Wesley United Methodist Church November 2021 Newsletter What’s inside: Christmas Cantata Information Thanksgiving Celebration Sweet Potato “Harvest”
From Pastor Zeke Page 1 From the Desk of Pastor Zeke “Diversity and Unity” “There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord, and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 In my recent visit to the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS for the COR Leadership Conference, I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Bob Goff speak. Bob Goff is a man of many talents, one of which is being a powerful motivational speaker. Though I took lots of notes during his presentation, one thing Bob said that has stuck with me is: “Oneness is not the same as sameness” Yes!! In a world where we are experiencing unprecedented division and polarization, we all need to hear these words. I believe that we were all crafted in the image of God and that each of us is of sacred worth. This belief comes not only from the testament of the biblical witness but also through my experience with people. As people who live out lives within the church, we all have God-given gifts and abilities that are necessary for the church to thrive. What are some of your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities? How are utilizing those gifts to serve within the church? In what ways might you better serve which utilizes those gifts? So we are all gifted by God. These gifts, talents and abilities can be so different from others. In our scripture from 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing a church who has allowed their different gifts and abilities and experiences of God to cause division. In chapter 12, Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the unity with which God calls. That unity is made possible by the presence of God in their midst through the Holy Spirit. I have appreciated our Methodist heritage of diversity from the onset. John Wesley and George Whitfield had longstanding arguments over theology and ministry. At Whitfield’s funeral, Wesley preached: “There are many doctrines of a less essential nature... in these we may think and let think... we may ‘agree to disagree.’ But, meantime, let us hold fast to the essentials.” I believe, that in this time of great cultural polarization, we must learn to celebrate our diversity as we unify Continued on page 2 Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021
From Pastor Zeke Cont., Baby Shower Info Page 2 - From Pastor Zeke Continued ourselves firmly upon the foundational tenets of faith. In doing so, I believe we will be able to experience both the unity that is found through Christ and the diversity of gifts that God has bestowed on each of us. Let us celebrate this unity and our diversity, in doing so, we shall more clearly embody what Christians should be about. - Keep the Faith Strong, Facility Information We are still in the process of improving and maintaining our property. Fall flowers have been planted. Another small tree added to the median at the East parking lot. One more to be added. Painting of the facia board on the 5 high arches to begin this week weather permitting. Cleaning the rest of the carpet scheduled for November 1st. Lawn maintenance company to remove the waterfall and add a flower bed to that area. All 36 of the light bulbs in the hanging lights in the sanctuary have been replaced with LED bulbs that are more energy efficient, using 135 watts instead of 930 watts. Thanks, Harley, Trustee Chairman Baby Shower for Deborah Ellis Date: Sunday, November 21 Time: 2:30pm Where: Wesley Fellowship Hall Registered at: Walmart & Amazon Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021
Thanksgiving Celebration Page 3 AN IMPORTANT INVITATION FROM YOUR ONE COUNCIL With the season of Thanksgiving upon us, a celebration with the theme “GIVING THANKS WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS” is planned for Sunday, November 14, 5:00 p.m., focusing on FUN, FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, and INSPIRATION. You are being asked to bring your favorite party food to share with your friends. Game master, Suzanne Gibson, will have some original fun games oriented towards giving thanks and being grateful for our many blessings. Music Director Jessica Whitekiller has some tunes you will enjoy, and guest Dr. Phillip McClure will be inspiring us with thoughts promoting gratefulness for the many ways God has so richly blessed us as individuals as well as a Church. There is no charge for this party; volunteers have donated decorations and supplies, however, we will be taking an “Offering of Gratitude” to defray Dr. McClure’s expenses. Blanche West is preparing a photo display for the party and is taking individual shots of as many Wesley members as she can get in the next couple of weeks, so be prepared with your best smile when you get to church on Sunday mornings. In order to have enough seats ready, we do need reservations by Wednesday, Nov. 10. You may call the church office at 479-646-9702 and leave a message with your name and how many will be coming; or email wesleyumcfs@yahoo.com letting us know you are coming and how many will be coming; or text Blanche at 479-651-0179. Need a ride? Please let a One Council Member know. With covid restrictions being lifted, we are excited to be able to gather to enjoy giving thanks with grateful hearts. Be there, or be square! Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021
UMM, UMW Page 4 UMM hosted a golf outing for Wesley & Cavanaugh members. Everyone had a great time and apparently we have some semi-pro golfers on our hands. UMW is collecting scarves, hats, gloves and socks for kids in our local community who need them. You may place any you bring on the lattice in the hallway just down from the office. Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021
Thanks giving Is a Way of Living Page 5 Thanks Giving Is a Way of Living November 2021 | Arkansas United Methodist I love Thanksgiving for more sentimental reasons than you possibly care about. That’s why I’ve decided not to bore you with my ‘Top Ten Favorite Things about Thanksgiving’ list this year. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to talk about Thanksgiving. I am. Well, sort of. Kind of. Actually, I’m going to talk about Thanks Giving. We have allowed Thanksgiving – which is a holiday filled with all kinds of beloved traditions – to replace Thanks Giving – which is a way of life grounded in faith, reflection and gratitude. Be absolutely clear. I’m not advocating getting rid of Thanksgiving. That would be a travesty! Rather, I’m advocating that we get a whole lot more serious about embracing thanks giving as a way of living. I understand that even suggesting this is tantamount to opening a giant can of worms. After all, how can we give thanks with integrity when someone we love is suffering, our lives are falling apart or it seems there is conflict everywhere we turn? It’s hard. Really hard. Maybe even impossible. But doing so is essential in our walk as Jesus’ followers. And it’s very doable. Absolutely doable. All it takes is a willingness and – as the old saying goes – practice, practice, practice. Start by embracing an essential understanding. Thanks Giving is not primarily something you do when you feel good about things. It is something you intentionally do all the time regardless of what’s going on. Then do the obvious. Find things for which to be thankful. While this can be hard when life is falling apart, I have discovered through a great deal of trial and error that you can always find something for which to be thankful. It’s not enough, however, just to find things. You also have to voice your thanks. And when you do, you’ll discover more and more things you’re thankful for, articulate your thanks more clearly than you imagined possible, and discover that your thanks is becoming deeper and more genuine. Next, make the most natural shift in the world by viewing your life primarily through the eyes of your heart. This enables you to discern exactly how God is using everything that happens in life – be it good, bad or in-between – to shape you into the person God has created you to become. Of course, there is only one possible outcome when you start seeing things in a brand new way. You are joyfully compelled to give all thanks, honor, praise and glory to God. And so you do. Not just silently. But so someone else hears it, too. That’s when it hits you like a ton of bricks. Thanks Giving changes your attitude. Which changes how you deal with people. Which changes you. Which changes how you handle life – especially the difficult parts. And that’s why Thanks Giving is a way of living that needs to be at the very heart of all your living. Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021
Missions Page 6 Missions Thanksgiving Meal Donations Wesley will be providing Thanksgiving meal boxes to all the kids at Carnall Elementary who receive weekend backpack snack bags every week. That is 15 families total. We are requesting certain items each month to help fill those boxes. In November we are asking for rolls, cookies, & loafs of bread. Since these are perishable items, we are asking that you please bring those items November 14th. As of right now we have enough of everything we asked for to provide each family with more than one of each item. Thank you all so much for your generous hearts and giving spirit. Don’t forget to bring in your change jars on Sunday, November 7th. All change collected that day will go toward the purchase of hams for our Thanksgiving meal kits. Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021 Community Garden - Thank you to everyone who came out and helped bag sweet potatoes during our “harvest”. Since our garden did not produce what we were hoping for a very generous farmer in Wynne donated 2,000lbs. All we had to do was bag them!
Upcoming Events Page 7 Christmas Cantata Sunday December 19 If anyone is interested in singing or playing an instrument during the cantata please contact Jessica We have a lot of talent at Wesley, we would love to share it with everyone. REMINDER—1 Council has a meeting November 18 at 6:30 in the Win-One classroom across from the kitchen. Wesley’s music director, Jessica Whitekiller performed her Senior Recital at First Presbyterian Church, October 30th. Everyone who attended enjoyed it thoroughly. Congratulations Jessica on your accomplishment. Wesley is so proud of you! Looking for ways to serve? Worship Committee: Joanne Peterson UMW: Patrice Hulsey UMM: Steve Christian Missions Committee: Carrie Miller HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! Wesley UMC Newsletter November 2021
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