Note from Pastor Jana As summer begins to wane and back to school shopping for crayons, scissors, headphones, and all the things, our congregations are reminded that this season is not just for students—it's a time of renewal for all of us. The back-to-school season invites each of us, regardless of age, to embrace learning, growth, and community. I find myself preparing for a very different kind of educational journey. Next month, I will be traveling to England to participate in the Wesley Pilgrimage Tour with about 70 clergy led by Rev. Adam Hamilton and Rev. Matt Miofsky. This will be a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. This pilgrimage is not simply a trip through history—it is an invitation to deeper learning, spiritual renewal, and a reminder of the vital connection between faith and education. It is fitting that this journey coincides with the beginning of the school year, for John Wesley’s own ministry began in a place of learning: Oxford University. Wesley was shaped by rigorous academic study, regular patterns of prayer and worship, and deep Christian fellowship. It was at Oxford that he, along with his brother Charles and a small group of friends, formed what others mockingly called the “Holy Club.” Their methodical approach to devotion, service to the poor, and spiritual discipline gave rise to the name “Methodist”—a name that has come to represent a powerful movement of grace in action. As I prepare to visit sites like Oxford, Epworth, and Aldersgate Street, I will be reflecting on how our spiritual forebears balanced intellect with devotion and how we, too, might embrace learning as a sacred calling. In a time when our world is increasingly divided and information is abundant but not always wise, I am reminded that true learning happens in community, grounded in love and guided by the Spirit. As our children and youth return to their classrooms, as our church continues to grow in discipleship and mission, and as I embark on this pilgrimage, may we all seek to be students of grace— continually learning, growing, and being transformed by God’s love. I ask for your prayers as I travel—prayers for safety, for spiritual renewal, and for fresh insight into how the legacy of the Wesleys might inform our ministry today. I look forward to returning with stories, inspiration, and a reminder of our methods. Pastor Jana
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