The Wesley Foundation of Austin hosted an Alumni and Friends reunion November 13th and 14th. It was a great time to reconnect with Wesleyites from years gone by, hear stories about Wesley experiences in the past, and continue connecting the Wesley generations. Keeping our Wesley family connected, informed, and involved continues to be a growing priority to me in my mind for the continued growth of our community and mission to “raise up a generation of Christians who lead and serve”. It was wonderful to reconnect with you who were able to come. All of you who have been involved with the Wesley over the past 12 years that I have been a part of the ministry are very special to me and hold an important place in my heart. Those who were involved previous to that time have become part of my family also. We love our alumni and friends!
Friday Night, November 13th, we met at University United Methodist Church near the University of Texas Campus. We enjoyed desserts and reconnecting conversations. That evening, our program focused on how God has and is using the Wesley to call, nurture, and empower college students to enter into vocational ministry and ordination in the United Methodist Church. Rev. Gus Browing, ’49 alum, retired UM pastor from the Texas Annual Conference, shared stories of the influence of the community on his life and call. He quipped the most memorable quote of the evening: “Other than helping me discover my call to ministry and finding my wife, the Wesley had absolutely no influence on my life at all”. He spoke about the Wesley not being about where they met or specifically what programs were being offered, it was about a community of students who became family, the relationships were central. He recalled that a strong motto of the Wesley at that time was that the Wesley was “a home away from home”. Pecularly similar to our current identity. He spoke of how the students at that time were challenged by the ministry staff to consider and take action in various revolutionary political, social, and theological areas. This was a significant area of growth for the students during that time. Finally, he spoke of the influence in his life of Dr. and Mrs. Hall, Dr. Ledbetter, and Rev. Bob Breighan. It was wonderful having he and his wife, Jackie, join us.
Andrew Thompson, alum ’02, currently a commissioned candidate for ordination serving at Clear Lake UMC in the Texas Conference, spoke about the Wesley’s nurture of his call to ministry while at UT. He spoke of the love and grace of God that he discovered while being a part of the Wesley that helped grow his relationship with God. He also grew through his experiences of leading small groups and learning how to lead worship, which have both become some of his primary areas of ministry currently. His 2 young children Lanie and Levi provided great entertainment for the crowd also. Thanks to Andrew and Nikki for driving to Austin to share the time with us.
Saturday Morning found us back at the Wesley House on 22nd and Nueces. We enjoyed good Pokey Joe’s BBQ and the dominating UT over Baylor football game. For several of the alumni, it felt like old times–eating at the Wesley house, enjoying company of close friends, and watching UT football. During half time we broke up in to small groups of 3 or 4 (in good ol’ Wesley fashion) of people from different generations and shared about our favorite Wesley memories and how God has used the Wesley to grow our faith in Christ. It was truly heart warming for me to see folks who had never met each other but who were all very special to me, sharing about their Wesley experiences with each other. I like to say to alumni of the Wesley that generations of Wesley folks should know each other. You all would be great friends.
Bryan (Sed) and Cheryl Charic sent me a video of their new baby Jeremiah, which in the business of the weekend I forgot to show. Enjoy catching up on them. Thanks for all who came. Thanks for the current students who helped make it happen. Especially, thanks to Diana for planning a wonderful event!!