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Volume 34 #2 February 2019 Growing in Christ to be a Bold Witness to God’s Love Where All Means All Since 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 in Worship, Learning, Compassion and Fellowship Wesley Hikers Planning Meeting February 10 th 11:45am Wesley Dines Out Feb 12 th 6:30pm Lin s Fusion 5155 N. Blackstone Call office to RSVP United Methodist Women WE Circle Feb 13 th 6pm Ruth Circle Feb 14 th 10:30am LGBTQ & Allies Potluck Feb 17 th 2pm Della & Toni s Home 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Larry and Rena Mullen (nee Ventura) Married January 25, 1969, 7 PM Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church Fresno, California Met on a blind date CSUF semester break 1967 Engaged CSUF semester break 1968 Married CSUF semester break 1969 U.S. Sewing Machine Co. 2494 E. Gettysburg Fresno, CA 93726 559 222-3717 (SW corner of Fresno and Gettysburg) HOUSEHOLD AND INDUSTRIAL SALES AND SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS Tell John that Larry from Wesley UMC sent you! Growing in Christ to be a Bold Witness to Gods Love The Andrews Caboodle means savings on ink and toner! 433 E. Keats Suite 7 Fresno, CA 93710 559 446-1898 Tell Terry that Larry from Wesley UMC sent you!

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Page 1: The Encounterwesleyfresno.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/February-2019-Encounter-2.pdfFeb 02, 2019  · Becoming as Bold, Gracious and Wise as the Queen of Sheba Pastor Karen will

Volume 34 #2 February 2019

Gro

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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 in Worship, Learning, Compassion and Fellowship

Wesley Hikers

Planning Meeting February 10th 11:45am

Wesley Dines Out Feb 12th 6:30pm Lin’s Fusion 5155 N. Blackstone

Call office to RSVP

United Methodist Women WE Circle Feb 13th 6pm

Ruth Circle Feb 14th 10:30am LGBTQ & Allies Potluck Feb 17th 2pm Della & Toni’s Home

50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Larry and Rena Mullen (nee Ventura) Married January 25, 1969, 7 PM

Shrine of Saint Therese Catholic Church Fresno, California

Met on a blind date CSUF semester break 1967 Engaged CSUF semester break 1968 Married CSUF semester break 1969

U.S. Sewing Machine Co. 2494 E. Gettysburg Fresno, CA 93726

559 222-3717 (SW corner of Fresno and Gettysburg)

HOUSEHOLD AND INDUSTRIAL SALES AND SERVICE

ALL MAKES AND MODELS Tell John that Larry from Wesley UMC

sent you!

Growing in Christ to be a Bold Witness to God’s Love

The Andrews

Caboodle means savings on ink and toner!

433 E. Keats Suite 7

Fresno, CA 93710

559 446-1898

Tell Terry that Larry from Wesley UMC

sent you!

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Lydia’s House

Saturday, February 16 from 9:00 am to noon in the Fireside Room

Title: “Slowing Down, Finding Joy”

All women are invited. Bring mug, fruit (cut up) or bakery item to share.

For information call Sally Adlesh 559-324-9608 or Sylvia Pethoud 559-438-7705

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

MONDAY 6:00pm, 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, It’s Good to be the Queen:

Becoming as Bold, Gracious and Wise as the Queen of Sheba

Pastor Karen will be out of the office at a mentor training at the Conference office in W. Sacramento on February 5th, the Academy for Spiritual Formation in Danville February 18– 21 and a meeting in Madera on February 27th. Her clergy circuit (a mandatory requirement for all UMC clergy) will be at Memorial in Clovis on February 13th in the afternoon. Pastor Karen’s office hours are Monday—Wednesday 9am to 3:30pm. She makes pastoral care visits on Thursdays.

“Coffee and Conversation” We’ve all been warned not to bring up religion or politics when we’re in a group of people with diverse views. But religion and politics are provocative and engaging topics—where can we go to discuss them? Wesley offers you a place for serious yet civil conversation around such matters. The first opportunity will be on Thursday, February 21, from 7 to 8:30 pm at the home of Robert and Sylvia Pethoud, 460 West Vartikian Ave. The topic is: “Overall, is the world getting better or worse?” Munchies and warm beverages will be provided. Please RSVP by February 17 at [email protected]

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. Matthew 5:43-45a from The Message It’s the month of love when we celebrate Valentine’s Day. There are two saints named Valentine who were martyred in the 3rd and 4th centuries. It was Pope Gelasius in the late 400’s who declared February 14 the saint’s day for Valentine. Chaucer, the English writer of the middle Ages, linked the saint to romance and love. In Europe in the 1600’s people began to exchange love notes or valentines which began to be mass produced in the 1840’s in the United States. With all this focus on love, I thought of Jesus’ admonition to love your enemies. I think this is one of the hardest things we are asked to do in our walk of faith. How do you love someone that mistreats you? Talks about you? Hurts you? That is not an easy task. As Jesus says in the translation from The Message “Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.” Well I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’ve got to dig deep to find the best in my own soul. My first reaction when someone does something hurtful is to cry and then I get mad. But thankfully God doesn’t leave me in this place. I’m learning to slow down, pray for peace. I’m learning to do what Jesus admonishes us to do, “…respond with the energies of prayer.” This has been a balm, an ointment of peace, that smoothens out those rough places. Is there someone who is difficult to love in your life? Ask God to place love in your heart for them. I hope to see you in church on Sundays, invite a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker or even an enemy to join you! Research has shown that most people (over 80%) attend a church because someone invited them. Peace, Pastor Karen

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“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

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 hos-pital. 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, want to sign up to help in this ministry or know of someone who is in need of a meal after hospitalization, please contact: Carolyn Scott 559-903-4240 or [email protected]

February 10 Joanne Michelson March 10 Diane Hanson-Barnes April 14 Carol Presley May 12 No Meeting June 9 Joyce Fadenrecht July 14 Sylvia Pethoud August 11 Linda Traynor September 8 Toni Onkka & Della Campbell October 18-20 Retreat at ECCO November 10 TBD December 8 Kathryn Johnsen

The Wednesday Book Group is reading 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 559-301-2357 or [email protected]

Two Spirits, One Heart

The Fresno Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens' League and the United Japanese Christian Church's Agape Ministry would like to warmly invite you to an upcoming event about transgender journeys. We are excited to host Marsha and Aiden Aizumi on Sunday, March 31 at 1:00 pm, with conversation/studies leading up to their visit.

Adult Forum in January and February

Questioning Capital Punishment

This DVD study features Sister Helen Prejean, one of the world’s leading authorities and outspoken critics of state-sponsored execution. Sister Prejean is eloquent in her dismantling of the legal and religious arguments used to justify the death penalty. Meet in the Fireside Room, 9:15 am on February 3, 10, 17, and 24.

Aladdin's Rug

The Meditation Class is interested in having an area rug for their space, and wonders if anyone is getting ready to pass

one along. It could be as large as 12’ x 8’. Please call Sandy Crow 559-439-4879

You are invited to Ruth Circle Thursday February 14th in the Choir room at 10:30am (note change of time). The program will be Isaiah, who will play his guitar and sing for us. Please wear red in honor of St. Valentine.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Received Donations of 54 Pillows, 51 Twin Sheet Sets, 24 Twin Blankets &100 Pillowcases Thanks for your generosity!

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Sunday Scripture Sermon

Feb 3 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 Love Letter

Feb 10 Luke 5: 1-11 Fish Tales

Feb 17 Luke 6: 17-26 Good, Bad & Indifferent

Feb 24 Luke 6: 27-38 New Rules

Volume 34, #2

Wesley United Methodist Church Phone 559-224-1947

wesleyfresno.org

Greeters Media Techs Liturgists Ushers

Feb 3 Hospitality Team Alice Hawke Dale Cahill Margie Andreco

Susan Giocalone

Feb 10 Hospitality Team Alice Hawke Linda Bennett Dale Cahill

Margie Andreco

Feb 17 Hospitality Team Estelle Parenteau Debby Sultan

Feb 24 Hospitality Team Estelle Parenteau

Shari Wilcox

Worship Leadership for February

Contact Wesley's Staff Pastor Karen Stoffers-Pugh [email protected] Office Secretary Myra Cubos [email protected] Bookkeeper Sharon Sanchez [email protected] Music Director Elizabeth Layous Accompanists Peggy Copp, Carol Presley Custodian Dolores Lopez 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: [email protected]

February 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 1PM Prison Gift Bag Project Sorting 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 Feb 3rd and 23rd Only

Thursday

the 7th

6:00PM Worship Meeting

Saturday

the 9th

1PM Carole McCrery’s Celebration of Life

Sunday

the 10th

11:45AM Social Justice Action Team, Blood Pressure Check, Hikers Meeting 2PM PFLAG 6PM Wild Wesley Women Home of Joanne Michelson

Tuesday

the 12th

6:30PM Wesley Dines Out, Lin’s Fusion on Black-stone

Wednesday

the 13th

6PM WE Circle 7PM SPRC

Thursday

the 14th

10:30AM Ruth Circle

Saturday

the 16th

2PM Bob Bailey’s Memorial Service

Sunday

the 17th

2PM LGBTQ & Allies potluck at Della & Toni’s home

Monday

the 18th

Office Closed

President’s

Day

Wednesday

the 27th

6PM Trustees

Special Calendar Events

Weekly Calendar Events

Wesley Dines Out February 12th 6:30pm

Lin’s Fusion on Blackstone

SAVE THE DATE

March 1-3, Interfaith Scholar Weekend, Rev. Dr. Thandeka, a Unitarian Universalist

Scholar and professor at Andover Newton Theological School.

Please pray for Delegates at the

Special General Conference February 23—27

Many are praying daily from 2:23pm—2:27pm