In Worship: We begin our new Worship series, “Risky Business.” If Jesus lived in today, the risk assessment folks would have surely rejected his application for life insurance. He often put himself in positions of risk: rubbing rulers the wrong way, eating with “sketchy” people, healing the sick and the unclean. It seems the message of the reign of God requires a bit of risky business. Are we willing to take risks for love and justice? What price to we pay by just playing it safe?
Wesley Joins VOICE! At the request of the Outreach Team, Wesley UMC has joined VOICE for 2020! If you’re not familiar with VOICE (Voices Organized in Civic Engagement), it is a coalition of congregations, associations, schools and non-profit groups that have come together out of a deep sense of mission and concern for the pressures faced by families in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The mission of VOICE is: “To develop the leadership skills of our own members to more effectively work within the democratic process with civic leaders and public officials on issues of concern to families.”
Want to know more: contact Wesley members Marianne Morgan, Mary Benner, Roland Haney or Rev. Jeremy Basset. Or you can visit the VOICE website: https://www.voiceokc.org/
In February, VOICE is hosting gatherings to discuss two pressures that we and our neighbors face. We invite you attend gatherings which interest you! (NOTE: Attending a gathering does not automatically lead to further participation on your part)
Predatory Lending/Student Loan Debt Training: (look for Roland Haney and Mary Benner) Monday, Feb. 3 from 7-9 p.m. at First Unitarian Church; 600 NW 13th OKC
The statistics on payday loans in Oklahoma are grim:
We take out more payday loans per capita than any other state.
The average loan is for $394, with an average interest rate of 391%.
You’ll learn the latest about HR5050, the Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act, which would cap payday loans at 36% and block rent-a-bank legislation. You’ll learn about how student loan debt and debt collection impacts Oklahomans. This workshop will give you the materials to do your own forums on predatory lending and student loan debt.
Voter Rights Restoration / SQ 805 Forum (look for Marianne Morgan and Mary Benner) Sunday, Feb. 16 from 3-4:15 at Penn Avenue Redemption UMC; 1320 N. Penn Ave., OKC
People who receive felonies in Oklahoma do not have their voting rights restored until the end of their original sentence, even if they are out of prison, working jobs, paying taxes, etc. SB 282 would change this. Also at this meeting will be someone from the SQ 805 group to explain the sentencing reform they are trying to get passed.
Note: An important part of the VOICE frame work is to better understand pressures by asking our own members to talk about the experiences of their families in the community. So, in the weeks ahead, you’ll be invited to share your input!
Community Breakfast in January: Our first Guy Ramsey “Breakfast on Us” community breakfast of 2020 is scheduled for Saturday, January 25 from 9-11 am. You can volunteer to help or donate an item such as: eggs, juice, bread, fruit or milk. A sign-up sheet is available outside the main (West) office.
Skyline Volunteers: Our friends at Skyline need your help! Can you volunteer in the Clothing Closet, Eye Clinic, Food Resource Center or Wellness ministry? Contact Brian Stevens at 632.2644 ext 104 or bstevens@skylineurbanministry.org
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