We are in need of a family or two to work together to provide a meal for our Sunday night gatherings. Please plan on feeding 50 youth. Use the link below to sign up.

Several years ago, while on a youth mission trip to Costa Rica, we brought food to refugees who had made makeshift homes near the airport. The experience of delivering food to families who were living in a maze of metal and cloth, with no plumbing, and enduring conditions that left us with unforgettable smells, was deeply impactful. Hearing the stories of families who had fled homes, much like the places we called home, was shocking. For these families, it was safer to leave everything behind and live in such harsh conditions than to stay in the homes they once knew.

I remember boarding the plane with the other youth, and as we taxied down the runway, we all looked out the window to see that place one last time. I silently prayed that these families would one day find a better home, but until then, at least they had that shelter.

The words from John 6:37 bring me comfort when I think of that place: "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."

It's difficult to see the damage done to someone’s soul. Healing requires people to be honest about their wounds, and for others to listen to their pain. Sometimes, hearing about the source of these wounds can be frightening because it demands that we invest in helping others heal. I’m so grateful that Jesus reassures us that those who bring their wounds to Him will never be turned away.

Please pray that JDub will be a place where youth can share, where they will be heard, and where no one feels unwelcomed.

Youth Group for all 6th-12th grade students on Sunday from 5-7pm in the Gym at John Wesley UMC. If it is your 1st time youth enter the gym from the door in the back parking lot of John Wesley. We start with a meal and free time, then we move to group games, have a 5-10 minute devotion and finish the time with small groups. You are welcome to invite as many friends as you want.

WNO (Wednesday Night Out) is an all ages event each Wednesday Night at John Wesley UMC. From 5-6pm we offer a meal ($8 per person, children under 12 $4). From 6-7pm we have music ministry for our 6th-12th graders. We also have small groups for adults and children ministry activities from 6-7pm. For more information about WNO sign up for our small group, music ministry, or children's ministry newsletter at the link below.

Confirmation class is open to any student who is in 8th - 10th grade that has not been confirmed already. The class meets each month on the 2nd Sunday from 9:30-10:45am in the youth room. The class runs from September till April. Confirmation Sunday will be in May. In order to be considered for confirmation students must attend 90% of classes and meet with the Sr. Pastor in April. If your student would like to part of this years class please click the link below. Both Parents and youth are asked to attend the 1st meeting on Sunday, Sept 22. All other class are just students.

All High School Youth who are part of the leadership team will meet after youth to discuss upcoming plans for the youth calendar. Our big project will be planning a High School Lock-In for the fall. To be a part of the team you must be in high school, attend Sunday night youth regularly, attend all leadership meetings, and assist in leading ministry at John Wesley.

WE NEED ACOLYTES for 8:30am and 11am worship. Part of serving John Wesley UMC while in middle school is the Acolyte Ministry. We are in need of 6th-8th grade students who will help with both our worship services. All you need to do is show up 5 minutes before the service and either carry the flame to light the candles or carry the cross down the aisle to the chancel area. Kelly Misplay has volunteered to help organize the schedule we just need to know who can serve. So please sign up to help with acolyting at John Wesley.

We are in need of a family or two to work together to provide a meal for our Sunday night gatherings. Please plan on feeding 50 youth. Use the link below to sign up.

This year pumpkin unloads are scheduled for Sept 29 and Oct 13 from noon-3pm. We need all ages to help us with this major project of unloading over 2,5000 pumpkins from the truck when it arrives. We recommend everyone who helps wear clothes that can get dirty as well as work gloves. To help with unloading and clean up if you have a wagon or cordless blower to please bring those for the unload. We will provide salad and pizza for those staying after church to help us unload pumpkins.

It hard to believe that in my fist five years of youth ministry I had to minister to youth and parents after both April 20, 1999 (Columbine High School Shooting) and Sept 11, 2001 (Terrorist Attacks). Both rocked my world personally and and the same time I had to remember that my responsibility was to provide a safe place for youth to talk about the impact these events had on their faith. Events like these have gotten even harder for me as I became a father because I wanted to tell my kids what needed to change. However I kept my focus on helping my child process what they where thinking and how it was impacting their relationship with Christ. The article below was written in 2022 after a school shooting but helps youth workers and parents look at how to process these tragedies with teens.

Please email (jwyouth@gmail.com) your child's sport schedule or performance schedule to us. We would love to highlight the things that our youth are doing in the community and give others the opportunity to support them as they perform/play.