COOKIE DELIVERIES:  We’ll be conducting our Cookies for Schools project this coming Tuesday, October 28, delivering boxes of homemade cookies to all schools in the Warren County Schools district and other public agencies as long as boxes are available. Those wishing to participate, please bring your favorite homemade cookies to the church fellowship hall by 9 a.m. that morning and plan to stay to help box them up for delivery. Arranging the cookies in boxes (provided) takes about an hour or so, then we will disperse for delivery across the county. The last time we conducted this project, we had more than 1,600 cookies and delivered to some 17 schools and other agencies such as law enforcement, town halls, and the health department. For more information, please see Jennifer Franks.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP SUPPER:  The monthly Men’s Fellowship Supper will be held on Thursday, October 30, at 6 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Please plan to attend, and consider bringing a guest! A sign-up sheet is in the narthex so that we can get an accurate head count.

WREATH PROJECT 2025:  Plans are underway for the 2025 Wreath Project. Supplies have been ordered and most are here, calls are being made, and orders are being taken. Bow Making will be held on Wednesday, November 12, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Please plan on helping out. Boxwood will be gathered during Thanksgiving weekend, and wreaths will be made the week of December 1 - 5. Please mark your calendars and plan to lend a hand for this church-wide project! Orders for wreaths may be placed by contacting Elaine Coleman, ElaineGibsonColeman@gmail.com, or Mary Hunter, malhunter210@gmail.com. Note:  We are happy to accept and recycle your old wreath forms!

NOTE CARDS AVAILABLE:  Wesley Memorial note cards have been printed and are available in packages of 5 for $5. Call or text Elaine Coleman, 252-425-5616, if you are interested in purchasing.

PLASTIC BAGS:  Please remember to bring your unwanted plastic grocery bags to the church to be passed along to Loaves and Fishes. They will make great use of all that we provide! There is a collection box in the back entrance by the church office. Thanks!

FROM PASTOR RAY GOOCH:

I would like to thank you!

October 19 was observed as Laity Sunday.  A very special thanks to Betsy Frazier, Anne Harris and Tom Aycock for sharing stories of folks they have encountered that exemplified true servant ministry.  I am told that these stories have initiated conversations among our folks about others that have also lived out the role of servant ministries.  Thanks also to Jeff Harty and Susan Whitley for their leadership in the worship.  It was a great celebration of the ministries we all share as disciples of Christ.

Our charge conference proved to be more than just a usual yearly meeting. Thanks to our Heritage District Superintendent, Rev. David Joyner, for a very positive and affirming gathering of the two UMC's of Warren County.  There were more than 20 people from Bethlehem and Wesley Memorial.  It was great to be in fellowship with our sister congregation.  Table Fellowship was a celebration of the common life we share together.  One person remarked, "This may have been the best charge conference ever!"  Thanks to all our attendees!  You made it a great evening.

On September 21 volunteers from Wesley Memorial joined the regular volunteers at Loaves and Fishes to pass out food items to residents of Warren County.  Even though the available food items have been greatly reduced, Director Denise, reminded us to give thanks for what you do have to share.  Thanks to our Wesley congregation for serving on the frontline.  Maybe we can do this again  soon.

The Warren County Community Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, November 23 at the Courthouse, 3 p.m.  Following the service there will be a filling of Thanksgiving boxes to be distributed to families in need of food for the Thanksgiving Celebration.  Prior to that time we will be collecting items to contribute to the boxes.  Please leave your contributions in the entrance way at Wesley Memorial.  Following are the items that are needed: canned vegetables of corn, peas and green beans; cranberry sauce, 32 oz. chicken broth, 5 lb. bag of russet potatoes, 3 lb. bag of sweet potatoes,bag of apples, Stove Top stuffing, Gravy Mix, Jiffy pie crust mix and Jiffy corn muffin mix.  The goal for this project is to feed 60 families.  If you would like to make a monetary gift to assist in purchasing turkeys, please make a check to Wesley Memorial UMC and mark it TURKEYS.

Wesley Memorial Birthdays

October

Edie Echols – 10/1

Jacob Wemyss – 10/4

MacGregor Knight – 10/6

Claudia Wemyss – 10/6

Ramona DuBose – 10/7

Kay Horner – 10/7

Lang Hunter – 10/9

Macey Paynter – 10/13

Judy Pulley – 10/14

Suzi Byam – 10/17

Jim Price – 10/21

Kay Copley – 10/ 24

John Coleman – 10/ 28

Grady Strickland – 10/28

Molly Harty – 10/29

November

Parker Leach – 11/1

Velvet Boyd – 11/4

Kate Hazen – 11/4

Fern Boyd – 11/10

Bryson Stancil – 11/14

Gracyn Stancil – 11/14

Elizabeth Comstock – 11/14

Paula Pulley – 11/18

Sheila Blackwood – 11/27

Katy Jones – 11/28

Emily Ross Looney – 11/28