Valley Wesley students pose for a picture after a trip to Wesley Theological Seminary

Alternative Spring Break 2011: WASHINGTON D.C. March 13-18, 2011 Eleven Valley Wesley students and Rev. Rob Rynders spent their spring break in the Nation's Capital attending a seminar on "Human Trafficking," put on by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Valley Wesley joined students and leaders from the Northern Illinois University and Winthrop University Wesley Foundations to learn from various speakers and organizations about the 27 million human beings (mostly women and children) who are currently being coerced into forced labor and/or sexual slavery around the world. Seminar participants also met with legislators, including our own congressman, David Schweikert and a representative from Senator Jon Kyl's office to advocate on behalf of trafficking victims and to encourage our legislators to support legislation that combats human trafficking worldwide. Participants visited the offices of International Justice Mission, a Christian non-profit organization that supports and advocates for trafficking victims and also works with governments around the world to reform and train their law enforcement agencies to combat trafficking in their own countries. To learn more about IJM and to find vast resources on the topic of human trafficking, please visit their website. Overall students had a meaningful and transformative time in Washington through the seminar program, visiting historical sites, monuments, and museums, connecting with other students from around the country, and most importantly by connecting their faith to issues of human rights and justice. This trip would not have been possible with all of those who supported these students with their prayers and financial donations and, for that, all of us at Valley Wesley are very thankful.

[podcast format="video"]http://valleywesley.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/LGBT-Panel.m4a[/podcast] On November 17, 2010 Valley Wesley hosted a panel discussion on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,  and Transgendered issues in the church and society. Panelists included Jason Bobo (Reformed University Fellowship), Lisa Pittari (ASU LGBTQA Services), and Shannon Buzzard (Progressive United Methodist).

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 now register online by filling out the form below. You can mail in your payment of $25 or pay at the Tempe First UMC church office or online with "Wepay" (a small transaction fee will be added). Your registration is not complete until you have submitted payment. If you need a scholarship, please e-mail rob@valleywesley.com.

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 from 7-9 p.m. at Tempe First United Methodist Church (215 E.University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281)! Tickets are $15 for regular tickets (before September 17) 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 by calling 480-967-3376. 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

Join us for our third annual Valley Wesley night at the Diamondbacks on Monday April 19th when the Dbacks take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase field. Tickets are $15 for non-students and $8 for students elementary school-college age. $7 from the $15 tickets will go to support United Methodist Campus Ministry at Arizona State University and Phoenix Valley Colleges. The church or individual who purchases the most tickets overall will get to select one person to watch batting practice for both teams on the field before the game. This is a great chance to see your favorite players up-close! The event picture is of Rev. Rob Rynders with Diamondbacks coach Matt Williams last year during batting practice. We can't guarantee you will get to be this close to players but this could be your chance! If you have any questions or would like to purchase tickets for yourself or your church please contact aaron@valleywesley.com or rob@valleywesley.com. You can also download a ticket order form here. Check-out our Facebook Event We hope to see you there! Online order form: [form 2 "Diamondbacks Ticket Order Form"] or Pay by Credit Card

Valley Wesley is excited to announce that we will be co-hosting, along with Tempe First UMC, an event on February 20th, featuring author and speaker, Bishop John Shelby Spong. The event is being sponsored by the Arizona Foundation For Contemporary Theology. More details about the event coming soon! From Bishop Spong's website: John Shelby Spong, whose books have sold more than a million copies, was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2001. His admirers acclaim him as a teaching bishop who makes contemporary theology accessible to the ordinary layperson — he's considered the champion of an inclusive faith by many, both inside and outside the Christian church. In one of his recent books, The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Discover the God of Love (San Francisco: HarperOne, 2005), this visionary thinker seeks to introduce readers to a proper way to engage the holy book of the Judeo-Christian tradition. A committed Christian who has spent a lifetime studying the Bible and whose life has been deeply shaped by it, Bishop Spong says he was not interested in Bible bashing. "I come to this interpretive task not as an enemy of Christianity," he says. "I am not even a disillusioned former Christian, as some of my scholar-friends identify themselves. I am a believer who knows and loves the Bible deeply. But I also recognize that parts of it have been used to undergird prejudices and to mask violence." A visiting lecturer at Harvard and at universities and churches worldwide, Bishop Spong delivers more than 200 public lectures each year to standing-room-only crowds. His bestselling books include Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, A New Christianity for a New World, Why Christianity Must Change or Die, and Here I Stand. Bishop Spong's extensive media appearances include a profile segment on 60 Minutes as well as appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News Live, Politically Incorrect, Larry King Live, The O'Reilly Factor, William F. Buckley's Firing Line, and Extra. Bishop Spong and his wife, Christine Mary Spong, have five children and six grandchildren. They live in New Jersey.

March 14-19, 2010 Valley Wesley will, once again, be taking a team of students to South Los Angeles to participate in service projects and to learn more about this urban setting. We will be led by the amazing staff of Sierra Service Project who will provide some great opportunities for us. The cost of the trip is $350, however, we will do lots of fundraising and scholarships will be available. Registration details coming soon! Information from the Sierra Service Project website: Sierra Service Project launched its Urban project in South Los Angeles in 2004. Since then, each summer has been bigger and more successful than the one before. The Project Site. Our volunteers and staff are housed in the large Vermont Square United Methodist Church, located at 4410 Budlong Ave about one mile west of the Harbor Freeway. The church has a gated parking lot, large kitchen, bathrooms, showers, a gymnasium and several large rooms for sleeping. This is where we eat, sleep, do program and hang-out when we are not working or visiting sites in the City. Learn More About South Los Angeles. Our South Los Angeles program site is based in the Vermont Square United Methodist Church. To learn more about the Vermont Square community, visit the Los Angeles Times' very interesting "Mapping LA" website. This site contains a vast amount of information about the population, ethnicity, income and housing status of this neighborhood. The work. Our projects are done on homes in the communities surrounding the church. Typical homeowners are elderly people who have lived in the area for decades. Projects include painting, building wheelchair ramps, installing hand rails and other projects that elderly people need. One of the things that volunteers always comment on is how gracious and friendly these homeowners are. Learning about LA. A great deal of our non-working time is devoted to learning about Los Angeles and the people who live there. This starts with a bus tour of the city on Monday evening, where you will visit the Watts Towers, the downtown area, the area where the 1992 riots started, as well as other spots that serve as entry points into discussions of Los Angeles’ history and challenges. Rather than working on Wednesday, we devote the entire day to visiting social agencies which serve the needs of LA’s homeless and working poor. We finish Wednesday’s with an evening barbeque at the beach! Is it safe? Yes. Our facility is very secure and South Los Angeles’ reputation for crime is greatly exaggerated. We have experienced no problems in the years we have worked in the area and expect none in the future. Schedule: Arizona State University’s Wesley Foundation March 14 – 19, 2010 Spring Break Schedule Sunday, March 14 Arrive and unpack Snacks available Welcome by Sierra Service Project staff Time for showering and freshening up Free time Monday, March 15 7:30 Breakfast 8:00 Speaker Jennifer Gutierrez, Urban Ministries Director for Cal-Pac 9:00 Work day at Rakestraw Community Center Lunch at Rakestraw 5:00 Return 6:00 Dinner Evening speaker: local church leader or LAPD representative (tentative) Tuesday, March 16 8:00 Breakfast 9:30 Depart 10:00 – 2:00 Toxic Tour 2:30 Lunch at Rakestraw Work afternoon 4:00 depart for Pico Union Hispanic Shalom 5:00 – 7:30 Dialogue about Immigration at PUHSM Dinner at PUHSM (SSP provide drink and cups) Wednesday, March 17 7:30 Breakfast 8:00 Depart for Center 8:30 – 10:00 Meeting at District 9 Constituent Center 10:30 Work at Rakestraw rest of day Lunch at Rakestraw 6:00 Return 7:00 Dinner Evening open Thursday, March 18 7:30 Breakfast 9:00 Work day at Rakestraw Lunch at Rakestraw 4:00 Return Barbeque dinner at the beach with LA District young adults Sunset at 7PM Closing Worship at church Friday, March 19 7:30 Breakfast Pack up and clean up facility Toxic Tour: The tour begins at the CBE office at 10am with an introduction to Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism.  Then everyone will board the van your group will provide and will visit various locations in the area of Southeast Los Angeles County. This area is predominantly Spanish speaking and is one of the most polluted areas of the county due to the high industrial areas from manufacturing and food production in the county.  Here exists the major distribution centers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and this includes rail yards.  The main focus here is cumulative impacts (the numerous sources of pollution), Schools and Toxics (schools near toxic sites and bad planning) past campaign areas and current problems. We may also get to visit the South Bay area, which include the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the Movements of Goods that come from Asia.  Cities that are part of the Southeast Los Angeles are Huntington Park, Vernon, Commerce, South Gate, Maywood, Bell Gardens, South LA and Unincorporated Los Angeles. Dialogue about Immigration at Pico Union Hispanic Shalom: Sit-down with the parishioners from the Casa Shalom UM fellowship in Pico-Union, a small congregation of Oaxacan immigrants who will sit with us, relate their experiences as immigrants, answer questions and engage in a conversation.

Valley Wesley will be taking a group of students to see pastor, author, and speaker, Rob Bell on Friday February 19, 2009 at The Tempe Center for the Arts. TIckets will be $20 and can be purchased through the Valley Wesley office or by e-mailing aaron@valleywesley.com. From robbell.com - We plot, we plan, we assume things are going to go A certain way and then they don’t and we find ourselves In a new place, a place we haven’t been before, a place We never would have imagined on our own, And so it was difficult and unexpected and maybe even Tragic and yet it opened us up and freed us to see Things in a whole new way Suffering does that— It hurts, But it also creates. How many of the most significant moments in your Life came not because it all went right, but because It all fell apart? It’s strange how there can be art in the agony… The Drops Like Stars tour is a two Hour exploration of the endlessly complex Relationship between suffering and creativity— And I’d love to see you there.

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