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THE WESLEYAN NOVEMBER 2022

Letter From the Pastor

Dear John Wesley Church Family,

 

May God’s grace and peace be with each one of you and with your families. It has been a little more than a week since I saw many of you. As you might’ve heard, I’ve been under the weather fighting off a virus. As it turns out, I wasn’t medically cleared to go to the United Methodist Jurisdictional Conference in Washington, DC on Monday. Instead, I’ll be around. With us preparing for a new “liturgical” season and with so much going on at church, perhaps it was for the best.

 

Next Sunday, for example, as we celebrate holy communion, we will also have a beautiful opportunity to remember those in our congregation who in the last year have joined the many saints in glory before them. The weekend after, we will have our long-awaited Christmas fair, which should begin to help us wrap our heads around the fact that Christmas is coming very soon, and with that the end of a year, and the beginning of a new one. 

 

But let me not bypass such a great opportunity for me to say how deeply blessed I am to be your pastor. The last four months, although they have been filled with busy-new experiences, and eye-opening learning-moments, I thank God for allowing me to be here with you, to experience the love and faith of this community, and to be a witness of the joy with which you give to the mission and ministries of our church.

 

I hope that as we dream together, God will deepen our love for each other, give us the wisdom, the desire and the courage to please God in all our ways, to serve our community, and, ultimately, for God to give us the hope and ability to grow.

 

As we begin November, we will also start our stewardship campaign; and it is my hope that each of us will renew our commitment to give generously and gladly. Although I trust that God will provide for all our needs, including those of our church, I ask that all of us may consider how God may be calling us to respond with generosity and gratitude to this time in the life of our church.

 

During our season of Advent, the Spiritual Growth team will be offering a number of spiritual growth opportunities through Bible/book studies. I have always been of the mind that it is through spiritual growth that our faith can be deepened and that we can be blessed the most. So, it is also my hope that 50% of John Wesley will participate in our Bible/book studies. Wouldn't that be awesome! To be able to say that at least ½ of our congregation is involved and committed to the growing of their faith. How about it?

There should not be doubt that God is doing something new at John Wesley. I leave you with the words I heard a pastor share during his message: “we are the ones we have been waiting for.”

 

Because of Christ,

 

Pastor René

RECENT SERVICES 

CALENDAR

See what's happening this NOVEMBER

Children and Youth ~ Hannah Stelter

Hannah will be on vacation November 10th-13th for Oz's sister's wedding!

BIG Family Game Night: November 5th

On November 5th we are going to have a BIG Family Game Night! All of the games will be life-sized for extra amounts of fun! The games will begin at 6:00pm and we will wrap up at 7:30pm. Snacks will be provided.

Kid's Service: November 6th

On the 1st Sunday of the month instead of our regular lesson, after the children’s moment we will meet in the Chapel to sing and dance to some of our favorite songs from Vacation Bible School! Afterwards, we will participate in a small service project together for our church. When our project is complete, we will rejoin our families in the Sanctuary for communion. Kid's Service is for all children Kindergarten - 4th grade!

Youth Serve Saturday: November 19th:

Youth Serve Saturdays are a special once a month event where the youth gather for donuts and devotions before doing a small service project together. We will meet at 9am for a short devotional and some donuts before starting our service project.

Sunday School: Every Sunday at 9:30am

Sunday School for Kindergarten - 4th Graders takes place during the 9:30 service! We start in the Sanctuary until the children's moment before we go back to the Education Wing. We have two Sunday School classes. This month, we are going to continue learning about Jesus' miracles before starting Advent lessons.

Youth Group: Sundays | MS: 4:00-6:00 | HS: 5:00-7:00

Youth Group is back in full swing! The middle schoolers (5th-8th grade) meet for their lesson from 4:00-5:00pm. This month, we are going to continue to discuss 4 Acts of Love. At 5:00, the high schoolers (9th-12th grade) join for dinner and games! The middle schoolers head home at 6:00 when the high school lesson begins. This month, we are going to continue to discuss Identity. All youth and their friends are welcome to join us each week! 

There is NO Youth Group on November 13th due to the Holiday weekend. 

Dinner Volunteers:

We are in need of volunteers to make dinner each week! Food is an important way that people connect and we are so grateful for all of those who have made dinner for us so far! All the ingredients and a recipe are provided if necessary. Please click here to sign up or send Hannah an email!

John Wesley Youth Recreation Center: Tuesdays & Thursdays | 2:45-5:00pm

The John Wesley Youth Recreation Center (JWYRC) is up and running! We have had a few different youth visitors and it has been awesome so far! The JWYRC is an after school hang out space for 5th-8th grade youth and their friends! We are open two days a week and we hope that your youth will join us! 

The Sunday School kids learned the importance of remembering that God is in control by playing with balloons and realizing that there are things we cannot control and that's okay!

We had an AWESOME time at Trunk or Treat! Click here to see more pictures!

We picked up 5 bags of trash along Gifford St and Jones Rd. We are so proud of the youth and their hard work!

Worship ~ Diane Huban

The JW mugs featured at our Welcome Center are now being offered for sale. The cost is $10.00 a mug. You will need exact change or a check made out to JWUMC with mug in the note line. 


Mark your calendars now for Hanging of the Greens on November 20. We will begin shortly after the service ends. Coffee hour will be extended so there will be plenty of refreshments to keep you energized. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! Many hands make light work!  


Christmas Fair ~ Marilyn Sharp & Brent Finemore

LOTS of Help Needed for the Christmas Fair

The pay is great (free lunch) and the fellowship is unbeatable! 

 

NOV 9&10: 

Set up for the fair: moving tables, furniture and boxes of sale items

           Decorating the Narthex and Fellowship Hall

           Carrying clothing up from the basement

           Moving Hardware, Children’s Room and Attic Treasures from the garage

           Baked goods for the bake table

 

NOV 11&12: 

Workers at several stations

Cashiers

Food servers and table clearers for Friday dinner and Saturday lunch

Floaters to provide breaks for all the stations

Greeters and people to help overloaded customers to their cars

Repacking unsold items on Saturday afternoon

Replacing all the items moved in preparation for normal operation

 

NOV 13-15: Transporting unsold items to other charitable organizations

 

If willing and able to serve in any of these capacities for any portion of the dates listed, please contact:

      Marilyn Sharp 508-254-1557, mnmsharp@verizon.net

Or Brent Finemore 508-641-6077, bfinemore36@comcast.net

Apple Pie Workshop: November 3rd - any time after 8am. No experience necessary. This is a great opportunity for fun and fellowship while supporting the church fair fund raising.


Wreaths & Greens: Dick McKenzie is looking for greens and items such as sleds that he can decorate for the fair. If you have greens but can not cut them, give Dick a call 508-367-3681 or drop them off on his south lawn by his workshop. Juniter, privet, shrubs with small leaves, umbrella pine are all great choices.

Invitation & Hospitality ~ Colleen Karsner

HOSPITALITY NEWS

Thank you to Mel Trott and the Spiritual Growth MT for hosting Lite Coffee Hours in October.


In November, the Children and Youth MY will host these events after Sunday services. If you are able to assist, please contact Hannah Stelter. Your assistance is especially appreciated, as this is a one-woman committee! Thank you all for helping when you can.


Thanks.

Colleen

Spiritual Growth ~ Mel Trott

Men’s Breakfast on Tuesday, November 16th at 7:30 am in the Fitzgerald Room: Men of all ages are invited to attend an hour of Christian discussion, prayer, and fellowship. A light breakfast with coffee and juice will be provided. Going forward, Men’s Breakfast is planned for the third Tuesday of each month. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Matt O’Connor at oconnorscapecod@gmail.com.

"The Angels of Christmas"

Angels of Christmas with Betty Smith, Tuesday mornings at 10:30, and

with Jenn Linton and Mel Trott, Sunday Mornings at 8:30.


Pastor Rene has decided to go with the new Adam Hamilton Book, Prepare

the Way for the Lord. Karen, in a previous email you mentioned that you

were leaning toward this book also. So, if it's fine with you I have:


Prepare the Way for the Lord with Karen Camp and Amy Clatanoff Brown,

Monday evenings, and with Pastor Rene on Thursday afternoons.


Angels of Christmas


Explore the angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus! In this 4-week Advent work, Robb considers the interactions of God's messengers with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds; dives deep into the history of the angel Gabriel in the Old Testament; and discusses God's presence in history - and our lives today.

Christianbook.com


Betty Smith 10:30 Thursday mornings

Jenn Linton & Mel Trott Sunday mornings 8:30am


Prepare the Way For The Lord


Who better to ready your heart for the coming of Jesus than his precursor cousin, John the Baptist? Hamilton's Advent study explores four themes in John's message:


Christianbook.com


Pastor Rene Thursday Afternoon at 3:00pm

Karen Camp & Amy Clatanoff Brown Monday evening

Music Ministry ~ Paula King

Festival Choir

Raise your voices and praise the coming of the newborn king!

Have you thought of singing in the choir but would like to try it out first. Well, here is your chance!

A Festival Choir is forming for Christmas! 

Just three Wednesday evening 7pm rehearsals and one Christmas Eve service is all you need to attend. Consider joining other music lovers for this special opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit!

All are welcome!


Youth Choir/Music Ensemble starting soon! 

Youth grades 2 - 8

Rehearsals begin on Nov. 6th and will be held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month after coffee hour at 11:15 . We will be singing, bell ringing, playing drums and guitar. Let me know if you play an instrument!

If interested, 

contact Paula at paula.jwumc@gmail.com


Outreach/Missions ~ Bonnie Valade

Belonging to each Other - Winter shelters opening November 1st. for the homeless - one is for women the other is for men - the count as of now is 5 women and 6 men, these numbers may rise. The homes will be open for them to live until April. These are rental properties in Falmouth, and this is the 8th year.

Toiletry items are needed - especially body wash and shampoo. There is a drop off box in the narthex. If anyone is interested in joining this group BTEO please let me know and I will give you the person to contact.


Falmouth Service Center - we will continue to collect selected items for the center - each month the items in most demand will be posted, and the collection box is in the narthex.


Changing our World for the months of November and December will be for the Pastors Discretionary Fund.


If anyone would like to join our team, we would love to have you. Our meetings are held once a month at 6pm.


Thank you to all who donated food items to Falmouth Service Center and toiletries for our homeless neighbors.


Also, a great big thank you to Sally and Bud Tracy for their donation of pillows for the two shelter homes opening November 1st.


UKRAINE UPDATE

Bud and Sally Tracy continue to collect medicines, medical supplies and donations for Ukraine especially during October and November as the war goes on and the people there face the cold and uncertainty of the approaching winter. We coordinate our collections with St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Jamaica Plain and plan to deliver all supplies and monetary donations during Thanksgiving week.

A box will be available in the Music room with a small Ukrainian flag for donations. Medicines should be unopened. A list of suggested supplies is available in the Narthex. Monetary donations by check should be made out to Center Makor, a Jewish Philanthropic organization that helps both ship supplies and purchases medicines in European countries less expensively and gets them to Ukraine where they can be transported to the most needed areas. Cash if desired may be given to the Tracy’s who will make checks as above. We always note on the bottom “For Ukraine” so as not to be confused with other philanthropic funding. We continue to thank you for your generosity in this and so many other Outreaches of John Wesley.

The Church Mouse

I heard someone say they can’t believe it is November. The leaves are turning all kinds of colors and falling from the trees. This is something that happens every year at this time and the colors are so bright. There is a chill in the air but in the church, it is nice and warm. Thank you, Trustees, for making the church clean and warm. I guess I should thank John for the cleanliness. I keep my private space clean and the Trustees keep it warm.

 

Well, the new Pastor has been here for four months and seems to be settling in his office and continues to have meetings with the teams. Like I said last month I stay out of his way. I hide in my secret hiding spot in the Sanctuary each Sunday, so I don’t miss anything. The service seems a little longer, more singing, more readings and the sermon seems longer. The multimedia team is great but sure could use some help. I would help but I am too small to pull and press those buttons on that big board. I enjoy hearing the choir singing, the bells ringing and the organ playing. I like the piano but hearing the organ in church is wonderful. I heard someone say, it is so inspiring.

 

Every Sunday morning the Chapel is open at 9:00am for anyone who wants to take communion. I travel to the Chapel each Sunday morning before anyone arrives as it so peaceful with the plants and the water trickling. When I am there a few people come in, meditate and take communion. After that I travel very fast to my secret hiding place in the Sanctuary so I will not miss anything.

 

The church members continue to dropped off food for the Falmouth Service Center. I heard this Center collects and purchases food to give away to families who need food. The mission’s team is in charge of bringing the food to the Center. I heard at one mission meeting that we have something called comfort bags. The bags contain items such as toilettes, hat, gloves, socks, towel, etc. Things that a homeless person may need. I heard that these people do not have a home. I am so glad I can call John Wesley my home.

 

I heard the new Youth Center is open in the room below the big hall. An open house was held one Sunday in the new center. All the members of the church were invited to see the new center. I have already investigated the room and it is wonderful. I stayed upstairs looking for crumbs on the kitchen floor.

 

I hear all kinds of chatter about a Christmas Fair to be held at the church. I think I remember a fair last year. All kinds of things will be on sale like baked goods, books, homemade canned goods, homemade candy, all kinds of craft items, jewelry, hardware, decorated wreaths, clothing sale, something called attic treasurers, something called silent auction and FOOD. I am finding out that when Methodist get together, they always have food. So many people volunteered to help in all kinds of ways to make the fair fun and to help the church’s mission work.

That’s all I can remember about the last month. Like I said before so much is happening here it is hard to remember.

 

Enjoy the cooler weather and color,

Your friend The Church Mouse

Announcements

Some of us were thinking/talking about putting up a memorial in our narthex tree of life for Betty Bailey. 

If you would like to contribute, please give your contribution to Betty Smith or Linda Duane.

We were thinking of putting this on the plaque:


Betty Bailey

God, Family, Falmouth

Matthew 25:21

The Alternative Gift Market of Cape Cod is coming soon! John Wesley United Methodist Church is one of the sponsoring congregations, and we work together with many other faith communities in our area to organize and run this great 2 day event. The market will feature 20 amazing non profit groups that are doing fantastic work locally, nationally and globally. This is a great way to make a donation to a worthwhile organization in the form of a gift to someone you care about. The organizations are well vetted and represent many different interests, so there is something for everyone! Make a donation, receive an informative gift receipt and give that as the perfect gift for someone special. A charitable donation is the perfect gift. There will also be fair trade coffee, candy, gifts and one of kind cards for sale. Your holiday shopping could be completed in one day! 


Please join us Sat November 12 and Sunday November 13 from 11 am to 3 pm at Saint Barnabas Church Hall, 91 Main St, Falmouth.

Following the live market, we will have online shopping available Nov 14 through 20.


Visit  www.alternativegiftmarketcapecod.org


Questions or want to volunteer helping?

Contact Kate Finemore 508 641 4658

Bfinemore36@comcast.net 

Alternative Gift Market Poster

Amazon Smile This is the quarterly notification to inform you that AmazonSmile has made a charitable donation to the charity you’ve selected, United Methodist Committee On Relief, in the amount of $3,460.33 as a result of qualifying purchases made by you and other customers between April 1st - June 30th. 


Racial Justice Team continues to meet. Please contact Ali Armitage at alexarmitage72@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us. 


Extra! Extra! Read all about it! There are 100s of books 📚 available to pursue in our JWUMC Lounge Library. If you have any questions, see/email Karen Camp (nerakpmac13@gmail.com), our new librarian. Take a book - bring a book!  Check it out! 😉

November Meetings and Events at JWUMC

Weekly Meetings:

Monday ~ Crafters 10 am

Tuesday ~ Bible Study Group with Tim Cline & Ted Burt 10 am

Tuesday ~ 12 Disciples Study 10:30 am

Tuesday - Gundrun's ESL Class 6:30 pm

Wednesday ~ Prayer Meeting 11 am

Wednesday ~ Handbell rehearsal 5:45 pm & Chancel Choir at 7 pm


November Meetings:

Wednesday 3rd Pie Workshop 8:00

Thursday 3rd ~ TLT 6:30 pm

Wednesday 9th - Staff Meeting 10am

Thursday 10th - Fair Set Up

Friday 11th - Christmas Fair 1:30

Friday 11th - Veterans Day Holiday

Saturday 12th - Christmas Fair 9:00

Monday 14 - Blood Drive 10 -4pm

Tuesday 15th ~ Men's Discussion Breakfast 7 am

Tuesday 15th -SPRMT 4:30

Tuesday 15th ~ Spiritual Growth Ministry Team 6:30

Tuesday 14th ~ Blood Drive 10am - 4 pm

Wednesday 16th ~ Outreach/Missions Ministry Team 6:30 pm

Tuesday 29th ~ Trustees Meeting 5 pm

Birthday Wishes for October: 2nd ~ Nancy Leger, 3rd ~ Sharon Mulcahy,

8th ~Milton King, 16th ~ Dottie Hack, 17th Ted Burt, 23rd ~ Marge Dean

Let us celebrate life among our church family. It's a great thing to have a birthday, a gift from God. Please give your birthday information by recording it on the calendar on the Fellowship bulletin board.

Wild Turkey

John Wesley United Methodist Church, 270 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA 02540

(508) 548-3050 

 www.johnwesleyumc.org


John Loewen, Sexton

George Cary, Treasurer

Ruth Moulton, Church Administrator

Paula King, Director of Music Ministries

Hannah Stelter, Director of Children & Youth Ministries

Rev. René A. Perez, Pastor



Give Thanks on This Thanksgiving Day


Give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day

For things in life which are free.

For God’s great love and care for us,

For blessings for you and me.


Thank You, God, for all You’ve given

Since that first Thanksgiving Day,

When the Pilgrims came… settled here

To be grateful and to pray.


We have so much; we’re truly blessed

Living in this great country

With our family, church and our friends

To worship and to be free.


This holiday comes once a year,

But, let’s be grateful always

For fresh air, water and for food

As we worship God with praise.


So, as we gather together

This year on Thanksgiving Day,

May we give heartfelt thanks to God

For our bounty as we pray.


Joy Stosz

October 13, 2022



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