Wesley United Methodist Church

Wesley United Methodist Church is a church family that seeks to live into John Wesley's three simple rules- to do good, to do no harm, and to stay in love with God. http://www.wumcsf.org

The Conference will be appointing a new pastor to our church and one of the things that we want to do is to give that person all the tools they will need to do ministry with and among us. Unfortunately, one of the tools they will need (Names, addresses, emails, phone numbers) is not as up to date as we would like. In order not to handicap our new pastor, we have sent the families in our church a letter requesting the needed information. If you receive the letter, please fill it out and return it as soon as possible. If you don’t receive one, (or didn’t pick it up in church), please call the church or send us an email so that you might provide the needed information. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and when our new pastor arrives, make sure you introduce yourself to our new family member.

Howard and Bill

It was announced this Sunday that our new pastor will be Cindy Heidelberger. Below you will find her bio that will give you a taste of her background and places of ministry. We are excited about her appointment and look forward to her being a part of the Wesley UMC Family.

Cindy Heidelberger is living out her call to be commissioned as a deacon. She has learned through the challenges of life she has the heart of a deacon.

Cindy is the Executive Director of GroundsWorks Connect. As a non-profit, GroundWorks Connect brings Education and Agriculture together to enhance ag literacy, student leadership, creation care, resource stewardship, and community development.

She has served as a hospital and a behavioral heal chaplain, as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Asbury, and as a teacher. Cindy has an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies and Theater, English, and Education from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. A degree that she has utilized in various job roles.

Cindy attended Sioux Falls Seminary, receiving her Master of Divinity degree, preparing for the elder track. Life events, her seminary journey, and her colleagues led her to the decision become a deacon, specializing in pastoral care and counseling, creation care ministry, and community development.

Cindy has two sons and will be married to Rev. Duane Coates this summer.

It has been to say the least, an interesting year at Wesley UMC. We have gone through a storm of sorts that has taken a toll on our hearts and our membership. We have had five different persons lead us in worship (Eric, Howard, Bill, Jordan, and Tyler) and three persons who were our appointed pastors (Eric, Bill, Howard). If we feel a little unsettled, it is understandable. And yet we are still here with hope for the future. We continue to worship together. We seek to pray and care for those in our church family who are struggling. We seek to make a difference in our neighborhood. We have a new Spanish speaking church worshipping in our building. And again, the good news is that we are still here with hope for the future.

It is into this Wesley UMC family that we are now going to welcome a new pastor. Some things that we would encourage you to remember. We know each other and something of each other’s story. Our new pastor will know none of this and will only come to know what we are willing to share. We know each other’s name. Our new pastor will know none of our names unless we are willing to introduce ourselves often by name. Our new pastor will not know our individual gifts for ministry unless we share them and say “yes” when asked to serve. Our new pastor knows nothing of our building and what rooms we use and what we use them for and which we don’t presently use. We will need to tell them. They will not know where all the bathrooms are for example. Our new pastor will not know our history of how we have sought to serve our neighborhood unless we share that history. They will not know all the partners that we have to do ministry. We will need to introduce them. Our new pastor will not know all that we expect of them nor what each of us takes responsibility for. We will need to share that information with them. (And by we, I mean all of us, not just those in leadership). And so, we have some work ahead of us in the coming months.

Work. Most of us find that word uncomfortable. But hopefully the work we have ahead of us will be filled with joy as we discover the gifts that our new pastor brings and the good things that our new pastor brings out of us. And we would encourage you to look forward to the future with hope and with expectation as together we anticipate the places where God will lead this family we call Wesley UMC.

Howard and Bill

Wesley needs volunteers Tuesday June 18th through Friday June 21st to feed the hungry workers who are cleaning up the neighborhood. There are sign-up sheets in the narthex or call Mary P.

In case you missed the worship services and messages in May, go to http://wumcsf.org and click on the “Video Archive” tab to view the following:

May 5 – “Love one another” by Jordan Minnich Kjesbo

May 12 – “Go!” by Jordan Minnich Kjesbo

May 19, Pentecost – “Holy Spirit Buffet” by Bill Gran (contact the church office if you are wanting a copy of the handout shared)

May 26 – “Rebirth and Resurrection” by Jordan Minnich Kjesbo

To watch services “live” each Sunday at 10 AM, go to http://wumcsf.org and click on the “Livestream” tab. June’s preaching schedule is as follows:

June 2, with communion – Howard Grinager

June 9 – Roger Maize

June 16 – Jordan Minnich Kjesbo

June 23 – Bill Gran (followed by a potluck to celebrate the ministries of Howard Grinager and Bill Gran)

June 30 – Howard Grinager

....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

We are also grateful for the opportunities we have to “host” these additional congregations within our Wesley UMC building:

Pentecostal Slavic Congregation of Sioux Falls-Meets in our Sanctuary on Sundays 12:00-2:00 and 6:00-8:00, and on Fridays 7:00-9:00

Lirio de los Valles-Meets in our former nursery room on Sundays 12:-00-2:00 and Thursdays 7:00-8:3

The Wesley church family has been invited by Elaine Roberts to join with Asbury, Ben Claire, and some of Elaine’s retired teacher friends to provide milk for Terry Redlin food pantry for the next school year. This last year Wesley was able to buy the milk they needed through a grant that was written for us by Pastor Laura. That milk made a wonderful difference in the lives of families. If you would like to share in this opportunity to do good again, you may put a check in the offering and put (Milk) in the note area. Thanks for all that you do that makes a difference.

Wesley is scheduled to serve again on Sunday June 16th and Monday June 24th. Here is a list of ongoing needs for the Canteen; Bottled water, toothpaste and toothbrushes (please no mouthwash) hand soap, sunscreen, feminine products, combs, hairbrushes and band aids. Next time you're shopping pick up an extra item or two for the canteen. Please consider helping- contact Carmin Britt to volunteer or if you have questions.

When forums are not scheduled, there are Saturday morning meetings at 10am. These meetings are thought provoking and informative. They have been focused on getting Whittier Neighborhood Association going, then they will look at the needs of the area and decide how we best to help. Please join us at 10a on Saturday mornings in Fellowship Hall. Come to share and learn about being a neighbor and improving life for everyone. You really can make a difference!

Income 4 months 2024----- ----------------------------------$ 30,785.95

Expense 4 months 2024 ------------------------------------- ($31,653.65)

Income exceed expense @ 4/30/2024---------------------------(867.70)

Don Armstrong, Treasurer

Balance 3/31/2024-----------------------------------------------------$20,721.98

Donations April 2024 ------------------------------------------------------$270.00

Interest earned April 2024 ---------------------------------------------------$7.27

Balance 4/30/2024 -----------------------------------------------------$20,999.25

Don Armstrong, Treasurer

The Griner family is settling in to their new normal and could still use our help. If you go to the website https://mealtrain.com/dnn534, you can sign up to provide a meal, gift cards can also be donated at this site. Welcome Home Griners with all our Prayers and Blessings!

Wesley's softball team is up to bat again! The league is focused on promoting fellowship through the sport of softball. The double-header games are played at Sherman Park. Rich Paez is the contact person for the team. You can also go to the website https://www.sfchurchsoftball.com/home.

June 6 - Field I @ 6:30, Field H @ 7:30

June 13 - Field E @ 6:30, Field G @ 7:30

June 20 - Field I @ 7:30, Field I @ 8:30

June 27 - Field E @ 6:30, Field E @ 8:30

July 11 - Field H @ 7:30, Field I @ 8:30

Tuff Home in Hills, MN: Jackie Dreyer

Good Sam / Hill: Linda Varud,

Avantara: Guy Varud

VA in Luverne: Bob Morrison

Rushmore Mn: Marian Hoek

Stoney Brooke: Maxine Ingalls, Audrey Hullinger

Prairie Crossing: Bernie McCabe

Dow Rummel: Nila Hendriks

Luther Manor: Donna Hoh

Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion, SD: Margeann Dewes

Sympathy: to the family of Patty Schmida, Mary Poppenga"s sister, she passed away May 17th

Prayers:

Mary Wilcox - upcoming surgery hopefully will help with the pain

Kolby Bohmbach - hopeful for good test results

Kim Wahl- back surgery

Bob Whiting - knee surgery - was good to see him in church!

Zelda Kirkvold - cancer

Ernie Griner - HOME!

Carole Anderson -Home!

Trish Garcia - back home!

Sandy - Bernie McCabe's daughter, ongoing illness

Carmen Britt - Sister Kim and Brother-in-law, Dave - prayers needed

Kolby Bohmbach – Continued prayers for good test results

Karen Renken- continued prayers for healing

Bob Whiting’s daughter Robyn –doing well after a kidney transplant

Nila & Karen’s sister-in-law Karen - continued prayers

Everyone is invited to help work in the gardens -they are community gardens. Even a little bit of weeding and care helps out. When it is time to harvest, it is a harvest for the neighborhood. Jordan has many recipes and ideas of how to prepare meals from the harvest.

The idea of community pride that Wesley shows by example in the planting of these gardens have already spread. Notice the clean-up at the apartments across the street and a big thank you to the person who added flowers to the brick planter by the front stairs.

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths for both men and women combined. Colorectal cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms in its early stages. That’s why screenings are so important.

Because all men and women 45 years and older are at an increased risk for having colorectal cancer, experts now recommend that you begin screening for colorectal cancer at 45 (used to be 50). Alcohol, tobacco use, obesity, and lack of exercise also increase risk. If you have a personal family history of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease colorectal cancer or polyps, or other forms of cancer, you doctor may recommend beginning screenings earlier than 45.

Colorectal cancer symptoms may include but are not limited to diarrhea or constipation; blood in the stool; bloated feeling, and unexplained weight loss.

The most effective and gold standard test is the colonoscopy, where a flexible thin tube is advanced through the rectum and colon. There are tests that can be done in your own home if you are at low risk including the fecal occult blood test and Cologuard that looks for abnormal DNA and blood in your stool.

Each test has advantages and disadvantages so you should talk to your doctor about the best test for you.

You can keep your colon healthy by quitting tobacco, eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, drinking lots of water, and exercising for a least 20 minutes three times a week.

Don’t wait. Get screened

Blessings, Dawn Armstrong

Wesley will have a potluck after June 23rd 's Sunday morning service. This will be to thank Howard Grinager and Bill Gran for answering the call, coming out of retirement to serve as Wesley's pastors. AND to Welcome Cindy Heidelberger as Wesley's new pastor.