Dear Friends,

Hope is God’s perspective on change and conflict.  This Sunday’s sermon should help us deal with these obstacles to our motivation.  If we are not careful, change and conflict can rob us of spiritual vitality.  I will use the David and Bathsheba story to illustrate this spiritual truth.  Don’t worry – I’ll be discrete!  Keep Misty in your prayers – she has the children’s story.

For those of you who have not had an opportunity to look at the website I mentioned last week, here is the link.  I am excited about this and I hope you will share that excitement.  http://www.imaginenomalaria.org/ 

On Saturday, September 11, there will be a service of installation for our new District Superintendant, the Rev. Dr. David Abbott.  David and his wife, Lisa, have moved into the parsonage right on Norwich Street, and David assumed his leadership role in July.  This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome David and Lisa to our District.  Our Bishop, Peter Weaver, will be leading a workshop in the morning about our Annual Conference’s theme, “Leap into Mission”.  I am looking forward to both events and I would like as many of you as possible to attend these events with me.  I’ll be leaving from Wesley at 8:00am and returning sometime around 4:30pm.  The planners of the event need a count for lunch, so if you are planning to attend, please call the church office and notify us of your plans.

Remember the minor adjustment to our worship schedule as of September 12.  Spiritual Espresso is moving from the chapel into the main sanctuary.  The chapel is beautiful, but not big enough for the number of people who attend the service.  Please note the time change.  The service will NOT begin at 8:30am.  We are posting its beginning at 9:00am, but we will start at about 9:05am so that parents have a little time to settle their children (or grandchildren) in Sunday School before the service.

Sunday School starts up on Sunday, September 12.  A registration form is attached to this email and you can print as many as you want to share with your friends.  If you have any difficulty, please call the office and Jamie will mail one (or more) to you.

Plans for the Block Party, on September 12, are in full swing.  Norm Lemay has taken the lead on this project and his wife, Lynne, has put up a colorful display on the bulletin board in the narthex.  There are many opportunities for you to help, so please check out the board to sign up!

Lee Domann, a musician and singer who performed at this year’s New England Annual Conference, will be here for a concert on Monday, September 13, at 7:00pm.  Please come enjoy his music – we will have another preview this Sunday during the 10:30am service.  Lee’s livelihood will be supplemented by the free will offering taken at this concert.

Do you wish to learn more about Wesley and possibly become a member?  If so, please plan to attend the 3 Inquirers’ classes being offered September 14, 21 and 28, at 7:00pm in the library.  If you have any questions concerning the classes, please speak to me.

I will also be offering a Disciple Bible Study class this fall.  This 34 week journey into the Bible can be eye opening and I hope you will join me.  The orientation class will be Thursday, September 16, at 7:00pm,in the library, and you can make the decision to continue or not at that time.  Please sign up on the bulletin board in the narthex.

Growing Edges is a 3 night supper and DVD presentation designed to stretch the imagination.  These 3 nights will include thought provoking ideas about leadership, worship and evangelism.  They will take place in Hanna Hall, starting at 6:30pm, on Tuesdays September 21, September 28 and October 5.  There is a sign up for this program on the bulletin board in the narthex too.

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, and I’ll see you in church on Sunday!