We were notified last week that University of Iowa students will not return to in-person classes this semester. Instead, classes will resume online on Monday March 30th, and students are being scheduled to move out of campus housing. The Wesley Center is monitoring state, local, and University recommendations for public gatherings, and we are adjusting our programming accordingly.
In the midst of this public health crisis, we are experiencing unforeseen tests of our values of community and hospitality alongside our commitment to healthy and sustained leadership. In response we are getting creative, seeking to reach students with encouragement and support online. It is in times of uncertainty and precarity like these that the strength of a spiritual community like the Wesley Center’s resonates with solidarity and hope.
In place of Tuesday Table, Rev. Anna Blaedel will host Tuesday evening check-in, spiritual nourishment, and Prayer of Examen via Zoom, as well as individual virtual check-ins. Likewise, our weekly (not your typical) Bible study will move online. We have also increased our offering of poem-prayers and other resources on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/iowawesley).
Each of these steps will allow us to continue to live our mission and express community solidarity during this pandemic. We look forward to returning to the depth of in-person gatherings when the crisis is past, and we give thanks for your prayers and partnership throughout. In the meantime, please support the critical offerings of our ministry by giving online at www.iowawesley.org.