Hospitality Table
Acolytes
Greeters and Welcomers
Stephen Ministry
Young at Heart
Good News for Hard of Hearing Committee
Ministry for Shut-Ins
Disciple Bible Study
Boy Scouts
Recreation Ministry
Emmaus
Cub Scouts
Church and Society Committee
Lenten Small Group Gathering
 

Hospitality Table
“Your attitude must be like my own, for I , the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve... – Matthews 20:28

Want to make a lot of kids and adults happy on Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 9:45am?

Volunteer to help with the Hospitality Table located in the Gathering Hall. What’s involved? Providing light refreshments of snacks and juice. Duties include making coffee, setting up the food and drink stations, and cleaning up afterwards. The church provides the coffee, paper products, and condiments.

While Sunday school classes and other groups in the church volunteer to do this, from time to time substitute volunteers are needed. If you are willing to help out, please contact Susan Barnes or Contact Us and let her put you on a PRN (call if needed) list.

Back to Groups List

ACOLYTES
...Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.” – John 8:12

Fifth through 8th graders, get involved in the worship service -- be an acolyte!! Acolytes light the altar candles at the beginning of the service to show God's presence; and then they carry the flame out of the sanctuary at the end of the service to bring God's light out into the world. It is an ancient tradition and something that will create a cherished and meaningful Christian memory for you.

Acolytes are only used at the 11 o'clock service. Even if you usually go to the early service, please consider being an acolyte once or twice this year! Parents, please encourage your child to participate in this very important youth role at Wesley! Call Kathy Sanders at 910-350-0645 to sign up for a Sunday or two, or to get more information Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

Greeters and Welcomers
So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified. – Romans 15:7

Person-to-person, one-on-one.  We want everyone who enters Wesley Memorial to feel like they are a member of the family.  It only takes a smile, a friendly handshake, an occasional hug.

How You Can Help

Surely you’ve noticed as you walk into church on Sunday mornings – either through the Narthex entrance or the Gathering Hall entrance – the friendly faces who open the door for you and greet you with a warm hello.  You can be one of these “Greeters”!  

Less noticeable, but just as important, are the people who man the Welcome Center situated just outside the Sanctuary at the Gathering Hall entrance.  The “Welcomer” is there for the person who is looking for more information about our church, looking for a Sunday School class, or looking for information about our many programs and activities.  No....you don’t have to know about all these things.  There are brochures and handouts.   

Greeters are needed before each of the two services.  Welcomers are needed before and after first service and before the second service.  There is a need for people to volunteer.  Won’t you offer your services and help? 

 What’s in it for You?

It gives you the opportunity to set the tone for the experience that others will have in church that morning – what a wonderful feeling that is.  You get to meet new people and learn the names of those whose faces are ‘oh, so familiar.’   

So You’ve Decided to Volunteer...

Back to Groups List

STEPHEN MINISTRY
The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them, too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. – Psalm 34:19

Wesley Memorial chose the Stephen Ministry in response to God’s love and Jesus’ command, “Love one another, even as I have loved you.” Stephen ministers are there for people in crisis, or people who could use encouragement and support as they experience struggles in their life’s journey. By listening, being there, and ministering through Christian resources such as prayer, blessing, and sharing Scriptures, Stephen Ministers can help in a unique way.

Stephen Ministers are just regular people with a desire to serve. These lay people receive 50 hours of initial training before being commissioned and being assigned their first care receivers. Some of the training topics include listening, feelings, boundaries, assertiveness, distinctively Christian caring and confidentiality. They receive training for ministering to those experiencing grief, divorce, terminal illness among other life situations. Each month we have a supervisory meeting with continuing education.

Stephen Ministers are there to listen, accept, care and walk with a person who is going through a difficult time. They are not counselors, therapists, or “fixers.” A motto of Stephen Ministry is, “The Stephen Minister is the caregiver; God is the cure giver.”

We have 16 Stephen Ministers and three Stephen Leaders here at Wesley who will be happy to minister to anyone in need. If you are interested in receiving a Stephen, or if you would like to know more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact Associate Pastor Margaret Hockett at the church office – 910-791-4092 or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

Young at Heart
Happy are those who are strong in the Lord.... – Psalm 84:5

“We sure do have fun!” That’s the comment we hear from our senior adult ministry, Young at Heart. This is a time of food, fellowship, and programs for anyone 55 or over (we don’t do age checks).

We meet the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30am at the Gym in the Activity Center for a covered dish luncheon. After lunch, we share in a devotion, prepared by one of the members, and then enjoy a program. One that’s either fun or educational. We’ve enjoyed programs such as talks on ministries, missions, senior adult safety and care. We’ve had musicians, singers, and clowns. There’s always something new to learn at our Young at Heart fellowship.

About once a month, we take a day trip. This is becoming one of our most popular activities. We’ve visited Smithfield Outlet Malls, Myrtle Beach Theaters, Antique shops, historic sites, boat rides, Thalian Hall, Mike’s Farm, Tryon Palace, the Biltmore Estate, historic churches, and much more.

Why would you want to sit home and be bored when you can experience all the fun we have? Good food, Christian fellowship, and interesting recreation are what you will enjoy at Young at Heart.  If you would like to know more, contact the church office – 910-791-4092 or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

GOOD NEWS FOR HARD OF HEARING
Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise. – Proverbs 2:23

There is exciting news for the hard of hearing in our church.

“Live Captioning”

If you have trouble understanding the worship service because of a hearing impairment, you’ll be glad to know that Lydia Wheeler is working hard on the computer to provide you with “live captioning” of the 11:00am service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. You can read this paraphrased version on the computer screen and on the television screen that is mounted above the pews in the rear section of the sanctuary.

Assistive Listening Devices

Our church has several assistive listening devices to make available to parishioners. Each unit is about the size of a deck of cards, has earphones, and will put the speaker's voice right in your ear. These devices can help someone with a mild to moderately-severe loss of hearing. Ask an usher if you want to use one of these devices.

If you have questions about any of this information, see Jean Allman, Lydia Wheeler, or Isabelle Payonk or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

Ministry for Shut-Ins
....love your neighbor as you love yourself. – Romans 13:9

The Shut-in Ministry is a vital part of our church; and there are probably people who don't even know it exists. Right now, we have 24 shut-ins at home, in retirement homes, assisted living, and nursing homes. These shut-ins are people who have been faithful active members of church – or parents of members – who can no longer attend.

The goal is for shut-ins to be visited at least once a month. At Easter and Christmas, we deliver flowers from the church to each shut-in. We deliver Upper Rooms as needed. Communion has been taken at times. The senior pastor visits each person at least once a year, and shut-ins can expect a visit from the associate pastor every few weeks. If you know of someone who needs to receive visits because they are no longer able to get out and about, contact the church office
910-791-4092 or Contact Us.

We can always use more visitors. YOU are the perfect person to help out. No special talents are needed. All it takes is a little time. Think you are not a fluid conversationalist? You don’t need to be. These folks are grateful just to have the company. They are so appreciative that the church still remembers them even though they can no longer be an active participant in church activities. If you want more information or want to be a visitor, call Margaret Hockett or Jane Whetzel or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY
Open my eyes to see the wonderful things in your Word...how I need a map – and your commands are my chart and guide. I long for your instructions more than I can tell. – Psalm 119:18-20

If you’ve ever felt put on the spot because you “don’t know your Bible very good” – because you’ve never thoroughly read your Bible – then Disciple Bible Study may be just for you.

Disciple is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing Christian leaders. Disciple focuses on the disciple as learner, believer, follower, proclaimer, and servant. Disciple aims at transformation, not just information. Disciple studies are offered in September and continue through May. Each course involves daily reading and a two hour group session each week. Sign up for Disciple classes are in August. Students must purchase a manual at a cost of $30.00.

For more information, call Steve Jeremias – 791-4092, or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

Boy Scouting -- Fifty Years of Commitment
...that vow must not be broken: the person making the vow must do exactly as he has promised. – Numbers 30:3

BSA Troop 26 is approaching our 51st year. This troop, sponsored by Wesley Memorial is a leader-producing troop –
a troop that has produced over 100 Eagle Scouts – Boy Scouting’s highest honor.

Currently with a membership of about 50 young men, Troop 226 is a “boy run” troop that meets on Thursday nights at 7:30pm in the Activity Building. The meetings are busy with boys working on merit badges and scouting skills. On a monthly basis, you will find them busy with an outdoor adventure. Each summer they attend a BSA summer camp.  In the  summer of 2004, nine of these young men went  to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

Specifically, the Boy Scouts of America endeavors to develop American citizens who

• are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit
• have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness
• have personal values based on religious concepts
• have the desire and skills to help others
• understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems
• are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world
• have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people
• and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.

Programs for youth don’t last 50 years without dedicated adult leaders. It would probably be fair to say that there are – collectively – several hundred years of Scouting experience in the adult leadership at Wesley Memorial. They teach knots; they teach canoeing; they teach about environmental issues; they teach compass skills. They guide these young men through their teenage years to adulthood – these young men become men of good character ...men who are good citizens.

Scouting is for young men ages 11 – 17. If you know someone who is interested, they can call the church office 910-791-4092, contact Steve Moore or Contact Us.

http://www.geocities.com/wumctroop26/ Jack Phillips -- Asst.  Scoutmaster Troop 26,  Asst. Cubmaster Pack 226
 

Back to Groups List
 

RECREATION MINISTRY
...we are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may share the fellowship and joys we have with the Father and with Jesus Christ his son. – 1 John 1:3

Basketball
Wesley Memorial supports our children and youth basketball teams through the use of our Activity Center Gymnasium during the fall and winter months. We currently support 8 girls and boys teams including ages 5 through 17. Teams participate in the Wilmington City Leagues beginning in November and ending in March. Contact the church office for more information.

Youth Softball
Our Senior High youth participate each spring in the First Baptist co-ed youth softball league. This is a non-competitive, fellowship-oriented program for teens. Contact Bill Parker for more info or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List

CUB SCOUTS

Cub Scout Pack 226 is a "Quality Unit" long chartered by Wesley Memorial that includes more than 100 boys in 1^st - 5^th grade and their families. Over 20 trained adult leaders work together to offer a well-rounded program that provides true and lasting value for boys.

Cub Scouting is for all boys in 1^st through 5^th grades at public, private, and home schools. You do not need to be a member of Wesley Memorial to participate in Pack 226. If you or someone you know is interested in our program, please contact Cub Master Doug Swain at 794-9331 or view the Pack 226 website at http://www.geocities.com/wumctroop26/


Back to Groups List

CHURCH AND SOCIETY COMMITTEE
And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave.
– Matthew 21:27

The purpose of the Church and Society Committee is try to "connect" the church with the community around us. We do this by helping out civic organizations, through pulpit exchanges, and by having inter-denominational, cross-cultural services/gatherings. We hope to get others involved with the community and integrate the church. Interested in getting involved? Contact the church office: 791-4092 or Contact Us.

Back to Groups List