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Recent Updates
May 15th Spire Available
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.
Listening to Our Focus Groups: New Mission Opportunities
One of the results of the focus groups run by the Second Century Fund Committee last fall was an incredible interest in expanding missions at Wesley. It’s a way to enact our faith and engage people outside of the current Wesley family, while at the same time building long-term, meaningful relationships within our local, national, and international communities to impact them for the better. The goal is to make an extended (10+ year) commitment to missions at each of these levels. We hope to address the issues they face holistically in a self-sustainable manner, rather than with a band-aid approach that fails to address the cause of the wound and requires continual re-dressing.
Progress has been made on this front and new partnerships are being formed!
- o Locally we plan to partner with Cunningham Children’s Home for a conversation partner program. This will involve engaging the young residents in one-on-one conversations on topics that will help them develop core values that will guide them throughout their lives.
- o Nationally we plan to build on the already wonderful relationship and ministry that new members John and Ann Spurgeon have with Jonestown, Mississippi. For several years they have led trips to the Mississippi Delta region to work with Habitat for Humanity. Jonestown is rich with American culture and history but rife with systemic poverty.
- o An international community to partner with has not yet been identified. However, four Methodist Missionaries in Central and South America have been identified as potential partners. Each of them are engaged in interesting and impactful work within the communities they serve. Due to the incredible commitment it will take on the part of the Wesley Family to make this partnership work we want to make sure the fit is right! Click on the links below each picture to learn more about each of them and their ministries. Soon we will be soliciting feedback on what missions and communities you are most excited about partnering with. If you are so excited that you just can’t wait, or you want to be in on bringing this partnership to fruition contact Greg Damhorst.
Rhett Thompson-Panama (Ministry website)
Gordon and Maria Greathouse -Brazil (Shade and Freshwater Project)
Belinda Forbes-Nicaragua (Ministry Blog)
Nan McCurdy and Miguel Mairena-Nicaragua (Women and Community)
Curious about what it means to be a United Methodist?
Curious about what it means to be a United Methodist?
Wondering how the United Methodist Church came about?
Interested in learning more about what United Methodists believe or how the church is organized?
Prepare to be informed and entertained about all things United Methodist!
Last fall the Discipleship Ministry Team organized a series of three workshops beginning with an introductory or refresher course on United Methodist history, polity and doctrine. It was so well attended and enjoyed by all that many asked for more. And so the Discipleship team is offering an additional three workshops this spring semester on different aspects of the United Methodist Church.
We are blessed to have several retired clergy persons at Wesley, three of which will be leading the workshops. You will not want to miss the opportunity to learn more about your church and to connect with others while you do. Each workshop will begin with a light lunch at 12:30 followed by the class at 1:00 p.m. Sign-Ups will be in the back of the sanctuary and at coffee hour beginning in February, or simply contact Pastor Miriam at msnider@wesleyui.org if you would like to attend.
United Methodist Church History
Sunday, March 3rd
Taught by Pastor Ann Spurgeon
United Methodist Polity
Sunday, April 14th
Taught by Rev. Paul Unger
United Methodist Beliefs
Sunday, May 5th
Taught by Rev. Jack Young
12:30 p.m. – Free Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Class
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.
Job Opening: AV Tech
Experience: Some Sound Board Experience preferred. Must be available for events through the summer, including weekends.
Pay: Varies with Event, most often minimum wage, although weddings may pay up to $100.
Job Duration: Job Begins Immediately – With No End Date
Reply with resume to Donna Giffen at donna@wesleyui.org.
Phone calls regarding the positions will NOT be accepted. Applications are due by 5:00pm May 8th. 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 Filled–IT Tech Specialist (part-time)
POSITION TYPE: Part-Time, hourly
HOURS: 10 hours per week, Monday – Friday; other hours as needed
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide technical assistance in setting up, updating, and maintaining Wesley Church and Foundation computers; update and maintain the Wesley website; and maintain Wesley’s internet service and internal network.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of computer technology, operating systems, and networks
- Experience with network administration
- Knowledge of website administration, HTML, PHP, and Word Press.
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with a variety of staff possessing a wide range of computer knowledge and skills
DUTIES
- Provide technical assistance and consultation to staff in setting up, updating, and maintaining computer programs/systems for a variety of services and needs
- Update and maintain Wesley Church and Foundation and Wesley Evening Food Pantry websites, including writing HTML and PHP forms as needed.
- Solve technical issues with public wireless internet service inside the building.
- Maintain and administer the internal private network for employees, including the network server.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
This employee is supervised by the Director of Community Services and the Senior Pastor/ Foundation Executive Director.
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To apply for a position, please send your resume and cover letter via email or by post to
IT Specialist Search Committee
employment@wesleyui.org
1203 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Your cover letter should address your prior experience with network administration, computer maintenance, and web programming. Phone calls regarding the positions will NOT be accepted. Applications are due by 5:00pm April 28th. 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.
———————————————————————————
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
Spire newsletter for April available
May Friendship Day Celebration
recognized. For childcare for children under 5 call Evelyn 367-o643 by April 25.
Interested in Immigration Issues?
Wesley United Methodist Women will hold a general meeting on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 9:30 am in the West Lounge. Donna Camp, Wesley Director of Community Services, will lead a presentation on immigration, including some of the issues affecting our local community and campus. All are welcome. Join us for fellowship at 9:00 am. For childcare please call the church office (344-1120).
For more information, contact Meg at mamarausch@gmail.com or 217-896-2856
Wesley Spring Clean-up Day
Saturday, April 27th
9:00 a.m. – Noon
If possible please bring your own rakes and gloves.
Wesley Plant Sale Coming May 5!
Wesley Plant Sale on May 5! Bring all types of plants (bulbs, perennials, seedlings, etc.) to the south courtyard by 9:30 a.m. for a sale to benefit a much-needed well project in Liberia. Horses’ Patootie Compost will also be available for sale.
Bring your extra shade plants, perennials, veggie plants, seedlings, houseplants, bulbs, birdhouses, trellises, etc. to the south courtyard of the church on May 5 by 9:30 a.m. for the annual plant sale from 10:30 until 12:30. Horses’ Patootie Compost will be available as usual. To pre-order a bag of compost or help with the sale, contact Kristen Dean-Grossmann at 840-7584 or deangrossm@aol.com.
Contributions this year will benefit a much-needed well project in Liberia.
United Methodist Women
Are you a plastic bag user? re-user? Re-cycler? Re-jecter?
Do you see them as benign, annoying, nuisance, toxic, necessary evil, a boon to modern society? The city of champaign last year posed a survey of residents and visitors to determine their attitudes about plastic bags and possible efforts by the city to reduce or eliminate their use. You can visit this interesting survey here: http://ci.champaign.il.us/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Plastic-bag-survey-results.pdf
We invite you to carefully consider your role in the “care of creation” in your everyday choices of things as mundane as plastic bag use.
Youth repackage diapers April 14th
Middle and senior high school students are invited into service for others this Sunday, April 14. We will meet in the West Lounge from 9:30 – 10:30(ish) A.M. to repack DIAPERS, DIAPERS, DIAPERS for distribution at the Wesley Evening Food Pantry.
This will be our final “repack” of the school year (allowing youth to sit in Service with their Mom on Mother’s Day).
As always: Dress is casual
Friends are welcome
Carbon Nation to be Shown in Wesley Theatre
The viewing date is on Earth Day, April 21st from 2-4pm Discussion will be in the Etc. Coffeehouse afterwards. Wesley’s Green Team and Creation Care Cinema is hosting the event. Refreshments will be served.
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!
Foundation Alumni newsletter
Good Friday service includes Faure Requiem
Holy Week
Maundy Thursday Service – March 28th at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall. A service marking the Last Supper Jesus spent with his disciples.
Good Friday Service – Friday, March 29th at 7:30 p.m.in the Sanctuary. A somber service marking the crucifixion of Jesus. The choir will lead us in worship with a choral performance of Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.”
Easter – Sunday, March 31st
8:30a.m. Sonrise Service in Watseka Lounge. Come one, come all to the Youth-led Easter Sonrise Service!! In the Sanctuary, the next generation of Wesley Leaders will lead us in a time of worship which you will NOT want to miss. He is risen! Come celebrate with us.
9:00a.m. Easter Egg Hunt meet at Main Office. For children pre-school through 5th grade. Bring a basket, or bags will be provided.
9:30a.m. Easter Breakfast in the Great Hall. Join your Wesley friends to enjoy a delicious morning breakfast feast in honor of Christ’s resurrection. Bring your own table service and one of the following: fruit, bread, coffee cake or rolls. Breakfast casseroles and beverages will be provided and a free-will offering will be donated to the Sharing Shelves for people with emergency food needs. Students, please join your Wesley family for a great time of fellowship.
10:30a.m. Combined Easter Worship Service in the Sanctuary. There will be one combined service of worship and no Sunday School Classes.
12:00p.m. Easter Egg Hunt for College Students in Lamb Courtyard after the worship service.