Wesley on the Move January 26th – February 2nd

In Worship: We continue our 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?  This Week: “Not So Nice and Neat.”    

 

Organ Scholarship Fund:  One Sunday each month, our beautiful pipe organ is played by a talented OCU organ student. For the last year, we have been blessed by organ intern Chanmi Kim.  As part of our connection with OCU, we’ve established an Organ Scholarship Fund.  Funds will be used to additional monthly Sunday morning opportunities to play at Wesley.   You can make your donation at any time. Please be sure to mark it: “Organ Scholarship Fund.”

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 13^th 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!

Sunday Community Lunch:  We hope that you will join us each Sunday for this extended time to fellowship together. This Sunday’s lunch is hosted by Bob Sheets and the Inspirer’s Class. We thank them for their gift! Sponsors for Spring lunches are needed and appreciated!    Please contact Jean Hendrickson (jdhendrickson@sbcglobal.net)

All Church Potluck on Feb. 2!  Our next church-wide potluck will be Sunday, Feb. 2.  Bring a dish to share, homemade or store bought!