Wesley United Methodist Church
March 2021
It's Time To Register For Camp!
Registration is open for the 2021 camping season and events are filling up! Check out the current camp sessions and events and sign up for a camp at your favorite Dakotas UM Camps location: Wesley Acres, Storm Mountain, or Lake Poinsett.
Due to current COVID-19 safety guidelines we will have less space in some of our summer camping events. If a camp session is full:
• You will be placed on a waitlist. But don’t give up! As COVID-19 conditions change we hope to adjust our capacities upward and register those on our waitlists for their chosen event.
• You will be notified no later than 3-weeks prior to the start of your event if you are moved from a waitlist onto the event roster.
• We encourage you to find another camp to register for, but if you do not, please consider registering for a camp's waitlist in case we are able to accommodate more campers at a later date.
• Our relaxed cancellation policy allows you to cancel a registration if you are moved from the waitlist and registered for your first choice camp.
• As a courtesy to others, please let our central office camp staff know as soon as possible if you decide to register for a different event and no longer wish to remain on a waitlist.
COVID-19 and Camp Update:
In addition to working closely with local and state health officials your camping leaders use the Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance. This guide was developed for the American Camp Association by Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc. to offer guidance and assist camps regarding best practices in addressing COVID-19. The Field Guide is a living document and will be updated as new information becomes available.
If you have more COVID-19 related questions, check out the links below:
• Dakotas UM Camps COVID-19 Information Page
• COVID-19 and Camp - FAQ's
The Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church believes that every child should have a Christian camping experience, and no camper will be turned away due to a personal lack of funds. We have scholarship funds available to campers who need them most. Check out our website for information on financial assistance and to apply for a campership!
From the Wesley Neighborhood Outreach - Camperships
This is what WNO has decided for Camperships this year. Please let me know if you have any questions.
1 WNO will pay up to $250.00 for any child going to camp for the Summer of 2021. One campership per child per summer.
2 WNO or Wesley will not be responsible for transportation to or from camp. Parents are responsible for taking to and picking up their kids from camp. Families or children attending camp can carpool, but this will not be arranged by Wesley or WNO.
3 No rainchecks for next year.
4 If you decide to register your child for camp, please use the code “wesleycamp” and once everyone is registered, WNO will let parents know how much they have to pay. Parents can pay their part to WNO, and then we can send one check to the camping office.
5 If you have already registered your child and had to pay a deposit, that money will count towards your out of pocket. If it less than the amount you as a parent are supposed to pay, you can pay the difference to WNO. If it is more than the amount you are supposed to pay, WNO will reimburse you the difference.
Happy Camping,
Manuel
Kidz Count - Ms Alex's group with their shoes from Samaritan's Feet
News from Kidz Count!
Kidz Count is still going strong, we have 37 kids enrolled at this time, with a few openings.
We continue to do activities from the Washington Pavilion, work on homework and help families in need. We were able to pick up the kids in vehicles last week when it was so cold!
We have 3 groups, with one teacher and teacher assistant for each group, that has a specific room they stay in for the time they are here. Each group has a schedule, working on specific goals, eating snack and play time. Parents pick up their children by 5:30, and then staff cleans and sanitizes our space.
Samaritan's Feet utilized the space in the fellowship hall to put together Hope bags with a pair of shoes for each child at Laura B Anderson and Kidz Count kids were the recipients of the bags as well. 40 children each got a pair of shoes, a small toiletry kit and socks and were so thankful!
We are also receiving treats periodically from some of the volunteers at Wesley, Elaine Roberts, Cheryl Meyer, and Mary Poppenga and others who have brought by food. Thank you so much! The kids love having home made treats and we appreciate everything that people bring by.
We are still in need of one more staff, part time, teacher assistant, so if you know of anyone, please contact Saundra at 605-906-2736, to get more information.
As always, you are welcome to stop by, mask required, to visit or volunteer. If you have any questions, please contact Saundra. Thank you to Wesley and Wesley Neighborhood Outreach for the continued support.
From Denise Duncan Blomberg
It was 9 years ago last month that we held our very first Samaritan’s Feet shoe distribution in Sioux Falls. Since that time, over 12,000 children and adults in our city have received the gift of a new pair of shoes and socks from one of our hundreds of dedicated community volunteers. While the pandemic may have shifted the way our organization serves others, it has not changed our commitment to inspire and offer hope as the foundation to a spiritual and healthy life.
As volunteers gathered in the fellowship hall at Wesley UMC, it was a homecoming of sorts. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the fact that this church is one of the many “home’s” I have served in and has been a part of our Back to School shoe distributions for the past 8 years. The usual controlled chaos of 600 students, plus an army of volunteers, was replaced by a team of 15 with representation from some of our longtime supporters, ready to band together to pack nearly 500 Hope Totes that would find their way to some very excited students by the end of the day.
Special thanks to Michelle Erpenbach and Sioux Falls Thrive and Principal Wade Helleson for the opportunity to partner to serve all the students at Laura B. Anderson Elementary. Additional shoes were given to establish a shoe locker at Kid Link Riverside, an initiative for Sioux Falls Thrive as well as to the students at Kidz Count, a partnership between Wesley Neighborhood Outreach and Volunteers of America, Dakotas. Friends from Asbury United Methodist Church - Sioux Falls, SD, The Salvation Army Sioux Falls, The Banquet Sioux Falls and other community members all came together to serve. Thank you to Pastor Manuel Loaeza for once again welcoming us “home.”
The shoes may have had a different journey than usual, but in the end, the joy on the students faces as they received their Hope Totes this afternoon is proof that lives are being changed. After being a part of the distribution of nearly 2,000 pairs of shoes in the past 10 days, here is something that I am sure of: The spirit of community, connection, cooperation and collaboration has never been more important in our world.
What's happening at WNO?
Wesley Neighborhood Outreach is going strong and looking forward to restarting some of our programs put on hold due to Covid-19.
The Nightwatch Canteen has stayed active. We served approximately 80 people in January and had plenty of leftover hotdish to bring to St. Francis House. We will serve again in March 7th.
Kidz Count has been very active and we are working with Volunteers of American to add more children and find the best ways to serve them.
We are excited that we will be able to have camp this summer !
Our Wednesday night activities (WOW) have been on hold because of Covid-19 but WNO is working on ideas to restart this ministry with a slightly different approach. If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Pastor Manuel for more information.
WNO would like to thank all of you for continuing to support these programs which are more important to our neighborhood now than ever before.
Sue Ness
WNO Treasurer
Friends to hold up and remember:
Sympathy : for family of Hazel Seloover who died Feb 25
for Carmen Britt and family on the death of Sylvia Herman March 1
Prayers for all affected by COVID-19
Ernie Griner - Diagnosed & testing medications
Trish Garcia - recovering from bile stones
Tyra Roberts - continued prayers
Della Witcomb - rehabbing
Leland Bachtell – home hospice
Jeanette Portice – prayers for continued health
Kolby Bohmbach – Continued prayers for good test results
Jim Hansen’s brother- in-law Greg- needs a transplant
Felsheim Family – working to keep Bennett safe from virus
Karen Renken- continued prayers for healing
Bob Whiting’s daughter Robyn – needs a kidney transplant
Nila & Karen’s sister-in-law Karen - continued prayers
José Garcia’s mom, Maria Herrera - breast cancer
Earl Angle – continued prayers as he moves to Good Sam on the hill
Pat Patterson – continued prayers
Judy's daughter-in-law Sara Martin Tulio- diagnosed with breast cancer
Men's Bible Study
Our Members and Friends in Care Facilities or Under Home Care
Edgewood Vista: Jackie Dreyer
Edgewood South: Judy Schaap
Good Sam / Hill: Linda Varud, Earl Angle
Luther Manor: Marguerite Cunningham; Faye Pigott
Morgan Village Tea: Nona Robinson (temporarily at her son's house)
Southridge: Guy Varud; Cleova Frahm;
VA in Luverne: Bob Morrison
2204 E. 11th: Deb Stoakes
March Birthdays
02 Donna Allis
02 Mike Brua
04 Scott Jensen
04 Sheldon Tulio
05 Dave Anderson
05 Rich Paez
06 Deloris Dow
06 Mason Rote
07 Joshua Lohr
08 Nancy Meade
09 Bret Bachtell
10 Kathy Jensen
11 Darold Borman
11 Jenny Hirschfield
11 Eliza Potter
13 Jan Janssen
14 Doug Bird
14 Benjamin Hirschfield
17 Nikki Deschepper
17 Jolene Garner
17 Dean Dewes
22 Taylor Roberts
23 Mitchell Wendt
25 Donna Wallin
27 Nila Hendriks
29 Kayla Dammer
30 Robin Janssen
General Budget update @ February 28, 2021
· Income 2 months 2021------ $21,236.00
· Expense 2 months 2021----- $28,247.71
· Expense exceeds Income ---$(6,921.71)
Don Armstrong, Treasurer
Building and Grounds @ February 28,2021
Previous Balance -----$18,246.13
Amount Received -------- $585.00
Interest Earned -----------------.14
January 31 Balance ---$18,831.27
Donna Wallin, Treasurer
Rummage Sale
The rummage and bake sale is a fundraiser for camperships and after a summer without camp, because of Covid-19, kids are excited to go this summer!
Helping Jennah Heal Fundraiser ** March 20th
A go fund me has been set up for Jennah and one for her friend Isaac Corado who was also hurt in the crash.
HyVee Cards
Don’t forget to purchase HyVee Cards from Marcy and Doug Bird. They always have a supply and are willing to work with you to deliver them wherever you need them delivered (within reason, of course). So, give them a call and support the church and the UMW at the same time. (336-8828)
United Methodist Men SE District Golf Tournament
From the Parish Nurse
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, even though the vaccine is in the process of being distributed for COVID, we are still not out of the woods. We still need to wear masks and practice social distancing and remember to wash our hands or at least use hand sanitizer to slow the transmission of this terrible disease. Remember, when you carry on these practices, you are showing love and care for your neighbors.
PRAYER FOR PUTTING ON A FACE MASK
Creator God, as I prepare to go into the world, help me see the holy nature of wearing this face covering. Let it be a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbors, as I seek also to love myself. Blessed Jesus, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my words, but with my actions.
Holy Spirit, as I secure this mask around my ears, remind me to listen carefully and caringly to all those I meet. May this simple face covering be shield and banner, and may each breath it holds be filled with Your love. It is in your name I pray and it is in your name I love. Amen.
(Modified from a prayer by Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Canada)