23

Page 3

A Message from Rev. Rob Robertson

Page 4

Welcome Pastor Rob!

Page 5

Haiti Mission

Page 6

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Page 7

Spiritual Growth

Page 8

PACEM

Page 9

Family Backpack Program

Page 10

Music at Aldersgate

Page 11

A Happy Ending

Page 12

The Pets of AUMC

Page 14

Greer Spring Fling

Page 15

Stewardship Summer 2016

Page 16

A Note from Clara Biswas

Page 18

Youth and Children

Page 19

Here WEE Grow Again

Page 20

Toddler Playgroup

Page 21

Kits for Conference

Page 22

In Search of Ringers!

Page 23

Bits n Pieces

Page 24

Staff Listing

The Friendship Luncheon is always a fun time at the DoubleTree Hotel! We eat a lunch catered
by the DoubleTree chef, enjoy fellowship with each other, and listen to entertaining or informational
guests such as speakers, singers, and musicians. Luncheons are held on the third Tuesday of each
month at 12:30 PM. If you would like to join us, please see Jean Ward (964-1178). You do not have
to be a member of the Friendship Class. As long as you enjoy Christian fellowship, please come!

Westview on the James

What Are Your Kids Church Doing This Summer?
Join us this summer to experience God like never before.
Visit our website or call the office to register!
www.westviewonthejames.org or 804-457-4210
Check out our video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sya-lBBk1Ss&feature=youtu.be

Name Tag Sundays

Please help Pastor Rob and his family learn who we are. In the next few weeks, let's all try to wear our
name tags. Don't have one? Just add your name to the list on the table outside the Sanctuary and we'll
make one for you. There are magnets for the tags to avoid pinholes in your clothing, and there will be
some peel-off tags you can use, too. Thank you! The Pastor Transition Team

CHURCH CHARGE CONFERENCE APPROVES REFINANCING

Refinancing the loan on our church building was approved at the special church charge
conference held on June 6. We will now proceed with a loan application to the Virginia United
Methodist Development Company with the aim of switching from a rate of 7.02% with SunTrust
to a rate of, or close to, 4.25% and a lower monthly payment. Our thanks to all who attended
and participated in the church charge conference.

United Methodist Men

Aldersgate United Methodist Mens group meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm in
the Hospitality Room on the lower level. Come join in the fun and fellowship. Contact Merrill
Bishop at 434.975.3072.

Dear Aldersgate United Methodist Church Family,

The Aldersgate Ringers are looking for a few more ringers to fill out our merry little choir!
Our year begins in September (the week of Labor Day) and ends in June. We rehearse weekly on
Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and we provide our musical offerings about every
six weeks. In addition, we have these annual standing invitations:

Christmas at the English Inn

(the first Wednesday of December)
Joy to the World Christmas Concert
(the second Sunday of December)
A Service of Lessons and Carols
(the third Sunday of December)
Aldersgate Christmas Eve Service
Aldersgate Palm Sunday Service
(the beginning of Passion Week)
Aldersgate Maundy Thursday Service
(during Passion Week)
We also receive invitations from community groups and churches to ring, which we accept on our
availability.
We would love to have you join usmusic reading is not requiredand are happy to provide the
necessary instruction to allow you to ring joyfully with us! We would love to have all ages join
usyes, youth as well! If your schedule does not allow you to rehearse with us regularly, we are
always thrilled to have you as a regular substitute. Here is a quote from a dear regular substitute:
This is a very friendly, welcoming group that appreciates the time I can give and lets me know it!
It's a pleasure to rehearse and play with these dedicated folks.
Interested? We would love to talk with you about our musical ministry and how you can be a part
of our joyful community! We can be reached via email: handbells@cvaumc.org or by phone:
434.295.4854.
Come help us make a beautiful and joyful noise to the God of our salvation!

By the time you read this note, Carolyn, Michael, Katherine and I will have said our farewells in Virginia
Beach, I will have attended annual conference in Roanoke, we will have packed up and moved from our
home in Chesapeake, and we have either already arrived or will be arriving soon in Charlottesville at the
Aldersgate parsonage. We are tremendously excited to be a part of the Aldersgate family and for the
opportunity to serve the Lord with you at Aldersgate Church!
In late February, Carolyn and I met with the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and received a
wonderfully warm welcome and had a great conversation about Aldersgate Church. Ever since then, our
excitement has only grown! In addition, I have met on two occasions with Aldergate's transition team. In
May, I also had an opportunity to meet and share some wonderful time with many of the dedicated staff
members of Aldersgate. I am also most grateful for the time that Pastor Scott Davis has shared with me
to assist in my transition to Aldersgate Church! The entire Robertson family is thankful for the
expressions of welcome that we have received from you, including greeting cards, notes, and emails.
I will be installed as Lead Pastor of Aldersgate Church on Sunday, July 3rd at both the 9:00a.m. and
11:00a.m. services. I hope I will have an opportunity to meet you at the gatherings that will follow each
service, including a Super Sip and Chat following
the 9:00 and 11:00a.m. services. I also want you to
know that we will be beginning a new four week
series on Sunday, July 17th, entitled, Joseph from Pit
to Palace: Lessons in the Life of a Patriarch. There is
much to learn from the twists and turns in Joseph's
life. I hope you will be a part of this series and will
reach out to invite someone to join you at
Aldersgate Church!
I am looking forward to the honor of serving as
your pastor!
Your Brother in Christ,
Rob Robertson
Lead Pastor, Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Aldersgate's new pastor, Rob Robertson, and his family - wife Carolyn, son Michael, daughter Katherine,
and Ginger the friendly "pup" - will become part of our Church family on July 1. We are excited about their
arrival and hope you will help us warmly welcome them at Super Sip & Chats on July 3 following
the 9:00 and 11:00 worship services, and at our Welcome Pastor Rob Ice Cream Social on Saturday July 9
from 2-4. Ice cream, toppings and drinks provided. Who doesn't love ice cream in July? Everyone is
invited; and if you have a favorite topping or dessert that you want to bring, that's great (but not
required!).
The Transition Team, Hospitality, and SPRC

We welcome Rob
To his new job.
And Carolyn,
making the journey with him,
Traveling from VA Beach,

21

United Methodist Committee On Relief

Our 84 school kits were blessed Sunday, June 12th and delivered to Annual Conference. In addition to
the mission kits, $933 was sent to buy supplies for cleaning kits (flood buckets). This was a
tremendous response to fill the needs of the many mission kits needed by UMCOR. We are incredibly
grateful to Sharon Simons and all that she did to make the bags for the school kits, and everyone else
involved in putting the kits together and delivering them to Annual Conference.
If you would like to put together your own mission kits (great giving activity for families and small
groups), once completed, please give them to someone on the mission team and we will store them
until time to bless them and send them to next years Annual Conference.
You can put together health kits, school kits, birthing kits, sewing kits, baby/layette kits and bedding
kits or monetary donations for cleaning kits. Instructions for these kits are on the bulletin board near
the office.
If you have any questions, let me know.

Thank you for your support,

Kathy Morse

not on a whim.
The parsonage is clean and bright
Due to many workers great might!
All that remains

Because of the generosity of the congregation of AUMC,

we contributed 23 bags of food as well as a monetary

Are the huge gains

donation to the Emergency Food Bank to help feed

families in need. Thank you so much for your generous

That Aldersgate will accrue,

Through the love of Christ and thoughtful prayer
And a new minister, too!

support.
We have added Loaves and Fishes to our feed the hungry efforts and you will be hearing about that in
the future.

I am pleased to report that my annual medical mission trip to

Haiti this past April left me feeling that I had helped further Gods
work to the neediest of his people. This years April Team saw
2,927 patients, including 125 dental patients. I have been
7/4**

No Playgroup Happy 4th of July!!!

participating in The Haiti Mission since 2001, and the people at

7/18

Playgroup at Aldersgate

year Aldersgate contributions (which totaled over $2,300)

8/1

Playgroup at Aldersgate

Aldersgate have been generous supporters during this time. This

purchased $1,400 worth of medication, $270 worth of consults or

procedures at our referral hospital, $275 towards a clean water

8/15

Last summer Playgroup at Aldersgate Sprinkler Fun Day!

Bring / wear bathing suits and towels for running through the sprinkler!

system for a local community, Happy Meals for hungry patients,

and helped to support school expenses for needy students.
I was also privileged on this trip to deliver 120 dresses (hand-

AUMC Playgroup will meet from 9:30-11 a.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in the
playground at Aldersgate. **Except July 4.

Please bring a snack for your child(ren) and ride-on toys and balls to share.

Over the summer we would like to invite families with elementary school aged children to join us!

If it is raining we will meet in the church fellowship hall for inside fun.

If you would like text message reminders about our play dates or if you have any questions please
contact Heidi Crockett at 434-806-3467 or Tori Fahrenkrog at (804) 450-7035

made by generous women of our church) to the nearby

orphanage. These dresses were the result of the inspiration and
hard work of recently deceased Aldersgate member Sharon

Simons.
It has been a true blessing for me to continue to be a part of this
amazing project. Contributions from Aldersgate, and from
countless other generous congregations and individuals, have
made it possible to send medical teams to this rural community in
northern Haiti four times a year since the mid 1980s. In addition,
The Haiti Mission now funds a local physician who works all year
at the clinic. Over the 15 years I have been going to Haiti, I really
can see a slow improvement in the health of this community.
Bondye Beni, mesi anpil (God Bless and many thanks).

Dave Reynolds

19

Our Spring Sale was a HUGE success! Thank you so much to all who
contributed to help make it so. It was our biggest spring sale to date!
Its now time to look forward to the fall sale, which will take place in
September. Mark your calendars and get ready to come on board for
some fun! See our fall schedule below:

Set-up
Drop-off
Volunteer shop
Volunteer shop
Charity Event:
Restock drop-off
Public Sale opening
Public Sale, M-F
Final Day, Saturday
Sorting,

Mark your calendars because Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is
coming soon!!
Joseph is a musical extravaganza based on the story of Joseph from the Book of
Genesis and features many different genres of music as well as dancing and a whole
lot of fun! It's cast of thirty includes Aldersgate members Alison Perkins, Whitney
Gatesman, Charlene Guill and Adam Blalock.

The performances are on Thursday July 28, Friday July 29, Saturday July 30, Sunday
July 31, Thursday August 4, Friday August 5, Saturday August 6 (Dinner Theater in Old
Fellowship Hall 5:30 PM) and Sunday August 7. All shows are at 7:00 pm in the Reed
Room. Tickets are Free and the show is perfect for the entire family!
More info on our Dinner Theatre (menu & tickets) as well as Volunteer needs for the
shows will be posted soon on The City and in our weekly bulletins.
Hope to see you at Joseph!!

September 6th-7th
September 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th
September 12th, 5-8pm
September 13th, 5-9pm
September 14th, 11am-7pm
September 15th & 16th
September 17th, 9am-3pm
September 19th-26th, 10am-6pm
September 24th, 9am-3pm
September 24th, 3-7pm

We would love to have your help as a volunteer. Please check out our website for more
informationwww.hereweegrowagain.com

18

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Whos ready for Vacation Bible School? June 27th through
June 30th from 5:30-8pm well be journeying through Egypt
with Joseph as he goes from prison to palace. To register your
children, grandchildren, etc. please visit our online registration
at www.cvaumc.org/vbs-registration-2016/
To sign-up as a volunteer please join the group 'VBS Volunteers' on The City, talk to Rachel in the
Reed Room on Sunday, June 26th, or call her at (434) 973-5806.

Joseph Bible Study

A big thank you to all of those who are currently participating in the Joseph Book Study. The study is not
only a way to learn about Scripture and its application to our lives, but it is a wonderful way to be part of
the community. Each of us can teach others and learn from others while at the same time sharing life
together. We will have an Advent study as we approach Christmas. Please consider leading a group or
joining a group. Watch The City for upcoming information!

Save the date!

On Sunday, August 21st, we'll have our annual Back to School Blessing for all children, teens,
teachers, and school staff as they head back for another school year. This will be held at both
Worship services. Be sure to invite friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and more!

Upcoming Small Groups

This Fall we would like to offer small groups lasting 6 weeks which will center on the weekly sermon. It is
your chance to lead or join a group and only make a 6-week commitment. Groups can meet anywhere and
at any time. It is a great way to apply the sermons to your life and to get to know each other.

Congratulations to our 2016 confirmands: Addison Reiter, Beth Shifflett, and Drew Hall.
God bless you as you follow him.

If you are interested in starting or participating in a 6-week small group, check out The City announcement
in August or contact Mike Thornton at mikethornton100@gmail.com or 434.305.9531.

Wednesday Night Small Group Prayer Meeting

A reminder that we have a Wednesday Night Small Group Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening from
5:30 to 6:30 pm. We gather for an hour of prayer for Aldersgate and any special intentions. You do not
need to attend weekly you do not need to pray out loud just come join us for a quiet time of prayer.
Room 106 downstairs.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink ,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35
Summer is here! We enjoy the out-of-doors and bask in the glorious sunshine. We spend time with
family and friends and share meals together. Its all too easy to forget winters freezing
temperatures, icy roads and miserably cold nights. Each winter our church joins other churches and
groups to work together to provide shelter and food to the homeless in our community. This effort is
called PACEM and it provides cots, blankets, hot meal and warm places to sleep to those in need.
What is PACEM? In 2003, Charlottesville clergy and homeless advocates created the idea for
PACEM (People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry) after members of the Downtown Ministerial
Alliance shared the experience of showing up for work in the morning and regularly finding homeless
neighbors sleeping in the doorways. The concept for the current program came the next year as a
result of The 2004 Homeless Census, conducted by the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the

Meet With Sophy

17

Sophy is 12 years old and she lives with her parents in a one room house in the
slums at Thout Chrum village near CLCA orphanage.
She has 2 brothers and Sophy is the youngest child in her family.
Her mother works as a seller in her small shop at home and her father collects
garbage in order to make a living. They are a very happy family albeit their
poverty. One night when Sophys father was collecting garbage near their
landlords house a thief broke into the house and ran off. Sophys father works
nearby and questions him about the incident. The landlord doubted him and
asks the policeman to arrest him and he was put into the prison for 2 years.
Sophys mother remarried and she and her husband became an alcoholic. she
started gambling and beating Sophy and her brothers, as well as, the neighbor.
Sophys brother who lived in the house decided to become a monk in the
pagoda and the second brother left the house to find job in Thailand. Sophys
mother does not want take care her and it was difficult for Sophy to continue her
study.
After 2 years, her father was released from the prison, and he knew his wife had
new husband so he remarried and took Sophy to live with them and started new
life by collecting garbage. With the help of her father, she was admitted into
grade 3 at CLCA Orphanage School and she is happy to join the after school
program like Sunday school. dance, music, singing and games where UMC staff
are working.
She has many friends in the school. After her graduation she wish to start her
own beauty parlor and hair dresser shop. UMC teachers and staff are taking
good care of her like the other children. Please remember Sophy and her family
in your prayers.

Homeless (TJACH). The report revealed that dozens of individuals were living in the streets, in the
woods, in their cars, in abandoned buildings, behind garbage dumpsters, or around churches in the
middle of winter. With a pressing need for shelter, the Downtown Ministerial Alliance and TJACH
joined their efforts and opened the areas shelter in 2004, using the rotating shelter model
originated in other communities in Virginia. Aldersgate initially became involved as a partner church,
providing volunteer support to Wesley Memorial Church. Subsequently, we have hosted either the
mens or the womens shelter one week during each season.
How can I support PACEM? This fall, our church will host the womens shelter the week of

November 12-19. Preparing to host PACEM for seven nights begins with planning and preparation.
The Missions and Outreach Team will sponsor a volunteer orientation luncheon on Sunday, October
23rd immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Come meet our current volunteers and
become familiar with the various opportunities to serve. Further information will be available in the
weekly church bulletins and the next edition of Aldersgate Alive. Deb Reynolds, Nancy Berman and
Kathy Morse will gladly answer questions related to Aldersgates commitment to PACEM.

Finally, I would like to thank you so much for your prayer and support to our
mission in Cambodia. Our teams, community and our children will keep praying
for you.
May God continue to bless you,
Clara

A Note from Clara Biswas

Easter Program at CLCA Orphanage
This year we celebrate Easter earlier then last year, From January to March staff
and student have been busy & enjoy preparing Easter celebration and as well as
Khmer New year. Khmer New Year is often a weeklong holiday filled with
traditional dance song games and we celebrated Easter with an all days
celebration on March 13th & March 19 th held at the Orphanages. CLCA & KKC,
respectfully.
The teachers, staff, and volunteers of Street Children Ministries worked together
to bus children from many of our different projects across the city to join Easter
program at CLCA. In the morning, groups of children and HIV/ AIDS patients
prepared ourselves spiritually to glorify the Lord this Easter by serving poor
children who live in the slam & Orphanage of Phnom Penh, HIV/AIDS patients,
and the sick through Methodist. They enjoyed fellowshipping with one another.
In the afternoon, the program opened with a cultural event where each project
performed their activities that they had learned from their Sunday School.
Pastor Kosol from Boeng Kok UMC delivered the Easter message.
Lunch boxes were distributed along with cakes, drinks and candies. T-shirts
were given to all. Also, we all enjoyed and all went home safely by bus.
Thoroughly everyone enjoyed the day-long Easter celebration!

Kean Kleang Orphanages (KKC) Easter Program

th

On March 19 , we had another program KKC to celebrate the Easter and this
year pastor Kosal also joined both of our program in delivering a Easter message.
Music students and from each project performed Easter drama, played music
sing gospel songs and danced along with all the children. We also distributed to
them T-shirt, lunch, drink and sweets. People from different NGO and Churches
attended our ceremony and participated with us. Without your prayers and
generous gifts, we are not able to do this wonderful Ministry for the kids, sick,
and poor in Cambodia.
Thank you to everyone who made this successful event possible! God bless you
in all your undertaking.

With Our Time In Street Children Ministry in Cambodia

After we finished the Easter program for each project we had a small party
with our volunteers and staff workers to shared lunch together.
We enjoyed preparing items and helping our Children Ministry to grow and it
made them happy with their life.
All of what we do come from your prayers and support to us. So, we want to
thank you for your continued prayers for the people of Cambodia. A special
thanks to my Covenant Relationship Churches. Your gifts enable me to glorify
God in my work with the Khmer people!

For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Eleven years ago, Aldersgate started a food backpack partnership program with Greer Elementary School
in Albemarle County. Greer is one of the most diverse schools in Albemarle County with over 20
languages spoken by its student body. Greers school population has approximately 85% of its children
on free and reduced lunches. This program began packing backpacks of food for 200 children deemed to
be in need. These bags contained milk, tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables, boxed macaroni and
cheese, etc. Two years ago we changed from packing bags for individuals to family style food such as
boxes of cereal, canisters of oatmeal, multiple cans of soup, bags of rice, beans, pasta, canned fruits and
vegetables. Starting the family style program for 150 families has enabled us to reach over 700 people
each week, a huge difference from the original 200 children. We realized that not including the family left
others at home with nothing to eat.
How does the program work? The food comes from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank through the Feeding
America Program. The cost to fill 150 bags of food during the school year is $20,790. Aldersgate has
been blessed by a grant given to the Food Bank, which covers the cost of the food distributed each week.
Each Wednesday morning, volunteers meet the food truck and unload approximately 1,500 to 2,000
pounds of food. On Wednesday evenings during the school year, church volunteers go to Greer and pack
the bags of food for the families. In less than 30 minutes the volunteers have assembled 150 bags of
food. Each Friday morning teachers and other school staff deliver the bags of food to the students
classroom to take home. This food helps to support those families who may not have sufficient food
over the weekends.
Statistics:
Number of people fed each week approximately 700, per month 2,800
Number of monthly volunteers 40
Number of volunteer hours per month 24 hours
Cost of food for the school year - $20,790
A special thank you to all the volunteers who have participated in this important outreach of our church.
Deb Reynolds
Backpack Coordinator

10

In the liturgy of the church, music serves as a connecting part that stresses the relevant moments in the
service. We all come each Sunday to church to praise God and the first hymn is a joyful song of praise.
The choir anthems remind us of the beautiful message of salvation and key Bible verses that help us deal
with life struggles. The different instruments used in the church communicate what words cant describe.
All the Psalms were sung poetry. Read these Bible verses about singing and playing instruments in the
temple for the glory of God.

Ephesians 5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord.
Psalms 33:3 - Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
Acts 16:25 - And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard
them.
Psalms 71:23 - My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast
redeemed.
Romans 15:9 - And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will
confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

James 5:13 - Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.
Hebrews 2:12 - Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing
praise unto thee.
Matthew 26:30 - And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Psalms 9:2 - I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
2 Samuel 6:5 - And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments
of wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
1 Corinthians 14:15 - What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding
also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

A church without music would be like whats written in Lamentations 5:14, Elders are gone from the
gate, Young men from their music. Itd be very sad. In fact, the most proven way to memorize Bible
verses is by putting tunes to them. If the tunes are good, then even better, as the reformer and amateur
musician Martin Luther may have stated when looking for good tunes for the new protestant hymns:
The Devil has no need of all the good tunes for himself.

(continued next page)

While I was visiting a small country church one Sunday morning, the pastor asked for a mission
moment from the chair of the mission committee. A middle-aged woman stood and announced
that every member of that church was a member of the mission team and was expected to work on
mission projects throughout the year. I thought she had a great idea. Each of us is called to fulfill
our church member obligation as we promise to support Aldersgate by our prayers, our presence,
our gifts, our service and our witness.
As chair of the stewardship committee, I ask that each member become a part of the stewardship
team. As the summer progresses, our church will see many changes. We will welcome a new
Pastor, Rob Robertson, and his wife Carolyn; we will be refinancing our building loan to achieve both
better cash flow and reduce our monthly payment; and we have started an online giving opportunity
to make giving easier. Summer is also a time when giving to the church can slow and, with the
added problem of the road construction in our area, this can seriously impact our financial position.
In addition, through the end of May our revenue is $21,000 less than what we needed to raise at
this point in the year, in order to meet our annual budget.
As concerned members I am sure we can all do our part by not only keeping our present level of
giving up to date but also paying an additional portion forward and encouraging other members to
do the same. Our church prides itself on being a mission church and it is only through our
generosity that we can successfully accomplish our mission work.
We have been blessed in so many ways here at Aldersgate. Each of us sees the many ways our
giving is used to enrich the spiritual life of our congregation, worship our Lord, and extend our
mission work locally, (Habitat for Humanity, PACEM- the homeless shelter program, food drives),
nationally (mission trips for disaster relief, Stop Hunger Now), and internationally (overseas mission
trips, UMCOR, missionary support in Cambodia, etc). These programs are some of the reasons why
we give to the church. We know that we can make a difference locally and in the world.
While it may be easy to succumb to secular problems of the world, as Christians we know that with
Christ we can do all things through Him. As followers of Christ, our attitude is positive and we truly
believe that each day holds a promise of making the world a better place for our children and
grandchildren.
How can you help? As summer approaches, keep your pledges up to date, increase your giving if
possible, pray for your church and its leaders, and attend services each week. Our mission is to
extend Christ into the world. By working together we can, with Gods help, achieve our goal.
Yours in Christ,
Bob Forrest, Stewardship Chair

(Music at Aldersgate cont.)

Many thanks to everyone who
helped with the Spring Fling by
providing drinks and snacks and
to those who volunteered at the
school that evening. We have a
nice representation of volunteers
from AUMC, giving us an
opportunity to go out into our
community.

Here at Aldersgate we have the beautiful opportunity to use music in the church service, as we have so
many people who sing and play different instruments. Beginning with the Chancel Choir, which every
Sunday at 11am leads the hymn singing, does the service music and sings the special choir music. Being a
part of this choir is one of the many blessings I receive as I work with wonderful people. The other
musical groups, such as the Aldersgate Ringers, the Instrumental Ensemble and the Joyful Noise Singers,
each contributes as scheduled, to the service by doing the prelude, offertory and postlude. If you like
music, please, consider joining one of these groups, as we only have you, the church member or friend,
for helping us make music for God. If you dont have time for any of these groups, you can also opt to
sing or play your instrument when your schedule is open.
During the summer most of the groups are having a break, going back to practice after Labor Day, but the
Chancel Choir continues to sing, having only a few Sundays off during July and August. The summer is a
period for taking time to relax, spend time with the family, travel, renew ourselves and for the church
musicians, attend some church music conferences and plan the new musical year that begins in
September.
I hope that you enjoy this summer and that, when you come to church, sing with joy the hymns and are
blessed with the music that all the volunteers and staff make for God's glory.
Rafael Scarfullery, Music Director

On February 27th the District youth held a Stop Hunger Now Event here at AUMC. With your
generous support and the help of the district youth and many other volunteers, we packaged
meals destined to Nicaragua.
Thank you to all the beautiful ladies
who helped make our Tea a success.
Every table was lovingly decorated
and came with a fun story. We hope
every lovely lady of every age will
join us next time as we celebrate
femininity and fine arts.

A container was shipped to Nicaragua with a

total of 282,312 meals which included the
ones we packaged at our event. We are
thankful to be a part of this and pray Gods
blessings on the recipients.
Stop Hunger Now has shipped more than
200 million meals to schools, orphanages,
vocational training programs, medical
centers and other community development
programs around the world.
This is not the end of a story, thankfully, but
we are happy to know our meals are on their
way to those in need. Thanks to everyone that supported this event.