Volume 17, No 3 Wesley United Methodist Church 544 Government Street Baton Rouge, LA. 70802 Phone: (225) 343-8421 July 3, 2016

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Joe Connelly Former Associate Pastor: Rev. Bernadine Johnson

Newsletter Editors: Anita H. Hansberry, Bridget McGee, Jacquelyn Watts and Carolyn Branch

“Wesley, a Church in the Heart of the City, with the City at Heart”

Pastor’s Corner

- Fellowship

-Opportunities for Ministry

Celebrate, Cultivate,

Connect, and Contribute

-Unity

-Servanthood

As we focus on the development and growth of our

church, the following is a way forward. After

months of prayer and discernment, I believe

FOCUS 2020 will enable us to be in the place

where God wants us to be, grow our congregation,

and have a defined impact in the transformation of

lives. No matter how much and hard I pray,

FOCUS cannot be effective without each member

being an active part and sharing wholeheartedly the

gifts God has given them. Over the next few

months, I will unveil to our leadership team, all of

FOCUS 2020. As we move into the fall, and

discern and elect new leadership, those persons will

be responsible for bringing the component parts of

FOCUS into a reality. I ask now for your continued

prayers and support as we as a body strive to be

faithful to our call from God.

“First Steps to being a

Transformed Congregation”:

1. Prayer

2. Celebration of Worship

3. Re-visioning & Mission Deployment

4. Changed culture and understanding of the

context where we serve

5. Unleashing the gifts embedded within our

congregation and community

Blessings,

Pastor Joe

Sunday, July 3, 2016 ~ Summer Quarter

Communion Sunday “All are welcome at the Lord’s Table”

THE WESLEY PERSPECTIVE

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Welcome Visitors & Friends

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors ~ Welcome to Wesley United Methodist Church... May the peace and Spirit of the Lord inspire you to answer the call to Christian discipleship in 2016.

PRONOUNCEMENTS

Please visit us on the Internet: Our web address

is: www.wesleybr.org

The office e-mail address is: office@wesleybr.org

Twitter: @wesleyumcbr

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/wesleybatonrouge

THE LOUISIANA NOW, currently a quarterly

magazine that highlights opportunities, witness and

the various ministries for the Louisiana Annual

Conference is now available online at

www.la-umc.org/lanow/current

On the conference homepage, there is a link to

subscribe to the weekly Louisiana Now E-Letter

To access United Methodist Men, United Methodist

Women, or Youth Ministries, go to the main page of

the LA Conference. Click on Ministries, and then

click on Laity. Note: there is a link to access the

new websites for United Methodist Women

[http://umwla.org] and United Methodist Men

[http://www.gcumm.org].

Other web resources:

www.umc-gbcs.org

www.gbgm-umc.org (Mission)

www.tenthousanddoors.org

www.gbhem.org (Scholarships)

www.gbod.org (Discipleship)

www.umns.umc.org (News)

The Church Office must be notified of ALL

Meetings to be held at the church to avoid

schedule conflicts. Cards will be sent out one

week prior to the meeting date, if the office knows

of the meeting and the persons who are to attend.

SAFETY REMINDER: Young children (under the

age of 12) leaving the Sanctuary during worship

services to visit restrooms, water fountain, the

nursery, narthex or any part of the building should

be accompanied by a parent or another responsible

adult. Thank you for your cooperation.

Reminders!!

The Church van is available if you need a ride

to Sunday School and Worship; please call the

church office at 225-343-8421 by Thursday of

each week to put your name on the list.

All vouchers, receipts, reimbursements, etc.

must be submitted to the Finance Committee by

Wednesday of each week.

Announcements to be made during Sunday

Worship Service should be received in the

church office by Thursday at noon.

If you have moved recently/changed your

telephone number or email address or if you or

a member of your family are ill or hospitalized,

etc. please notify the church office by phone or

email.

All meetings, rehearsals, trainings and class

studies must be scheduled through the church

office to avoid conflicts.

If you are in church with your smartphone, you

are invited to tweet or post on Facebook your

church attendance.

Church directories are available after worship.

Attention: All ministry area budget requests for 2017 are due by July 30th.

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Sunday School theme for the 2016

Summer Quarter: “Toward A New Creation”

Unit I. June~ Judgement and Salvation

[Zephaniah 1:4-6, 14-16; 2:3; 3:1-8, 9-14,20

Unit II. A World Gone Wrong

June 26 Lesson Title: Ignoring

God’s Plain Truth ~ Scripture Romans

5:1-11

July 3 Lesson Title: Needing

More Than Law ~ Scripture: Romans

2:17-29

July 10 Lesson Title: Struggling

Under Sin’s Power ~ Scripture: Romans

3:9-20

July 17 Lesson Title: God Set

Things Right ~ Scripture: Romans 3:21-

31

Unit III. Life on God’s Terms

July 24 Lesson Title: Unwavering

Hope ~ Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

July 31 Lesson Title: From Death

to Life ~ Scripture: Romans 6:1-4, 12-

14, 17-23

August 7 Lesson Title: More Than

Conquerors ~ Romans 8:28-39

August 14 Lesson Title: Living Under

God’s Mercy ~Scripture: Romans 9:6-18

August 21 Lesson Title: Grafted In ~

Scripture: Romans 11: 11-24

August 28 Lesson Title: Love Fulfills

the Law ~ Scripture: Romans 12:1,2;

13:8-10

Discover the spiritual enrichment, maturity and

joy that learning can bring. Make Sunday

School attendance a priority and pray for

discernment to answer God’s call for your life.

United Methodist Men’s Bible Study

meets 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.

The United Methodist Women will resume

their monthly meeting after the summer break

on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00

a.m. Please join us as we:

Seek to know God

Experience freedom as whole persons

through Jesus Christ

Create and maintain a supportive

fellowship and

Expand the concepts of mission

UMW Mission u July 20-23 at the Wesley

Center~ See Anita Hansberry for Registration

information. 2016 Studies: Geographical: Latin

America: People and Faith; or Issue: Climate

Justice: Call to Hope and Action. Everyone will

participate in the Spiritual Growth Study: The

Bible and Human Sexuality

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June 12, 2016 [Preschool, Elementary, Middle

School, High School, College and Post

Graduate]

Wesley UMC~ 2016 Scholarship Recipients:

Anika Clark & Gwynn Shamlin, III (Tre’)

“Journey to Joy:

Jesus is the Strength for Life” Class were available for all ages

June 13-17

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OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Remember the following persons in your

thoughts and prayers Myrtle Alexander (Care Facility)

Lillian Brule’

Pastor Joe Connelly

Catherine Dawson (Care Facility)

Kendra Ennis (Home)

Anne Gaines (Home)

Sherwood Gaines (Care Facility)

Virginia Gaines (Care Facility)

Preston Hall

Lillian Hill

Eric Mitchell

Lillian Robinson

Yvette Smith

Lusinda Warren

Anissa Williams

Mack Willis (Care Facility)

Wilhelmenia Woods

On a recent Care Ministry visit it was decided that we would

extend our 150th celebration by presenting certificates to

Virginia and Sherwood Gaines for more than 50 years of

devoted service to Wesley. The short program was attended

by some of the patients of the Guest House along with Leola

Mitchell, Rose Mason, Elmira Beal, Lusinda Warren and their

daughter Cherilyn. After Leola gave a short speech about their

service and reading the words of the certificate, Mrs. Beal

ended by singing "The Lord is my Light and my

Salvation". Afterwards pastries were left for the patients to

have with their coffee.

Best Wishes Pastor Joe!

Rev. Joe Connelly, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church,

in Baton Rouge, will serve as the Co-Chairman for the 2016

Salvation Army Golf Tournament Fundraiser. The date for the

tournament is October 25, at University Golf Course. Below is

some information about the Salvation Army. If you would like

to be involved or contribute, please see Pastor Joe.

About The Salvation Army

"Doing The Most Good." In these four words, our mission - to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care, to rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to recovery. In fighting hunger and poverty, we can feed and nurture the spirit. And, in living and sharing the Christian Gospel by meeting tangible needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs.

The Salvation Army operates 7,546 centers in communities across the United States. These include food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children's programs. Our work is funded through kettle donations, corporate contributions, and the sale of goods donated to our Salvation Army Family Stores. Eighty-two cents of every dollar we spend supports our various missions across the country. We are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions are deductible for Federal Income Tax Purposes to the extent permitted under Section 170(b)(2) for corporations.

Our mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

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On Sunday, June 26, 2016 our congregation

extended an “Order of Farewell” and best wishes to

Rev. Bernadine (“Bernie”) Johnson who will

assume a position at the Louisiana United

Methodist Conference Office on Tuesday, July 2nd

as Director of Connectional Ministries and

Congregational Vitality. As was stated in the

expressions Rev. Bernie’s leaving is

“Bittersweet”…bitter because we will miss her

consistent, diligent encouragement, support and

guidance…sweet because we wish her the best as

she journeys to a new level of ministry that will

surely continue to bless others. Among the

memento presented to her was a copy of the Lent

2013: A Season of Prayer and Fasting devotional

booklet signed by persons who submitted prayers

and meditations all because of her constant

invitations to participate and her desire to see the

project to completion.

Snapshots from the day~ Courtesy of Dr. Donna Washington

Special Charge Conference A special Charge Conference took place following the Worship Service on Sunday, June 26, 2016 to address a Trustee Concern. Mr. Melvin Mitchell presented the item of concern related to the proposed purchase of property on Napoleon Street which is adjacent to the east side of Wesley’s property if you are facing the back of the church on France Street. Following the discussion of vital items to continue exploring, the motion to allow the Trustees to proceed with the process of purchasing the property passed by a majority of persons in attendance.

Community News

Wesley will host the July Emmaus

Gathering on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at

6:00 p.m.

What is the Walk to Emmaus

Emmaus is, an Upper Room program that calls forth

and renews Christian discipleship. Like its

predecessor, Cursillo de Christiandad (Spanish for

“short course in Christianity”), the Walk to Emmaus is

a three-day experience which takes a New Testament

look at Christianity as a lifestyle. It is a highly

structured weekend designed to strengthen and

renew the faith of Christian people, and through them

their families, congregations and the world in which

they live. Emmaus is a combined effort of laity and

clergy toward the renewal of the church.

What Happens at Emmaus?

The “Walk to Emmaus” is a 72-hour experience. The

weekend begins on Thursday evening and ends

Sunday evening. At Emmaus you will spend three

busy but very enjoyable days, in retreat.

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Community News continued from page 6

Together Louisiana ~ June 24, 2016

At the Commerce & Industry Board meeting

today, with 70 Together Louisiana leaders in

attendance, Governor John Bel Edwards issued

an Executive Order overhauling our state's

largest program of corporate subsidies, the

Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

This is the first major victory of our Tax

Fairness Campaign, and it shows what's possible

if we combine deep citizen engagement, solid

analysis and good strategy.

If you haven't done so already, please add your

name to the Tax Fairness Petition at

www.togetherla.com and send it out to others.

We need to broaden our reach across the state,

to make this the first of many changes our state

needs in its tax system.

To all the citizens who have helped make this

happen: Congratulations on a victory hard

fought and well-deserved!

First UMC, Baton Rouge offers spiritual formation leadership academy/Deadline for applications is Aug. 1

June 23, 2016

First United Methodist of Baton Rouge, in partnership with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, is offering NextStep Academy, a two year program in spiritual formation leadership. Those looking for the means to invigorate their spiritual practices or who are interested in deepening their understanding of the disciplines are invited to apply for this unique program, which can be completed for 15 continuing education units towards paraprofessional certification in spiritual formation. The program is spaced over two years and includes six retreats, with the first event slated for Oct. 14-15. The retreats are led by faculty from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and include classes and readings in spiritual disciplines and prayer, the practice of holy listening, developing Bible study for faith formation, practicums in congregational life and Methodist heritage and faith formation. Each retreat will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Friday night and on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with meals provided. Participants seeking paraprofessional certification in spiritual formation may complete the requirements of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church through this program. The core competencies for spiritual formation are the regular practice of

the spiritual disciplines, as well as the ability to teach

others those disciplines including Lectio Divina,

various forms/types of prayer, confession and

examination of consciousness, process of discernment,

leadership of worship, fasting and self-emptying and

ways of hospitality. Candidates should also

understand and engage in the essential link between

spiritual formation and congregational life.

For a complete list of retreats, costs, scholarship

information and an application, please visit

www.firstmethodist.org or call Cherri Johnson at

(225) 383-4777 (225) 383-4777, ext. 249. The

deadline for applications is Aug. 1, 2016.

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THE CHURCH SEASON The church calendar refers to this season of the church year as Ordinary Time. A longer season than Advent or Lent, this season focuses on the big picture. The scriptures during Ordinary Time tell us the story of redemption: God working since the day of creation in partnership with humanity, God coming in the person of Jesus, and God promising ultimate redemption of all created things. In these coming weeks, focus on creation, creativity, and beauty. Choose this focus because the world we live in and each of us were created by an imaginative and loving God who delights in color, beauty, music, and movement. These ordinary summer days can become extraordinary when we recognize God’s presence in every moment. You are invited to join us for Summer Casual Dress ~ July and August. (Completely Optional)

As you reflect on recent events of our time and the

“Independence Holiday” how would you respond

to the following questions?

1. What is your definition of “Freedom”?

2. What is “Free Will”?

JULY Angel Tucker July 1st Morgan Tucker July 4th

Robert Robinson July 4th Germaine Weeks July 5th Makayla Hill July 7th Shayla Thompson July 8th Grayson Hansberry July 9th Hilton Reynaud July 10th Uzoamaka Njoku July 11th Kathy Flavien July 12th Louis Hightower July 12th Matthew Gilmore July 14th Arminta Bolden July 15th JoAnn Woods July 15th Walter Weiss, Sr. July 17th Gwynn Shamlin III (Tre) July 17th Ren Adolph Ross Plummer July 19th Collin M. Grayson July 20th Shantel S. Porche July 21st Kevin Ennis July 23rd Angela Tucker July 24th Jane Mitchell July 24th D’Andra Coleman July 28th

Carter Ennis July 28th Colleen Collins July 29th Catherine Dawson July 30th

IN MEMORY OF Mimie Wills July 2nd Marlon Wells July 4th Patrick Jones July 6th Alex Poland July 7th Marjorie Chappell July 7th

R.V. Wills July 7th Oneal Price July 9th Robert E. Smith July 11th Ruby B. Smith July 11th Harrison Weiss, Jr. July 11th G. Leon Netterville July 16th Eula Abrams July 16th Ida Robinson July 19th J.D. David July 18th

Annie D. Jones July 20th Alexander Henderson July 21st Lillian Douglas July 22nd Ida Stephens July 24th Bridget Chappell July 26th Ulysses Davis July 30th Marybelle Dupuy July 31st

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Aug. 1st Iris S. Lott

Aug. 2nd

Fannie Wells

Hopelin Harrison

Aug. 5th

Calvin Beal

Jason Lewis

Aug. 6th

Edwina Sibley

Aug. 7th

Andre Stewart

Peggy Patty

John Brossette

Aug. 8th

Laddie Bolden

Jessica Njoku

Aug. 10th

Evelyn Baker

Michelle Hill

Lillian Hill

D’Evan Bailey

Aug. 11th Terri Sterling

Aug. 13th

Julian Pitcher

Aug. 17th

Traci Morgan

Aug. 17th

Harold Lewis Jr.

Aug. 19th

Barbara Chinn

Aug. 22nd

Larry Pitcher

Aug. 24th

Bonnie Jackson

Aug. 26th

Rita Parham

Aug. 27th

Leonard Robinson

Jarrin Hill

Beulah Hawkins

Aug. 28th

Carly Madison

Ashley Beal

Aug. 31st Sherwood Gaines

Haylie Hansberry

Aug. 1st James Hopkins, Sr.

Aug. 1st Edward Griffin

Aug. 3rd

Henry Johnson

Aug. 3rd

Mabel McKneely

Aug. 3rd

Ellen Constance

Aug. 4th

Theresa Nobles

Aug. 6th

Mary Bryant

Aug. 7th

Elma Norman

Aug. 8th

Lawrence Wilson

Aug. 9th

Rosa Pidgeon

Gloria Lemons

Aug. 12th

Hannah Abrams

Aug. 13th

Ralph Tyson

Aug. 13th

Alicia Hawkins

Aug. 14th

Matilda Hayes

Aug. 16th

Angie Curry

Aug. 20th

Claiborne Gaines, Sr.

Aug. 23rd

Myrtle Douglas

Aug. 24th

Buford Jones

Aug. 25th

Naomi Tennell

Aug. 26th

Booker T. Hawkins

Aug. 27th

Alvin Hooper

Aug. 27th

Evelyn White

Aug. 29th

Archie Evans

Aug. 30th

Rosa Johnson

Aug. 30th

Sarah Adams

Aug. 31st Loretta Thompson

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September Birthdays

Portia P. Palmer Sept. 1st

Wilhelmenia Woods

Elnora H. Price Sept 2nd Carl Jackson Sept. 4th Charlie M. Wetherspoon Sept. 5th

Kenneth Hall Michael Rogers Demetrica Clark Sept. 8th Yolanda O. Smith Sept. 8th Bridget B. McGee Sept. 9th Shirley Fleet Sept. 10th Nicholas Bettis Sept. 13th Leslie Fleet Leah Jordan Tress Weiss Cornelia Hill Sept. 14th Tharis Lewis Sept. 15th Karla Galloway Connor Green Donovan Jackson Sept. 18th Stephanie Dunmore Roman Ruffin Sept 21st Robin Clark Sept. 22nd Sandera B. Jackson Sept. 23rd Demetrious Allen Sept. 25th Deven Hampton Sept. 25th Christopher J. Beal Sept. 26th Ingrid Sibley Sept. 29th

In Memory Of

Mr. Oliver Williams Sept 4th Mr. Sylvester Albert Sept. 5th Mrs. Bertha Hooper Sept. 6th Mr. Amos Matthews, Sr. Sept 6th Mrs. Anna Belle S. Davis Sept. 8th Mrs. Thelma D. Parham Sept. 8th Mr. James Hopkins, Jr. Sept. 10th Mrs. Willie M. McCray Sept. 10th Dr. Bradley Moore Sept. 11th

Elward Roberts Sept. 11th Mrs. Inez Cryer Sept. 13th Mr. Gregory Tyson Sept. 14th Mrs. Eliza S. Davis Sept. 16th Mrs. Lettie Ennis Sept. 16th Edna R. Breaux Sept. 19th Mr. Hudson Thomas Sept. 22nd Mrs. Isabel Herson Sept. 23rd Mrs. Malvina B. Maxwell Sept. 26th Mrs. Georgia L. Woods Sept. 26th

Michael Grant Sept. 25th Mr. John Henry Nobles Sept. 28th

Mrs. Clytie F. Perry Sept. 29th Mrs. Lillie M. Clark Sept. 30th

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Wesley United Methodist Church

Celebrates the Journey of

150 Years Anchored in

Faith, Hope, Love and Charity

The planning for this sesquicentennial celebration had been a work in progress for a number of years with numerous suggestions presented by the steering committee for expanding the event. The following events shaped this year’s celebration:

The March 19, 2016 Fashion Show Extravaganza sponsored by the United Methodist Men. “150 Years of Vintage Elegance from Generation to Generation”

The annual Family Fun Day at the home of

Gwynn II and Shilonda Shamlin on May 14, 2016.

The Community Outreach and Health Fair, a

collaborative effort between the United

Methodist Men, United Methodist Women,

Health and Welfare Ministry, the Outreach

Ministry and Wesley’s Boy Scout pack 426,

who helped to assemble the bags as a project

on May 16th. A total of 72 individual jumbo

size “Blessing Bags” were distributed.

The Wesley Picture Directory

The Anniversary Worship Service on May

22nd which included local, state and national

recognitions, an inspiring message by Rev.

Titus White pastor of Grace Community BC

and the launching of the Time Capsule.

The culminating event was the Celebration

Dinner which included a video presentation of

reflections of Wesley “Then and Now”. The

pictorial collage shows some highlights.

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JULY 2016 Color: White/Green Season: after Pentecost

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

. 1 2

8:30 am

UMM Mtg.

3 (White)

Holy Communion

Birthday Sunday

8:30 am Sun. School

10:00 am Worship

4

6:00 pm

Cub & Boy Scout Mtg.

Independence Day

Office Closed

5

6

7

5:30 pm

Male Chorus Reh.

6:00 pm

Combined Choir

8

9

6:00 pm

Emmaus Gathering

10 (Green)

8:30 am Sun. School

10:00 am Worship

11

12

13

14

6:00 pm

Combined Choir

7:00 pm New Vision Reh.

15

16

8:30 am

UMM Mtg.

17 (Green)

8:30 am Sun. School

10:00 am Worship

18

6:00 pm

Cub & Boy Scout Mtg.

19

20

21

7:00 pm

New Vision Reh.

22

23

24 (Green)

8:30 am Sun. School

10:00 am Worship

25

26

27

28

6:00 pm

Combined Choir

29 30

31(Green)

8:30 am Sun. School

10:00 am Worship

Love Feast

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