The Gathering has returned to Wednesday evenings at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, beginning with a Fellowship Dinner at 5pm, followed by a range of activities at 6pm. These include Wesley 2.0, Mahjong in the 50/50 Room, and Kid’s Zone in the Johnson Center Gym—offering meaningful connection for all ages and interests.

For those drawn to reflection and thoughtful conversation, Wesley 2.0, FUMCA’s AI-powered, Scripture-based discussion group, relaunched last week following a break for the Advent and Christmas season. Now is an ideal time to join. Led each week by FUMCA’s own Dr. Michael Polozola, 18th-century sermons of Rev. John Wesley serve as prompts for reflective, interactive discussion, explored with an innovative “AI twist.” Participants deeplly engage the Gospel message and Wesleyan theology, gaining a practical introduction to the Wesleyan Way; marked by thoughtful faith, spiritual discipline, and lived theology.

John Wesley (1703–1791), founder of the Methodist movement, believed Christian faith was meant to be lived, examined, and practiced in community. His early struggles in ministry, particularly during his mission to the Georgia colony, helped shape the theological vision that would later spark a renewal movement within the Church of England. Wesley 2.0 continues with that spirit of disciplined reflection and communal discernment, bringing historic teachings into meaningful conversation with the present. No registration is required to attend, and all are welcome.

Looking ahead to next month, those who feel drawn to spiritual reflection through creative practice are invited to participate in a faith-based art and prayer retreat on the first weekend of February.

Led by Rev. Jean Sanders and Beth Ferguson Moore, the retreat begins Friday evening, February 6, from 5:30–7:30PM with Visions, a guided vision-board-making session facilitated by Moore. This practice is designed to help participants remain attentive to direction and intention as the early momentum of New Year resolutions gives way to deeper reflection.

Saturday’s session, Dreams & Schemes, runs from 9AM to 3PM and explores themes of identity, spiritual discernment, recurring dreams, and the meaning of planning within a faith context. Through mixed-media artmaking interwoven with Scripture, prayer, and meditation, participants are invited into a reflective, creative process oriented toward personal renewal.

The cost of the retreat is $30. Registration is available online at bit.ly/FUMCAVisions.