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Wesley United Methodist Church is a church family that seeks to live into John Wesley's three simple rules- to do good, to do no harm, and to stay in love with God. http://www.wumcsf.org
We meet every Sunday at 10am.
Moving Out in Faith
A Final Note from Pastor Cindy
Dear Beloved Church Family,
I’ve sat with these words longer than you might think—turning them over, wondering how to say goodbye to a people who have loved me so well, challenged me deeply, and walked faithfully beside me. This community has been my sacred ground, my classroom, my joy. And now, we find ourselves at a threshold moment—the kind where something beautiful must be released in order for something new to begin.
That’s what it means to move out in faith, isn’t it? Not because everything is perfectly laid out, not because it’s easy, but because the One who calls us is faithful.
But remember?
Remember those early days when we barely knew each other? And how slowly, in worship and potlucks and prayer circles and hallway check-ins, we built something sacred together? The quiet moments of communion where the Sprit was present; God met us there. Again and again. In your stories, in our shared silences, in the way we dared to hold each other’s pain with gentleness.
And yet—
It is time to go. Not because the work is finished, but because the Spirit still moves, still nudges, still sends. And yet, the grief is real. Change always costs something. It costs familiarity, shared rhythm, and even comfort. But it also makes space—space for God to do something new in me, in you, in this beloved church.
I am not leaving because something is broken, but because faithfulness sometimes looks like letting go. And yet—my love for you remains.
But remember?
This church has never been held up by one person, one voice, or one pastor. It is held together by the Spirit of Christ, by the steady pulse of prayer, by the grit of grace-filled people showing up Sunday after Sunday, weekday after weekday, to be the Body of Christ in the world. You will be just fine—more than fine. You will flourish. Because you already are.
As I pack my books and memories, I carry you with me. Your names are etched into my prayers. Your stories have shaped my soul.
And so, I bless you.
I bless your future.
I bless the next chapter God is already writing with your lives.
I bless your new pastor, who will love you in fresh and faithful ways.
I bless your courage to keep trusting, even when it’s hard.
I bless the in-between, the not-yet, the waiting.
Because our story—God’s story—is never finished.
But remember?
You are seen. You are heard. You are loved.
And that never changes.
And yet, goodbye for now, Vaya con Dios.
Shalom to you all,
Pastor Cc
Wesley Neighborhood Outreach News
- Nightwatch Canteen
- We are serving 200+ guests at the Canteen on our assigned times.
- Sunday, June 29th we served 236 people
- The Slavics fed 168 Monday, June 23rd
- We continue to distribute personal care items during the Canteen. If you would like to donate items, we are collecting toothpaste, women's personal care items and diapers size 2-9. Collection box is located in the Narthex of the church.
- If you would like to give a monetary donation, the church is able to visit the Greater Goods store and purchase these items for pennies on the dollar. Please put your donation in an envelope and note that it is for the Canteen.
Whittier Neighborhood Outreach
Two of the scheduled neighborhood clean-up events have been completed. The first at the Faith Lutheran Church accumulated 2,480 pounds of trash
- Our second event was in partnership with the St. Francis House. We collected over 7,473 pounds
- Our next even will happen in the 3rd and Highland Street area in July
- There will be on more event planned in August. Date and exact area are still to be determined
Whittier Residents Assn
- Everyone is invited on August 5th at 5:30pm in Meldrum Park
- The Whittier Association will be sponsoring the National Night Out celebration. Many area businesses have stepped up and offered help with this event.
- There will be free food, entertainment and games for all. The belief of the Association is; If you live, work, play or pray in the Whittier Neighborhood- you are part of the neighborhood.
- The party will be held in Meldrum Park from 5:30-8:30pm. If you would like to get involved and help with this exciting event. Contact Mary P. 605-254-6607
Sunscreen
Recently, the Environmental Working Group (EWP) published its 2025 Annual Guide to Sunscreens, finding that fewer than one in four SPF products met its criteria. The EWP evaluated more than 2,200 products and found that fewer than 500 effectively protect the user’s skin.
Sprays present the additional problem with inhaling toxins. Creams and lotions carry a problem with perfumes, allergens, hormone disruptors, and carcinogens.
Recent federal staffing shortages are making oversight of inferior products almost impossible.
In the meantime, the EWP continues to urge consumers to choose fragrance-free sunscreens or those carrying the EWG Verified mark, which guarantees ingredient transparency and the absence of harmful fragrance chemicals.
The report also noted a decline in sunscreen products that contain oxy-benzone and Vitamin A, amid growing awareness surrounding the safety and effectiveness of both. Oxy-benzone can cause hormone disruption. Vitamin A degrades in sunlight and can increase skin damage from the sun.
In 2016 most of the sunscreens included both of these products. Today less than 9% of products contain these two chemicals.
So, the best thing you can do is learn to read labels.
Dawn Armstrong
Health Ministries Coordinator
