Wesley UMC, Aurora, Illinois 
Writing a New Song VISION Statement
Where We Have Come From
Wesley United Methodist Church, on the west side of Aurora, has been faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ for more than 150 years. Wesley Church is the result of the union of three local congregations. These churches were of different theological and ethnic backgrounds, but their love and unity in Jesus Christ and their vision for greater ministry led them to set aside their differences and become one community of faith.
Through the years we have touched many lives and let our light shine brightly through meaningful worship, heartfelt prayer services, creative and engaging educational programs, heartwarming fellowship, and prophetic witness in the world. Wesley Church's presence and ministries are made visible through outreach programs involving many members in the community "to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, release to the oppressed and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19).
Wesley Today
The second half of the 20th century brought many changes to our world and community. We have experienced a continuous explosion of knowledge in science, enormous economic growth, and information technology that spread like wild fire. Wesley Church has tried to cope with these massive developments, but we have been hard pressed as the changes in the world have impacted the Wesley congregation as well.
Now the time has come to make important choices in how we will maintain facilities, develop new ministries, and prepare for the future of Wesley Church. It's time for us to WRITE OUR NEW SONG.
Our Plan
We believe the best is yet to come. In the period 2010 - 2012 we propose diligent work to accomplish the following -
Make Needed Repairs & Renovations to Wesley's Facility
* Repair the interior and exterior of south wall of Sanctuary * Replace the office A/C unit * Clean and repaint the Sanctuary * Repair the north ramp * Add a new auxiliary boiler * Repair the entry steps from parking lot and add a canopy * Prepare an inviting nursery space * Repair and sealcoat the parking lot * Renovate first floor restrooms * Replace pipes to increase water pressure
. Projected Investment - up to $200,000
Empowerment for the Congregation
Ø Leadership & Congregational Training - With the goal of moving outside our walls to develop disciples and ministry, we will train congregation members in faith sharing and outreach ministry. We will do this through a customized program (in affiliation with organizations like the Alban Institute or The church of Resurrection in Kansas City), in developing new ministry. Our goal is to work with every group in the congregation to build an inviting, vibrant ministry, particularly for young adults and children. Additionally, we will send up to 30 leaders to offsite training at a leading ‘Teaching Church,' for seminar training on effective ideas for doing ministry today.
. Projected Investment - up to $150,000
Involvement in the Community
Ø Weekly Contemporary Worship - To create a growing and welcoming environment for new participants, we will take the support steps necessary to begin a weekly contemporary service during 2010. To make this possible, we will move to add resources to expand our praise ministry. We will also upgrade and install new A/V and Video systems for the Sanctuary. Lastly, we will find new ways to grow worship and ministry outside our walls.
. Projected Investment - up to $150,000
The Best is Yet to Come
Through earnest prayer, honest self-examination, and a desire to discern what God is calling us to do, we have realized that the best is yet to come. Our life as a church is not over yet. We do not know what the future holds but we know who holds the future - our faithful and great God revealed in Jesus Christ. We also recognize that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of faith, hope and love. With St. John we reaffirm and reclaim the truth that "...in love there is no fear. But perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).
As long as we have genuine love for God and our neighbors and believe in ourselves, our future is as bright as the promises of God. We are called to embrace the vision God is revealing, seize the challenges and opportunities God sets before us, and with God, continue doing what is good. Seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). It's time to write anew our song for the 21st century. Giving generously towards our Capital Stewardship Campaign enables us to continue the ministry of changing lives and transforming the world for Jesus Christ.
Every Member’s Participation – Our church always needs the positive participation of all of us to achieve our ministry goals but especially now in the ‘Writing a New Song’ campaign.
First, please pray for your church and the ‘Writing a New Song’ campaign.
Second, please consider helping out at some level in the work of the appeal. There is much to do, but the goal is to spread out the tasks among a large number of people so that no one is overwhelmed.
Third, please be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your own heart as the appeal unfolds and we all begin to consider the gifts God is calling us as individuals to give.
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