Missions
Every Christian is a missionary! That simple statement drives our entire mission planning and programming at Wesley Church. Not that we expect – or even want – all of our members suddenly to uproot and head overseas! What we mean is that every person who faithfully follows Christ will follow him into a hurting, struggling world, offering Christ’s love to all.
Mission is not something that we delegate solely to a mission team, nor is it something done by a “professional” or “full-time” missionary. It is properly the role of every Christian and can be accomplished whatever you may be doing with your life.
Our mission expressions take the members of our church into the heart of the needs of the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, across our own state and neighboring states, and into the rest of the United States as well as around the world. We work alongside the poor, the homeless, the refugee, the sick, the mentally ill, the imprisoned, the oppressed and the lonely. We do so because our faith is only complete when we serve as Christ served.
Wesley United Methodist Church believes that while we are located in the midst of the suburbs, we have our face turned intentionally towards that city. We will not turn our back on the needs around us, nor the call to go into the entire world in the name of Jesus.
As you look through the various ministries listed here, you will find plenty of ways that you can get involved. Some will take a little of time; others a significant amount. Some are one-time opportunities; others demand a deep commitment of an ongoing nature. Some involve just your time; others your resources – or both. Some are a short drive from home; others will take you to the homes of people in different cultures and time zones.
Shopping for Missions
Wesley Shopping for Missions gives you the opportunity to order food-shopping certificates for Weis, Valley Farm and Giant. Use the certificates as cash when buying your groceries. Wesley Church receives 5% of your purchase and uses the money for missions. Order forms are available at the Wesley Shopping for Missions table in the Atrium. Connect with Sue M.
CUNA
Churches United for Neighborhood Action translates faith into action by bringing church communities together to identify neighborhood problems and wishes. Wesley Church, along with 8 other Bethlehem churches, is helping to organize CUNA in Bethlehem. Connect with Greg.
Refugee Resettlement
In 2007, Wesley Church partnered with Catholic Charities in Allentown to resettle a family of 12 from Burundi who had lived in refugee camps in Congo and Tanzania for two decades. We continue our relationship with this family and hope to enter a relationship with a new family. Connect with Joe.
CROP Walk
What is a CROP Hunger Walk? Neighbors walking together to take a stand against hunger in our world. Together we raise awareness and funds for international relief and development, as well as local hunger-fighting. Adults and youth walk together in the Bethlehem CROP Walk in October. Connect with Joe.
Soup Kitchens
On Thursdays, Wesley Church women are at Trinity Episcopal Church helping to feed more than a hundred people. Connect with Carol. On Wednesdays once a month, Wesley Church men are at New Bethany Ministries helping to feed more than a hundred people. Connect with Jeff.
Bread for the World
An Offering of Letters is part of our celebration services on Peace with Justice Sunday. In 2007 the letters were concerned with the renewal of the Farm Bill. In 2008, the concern will be Global Poverty. As an act of faith, letters to US Senators and Congress members are written while we are in the pews, during the celebration service. Sixty-five letters were written in 2007. Connect with Clarke.
Volunteers in Mission (VIM)
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission is a missionary movement within the Methodist Church designed to provide an official channel whereby Christians, both lay and clergy, may offer their skills and talents for Christian service at home and around the world on short term assignments at their own expense. We have sent teams twice to assist in flood recovery in upstate New York. Connect with Cindy.
School Mentoring
Wesley has had a Marvine Elementary School Mentoring Ministry since 2003. Adult Wesley Church members spend about an hour a week, usually after school, with an elementary grade student. Read more here. Connect with Don S.
The object is to give young people assistance to succeed in life. Students are selected by the school guidance counselor who chooses pupils who she believes are in need of academic or emotional support. Studies show that children respond to adult guidance outside the family through various activities with dependable adult friends. The mentors begin their meetings, usually in the school library, by talking to get acquainted, practicing reading, playing table games such as checkers or puzzles, and receiving help with homework.
As trust develops between the mentor and student, activities outside the school, such as throwing a ball, visiting a public library or bookstore, sharing an ice cream cone, etc. can add variety to daily life. In addition, fishing, attending a concert, a football or baseball game, etc can broaden a student’s interests. The students should develop confidence and relate better to teachers and other adults. They also learn good values to live by from the mentors. A mentor always affirms the student’s education. Marvine Elementary School teachers have reported positive results in students who have been helped by mentors. The students have improved attitudes and grades, better attendance, less tardiness and fewer deportment problems.
Our mentors tell of the satisfaction of being involved with this ministry. Currently, we have four active mentors and 3 waiting for assigned students. Those interested in more details can Connect with Don S.
Urban Ministries
A vision of a place to offer 24 hour child care at a site on the south side of Bethlehem is in the planning stages. Connect with Joe.
Social Justice
Our Social Justice Ministry Team is watchful for place to work for justice, whether in approaching community or state leaders, or writing to elected officials or creating a service project. Connect with Debra.
Mission Focus
The first Sunday of every month is food collection day. Food collected is shared with Victory House men's shelter and New Bethany Ministries soup kitchen. Bring your donation and place it under the communion table.
Collections during the month of December:
Angel Tree Ministry families are now all sponsored. The family party is December 19 at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Clearview Elementary School children are also sponsored. Please make sure your unwrapped gifts are returned by December 14.
Snuggles Blankets for New Bethany Ministries should also be returned by December 14.
Restoration House items shoud be returned wrapped and tagged by December 14.