Wesley’s Journal June 2020 Wesley United Methodist Church A Church for ALL God’s People 85 Stanford Ave, Pueblo Co, 81005 (719) 561-8746 [email protected] Rev. Emilie Forward (719) 371-4748 To live by Faith to be known by Love and be a Voice of Hope. Words to ponder: Dearest Wesley church family, this is the last newsletter communication that you will receive from me as your pastor. Actually, I wasn’t much of a pastor in the last five months as I am recovering from this major spinal fusion surgery. I am doing fine and I am healing well. Fusion is in progress, I hope. The last seven years have truly been an incredible journey. In fact, it is more than we could have ever imagined. Walt and I feel privileged and humbled that we had anything to do with Wesley. Indeed, God has been so faithful and gracious. It’s hard to articulate the depth of the awe and gratitude that Walt and I have in our hearts. We have witnessed the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through the past seven years. I’ve given my best and my all to Wesley. I have poured out over the years and I am extremely grateful for what God has accomplished through your shared leadership. Now it is time to step aside as I have sensed that my assignment here at Wesley is complete and I believe it’s now time for new leadership with fresh vision, passion, and energy to take Wesley deeper and further in its mission. Please welcome the Rev. Lou Ward, his wife Jenna, their sons Landon and Liam with open arms. Lou has a wealth of leadership to give. Due to my medical condition, surgery, and COVID-19, my last worship service with you was on December 24, 2019 and my official last day with Wesley will be June 30, 2020. As a pastor I can only pray and hope that whenever a transition happens, it takes place in the midst of a thriving and flourishing church. While far from a perfect church, it gives me great joy to sense the current health of our church, aside from the restrictions of COVID-19, because I believe that it will serve as an important springboard for the future. I have so enjoyed my service to Wesley. There were good times, fun times, sad times. There were challenging times, growing times, flourishing times. We laughed together and we cried together. We shared meals together and refrained from eating. We shared the Gospel, we shared Holy Communion. We shared praising God through song, through prayer, through visitation. Now it is through the benediction that I will share with you all. “May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) Happy Trails, Rev. Emilie & Walt
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Wesley’sJournalJune2020
WesleyUnitedMethodistChurchAChurchforALLGod’sPeople85StanfordAve,PuebloCo,81005
(719)[email protected]
Rev.EmilieForward(719)371-4748
TolivebyFaithtobeknownbyLoveandbeaVoiceofHope.
Wordstoponder:DearestWesleychurchfamily,thisisthelastnewslettercommunicationthatyouwillreceivefrommeasyourpastor.Actually,Iwasn’tmuchofapastorinthelastfivemonthsasIamrecoveringfromthismajorspinalfusionsurgery.IamdoingfineandIamhealingwell.Fusionisinprogress,Ihope.Thelastsevenyearshavetrulybeenanincrediblejourney.Infact,itismorethanwecouldhaveeverimagined.WaltandIfeelprivilegedandhumbledthatwehadanythingtodowithWesley.Indeed,Godhasbeensofaithfulandgracious.It’shardtoarticulatethedepthoftheaweandgratitudethatWaltandIhaveinourhearts.WehavewitnessedthepresenceandpoweroftheHolySpiritthroughthepastsevenyears.I’vegivenmybestandmyalltoWesley.IhavepouredoutovertheyearsandIamextremelygratefulforwhatGodhasaccomplishedthroughyoursharedleadership.NowitistimetostepasideasIhavesensedthatmyassignmenthereatWesleyiscompleteandIbelieveit’snow
timefornewleadershipwithfreshvision,passion,andenergytotakeWesleydeeperandfurtherinitsmission.PleasewelcometheRev.LouWard,hiswifeJenna,theirsonsLandonandLiamwithopenarms.Louhasawealthofleadershiptogive.Duetomymedicalcondition,surgery,andCOVID-19,mylastworshipservicewithyouwasonDecember24,2019andmyofficiallastdaywithWesleywillbeJune30,2020.AsapastorIcanonlyprayandhopethatwheneveratransitionhappens,ittakesplaceinthemidstofathrivingandflourishingchurch.Whilefarfromaperfectchurch,itgivesmegreatjoytosensethecurrenthealthofourchurch,asidefromtherestrictionsofCOVID-19,becauseIbelievethatitwillserveasanimportantspringboardforthefuture.IhavesoenjoyedmyservicetoWesley.Thereweregoodtimes,funtimes,sadtimes.Therewerechallengingtimes,growingtimes,flourishingtimes.Welaughedtogetherandwecriedtogether.Wesharedmealstogetherandrefrainedfromeating.WesharedtheGospel,wesharedHolyCommunion.WesharedpraisingGodthroughsong,throughprayer,throughvisitation.NowitisthroughthebenedictionthatIwillsharewithyouall.“MaytheLORDblessyouandkeepyou;theLORDmakehisfaceshineuponyouandbegracioustoyou;theLORDturnhisfacetowardyouandgiveyoupeace.” Numbers6:24-26(NIV)HappyTrails,Rev.Emilie&Walt
Aresponsetotheurgingof
churchestoopenrightawayFromtheBishop-electoftheEpiscopalChurchintheDioceseofMissouri,DeonK.Johnson:“Theworkofthechurchisessential.Theworkofcaringforthelonely,themarginalized,andtheoppressedisessential.Theworkofspeakingtruthtopowerandseekingjusticeisessential.Theworkofbeingaloving,liberating,andlifegivingpresenceintheworldisessential.Theworkofwelcomingthestranger,therefugeeandtheundocumentedisessential.Theworkofreconciliationandhealingandcaringisessential.Thechurchdoesnotneedto“open”becausethechurchnever“closed.”WewhomakeuptheBodyofChrist,thechurch,loveGodandourneighborsandourselvessomuchthatwewillstayawayfromourbuildingsuntilitissafe.Wearethechurch.”
BISHOPKARENP.OLIVETOMay15,2020
TothePeopleCalledUnitedMethodistoftheMountainSkyConference,Jesus,followingtheresurrection,directedSimonPeterto“feedmylambs,tendmysheep.”(John21:15-19).Here,JesusentrustshisdisciplestocarefortheonesJesusloved:thelost,theleast,thelonely.Jesusasksthesameofyouandme.Wearetocareforthespiritual,physical,andemotionalwell-beingofthosewhomJesusloves.ThistakesonaresponsibilityofepicproportionsintheseCOVID-19daysweareliving.HowdowegatherastheBodyofChristandkeeponeanothersafefrominfection?Whatguidelinesmustwefollowifwearetomovefromonlineministrytoinpersonworshipandsmallgroups?Howdoweprepareourpeoplesothatthemostvulnerableinourmidstwillbekeptsafe?COVID-19isfarfromover.Whileourphysicaldistancinghashelpedflattenthecurve,infections(anddeaths)arestilloccurring.ThemostvulnerablepopulationtoCOVID-19(thoseover65)arethemajorityinourcongregations.AsdisciplesofJesus,wehaveaseriousresponsibilitytoorganizeandbuildupministryinwaysthatareaccessibletoall,beginningwiththemostvulnerable.SinceMarch,theMountainSkyConferenceCOVID-19CrisisteamhasbeenmeetingtoguidetheMSCresponse,communications,andprogrammingthroughthepandemic.Teammembersinclude:MargaretHotze,GaylaJoSlauson,DonMcCammon,BruceBerger,AJBush,GaryHaddock,PattiAgnew,AngieKotzmoyer,ZachBechtold,JanetMulroy,DawnSkerritt,CharmaineRobledo,AngelaThomas,JeffRainwater,AnnieArnoldy,MichaelSmithBishopKarenOliveto
Beforeconsideringareturntoin-personworshipandmeetings,allcongregationsareaskedtocreateateamtoworkthroughthisguidebook.Youwillfindbothconcretestepsforsafetyandhealth,aswellascriticalquestionstohelpyouconsiderwhatministryinthenextphaseofCOVID-19willlooklike.IdonotwantonesinglecaseofCOVID-19tracedtooneofourchurchesbecausewedidnotcareforthosewhomJesusloves.Ihopeyouwillfindthisguidebookhelpfulasyou(re)launchyourministries.MayGodcontinuetoblessyouandyourministries,
Thank youHereisahugethankyoutoCindyLewis,BethMangin,SusanFrank,andJanWarnerforyourconsistentconstructionofprayercomforters.Wewillgettogetherassoonaswecan.Staystrong.Besafe.Stayhealthy. SaraCarpenterMOVINGSALEJUNE12&13,2020@633WestacresAve.,Pueblo
Iamsellingmyfurnitureanditemsthatmadethechurchparsonagehomeforsevenyears.Theynowhavefulfilleditsusefulnessandareeagertofind
newowners.Ifthoseofyouwhohavegraciouslydonateditemstomyhouseholdin2013andwould
JUNE2020PeacewithJustice7thFlagDay14thFirstDayofSummer20thFather’sDay21stNewsletterDeadline25th
JohnWesley’sBirthday28th
CooperativeCareCenterisinneedof:cereal/cannedfruitSoupKitchenBean,rice,pasta,flour,oil
Our Deepest Sympathy for the Families of:
Betty Duran Scott Morgan
Linda Wood
likethemreturned,pleasegetintouchwithmeat371-4748.Rev.EmiliPEACEWITHJUSTICEJUNE7TH(Peacemakers)employalltheirstrength,allthetalentswhichGodhasgiventhem,aswellastopreservepeacewhereitis,astorestoreitwhereitisnot.”PleasenoteonyourcheckdonationstoPeacewithJustice.
For80yearsTheUnitedMethodistCommitteeonReliefhasrespondedtonaturalandman-madedisastersregardlessofthelocationortheneed.Thistimethedisasteris
everywhere.COVID-19hashadhotspotsthroughouttheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.Theeconomicimpactfromclosuresofmajorsectorsoftheglobalmarketplaceiscausingseverehardships.UMCORisfulfillingthemandatewithwhichitwascreatedbyrespondingintangiblewaysthat“alleviatepovertyandsuffering.”
Willyoupleasehelp?GlobalMinistriesandUMCORareassistingministrypartnersfromMiamitoManila,SeattletoSanPaloandCoatesvilletoKinshasa.Morerequestsforassistancearereceivedeachweekand,sadly,themajorityarerequestsforfoodtosupportvulnerablecommunities.Partnerswhooperateordirectlysupportfood
pantriesareaskingforhelpastheglobalfightagainstCOVID-19isinflatingthepriceoffood,especiallyinplaceswherefoodinsecuritywasalreadyamajorpublichealthissue-evenhereintheU.S.100%ofyourgifttotheUMCORCOVID-19ResponseFundwillbeusedtomeetthebasicneedsofpeoplewhoarehopingforyourresponse.
Happy June Birthdays JenayDwight 06/06BobFrantz* 06/10TomAugustine* 06/12LoisJeanMock* 06/15JudithPorter 06/24PauletteStuart 06/27JesseFurney 06/28*ProudlyCelebrating80yearsormore
Happy Anniversary Bill&SonyaFranklin(62) 06/01James&MabelBaker(53) 06/04Scott&WendyGoins(16) 06/18Carl&GracePasquin(61) 06/20Tom&SherylAugustine(64) 06/22Jim&BetteLunn(63) 06/23Bill&OrabelleEaston(71) 06/28 If we missed your birthday or anniversary. please let the Office know at 561-8746 or
PrayingforourElderly&HomeboundMarieEarnestJeanAllenDoraMartinezMaryJanoskiPhyllisCoveyEuniceCarpenterNitaBocimMelSpenceEvelynDicksonDocBlanchardDeane&EllaMaeBeachBill&OrabelleEastonBill&MarleneMcCarthyRamonaHigbeeNormaLordAllieMaeLawlisLeonaMcDanielShirleyKnightHelenMurleyPrayingforoursickandinneedofprayerDeOrreKunzColleenClarkDarylCrawfordChuckLipichJudyPorterStanCopeBeckyGoyetteKevinPattonFrancesBedlienJacobFreemanLarryGrayJackMcCullahCliffRichardsonHaroldCarterMarkCarilloSallyMaroKathyFrantzLilianRiveraKarenBurenEarlRobinsonMartinGorackeHarrietYingstChrisFlemmingBlakeGrayCathySheaTristanThomasCindyLewis&FamilyRev.MargaretGillikinRev.EmilieForwardJosephineMcCormickConradGerlockJimmyHarperAlbertMismash
ClareMetcalfShane&KaitinFishMaryThurstonTyHussLeonaMcDanielTom&SherylAugustineLinda&AlanWood&FamilyRobertRFrantzBryanHastingsJoelCarpenterJeriMorganJoelCarpetnerWeprayforthosewhoserveintheU.SMilitaryKevinMoritzArmy(SonofTammySchecter)SteveGarciaArmy(Great-GrandsonofBill&OrabelleEaston)JasonCosbyArmy(GrandsonofLedemaRenfrow)ScottFergusonArmy(NephewofLisaFergusonCyrille SanduskyNavy(GrandsonofDonBollacker)BrandiMirelesNavy(Step-daughterofRandyLosey)DerekP.LawNavy(GrandsonofMarilynSelbyRuff)LeeThomasNavy(NephewofHeidiFleming&AlyceBouy)MatthewFlemingNavy(NephewofHeidiFleming&AlyceBouy)CarlosAhumadaAirForce(SonOfCarlosAhumada)
DrewSelbyNavyAir(GrandsonofMarilynSelby-Ruff
MISSIONCOMMITTEE Pura Vida the organization thatcoordinates our sponsorship with
our Guatemalan students Priscilla and Vidaliasent out an e-mail in May. Many sponsorswanted to know about their students and iftherewasanythingtheycoulddotohelpduringthisCOVID-19crisis.
ThepeopleatPuraVidarealizedthestudentsand their familieswere having a hard time sotheycameupwiththeideaofgivingthemfoodbasketscontainingrice,cornmeal,beans,pasta,oil, oatmeal, and sugar. Each of these basketswouldcostabout$15.00apiecesotheyaskedusassponsorsifwecoulddonatetothecause.Wedidinaway.
SaraCarpentergraciouslydonatedthemoneygiventoher fromthecongregationformakingmasksforthembecauseoftheCOVID-19crisis.
SusanFrank
JOHNWESLEY’SBIRTHDAY
JUNE28THFAITHINJESUSCHRIST
Wesleybeganhisfamous
sermononsalvationbyfaithbyspellingoutwhatfaithisnot.ItisnotthefaithofaheathenwhomerelybelievesthatsomekindofGodexists.Norisitthefaithofadevilwhobelievesandfearsajustpunishment.Neitherisitaspeculative,rationalthing,acold,lifelessassent,atrainofideasinahead.Faithisadispositionoftheheart.TheproperobjectoffaithisJesusChrist,whohasactedmightilyforoursalvation.SalvationismadepossiblebythegraceofGodgivenfreelytoallwhohavefaithinChrist.JohnWesley’sMessageToday
Thanksforcontinuingtosupportourchurchfinances….Thisisaspecialthankstoallofyou
who have continued to send your financialsupport to Wesley during this difficult andtroublingtime.WhileourincomeisdownalittleduetotheabsenceofSundayServiceoverallourpledgeshaveheldupandourcashflowisdoingwell,keepingourbillspaidandfinancesingoodshape.Yourloyaltyandsteadfastnesshasmadeall the difference. May God continue to blessyouandus.JimStuart,FinanceCommitteeChair
.
WELCOMECHALLENGINGTIMES…asopportunitiestotrustme.Youhavemebesideyouandmyspiritwithinyou,sonoset
ofcircumstancesistoomuchforyoutohandle.Whenthepathbeforeyouisdottedwithdifficulties,bewareofmeasuringyourstrengthagainstthosechallenges.Thatcalculationiscertaintoriddle
youwithanxiety.Withoutme,youwouldn’tmakeitpastthefirsthurdle!Thewaytowalkthroughdemandingdaysistogripmyhandtightlyandstayinclosecommunicationwithme.Letyourthoughtsandspokenwordsberichlyflavoredwithtrustandthankfulness.Regardlessoftheday’sproblems,Icankeepyouinprefectpeaceasyoustayclosetome.JesusCallingSarahYoung Youwillkeepinprefectpeacehimwhosemindissteadfast,becausehetrustsinyou.ISAIAH26:3“ForIamtheLord,yourGod,whotakesholdofyourrighthandandsaystoyou,Donotfear:Iwillhelpyou.”ISAIAH41:13Consideritpurejoy,mybrothers,wheneveryoufacetrailsofmanykinds. JAMES1:2
ThankyouforsupportingWesleyUnitedMethodistChurch. ALITTLEHUMOR!Threefriendsfromthelocalcongregationwereasked,“Whenyou’reinyourcasket,andfriendsandcongregationmembersaremourningoveryou,whatwouldyoulikethemtosay?”Johnsaid,“IwouldlikethemtosayIwasawonderfulhusband,afinespiritualleaderandagreatfamilyman.Marlenecommented,“IwouldlikethemtosayIwasawonderfulteacherandservantofGod,whomadeahugedifferenceinpeople’slives.”Donsaid,“I‘dlikethemtosay,“Look!He’smoving!
My chains are gone I’ve been set free My God, My Savior Has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy rains Unending love Amazing Grace HappyFather’sDay
FoodCardsDoyoubuyyourgroceriesfromKingSoopers?HelpsupportWesleybybuyinggrocerycardsfromTom&LoisJeanMock.YoucanfindthissweetcouplehereonSundaysorcancall1(970)657-7524.
Wesley United Methodist Church 85 Stanford Ave Pueblo Co 81005 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
June 2020
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