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C-U CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 13th

In 1969, a group of young people in Bismarck, North Dakota set out to energize their community in the fight against global hunger. 50 years later, the CROP Hunger Walk has grown into a national movement fighting hunger and poverty, both around the world and in over 800 communities throughout the United States, including Champaign-Urbana. This year marks the 28th C-U CROP Hunger Walk, and the people of Wesley have always been strong participants.

Join your Wesley friends and members of other Champaign-Urbana faith communities to raise awareness and funds to help end hunger around the world and right here in east central Illinois. 75% of the money raised will support the global humanitarian work of CWS (Church World Service) through grassroots development efforts in Indonesia, Nicaragua, Myanmar and more. And 25% of the money stays local – going directly to Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Eastern Illinois Food Bank, Sola Gratia Farm and Wesley Food Pantry.

This year, Wesley UMC & Student Center will be the host church for the C-U CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 13th. The Walk starts and ends at Wesley. Walker registration is at 1:45 pm in Watseka Lounge. The walk route is about six miles, with a short-cut option of about three miles. Volunteers are also needed for set-up, registration, crossing guards and van drivers. Contact Dee Breeding at deebreeding76@gmail.com if you can volunteer or if you have questions. Go to the CU CROP Hunger Walk website at crophungerwalk.org/champaignil/wesleyui to join the Wesley Walker team, or to make a donation. You can support a specific walker, or the whole Wesley team. And look for the CROP Walk table on Sundays during Coffee Hour, staffed by members of the Social Action Ministry team. Donations will be accepted through the end of October. Make checks payable to CWS/CROP. Last year Wesley Walkers raised just over $4,500 for hunger relief when our goal was $3,000. Let’s set our goal at $3,500 this year and see how far we can go – walking and giving together to help end hunger one step at a time.

October 2019

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Gayle McDonald Takes on Role as Wesley’s Hand Bell Choir and Children and Youth Choir Director This year, Gayle McDonald is expanding her musical roles here at Wesley. She is continuing her role as Assistant Director of the Wesley Chancel Choir and starting two new roles as the Director of the Children’s/Youth Choirs, in addition to directing the Bell Choir. Although much of her local experience has included singing with the BACH Chorale, and multiple years as a vocalist and soloist with the University of Illinois’ premiere Chamber Singers, she equally enjoys performing as an instrumentalist, whether on piano or viola. Gayle holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree from CSU Dominguez Hills in California. She has also completed graduate coursework in Business from the University of Southern California.

Originally from Los Angeles, Gayle comes from a musical family and fondly remembers singing hymns every Sunday evening in four-part harmony with her family around the piano in her family’s living room. Her musical career began as a piano accompanist for her cellist brother and continued throughout much of her adult years as principal violist for various semi-professional orchestras, chamber groups, and quartets in the Los Angeles area. She has performed numerous times at various world-class venues from coast-to-coast including Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, and Los Angeles’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. When she moved from Los Angeles, her first musical opportunity began as the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church Formerly a nationally-ranked amateur tennis player, her “free” time now includes spending time with her husband, Paul McDonald, MD, and includes her work as an Associate Producer with our local public television station, and maintaining her professional teaching skills working as a substitute teacher in the Urbana school district.

A Brief Overview of Wesley’s E.M. Skinner Pipe Organ Looking forward, in a few years our E. M. Skinner pipe organ will reach age one hundred. At Wesley we would like to relate a few details about it so others can understand the true love we share at Wesley for this instrument. While we enjoy the music, our organists create from the instrument, most of us never see it in detail. It's a pipe organ, so it must have pipes. In some venues, you can actually see some of the pipes; but not at Wesley. There is some gilding left on a portion of our pipes, which were on display when the instrument was at Smith Hall. We have three places, called “pipe chambers”, for pipes to be mounted. The main chambers are on the East and West sides of the chancel area. Our third is empty and it is at the back of the church. Between the vertical wood “ribs” are the areas for the sound to project. At first glance they look solid, but they are cloth, just like the cloth that covers loudspeakers. When the lights are on in the chambers you can see though the cloth.

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New Student Food Assistance Available The academic grind can be difficult enough without the stress and worry of finding your next meal. The Wesley Food Pantry now offers food assistance for students through the Wesley Cupboard every Friday, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., in the Wesley Student Center. Students just need to bring their student ID to access food items up to two times each month. We all need assistance with things from time to time, and Wesley is here to help support and nourish you as you focus on your studies! Grad Student/Young Professionals Group Grad students, postdocs and young professionals are invited to meet every Tuesday in the Student Lounge at 8:30 p.m. to make connections with others across disciplines and to share great conversation in a progressive theology reading group. They also enjoy occasional outings to restaurants and do service projects together. We’re currently reading Rachel Held Evans’ Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again. Questions? Email Meg Cole at gradstudy@wesleyui.org.

Champaign/Urbana Crop Hunger Walk Join others from the C-U community as we raise funds and work to end hunger both locally & globally! Wesley is hosting the walk this year on Sunday, October 13th, with check-in starting at 1:30pm and the walk to follow at 2:00pm. Pastor Julie will sponsor any student who wants to participate, so grab some friends and let’s fight to end hunger together!

Friday with Friends Lunches Students, faculty, and members of the campus community are invited to join us each week for our free Friday with Friends Lunch! Gather with friends, new and old, in the Etc. Coffeehouse between 11:00am-1:30pm for a variety of salads, sandwiches, and other tasty treats. Great food, great conversation… it’s a great way to celebrate the end of the week! ESL & International Coffeehouse American and international students, visiting scholars, family, and community friends are invited to join us every Friday as we enjoy coffee and snacks, practice English, make new friends, and learn about each other’s cultures. The ESL class meets in the conference room from 3:00-4:00 p.m. each week, followed by the International Coffeehouse gathering in the Etc. Coffeehouse from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Invite some friends and come sit where the world gathers around your table!

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Campus Ministry Calendar Tuesday, October 1st, 8:30 p.m., Student Lounge (and every Tuesday) Grad Student /Young Professionals Group - Grad students, postdocs and young professionals are invited to meet every Tuesday in the Student Lounge to connect with others and share great conversation with a progressive theology reading group. Wednesday, October 2nd, 7:00 p.m., Etc. Coffeehouse/West Lounge (and every Wednesday) Midweek – Students are invited to join us for casual worship each week as we explore faith, deepen friendships, and take time to connect with one another and with God. Friday, October 4th, 11:00 a.m., Etc. Coffeehouse (and every Friday) Friday with Friends Lunch – Join us in the coffeehouse for lunch with friends! It’s a great way to celebrate the end of the week & the start of your weekend! 1:00-3:00 p.m., Wesley Student Center Hallway (and every Friday) Wesley Cupboard: Student Food Assistance – Could you or someone you know use a little assistance this month with meals? The Wesley Cupboard is here to help! Bring your student ID and stop by to pick out some items so you can better focus on your studies!

3:00-4:00 p.m., Conference Room (and every Friday) ESL Class - We welcome beginners through advanced students as we practice English and learn about American culture. 4:00-6:00 p.m., Etc. Coffeehouse (and every Friday) International Coffeehouse - International & domestic students, along with visiting scholars and community members, are invited to join us for coffee, snacks and conversation as make new friends & learn about each other's cultures! October 4th – 6th, Lake Williamson Christian Center, Carlinville

Now Initiative Youth Retreat – Join Pastor Julie as we attend the annual youth retreat to connect with students, share about Wesley Foundations, provide a trail mix bar, and help with a service project. Sunday, October 6th, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m., Sanctuary & Great Hall (and every Sunday) Sunday worship Sunday, October 13th, 2:00 p.m., Wesley Champaign/Urbana Crop Hunger Walk – Join others from our community as we raise funds and work to end hunger locally & globally!

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Sunday, October 20th, 1:00 p.m., Wesley parking lot Trip to Curtis Orchard – We’re heading to the orchard to pick apples and enjoy apple cider! You can also explore the corn maze, feed the goats, and shop in the Curtis general store (the apple cider slushies are the best!). Find the event on our Wesley Student Center Facebook page to sign up, or contact Pastor Julie (jdowler@wesleyui.org). Friday, October 25th, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Etc. Coffeehouse Wesley Student Center Halloween Costume Party - Join us for pumpkin decorating, games, prizes, and an awesome costume contest Friday, October 25, from 4-6pm in the Etc. Coffeehouse! Wear your spookiest, craziest, most creative outfit, grab some friends, and come enjoy the fun! Sunday, October 27th, 6:00 p.m., Wesley parking lot Annual Cookout and Bonfire at the Spurgeons – We’re headed to John and Ann’s to enjoy roasting hot dogs & veggie dogs (plus S’mores!) over the bonfire! This is an annual fall tradition that is a favorite for students, so invite your friends and join us! Please bring either chips or a drink to share – Wesley will provide the rest

Children’s and Youth Ministry

Children’s Choir Starting! We are excited to welcome and introduce Gayle McDonald as our new Children and Youth Choir Director! Practice information and performance dates will be coming soon. If you have any questions you may contact Gayle at Gaylemcdonald99@gmail.com

Free Complimentary Babysitting on Oct. 5th We will provide complimentary babysitting on Saturday, October 5th from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. in room 127. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Contact Jessica Hunt at 217-372-8397 or jessicah@wesleyui.org to RSVP Missions Updates Thank you to those who purchased Wesley’s Christ-Window Ornaments! We appreciate all of your support and donations. On October 20th, the children/youth and families will be providing treats for coffee fellowship. Proceeds will go to support Courage Connection, a domestic violence shelter in Champaign.

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Garden of Happiness Meet Sister Shay Talbot (Denver, CO) and Sister Corinne Smith (Lehi, Utah). They are missionaries to the C-U area for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and dedicated keepers of the Jones Memorial Garden this summer. Every Thursday evening, Ryan Larsen, Richard Flood, and Sisters Talbot and Smith arrive to pick greens, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, and peppers for our pantry guests. As recent rains encouraged the weeds, LDS Missionaries from surrounding areas joined together for a massive garden cleanup. When Dawn commented that they looked awfully happy for having just spent hours weeding in the heat, Ryan said, “It’s funny to me how people are always happy in the garden.” Our pantry garden produces more than joy. We have distributed over 580lbs. of produce so far this summer with no sign of slowing down! Plans are underway for the addition of composting to next year’s garden setup. If you have experience with building a compost bin or would like to be part of the conversation, please email Dawn, operations@wesleypantry.org.

Are you a UIUC or Parkland College Employee? Consider supporting the Wesley Food Pantry through automatic payroll deductions pledged during the Campus Charitable Fund Drive. At Parkland, the drive is called the Combined Charities Campaign. Look for the Wesley Pantry listed with other local agencies under Community Shares of Illinois.

Food Pantry Students’ Group College students - join the Wesley Food Pantry student organization for its next meeting Oct. 1st at 6pm in the West Lounge. The group will be discussing how to spread awareness about food insecurity on campus. One of the barriers to students using the food pantry is the perception that a visit takes food away from someone more needy. Help us brainstorm ways to reach students with any sized need.

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Announcements

The UMW General Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 2nd, at 9:30 a.m. in the West Lounge. All are welcome to attend. Our speaker will be Patty Russell, the Iroquois District Representative to Lessie Bates Neighborhood House. Lessie Bates is a United Methodist Women’s supported mission in our conference. The program will be followed by a salad potluck. If childcare is needed please contact Virginia Dickey at Vdickey88@gmail.com.

Wesley Green Team Residential Electronics Collection Event: October 12th The Wesley Green Team would like people to know about the upcoming Residential Electronics Collection Event where you can get rid of old working and non-working television sets and other electronics you may have at home. The collection will take place October 12th, 2019. Registration has begun you can register via the link below at http://www.ecycle.simplybook.me .

Save the Date: CU CROP Hunger Walk on October 13th This year Church World Service marks the 50th Anniversary of the first CROP Walk for hunger relief. Wesley UMC will serve as the host church for the CU CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday October 13th. Register to join or support the Wesley Walkers Team to provide hunger relief locally and globally. www.crophungerwalk.org/champaignil/wesleyui

Daily Bread Yoga: Intro to Yoga at Wesley - Monday, Oct.28th A Daily Bread Yoga Intro session will take place on October 28th

from 7pm – 8:15pm in the West Lounge. You will learn the basic poses of a floor-based yoga class so you can join whatever class works for you. $5 upon arrival. Registration is required – must be at least 4 people registered. Register by emailing- rachel@dailybreadyoga.life

Sympathy to Sara and Keith Kelley and family at the death of Sara’s sister, Susan Maini, who died on Sunday, June 23rd at the age of 70. She lived in Pleasant Grove, Illinois

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Wesley Staff Senior Pastor/Director Rev. Dan King Crede | Campus Minister Rev. Julie Dowler Associate Minister Rev. Deborah Kang Director of Contemporary Worship and Music Kerrith Livengood Director of Christian Education and Youth Jessica Hunt |Director of Choral Music Dr. Barrington Coleman Parish Nurse/Spiritual Caregiver | Meg Rauschenberger | Administrative Assistant Donna Giffen Ministry Secretary Rachel Wolfe | Accountant Bonnie S. Taylor Aide for Development Wayne Wilson |Director of Communications Blake Warman-Neal Food Pantry Director Dawn Longfellow | Food Pantry Assistant Katherine Hinojosa Property Manager Richard Young | Full-time Custodian Claudia Bautista | Part-time Custodian Bong Cacho Weekend Custodians Richard and Elizabeth Young Sunday Services Traditional Service 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Service 11:15 a.m.

Wesley Building Hours Sunday - Thursday open 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday open 8:00 a.m.-12:00 Midnight