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Whether you’re new to the island or just visiting and looking for a worship service to fit your needs, Wesley United Methodist Church could be right for you.

Some people would likely cringe at the thought of walking into a church, only to be summoned moments later for a special committee. Perhaps the finance committee needs help, the maintenance committee, or the committee to bake blueberry muffins on Monday and wash cars on Tuesday. Whatever the intent and purpose, people usually have somewhat of an aversion to the two “c” words, church and committee, being used in the same sentence. James Lake, pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church offers this and other thoughts on the matter.

“If you die and go to heaven, and they tell you ‘your committee meets at 2 o’clock,’ you’re probably in the wrong place!” he chuckles.

Lake explains that a different approach is carried out at Wesley United Methodist Church and they like to call it “teamwork.” A team, according to Lake, is a group with a shared hope that uses each others abilities and different perspectives in a way that is effective and joyous. Keeping in mind, of course, that every great team needs a mascot.

The Wesley church mascot is a snowbird that migrates north in the summer and is here in the winter.

HARMONY OSWALD / Eagle staff

Wesley United Methodist Church Reverend James Lake welcomes everyone to come join the team on Barfield Drive in Marco Island.

“Our church council has been known to give a cheer, ‘W-E-S! L-E-Y!’ We do it a few times a year,” Lake says. “My philosophy is ‘it should be fun to be involved and serve.’ What other church has a mascot?

“We won the Christmas Parade in one of the categories when Wes Ley was there.”

Through good times and bad, the team shows up with a common goal and a winning spirit. The biggest challenge for members came just a few months after renovation of the sanctuary began back in 2005. Nearly halfway through the construction, Hurricane Wilma took a heavy toll, ripping up a brand new roof at a cost of about $500,000.

The church has been in a constant state of construction for awhile requiring what Lake calls a “team approach” by members.

“We’ve moved around the parking lot several times — we’re always saying ‘you can’t park here,’ or ‘you can’t walk into the building this way because we’ve torn it up,.’” Lake says. “People are always willing to accommodate those changes.”

Submitted photo

More than 50 members of Wesley United Methodist Church worked as a team to fund church ministries through collecting and selling goods at a rummage sale.

The congregation worshipped for nine months in the fellowship hall as the sanctuary was being renovated with audio visuals, improvements in the sound systems and similar projects.

“It was a joyous time being in the fellowship hall because we made good use out of what is usually a secondary space,” Lake says. “Folks just went with it and made it work. Then, when we finally moved into the new sanctuary it was really a nice feeling — a celebration!”

A common vision at Wesley motivates members not only to build bigger and better internal walls but also to give back to the community through a variety of missions ministries.

A few years back, members committed to a weekly “loose plate” offering. Money collected each Sunday goes to a specified “ministry of the week.” Once a month, members visit St. Matthew’s House, to prepare a meal for 180 to 200 people in need. The church supports a husband and wife ministry team in Mexico, providing a children’s ministry created by all Methodist Churches in Naples and Marco Island, called “Grace Place.” Other ministries include Habitat for Humanity and “helping hands” which provides locals with financial aid in emergency situations.

Submitted photo

Wesley United Methodist Church team mascot “Wes Ley” takes a moment to pose for a photo.

“We try to let it be one of the ways that folks in the church are blessed by helping and serving,” Lake says. “It really is a neat experience.”

The church also offers activities that are socially oriented, like meeting in restaurants.

“For me, one of the greatest joys is getting to know people,” Lake says. “We do it because it’s fun but also as an entry to the church, so people can start out at a social level. Then hopefully it will lead to ways we can work together further and minister.”

Lake says he advises newcomers to visit the worship service first, taking note of any special events listed in the weekly bulletin that may be of interest. He says Wesley United Methodist Church social activities present the public with a unique opportunity to build relationships.

Lake says that most people come into the church with needs, pains and hurts in their own lives, but also with a desire to help and serve.

“We’re usually in both of those situations at the same time,” Lake says. “Our hope is that we give folks the ability to step in and feel comfortable. We don’t force them to do anything they don’t want to do.”

When asked what has affected him most in his six years with Wesley, Lake says that it is the team approach the church uses to accomplish things.

“Marco Island really has a lot of amazing people with many skills and abilities,” Lake says. “If we can put that together in a way that’s helpful, it really can be quite effective.”

•••

Wesley United Methodist Church

350 S. Barfield Drive, 394-3734

www.wesleymarco.com

Sunday services: 9 a.m. (contemporary) and 10:30 a.m. (traditional)

Sunday school: 9 a.m. for children and adults; 10 a.m. for adults; 10:30 a.m. for children; nursery care provided

Youth ministry: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

Pastor: Rev. James E. Lake