AFRICAN-AMERICAN MINISTRY EMPHASIS (for February): One of the greatest problems of history is that the concepts of love and power are usually contrasted as polar opposites… “What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Martin Luther King, Jr

INHALE: there is power in this breath. EXHALE: there is agency in this body. INHALE: where can I go? EXHALE: God, take me where it’s safe. INHALE: God, tear down the evil, exploitative, and tyrannical. EXHALE: Lift up the healers, seekers, and those that act for peace.

May you wake and rest with humility in your hearts. May you be protected from the greed and fear that tempt us to dominate others. Possess such moral clarity that you would be able to be both leader and follower without threat to your sense of self. May you live respectfully and tenderly, that your power never comes at the expense of someone else’s. Amen.

Arthur Riley, Cole. Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human (pp. 126 and 133).

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LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR GROUP (next meeting is TBA). Since Wesley UMC has a special heart for immigrants, this new group will help them adjust to life in the United States. This first meeting, led by Kristi DeLeurere, will meet this day in Haden Chapel on the 2nd floor. Please join us in brainstorming ways to help our immigrant neighbors and then work on implementing those ideas. We will be meeting in person and via zoom. 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY – Can you crochet, knit, or would like to learn? Join Wesley’s Prayer Shawl Ministry on Tuesday, Feb 3rd at 10:00 a.m. in the Lecture Room. All are welcome!

WESLEY BOOK CLUB (next meeting is Tuesday, February 3rd). Do you like small group gatherings? Do you want to meet and get to know fellow Wesley folks better? Do you hope for a deeper walk with God? If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, consider being a part of a Book Club originating at Wesley. Mary Ragland will be the group facilitator. We meet by Zoom the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month at 7:30 p.m.  Our study book is Immortal Diamond by Richard Rohr. If you are interested, call, email or text Mary Ragland at 304-282-1947 / Mhragland5@15520patriciaruizruizpatty1957

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING – Sunday, February 8th. Wesley Church will be collecting the following items for the Community Kitchen’s WEEKEND FOOD BAGS that are given out on Fridays to their meal participants to provide a meal over the weekend when the kitchen is closed. Place all donations in the TEAM SOUP POT you support (either Patriots or Seahawks)! 1. CANS OF SOUP – any type. 2. CUP OF NOODLES – any flavor. 3. CANNED RAVIOLI OR PASTA IN SAUCE (Chef Boyardee types) Monetary donations are accepted too! Cash or checks (memo: Souperbowl Sunday)

BACKPACK FEEDING PROGRM (for Scott’s Run) – Wednesday, February 11th at 12:30 p.m. Do you want to make a practical, visible difference in the life of a child? Then come help fill weekend backpacks for Mon County students at Scotts Run Settlement House. Every second Wednesday—so, October 8 this month—is our turn to help fill bags with shelf-stable, easy to consume food items for over 800 students who would otherwise go hungry from Friday night to Monday breakfast. We begin around 12:30 PM, and the work takes about an hour. Come help somebody-join us at Scotts Run! Cheat Lake location: 750 Fairchance Road Morgantown, WV 26508 304-435-5098

ASH WEDNESDAY – Wednesday, February 18th. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season. This day is an opportunity to draw closer to God and to examine our lives in the light of Christ’s saving acts. Ashes will be distributed outside the church on High Street and on Willey Street from noon to 1:00 PM, and our Ash Wednesday service will be held in the church sanctuary at 7:00 PM. Come start anew this season!

CONCERTS IN THE LOFT – First Sunday of the 2026 concert series will be on Sunday, March 8th.

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