COVID-19 UPDATE

Coronavirus Update

 

Due to the U of A Campus suspending in-person classes and spring break, all Wesley events are cancelled March 16th, 2020 through April 4th, 2020 (the week after spring break). We will send out updates for our schedule after spring break.

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Coronavirus Assistance Fund

 

The Wesley College Ministry has set up an assistance fund for students who need help with rent, utilities, food, or essential travel due to hardships imposed by the Coronavirus. To donate to this fund, click here. Note that any unclaimed dollars in this fund after 12/31/2020 will revert to our Wesley missions Fund. To apply (students only) email wesleyoffice@centraltolife.com with your request, circumstances behind your request, the dollar amount and date by which you would need assistance. 

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A Letter from our Director

 

Dear Friends,

 

I hope that all of you are well in this unprecedented season!  We care about you and your loved ones as we all navigate this situation.

 

Thank you always for your heart for our ministry to students at the U of A.  We wanted to give you an update on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting our Wesley family.

 

As you may know, the University of Arkansas has cancelled all in-person classes through the end of the semester and all classes have moved to an online format.  The university remains open, including dormitories and cafeterias, but many students are deciding whether to return to Fayetteville following Spring Break or finish the rest of the semester elsewhere.

 

We have decided to cancel all Wesley gatherings for the remainder of this week and for the week following Spring Break.  During that week, we will reassess the public health situation before making a decision whether to reinstate a weekly gathering at Wesley for the remainder of the semester for those returning to Fayetteville.  We hope this will be possible.  At the very least, we plan to offer a weekly small group connection via video-conferencing to help our students remain connected and growing together in Christ, whether here in Fayetteville or back home.

 

As you can imagine, this is an emotional time for students. Seniors are sad that they may not get to walk for graduation and nervous about trying to find their first job in the midst of this crisis.  The freshmen experience has been truncated for many.  Students at all stages are grieving the loss of connection with peers, the cancellation of practicums and the deferral of study abroad plans.  Please join us in praying for them.

 

At Wesley, we will be doing all we can to remain in touch and supportive of our students as things evolve.  In addition to offering small group connection through video and in person if possible, the Wesley building will remain open for students who desire to be in community and to study with others, unless the situation changes. Your financial support will enable us to finish the semester well, even if differently than we had hoped, and to plan for next academic year.  Thank you for remembering us with your support and prayers, even in this tough time.

 

Thank you for all that you continue to do to make our ministry possible.

 

Emily Burch Alkema

College Pastor & Director

U of A Wesley College Ministry