Labor Day Retreat 2010

We are kicking off another school year with our annual retreat!!!

The Details…
when:
labor day weekend, september 3-6, 2010

who:
all college students (both undergrad and graduate)

what:
a weekend of fun, spiritual renewal, fellowship … not to mention time at the beach!

where:
San Diego, California (did I mention the beach?)

why:
it’s just too good to pass up…

the cost:
only $25! Not bad, eh?

What to Expect…
lodging…
We’ll be staying on the grounds of Foothills United Methodist Church in the San Diego, California area. Plan to sleep on the floor!

worship & discussion…
Saturday evening we’ll have a short devotion time, and Sunday morning we’ll join with other campus ministry programs from ASU, UofA, and NAU for shared worship.

fellowship and fun…
On Saturday, we’ll have the afternoon to enjoy the surf, followed by a beach bbq. We’ll have more free-time on Sunday afternoon, with the option of a service project, more time at the beach, a visit to Sea World, and more.

what Wesley expects from you…
We want you to come and have a good time. But this isn’t just a cheap road trip to San Diego. We expect that you’ll participate in worship and discussions, abstain from substance use/abuse, and have a good attitude…. mostly, we expect you to have fun.

Stuff you’ll need…
• clothes (remember how nice and cool San Diego can be!)
• a sleeping bag & air mattress (if you want one)
• pillow
• toiletries (the church does have showers)
• towels (for beach & showering)
• swim suit and other beach stuff (sorry, no room for surf boards in the church van!)
• sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.
• camera & other extras, but please try to pack light!
• money (in addition to the $25, you’ll need about 3 meals on the road, as well as money for dinner in San Diego on Sunday night. Sunday afternoon options – like Sea World – are also your responsibility. We’ll make sure here’s a free option available… like the beach.)

If you’re not going only because of the cost, please see Rob. We expect folks to pay if they can, but we want everyone to come.

You can RSVP on the Facebook Event Page

Shane Claiborne, October 9-10, 2010

We are very excited to announce that author, activist, and speaker, Shane Claiborne is coming to speak at an event hosted by Valley Wesley on Saturday October 9, 2010!

Tickets are $15 for regular tickets (before September 10) and $5 for college students.  All proceeds will go to support The Simple Way.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online below or in person from the Tempe First UMC church office.

From his website:

Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series “Another World Is Possible” and is the author of the several books including The Irresistible Revolution, Jesus for President, and Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers. Shane speaks over 100 times a year in a dozen or so countries and nearly every state in the US. Shane has given academic seminars at Vanderbilt University, Duke University Pepperdine University, Wheaton College, Princeton University, Goshen College and Harvard University. Shane also speaks at various denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe. Shane’s work has been featured in everything from Fox News and the Wall Street Journal to CNN and National Public Radio.

Lean more about Shane at http://www.thesimpleway.org/shane/

Out of respect for the environment we are encouraging folks to walk, bike, take public transportation, or carpool to the event. If that is difficult for you to do we hope that you would be able to pick another day where you go without oil for a day or participate in an individual or group project that benefits the environment. This could be as simple as carpooling to work or school, switching to energy efficient lighting or planting a tree. If you want to do something a little more technical, but really fun, Shane even suggests “converting your car to run off used veggie oil (http://awip.us).”

Shane will also be preaching at Crossroads UMC in Phoenix on October 10 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. There is no cost or tickets required.

http://www.crossroadsphx.com/

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Rob Rynders at rob@valleywesley.com

2009-2010 Annual Report

We had another exciting year of ministry with students from ASU and other Phoenix valley colleges.  We continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ and have exciting plans for the future!  To view or download our latest annual report, please click here.

Leadership Development

Much of our ministry is student-led.  Our “Wesley Council,” student leadership team, meets throughout the year to plan, organize and lead programs and activities.  If you have any comments or suggestions for the Council please contact our president, Charla Lindley at clindley@asu.edu.

Wednesday Night Worship

Wednesdays (during the fall and spring semesters) at 7 p.m.

Ross Hall at Tempe First United Methodist Church
215 E. University Drive, Tempe

Wesley’s Wednesday-night gathering has long been the centerpiece of our ministry.

We invite you to join us after dinner each Wednesday for our weekly worship service at 7 p.m. in Ross Hall at Tempe First United Methodist Church.