Wesley United Methodist Church

WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
900 Van Buren Street
Fostoria, OH 44830
Church Office (419) 435-8551
Wesley Center (419) 435-1390

History & Information
Wesley Village / Commons

Founded in 1833 as the first congregation in what was then known as Rome / Risdon, our congregation has a long and rich tradition of being a vital part of the Fostoria community. In our earlier history we were known as First Methodist Church and were located at the intersection of Fremont and Main Streets. In 1968 we relocated to our present site. That same year, through the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, we took on a new identity as Wesley United Methodist Church.

Throughout our experience, it has been the expectation of our membership and the experience of old-timers and newcomers alike that Wesley Church strives to offer excellence in ministries of nurture and outreach through traditional programs of education, worship, music and service. As a congregation of approximately 700 members, Wesley Church offers both variety in its opportunities for nurture and service as well as intimacy and concern in its relationships.

The pastoral staff is always ready to be of whatever service our skills provide. You are encouraged to contact us by phoning the church office. We hope you feel "at home" and have found a home as a part of the family of Wesley Church.

The Book of Discipline, by which every United Methodist congregation is governed, states: "The local church shall be organized so that it can pursue its primary task and mission in the context of its own community - reaching out and receiving with joy all who will respond; encouraging people in their relationship with God and inviting them to seek strengthening and spiritual formation; and supporting to live lovingly and justly in the power of the Holy Spirit as faithful disciples" (Para. 244 Book of Discivline)

As is indicated, Wesley Church wants to receive into our membership "with joy all who will respond" to strengthening their relationship with God and to living "lovingly and justly in the power of the Holy Spirit as faithful disciples" of the Lord Jesus. There is no other requirement for membership.

Members are received by a first-time profession of such faith, by a re-affirmation of a former profession of faith, or by transfer from another denomination or congregation. The pastoral staff is always ready to talk with you about your membership options.

Wesley Church is proud of its history of outreach into our local community both through the involvement of our individual members and through support of the congregation as a whole. Wesley members are active in a variety of service activities and agencies such as: United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, Fostoria Community Hospital, Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and Bureau of Concern. As a congregation Wesley Church supports our United Methodist Board of Global Ministries projects including: United Methodist Committee on Relief, One Great Hour of Sharing, and specific national and world missions projects and missionaries.

In the early 1980s Wesley Church was instrumental in the formation of "Wesley Village" apartment complex located just to the north of the church parking lot. Wesley Village makes available to senior citizens and persons with handicapping conditions quality garden-level apartments. The apartments are
available to those who qualify at rates subsidized by the federal loan program which financed the original construction. Although Wesley Village is not owned by Wesley Church, we take great satisfaction in having initiated this seniors-serving complex.

As mentioned elsewhere, Wesley Church was a pioneer in providing, and still provides, quality child care to our commumty.

In addition, our building is available for use by community service groups and agencies.

Since moving to our present location in 1968, our congregation has proudly and consistently offered the Fostoria community a quality surrogate parenting program. The quality of this ministry with children and their families is assured not only by our congregation's commitment to excellence but also by licensing and regular oversight by the State of Ohio.

Wesley Center offers full- and part-time infant-care, day-care and pre-school as well as a "latch-key" program to care for school-aged children before and after the public school day begins and ends. Transportation of children enrolled in the "latch-key" program and for any of our Wesley Center excursions is provided by our congregation's 15-passenger van. A Summer program is also offered.

Our Wesley Center ministries are committed to the developmental needs of children and encourages growth in all areas: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. As a Christian program, Wesley Center wants children to experience
what it means to be the child of a loving and dependable God.

Wesley Church offers Sunday School classes for children ages 3 through 5th grade from 9:15-10: 15a.m. In Fostoria, 6th graders are a part of the Middle School program and are included in our Youth Formation & Service. If parents wish their 6th graders to be included in our oldest children's Sunday School class, rather than in the Middle School class, that enrollment is quite appropriate.

Nursery care is provided for Sunday School and Worship on Sunday mornings and other congregation-wide activities.

Children's Choir, for Kindergarten through 5th graders, rehearses weekly and makes its musical offering in worship once each month. At Christmas and Easter the Children's Choir is a delightful part of our festival celebrations.

Vacation Bible School is offered each summer at times which encourages family participation.

Seasonal parties and gatherings encourage our children to include their families for "Easter Eggs and More", Fall Party and an "Adventure" prior to Christmas.

As highlighted elsewhere, our Wesley Center offers the best in substitute parenting for families needing daycare, pre-school or "latch key" childcare.

In the United Methodist Church generally, and at Wesley Church in particular, "youth" include young people in Middle School through High School. The Youth Ministry program at Wesley Church is active, exciting and full of fun. Youth Ministry at Wesley Church welcomes both members and those who have not joined the membership of Wesley Church. Through both Sunday School and Youth Fellowship "teens" in grades 6-12 can enjoy continuing their formation in the Christian faith and finding opportunities to use their time, energy and talents in service.

Sunday School classes for both Middle School and High School youth gather from 9:15-10: l5 am.

The Youth Fellowship meets on Sunday evenings. Both Middle School and High School youth are invited to join in the "wild and crazy" activities, trips and adventures. A Youth Newsletter keeps you up to date on activities and adventures. A call to the church office will put you on the mailing list.

During Vacation Bible School each summer, youth can choose to exercise their leadership as teaching assistants in the classes with children.

Every other year the pastoral staff offers a Confirmation Class to allow Middle School youth to focus their decision-making on church membership.

On Sunday mornings learning opportunities are available for adults at the 9:15a.m. Sunday School hour. From time to time other Adult Classes and Study Groups are focused on specific topics and liturgical seasons.

The "Genesis to Revelation" study group has met bi-weekly for several years in covenant together to study the entire Bible in depth.

"DISCIPLE" Bible Study, developed by our United Methodist Church, is offered as interest develops.

A group of seniors who call themselves "eXtra Years with Zest" or "XYZ" meet monthly, in Fellowship Hall and the Parlor, on the fourth Thursday for a "potluck" lunch and program. The program topics are chosen by the group to be of interest to all senior citizens. "XYZ" leadership is shared on a month by month rotation among the active participants.

"Shepherd Center" is a half-day program for all senior citizens of our community to learn, to participate in social interaction, to monitor health and to enjoy lunch together. Shepherd Center, governed by an autonomous board, is offered each first and third Friday from 9:30a.m.- 1:00 pm. Learning opportunities include: travelogue, investments dialogue, current events discussion, Bible study and luncheon forum speaker.

United Methodist Women at Wesley Church is part of a world-wide organization of women who join together in fellowship for mutual support, for learning and service locally, throughout the United States and around the world. It has often been said and remains true of our unit of United Methodist Women (UMW), that they are among the most widely read and best Christian-educated members of our denomination.

Wesley's UMW regularly supports our church's greater mission's outreach through their sacrificial giving and through allocation of endowments given them for that purpose. Members of our UMW are regulars in the annual School of Missions sponsored by our Annual Conference.

A general meeting of the entire unit gathers quarterly for special programs. Each of the three Circles meets during the other months to learn, to support outreach and to enjoy one another's company.

The Circles provide a much needed and much appreciated ministry to our membership by serving luncheons for bereaved families at the time of a funeral. Additionally the Circles continue to offer their services in preparing and serving meals for special congregational and community events and groups.

Information about our United Methodist Women and the UMW Yearbook is available through the church office.

Worship is central to the life of Wesley Church. Seasonal celebrations occur as announced in the weekiy bulletin during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. Whenever a "fifth Sunday of the month" happens on the calendar, the Youth of our
congregation plan and lead our worship.

During the summer, from mid-June until the end of August, summer Vespers are held in the courtyard on Thursdays at 8:00p.m.

Opportunities for participation in assisting at worship include: lay readers, ushering, choirs, communion stewards, worship planning committees and task forces, and the broadcast production team.

The Sunday schedule at Wesley Church is:
       9:15-10:15a.m. Sunday School
      10:30-11 :30a.m. Worship
      11:30-12: 15p.m. Coffee Fellowship

In addition to our Chancel Choir and Bell Choir for youth and adult singers and ringers, the Children's Choir invites participation of children through the fifth grade. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00p.m. Bell Choir holds an extensive rehearsal the Wednesday (at 5:30p.m.) before they are scheduled to ring on Sunday. The children rehearse as part of their Sunday School hour.

Every other Sunday, worship at Wesley Church is broadcast "live" locally on radio station WFOB. Each Sunday our worship is video recorded for broadcast on our local cable TV channel 19 at 5:30p.m. Mondays. A broadcast team
volunteers to produce these programs each week.

Music Staff:
Director of Music Ministries- William Schwepe
Organist- Rebecca Osborne

Director of Children's Choir- Mary Schwepe
Director of Handbell Choir- Mary Schwepe

Wesley Center Child Care Administrative Staff:
Co-Director- Donna Minton
Co-Director- Kelly Gumm