April 22nd, 2022
CLICK all [RED LINKS] and IMAGES for more info!
Services for this Sunday
9:00a.m. Traditional Service
11:30a.m. Contemporary Service
Creation Care Sunday is a time when we are reminded to connect with creation and God's goodness as a powerful way to motivate ourselves and others to care for our earth. Please join us this Sunday and learn how Wesley is doing our part in caring for our shared environment with the help of Church and Society's new Creation Care Ministry.
Confirmation Sunday is the first time that our young confirmands will publicly declare their intention to live out the vows of the baptismal covenant and it is also a time for the congregation to celebrate their young people’s commitment to “live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ,” and to renew their commitment to do the same.
2022 Wesley United Methodist Church Confirmands
Cohen Wyler Boyd
Robert Joseph Rick, III
Ingrid Joan Gjesfjeld
Sidney Grace Schottland
Alyssa Lynnette King
Jaxon Matthew Tomera
SERVICE UPDATE:
There will be two in-person and online services this Sunday

Traditional: 9:00am, Contemporary 11:30am
Nursery available from 8:45am - 12:45pm
Donuts and refreshments will be available in the Garden Room!
Sunday's Sermon
9:00am Traditional Service: Creation Care Sunday
Scripture: Genesis: 1:26-31 (CEB)

11:30am Contemporary Service: Confirmation Sunday
This Week's Attendance
Traditional: 360 Contemporary: 95
Online views in the last week: 1,078
Unique views: 441
There will be two services this week which we will also live stream on our YouTube channel. There will be a traditional service at 9:00am and a contemporary service directly following at 11:30am.
THERE IS NEVER A FEE TO USE YOUTUBE
Saturday, April 23rd
#BeUMC honors the core values that connect the people of The United Methodist Church. No matter the challenges we face, God is with us, and we continue to have opportunities to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! Click the image to read more on #BeUMC!
You can view current stewardship information and invest online at www.WesleyUMCBloomington.org/stewardship2021
(United Methodist Committee on Relief)
United Methodists and others wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. Write “Advance #982450-Ukraine” on the memo line of your check or in the “other ministries” notes under UMCOR.
Masking Requirements
As of March 1, Wesley began following the guidelines set by Governor Pritzker and made face-masks optional (but still welcome!) for persons in our building. At this time, masks will still be required for persons working directly with (unvaccinated) children and persons using the bus/van. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. For all of the information on Wesley's policies and health guidelines concerning COVID please click here.
Sunday, April 24th
 Christian Education
The ParentCue.org is an amazing resource that also uses the Orange philosophy for teaching our children! Weekly activities and devotionals are offered to guide kids to trust Jesus. All of this is aimed at being done in a way that changes how they see God, themselves, and the rest of the world.
Sunday School Nursery
Room 117
8:45am - 12:45pm

We are meeting in-person! Ms. Liz will send out the Sunday Experience Link and coloring page on Sunday morning. Masks are required by all leaders and encouraged for kids (ages 3-5) in preschool ministries.

If you would like to receive emails, please let Liz know at:ltomera@wesley-umc.com
Children's Church
Wesley Hall
9:00am - 10:00am

We look forward to gathering online for our Children's Sunday School if you aren't able to make it in person at Wesley Hall! Click the email link below for information and as always, please stay safe!

Contact Kathi Pritts for the zoom link at:
Jr. High Class
6/7 Grade Boys Group Rm
10:15am - 11:15am

Wesley's Youth team is so excited to see you again this Sunday! Click the email link below for information and as always, please stay safe. For those joining us, we'll see you this Sunday!


Contact Kelsey Ross for additional information at:
W.I.S.E.
Wesley Hall
10:15am - 11:15am

W.I.S.E. (Wesley Intergenerational School Experience) is where families learn together, strengthen the bonds of family and faith, and have conversations of faith. W.I.S.E. begins in Wesley Hall and then moves to rooms 21-30.

Contact Kathi Pritts for more information at:
Children's Church
Wesley Hall
11:30am - 12:30pm

We look forward to gathering online for our Children's Sunday School if you aren't able to make it in person at Wesley Hall! Click the email link below for information and as always, please stay safe!

Contact Kathi Pritts for the zoom link at:
Sr. High School
Sr. High Lounge
10:15am - 11:15am

Wesley's Youth team is so excited to see you again this Sunday! Click the email link below for information and as always, please stay safe. For those joining us, we'll see you this Sunday!


Contact Kelsey Ross for additional information at:
Please click below to join us online or in-person at Wesley (Gathering in the Lounge) for Adult Sunday School from 10:15-11:15am. We will be studying the book Short Stories by Jesus.
Please sign up before using the zoom link so we know to expect you. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Explore a fresh and timely interpretation of Jesus’ most popular teaching parables in our upcoming book study. We will be in the Lounge beginning on Sunday, April 24th from 10:15-11:15am.

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives.

Your families and friends are more than welcome to join!! Click here to view all of our current book studies.

Please contact Kathi Pritts for additional information.
Sunday, May 8th
Bishop's Study On the Holy Spirit. 

Beginning Sunday May 8th in the library and Wednesday nights beginning May 11th in the Garden Room, Pastor Evans will lead a Bishop's study on the Holy Spirit. No book will be needed for this study and all are welcome!
Wednesday, April 27th
Join us for Wednesdays at Wesley!
(please check email on Tuesdays for possible cancellations)
Wednesday, June 1st
Church & Society
Church and Society’s goal is to address issues of poverty, climate, health, peace, civil and human rights, and racial justice.
Introducing: The Wesley Creation Care Team!
The Creation Care Team is a new group tasked with addressing creation care within our church and community desired by the conference for every United Methodist Church. To learn more about the Creation Care Team, please visit their web page by clicking the button below!
Thank you for all of your support throughout the year!
Throughout the month of April, we have a very special collection.

Fast Food Gift Cards
for the 
Pastors' Discretionary Fund

    McDonalds - Subway - Taco Bell - Arbys - ETC

$10-15.00 Amounts are preferred

   The Just One Box has a secure place for the gift cards or
    they may be placed in the collection plate on Sundays

The weekend of the Rummage Sale, Tiarra Grant will take any donations in the Reception Office as the donation boxes in the hall will not be available.

As Always, Church & Society THANKS YOU for your support

Monday, April 25th
Prayer Shawl Ministy

Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the Garden Room at Wesley on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 2 - 4pm. Prayer shawls are crocheted by volunteers who recite prayers with each thread. Click here for more info.
Tuesday, April 26th
Loads of Love

Loads of Love laundry service helps those who have found themselves in need of quarters to do laundry each week at Wash House, 609 N. Clinton, Blm. from 4:30 - 8:00pm. We are in need of volunteers for Loads of Love. Please email Gary Thompson to help!
Friday, May 17th
UMW presents the Spring Fellowship Dinner 
Tuesday, May 17 at 6 pm in Wesley Hall

Catalyst Ministries, based in Bloomington, will present an inspirational program about how they help survivors of sex trafficking turn their lives around 
through Catalyst Ministries' residential program at Catalyst Farms. Please join us to hear about the successes of this wonderful program!

Tickets $10 each, will be sold in the Garden Room between morning worship services on the second two Sundays in May.  
Tickets may also be purchased in the church office. 

Friday, May 21st
Volunteers Please! CLICK HERE

Drop-off of paper products can be placed in the bin across from the Garden Room.
OUR NEXT DISTRIBUTION IS SATURDAY MAY 21st
Join us at Wesley West every third Saturday from 8:00am-11:30am and help nearly 400 local families with their basic paper product needs!
Friday, June 3rd
Surge is preparing for the upcoming summer with lots of plans! Check out what is coming up:

Our Hometown Mission week #ServingBloNo is June 3rd - 8th , open to all Jr. High and High School students. Cost is $75.
We look forward to #SurgeSummer every year, and we would love to have you! For questions about our Summer events, please contact:
Kelsey Ross (618) 558-0748.
In memory of:

Kevin Smith
Kevin Radliff Smith, died unexpectedly April 2, 2022. He was 67-years old, and a resident of Bloomington, IL
John Thomas Naylor
August 16, 1940 - March 31, 2022

VENICE, Florida - John Thomas Naylor, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died Thursday, March 31, 2022, at his home in Venice, FL. He was 81-years old.

Please keep the families and friends of Kevin and John in your prayers through these troubling times.
Hospital Visits

As healthcare facilities are beginning to allow area clergy to visit patients again, please remember to notify the Church office or a pastor when you or a loved one are admitted to a local hospital. Hospitals are not currently allowing churches to inquire about their congregants' inpatient status or room number. We will not know if you have been admitted to the hospital unless you give us a call.

If you have news to share with the Wesley family let us know by clicking HERE or calling 309-827-8046.
Sunday, April 24th
Scout Coffee Will Be Available for Purchase this week!
Wesley Chartered Troop 918 will be selling coffee before and between services on April 24 and May 1. We will have coffee on hand but are happy to take orders as well.
Bags of Scout coffee are $14 and Scout K-cups are $16 per box. All proceeds go to benefit Scouts going to ISR Summer Camp!
Thursday, April 28th
View the Bloomington-Normal Community Concert Band website HERE
Bloomington/Normal
Community Concert Band is Coming to Wesley!
The Bloomington-Normal Community Concert Band (CCB) performs a variety of concerts throughout the year around Central Illinois. Join us on April 28th as they host this live and free concert to the public in the Wesley Sanctuary at 7:00pm!
Weekly Scout Schedules!
Cub Scouts Meet at Wesley Every Second and Fourth Thursday!

Cub Scouting is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to promote character development, citizenship training, personal fitness, and leadership. For more information, please email Andrea Kane
Girl Scouts Meet at Wesley Every First and Third Thursday!

If you know or are someone who would like to join in building courage, confidence, and character, while making the world a better place, please feel free to contact Liz Tomera to learn about Girl Scouts!
Boy Scouts Meet at Wesley Every Monday!

Troop 918 works hard to prepare our youth to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. For more information on BSA, please feel free to contact Ken Anderson.

This year's Scout Summer Youth Camp theme is WILD WILD WEST!

Camp dates are from June 12-17th at the awesome Comlara Park in Hudson, IL! Cub scouts of all ranks absolutely LOVE this yearly event and your scout has the opportunity to earn badges, see friends, make new friends, and experience all the unique scouting activities we have to offer!

We would love for your Boy Scouts to volunteer a day or more at our camp this year as well. To take advantage of this youth leadership opportunity, please have them contact Bloomington Cub Scout Camp Director Meghan Hillebrandt and we can get them placed in a position that they can excel in helping with!

For more information, please click here!
May 9th & 10th
The IGRC Disaster Response committee is offering two events and trainings this spring.
May 9th & 10th: Connecting Neighbors Online Training
from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm each evening

Please go to:
www.igrc.org/disasterresponse for more event information.
There is no registration fee for this gathering. The agenda will include an introduction of the Connecting Neighbors ministry, Early Response Team overview, sessions on preparing your local community and using strategic partners, opportunities through Midwest Mission to help grow your church and increase mission activity, and on-site service opportunities.
THANK YOU!
We have received tremendous financial support through these uncertain times. We are SO grateful to our congregation for giving generously and stepping forward in FAITH! There are many ways to GIVE from the safety and comfort of your home. CLICK HERE to submit your offering online, TEXT "$__ OFFERING" to 309.822.4442, or mail your offering to the church:

Wesley United Methodist Church
502 East Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
CONTACTING WESLEY COMMUNICATIONS TEAM!
Do you have a story or upcoming event that you would like to share with Wesley Church? GREAT- We love hearing from you about your good news!

Please email John Perry to make an appointment for a call or office visit.

Appointment times are as follows:

Monday and Friday
Available via email only
9:00am - 3:00pm

Tuesday-Thursday
Available via email, in-person, or phone
12:30pm - 3:00pm

Deadline for newsletter information is Wednesdays at noon.
Deadline for newsletter revisions is Thursday at noon.
Information received after these times will show in the following week.

SHOW YOUR DEVOTION!
We are currently looking for Wesley members to do quick 5-minute devotion videos. We make it easy and convenient by doing all the recording for you! Contact Ben Lash to schedule a date to record.
The offerings you make to Wesley UMC are the source for all the wonderful things we do in our communities. Click the Wesley Give image and share the possibilities of a better day with our local friends and families
Ways to Connect:
Visit us online at www.WesleyUMCBloomington.org; subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Facebook or continue to look for our emails in your inbox. Tell your friends and families about the Alive newsletter! There just may be something we can do together!
Wesley Emergency Number after Office Hours:
Rev. Sara L. Isbell  217.299.4870 

Wesley United Methodist Church:
502 E. Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Office 309.827.8046
 
Visit www.WesleyUMCBloomington.org for more information about our news and events.
You can also visit us on Facebook, instagram, twitter, and YouTube