Category: Wesley 4 Winona

Wesley United Methodist Church in Winona, Minn., has been recognized by the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for its creative approaches to ministry during COVID-19.

In a recent news item published by the Conference titled “Wesley UMC in Winona experiments with new models of being church,” Wesley UMC was recognized for the community building ministries that have formed or are in the process of being launched. These ministries include the “Wesley 4 Winona” pandemic ministry, which highlighted a different local nonprofit organization each month, as well as a video production ministry and a community-based justice ministry.

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In an article published on October 22, 2020, the Minnesota Annual Conference recognized our Wesley 4 Winona ministry in an article entitled “4 great ideas to reach, bless, serve during pandemic.” Here is an excerpt from this article:
 
“Spotlight and partner with local organizations: Recognizing that many local nonprofits lost income amid the pandemic and the stay-at-home order in the spring, Wesley UMC in Winona embarked on a new ministry to support them. Called “Wesley 4 Winona,” it spotlights a different organization each month and encourages the congregation to support that organization in a variety of ways. “The intent was to focus attention away from Wesley and to invite other organizations to educate us as to the good work they do to help our community,” said Rev. Robert Hicks. Each time a new organization is featured, the church interviews its director about the organization’s mission, the population it serves, and how COVID-19 has restricted its work and income; the interview is shared as a short segment during online worship. “We make sure we celebrate their work, we pray for them, and we urge people to contribute to every organization we feature,” said Hicks.“We want to focus during these days beyond our pain and our survival to the greater good of the community in which we are called to live out our discipleship as servants to God’s vast work of healing within all world systems that are hurting.” In the coming months, Wesley UMC will partner with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations on a “longest-night luminary” fundraiser to address housing insecurity in its area.”

Founded in 1935, the Winona County Historical Society is dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of materials that document the human history of Winona County. During non-Covid times, the WCHS holds a variety of educational and social events for the Winona community and enjoys the support of over 1,400 members and 60 active business supporters.

Like many other non-profits, the WCHS  is facing Covid-related challenges. The museum was closed to the public for three months, with many employees put on furlough or reduced hours. With the cancellation of summer river tours, exhibits, facility rentals, and more, the organization suddenly found itself without important sources of revenue,

In recognition of the WCHS’s mission, we are pleased to support this organization as a recipient of our Wesley 4 Winona campaign.

How to give to the Winona County Historical Society :

1. Personal Check:  send in your check via mail to the church (114 W. Broadway).  Note the organization and amount on that check. 
2. Vanco:  you can either go into your Vanco account and use the new Wesley 4 Winona category or contact Edie Davis and she can do it for you.
3. Bill Pay: email Edie Davis to inform her what portion of your Bill Pay payment is designated for Wesley 4 Winona.   

Wesley 4 Winona is a Covid-related ministry that encourages and celebrates the work of local non-profits who do so much to help our community. This ministry was borne of a desire to embrace our neighbor and to be others-centered in our faith and giving.

Around 6,000 Polish immigrants from the Kashubia region of Poland came to the Winona area in the late 1870s.  With the passing of several generations, the items brought over by these immigrants were in danger of being lost or discarded, and so the Polish Museum came into being in the 1970s. This endeavor was made possible by current museum executive director Rev. Paul Breza’s purchase of a historic building in the heart of Winona, which was renovated by volunteers over a six-year period.

Much more than a collection of artifacts, the Polish Museum preserves and celebrates Winona’s Kashubian Polish traditions through exhibits, support of exchange programs, observance of holidays, and the annual Smaczne Jablka (Apple Day) festival. 

The yearly celebrations and festivals, which are the main source of revenue for the Polish Museum, have been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Like many other non-profits, the Polish Museum is facing Covid-related challenges. The yearly celebrations and festivals, which are the main source of revenue, have been cancelled. In addition, 2020 was going to be the “Year of the Poles,” with many activities lined up in cooperation with the City of Winona and Poland. These activities have been cancelled as well.

In recognition of the museum’s mission, we are pleased to support this organization as a recipient of our Wesley 4 Winona campaign.

How to give to The Polish Cultural Institute & Museum :

1. Personal Check:  send in your check via mail to the church (114 W. Broadway).  Note the organization and amount on that check. 
2. Vanco:  you can either go into your Vanco account and use the new Wesley 4 Winona category or contact Edie Davis and she can do it for you.
3. Bill Pay: email Edie Davis to inform her what portion of your Bill Pay payment is designated for Wesley 4 Winona.