We’re Collecting Socks for PADS
We collect new or slightly-worn socks for those who participate in the PADS program. Just put them in the basket outside the Church Office door, and someone bring them over to the Community UMC site where they will be distributed to those who need them.

February Special Offerings support Aurora Shalom Ministries
Special offerings received in February will be given to support the Aurora Shalom Ministries in Aurora IL. (http://www.gbgm-umc.org/aurorashalom/homepage.htm) A covenant of six Aurora churches, Shalom Ministries strives to bring total health, wholeness and the peace of God ~ Shalom ~ to the heart of the city. From English as a Second Language for adults to programs for children like Kid’s Zone, Shalom Zone, Summer Quest and Vacation Bible School, this beacon of Light is operating six distinct programs for families. Aurora Shalom is making a difference in the lives of families of the Fox Valley and is always mindful of God’s call to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with Him.
To give to this special offering this month, write your check to “Wesley United Methodist Church,” designate it by writing “Aurora Shalom Ministries” on the check memo and on the envelope and place it in Sunday morning offering or in the Church Office.

Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry ~ February Diaper & Wipe Drive
Loaves & Fishes (http://www.loaves-fishes.org/) needs diapers, sizes 4, 5, and 6, as well as baby wipes, for our 560 "bundles of love" under age 3. Leave your donations in the Manger in the Atrium at Wesley UMC!

Between the Services “Pausing on the Road with Jesus” ~ Room 4
Through March 21 @ 9:15 am
Rev. Reed will begin teaching again between the Sunday services at 9:15 am. He will lead a study, “Pausing On the Road with Jesus,” beginning February 14 and running through March 21. Reading material will be presented a week in advance for the texts from Luke from which Rev. Reed will preach ~ i.e. on Feb. 14 study will focus on the text for Feb. 21.

Through March 7 ~ Collect Mother’s Day Cards to Strengthen Family Ties
Companions, Inc. are providing writing materials for women in prison. Your donations of pens, stationary, cards, Ziploc bags & postage stamps helps the family bond to remain strong while they are separated. A basket with instructions for your donations is located in the Atrium. Important specifications must be used to to be accepted by the prison system. The lists and specifications are available with the baskets. Contact Mary Liz Burris if you have questions.

Book Study What’s So Amazing About Grace?
Wednesdays @ 4:45 pm
Through March 24
For 5 Wednesday afternoons, Feb. 24- March 24, Director of Christian Education Phil Courington will lead an exploration of Philip Yancey’s wonderful book “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” The group will meet every Wednesday from 4:45 – 5:45 in the Atrium.
The book may be purchased from Amazon in paperback for $10.19, and can usually be found in most larger bookstores locally as well. All are welcome, including parents of our children’s choirs who are already here for this time slot. Please RSVP to the church office or to philcourington@gmail.com.

UMW Spiritual Growth Study ~ Food & Faith
Thursday mornings, Through March 18 ~ 9- 11am
This year the UMW Spiritual Growth Study will be held on Thursday mornings, Feb 25, Mar 4, 11 and 18, from 9-11am. The study will be led by Mari Schirmer using the book, Food & Faith: Justice, Joy and Daily Bread. This study is about how our faith is nurtured, strengthened, and enhanced, by food and all the ways food touches our lives ~ in the sacrament of Holy Communion, in the presence of God shared in community, and in our hospitality to others.
Sign up on the sheet in the church office so that we will order enough books.
You may also purchase books from the Cokesbury store or online ($11.96). Please notify Lynn Trygsdad 630-778-7443 if you will need childcare.

Reconciling Journey Film Night ~ A Jihad for Love
Sat., Feb. 27
Doors open at 7 pm
Film at 7:30 pm
Discussion following movie
This group meets on the 4th Saturday of the month to watch a movie and have discussion following. This month, we’re watching A Jihad for Love. Documenting the quandary of gay Muslims via the perspective of subjects from countries such as India, Iran and Turkey, director Parvez Sharma chronicles their struggles to square their sexual orientation with their faith, which forbids homosexuality. Relating their compelling tales to the camera, the subjects (most expatriates) cling to their Islamic ideals in the face of a sharia interpretation that imposes the death penalty for homosexual acts. Feel free to invite your friends. We hope to see you there!

Public Action to Deliver Shelter ~ Extending Hospitality
February 28– March 1
We will be serving food & fellowship beginning at the evening meal through breakfast on Sunday & Monday, Feb. 28– March 1 for the homeless persons at the Community UMC PADS site across the street. Wesley and Alleluia Lutheran Church members will work together by sharing in shifts times and share with food. Edward Hospital will provide the sheets & do the laundry.
Alleluia Lutheran will provide the complete dinner meal items and Wesley will provide the breakfast items. Donations of money are always needed; mark your offering envelope “PADS” and leave it in the offering plate or the church office. Workers are needed:
6– 9 pm: setup, registration (Brandon & Brad Ross); prepare and serve supper (Linda Osanka) 11 pm– 3 am: security (Doug Seifried) 5– 7 am: Make breakfast & cleanup
(Mary Lou Miller).
Please call shift leaders or Mary Lou Miller (226-9767) to help as a worker.

Socks for PADS
We collect new or slightly-worn socks for those who participate in the PADS program. Just put them in the basket outside the Church Office door where they will be distributed to those who need them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” Romans 10:14
Bring a friend!

Help at Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry
Tues., March 2 @ 11:45– 3 pm
Volunteers stock shelves and help
distribute food. Please call Carol Mevis (428-3942) if you have questions or want to join them.

Priscilla Circle will meet on Wednesday, March 3 @ 7:30 pm in the Fireside Room at the church. Mary Lou Miller will tell us about her recent mission trip to Kenya. All are welcome. For information or questions, contact Marj. McIntosh or Ellen Sellberg.

Church Women United World Day of Prayer
“Let Everything that has Breath Praise God”
Friday, March 5 @ Holy Spirit Catholic Community (2003 111th St., Naperville)
9:30 am Coffee Fellowship
10 am Slides & Narration through
the lens of the women of Cameroon
11 am Worship and Music
Church Women United of Naperville invites you to join women around in considering how we praise God in difficult times. On Friday, March 5, the women of Cameroon encourage us to boldly go forth in our worship through song, and spirit and “Let everything that has breath praise. God.” They ask that we enter into the theme right away with an opening procession filled with vibrant music and movement. They ask us to forego any hesitations, shyness or reservations that might hold us back from expressing praise. They remind us that with every breath we renew the gift of life, and for this we praise God. Join us!

Koinonia to Banish the Winter Blues at Free Concert
March 7 @ 2:30 pm
Get your toes tapping and banish the Winter blues. Come hear the Naperville Municipal Band Winter Concert ~ “Schnitzel and Shamrocks.” We’ll meet at Naperville North High School’s
Auditorium on Sunday, March 7 at 2:30– 2:45 pm for their 3 pm concert. It’s free!!
After the concert, we’ll go to the Colonial Restaurant, at Washington & Gartner, for dinner and/or dessert. For questions or more information, call Ron & Ellen Sellberg.

Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Putting a Human Face on Our Immigration
March 10 @ 7:30 pm (St. Margaret Mary Catholic Parish, Naperville)
A community-wide event for those who want a better understanding of the need for comprehensive immigration reform. In the debate over immigration reform what often gets lost are the human lives that are caught up in an immigration system that most people see as broken. These are not abstract issues nor are they talking points in service to political ideologies. What is at stake are the lives of immigrant families, children and Communities that live in our midst but are often invisible to us. This program is an opportunity to put a human face on this important issue. Come and hear our neighbor’s stories. For more information, contact Tom Cordaro at 630-369-0777.

Summer Place presents “Sentimental Journey: A Big Band Musical Show”
March 11– 13 @ 8 pm, at Wesley UMC
A musical look back at WW!! With songs sung ;and danced by crooners, comedians, pin up girls, and GIs.. Come with us as we honor America by creating a story woven of letters from the era, and enjoy the wonderful music from that epic time in our country’s history.
Tickets @ 355-7969: Adults $17; seniors & students $14; Children under 12 $10; discounts for groups of 10 or more.Wesley members can also get $2 per ticket
discount if they attend the show on the March 11 opening night. Anyone interested should mention the discount when they order tickets through the box office phone number. If they come on Thursday in a group of 10 or more we will double the discount to $4 per ticket!

A Sweet Family Fun Trip!
March 14 @ 11:30 am
On Sunday, March 14 after church, plan to convoy over to Fullersburg Woods in Oakbrook to experience how maple syrup is made. It’ll be a 50-minute hike through the woods to see how trees are tapped and sap is collected to make everyone’s favorite pancake topping. At the end of our tour, we’ll be able to sample a little of the finished product over a small cup of ice cream. For those of you who have never been, Fullersburg is also home to a terrific nature center which provides a wonderful warm-up after a little time outside. Questions? See Phil Courington at church, or via email: philcourington@gmail.com Hope to see you there!

Reconciling Journey Bible Study Fellowship
March 14 @ 6 pm
(2nd Sunday of the month)
Reconciling Journey is an affirming study and monthly fellowship for gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgendered Christians, allies (straight friends) and those seeking to explore a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. All are welcome! Bring a friend!

Mental Health Alliance Drop-In
March 17 @ 6 pm
We will meet on our regular third Wednesday of the month on March 17 at 6 pm at the Rubin Community Center to serve a meal and spend some time with the folks who come. The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association plans the activities and provides the bus transportation for those visiting this mental health alliance support program.

Boy Scout Troop 100 Annual Pancake Breakfast
Sat., March 20 @ 7 am– 12 noon
$5 per person/$15 per family
Please come and support Wesley’s Boy Scout Troop at their annual all you can eat Pancake Breakfast. Tickets can be purchased from the Hogan Family during fellowship hour on Sundays or during Kid’s Day Out on Mons., Weds., and Fridays. Thank you for your continued support of Troop 100.

Reconciling Journey Film Night
Paragraph 175
Saturday, March. 27
Doors open at 7 pm ~ Film at 7:30 pm
Discussion following movie
Actor Rupert Everett narrates this disquieting documentary that exposes the Third Reich's vicious persecution of male homosexuals during World War II. The film's title comes from an arcane, 1871 German statute making sodomy punishable by incarceration, with the ultimate goal of eradicating gays completely. Only a handful of survivors remain to recount their traumatic tales.

Come Extend our Table at Feed My Starving Children
March 29 @ 9:30 am
We also have a unique opportunity on Monday, March 29 at 9:30am; we have reserved spots for eighteen of us to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora. This wonderful organization helps alleviate world hunger by providing a mix of life-sustaining nutrition that they ship to the world’s neediest areas. After an educational orientation and fellowship time, it will be our privilege to help assemble and package FMSC’s unique mixture for shipment. Please rsvp to the church office or to Phil Courington as soon as possible at philcourington@gmail.com, so that we can fill our spots and spend the first day of spring break doing something worthwhile.

Public Action to Deliver Shelter (DuPage PADS)
Extending Hospitality on March 28 & 29
We will be serving food & fellowship beginning at the evening meal through breakfast on Sunday & Monday, March 28 & 29 for the homeless persons at the Community UMC PADS site across the street. Wesley and Alleluia Lutheran Church members will work together by sharing in shifts times and share with food. Edward Hospital will provide the sheets & do the laundry.
Alleluia Lutheran will provide the complete dinner meal items and Wesley will provide the
breakfast items. Donations of money are always needed; mark your offering envelope “PADS” and leave it in the offering plate or the church office. Please call Mary Lou Miller, if you have questions.
Workers are needed:
6– 9 pm: setup, registration (Brandon & Brad Ross, leaders); prepare and serve supper
(Linda Osanka, leader) 11 pm– 3 am: security (Doug Seifried, leader)
5– 7 am: Make breakfast & cleanup (Mary Lou Miller, leader).
Please call shift leaders or Mary Lou Miller (226-9767) to help as a worker.

Bring Socks for PADS
We collect new or slightly-worn socks for those who participate in the PADS program. Just put them in the basket outside the Church Office door. where they will be distributed to those who need them.