Janet Salbert, Pastor

February is Heart Havens Month: February is the time the Virginia Conference has set aside for the organization to raise awareness in churches about Heart Havens, which provides group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities. Twelve homes are currently operational throughout the Commonwealth, providing supported independence for more than 50 individuals. If you would like more information, call 1-877-442-8368 or (804) 237- 6097, or visit Heart Havens’ Web site at

Help Conserve Energy & Save $$$
Reminder:  If you are the last person leaving the main church building or fellowship hall please remember to adjust the thermostat(s) 
so we are not heating/cooling the buildings when they are not being occupied. 

There are TWO thermostats in the fellowship hall, one near the 2nd classroom door and the other one is next to the third classroom 
door as you enter the youth room.  

Help save on our heating bills during the winter months.  Thank you!

Adult Sunday School

The purpose of this input is to keep the congregation and friends of Wesley informed on what is happening in the Adult Sunday school 
that meets each Sunday morning. We meet in the first class room as you enter the Fellowship Hall. Class goes for 50 minutes, starting 
at 9 and ending at 9:50 in time to make church service. 

The class shares the teaching assignments. Current subject is a book study titled United Methodist Questions & Answers written by a 
fellow that teaches at Duke University, Belton Joyner. We have completed five of the 13 chapters to date.  Margaret Minney taught on 
the subject of Church. We learned the Methodist movement in America started without ordained ministers. In the early days the laity 
took on the mission of organizing and preaching in the "Methodist Preaching Houses". Francis Asbury, Jacob Albright and Philip Otterbein 
were some of the names of founders in America as early as 1740's. Otterbein and Albright were working with the United Brethren and 
Asbury was working with the Methodist. All had relationships with John Wesley in England. Asbury was not ordained until after American 
independence was won in the early 1780s, over forty years later. In 1968 the Methodist Church "united" with the United Brethren, to form 
The United Methodist Church. One of John Wesley's experiences that strengthen his faith was his association with the United Brethren. 
He was drawn to their "unity" and deep faith in Jesus Christ in the midst of death and danger.

One of the questions that was presented in the class, "What would the church be like without laity?" The class agreed, that the laity 
is the church, and if the community is to have Christian values represented, in human form, it will be through the laity of the  local 
church(s). 

Jane Barnes taught on Humanity. Hopefully we all were able to relate. One of the questions the author presents is "Can a person really 
become perfect"? The discussion is always interesting and hearing the views of others. With the exception of Jesus Christ and a few 
good men, (Marines), it would appear to be humanly improbable.

This study ends before Thanksgiving; feel free to join us as a part time or full time class member. We will decide by class consensus 
on the next topic to study before this study ends. Also, keep in mind that beyond mental and spiritual stimulation, we enjoy the 
fellowship time as we interact and share our understanding of our faith quest. There are nice folks in the class, but I must inform 
you, it appears to me, we have not reached perfection.

Chuck Anderson

Music Makes Me Happy-How About You?
 By Chris Johnson, Music Director 

For as long as I can remember, I have had music in my life.  As a child, I was immediately exposed to music cradled in my mother's 
arms at church.  She often says that music made me fall asleep and rest through afternoon naps or sooth me to bed.  As I grew older 
I would stand on the church pews and wave my arms along with the music director and scream to the top of my lungs when the 
congregation would sing hymns.  One time I got so excited that my arms were swinging hard enough to knock a hat off a lady's head.
Needless to say, my mother was not impressed with my directing skills at such an early age.

As I reflect back on my life with music, I can not think of a time that music did not serve as my best friend/sole mate.   I stayed 
out of a great deal of childhood mischief because of piano and flute lessons, children's choir, high school band, and organ study 
through high school.  When I become stressed or worried about anything I flip on the radio, or sit down at a keyboard and that seems 
to take the stress away.  

Recently I purchased a new car and the only thing I was really concerned about was the stereo system.  My previous vehicle had a 
broken radio for the past six years so you can imagine listening to me sing became very old.  

I know that many people really "can't carry a tune in a bucket."  Even more, you can only play a radio and nothing else.  But you 
know that is okay by me.   At least you are making some type of joyful noise.   

The best part of my job as a music director is selecting the music.   I sell myself as a good keyboard player, and an above average 
director, but if I had to coin my strongest musical abilities, it would lie with the music itself.   My mailbox is packed with 
recordings of anxious music companies hoping to prey on music directors to listen and I must admit they always get me.   If money 
was endless, I would buy every song I liked.   I have never heard a piece of music that I could not find something about it that I 
didn't enjoy.   When I took piano lessons I did not like when my teacher would skip longs.   I become very saddened when songs don't 
get used.  It is kind of like the Christmas tree ornaments that don't make it on the tree during the holidays.  
 
My challenge to you is to listen to music and talk about it with a friend.   Interpret like a book.   What's the meaning of the song?  
Does it have a theme?   Compare it to a book and you will see the similarities.   

And most of all ENJOY! 

Mission: Do you have an extra pair of shoes in your closet? Art For Humanity is a mission ministry in Honduras run by an Arlington UMC Pastor, Glen Evans. Our Church Council has decided to be a collecting point for a shoe drive in our community. Both our UMM and our Adult Sunday School class have agreed to offer their support for collecting, bagging and dropping shoes off at an Arlington location. Last month, Mary Marshall reinforced for us that we don't DO mission, we ARE mission. Mission is how we encounter God in others, in community and even within ourselves. The risk taking aspect of mission happens when we trust God to offer ourselves in relationship with others. It is up to us to INVITE people to join in this opportunity to provide shoes for the Honduran community. A shoe drive can make an incredible impact in a country where parasites enter though the soles of the feet. Fliers are available in the narthex and on our website. We will be installing a drop box for shoes on our property near our fellowship hall. Please be watching for it in the weeks to come!

Children's Sunday School
Looking for Sunday School Teachers!  You can teach as often as you would like.  There are no special requirements, except willingness 
to serve the children of the church. Curriculum will be provided or you can create your own lesson. 

If interested, please contact Ken Denham or Pastor Janet.

Youth Group
In January 2012, Wesley UMC Youth Group will be hosting a bowling party to celebrate the Youth in the church and for a reunion of 
Wesley's Preschool and Kindergarten alumni.  The party will be held at the bowling alley on Fort Belvoir and families are welcome 
and encouraged to attend.  The date of the event is TBD, but look for details in our church bulletin and email announcements.  
If interested in attending, please contact Ken Denham or Darlene Spurlock.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry began in July.  We have 15 people involved in knitting or crocheting these shawls and lap afghans.  The group 
has completed 29 projects.  We have given 19 of these to members, family, and friends of Wesley.  We have presented them to people of 
all ages in need of  a special hug--from a 1 1/2 year old  (numerous eye surgeries), a 42 year old in the midst of chemo, a new baby, 
nursing home residents, brides, members hospitalized or having medical tests.  On UMW Sunday, October 16 we presented one each to 
Irene Bowman and Harry Swartz--the oldest members of our congregation.
 
Please join us on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 10AM and again at 7PM  for fellowship and a time to work on these 
special projects.  Contact the church office or Gayle Besemer if you know of someone in need of a warm hug and a prayer.

United Methodist Women
It has been a tradition at Wesley for the United Methodist Women to recognize the outstanding service of a woman in the congregation, 
and the 2011 Mission Recognition Pin was awarded to Fran West on Sunday, October 16th.  Fran has supported various programs of the 
church through the years, and her willingness to help when a volunteer is need was noted.  She has worked with the children in Sunday 
school, Vacation Bible School, and the Easter Egg Hunt. She has been one of the chefs at the UMW International Dinner and has served 
in several roles at the Peach Festival.  She is a longtime member of the choir, and does solo work. She is currently busy crocheting 
with the new Prayer Shawl Ministry.   Fran was presented with a pin, a Certificate of Recognition, and a donation was made in her 
honor to UMW mission fund.

Trinity Circle
Come join the ladies of Trinity Circle on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00PM in the Parlor.  We are studying Christianity and 
World Religions.  A new study book will be started in January.  Come enjoy the fellowship!

Tuesday Morning UMW Circle
The morning circle of UMW meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the church parlor at 10am.  We are currently using the 
Bible Study "Becoming A Woman of Grace" by Cynthia Heald. We invite you to join us.  The following is a quote from the author.

"My prayer is that readers will discover new facets of grace and experience 
new areas of freedom in {their} lives," says Cynthia. "To glimpse the fullness 
of His grace is a life-changing revelation."

UMW Annual Gift Tree
Again this Christmas UMW will have our special angel tree in the Narthex with paper ornaments on it with a child's age and gender. 
Remember less fortunate children by taking the ornament and purchasing a present for them. The toys must be new and not wrapped.
Toys are needed by Dec 11th. Put some happiness in a child's heart!

United Methodist Men
The Men of Wesley gather usually on the first Sat. of each month for breakfast and fellowship. All men are welcomed to join us!
 
Thank you to Pastor Janet who approached the Men about two very worthy and important outreach projects that we will be helping with:
 
1) Honduras shoe ministry - We will be collecting shoes to be given to people in Honduras. These new to slightly used shoes will be 
collected and then taken to Rev. Glen Evans ministry, Art for Humanity, in the Arlington District. 
 
2) In March a group of students from James Madison Univ. in Harrisonburg will be coming to be in mission at Rising Hope.  
Pastor Janet has asked if Wesley UMC will allow these missionaries to stay in our Fellowship Hall. The UMM have agreed to help 
in providing some cots to be used while staying with us. 

Trustees
From the Trustees corner we have not only had some great accomplishments in the last month or so but we also have big plans in the 
works.  If you look around carefully we have had some major changes, first the fascia boards on the main building have been covered 
with aluminum to provide a more ascetic look at a long term solution to the maintenance.  Second we have a beautiful new floor in 
the basement of the main building.  I cannot take credit for either of these other than that it happened on my watch.  Please take 
time to thank Art Ferreira, Bob Lawson and Jody Taylor for their hard work. 

In addition we have a big garden project on the corner where the "new" preschool sign has been install.  This is in memory of 
Don Pomerening.  We have not only transformed the corner but started to achieve a long term plan of starting to replace some of 
the major trees that we have had to remove due to age and disease.  Much thanks to Audrey who volunteered to lead the project.  
We also now have a garden club that plans to get together regularly to continue to beatify our grounds.  Please contact 
Sonja Holman for more information.  We are also looking at plans to replace the handicap ramp.  There are many proposals and 
I hope to present something for your review before the end of the year.  

On the challenging side we had a bird infection (according to the "bird woman" it was hundreds) in the chimney but since we have 
identified it they have headed south and we have made repairs. This should not be a problem in the future.  Also regretfully the 
parsonage needs major repairs.  We have been setting aside the rent from the parsonage to pay for such an eventuality.  I will 
keep you informed on the issues and our progress.  As always if you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to 
contact me.

God Bless, 
Lance Tracey, Trustee Chair

Want to get your hands dirty??

One of the highlights of our church property is the extensive grounds and gardens which Wesley is blessed to own.  As with every 
blessing, a responsibility is born for its care and nurturing.  Please consider joining our newly formed Wesley Garden Committee  
- a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees.  The Garden Committee will assist the Trustees in caring for the many garden beds on 
our church's glorious property.  

This committee is currently working to develop both a short term and long term plan for what our garden areas should include 
and what they should look like in the coming years.  These plans will be pre-approved by the Trustees and be implemented over 
time (so if you have a favorite garden area, shrub or tree that has special significance or meaning to you  - please let us know!)

These activities will be in addition to our regular church workdays- where we invite all members of the Congregation to get their
hands dirty, working together to beautify our buildings and grounds.   

The Garden Committee's plans will also include an "adopt a garden" program which will allow interested persons to adopt 
"their own little slice of heaven" - committing to maintain a designated area of their choosing in between our church-wide work days.   
Current Garden Committee members include Paul Salbert, Audry Pomerening, Sonia Holman, Gayle Besemer, Judy Ferreira, Christina Swartz, 
and Darlene Spurlock.

God gives us the responsibility of caring for His creation.  Let us rejoice in the opportunity to do so - Join us!

Finance
Thanks to your ongoing support and an uptick in attendance, I'm proud to report that regular contributions thru 9/30/11 are up 
10% over last year. In the past few years, we've struggled to pay a majority of our local & district benevolences. However, we 
are on track to pay 65% of those important so called "apportionments" for 2011. 

With respect to our capital campaign, Trustees have done great work to make improvements with those funds since the fund started 
in 2008. As of 9/30/11, the capital fund balance is close to $50,000 which can be used for future facility and grounds replacements 
and additions. Thanks for everyone's past, present and future monetary contributions to our wonderful church!

 Jeff Nees, 
Finance Chair 

Dear United Methodist Sisters and Brothers in Christ: PDF Download/View   ----   Bisphops Letter Gay Marriage.pdf 
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ who calls us to faithfulness during a time of great and unsettling change around the world 
that God loves so deeply and also within the Body of Christ where Jesus is both head and redeemer. 

We give thanks for each one of you as you seek to be faithful witnesses and fruitful disciples wherever God has called you to live 
and share the grace that offers salvation to the world. Your faithfulness brings encouragement, inspiration and hope to us and to 
all who live in the influence of your witness. 

In a time when the world seems to be torn apart with division, inequality, injustice, hatred and violence, as Christians we bear 
responsibility to give witness to "a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).  The church is not exempt from struggles.  
We are not the first to experience upheaval in culture and church and we are not the first to have serious and deep disagreements about 
issues of great importance.  

One of the deep disagreements and divisions within the church is over the practice of homosexuality, recently heightened by a group 
of clergy who have declared that they will perform holy unions in opposition to the Book of Discipline.  This has caused different 
experiences of deep pain throughout the church.  As the bishops of the church, we commit ourselves to be in prayer for the whole 
church and for the brokenness our communities experience.  Furthermore, we "implore families and churches not to reject or 
condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.  We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons" (par. 161F).  
We will continue to offer grace upon grace to all in the name of Christ. 

At times like these we call upon each other to remember and renew our covenant with God and with one another as United Methodist 
Christians.  As bishops chosen, consecrated and assigned by the Church, we declare once again our commitment to be faithful to this 
covenant we have made.   As the Council of Bishops we will uphold the Book of Discipline as established by General Conference.  

Even in the midst of our differences, we believe that we can together be about our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for 
the transformation of the world.  We invite all United Methodists, lay and clergy, to join us in strengthening our congregations 
unto greater vitality for the sake of our mission. 

To that end, may we continue to live together in the spirit of Philippians 2:1-5:
 
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any 
sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, 
having the same love, being united and agreeing with each other. Don't do 
anything for selfish purposes but with humility think of others as better than 
yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for 
what is better for others. Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 2:1-5).
 
Your brothers and sisters in Christ,
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church

2012 United Methodist Program Calendar is now available: The official 2012 United Methodist Program Calendar is now available from United Methodist Communications. Available in several formats, the calendars contain monthly planning checklists, Scriptures, dates of Special Sundays, descriptions of offerings, and church agency contact information. The 2012 calendar is themed around United Methodist-affiliated Africa University in Zimbabwe. You can learn more at <www.umc.org> and going to the lower left-hand corner of the page under “Featured Products.” To order online visit <www.umc.org/calendar>, or you can call 1-888- 346-3862 or e-mail <csc@ucom.org>.

An Introduction video to Walk to Emmaus, The Upper Room
Produced by Walk to Emmaus, 1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212. This eleven minute DVD explains the Emmaus movement, offers testimonies and exciting stories. For more information, visit http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/

Church Council chair training available online: A video training for new Church Council chairs is now available on the conference Web site. “Church Council Chairs: More Than Leading a Meeting” is led by Martha Stokes, conference director of Leadership and Inclusivity. This 16-minute class is an orientation for new Church Council chairs that focuses on seven core responsibilities of the position, mainly as they affect the discipleship role of the Church Council. Go to www.vaumc.org click on “Ministries,” then “Laity,” then “Lay Leadership Resources.”

Archived Leadership Summit - A Call to Action: Reordering the Life of the Church
Broadcast from Nashville,TN
Click to connect with the Webcast

Young People’s Ministries gets new Web site: The United Methodist Board of Discipleship’s Young People’s Ministries has revamped its Web site, www.globalyoungpeople.org Some of the new features include chat, text message subscriptions, free monthly webinars, grant and scholarship information and weekly stories highlighting ministries with young people throughout The United Methodist Church.

Route One Community Kitchen– Thank You, we have been preparing and serving lunch on the second Tuesday of each month for the homeless and less fortunate of Route One area for the past 12 years.  That adds up to a lot of chicken casseroles, salads and desserts!!!!!  Through the years we have had the willing help of so many former and present members of Wesley Church.  At this  time the casseroles are prepared by Christina Swartz, Odell Wareham and me.  Those serving the lunch to our guests at the Elks Lodge are Rose Ball, Ben Robinson and Jody Taylor.  This is an outreach of Wesley to our community and we thank everyone who has contributed in any way to have this program continue over the years. THANK YOU - THANK YOU. Dale Swartz

Member Care Ministry
Cheering Each Other On…..
Though we might feel we have nothing to give, we can give encouragement.

In keeping with Wesley Member Care Ministry vision we would like to gather joys from the 
congregation. Therefore we invite you to share your special joys and recognitions with the 
church office via email (wesleychurch@verizon.net) so that they may be shared with the 
congregation in the monthly newsletter.

Member Care Ministry Vision:
Assure that every member of the congregation feels cared for in times of illness, crisis and in times of joy.
The Member Care Ministry would like to have the names and addresses of your friends and family who are in 
the service of our country.  We do pray for the military in general but feel it is better to pray for them 
personally and send cards to let them know we care.

PLEASE..... Keep us updated with new or changed postal addresses, phone numbers and eMail address. Thank you to all who have sent in changes! Updated information may be eMailed to WesleyChurch@verizon.net, dropped in the offering plate at Church, mailed to Wesley United Methodist Church , 8412 Richmond Ave, Alexandria, Virginia 22309 or you may use the on-line Change of Address Form.
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