Learn more about our vision for the future of Wesley United Methodist Church!
What a joy it is to be part of this vibrant and faithful community! Over the years, we have seen God’s love and grace move powerfully through our church, shaping us into a place where all are welcomed, supported, and challenged to grow in faith. Together, we have weathered challenges, celebrated victories, and deepened our commitment to living out Christ’s call in our lives.
Now, we stand at the threshold of something exciting and transformative—a new chapter in the life of Wesley United Methodist Church. This chapter begins with our “Faith in Action” campaign that starts on Sunday, September 29th, 2024. During the opening five weeks of this journey, each of us will be inspired and challenged to participate in securing a future for our Wesley church.
But this campaign is not just about raising funds. It is about deepening our faith as individuals and as a church, so that we are equipped to fulfill our mission. We invite you to ask, “God, what do You want to do through me?”, and to keep an open heart and mind as you listen for an answer. Every gift, whether large or small, is a step of faith that strengthens our ability to love our neighbors as we would ourselves.
Thank you for being a part of this journey, for your faith, and for your continued generosity. Together, we can make a lasting impact and build a legacy that will bless others long into the future.
Ready to give?
Fill out and mail us a commitment card with your pledge to contribute to the campaign!
Announcements
December 2nd, 2025
WUMC’s 2024-2027 Faith In Action campaign – THANK YOU!
The campaign update for December is different because I felt the need to simply say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has participated so far. My expression of gratitude is in contrast to the many donation requests I have already received this holiday season. And so, at this moment, I am not asking for an additional donation or reminding you to ‘catch up’ on your pledge, rather I am simply grateful for your faithful generosity to our Wesley faith community. With the gifts to date, we have reduced our mortgage debt to $150,000, contracted with an HVAC company to replace our heating system, and contributed more than $8000 to a variety of mission organizations. These actions are possible because of our shared belief that God calls us to love, care for and serve others. Your faith and continued commitment reminds me that generosity is a part of our spiritual journey, and I, personally, still have a lot of room for growth.
With gratitude, Becky Miller
Chair of Finance and Faith In Action campaign
September 5th, 2025
WUMC’s Faith In Action 2024-2027 Campaign – Fall 2025 update!
One year ago in September, Wesley church embarked on an ambitious financial campaign that we named Faith In Action. Now it is time to celebrate the progress we have made towards our three goals: 1) 10% to support missions, 2) 30% to support upgrading our heating system, and 3) 60% to reduce our mortgage debt. While you have heard details from the Missions Committee about progress towards the first goal, it is time to provide more details about our progress towards all three goals. And so, you will hear from me during a church service and in a letter over the next month or so. These moments will celebrate the pledges committed and the contributions already received, both of which demonstrate success beyond our wildest imagination. I am continually humbled by your generosity. Thank you.
Until then, I remind you that our Vision Statement and previous announcements are available on paper or digitally through the church website (click “Capital Campaign”). Please don’t hesitate to email or call if you have any questions, need to modify your commitment, or would like to make a new commitment. Our Wesley community is worth every penny!
Becky Miller, Chair of Finance
August 1st, 2025
WUMC’s Faith In Action 2024-2027 Campaign: Mid-Year (2025) Update
Summer greetings! In Fall 2024, Wesley church embarked on an ambitious financial campaign that we named Faith In Action. During the visioning phase, we identified three goals: 1) 10% to support missions, 2) 30% to support upgrading our heating system, and 3) 60% to reduce our mortgage debt. We completed our pledge phase in November 2024 and received pledges totaling $457,000, which is success beyond our wildest imagination. We continue to be amazed and humbled by the faithful commitment and generous contributions. To date, we have received more than $221,000 towards our goals, nearly 50% of what was pledged. Thank you! Thank you!
Looking forward, we ask everyone to consider how you will participate. Whether you are new to Wesley or have attended for decades; everyone has a role to play. I heard some advice from a pastor many years ago, and it has stuck with me… “Put your money where you get your blessings.” If one of your blessings is Wesley and you have already made a commitment to the campaign, I encourage you to make sure you are on track. Or, if one of your blessings is Wesley and you have not yet participated in the campaign, I encourage you to make a commitment as you are able. Our Wesley community is worth every penny!
Drop me an email or give me a call if you have any questions about our Faith In Action campaign.
Becky Miller, Chair of Finance
May 30th, 2025
Celebrating Our Progress!
Before the summer season gets underway and many people take time for rest and travel, let us celebrate our progress. Even though this Faith In Action financial campaign is still in the early phase, we have already received about $200,000 towards our goals. Thank you! Thank you! We are so grateful for your generosity and continued commitment to sustaining Wesley’s vibrant and vital ministries. Because of the abundance, we have already made multiple distributions towards the three goals: 1) 10% to support missions, 2) 30% to support upgrading our heating system, and 3) 60% to reduce our mortgage debt.
As always, we hope that everyone participates, whether you are new to Wesley or have attended for decades. I heard some advice from a pastor many years ago, and it has stuck with me… “Put your money where you get your blessings.” If one of your blessings is Wesley and you have already made a commitment to the campaign, I encourage you to make sure you are on track. Or, if one of your blessings is Wesley and you have not yet participated in the campaign, I encourage you to make a commitment as you are able. Our Wesley community is worth every penny!
Drop me an email or give me a call if you have any questions about the campaign.
Becky Miller, Chair of Finance
February 6th, 2025
Celebrating and Distributing Our First Fruits Gifts!
At the close of our commitment season in Fall 2024, we invited everyone to offer a first fruits gift in December 2024 and January 2025. With gratitude and awe, we announce and celebrate contributions totaling $191,000, just over 40% of what was committed! Remember the total committed was $460,000, an amazing blessing beyond what we imagined.
Because of your abundant generosity we made our first distribution to all three goals at the end of January. First, we paid Horizons Stewardship, and then we gave 10% to support missions ($8285 to the Mission Committee and $8285 to fund our Director of Education and Outreach), 30% ($49,710) to Trustees for upgrading the heat system, and 60% to reduce our mortgage debt. This last distribution reduced our mortgage principal by almost $100,000, which means we only owe about $155,000. Amen and amen!
Thank you all for your faith and your action towards these needs, which are necessary to sustain Wesley’s vibrant and vital ministries. Let’s keep up the momentum in the weeks and months ahead. Looking forward, I plan to post quarterly updates in the newsletter, but if you have a question in the intervening times, please contact me (Becky Miller, Chair of Finance). My email is miller47sd@yahoo.com and my phone is 413-404-3185.
January 5th, 2025
First Fruits or Year 1 Gift
Thank you everyone for your prayers and commitments towards Wesley’s three-year Faith In Action campaign. The number of people who made commitments and the total amount pledged both testify to God’s spirit working in and through us. With gratitude and awe, we announce total commitments to date of $460,900!
In December, we encouraged everyone to offer a first fruits gift – our first and greatest gift towards God’s mission work. This recommendation continues as we start 2025. Please submit your gift online, by check, by cash, or other means, being sure to indicate it is for the Faith In Action campaign and not your regular contribution. This indication is so we attribute each gift correctly. If you made a first fruits gift, consider making your 2025 contribution early in the year. Once January concludes, we will make our first distribution of campaign donations towards all three Faith In Action goals.
If you have not made a commitment, it is not too late. We believe everyone has something to contribute, and no gift is too small. Feel free to complete a Commitment Card (if you come to church in person) or just make a contribution; either way, please indicate that your gift is for the Faith In Action campaign. As always, if you have any questions, please contact me (Becky Miller, WUMC’s Faith In Action coordinator). My email is miller47sd@yahoo.com and my phone is 413-404-3185.
December 1st, 2024
SUCCESS beyond our wildest imagination & First Fruit Gift!
In this season of reflection, thanksgiving and community, Wesley must celebrate and give thanks. Early in 2024, we identified financial needs totaling $450,000 and embarked on a three-year fundraising campaign. The public phase of this campaign ended in early November. With gratitude and awe, we announce total commitments to date of $457,350. WHAT? You read the number correctly; it is not a typo. We surpassed our goal.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and commitments towards Wesley’s Faith In Action campaign. The number of people who made commitments and the total amount committed testify to God’s spirit working in and through us.
But our work is not over. In fact, our greatest responsibility is just beginning. For those of us who made a commitment, we now begin the process of honoring our pledge. The next step is to make our first fruit offering in December. The idea of a first fruit offering comes from the Old Testament. During the harvest season, a portion of the first collection was given to the priest. In modern times and for our Faith In Action campaign, this means we offer our first and greatest gift to God’s mission work. This gift can be made any time in the month of December. When you participate, please be sure to indicate the gift is for the Faith In Action campaign, so we attribute it to the campaign rather than a regular contribution.
If you have not made a commitment, it is not too late. Participation is possible at any point in time, and even beyond the stated need. We believe everyone has something to contribute; no gift is too small. Either complete a Commitment Card indicating your gift or donate in person or online, being sure to mark the contribution as a donation towards the Faith In Action campaign. As always, if you have any questions, please contact me (Becky Miller, WUMC’s Faith In Action coordinator). My email is miller47sd@yahoo.com and my phone is 413-404-3185.
October 27th, 2024
SAVE THE DATES:
Commitment Sunday, November 3rd
Celebration Sunday, November 24th
Over these last few weeks and months, we have witnessed God working through our Faith in Action campaign. Many families have prayed and sought guidance on how they will participate in our shared vision. So far the outcome of their responses is both inspiring and humbling. To date, we are excited to share that we’ve received commitments totaling $211,000 from six households! We know many of you are still considering your commitment. As you do so, please remember these will be sacrificial gifts because they are contributions above and beyond any regular giving. Thus, we offer prayers that you will discern what is possible for your family.
As we close out the public phase of our Faith In Action campaign in November, please make every effort to attend two critical events. The first one happens early – Commitment Sunday, November 3rd. During the worship service, we will come together as a faith community and each family unit will dedicate their contributions to God by turning in a Faith In Action Commitment Card. The second one, Celebration Sunday, happens on November 24th, right after church. At this event, we will celebrate the generous gifts committed to our Faith In Action campaign by spending time together and sharing a meal.
In these final weeks, please contact me (Becky Miller, WUMC’s Faith In Action coordinator) if you have any questions. My email is miller47sd@yahoo.com and my phone is 413-404-3185.
September 30th, 2024
Faith in Action Campaign Begins!
On Sunday, September 29th, we began our 3-year fundraising campaign, called Faith in Action. The public phase of this campaign includes a variety of thought-provoking events and messages that occur every Sunday in October (except Oct. 6 – World Communion Sunday). In addition to receiving an envelope, you should have received an invitation to a special gathering on October 12 (in person) or October 14 (Zoom). These small group gatherings are an opportunity to hear about the Faith In Action vision and goals in more detail and to ask any questions. If you have not received an invitation, please call or email the church office. We will then pledge our commitments on Commitment Sunday, November 3rd, and celebrate our gratitude and abundant generosity with a shared meal after church on Sunday, November 24th.
Overall, this type of fundraising campaign is necessary for sustaining WUMC’s presence and support in our local and global communities. As you participate, reflect, and pray, we ask that you open your heart and mind in order to discern what is possible and to answer the question “What does God want to do through me?”
Be sure to contact me (WUMC’s Faith In Action coordinator, Becky Miller; miller47sd@yahoo.com or 413-404-3185) if you have any questions.
Wesley United Methodist Church 