January 5, 2024 Wesley UMC Newsletter

Worship Services

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Mark 1:4-11 NRSV

by Rev. Sara L. Isbell

NOTE: We will only have ONE morning service at 10:00am in the Wesley Sanctuary. We will not livestream, but we will be posting a Pre-Recorded service on YouTube and Facebook (email will be sent out Sunday Morning)

Respiratory Illness Policy Update:

The Wesley COVID Re-Entry Team has updated the recommended protocols in light of the recent increase in rates of infections, transmissions, and hospitalizations in Central Illinois. The adjusted policy is as follows:

As of December 21, 2023, wearing masks in Wesley’s buildings will be optional but encouraged. Persons with immune deficiencies or other comorbidities, vulnerable family members, as well as unvaccinated persons, are encouraged to mask, but will not be required. Mask mandates for choir members, musicians, instrumentalists, etc., will not be required. All persons are welcome to wear masks out of concern and care for the most vulnerable among us, and all are asked to show respect with regard to physical distance between persons. Persons serving Communion elements and food should wear a mask during times of high incidence of respiratory illness (COVID, flu, and RSV.)



Other precautions:

• Persons testing positive for COVID should follow current CDC guidelines of isolating for 5 days. After 5 days, symptom-free persons may return to church activities. Please mask while at church during the first 5 days of return.
• Persons experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID should avoid entering the building and obtain a negative COVID test before returning to the church. According to the CDC, the most common current symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, aches and pains, sore throat, headache. The full list of possible symptoms can be found on the CDC website (listed below.)
• For additional information see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nciv/your-health/isolation.html 

If McLean County experiences a reversal in COVID improvement (e.g. high rates of hospitalization, transmission, positivity) mask mandates may be reinstituted.

For more information, contact Pastor Sara at [email protected].

News Of Wesley (NOW)

The December 2023 edition of the NOW magazine is available this Sunday at the Welcome Desk! Please feel free to stop by and pick up your copy.

The NOW is a monthly issue of events and other newsworthy information at Wesley Church. We'll be taking a break from the NOW for January, but will resume in February!

To request space in the NOW, contact us at [email protected] by January 21st!

We have fantastic Sunday School opportunities for all ages!

My Favorite Book of the Bible will be resuming in January!

On December 16th we served 660 families, 2188 individuals at the paper distribution. There were 42 volunteers working to make sure every family received some paper products. Now we have to restock and our greatest need is for the following:

Our current needs are for the following:

• Paper Towels - need 400
• Diaper Wipes - need 380
• Diapers Sizes - 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 4T-5T,
• Goodnites Sizes: L and XL both boys and girls
• Feminine Hygiene: Tampons 
• Miscellaneous items: toothpaste/brushes, body wash, bar soap, shampoo
• Monetary Donations always help!

On December 16th, a lady came to the walk-up door and Mary Ann Knudson helped her. There was a sweater given to us that Mary Ann thought would fit the lady so she asked her if she wanted it. The lady took the sweater and held it up to see if better and broke out into a big smile. She said she would love to have the sweater and that it was her birthday! Whomever put that sweater in the collection bin, know that you made a lady's birthday special. Thank you!

We are still collecting winter hats, gloves, scarves and coats. Time to clean out your closet and bring a smile to someone who is in need. It may not be their birthday but they will appreciate your gift!

 Contact Karen Daudelin at [email protected] to sign up.

Interested in a job as Food Service Coordinator at Wesley?

The position is 10 hours per week, and requires availability late afternoon-early evening on Sunday and Wednesday.

The person in this position is responsible for coordination and preparation of meals for the Wesley Surge youth group and Wednesday at Wesley family meal including oversight of menu preparation and acquisition of needed supplies and provisions for those meals; responsibility for cleanliness and maintenance of kitchen equipment; and supervision of any volunteers needed.

There are many ways to give from the safety and comfort of your home. The easiest way is to click below to give online with our secure and SSL-encrypted donation site.

You may also submit an online offering by texting. To do this, simply text:

"${your donation amount}OFFERING"

to:(309) 822-4442

For mail-in offerings, please mail a check to: Wesley United Methodist Church - 502 East Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

Stewardship Cards are available at Wesley on the welcome desk

Our stewardship drive for 2024 is under way. This is the time when our members and friends can fill out a stewardship card and provide their intention of financial support for our General Operating Fund for 2024. Stewardship cards have been mailed to member homes. Additional copies are available at the welcome desk. Members and friends can fill out a stewardship card and indicate their support of time, talent and treasure in 2024 – including financial support for our General Operating Fund. We can mail or email additional cards if you need one!

Please take time to consider what support you hope to provide next year: your spiritual gifts, abilities and financial gifts. The commitment total enables us to determine a General Fund Budget with a degree of confidence. We seek to set budgets that are realistic and faithful to the commitments that our members make, so returning commitment cards is a very important part of the process.

Thanks to our members and friends who have already returned a commitment card for 2024. As of November 29, we have received 167 cards totaling $900,872. Last year we received 191 commitment cards totaling $862,785. All commitment cards remain in Wade Meranda's office and the information is kept confidential of course.

Please pray for the spirit of generosity to be upon our congregation.

Please pray that all our members and friends remember to provide a pledge card for 2024!

Email Pastor Sara L. Isbell for prayers and Pastoral concerns.

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.