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Devotional March 1, 2021

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV)



~ A Message from Pastor Debbie ~

Dear People of Wesley Church,

I would like to share with you a scripture verse from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter (purpose) under heaven.”  Another saying, not scripture and lighter, mentioned by a Wesley member last week is, “We plan and God laughs!”  Another of my favorites from a refrigerator magnet is,

“Life is all about how you handle Plan B.”

A year ago around this last Christmas, when I joined Wesley’s staff, I had a definite plan. I would work until I celebrated my 75th year, around 3 more years. I am a 2nd (really 3rd) career pastor, ordained as an Elder 26 years ago, serving 4 churches in 20 years. Then I reinvented (retired) for 11 years serving as a hospice chaplain, congregational and interim pastor.

A few weeks ago Pastor Candy and I were remembering the 2020 Ash Wednesday service and Labyrinth Walk right before the coronavirus pandemic shut down most in-person church gatherings.  I have encountered the most challenging season of my life.  My gifts are intact but the way and need of reaching people by technology (which is here to stay and emerge more) has challenged me to the point of affecting the quality of the energy I require for ministry.

As I wrestled with this reality, I was reminded of this quote of Max Lucado from a years-old birthday card I still keep hanging on my refrigerator to remind me of God’s call on my life:

“There are things only you can do,
and you are alive to do them,
In the great orchestra we call life,
You have an instrument and a song.”

The things only I can do as I reinvent (retire) myself is to spend more quality time with my extended family of 4+2 children and 9 grandchildren, my 3 younger sisters, nieces and nephews, long-known friends and colleagues. Also to follow whatever other adventures God offers in the future.  

Therefore I have made the decision to retire from my role as Wesley’s Pastor of Congregational Care. My last Sunday with you at Wesley will be on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021.  On Memorial Day weekend I hope to see my nephew, Dave and his fiance, Bridget, celebrate their marriage on Lincoln Financial Field (EAGLES) Philadelphia (they WON a contest)!

My best wishes to Pastor Candy, the staff and all of the people of God known as Wesley Church. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. -2 Corinthians 13:14

-Pastor Debbie Kauffman


Want to know more?

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  • View previous devotionals: https://wesleychurch.com/pastor-candys-devotionals-2/

Sunday June 26, 2022

Masking will remain optional at Wesley Church

In order to help you make an informed decision about your own mitigation practices, Wesley Church will share our county’s updated risk category and the CDC’s corresponding guidelines in each edition of our weekly enews.
We are currently in the “high risk” category. The CDC guidelines for the “high” category are:

   Wear a mask indoors in public

   Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines   

   Get tested if you have symptoms

   Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

For more information, visit cdc.gov 

Click to learn more

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  • Do you enjoy being creative with pictures and video?  Do you like telling a story through images?  We are looking for people who enjoy making videos, who can use technology to help represent some of the music we use in worship, and possibly other parts of the worship service such as announcements, testimonies, and more.  If this interests or excites you, please see Becky Graybeal for more details and to get plugged in!

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