“I have lived all of my life with violence. My children are the reason I am fighting. I want them to live without all of the suffering I have experienced. Living in the church – this is the first time I can breathe; the first time I can sleep; the first time I have not felt afraid.” – María Chavalan Sut

“Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church is proud to offer sanctuary to María, and we consider her a member of our faith community. We join in her cry for justice. We implore any and all necessary authorities to intervene so that María can be free! We do this because María is a child of God, imbued with dignity by her Creator. Offering sanctuary to her is not a political act; it is an act of faith. In Christ, there is no such thing as citizenship, borders, or political parties. Christians have been offering Sanctuary for thousands of years. As United Methodists, our social principles “urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all.” We are here and will be here for María until she is free.” —  Rev. Isaac Collins, Wesley Memorial UMC.

Specific ways that you can help:

Visit this google form to sign up for ways you can help! Included are accompaniment (providing presence and security within the church), fund raising, grocery shopping, health care, hospitality needs, interpretation/translation, and media/communications.

WPC members interested in accompaniment,  please contact Gene Locke, ,  or Gail Wiley, . We plan to have a brief training after the 11:00 service in the coming weeks.

Groceries, shopping, hospitality, please contact Irene Townsend,

Support Maria in using her skills to contribute to sanctuary expenses:

1. Tailoring and alterations: Your request will be translated and pricing & timing information will be sent back to you. If you would like to contribute fabric and sewing accessories, contact  & she will pick them up after 12/1.
2. Cooking/catering: contact Irene Townsend,  or email your request, .

Donate:

Write a check; Memo: Maria… to Wesley Memorial UMC, 1901 Thomson Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Help tell Maria’s story:   LIKE the Facebook page:  Hands Off Maria!

Each Sunday, the 1st – 4th church school class starts off the same way – they take turns sharing yos and wos.

For many students and leaders this is a favorite time when they can share the highs of their week and also the things that are weighing heavy on their hearts.

Lisa Heuchert, one of the teachers, shares that their group is really coming together as a community and that this group has been like a second home for many of these kids.

The Children’s Christian Education program offers weekly Sunday classes to children preschool age through 6th grade.  In addition, we offer other activities like a pumpkin carving event and family retreat. These help children feel part of a larger family.

During class, our teachers share Jesus’ messages through interactive lessons that foster discussion and understanding.

Elisabeth from the 1st-4th class let me borrow the figures that she created during last week’s lesson from Judges.  She and her classmates learned about the prophet Deborah who used her gifts of wisdom and diplomacy from God to settle disputes and even help bring peace from foreign aggressors.

We appreciate your support as we work to bring the stories of our faith like Deborah to our children and foster their connection with our church family so that Westminster can be a second home.

Sabra Timmins, on behalf of the Christian Education Committee

Anna and Garrett Livermon – YAC Class 2018

Anna: Hello, my name is Anna Livermon, and this is my brother Garrett. It may not look like it, but we are twins.

Garrett: Yes, we are, but remember, I am older– three minutes older. We are a part of the YAC class at Westminster, which stands for Young Adults in the Church, and we have been coming to Westminster ever since our baptism in 2002. We are here to thank you for all you have done to support Westminster Youth. You have truly made a difference in our lives.

Anna: In Sunday school, we have been talking about how Westminster has become a home for us throughout the years. We spoke of the fun gatherings and traditions like sing-alongs, holiday parties, Lessons and Carols, Easter celebrations, and anything that included snacks. We remembered opportunities to serve, like the CROP walk, Souper Bowl Sunday, PACEM, and at the Blue Ridge Food Bank.

Garrett: Because of your generosity, both financially and with your time, our YAC class was able to go to on an amazing trip to Colorado two years ago, and again, thanks to you, this year’s J2A class will be able to go to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. We will never forget our Pilgrimage– the long car rides filled with word games, stargazing, hiking, and new relationships with friends and leaders. Of course, I’ll never forget the rafting trip when Lynne saved my life. Thanks again, Lynne. (If you want to hear more about that, let me know, and I will fill you in!)

Anna: Another thing that we will never forget was how Rosemary Heflin, one of our fearless leaders, broke her ankle on the first day of our Pilgrimage. Her family really wanted her to come home, but she felt that staying at home, with us, in Colorado was where she needed to be. That trip helped to strengthen each of our individual relationships with Christ as well as with our friends and leaders. What an amazing gift!!  We are so very blessed to have peers and adults who make Westminster a safe place for all Youth to feel comfortable and welcome. We know we have extended family here… a second home. Thank you so much.