Wesley United Methodist Church

The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for the different rites of the church:  communion, baptism, weddings, etc.  This includes preparation of the communion elements, changing the paraments on the altar according to the liturgical calendar, changing the floral arrangements according to the seasons, filling the candles with oil, and filling the baptismal font when needed.
Contact:  Sharren Gibbs   sharren2@cox.net

Pastor Sarah leads a diverse study on Tuesdays, varying between topics and books of the Bible.  The lesson begins at 12:10 to allow those who work to get here.  We welcome anyone who would like to bring their lunch with them.
Contact:  Pastor McIntosh   352-372-2845    secretary@wumc.cfcoxmail.com

Studies of the Bible are presented in various ways, including videos, individual reading of both the Bible and study guides, and small group discussions. Together we will explore God's Word to discover the answers in freeing us from our fears … and to build our faith walk in sustaining this freedom.
Contact:  Sandy Miller   sandawg70@aol.com

We are in the process of renewing our drama ministry – skits during the service or other venues that enhance the presentations are planned.
Contact:  Sandy Reeves   reevessu@netzero.net

Wesley’s Chancel Choir greatly enhances worship service by leading congregational hymns and providing anthems that are suited to the liturgical calendar, the pastor’s message of the day, and needs of the ministry.  This small group (currently numbering 15 singers) prepares a weekly anthem, a Christmas cantata, and other special music as needed or requested.  While it’s helpful to be able to read music, it is not necessary, as most members of the choir learn by hearing and singing.  No audition is required.
Contact:  Carolyn Clarke   carclarke@aol.com

Wesley publishes a monthly newsletter, the Wesley Witness, that is full of information for our church family and friends. The editor collects and lays out articles and photos for the newsletter, which is then published on-line as a PDF, and also made available to those who wish to receive a printed copy.  Check out the monthly Witness on the "Newsletters" tab above!
Contacts:  Sharren Gibbs   sharren2@cox.net
                   Terri Manche  secretary@wumc.cfcoxmail.com

Linda Crenshaw serves as our Sunday morning greeter, meeting folks in the narthex and ensuring they have both a name tag and bulletin.  She puts a warm and friendly face on the congregation for visitors and members alike.  We now offer fresh-baked cookies and bottled water both before and after the service in the narthex. Join us!
Contact:  Sharren Gibbs   sharren2@cox.net

This contemporary music group provides leadership and accompaniment for praise songs at the beginning of each worship service, as well as a prelude each Sunday.  Wesley has an array of instruments and equipment and welcomes new musicians any time!

Wesley’s Young-At-Heart fellowship gathers monthly for lunch at a local restaurant, and sometimes for games at the fellowship hall.  Day-trips around the area offer the opportunity to learn more about our community, and they always celebrate the holidays with festive gatherings.
Contact:  Donna Weseman   mammadonna1957@yahoo.com

Learn to play some of the many versions of canasta - we play at least the classic and "hand-and-foot" versions each week - and enjoy a fun fellowship with other like-minded players!
Contact:  Pamela and Harley Christiansen

The group selects different books of the Bible to read and discuss in class; when they finish they choose another book.  This allows for great flexibility in the class, diving as deeply into each book as the group wishes for the best understanding of God's word.  The Bible is the only material used for the class.
Contact:  Church office  (352) 372-2845

In Children's Church we have studying the "Armor of God."  Join us in September for a new and exciting Sunday School program as we continue to study how God's word is active in our lives.  Our study programs are full of fun videos, projects and discussion and are designed for children K-6th grade.
Contact:  Joyce Welsh   luckygirl8587@yahoo.com

UMM is currently in a rebuilding mode while the men of the church remain active in our many ministries, including the annual Pumpkin Patch sale and keeping our yards mowed and cleaned up.
Contact:  Chuck Adams  cmadams@ufl.edu

"United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church."  They equip women and girls around the world to be leaders in communities, agencies, workplaces, governments and churches.  They provide educational experiences, work for justice through compassionate service and advocacy, and foster spiritual growth of the members.  They are active in national and international outreach activities.  To that end, Wesley has four active circles, the Morning Stars, Earnest Workers, Sisters n Faith, and our newest circle, the Nightingales.
Contact:  Joyce Welsh  luckygirl8587@yahoo.com
 

Wesley's website puts information about our church and its activities in a readily-accessible format for our current attendees and people in the area who may be looking for a new church home.
Contact:  Sharren Gibbs   sharren2@cox.net

Wesley’s youth program meets the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each week at 4:00 PM.  Activities include a handbell choir, workdays around the church, outings to several venues (i.e., Night of Joy at DisneyWorld) swim parties, cookie bakes, and participation in the activities of the church.

Administrative Council meets quarterly (or more often as needed) to monitor and direct the activities of the church as a whole.  The pastor and all committees and teams (except SPPR) report their activities and plans to the Council.
Contact:  Terri Manche   352-372-2845   secretary@wumc.cfcoxmail.com

Finance Committee holds regular meetings to review reports and stay abreast of the church’s financial state and ensure maintenance of appropriate cash levels.  They create an annual budget based upon needs of the church to include all committee, outreach and mission projects, administrative costs, payroll, and other expenses.

You know we Methodists love our dinners-on-the-grounds!  In addition to preparing the weekly Wednesday fellowship dinner, this group maintains the Kitchen Fund, which is used to purchase groceries and kitchen supplies as needed.  The group comes together whenever a celebration is needed – funerals, showers, holidays – you name it!
The committee also prepares and serves a luncheon for the monthly meeting of the Gainesville Daughters of the American Revolution chapter.
With the advent of the Family Promise mission, the Kitchen Committee will arrange dinners and breakfasts for our visitors during the weeks they are housed at the church.
Contact:  Donna Weseman   mammadonna1957@yahoo.com

This group has turned up the heat on Wesley’s missions!  In addition to supporting various local, national, and international agencies, we have initiated contacts with schools and fire stations in our neighborhood, as well as the city police department.  We have joined the Family Promise of Gainesville network, which provides temporary housing to homeless families.  The Mission tab on our homepage lists all of our current missional activities.
Contact:  Cindy Holmes   holmesmc@yahoo.com

Basically, this committee supervises and maintains all property belonging to our congregation so that the ministries of the congregation can be effective.  The committee reports annually to the charge conference on the state of the church’s property, equipment, investments, and resources, and submits the annual budget requests for insurance, property maintenance and improvement, and new property purchases to the Finance Committee.
This is one of the hardest working groups in the church – yards have to be mowed, weeds pulled from the Memorial Garden, ceiling leaks fixed, electrical problems remedied, trees taken down or put up, problems in the parsonage addressed, and (most important in the south) air conditioners kept running!  You will see our committee members working at all of these activities, along with many church members.
Contact:  Sandy Miller  (sandawg70@aol.com)   

This committee is the umbrella over all the smaller groups that provide attention and support for anything that happens in the worship service.  Groups or individuals with responsibility for the following are members of this committee:  Altar Guild, greeters, ushers, acolytes, audiovisual technician(s), music director, drama director, praise and worship team, bulletins, and nametags, to name a few.  The chair of this committee meets with the pastor regarding plans for the seasons of the church, and coordinates with other committees for events in the church.
Contact:  Sharren Gibbs   sharren2@cox.net