LUNCH & AUCTION• Vacation Package at Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club in Celebration, Florida • Cardinals vs. Cubs Tickets • An Evening at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival

• Portrait Package from Redcorn Studios and The Copy Shop • 43” Flat Screen TV • Movie Night Basket • Contractors Basket • Grown Up Coloring Basket

• Cello Lesson • Babysitting • Bloomington High School Princess Tea Tickets• And Much More!

• SILENT AUCTION 8:00 AM - 12:45 PM

• LUNCH SERVED 12:15 - 12:45

• LIVE AUCTION BEGINS AT 1:00 PMAll proceeds from the lunch and the auction will support Choir Tour 2017 and

Youth Mission Trips in 2017.

ADULT LUNCH - $7CHILD (UNDER 10) LUNCH - $4

NO ADVANCE TICKETS FOR THE LUNCH OR AUCTION ARE NEEDED

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

MARCH 5 IN WESLEY HALL

March 2017

News Of Wesley“To make and nurture disciples for Jesus Christ”

2

HOPE CIRCLE will meet on Thursday evening, March 9, in the Wesley Garden Room. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 and our lesson will begin at 7:00. The circle will continue their study, “Small Things With Great Love: Adventures in Loving Your Neighbor” by Margot Starbuck.

GEMS (Growing Each Mom Spiritually) Are you a young mom looking for some new friends at Wesley? You’re invited to visit the GEMS circle of the UMW, meeting the second and fourth Monday of every month from 7 – 9 PM at the home of Lou Ann Pence. Childcare is always provided for $3 per child. In March we continue our study of “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. For more information, please contact Lou Ann Pence at louann.pence@comcast.net. FAITH CIRCLE will meet at 1:00 PM March 22 at Westminster Village Multi-Purpose Room.

Wesley United Methodist Church502 East Front StreetBloomington, IL 61704

Phone: 309-827-8046 Fax: (309)828-9625www.wesley-umc.com

After Hours Emergencies:Pastor Vaughn (309) 212-2710Pastor Angie (217) 369-1292

Rev. Vaughn HoffmanRev. Angie Lee

Rev. Keith FergusonAdria Schumann

Brenna MartinMarcia Hishman

Kathi PrittsLou Ann PenceFrank Newburn

Stacy AshMyrna Simpson

Jody RobbinsMolly Brown

Colleen HensleyAnne Walling

Brad SchumannJim Robinson

Matthew Dahmm Kathy Robinson

Senior PastorAssociate PastorPastor of VisitationDirector of Music MinistriesAsst. Director of Music MinistriesOrganistDirector of Christian EducationEarly Childhood CoordinatorDirector of Youth MinistriesAsst. Director of Youth MinistriesBusiness AdministratorPastors’ Executive AssistantReceptionist Clerical AssistantCommunications CoordinatorFacilities ManagerCustodians

Food Service Coordinator

Communion at Home

If you are sick and/or shut-in and desire communion at home, please

contact Rev. Keith Ferguson, 846-2056 or call Colleen at the

church office, 827-8046.

We want to thank everyone for the expression of well wishes for Mary Ann’s surgery and sympathy for the loss of our Mothers as well as the food, flowers, and memorials. Also a special thank you to Vaughn and staff for all their support.

~ Chuck & Mary Ann Knudson and family

We would like to thank everyone from Wesley for all of the thoughts and prayer my family and I have received since we lost Harry in December. We truly appreciate your support during our time of grief.

-Uretta Lovell and family

Thank You

Congratulations to Katie and Dan Wallem on the January 7 birth of their son, Decker Roy.

Congratulations to Natalie and Thay Sutimek on the February 13 birth of their daughter, Sophie Denise.

Proud older brothers are Mason and Graham.

Congratulations to Lacey and Paul Fritsch on the February 16 birth of their son, Spencer Ray.

3

$$ FINANCIAL UPDATE $$

General fund receipts as of 1/31/17 $157,083 General fund expenses as of 1/31/17 $106,676 2017 Surplus $50,407

Wesley UMC owns farmland? Yes, the church owns three pieces of land totaling approximately 300 acres in eastern McLean County. This land was left to the church in the wills of faithful members of Wesley and is farmed by a local farmer. The rental income from these farms is a major source of income for the Trustees of Wesley to use for building upkeep and repairs.

In 2016, the Trustees’ total budget, which is separate from the operating budget that our offering funds maintain, was $172,505.

Trustee expenses include the facility manager’s salary, heating and air conditioning upkeep, organ tuning, security and fire alarm service, building and vehicle insurance, elevator maintenance and inspection, parsonage maintenance, landscaping, and technology upgrades. Last year, trustee funds also paid for resurfacing the parking lots, repairs to one of the stairwells leading to the balcony in the Sanctuary, and new carpet and tile in the choir room, upstairs hallway and two offices.

These expenses and projects are possible without asking for additional funds from the congregation, due to the benevolence of faithful members when preparing their wills.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ~ Matthew 5:4

Prayers for Uretta Lovell and family on the December 25 death of her husband, Harry R. Lovell.

Prayers for Kerry and Bruce Young and family on the January 21 death of her father, David Hughes.

Prayers for the family and friends of Carolyn Ward who passed away on January 22.

Prayers for Greg Lawler, Angela Roop-Lawler, and family on the January 24 passing of his mother, Lois Lawler.

Prayers for Sarah Boeh and family on the February 8 death of her father Jack Boeh.

Prayers for the family and friends of Mack Brown who passed away on February 8.

Prayers for Jan Wingler and family on the February 20 death of her husband, Norm Wingler.

Prayers for Darrel and Norma Kline and Jane and Don Underwood and their family on the February 18 death of brother/uncle,Charles Kline, of Rockford.

A New Member Orientation will be held on Wednesday, March 8 from 6:00-7:00 PM in the Wesley Lounge. Come learn more about Wesley, meet some current members, church staff, and others interested in membership. Those who choose to become members of Wesley will be received into membership on Sunday,

March 19. If you would like more information, please call the church office at 309-827-8046.

And of course, we’re now in a process of change here at Wesley as we’ve recently received word of a transition in the appointment of our Associate Pastor. Most all of you know by now that Rev. Angie Lee will be leaving us later this year, after two years of energetic and faithful service, to begin her new appointment as Superintendent in one of the ten districts in the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference.Angie will be with us until the end of June, and the move represents a big step up in responsibility for her, and will use her gifts and leadership skills well. But it is also natural to think about what we will miss … the many gifts she so consistently brought to our church’s life, and to say to ourselves something that sounds like “Traveler’s Remorse.” “Oh I wish we didn’t have to do this.”So it’s probably worth saying in moments like this something we already know. Beyond the sadness in this transition lies the realization that as Angie begins a new stage in life, so do we, in the upcoming weeks have opportunity to grow as well, as we welcome and learn from a new Associate Pastor who will bring gifts of his or her own. When I travel and have my wave of remorse over the routine being broken, I also know that I need to just go ahead and go on the trip … the remorse soon abates and a new adventure begins. That’s no doubt how it will go for the church in this transition too.“Behold, I am doing a new thing,” God once said. And to this day he still is doing so. Let’s prepare ourselves well to approach this change with grace and the abiding sense that through it all God is at work, helping us all to grow one more step in the process of change that is the hallmark of a living church. ~ Peace,

Vaughn

I don’t know if this happens to you, but the day before I leave on a trip, I often have a temporary wave of regret come over me; something that I have come to call “Traveler’s Remorse”. It doesn’t seem to matter what sort of trip I’m going on. It could be something work-related for church, a vacation or family visit. When the time comes to pack my bag, there is a part of me that says, “Oh, I wish I didn’t have to go” or if it’s an “optional” trip that I have planned, “Why did I think I wanted to do this?” I think it boils down to the fact that I take more comfort than I usually realize from my routines. Routines are problems when they become ruts that keep us from learning or growing. But routines also have a comfort and peaceful predictability that goes along with them.And that rather obvious observation is why change is difficult for many of us, myself included. “Remember not the former things”, God once told the Israelites, “for behold, I am doing a new thing; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19) There is just no getting around the fact that facing change in a healthy way means letting go of some of our cherished routines at least for a time, in order to take hold of what is new.

4

2017 Lenten OfferingThe goal for the 2017 Lenten Offering is $12,000. This offering supports the work of United Methodist national and international projects. Your gift will continue our support of Ganta Hospital in Liberia and the Kissy Clinic in Sierra Leone. With our help, additional funding will be available for Africa University student scholarships and the Haiti Hot Lunch Program.

The United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) and the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Illinois work together to get cleaning buckets and health kits to people in need. Bethlehem Bible College works to train Arab Christian leaders to serve and strengthen the church and communities in the Holy Land. The Central Conference Pastor Pension Fund provides financial assistance to retired Methodist ministers and their families in Africa and the Philippines; in many cases, this may be the only pension they receive. El Porvenir is an organization which provides sanitation and clean water in rural areas of Nicaragua. We hope that you will give generously to support the efforts of these organizations.

Preschool ClassesOur preschoolers will learn that they can love everyone with stories of the good Samaritan, bigger barns, the widows mite, and the prodigal son.

2’s meet in Room #117 with Miss LouAnn and others

3’s AND 4’s meet in Room #207 with Bunny King, Pamela Kersten, Tammy Alsene, and Carol Lou Eisenhardt.

W.I.S.E. -- Kindergarten - Fifth Grade

In March our elementary students will study Forgiveness with stories of the lost sheep, lost son, other brother, and unmerciful servant.

W.I.S.E. is where families learn together, strengthen the bonds

of family and faith, and have conversations of faith. Children and families begin in Wesley Hall at 10:15 as a large group and conclude in small groups.

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOLSIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE students meet in Room #37 with Donnie Pence and Lori Hoffman.EIGHTH GRADE students meet from 10:10 - 11:00 in the Junior High Lounge with Stacy Ash, Josh Houtzel, and Darcy Bogle.HIGH SCHOOL students meet in the Senior High Lounge with Frank Newburn and others.

WALKING THROUGH THE BIBLE TOGETHER CLASS

This class continues their study in the book of Ezekiel. The class is led by Richard Johnson in the Wesley Conference Room.

KALEIDOSCOPE CLASS will also begin a new study for Lent on March 5. They will begin “Creed: What Christians Believe and Why” by Adam Hamilton. Powerful answers to many of our complicated questions are contained in the Apostles’ Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs. In “Creed,” Hamilton explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe, and why it matters, which in turn leads readers to confront and examine their own core beliefs and go beyond reciting the Creed’s familiar words. This class meets in the Lounge.

10:15 - 11:00

EXPLORATIONS CLASS will begin a new Lenten Study on March 5. They will be studying “Pray Like Jesus: Rediscovering the Lord’s Prayer” by Don Underwood. This pastor and author reexamines the content of the Lord’s Prayer, helping you to discover insightful spiritual guidance for developing a rich devotional life. This class meets in Room #39.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

5

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

ADULT STUDY GROUPS

6

Thursday Morning Bible Study will begin a new study for Lent. They will begin “Creed: What Christians Believe and Why” by Adam Hamilton. Powerful answers to many of our complicated questions are contained in the Apostles’ Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs. In Creed, he explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe, and why it matters, which in turn leads

readers to confront and examine their own core beliefs and go beyond reciting the Creed’s familiar words. This class meets in the Garden Room at 9:30 on Thursday mornings.

DIMENSIONS IN DIVERSITY

Lenten Lunch SeriesBegins March 8 at noon

March 8 - Racial Awareness with Quincy Cummings,

President Bloomington-Normal NAACP

March 15 - Ablelism Awareness with Ellie Wertz,

Advocacy and Disability Education

March 22 - Church and Issues of Sexual Orientation

with Rev. Vaughn Hoffman and Olemuel Ashford, Inclusion

Department at State Farm and Prairie Pride Coalition Board Member

March 29 - Diversity of the Workplace

with Dr. Cara Hemp, Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences at Illinois State University and member

of Wesley United Methodist Church

Please join us in Wesley Hall each week as we learn and share on very important

topics that impact us all. Lunch will be provided for a free will offering.

Tuesday Morning Women’s Group meets each week at

7:00 AM in the Lounge. They are studying the The Upper Room Disciplines 2017: A Book of Daily Devotions.

Wednesday Evening Study Group will be watching an Adam Hamilton video series about Moses during Lent beginning on March 1. They meet at 6:15 on Wednesday evenings in the Lounge. (Due to the Ash Wednesday service on March 1, they will meet at 6:00 on this day ONLY.)

Men’s Study Group that meets at Noon on Wednesdays will be attending the Lenten Luncheon Series during March.

Thursday Evening Small Group meets at the home of Lou Ann and Donnie Pence on the second and fourth Thursdays each month. They are currently studying “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan. All adults are welcome to join. For more information, please contact Lou Ann Pence, louann.pence@comcast.net.

Bottoms for Boys will be the “Just One” item gathered by the Church and Society Committee during the month of March. New and gently used boy’s sweat pants and underwear sizes 2T through size 10 will be distributed to needy families through Heartland Head Start, Bloomington Day Care Center, and local

elementary schools Sheridan, Irving, and Oakdale. These little guys have accidents and also get soaked outside in puddles. These agencies and schools expressed a genuine need for underwear and sweat pants. Thank you for your generosity.

Wesley CARes singles

Wesley CARES Singles will meet on Saturday, March 11, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM in the church lounge. This month we will enjoy a “pot luck” luncheon. Since St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated this month, we’ll have a short program on this patron saint of Ireland. After lunch let’s enjoy playing a Bible game. All singles, who attend Wesley UMC are welcome. Come, experience Christian companionship and connection, good food, and fun activities. If you have any questions or concerns, call Dianne West,

309-828-8028, or diannewest42@netzero.net.

7

March 1Ash Wednesday Service

7:00 PM in the Sanctuary

March 5 Youth Auction Fundraiser

8:45 AM - 2:00 PM in Wesley Hall

March 6University of South Dakota Chamber Singers Concert7:00 PM in the Sanctuary

March 8 “Racial Awareness” Lenten Lunch

Noon in Wesley Hall

March 8 New Member Orientation6:00 PM in the Lounge

March 15 “Ablelism Awareness” Lenten Lunch

Noon in Wesley Hall

March 22 “The Church and Issues of Sexual

Orientation” Lenten LunchNoon in Wesley Hall

March 29 “Diversity of the Workplace” Lenten Lunch

Noon in Wesley Hall

March 29No Wednesday at Wesley

Dinner and Activities!

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PaidBloomington, ILPermit No. 103

502 East Front StreetBloomington IL 61701

Return Service Requested

Wesley United Methodist Church

It is the mission of Wesley United Methodist Church “To make and nurture disciples for Jesus Christ.”

Be sure to save your stuff to donate to the Rummage Sale! Drop-Offs will begin on April 24 at Noon.