Wellfleet UMC Monthly Newsletter (10.4.26)
WELLFLEET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Monthly Newsletter — October 4th 2026
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1.
PASTOR'S CORNER & REFLECTION
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Dear
Church Family, Fall is falling upon us! After a busy summer in Wellfleet, we
enjoyed our own
"September Summer" here on Cape Cod. Over the past two months, I have truly fallen in love with Cape Cod, our church, and our Wellfleetian community! The beaches are beautiful in every season, and our church carries such a rich legacy through figures like Lorenzo D. Baker, Nehemiah Hopkins, Isaac Rich, and many others.
Now,
we begin a 20-week journey through the Book of Acts through our sermon series and
Bible studies—continuing to write "Acts 29" through the power of the
Holy Spirit. We recently listened to powerful testimonies from Samantha and
Norma, and we now have 12 prayer warriors and 12 disciples gathering to study
God's Word together!
We have also begun connecting with siblings in Christ around the world through our newsletters, new email groups, text groups, Facebook, and livestreamed sermons. Furthermore, we are actively partnering with the Nauset Interfaith Association (NIA) and the Outer Cape Cooperative Parish (Eastham, Orleans, and Provincetown UMCs) to serve our local community and regional churches. Praise the Lord! Let us keep falling deeper in love with Jesus this autumn!
Blessings,
Pastor
Youngeun Joyce Kang
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2.
JOYS, CELEBRATIONS
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BIRTHDAYS
& ANNIVERSARIES 🎉
We recently celebrated Dan's 90th birthday! He continues to be such a rich blessing to our church family. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all our September and October celebrants!
October:
•
10/4 – Samantha Hayman
•
10/11 – Regis & Douglas Legnine (Anniversary)
•
10/24 – Hannah Han
See
you, SUMMER VISITORS ☀️ WARM WELCOMES Newcomers 💒
To all our summer visitors—thank you for worshipping with us!
We look forward to seeing you next summer!
•
Welcome to Betsy (Samantha's aunt), Cathy, and Norma!
•
Welcome back to Susan Robertson!
•
Welcome to Judy, who visited the very church where her parents were married—a
joyful
connection across generations!
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3. Children's News
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Our
youth, children, and grandchildren have officially started their school year!
Please
keep them, their teachers, and school staff in your daily prayers:
•
High School & Middle School: Graham (16), Lydia (16), Abe (15), Cavin (14),
Grace
(11)
•
Elementary & Pre-K: Jade (9), Esther (9), Kayleigh (8), Theo (8), Cole (7),
Olivia
(7), Ruby (6), Hannah (6), Connor (5), Abram (4)
NEW
FACEBOOK PAGE & LIVESTREAMING 📱🎥
Wellfleet UMC is on Facebook!
We have officially begun livestreaming portions of our Sunday worship services.
Search for "Wellfleet UMC" on Facebook to follow our page and stay connected wherever you are.
OUTER
CAPE COOPERATIVE PARISH UPDATE 🤝
Pastor Joyce recently met with fellow Outer Cape pastors
—Pastor Edgar (originally from Puerto Rico) and Pastor Wesley (from Brazil).
Together with Pastor Joyce (from South Korea),
they humbly recognize that each brings a unique perspective to God's vast fullness.
•
Meeting Schedule: 4th Thursday of every month @ 9:00 AM (rotating churches)
•
Save the Date: Outer Cape Church Conference — Saturday, Nov 7 @ 3:00 PM at
Eastham
UMC.
- Pray for Provincetown UMC this month: Skip Soup Kitchen. (October-March and serves approximately 200 meals a day), Thrift Shop. Homeless Office. Self Help (AA to meet.)
CHURCH
COUNCIL SUMMARY 📌
The
Church Council met recently to review committee structures, plan for the
upcoming
Church Conference, discuss livestreaming equipment, and organize fall
ministries.
(Minutes have been distributed; contact Pastor Joyce if you need a copy.)
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4.
BIBLE STUDIES & PRAYER MINISTRIES
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20-WEEK
BIBLE STUDY: ACTS BY JOHN STOTT 📖
Starting
in October, we begin a 20-week study through the Book of Acts (in worship
and
small groups). Books are available now! If you wish to join or read
independently
from
home, please reach out to Pastor Joyce.
•
Thursday Morning Group: Thursdays @ 11:00 AM (In-Person, Started Oct 1)
•
Wednesday Evening Zoom Group: Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM (On Zoom, Starts Oct 7)
Advent
Bible Study! We will have an Advent Bible Study. We will update more about it!
NEW
CONFIDENTIAL PRAYER WARRIOR TEAM 🕯️
We
are launching a dedicated Prayer Team to lift up our church family and local
community
daily in prayer.
•
Prayer Warriors: Karen, Rich, Regis, Charlie, Norma, Neisha, Nadyne, Susan,
Samantha,
Trey, Pastor Victor, and Pastor Joyce.
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5.
FAITHFUL JOYS & CONCERNS 🙏
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PRAYER
REQUESTS:
• John Ben / Kathy: Pray for Kathy’s "son in her heart" (her best friend's son),
who
was involved in a critical car accident.
•
Bob: Pray for healing, physical strength, and peace for Bob.
•
Samantha Hayman: Pray for her ongoing healing process and smooth recovery as we
look
forward to welcoming her home in mid-October.
* Doug's mother, Barbara (90), who fell and broke the heap
· Keep praying for people who are battling cancer!
Praying for our community, denomination, and country!!
<>Pam
<> Dan <> David <> Nadyne <> Berta <> <>Beverly <> Joan <> Marie
<> Bobby <> Ara <> Barbara L<> <> Andrea <> Chris <> Hannah
<> Amanda <> Audrey <> <>Rich M. <> David W
<> Samantha H.<>
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6.
CHURCH HISTORY CORNER
By
Historian Dwight Esty
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THE
STORY OF OUR CHURCH & OUR MARITIME HERITAGE
1.
The Early Methodist Community & Rebuilding
Methodist
preaching in Wellfleet began in the late 1700s, with a formal society
organized
in 1802. After building meetinghouses in 1817 and 1829 at Pleasant Hill,
the
congregation moved to our current location on Main Street in 1842.
When
a devastating fire destroyed the sanctuary on a snowy day in 1891, the
community
rallied
despite an economic slump in the local fishing trade. Led by L.D. Baker (who
shipped
Maine lumber on his vessels) and supported by over 250 local contributors,
the
current church was rebuilt and rededicated in 1898.
2. A
Church Shaped Like a Ship ⛵
An
intriguing architectural feature of our sanctuary is its ceiling and structural
shape,
which closely resembles the inverted hull of a ship. Built during a time when
local
shipbuilders faced financial hardship, maritime craftsmen likely lent their
skills
to its construction. It creates a powerful visual metaphor: worshipers
gathering
inside a safe vessel, protected amidst life's storms.
3.
The Baker-Hopkins Legacy & Stained-Glass Heritage
Our
historical roots extend globally. Nehemiah Somes Hopkins, a Wellfleet native
from
the
Hopkins family, served for over 50 years as a medical missionary in China,
establishing
hospitals
and eye clinics. Our stained-glass windows reflect this legacy:
•
The L.D. Baker Memorial Window (Dedicated Aug 2, 1925) features a ship named
"Zebulon,"
symbolizing truth reaching outward.
•
The Sanctuary Altar Windows (Designed by Claire Leighton in the late 1950s/60s)
depict
Morning and Evening alongside scenes of Jesus calming the storm and the
miraculous
catch of fish.
•
Our Historic Organ (1898) was faithfully played for 40 years by L.D. Baker's
daughter,
establishing a rich musical tradition.
4.
Isaac Rich
Born
in Wellfleet in 1801, Isaac Rich rose from humble beginnings as a fish vendor
to
become a successful Boston merchant. A devout Methodist whose deep faith
sustained
him
through great personal loss, he became a major benefactor of Methodist churches
and
causes throughout New England—including here in Wellfleet. In 1869, Rich
co-founded
Boston
University, leaving the majority of his estate to endow the university and
establish
its School of Theology (originally the Boston Theological Seminary, North
America's
oldest Methodist seminary).
Preserving
our historic cemetery and sanctuary reminds us that we are carried by the
same
God who guided generations before us!
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7.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
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UPCOMING
COMMITTEE MEETINGS 🗓️
•
SPRC Meeting: Saturday, Oct 3 @ 4:00 PM
•
Finance Committee: Sunday, Oct 4
•
Trustee Meeting: Sunday, Oct 11 (TBD)
•
Church Council: Sunday, Oct 25 (Time TBD)
•
Outer Cape Church Conference: Saturday, Nov 7 @ 3:00 PM (at Eastham UMC)
SPECIAL
SUNDAYS AHEAD 🍞
•
Oct 4: World Communion Sunday
•
Oct 18: Laity Sunday
•
Nov 1: All Saints Sunday
•
Nov 15: Guest Speaker Rev. David Abbott (UM Foundation)
—
Special learning session following the service: "Putting Your House in
Order"
•
Nov 22: Thanksgiving Sunday
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