New Book from Jan Rivero: From Trauma to Trust
We are excited to share that Jan Rivero, retired United Methodist clergywoman and longtime ministry leader in Virginia and North Carolina, has released a new spiritual memoir titled From Trauma to Trust.
In this moving narrative, Jan reflects on the experiences, memories, and challenges that shaped her life and ministry. Through revisiting her childhood on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, she explores how faith can sustain us through pain, questions, and healing.
From Trauma to Trust is available in paperback and ebook formats through GoodFaithMedia.org, as well as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. See the official announcement here.
Greening of the Church
SAVE THE DATE! The annual GREENING of the church for the holidays will be Saturday Dec. 6 at 1:00 pm. Fun for the whole family. Crafts, snacks and decorating.
Immigration Defense Fund
Wesley Memorial Immigration Defense Fund provides grant-based support for immigrant families facing legal and humanitarian challenges. Participants contribute through financial or service options. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
Advent Lessons and Carols: Join us for an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols during the 11 AM service on Sunday, December 7th. The bell and adult choirs will lead us in musical preparation for the coming of Christ.
Children’s Christmas Pageant - Our Children’s Christmas pageant will take place during service on December 14th! Families of children and youth, please email tatum@wesleymumc.org to RSVP by Dec 1st if you kid will be part of the pageant and what their preferred part would be. We are excited for an amazing service of joy, led by our children!
Christmas Carol Sing: Join Renita Sheesley Banks and Linda Hanson on Sunday, Dec. 28th, at 3 PM for a Carol Sing in the Epworth hall. If you have a request for a carol that isn’t in the hymnals, please email Linda@wesleymumc.org Feel free to bring surplus Christmas cookies to share!
December 7 – Lessons & Carols
A beautiful service of scripture and song to open the season.
December 14 – Children’s Christmas Pageant
Our kids lead us in telling the story of Jesus’ birth—fun, joyful, and heartwarming.
December 14 at 7:00 PM – Blue Glitter Christmas
A gentle, reflective service for anyone who finds the holidays difficult. Space for grief, hope, and God’s tender presence.
Christmas Eve at 4:00 PM – Family-Friendly Worship
Bring your whole household to our family-friendly Christmas Eve service on Tuesday, December 24 at 4:00 PM at Wesley Memorial. This service is designed with children and families in mind:
Whether you’re a longtime member, a college student staying in town, or visiting family for the holidays, you are welcome here. Come as you are and celebrate the light of Christ born among us.
Help Wanted: Offering Counter(s) for the next year's teams!
We need at least one new counter, and ideally could use three more - one would continue the 5-week schedule, and three would let us go to a six week schedule!
Training is provided, but if you've ever entered information in your checkbook (or budget sheet), you can handle this essential task for the church. Contact Sue Lewis - swlcvlle@gmail.com or 434-295-1485
Church Rideshare
Would you be willing to give a family a ride to church? We have a few families in a 10 minute radius of church who are looking for rides so they can come consistently on Sunday. If you are able, please contact Tatum@wesleymumc.org (even those who come early can help!) Thank you!
Pre-Order Tatum’s Book! A Lenten Devotional focusing on Disability Justice called Blessed is the Body: Disability Justice and the Community of Christ.
This devotional combines Tatum’s personal story, Lenten reflection, Scripture, and Disability culture and history. It includes sections each day of Lent to read scripture, reflect from a Disability perspective on that scripture, consider reflection questions provided, and connect it to embodied practices each day. Then each Sunday, there is a prayer that ties together the themes of the week. It’s a thought provoking, interactive read that blends Disability justice and Lenten theology with creativity and depth. Published through Herald Press, there will be both a print and audio version (in Tatum’s voice) available in December in time for Lent 2026!
Sunday Morning Forum | Sundays, 9:30am | Room 102/Zoom
This week, we will watch a series of videos that the United Methodist Church put out for advent. They will give space to reflect on what advent means for us as a church and dive into the theology behind what this season brings as understood by our tradition. It will be both an educational and reflective time of joining in this series of videos with the broader UMC community. Click here to join on Zoom.
Choir
Curious about choir? Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7-8:30 PM in the choir room. New members welcome! Email Linda Hanson, linda@wesleymumc.org.
Handbell Choir
Handbell choir in the education building room 101. Questions? Contact Joshua Barbish, gaj3vn@virginia.edu
Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
WMUMC will again participate in collecting items for the residents at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. These items must be purchased by the women except for the once yearly gifts that are sponsored by Grace Inside, Virginia's Prison Chaplain Service. The ministry is supported entirely by donations from individuals, churches & other organizations throughout Virginia and the Effort Baptist Church administers this program. New this year is that gifts will actually be distributed to the residents in July instead of at Thanksgiving. This means donations will be accepted any time of the year, but we are asking for items now as it is traditionally coming into the giving season. Please bring the items to the box in the narthex.
Remember the prison does NOT PERMIT ANY substitutions or additional items. They also need greeting cards for all occasions WITHOUT foil on the cards/envelops. FCCW specifically does NOT need pencils or stamps at present. If you would like to give a cash donation please mark it so & place in offering.
Please contact Sandy Staggers with questions. sandystaggers@embarqmail.com or 434-882-0450. Thank you!