Wesley United Methodist Church has a vibrant and varied range of activities and ministries to contribute to the church lives of all.
In our well-equipped nursery facility we have a staff of competent and capable child care workers to provide a safe environment for your children while you attend church activities and worship services.
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Wesley maintains an active prayer chain. Requests for specific prayer needs are received through the church office (372-2845) or from our Prayer Request page.
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Wesley has a vigorous and concerned program of outreach to our community. Each month it focuses on a Mission of the Month. Our members are encouraged to contribute both time and money as they are able to the Mission of the Month or another agency of their choice. While our benevolences and work support go to other agencies as well, at present the Mission-of-the-Month list is:
Arbor House
House of Hope
Peaceful Paths
St. Francis House
Thanksgiving Baskets
Volunteers in Mission
Ronald McDonald House
Gainesville Community Ministry
Concerned Christians for Community
Salvation Army Christmas Stockings
The Florida United Methodist Children's Home
There are many opportunities available for members
to volunteer their services both within the church and in the larger community.
Volunteers are matched to various positions based on individual skills
and interest. Contact the church office for additional information.
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Wesley has an active and diverse range of adult Sunday School classes. Classes meet at 9:30 each Sunday. One of our classes will be right for you. Scroll down to see them all! If you are interested in visiting one of the classes, ask an usher or at the church office for class locations.
The Advance Class is studying from the International Lesson Series. Discussion leaders are voluntary. They have the help of the Methodist Teachers Guide which follows the lesson and also the International lesson manual and a devotional guide. The class maintains a project fund which sponsors, in part, the Upper Room devotional guide ministry at Wesley.
The Fellowship Class is like an active, loving family. We are growing as Christians through our lessons. We share concerns each week and every' class member finds acceptance, and help with life's problems. We laugh a lot too! Class members volunteer to teach for a one-month period. As a class and as individuals we support the activities of the church whenever we can. For more information contact Donna Weseman.
The Pairs and Spares Class is composed of mature adults, most of whom are retired. The class uses the International Lesson Series presented with the lecture method with some class participation.
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Wesley has carefully structured Sunday School classes for children and youth meeting at 9:30 each Sunday.
| In the East Wing | In the Youth House | |
| Two & three year-olds Four & five year-olds |
K - Second Grade Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade |
Junior High Senior High |
Wesley's United Methodist Men's Fellowship is a group of men of all ages who gather on the fourth Monday nights of each month for a covered dish supper and program. Programs are excellent, usually speakers from the community addressing topics of current and general interest. Activities include
- seminary scholarship support for students intending to serve in Florida's United Methodist full-time ordained ministry
- local charities and benevolences as possible
- hurricane and other emergency relief efforts
- church work days
The UMM's annual Christmas tree sales have become a tradition in the community, making Wesley known as "the church with the Christmas trees". For more information contact Ron Case.
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Wesley's unit of United Methodist Women is open to all women and is affiliated with the Church Women United. Their purpose is to nurture faith through prayer and Bible study. They are committed to service to Christ in our congregation and in the larger community. Among their projects are:
- Gainesville Community Ministries
- St. Francis House
- Ronald McDonald House
- Project 5000
- Youth Camp Scholarships
- Emergency Relief Efforts
In addition to the general meeting on the first Tuesday of each month, there are small group circles which meet monthly.
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The YAH (young at heart) group is open to everyone, but most especially for the Senior Adults at Wesley UMC. We enjoy fun and fellowship with each other on a monthly basis. We share with each other our concerns, sorrows, joys, prayers and praises. We do overnight trips to see special events and once a year, we will do a week long trip which includes something spiritually rewarding for the group. For more information contact Marilyn Browning
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We are blessed with a very special youth ministry at Wesley. Our mission statement has served as a reflection of the kind of community and ministry we strive to be:
"Adolescence is an age of discovery, enterprise, and future building. Our aim for the youth in this fellowship is that they come to realize God's everyday influence, involvement, and love in their lives. Christianity is not merely some stuffy religion with confusing, ancient traditions, but rather a vital dynamic relationship with our Creator. We hope that youths, through their involvement with this group, will develop leadership skills, build confidence and compassion, and cultivate a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Bible and other aspects of our faith. All this and zany fun stuff, too!"
Our weekly schedule offers Sunday Fellowship (a great
opportunity to play, learn, sing, laugh, eat, and pray), Bible Studies,
Dinners, Puppets Ministry. Christian love in action has continued to be
a major theme of our ministry. We participate in monthly service projects
and a summer mission worktrip.
Not only are we a serving group but we are also a very playful group!
We plan several social activities: camping trips, concerts, Youth Week,
parties of all sorts, Destination Unknown trips, retreats, dances, lock-ins
and sporty events.
We invite all middle and high school students to join us. There's a place for you in our group!
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Wesley enjoys an excellent music program led by professional musicians and enriched by the broad spectrum of musical talents in our congregation. For more information on our music programs contact Kay Frazier .
The Chancel Choir is our adult choir which sings at most worship services and provides special programs at the important seasons of the church year.
Handbells perform several times each year. They're always looking for people to join. Our services are blessed with such beautiful sounds!
Special music offered several times each month
in the worship service and regularly at summer services includes the varied
instrumental and vocal talents of church members who do not have the chance
to be part of the choirs.
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We are blessed to have such a wonderful drama ministry that provides such an entertaining way of learning about our faith. While the 'kids' in the seats are getting the message, the 'kid's on stage are being blessed as they grow in Christ.
Drama is to be enjoyed. Our team presents a skit each month in worship and two one-act plays for dinner theaters annually. Other opportunities are available for seasonal performances.
The Wesley Players actors develop deep friendships with their fellow actors. They share their burdens, pray for each other and look after each other.
view photos from some of the performances
We look forward to our annual Fall Dinner Theater which benefits the United Methodist Children's Home. For more information on our drama program, contact Kay Frazier.
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