Students & Campus
In addition to Sunday worship and church ministries, Wesley also offers a wonderful array of worship, study, service and social activities designed by and for students, faculty and staff. Participants include persons from the University of Illinois, Parkland College, Intensive English Institute and others who choose to be a part of this vibrant ministry. You will find persons with spiritual curiosity, intellectual integrity and authentic faith.
In addition to our standard student programming we, also provide activities designed specifically for Graduate Students and International Persons. We encourage you to find a place that fits who you are, nourishes your life and challenges your faith. Make sure to sign up for our “Weekly Student E-Newsletter.”
Empowering you to shine the light of Christ’s love
in this campus, in this community and throughout the world.
Recent Updates
Job Opportunity: Director of Christian Education and Youth
The Board of Trustees of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois announces the following job opportunity available July 15, 2013.
Director of Christian Education and Youth
The position description is listed below. Please send resume, references, and a cover letter addressing your education, experience, and philosophy of Christian education.
Director of Christian Ed Search Committee
employment@wesleyui.org
1203 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone calls regarding the positions will NOT be accepted. Applications are due by 5:00pm June 15th . In the event applications from qualified applicants are not received by the due date, we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.
POSITION TYPE: Half Time, Salaried
HOURS: 20 hours per week (flexible)
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Christian Education and Youth has the responsibility for planning and carrying out all major Christian Education activities in Wesley Church. This includes developing programming and staffing for Sunday morning Sunday Schools (for ages 3-18) at both the 9:30 and 11:00 hours, with different experiences being offered during each hour. The Director also has responsibility for planning and carrying out activities for youth from middle school through high school. This includes regular youth group meetings, work trips, retreats or youth get-togethers, service projects, special events (e.g. Easter Sunrise Service and Hanging of the Greens), recruiting inactive and new youth, and acting as a mentor to the youth of the church.
QUALIFICATIONS
- An enthusiastic disciple of Christ willing to commit to the United Methodist Church and its mission.
- Christian education and/or youth ministry experience.
- Experience working with all age levels including teaching youth or children.
- An effective communicator.
- A team player.
DUTIES
- Direct the Christian Education and Youth Ministry of the church.
- Plan agenda with the Sunday School Coordinator and attend monthly meetings of the Education team.
- Develop Christian Education opportunities for adult groups 2-3 times a year in cooperation with the Associate Pastor and Discipleship committee.
- Attend regular staff meetings if possible.
- Support persons involved in your areas when they are in the hospital or at other times of special need.
- Communicate with parents and be available to parents (to problem solve).
- Be on site most Sunday mornings.
- Review curriculum, equipment and supplies and provide for timely ordering and maintenance.
- Communicate, plan and calendar with Sunday School Coordinator.
- Fund raise for work trip activities and responsibly manage your budget areas.
- Prepare publicity related to your areas for the church newsletter, bulletins, website, and other media sources.
- Actively encourage youth to participate, relate to the needs and style of the youth, and help them explore Christ’s plan for their lives.
- Serve as an available resource to nursery care staff on Sunday mornings.
- Work with the rest of the Wesley staff in a cooperative manner.
SUPERVISION: Reports to the Senior Pastor.
Compensation: This is a half-time, 12-month appointment. Salary range (will be updated soon). Health insurance and pension contributions will be provided in accordance with Wesley United Methodist Church personnel policies.
Job Opportunity: Organist
The Board of Trustees of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois announces the following job opportunity available August 15, 2013.
Organist
The position description is listed below. Please send resume, references, and a cover letter addressing your education and experience.
Organist Search Committee
employment@wesleyui.org
1203 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone calls regarding the positions will NOT be accepted. Applications are due by 5:00pm June 30th . In the event applications from qualified applicants are not received by the due date, we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.
POSITION TYPE: Salaried, half time
HOURS: Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and varies as needed; two Sundays off included as part of two weeks paid vacation annually.
SUMMARY: Services as soloist and accompanist for choir, congregation, and soloists and all rehearsals for such.
QUALIFICATIONS
Accomplished performer on both organ and piano. Organist should accompany a broad spectrum of choral and vocal works with stylistic fluency, demonstrate a good foundation for hymnody, and commit to using a wide variety of sacred music repertoire. He or she is capable of adapting choral accompaniment generally written for the piano to the organ, play from open vocal scores and display proficiency in re-harmonization, modulation, transposition, and have improvisational skills.
DUTIES
- • Provide voluntaries, liturgical music, and accompaniment for congregational singing and the choir for Sunday morning and other scheduled services of the church year. Provide accompaniment for choir concert performances outside of worship services in consultation with the Director of Choral Music. Arrange for qualified substitute organists if needed.
- • Provide accompaniment for choir rehearsals and for rehearsals and performances by soloists/ensembles, as scheduled by the Director of Choral Music. When needed, accompany children/youth choirs for worship services and special programs.
- • Attend weekly leadership team meeting to plan worship collaboratively and tie together elements of Scripture, sermon themes, hymns, voluntaries, etc.
- • Be available to play for weddings, funeral/memorial services, and other occasional services as requested. The organist has right of first refusal in relation to weddings and funeral/memorial services.
- • In consultation with the Director of Choral Music, seek out and encourage instrumental participation from congregational volunteers, with special attention to children, youth, and students.
- • Serve as the lead staff representative on the Organ Committee, and be available for consultation as needed with the Worship Committee Property and Church Trustees on organ acoustical and related matters. Cooperate with the Director of Choral Music and with lay members of these groups to advocate for music education and music related projects in the church.
- • The Wesley organist is encouraged to participate in master classes, workshops, and conventions for advancement in the area of organ and sacred music.
SUPERVISION The organist is responsible to the Director of Choral Music for Traditional Worship, and to the Pastors.
Compensation: This is a half-time, 12-month appointment. Salary range (will be updated soon). Health insurance and pension contributions will be provided in accordance with Wesley United Methodist Church personnel policies.
Wesley Foundation Anniversary Events
July 21: Jazz Vespers at 9:30am worship service
Sept. 27: 7:30pm Organ Recital by former Wesley organist Zach Klobnak.
Sept. 29: Wesley Fall Seminar “The Interface of Academia and Faith on the Contemporary University Campus.”
Oct. 12 & 13: Reunion/gathering for all friends toWesley Foundation. Featuring Readers’ Theater “An Heroic Faith” by Rev. Dr. Miley Palmer and Anniversary Sunday Sermon by Bishop Keaton
Reunion questions? Contact Wayne Wilson at 217-344-1120 or wayne@wesleyui.org.
The Interface of Academia and Faith on the Contemporary University Campus
As part of the Wesley Foundation 100th Aniversary Celebration, 
the WESLEY FALL SEMINAR, which will be on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, at 2 pm, will feature a panel discussion on The Interface of Academia and Faith on the Contemporary University Campus. The panel discussants will be U of I President Robert Easter, Illinois Wesley University President Richard Wilson, U of I Professor Bruce Faulke, past Wesley Foundation Director Rev. Paul Unger and Greg Damhorst, current U of I M.D./Ph.D. student. Mark your calendar and plan to hear this impressive group of speakers interact at Wesley!
International Coffeehouse & ESL Will Be Going on through Summer
| Every Friday we host the International Coffeehouse from 4-6pm in the Etc. |
We provide free coffee, tea and snacks while we discuss everything from cultural holidays to everyday  activities. We welcome you, your ideas, and your cultures as equals and you will find people hungry to learn more! It’s a great place to meet American and International friends, to practice speaking English and other foreign languages, to ask any of questions about living in the US. We also meet through the summer and host field trips. The Etc. Coffeehouse will only be open on Friday’s through the summer. |
| ESL – Conversational Class – Summer 2013 |
 Accepting for Summer 2013 Classes!Increase your knowledge of English! Learn with Winston Feng as he teaches you not only useful vocabulary, but how to use it in daily life as well. You will have the opportunity to go on extra adventures and events on and off campus and have deep discussions about each one.
We have two classes every week and 1.5 hours each class. The class is adapted to fit your schedule, needs and speed of learning. You may attend all of them or once a week, the more practice the better! A steady class that discuses a variety of topics, practices pronunciation, and vocabulary. Usual cost for an English tutor is ~$20/hour Friday: OPEN Conversation! Meet people from all over the world! 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Contact wfeng3@illinois.edu if you wish to join any of these classes or just walk into Etc. Coffeehouse on Friday 4-6 pm and ask for us! |
Peer Minister Reblog: “The Distorting Power of a Flawed Narrative” by Stephen Rankin
Pastor Stephen Rankin recently wrote a good post about the relationship between religion and conflict. Here’s a taste:
“We have here what I think of as an attribution error in these narratives. The problem is attributed to something inherent in religion. Whatever that something is, it should be avoided. It is no wonder, then, that college students quickly catch on to the notion that their faith is an optional accessory, therefore can be easily laid aside or modified to suit their private, particular needs.
The attribution error reveals the bias that must be named and corrected. Religion is often portrayed as somehow the cause of the problem when the real problem is more fundamental: people are tempted to abuse power. We can do it through religious teachings or we can do it through entirely secular ones.”
You can read the full post here.
I think that Pastor Rankin is dead on. I would add that abuse of power may not be unique to religion, but the job of standing up to that abuse lies with other in the religious community.
-Kevin Anderson
Snacks for Studying in ETC Coffeehouse
This Friday, May 3rd, there will be free healthy snacks (and some unhealthy snack) (also free) in ETC to aid with studying for finals! Come in and enjoy the best study spot in town.
Job Opportunity: Campus Minister and Associate Director
Campus Minister and Associate Director
Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois
The mission of the Wesley Foundation is succinctly stated in the mission statement of the greater United Methodist Church: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We embrace the vision within this simple statement as a guiding light on our journey of faith. It guides and shows us how to live our faith through the application of the Wesley Foundation’s Core Values of Leadership, Worship, Study, and Service. The Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois has a glorious and historic past! We are the first Wesley Foundation in the world, born October 13, 1913. Linking us to an even more distant past is our Foundation’s social center (1921) which purposefully resembles 16th century St. John’s College at Oxford, where John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism, initiated student ministry. Our Modernist sanctuary stands in the heart of campus as a symbol of God’s presence. As we look forward to our 100th anniversary celebration, we are responsible for our vision of “Inspiring Students, Transforming Lives, and Enriching Our World with Christ’s Love.”
The Wesley Foundation practices a strong belief in inclusivity –whether culturally, gender, spiritual and physical accessibility, or economic standing.
The position description is listed below. Your cover letter should address the following
- · what types of programming you have developed and implemented
- · your experience with international ministries
- · what models of campus ministry with which you are familiar and what models you prefer
To apply for a position, please send your resume and cover letter via email or by post to
Campus Minister Search Committee
employment@wesleyui.org
1203 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone calls regarding the positions will NOT be accepted. Applications are due by 5:00pm May 31st . In the event applications from qualified applicants are not received by the due date, we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.
Primary Responsibilities: Program development and management for the Wesley Foundation, pastoral care of students and other Foundation program participants, and supervision of part-time program staff and volunteers in Foundation programs.
Reports to: Director of the Wesley Foundation (Responsible to the Board of Trustees of the Foundation through its Personnel Committee)
Skills and Qualifications:
• Master of Divinity from accredited seminary or equivalent degree in related field;
• Ordination in The United Methodist Church preferred, or demonstrated church experience and commitment in harmony with United Methodist beliefs and polity required;
• Ability to relate well to students, church constituencies, and University personnel of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints;
• Demonstrated creativity and competence in program design and administration, an ability to manage multiple projects at the same time and to delegate tasks appropriately;
• Skills in developing student leadership;
• Basic skills in pastoral care; ability to provide short-term counseling on spiritual and life issues and/or make appropriate referrals;
• Willingness to work collegially with the total clergy and lay staff of Wesley Foundation and Church;
• Teaching and public presentation skills;
• Knowledge and ability in the application of information and communications systems.
Duties Include:
1. Program:
• Serve as the staff liaison to all student program committees, Registered Student Organizations, Foundation Student Council and other bodies for program planning and evaluation;
• Develop and coordinate strategies for outreach and recruitment of student participants which reflect the diversity of the university campus;
• Coordinate and participate in weekly Midweek communion service;
• Teach or facilitate student and campus study groups;
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in work trips and retreats;
• Plan for and participate in interfaith, ecumenical and denominational campus ministry events and programs and associations, such as the United Methodist Campus Ministry Association and the National Campus Ministry Association, Religious Workers Association or other campus ministry associations as may be determined (expect to attend one of these meetings every three to four years);
• Give leadership in joint Foundation and Church programs, especially worship, as assigned by the Director/Senior Pastor.
• Serve, with voice and not vote, on the Foundation Board of Trustees and Corporation.
2. Pastoral Care:
• Welcome students into the Wesley community
• Be available for conversations and short-term counseling, make appropriate referrals;
• Visit hospitalized/special needs Foundation constituents;
• If ordained clergy, conduct weddings and funerals as requested, in consultation with other clergy staff.
3. Supervision:
• Consult in the selection of all Program Associates and Peer Ministers, be responsible for their day-to-day supervision, evaluate their performance and positions once per semester;
• Be responsible for the supervision of recruiting, screening and operation for all volunteers in Foundation programs.
• Other supervision as required by the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.
4. Continuing Education and Personal Growth: Expected to attend continuing education opportunities, with particular emphasis on campus ministry, at least sufficient to meet requirement of 4 CEUs in 4 years.
Compensation: This is a full-time, 12-month appointment. Salary range is $35,000-$46,900, plus a $14,000 annual housing allowance. Health insurance and pension contributions will be provided in accordance with Annual Conference policies for an ordained candidate and in accordance with Wesley Foundation Personnel policies for other candidates.
Apply now for Job Openings
The joint Staff-Parish/Personnel Relations Committee of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Urbana, and the Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois announce the following job opportunities available May 2013.
Position Filled–IT Specialist (part-time)
Sound Engineer (part-time)
Campus Minister and Associate Director
Phone calls regarding the positions will NOT be accepted.
See http://wesleyui.org/about-wesley/employment for additional information and application instructions
Peer Minister Reblog: “A Common Life Together” by Eboo Patel
Eboo Patel is coming to campus! Are you excited?
The founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core, an adviser to President Obama, and a U of I alum, Eboo Patel will be giving a talk for this coming Friday Forum at the YMCA. The crux of his work is bringing together young persons from all religions to work on service projects together, and fostering the relationships they build during that time.
Read this excerpt from “A Common Life Together:”
“In an interconnected world, the only chance we have is a common life together. If we are to build it, we must insure the bridges between us are strong enough to withstand the bombs of the extremists. As the American poet William Stafford wrote, “The signals we give must be clear now … the darkness around us is deep.”
As with all of the Friday Forums, interested students from the Wesley Foundation can meet in ETC at 11:45 am, or meet at the YMCA at noon. Lunch is $3 for students.
Hope to see you there!