Weekly Update – Jan 30

Check www.ufwesley.com for the weekly calendar and latest updates.  If

you have any announcements you want included in the Wesley Update,

please email them to info@ufwesley.com.

 

In this week’s update:

+Spring Retreat, Feb 22-24

+Spring Break Work Teams

+The Gathering

+Worship Cafe

+Ash Wednesday Service

+Super Bowl Party

+Relay for Life

+Love Campaign

+Parent’s Weekend, April 12-13

 

SPRING WESLEY RETREAT – Feb 22-24, Advent Christian Village on the

Suwannee River. Sign-up @ any Wesley Event, or by emailing

info@ufwesley.com.  Derrick Scott, our speaker @ the Fall retreat,

will lead the worship with his band from Access218 in Jacksonville.

Our Spring Retreat is a great chance to take a break from our hectic

schedules and re-connect with God and one another.  Cost is $50 with

scholarships available for those with need.

 

Applications for our ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TEAMS to the Mississippi

and Virginia are available – the deadline is January 31st.  You can

download the applications from the website (ufwesley.com) or contact

Amanda Cunningham (manda18@ufl.edu). Completed applications can be

returned to Amanda or David Fuquay.

 

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This Week @ “The Gathering” (Thursday @ 8 pm in the Presby Center) we

will do a “stump the chump” night. We will split into groups and

brainstorm tough, but relevant questions, and then quickly discover

the edges of Pastor David’s knowledge of all things Christian.

Rebuttal is allows.  Particularly deep questions will be used as the

topics for future Bible studies this semester.  As always, our worship

band will lead us and singing, and afterwards, some people will go try

to get employee discounts at Ben and Jerry’s.

 

This Sunday @ “The Worship Cafe” we will focus on Matthew 17:1-9 and

Jesus’ transfiguration.  Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!

Worship Cafe has new times this semester with Traditional Blend

beginning at 9:30, Community is Brewing with free breakfast at10:30,

the Modern Mix at 11 am, and lunch bunch following worship.

 

Ash Wednesday Service, Feb 6th, 7 pm, Presby Center. Ash Wednesday is

always a powerful worship experience as we begin the season of Lent

together. I hope you will make plans to participate!

 

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SUPER BOWL PARTY, February 3rd at David’s house. Bring sides or drinks

to share. Doors open @ 5 pm. Kick-off is at 6 pm.  Bring friends – all

are welcome. We created a Facebook event today and invited everyone in

the UF Wesley Group. Please RSVP through Facebook if you can come!

 

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If anyone wants to be a part of the Wesley Foundation Relay for Life

team, email Ashley Hoover (ashleyeh@ufl.edu) ASAP so we can form a

team and start fundraising for a good cause!

 

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The Love Campaign (uflovecampaign.com) is our major on-campus outreach

where we start a conversation by asking the question, “What is Love?”

The 2008 version of the UF Love Campaign will include songwriting

competition and an arts competition culminating in our Love Campaign

Event on Feb. 15 in the Reitz amphitheater. We want all members of the

Wesley Foundation to get involved in the Love Campaign. We will be

having a final Love Campaign meeting and training session on Saturday

February 9 for all volunteers.

 

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Our annual Parent’s Weekend will be held April 12-13. We’ll have a

family picnic and other fun stuff on Saturday afternoon, followed by a

catered dinner and talent show Saturday night. So make sure your

parents put those dates on their calendars and start finding some

talent to share.

Weekly Update – Jan 23

Check www.ufwesley.com for weekly schedule, the latest information, announcements and updates. If you have any announcements you want included in the Wesley Update, please email them to info@ufwesley.com.

In this week’s update:
+Reflection for the week.
+The Gathering on Thursday
+Worship Cafe on Sunday morning
+Ash Wednesday Service
+Fun and Fellowship Events
+Missions Update
+Love Campaign
+Upper Room Staff Applications
+Spring Retreat, Feb 22-24
+Parent’s Weekend, April 12-13
+Prayer Concerns

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Reflection:
I picked up a wonderful little book this week called “Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living.” Based John Wesley’s General Rules, the three simple rules are 1) do no harm 2) do good and 3) stay in love with God. While they are indeed simple, when I looked at my life just over the past couple days I immediately saw situations where I did harm with my words, where I passed up opportunities to do good when they were right in front me, and how I failed to intentionally spend the time I need in prayer and reflection to draw closer to God. I’m glad the rules are kept simple because they are so difficult, requiring far more attentive living than I currently practice. I was moved by the prayer included with the book, and hope you will make it your prayer this week: “Teach us today to do no harm, to do good, and assist us so that we may stay in loving relationship with you and our neighbor. Help us today to be an answer to another’s prayer so that we may be one of your signs of hope in the world you love.”

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This Week @ “The Gathering” (Thursday @ 8 pm in the Presby Center) we ill continue our discussion about euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide. Specifically, we will examine what our practices in worship, specifically the practice of receiving communion, teaches us about these issues. If you were present last week and got a copy of the hand-out David distributed, I encourage you to take the time to read through it to help us have a more informed discussion. As always, our band – led by Shawn this week – will lead us in worship.This Sunday @ “The Worship Cafe” we will focus on Matthew 4:12-23 and the story of Jesus calling his disciples away from their nets to follow him. Beginning this week, we’ll have the theater set-up each Sunday as a prayer room for your use before and after the service, and many weeks you’ll be invited to use that space for prayer as part of the worship experience. Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday! Worship Cafe has new times this semester with Traditional Blend beginning at 9:30, Community is Brewing with free breakfast at10:30, the Modern Mix at 11 am, and lunch bunch following worship (this week @ Moe’s/Panera on Archer Rd.)

Ash Wednesday Service, Feb 6th, 7 pm, Presby Center. Ash Wednesday is always a powerful worship experience as we begin the season of Lent together. I hope you will make plans to participate!

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Fun and Fellowship:
THIS FRIDAY, January 25th we will have a GAME NIGHT in the PDCSC beginning at 5:30 pm. Bring your favorite board games, or jump in on the Wii and Guitar Hero on the big screen.

SUPER BOWL PARTY, February 3rd at David’s house. Bring sides or drinks to share. More info next week and watch for the Facebook event notice.

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Missions Update:
If anyone wants to be a part of the Wesley Foundation Relay for Life team, email Ashley Hoover (click here for email) ASAP so we can form a team and start fundraising for a good cause!

Reminder for those who signed up for Habitat this Saturday – don’t forget that we need to be at the site at 8 am. We will meet at the Wesley House at 7:30 am for carpooling. Contact Alyssa (click here for email) if you need a ride. We will be working until 2 pm.

We will be serving dinner at the St. Francis House on Wednesday, January 30th. Look for sign-up sheets this week, or you can contact Amanda Cunningham (click here for email) if you are interested. We will meet at the Wesley House at 4 pm to carpool over.

Applications for our Alternative Spring Break Teams to the Mississippi and Virginia are available – the deadline is January 31st. You can download the applications from the website (ufwesley.com) or contact Amanda Cunningham (click here for email). Completed applications can be returned to Amanda or David Fuquay.

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The Love Campaign (uflovecampaign.com) is our major on-campus outreach where we start a conversation by asking the question, “What is Love?” The 2008 version of the UF Love Campaign will include songwriting competition and an arts competition culminating in our Love Campaign Event on Feb. 15 in the Reitz amphitheater. We want all members of the
Wesley Foundation to get involved in the Love Campaign and invite you to our next planning meeting on Wednesday, Jan 30 at 8 pm in the Wesley House. We will also be having a final Love Campaign meeting and training session on Saturday February 9 for all volunteers.

Upper Room Staff are the core leadership team for the UF Wesley Foundation. Residential and non-residential positions are available for the 2008-2009 academic year. Applications are now available. Those interested in applying for staff next year are encouraged to speak with current Upper Roomers and with Pastor Dave.

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Mark your calendars for our UF Wesley Spring Retreat on Feb 22-24!
Many more details to come in the next couple weeks.

Our annual Parent’s Weekend will be held April 12-13. We’ll have a family picnic and other fun stuff on Saturday afternoon, followed by a catered dinner and talent show Saturday night. So make sure your parents put those dates on their calendars and start finding some talent to share.

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Community Prayers:
+Kate’s family
+All the students who are sick right now.
+Robin’s grandfather
+Upper Room Staff application decisions
+school stress and major decisions for students – especially our seniors.
+the political situation & violence in Kenya
+political situation between Iran and the US

Weekly Update – Jan 17

Check www.ufwesley.com for the latest information and updates. If you have any announcements you want included in the Wesley Update, please email them to info@ufwesley.com.

In this week’s update:
+The Gathering on Thursday
+ Worship Cafe on Sunday morning
+Wesley Workday on Monday, Jan 21
+Spring Break Mission Trips
+Love Campaign
+Upper Room Staff Applications
+Habitat Workday, Jan 26
+Spring Retreat, Feb 22-24

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This Week @ “The Gathering” (Thursday @ 8 pm in the Presby Center) we will follow up on the Dr. Kevorkian speech from Tuesday night by looking at the variety of ways Christians think about euthanasia. We will split into groups to look at passages of scriptures and statements by Christian ethicists, and have a time for honest and open conversation about a topic being discussed widely around campus this week. As always, our band will lead us in worship, and Pastor Dave will moderate our discussion.

This Sunday @ “The Worship Cafe” our texts are Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, and John 1:29-42. In the Modern Mix, we will focus on the John story where Jesus is proclaimed as the Lamb of God, and Jesus’ invitation to those who were following to “come and see.” We’ll have cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and stick around for Lunch Bunch after worship. Worship Cafe has new times this semester with Traditional Blend beginning at 9:30, Community is Brewing with free breakfast at 10:30, the Modern Mix at 11 am, and lunch bunch following worship.

We will be having a Wesley Work Day on January 21st (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Meet at 10am at the Wesley House. Pizza will be provided for lunch. Following clean-up we will be going to Skate Station Fun Works. Bring money for the fun stuff.

Spring Break Mission Trips include teams to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Appalachian Service Project in Virginia. For applications or more information contact Amanda Cunningham or Pastor Dave (email addresses can be found here). You may also download an application from our website.

The Love Campaign (uflovecampaign.com) is our major on-campus outreach where we start a conversation by asking the question, “What is Love?” The 2008 version of the UF Love Campaign will include songwriting competition and an arts competition culminating in our Love Campaign Event on Feb. 15 in the Reitz amphitheater. We want all members of the Wesley Foundation to get involved in the Love Campaign and invite you to our next planning meeting on Wednesday, Jan 30 at 8 pm in the Wesley House. We will also be having a final Love Campaign meeting and training session on Saturday February 9 for all volunteers.

Upper Room Staff are the core leadership team for the UF Wesley Foundation. Residential and non-residential positions are available for the 2008-2009 academic year. Applications are now available. Those interested in applying for staff next year are encouraged to speak with current Upper Roomers and with Pastor Dave. Applications are due on January 27, with interviews following soon afterwards.

On January 26th we are looking for volunteers to work Habitat for Humanity for the morning. For more information contact Amanda Cunningham or Ashley Hoover (email addresses can be found here).

Mark your calendars for our UF Wesley Spring Retreat on Feb 22-24! Many more details to come in the next couple weeks.

Wesley Update – January 9, 2008

Welcome to our first Wesley Update of the semester, coming to you every Wednesday. My thanks to Amanda Van Laningham who will do most of the work to get these updates written and sent out to you each week. If you have any announcements or concerns you want included in the Wesley Update, please email them to Amanda (visit our website for her email) by Wednesday at noon each week. As always, check out our website – www.ufwesley.com – for more information.

Reflection for this week

Psalm 29 is one of the oldest psalms in the Bible, and awe-inspiring in its all to give glory to God!

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor . . .
. . . May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace.

Most of psalm proclaims a God of power who prevails over the dangers of the wilderness – storms, wind, thunder and lightning. And while we do not live in a wilderness, our life feels that way sometimes. How quickly difficulties can sneak up on us. One day everything seems to be going well, and then in an instance our life falls apart – one bad exam, one disagreement with a friend, one word we wish we had not said that hurt someone else, one bad decision we regret later. The psalmist reminds us that when our primary orientation is one of worship, we find the gifts of strength and of peace for which we long – gifts given not for our sake alone, but gifts we are called share with the world through service and mission to those in need, and indeed, creation itself.

This Week

The Gathering resumes after our Christmas break and we look forward to seeing everyone again! Our praise band will lead us in worship, and Pastor David will be teaching. Stick around afterwards for a Tiki party. (Thursdays @ 8 pm in the Presby Center).

Worship Café resumed this past Sunday and we had a great crowd as we celebrated Epiphany and the Magi bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. We are looking forward to a semester of passionate and creative worship. Worship Café has new times with Traditional Blend beginning at 9:30, Community is Brewing with free breakfast at 10:30, and the Modern Mix at 11 am. This Sunday we will focus on the story of Jesus’ baptism with a worship station to help us remember our baptism. We’ve got breakfast burritos on the menu, and join us after worship for Lunch Bunch at Firehouse Subs.

http://www.ufwesley.com/WorshipCafe/index.html

For our Weekly Calendar and general announcements visit our newly redesigned Wesley Foundation main page: http://www.ufwesley.com/WF/index.html

Special Announcements

Spring Break Mission Trips include teams to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Appalachian Service Project in Virginia. For Applications or more information contact Amanda Cunningham (visit our website for her email) or Pastor Dave (pastordave@ufwesley.com). You may also download an application from our website (link).

Upper Room Staff are the core leadership team for the UF Wesley Foundation. Residential and non-residential positions are available for the 2008-2009 academic year. Applications will be available beginning this week. Those interested in applying for staff next year are encouraged to speak with current Upper Roomers and with Pastor Dave. Applications are due on January 27, with interviews following soon afterwards. Our current staff: http://www.ufwesley.com/WF/Connect/Staff.html.

We have Love Campaign planning meetings on Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 at 8pm in the Wesley House. We hope to see you there! We will also be having a final Love Campaign meeting and training session on Saturday February 9 for all volunteers. Check out http://uflovecampaign.com/ for more info.

We will be having a Wesley Work Day on January 21st (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Meet at 10am at the Wesley House. Pizza will be provided for lunch. Following clean-up we will be going to Skate Station Fun Works. Bring money for the fun stuff.

On January 26th we are looking for volunteers to work Habitat for Humanity for the morning. For more information contact Amanda Cunningham or Ashley Hoover (visit our website for their contact info).

Welcome back to UF Wesley!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and great start to your New Year! I’m excited about another great semester of ministry with you through the UF Wesley. A few quick notes as your coming back into town . . .

1) WORSHIP CAFE starts back tomorrow (Jan 6th) with Traditional Blend @ 9:30, Breakfast @ 10:30 and the Modern Mix @ 11 am, with Lunch Bunch after worship. For those who came back a little early for the semester, I look forward to seeing you there.

2) WELCOME BACK PARTY – a great chance to catch up with friends after the break. Monday, January 7th @ 8 pm @ David’s house (5022 NW 16th Place). We’ll order some pizza, watch some football, play some games, and hang out.

3) SPRING BREAK MISSION TRIPS – applications for our trips to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Appal. Service Project are now available from the Wesley office and @ all events.

4) LOVE CAMPAIGN TABLING – we’ll be in Turlington all week from 10-2 pm tabling for the Love Campaign. Stop by, hang out between classes, eat some lunch, help hand out flyers. The more people we have at our table, the more fun we have meeting new people.

As always, check out the website (www.ufwesley.com) for all the up-to-the minutes details about everything that’s going on – from small groups, to worship, to fun & fellowship and service projects! And watch for a regular weekly email update every Wednesday during the semester!

Grace and Peace,
David