From the Pastor’s Pen
It’s September! We are all going to blink and there will be an Advent wreath standing in the sanctuary. As we move into this new month, the lectionary guides us through a series of readings that talk about faith and action. The book of James this week tells us to, “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” James argues that there is an inseparable link between what we believe and what we do. Our actions tell the real truth about how important our faith is to us.
I want to challenge us to take up a practice this month. September is a month of new beginnings: at work, at school, etc. Can we practice radical hospitality this month? Can we welcome new experiences with grace, hoping that they will deepen our faith in Jesus? There are many ways to practice Christian hospitality at Wesley in September: join us at the welcoming picnic for Students on September 9. Join us at the Cville Pride festival as a volunteer on September 15. Attend a house meeting for IMPACT. Come to Bible study or one of the Forum groups for the first time.
In each environment, we will be challenged to keep our hearts open in those spaces. Our question should be, “Where is God in this place?” When we go looking for Christ’s presence in all aspects of our lives, we will begin to practice the hospitality that he expects from us. May we be doers of that word. Amen.
Pastor Isaac
NEWS AND EVENTS
CHOIR REHEARSAL will begin on Wednesday, September 5 from 7:15pm – 8:45pm in the choir room.
Visitors with or without experience are welcome to join at any time!
BELL CHOIR will begin on Wednesday, September 5 from 6:15pm – 7:15pm in the choir room. Visitors with or without experience are welcome to join at any time!
FIRST THURSDAY LUNCH GROUP will be meeting on September 6 at 11:45am at Peter Chang restaurant in the North Wing of Barracks Road Shopping Center. Please contact either Peggy Bidwell (973-4996) or Gay Morris (293-5330) if you plan to
attend.
YOUNG ADULT FORUM returns on September 9 at 9:30 in Room 202 and is being led by Pastor Isaac.
ADULT FORUM resumes on September 9 at 9:30 in Room 102 with the theme “Exploring Dimensions of Faith: Paul Tillich (1886-1965)”. He was a German-American theologian who used new words to describe the Christian message for the contemporary culture of his time. Is he still relevant for us 50 years later? Carol Cutler, WMUMC member, who studied and published work on Tillich with others in the Paul Tillich Society, will lead the discussion. Please join us – all are welcome for interesting and lively discussions.
ANNUAL WELCOME PICNIC FOR ALL STUDENTS will be held after church on Sunday, September 9. Chicken, beverages, and paper products will be provided. A sign up sheet in Aldersgate is available to volunteer for other potluck picnic foods to share.
CVILLE PRIDE 2018 We will have a table at the Festival on Saturday, September 15, where we will be giving away Wesley Memorial swag and being a witness to the gratuitous love of God. We want the LGBTQ community to know that we are a safe space for them to be open and honest about their identity. Please make a donation earmarked for the Pride Festival Sponsorship if you’d like to help pay for our sponsorship, items that we will give away at the festival, etc. If you would like to help work the Wesley table at Pride, please sign up after church in the Aldersgate room or by emailing Pastor Isaac at pastorisaac@wesleymumc.org We need volunteers from 11-7 that day. If you have questions, please speak with Pastor Isaac or David Sandridge.
THE TUESDAY MORNING BOOK GROUP meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Ed Building, Room 102 on the last Tuesday of each month. We are currently discussing John Chittister’s The Gift of Years.
WESLEY FOUNDATION creates a community for students to question & explore their faith through conversation, community service and worship. We are a United Methodist faith community welcoming students of all faiths, backgrounds and sexual orientation. WF is a place to be and a place to become, where everyone has an opportunity to build their relationship with God by building relationships with each other.
Sunday, 5:00pm, Sunday Night Worship and Communion at the Foundation
Tuesday, 6:00 pm, Dinner and Forum
web: http://wesleyatuva.org/
THANK YOU FROM WESLEY FOUNDATION to Maury and everyone at Wesley for the amazing and delicious cookies! We had given away every single one by Monday at 4pm. At Sunday night worship, the UVA Activities Fair, and to students walking past Monday afternoon on their way to JPJ, we greeted foks with cheery cookies and we couldn’t have done it without you all. Thank you so much for your enthusiastic support and long standing “cookie tradition”!