Volume 33 #12 December 2018

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The Encounter Periodical Postage Rate

At Fresno, Calif.

Wesley United Methodist Church 1343 E Barstow Ave Fresno, CA 93710-6309

(559) 224-1947

CORE VALUES

Spiritual Growth Social Justice Inclusiveness

Finding Community During The Christmas Season at Wesley

Dec 4th, 6:30PM, Wesley Dines In Potluck Sign Up on Nametag Table, At Yohannes/Polenz Home

Dec 8th, 1PM to 3:30PM, UMW Tea at Wesley

Tickets On Sale After Church, $5 Music by the McLane High School Choir

$ Donation for Evangel Home All Are Welcome, Childcare Provided

Dec 16th, 3PM, Christmas Caroling

6PM, Finger Food Potluck

Christmas Eve Services 5:30PM, Family Service

11PM, Lessons, Carols & Candlelight

6 INCH POINSETTIAS $10 In this season of joy, we will be decorating John Wesley Hall with Christmas Poinsettias. We offer

you the opportunity to make a donation in honor or memory of your loved ones. If you would like one

please call the office or pick up an envelope on the nametag table on Sunday.

A Note of Thanks from Jo Polenz

A huge and deeply felt thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the cards, concern, hugs and love that has been expressed to us this past month from our Wesley family. And thanks to all who attended Ned’s Celebration on Sat. Nov 3. Our family is forever grateful. Your love and care has sustained us.

Lydia’s House Saturday, December 15 -- 9:00 am to noon in the Fireside Room

Title: “Justice, Thy Will Be Done” All women are invited. Bring mug, fruit (cut up) or bakery item to share.

For information call Sally Adlesh 324-9608 or Sylvia Pethoud 438-7705

Sunday School Classes Children 10:15 - 11:30am Ed West

Adult Forum 9:15 - 10:15am Fireside Room

ONGOING SMALL GROUPS SUNDAY Meditation 9:15am, Winterberg #2

MONDAY Bible Studies 11:00am, Winterberg #3

Video lecture series, “The Holy Land Revealed” in WEC #3

6:30pm, Parsonage call office for address,

Reading the gospel of Luke.

WEDNESDAY 10:00am, Library, Book Study, Short Stories by Jesus:

The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine

THURSDAY 10am, Library, Women’s Bible Study, Women of Christmas*

Pastor Karen will be out of the office December 5th at a meeting in Madera and the afternoon of December 12th at a meeting with colleagues in Clovis. Pastor Karen’s office hours are Monday—Wednesday from 9am to 3:30pm. She makes pastoral care visits on Thursdays. She is available by phone or appointment.

Special General Conference Discussion Groups

Since the insertion in 1972 of harmful language in the United Methodist Book of Disciple, people have been working for justice for LGBTQ people. At the 2016 General Conference (a meeting of UMs from around the world every four years) the bishops of the church were asked to gather selected clergy and laity to discuss a way that we can move forward. The “Commission on a Way Forward” met and has proposed a resolution to be voted on at the Special GC, Feb. 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, MO. Other groups within the UM have submitted two additional resolutions. Look for links on the Wesley webpage for the report from the Commis-sion and a side by side comparison published by Reconciling Ministries Network. What will this mean for Wesley? What does the future hold for the UMC? While these questions are difficult to answer, we can spend time discussing the various resolutions and fixing our resolve to continue to be a church where all means all, as we have been since 1984. We will meet after church, bring a brown bag lunch, on January 20th, January 27th and February 3rd.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

Once a common practice, swaddling fell out of favor in the west during the 17th century. I’ve seen church signs that read, “Mary wrapped the first present!” I am thankful that we have several opportunities at Wesley to celebrate Love, the first present.

We will celebrate in worship remembering the 200th anniversary of Silent Night with the worship series “Calm and Bright”. The bells will play on December 16th and then on the 24th we join together at the Christmas family service at 5:30pm and the candlelight service at 11PM. The beauty of worship by candlelight and singing Silent Night is a great gift of love.

Another Wesley tradition on December 1st is gathering to assemble 3000 gift bags for the women in the federal prison in Chowchilla. It is an amazing day with people from around the valley gathering to work together. Plan to come out and experience love in action.

Twelve people have signed up to go caroling! We will spread out across Fresno singing to the Wesley saints at home. When we arrive back at Wesley we will enjoy a finger food potluck. It will be a blessing to give a gift of time and love to those who can no longer come to church.

There are more times to celebrate! The December Wesley Dines Out is a potluck at the Polenz/Yohannes home on December 4th. On December 8th we will gather with United Methodist Women to hear the McLane High School Choir at the annual Christmas Tea. Childcare is provided for the tea on the 8th. The church office invites you to a potluck at noon in the library on December 18th, bring a dish to share and wear your favorite Christmas sweater, sweatshirt or shirt.

May Love fill your heart at Christmas and always,

Wesley Dines In! Christmas Potluck at the Home of Jeanne

Polenz & Carol Yohannes on December 4th at 6:30pm. Sign up sheet on the nametag

table or call the church office.

“The Encounter” (USPS 742-130) is published monthly by Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow Avenue, Fresno CA 93710. Periodical postage is paid at Fresno, CA 93706. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Encounter, 1343 E Barstow Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710

Wild Wesley Women Hostesses 2018 2nd Sunday @6pm

December 9…...Kathryn Johnsen

Adult Forum, Sundays 9:15 am, Topical Small Group Discussions Political polarization in the U.S. has reached a point where left and right can’t even agree on basic truths and demonstrable facts. “Factfulness,” a new Adult Forum class based on the New York Times best-selling book by Hans Rosling, will give you surprising insights into the state of the world today and simple strategies to help you avoid being deceived. Join Robert Pethoud for any or all of the sessions at 9:15 am in the Fireside Room on December 2, 9, and 16. Pastor Karen will lead Lectio Divina, a prayerful reading of scripture on December 23. There will be no Adult Forum on the 30th.

Are you looking for a new ministry opportunity?

We will be starting a new ministry to provide meals to Wesley family and friends that are recovering from surgery, illness, or have recently been in the hospital. We are looking

for a few people to sign up to provide food on an “as needed” basis. If you are interested in receiving more

information or want to sign up to help in this ministry, contact Carolyn Scott 559-903-4240 or cscott93630@gmail.com

Additionally, if you know of someone that is in need of a

meal after hospitalization, contact the church office. They will then get the information to the correct person.

Christmas Caroling in December

Do you enjoy singing Christmas carols? We will sing to homebound Wesley saints on

12/16, meeting at Wesley at 3pm and then head out to bring Christmas cheer. We will

gather back at Wesley at 6pm for a finger food potluck and fellowship. If you know someone who would appreciate a visit from a group of Wesley carolers, please contact the office.

Sign up sheet will be on the nametag table or call the office.

Sew N Sews and Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Sew N Sews challenges their Wesley family to gather 31 new pillows, 42 new sets of twin sheets and 50 new blankets to join with Lithia Subaru and Lowes to provide 50 beds for

children in Fresno. Bring your pillows, sheet sets and blankets to church by December 20th Check out the website at SHPbeds.org

Fire Relief Wondering how to help with

the fires in our Conference and state?

Here is a direct link on how you can contribute and

donate to provide immediate relief for the victims of

wildfires: https://calnev-reg.brtapp.com/

disasterresponse You can go either to the link or write a check to Wesley UMC

with note: Fire Response!

The Wednesday Book Group is beginning a new book, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine. You may

have heard or even studied these parables before, but not the way Levine tells them. Levine is a renowned—and witty—scholar who stresses the importance of knowing the Jewish context for Jesus’ stories. So often the parables have been

“Christianized and sanitized” that we lose the punch that the original hearers felt.

The group is open to all who wish to read and discuss the book. If you have been considering joining the reading group, a new book is the perfect time to fit right in. They meet each Wednesday morning at 10:00 in the church Library (in the office

building). If you want to know more, contact CJ Pitcher at 301-2357 or cjpitcher93710@gmail.com

Year End Giving We have been tightening our belts and you

have been catching up on your giving. Thank you! Please be sure to send all contributions to the office postmarked by December 31st. Your giving to the budget supports staff salaries and

benefits, utilities and program expenses. Gifts to Memorials are used for Trustee projects as does the money raised by football parking.

Don’t forget to send in your pledge card!

Fresno Wesley Foundation Would you like for your giving to do good year after year? Contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible. Distributions from your IRA can go directly to the Wesley Foundation untaxed

and you will still get credit for a charitable deduction on your taxes. Your thoughtful

donation will help support the many missions of Wesley UMC for decades!

For more information—Call Darla Bussey 225-7506

Sunday Scripture Sermon

Dec 2 Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:2, 7-8 Sleep in Peace

Dec 9 Psalm 86:9-11; Luke 2:8-20 Glories Steam

Dec 16 John 1:1-5, 14, 16-17 Redeeming Grace

Dec 23 Luke 2:1-20 Let Us Sing

Dec 30 Colossians 3:12-17 On Trend for 2019

Volume 33, #12

Wesley United Methodist Church Phone 559-224-1947

wesleyfresno.org

Greeters Media Techs Liturgists Ushers

Dec 2 Hospitality Team Alice Hawke Kathryn Johnsen Barb Bray, Rick Nunez

and Rey Castillo

Dec 9 Hospitality Team Estelle Parenteau Dale Cahill Debby Sultan Marry Parfitt

Dec 16 Hospitality Team Estelle Parenteau Joanna Spence Bill Perry

Rich Plummer

Dec 23 Hospitality Team Myra Cubos Susan Wilshusen Corrina Smart

Marge Largent

Dec 24 5:30pm Myra Cubos N/A

Dec 24 11:00pm Alice Hawke Linda Bennett Mark Layous

Dec 30 Hospitality Team Myra Cubos James Shepard Beth Janeway

Worship Leadership for December

Contact Wesley's Staff Pastor Karen Stoffers-Pugh karen@wesleyfresno.org Office Secretary Myra Cubos myra@wesleyfresno.org Bookkeeper Sharon Sanchez sharon@wesleyfresno.org Music Director Elizabeth Layous Accompanists Peggy Copp, Carol Presley Custodians Dolores Lopez, Stella Venegas Our United Methodist Connection California-Nevada Annual Conference Phone (916) 374-1500 www.calnevumc.org Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño/Debra Brady, Central Valley District Supt. Email: debrab@calnevumc.org

December Sundays Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays

9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal

9:15 AM - 11:30 AM Childcare 9:15 AM Meditation & Adult Forum 10:15 AM Sunday School for Children 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Snack & Chat Fellowship

11:00 AM Monday Bible Study 3 PM Reading & Beyond 6:00 PM Bible Study @ Parsonage

8:00 AM Tuesday Crew 10:00 AM-2 PM Pink Cow Open

10 AM Book Study Group

3 PM Reading & Beyond

9:00 AM Food Pantry Open 10 AM-2PM Pink Cow Open 10 AM Women’s Bible Study 5:30 PM Base Camp

OFFICE CLOSED

9:00 AM Food Not Bombs (except December 8th & 15th)

Saturday

the 1st

10 AM - 12:30 PM Pink Cow Open 9 AM—2PM Prison Gift Bag Packing Day

Tuesday

the 4th

6:30-8:30PM Wesley Dines In! Christmas Potluck at Polenz & Yohannes Home

Wednesday

the 5th

7PM Guidance Team

Saturday

8th

1-3:30PM UMW Christmas Tea

Sunday

the 9h

11:45AM Blood Pressure Check 11:45AM Social Justice Action Team 2PM PFLAG Christmas Potluck

Sunday the

9th

6-8PM Wild Wesley Women, Home of Kathryn Johnsen

Wednesday

the 12th

7:00PM SPRC Meeting

Thursday the

13th

6PM Worship Committee

Sunday

the 16th

3PM Caroling to Wesley Saints at Home 6PM Potluck @ Wesley 2-5PM LGBTQ+ & Allies Potluck Toni & Della’s home

Tuesday the

18th

2PM Nurture & Care

Thursday the

20th

8:30-9:30AM Pink Cow Committee

Monday

the 24th

5:30 Family Service 11PM Candlelight Service

Wesley

Bell

11:45am Rehearsals Dec 2 & 9

Bronze

Choir

Playing in Worship

December 16th!

Special Calendar Events

Weekly Calendar Events

Office Closed December 25th—January 1 Staff is either working or taking vacation/personal time during this slow period of the year.

2019 Save the Dates January 12th, New Community UMC in Oakhurst,

Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing March 1-3, Interfaith Scholar Weekend, Rev. Dr. Thandeka,

a Unitarian Universalist Scholar and professor at Andover Newton Theological School.

11:30AM Rehearsals Dec 2 & 9

Playing in Worship December 16th!

Wesley Bronze

Bell Choir