July 20, 2016

I miss blowing bubbles.  Bubbles relax me and energize me at the same time.  They are addicting.  I could easily lose an hour of my life caught up in creating the perfect bubble.  I like blowing bubbles when it’s windy and watching them fly far away before they pop.  Luckily, wind is a given here in Laramie.

Summer is a quiet time for Wesley.  Few students stay through the summer and those who do are busy enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.  We have managed to gather for ice cream, coffee, and an exciting game of mini-golf. 

Changes to Sunday Morning at the Church

Fall will be here before you know it and First United Methodist Church in Laramie is changing it’s Sunday morning schedule.  Beginning Sunday, August 28 our new schedule will be:

9:00 – 9:45           Classes for Children, Youth and Adults

10:00-11:15         Worship in the Sanctuary

I’m looking forward to Worshiping a little later in the morning.  It will give me time for an extra cup of coffee (or two). 

Sending blessings for a stress-free summer and I’ll see you in the Fall,

Rev. Debra Juarez   dljuarez57@gmail.com  

​

April 28, 2015

Endings & Beginnings

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is a famous passage of scripture that reminds us there is a season for everything, especially those parts of life that seem to be opposites.  Giving birth & dying.  Killing & healing.  Planting & sowing.  Keeping & throwing away.  We could add endings & beginnings.

As was first shared on April 12, I will conclude my time as your Wesley Director on June 30.  As of July 1, I will be appointed as the pastor of a local church (TBD).  Thus, I am beginning my season of saying goodbye here at Wesley, at First UMC and in Laramie.  These past 7 years have been a blessing to me, and I hope to you.  We have done much together, and for all of that I give thanks.

But I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.  The Wesley Foundation and First UMC in Laramie will both enter into a time of beginnings.  The church will receive a new pastor as of July 1.  The Wesley Board will begin the search for a new Wesley Director who hopefully will begin no later than August 1.  New leadership means a new vision, a renewed sense of purpose, and a new hope.

I invite each of you reading these words to pray for the church and for the Wesley Foundation.  We still have a couple of months together before the goodbyes become an ending.  Until then, I will be in prayer for you as well.

God's peace, 

Pastor Laura

April 1, 2015

New Life

One of my favorite images for Easter and Spring is the butterfly.  Butterflies reappear after the long and cold winter.  But they don’t just arrive.  They have to be formed.  As we all know, butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars, then wrap themselves up into a chrysalis, before they emerge as beautiful butterflies. Only then do we appreciate their beauty (unless you’re fond of caterpillars & chrysalises).

This butterfly life cycle is an image used to describe life, especially the life of one who follows Jesus Christ.  We are born, we grow, but find new life in Jesus Christ.  When that happens?  Who knows.  Life, and the life of faith, is a journey;  sometimes one without an end.  Life for those in school are also on a journey;  you won’t know where the journey ends for a long time.

Trust in the new life offered to YOU today.  Trust that at the end of all of your journeys, you will find new life and a new way of being. 

Many blessings, 

March 1, 2015

Following Jesus

Lent began February 18, and continues until Easter Sunday on April 5.  During this season, Sunday worship will invite us to walk with Jesus on The Way.  We hope you can make it to worship services.  Our Thursday Wesley Lunches @ UW will also help us walk with Jesus on the way.  So, we will get a lot of Jesus these next couple of months!  But we profess we follow Christ.  Sometimes we just need to remember who Jesus is, where he came from, and where he calls us to go.  

Jesus walks with you even on campus.  He calls you his beloved brother/sister.  He calls you to draw closer to him, even in the midst of the busyness of campus life.  I will be on campus each Monday during Lent, 12 - 2 pm in the Union (you can find me at a table on the main floor).  If you see me, share with me your questions, your challenges, or your thoughts about following Jesus.  We are called to do this together. 

May God be with you on The Way! 

Pastor Laura

February 16, 2015

Join the Facebook Group to keep in touch with all that is happening.  Just contact Pastor Laura to be added to the group.

February 1, 2015

February is the month of LOVE.  For good or bad, Valentine’s Day brings to mind images of couples, romantic dinners, and lots of chocolate.  When I was single, I wore black on Valentine’s Day because it wasn’t a day of celebration for ME!  Some of you may have that special someone in your life and this month of love is a time of celebration.  If that is not your case, then know you are not alone.

In fact, maybe the month of LOVE should be less about romantic love, and more about the love that God offers to every one of us.  You are loved.  You are special in God’s eye. No matter what.  Whether your grades are excellent, mediocre or near the bottom.  Even if you change your major, again, and still don’t know what you want to do.  Even if your family pressures you about grades, career, or anything at all.  Even if romantic love eludes you.  Constantly.

May you find God’s unconditional love today.  It lasts longer and never fails (see 1 Corinthians 13).  May our Wesley group be a place to discover this accepting love.

May the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ be with you all,

Pastor Laura

January 31, 2015

Keep track of news from First UMC Laramie.  

January 21, 2015

The Wesley Foundation at The University of Wyoming offers scholarships to students active in either the Wesley Foundation or First United Methodist Church in Laramie, WY.  Scholarship Applications are due February 16, 2015.  Guidelines and details are on the Scholarship Application.  Download the application or contact Rev. Laura Rainwater, Director of the Wesley Foundation, at 307.742.8121 or wesley@laramieumc.com.

January 1, 2015

Wesley Words

I hope your Christmas Break was filled with hope, peace, love, and joy.  And, of course, lots of quality time with family and friends.  2014 is over and 2015 contains possibilities and hope! I look forward to reconnecting with each of you soon.  

We will have a variety of activities this semester . . .some continuing what we started in the fall.  Please keep in touch by reading the Wesley emails and checking with the website (www.wyomingwesley.com).  Or, of course, contact me!

In the meantime, may the peace of Christ be with you in 2015!

Pastor Laura

December 3, 2014

Check out Wesley's Fall 2014 Newsletter that was just mailed out to churches in Wyoming.  

December 3, 2014

All students are invited to Food for Finals during UW's Final Exam Week.  A free meal (usually soup/chili, though one night will be a turkey dinner with all of the fixings!) will be served.  Bring your friends to Wesley Hall each night, Sunday December 14 - Thursday December 18, 5 - 7 pm.

December 2, 2014

Wesley Students will gather for a Christmas Party on Sunday, December 7, 6:00 pm in Wesley Hall.  Food will be provided, but please bring something to share.  A gift will be given to each student.  Surprise, surprise!

December 1, 2014

Keep track of news from First UMC-Laramie.  Click on the link or ask to be added to the church email list.

December 1, 2014

Wesley Words

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. . . . It dawned on me that I write a lot about our weather in these monthly articles.  Maybe it’s because the weather is something we can always rely on to change!

Change is constant.  It’s not always easy, and usually causes us to stretch and grow.  That’s part of the process of classes, assignments and tests.  They stretch you in ways that are sometimes uncomfortable, causing you to learn in the process.  Okay, now I sound like a parent telling you that the medicine that tastes so terrible is so good for your body!  

No matter what, I pray as this semester wraps up that you can find the strength to endure the assignments, exams and final projects.  Since students will be in Laramie until nearly Christmas, may you find time to celebrate the reason for this Advent season — either at Wesley events or in church.  

We also pray for safe travels, wherever they may take you in December.  Until then, may the love and gift of Jesus be present in your life and in all that life brings. 

Grace and peace,

Pastor Laura

November 12, 2014

Wesley Students will be a part of worship on Sunday, November 23.  Please let Pastor Laura know if you will be available at either the 9 am or 10:30 am worship service at First UMC-Laramie.  It's be great to have liturgists, communion servers, and/or ushers & greeters on that day.

November 5, 2014

Support our Wesley Foundation Thanksgiving Dinner.

Dinner is served 10 am - 12 pm in Wesley Hall at First UMC-Laramie (corner of 13th & Harney).

Donations benefit the ministries of the Wesley Foundation.

November 2, 2014

Wesley Students are collecting items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.  Items should be brought to First UMC-Laramie by Sunday, November 16.  There will be a Shoebox Packing Party & Lunch on November 16 at 11:30 am in Wesley Hall.  For more information or for ideas for items to donate, check out the website.

November 1, 2014

Slow and Steady.  This phrase came to my mind as I followed many of the college students on Facebook, griping and groaning about the season we call “mid-terms.”  I can’t help but think about the fable of the Turtle and the Hare.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could work as quickly as the hare ran?  But remember . . . he ran out of steam.  The one who plodded along won the race.

This isn’t just about the academic race to the end of the semester, and to the finish line called graduation.  Faith is a race as well.  Sometimes we have fits and starts.  We have moments of clarity when we understand who we are, who God is, and how God is calling us to serve the world with our career and/or talents (our vocation).  But sometimes, the going is SO SLOW.  Doubts trip us up.  Failures are major roadblocks.  Growing our faith seems to be as elusive as understanding the mysteries of life, or astrophysics (take your pick).

Wesley is a place where each person can struggle and celebrate, look for sustenance and share in the abundance.  Check out the opportunities to gather with others who, I guarantee, are struggling with the same things.  Don’t run the race alone;  friends help us during our life of discipleship.

Grace & peace,

Pastor Laura

March 1, 2015

Following Jesus

Lent began February 18, and continues until Easter Sunday on April 5.  During this season, Sunday worship will invite us to walk with Jesus on The Way.  We hope you can make it to worship services.  Our Thursday Wesley Lunches @ UW will also help us walk with Jesus on the way.  So, we will get a lot of Jesus these next couple of months!  But we profess we follow Christ.  Sometimes we just need to remember who Jesus is, where he came from, and where he calls us to go.  

Jesus walks with you even on campus.  He calls you his beloved brother/sister.  He calls you to draw closer to him, even in the midst of the busyness of campus life.  I will be on campus each Monday during Lent, 12 - 2 pm in the Union (you can find me at a table on the main floor).  If you see me, share with me your questions, your challenges, or your thoughts about following Jesus.  We are called to do this together. 

May God be with you on The Way! 

Pastor Laura