August 2019
Thank You and Good Luck to Katie Thomas! Wesley would like to extend a thank you to Katie Thomas for her work as Director of the Wesley Food Pantry. Katie and her family are in the process of moving to the Chicago suburbs this summer to be closer to their families.
Currently, Katie is setup to work for a nonprofit in DuPage County as their Grants Manager. When asked about her departure Katie said, “Despite the fact that I will be missing the pantry board, volunteers, staff, and all the friends who support our work, I am looking forward to this new challenge and being closer to family.” Katie went on to explain that she has enjoyed her tenure at the Food Pantry immensely and appreciates having had the opportunity to work with the Food Pantry to alleviate hunger in the Champaign-Urbana community.
To conclude, Katie thanks everyone for the support and encouragement they have given to her throughout her time at Wesley. “Thank you for welcoming my family into this wonderful community. Please keep in touch: I can be reached at my personal email address [email protected]” she said. Once again, we at Wesley appreciate all the support Katie has provided to us and the Food Pantry over the years. We give Katie our prayers and support as she transitions into this new position and as she moves forward with her relocation closer to her family.
Newly Designed Wesley Website Coming Soon Over the past few weeks the Wesley Website has been offline. The reason for this is to bring an updated and more user-friendly design. This project is being over seen by Blake Warman-Neal, Communications Director. According to Blake the final design for the website should be finished next week and the entire website will go live. “I was excited at the beginning of the summer to take on this project and I am eager to see what everyone thinks of the final product” Blake said. He went on to explain that with the updates in place not only will give the website a more user-friendly design but ideally the website itself should run smoother for anyone using it.
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Quad Day Volunteers Needed Sunday, August 25th, from 12:00-4:00 p.m. is Quad Day at the UIUC! Wesley will have several tables representing our groups, including - for the first time - a table for Wesley UMC. We need lots of volunteers to help set up our tables, welcome students, and share about our church, student center, and organizations, so let Pastor Julie or Pastor Deborah know if you’d like to help. Thank you!
Grad Student Gathering - Grad students and young adults are invited to join us Tuesday, August 27th, at 8:30 p.m., for coffee & refreshments in the Etc. Coffeehouse as we kick off the fall semester! This group gathers each week for snacks and conversation around books and DVD series. Questions? Email Meg Cole at [email protected].
Welcome Week Cook-Out The Wesley Student Center will host our annual Welcome Week Cook-Out for students and visiting scholars Wednesday, August 28th, at 6:00p.m. on the lawn beside the pantry garden. We had a HUGE crowd last year and expect this year’s to be even bigger! We need volunteers to help us setup, fix food, grill burgers, etc., and we invite you to join us as we welcome students to Wesley! Please visit with Pastor Julie ([email protected]) to find out how you can help.
Friday with Friends Lunches Begins August 30th! Students, faculty, and members of the campus community are invited to join us each week for our free Friday with Friends Lunch! Gather with friends, new and old, in the Etc. Coffeehouse between 11:00am-1:30pm for a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, and other tasty treats. Great food, great conversation… it’s a great way to celebrate the end of the week!
ESL & International Coffeehouse Resume August 30th! We look forward to beginning the fall session of our ESL class and International Coffeehouse Friday, August 30th! We invite international & domestic students, visiting scholars, Wesley members & community friends to join us for these weekly events as we practice English, make new friends, and learn about one another’s cultures. The class meets from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the conference room, and is followed by our International Coffeehouse from 4:00-6:00 p.m. We share coffee & snacks as we sit where the world gathers around our table!
Labor Day Canoe Trip – The Wesley Student Center invites students, international friends, and Wesley folks to join us Monday, September 2nd, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., for our annual Labor Day canoe trip to Turkey Run State Park! Sign up online (link will be available soon) to enjoy canoeing, lunch on the banks of the Sugar Creek, and time to explore the park trails in Shades State Park. Cost is $30 per person. Contact Pastor Julie for more information.
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Campus Ministry Calendar
Sunday, August 4th, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary & Etc. Coffeehouse (and every Sunday) Sunday worship 7:00 p.m., Etc. Coffeehouse Welcome Week Midweek Worship – Join us as we start Thursday, August 22nd, the fall semester with casual worship and great 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., fellowship. Etc. Coffeehouse Etc. Coffeehouse Open House Friday, August 30th, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., – Stop in for snow cones, ice Etc. Coffeehouse (and every Friday) cream treats, cookies, and Friday with Friends Lunch – Join us in the coffeehouse more as we welcome students for a free lunch with friends! It’s a great way to on Move-In Day and introduce celebrate the end of the week & the start of your them to the coffeehouse. weekend!
3:00-4:00 p.m., Conference Room (and every Friday) Sunday, August 25th, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., ESL Class - We welcome beginners through advanced U of I Quad students as we practice English, build conversation Wesley will have tables representing the Student skills, and learn about American culture. Center, Food Pantry, Etc. Coffeehouse, Illini Fighting Hunger, and Wesley Church, so sign up to help us share info about our community or come find us and say hello!
August 26th–30th and September 2nd-6th, various times Welcome Weeks at Wesley – Check our website (wesleyui.org) and Facebook pages (Wesley Student Center, Wesley Grad Students, and Etc. Coffeehouse) for information about each day’s events!
Tuesday, August 27th, 8:30 p.m., Etc. Coffeehouse Grad Student Gathering - Graduate students from all 4:00-6:00 p.m., Etc. Coffeehouse (and every Friday) disciplines and young adults are invited to join us for International Coffeehouse - International & domestic coffee & refreshments in Etc. as we kick off the fall students, visiting scholars, family and community semester and our book study group. members are invited to join us for coffee, snacks, and conversation as we practice English, make new friends Wednesday, August 28th, 6:00 p.m., Pantry Garden & learn about each other's cultures! Area Welcome Week Cook-Out – Join us for burgers, dogs, veggie burgers, etc., plus tours of the Wesley Student Center.
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WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH EDUCATION EVENTS
Children’s Sunday School Fall Bash! Sunday, September 8th, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Fun & Games for Kids of All Ages! Parents please join us at 10:30 a.m. in the West lounge for a Meet & Greet, snacks & info about the year!
Sunday School Classes Resume. Sunday school classes for children are set to resume as of August 11th at 9:30am.
Sunday School Teachers Needed We are seeking volunteers to teach children and youth Sunday school classes starting this fall. Materials will be provided! Contact Jessica Hunt at 217-372-8397 or [email protected] for information.
Missions Update During VBS in June we collected 190 snack items for the Parkland College food pantry. The snacks went to the children of migrant farm workers involved in the Parkland summer program. Thanks to the food pantry and the children and families who participated! In August we will partner with Orchard Downs to provide them with school supplies. More details to come!
Youth Fun Night! Stay tuned for details!! Contact Jessica Hunt at 217-372-8397 or [email protected] for information.
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Back to School Supply Giveaway!
It is almost August, which means back to school! For the last few years we have been distributing free school supplies to children visiting the food pantry. The kids are always thrilled to pick out school supplies.
If you would like to put a smile on children’s faces this August and help get them ready for school, please consider making an extra monetary donation to the food pantry to help cover the costs. You can make your donation online at our website www.wesleypantry.org or mail a check to the church marked ”Pantry School Supplies”. Thank you!
New Pantry Hours at Parkland College! The Wesley Food Pantry at Parkland College is changing its hours. Starting in September, the Parkland pantry will be open every Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Over the past year a lot of students who visited or volunteered at the food pantry reported that the current hours were not convenient. In addition to receiving feedback from students directly, we conducted informal surveys which also indicated the need to push back the hours to later in the afternoon. It is our hope that these new hours will allow students to comfortably visit the pantry after their class and club meetings.
Student Food Pantry at Wesley is Going Weekly! Starting in September, the student food panty will be open every Friday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The student food pantry will be located near the Etc. Coffeehouse. College students will be able to pick out 10 food items such as soups, cereal, and granola bars.
Volunteer Spotlights: Groups Volunteering at the Pantry Every summer a group from the Intensive English Institute on campus comes to volunteer at the Food Pantry. It is a great chance for these students to practice their English skills and learn about and help the local community.
On July 17th, employees and volunteers from the New American Welcome Center at the University of YMCA helped distribute food to 41 families and packed 55 meals for Parkland’s migrant education program. At the Wesley Food Pantry, we serve EVERYONE in the community regardless of where they came from and who they are. #NourishingOurNeighbors
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL WESLEY FALL SEMINAR Congratulations! GUNS AND SOCIETY to Kate Neptune and Tim Rauschenberger at the birth of their son, Henry Pickard Neptune, on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2:00 - 4:30PM Wednesday, July 10th He weighed 10 llbs. The proud WATSEKA LOUNGE grandparents are Meg and Bob Rauschenberger. Speakers will be Janet Jokela, Dean, U of I Medical School at UIUC, Sheldon Jacobson, U of I Professor of Sympathy Computer Science, Tracy Parsons, City of Champaign To Eleanor and Charles Evans Community Relations Manager, Andrew and family at the death of Leipold, Professor, College of Law U of I, Marlon Eleanor’s mother, Jean Logue, Mitchell, Founder of First Followers and Ruby on Saturday, June 15th, at the Mendenhall, U of I Professor of African-American age of 101. She was a member Studies. of the American Guild of Organists, Director of music camps at East Bay in Bloomington, and Director of choirs for the United Methodist Church. She lived in Springfield, IL.
End of Summer Potluck All Wesley women are invited to our annual End-of-Summer Potluck at the home of Ingrid Hutchings on Monday, August 26th, at 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the good food and fellowship. We will also have a time of remembrance for our women who have passed away during the last year. Ingrid’s address is 2405 Prairie Ridge Place in Champaign.
CALLING ALL WESLEY WOMEN! You are invited to the United Methodist Women’s fall book discussion at the home of Annette Lansford, 1713 Mayfair Road, Champaign on Monday, September 23th, at 7 p.m. The book to be discussed is American Dialogue: The Founders and Us by Joseph J. Ellis. This is a thought provoking, well written book which addresses issues which are quite relevant to our country today.
The discussion will be led by Trisha Crowley, attorney and president of the local League of Women Voters. Start reading now and plan to join us in September!
Wesley Green Team Tip "Tip": A washing machine uses up to 90% of its energy heating water. A warm wash and cold rinse will work just as well on nearly all clothes as a hot wash and warm rinse.
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Wesley Staff Senior Pastor/Director Rev. Dan King Crede | Campus Minister Rev. Julie Dowler Associate Minister Rev. Deborah Kang
Director of Contemporary Worship and Music Crofton Coleman Director of Christian Education and Youth Jessica Hunt |Director of Choral Music Dr. Barrington Coleman
Parish Nurse/Spiritual Caregiver | Meg Rauschenberger | Administrative Assistant Donna Giffen Ministry Secretary Rachel Wolfe | Comptroller Dean Carr | Accountant Bonnie S. Taylor Aide for Development Wayne Wilson |Director of Communications Blake Warman-Neal Food Pantry Director Dawn Longfellow | Food Pantry Assistant Katherine Hinojosa
Property Manager Richard Young | Full-time Custodian Alexis Burden | Part-time Custodian Bong Cacho Weekend Custodians Richard and Elizabeth Young
Summer Building Hours Sunday Services Monday – Friday Traditional Service 9:30 a.m. open 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Coffee Hour 10:30 a.m. Saturday – Closed Contemporary Service 11:15 a.m. Sunday open 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
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