Wesley Foundation Update Website

Greetings!  We hope you had a great Easter. 

University of Iowa

Emergent Worship Trade Secrets

by Michael Bell, musician

      As part of the staff at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa, I lead  group singing and perform special music at the 9pm Wednesday Night Worship Services.

     Each week, the worship committee at the Wesley Foundation meets and we build together a worship experience, taking our cues for the theme from the common lectionary.  Once the theme is chosen after the Scripture readings for the day have been  explored, my wife, Nancy, and I begin to think about which songs to share.  Sometimes, the preacher for the day will have a song in mind but mostly we find a song together and begin to work on how to interpret the theme through song.  Usually the songs we choose are secular, and we put our stamp on them through our own accoustic/folk/rock way.

     For seven years we have been using raw, simple acoustic versions of songs ranging from Bob Dylan to the Beatles. Our observation is that our hand-picked tunes provide a meaningful relevancy to the sermon and to worship. 

     Below is a taste of some of the songs we have used and some significant lines from them.

How can I change the world when I can't change myself...If I want more love in the world I must show more love to myself.   

Todd Rundgren, Change Myself

I've got this thing in my heart I must give you today.  It only lives when you give it away.

Bruce Cockburn, When You Give It Away 

 Never doubt who you are.  From down here you're the brightest star of the circus.  There will never be another you.

Patty Larkin, Mink Coats

 If you are kind; people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

The Roches, Anyway

Looking for your fingerprints.  I find them in coincidence.  And make my faith to grow.

Suzanne Vega, Penitent

Everything is a miracle.

Peter Mayer, Holy Now

I feel just like you.  And I cry just like you.  But I heal just like you.  And under my skin I'm just like you.

Keb Mo, Just Like You

Holy is the place I stand.  To give whatever small good I can.  The morning light brings Providence.  As holy as a day is spent.

Carrie Newcomer,  Holy As A Day Is Spent

Hearts are worn in these dark ages.  You're not alone in this story's pages.

Sarah McLachlan, World On Fire

Was He thinking about my religion?  And the way I worshipped Him?  Did He create just me in His image?  Or every living thing?   When God made me.

Neil Young, When God Made Me
 

It's like there's nobody else in the world but you....In case you haven't noticed, there's lots of other people here too.

Don Henley/Jai Winding/Stan Lynch, Nobody Else in the World but You

Throw it away.  Give your love, live your life.  Each and every day. And keep your hand wide open.  Let the sun shine through.  'Cause you can never lose a thing, if it belongs to you. 

Abbey Lincoln, Throw It Away

Drake University

Iowa State University
  Kimberly Ferguson
 
"We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race." -Cicero-
 
      Looking back, my college experience has been defined by the people I have come to know and the communities in which I have been involved. One community that has been especially formative for me is the community which I have found at Collegiate United Methodist Church & Wesley Foundation. This community is very special to me, and the people there will always be close to my heart.
 
     As a member of the Wesley Foundation, I lead a ministry area striving towards Social Justice in our community, country, and world. My conversations and interactions with the people I have met through my faith community have helped me better understand who I am and what inspires me. This community has given me the opportunity to build close relationships with peers as well as people of older generations. I have communed with university professors, authors, retired pastors, non-violent resisters, prisoners, city government officials, freedom marchers, accomplished artists, and many other inspiring individuals. 
 

     The people of my faith community encourage me to think for myself, to question the status-quo, to speak for the marginalized, and to act always with justice and mercy in mind. I inevitably must leave the community which has supported me so much these past few years. No matter where I choose to plant my roots after graduation, I will take with me these important values encouraged through the relationships I have built in my faith community at Collegiate United Methodist Church & Wesley Foundation.

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Cathy Cooney

      The Wesley Foundation has been a central part of my college experience. 
     There's always something new and exciting going on, from a community service project to meditating by walking the labyrinth to having fun at our annual Murder Mystery Party.  I've also made incredible friends here and found a true family of faith that always gives me the support I need.  I wouldn't trade my experience with the Wesley Foundation for the world.

We need your questions!

     Hopefully the Wesley Foundation Update has given you a chance to see what life is like at the four Wesley Foundations in Iowa.  We now have the Wesley Foundation Update website (www.4iowawesleys.org) and we would like to answer your questions on that website.  This is your chance to receive answers to any of your questions about the Wesley Foundations.  If you have any questions, please feel free to send them to me at lmlarson@hotmail.com.  We will send you a personal reply and also post the question and answer on the website.