We’re looking ahead to some great things that will be happening in the new year. Take a look:
Fun & Connection
Our Wednesday evening suppers resume on January 7, down in Wesley Hall as always. There’s no better time for casual, pleaant conversation where we get to know one another, share a nourishing meal, and strengthen our connections! No reservations needed; just show up around 5:30 p.m. The meal is free, with the opportunity to make a freewill donation if you wish. (No pressure!) Want to bring something? Go ahead! There’s always room on the tables for another bowl or something for dessert!
There are classes or gatherings for nearly all ages starting between 6:15 and 7, along with practices for our chancel choir at 6:30 and our chancel bell choir at 7:30. We’d love to welcome you on January 7th or future weeks as well.
What’s Coming in Worship
We’ll wrap up our Words for the Beginning series with two more services AFTER our Christmas Eve festivities:
Sunday, December 28 A playful service, reveling in the good news of great joy! Our theme: Don’t forget to laugh!
Sunday, January 4 We’ll celebrate Epiphany Sunday with the Magi as they follow the star, with star words and Holy Communion. We’ll notice The road isn’t straight, and walk it anyway.
We’ll share a special service on Sunday, January 11 when we celebrate and consecrate the new altar cloths we’ve put into service since last Advent. We’ll walk through the worship year, sing seasonal favorites, and notice the life and light these additions bring into our space.
On the Sunday of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, January 18, we’ll kick off our next worship series, We God’s People, in honor of the start of 2026 in which our nation will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We’ll read the opening stories of Jesus’ ministry in the gospel of Matthew alongside some of the words on which our democracy was founded. We’ll notice how Jesus’ vision of the kin-dom of God reverberates into the egalitarian concept of “We the People” that animated our founders.
ALSO on Sunday, January 18, we’ll join other progressive congregations in Ames in an MLK Interfaith Service, being held this year at Unity Church of Ames. Stay tuned for details.
Want to Take Action with Collegiate/Wesley?
We’ll be practicing democracy in 2026 in cooperation with AMOS, our community organizing partner that celebrates 30 years of service this year. We’re already pulling together a team to plan and lead “house meeting” listening sessions here at Collegiate/Wesley, in the community, and on the ISU campus. Join our team on Tuesday, January 6 at 6:30 pm to guide this work of listening, hearing people’s stories, and identifying issues we’ll take to a huge convention with statewide and local candidates on August 30, 2026. For more info, be in touch with Pastor Lee!
We’ll be learning more about Christian nationalism through listening and conversation with our Roundtable group, online one Thursday a month at noon, starting January 15. Participants will prepare for each session by viewing recordings from a lecture series that happened at Candler School of Theology in October. (The January conversation will be on Kristin Kobes du Mez’s lecture relating to her book, Jesus & John Wayne.) This series of conversations will help us understand more about this cultural and religious moment we’re in right now. All are welcome. Contact the church office for details and the Zoom link.
We’ve been slowly assembling a group of Collegiate/Wesley members and friends who are interested in strengthening our progressive voice, both as individuals and as a church. Our January meeting isn’t yet scheduled. Be in touch with Jim Shirbroun to learn more!
