Note from Pastor Jana It’s hard to believe that January is already coming to a close—and with it, the new year has brought more ice than most of us were hoping for. Between frozen roads, delayed plans, and gray skies, many of us have been feeling the weight of winter. It’s been cold, messy, and uncertain. And somehow, it all seems to echo the season that’s coming next. Lent begins this month, and our theme at Wesley is Wilderness. The wilderness is a place of uncertainty—of testing, wandering, and waiting. Scripture tells us that after Jesus was baptized, the Spirit led him into the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed for forty days. It wasn’t a place of comfort, but it was a place of clarity. It was there that Jesus leaned fully on God’s word, God's presence, and God's strength. Lent offers us a similar invitation: to step away from the noise and clutter of everyday life and listen for the still, small voice that speaks in the silence. It’s a time to reexamine our hearts, our habits, and our hopes. Whether we take something on or give something up, the wilderness of Lent can become a sacred space where transformation begins. We will mark the beginning of this season together on Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00 p.m. at Wesley UMC. This solemn and meaningful service includes scripture, prayer, music, and the imposition of ashes—a reminder of our humanity, our dependence on God, and the grace that sustains us even in the dust. If the start of this year has already felt like a wilderness to you, you're not alone. The beauty of Lent is that we don’t walk through it by ourselves. As a church family, we journey together—through wilderness and toward the hope of resurrection. Come as you are. Come with your questions, your weariness, your longing, and your faith. There is room for all of it, and all of you. Let this Lent be a season of sacred wandering, honest reflection, and growing trust in the God who meets us—always—even in the wilderness. Pastor Jana
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