
|
Peace with Justice Offering Update |
| The Peace with Justice offering last Sunday reached a total of $1,261.00 from 24 contributors. that's way up from the amount gathered last year, which reached $195. Thank you, Wesley UMC! |
|
|
| Active Now! Contact Barb Brown to reserve a ride or volunteer! |
|
| Funds raised go towards Home Sweet Home’s shelter village, The Bridge! |
|
|
|
| Big News for Associate Pastors JW and Kelsey! |
| During the week of Annual Conference (June 5th to 7th), we celebrated great accomplishments for both of our Associate Pastors, Pastor JW and Pastor Kelsey:
Pastor JW Barnett was commissioned at Annual Conference – which means he is authorized for all pastoral duties wherever he is appointed, in preparation for his ordination.
In Denver, Colorado, Pastor Kelsey Ross graduated from Iliff School of Theology with a Masters Degree in Divinity, a huge accomplishment in her path as an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church.
Be sure to wish them both well if you see them, and congratulate them on their accomplishments! |
|
|
| Annual Conference Report from Pastor Sara |
Last week, several Wesley clergy, staff and laypersons traveled to Peoria for the IGRC Annual Conference! In a more detailed report linked through the button below, you can read about some of the truly blessed work that our people did together with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference leadership. (There are plenty of photos from the week as well!) |
|
|
|
|
Pastor Sara's Heritage Tour Sermon! |
For the sermon on January 8th, Pastor Sara recounted her 10 day journey in England following the footsteps of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. There is a trove of fascinating and meaningful information as well as pictures that Pastor Sara took herself, and we've gathered them for our congregation to read and view online. Use the buttons below to read the transcript of the sermon and see the pictures! |
|
|
|
| Vacation Bible School! July 16 to Aug 6 | 6:00 - 7:15pm Sign up forms are available at welcome desk and around the Wesley building! Contact Kathi Pritts at KPritts@Wesley-UMC.com if you have any questions.
|
|
Be There Board - SURGE Activities! |
If you walked in the parking lot entrance, you might have noticed our new bulletin board. Surge has had what we call a “Be There Board” for a couple of years now, but we’ve decided to bring it upstairs for the entire congregation to be able to view. Our youth will write information on their events, concerts, plays, ceremonies, graduations, games, etc. on that board, and we hope you’ll join us in showing up for one another, as we have done within Surge for the past few years. If you wouldn’t mind, please make it over to the entry every couple weeks and read what amazing things our kids have going on that you might be able to attend. See who you can be there for that week! |
|
|
Members of our congregation are departing next week to take part in the annual Bell Camp in Parkville, MO from June 22-27. Please pray for our participating members, that they may have an exciting and transformative experience worshiping through music! |
|
|
| Wesley Directory - Photos and Log-ins! We're no longer taking photos for the directory, but you can still upload your own! If you've signed up for the Wesley Church Directory we encourage you to upload a photo for your account to help folks match faces to names. You can either upload your photo through instantchurchdirectory.com/ or you can email them to Josie Lash at connect@wesley-umc.com.
If you've already signed up for the directory online or filled out a printed sign up form but haven't been sent a sign-in link via email, please reach out to Josie at connect@wesley-umc.com and we'll get you set up as soon as possible. And of course, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you, Wesley! |
|
|
| Note about previous directory information: If you have already been included in previous printed Wesley Directories (like the directory from 2020) and would like that information transferred into Wesley's new digital directory, that is something we can help with. Just contact us at connect@wesley-umc.com and let us know that you'd like the information transferred, and we'll make it happen. Transferring photos is also possible, but not recommended as the printed directory photos have a lower resolution and show up a bit fuzzy when scanned.
Also, if you would prefer to have your directory profile be photo-less, that is also possible. We're hoping that this directory can be helpful for newer members (including our incoming Pastor!) with putting faces to names, but we don't want to require anyone to use a photo if they're not comfortable. Please just let us know via email or let Josie know at Wesley your preference, and we'll honor it. Thank you Wesley! |
|
|
|
| Meet Your Bible Wednesdays from 6-7pm • Led by Pastor JW and Kathi Pritts From Share Church Website: “This resource offers a six-session Bible overview course perfect for introducing Scripture to new believers or refreshing the faith of longtime followers. It explores the Bible’s core message, historical context, and key Christian doctrines. (This Study will) equip your congregation with a deeper understanding of God’s Word through this versatile resource, suitable for both small group and classroom settings.”
Contact Kathi Pritts at KPritts@Wesley-UMC.com for more information. |
|
We Believe - How the Nicene Creed Can Deepen Your Faith |
|
|
|
| New Adult Sunday School Class - Sundays at 10:15 in the Lounge Did you know that the Nicene Creed is 1700 years old this year? "Discover how the ancient Nicene Creed can transform your spiritual journey in Michael Carpenter's empowering book, We Believe: How the Nicene Creed Can Deepen Your Faith. Personal anecdotes and practical insights guide you to a profound connection with God. Dive into six chapters, covering the Nicene Creed sequentially, that unpack the essence of it, enriching reader's faith and deepening their understanding of Christian beliefs." |
|
|
|
| Our next paper distribution is this Saturday, June 21st. Thank you to all who have contributed to this vital ministry. Without you, volunteers you come to pack bags would have little to pack for the 500 families we serve each month. God has blessed this ministry through your generosity and your sharing of your time and talents. We are so grateful!
If you are still wanting to contribute, we need the following items:
- Body Wash
- Shampoo
- Baby All in One Wash
- Disinfectant Cleaning supplies: Lysol, Spic N Span, Chlorox, etc
- Diapers: Sizes 5, 6, 7 and Goodnites SM and LXL
- Monetary donations
Thank you!
Karen Daudelin WDM Coordinator |
|
|
|
There are many ways to give from the safety and comfort of your home. The easiest way is to click below to give online with our secure and SSL-encrypted donation site. |
|
| You may also submit an online offering by texting. To do this, simply text: "${your donation amount}OFFERING" to:(309) 822-4442 |
|
| For mail-in offerings, please mail a check to: Wesley United Methodist Church - 502 East Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701
|
|
|
|
| Join the Plarn Sleeping Mat Weavers! Mark your calendars! Throughout the year, Plarn Weavers will meet every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 9:00am to noon in the Conference Room. They're always looking for new members!
For questions, contact Sue Deason at (309) 838-8024 or suevk@yahoo.com. |
|
|
|
You can view the June 2025 issue of News of Wesley online! Click the image to the left to view or download! |
|
| Wesley's Bright Beginnings is Looking for New Board Members! Wesley’s Bright Beginnings is looking for new board members to help guide this important ministry! Board meetings are once a month on the 3rd Thursday at 6:30 in the Lounge. Please reach out to board chair, John Twork, with questions or to get more info! (jdtwork@gmail.com) |
|
|
|
|
|
