May 13, 2018 - Happy Mother’s Day

Welcome!
Welcome to Aldersgate Church!
We’re glad you’ve found our church! We hope you’ll find us to be
an encouraging, friendly group of people. While we don’t make
any claims to be perfect, at our church we come together to help
make the kingdom of God a reality on earth by loving God and
loving our neighbor.

INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE MEANING

OF MEMBERSHIP AT ALDERSGATE CHURCH?
Next New Member Sunday is June 10!
The local church is the most significant arena through which disciples of
Jesus Christ are made and Jesus’ disciples reach out into the world to
share God’s love. It is in and through the church that Jesus Christ is
proclaimed and professed as Lord and Savior. Please contact Pastor Rob
by telephone at 434-973-5806 or complete the communication card
found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate when it is passed
during the service if you wish to explore the meaning of membership in
the life of Aldersgate Church.
 For Our Youngest Friends
and Their Parents
A professionally staffed nursery is available for children birth through
age three during all services and Sunday School on the lower level. An
usher will be happy to direct you. Additionally, a Parent Room is
available in the Parlor adjacent to the Sanctuary, for viewing and
hearing all services. Please ask an usher to show you the way. All
restrooms are equipped with changing tables.
Aldersgate welcomes Julie Nitzsche,
Associate Pastor in July!
As you may know, we’ve been without a part-time associate pastor for
quite some time now. Our own Pastor Rob has a very big job leading our
church, and it is time for him to have some help! Every year, SPRC and
the Finance committee allocate funds to support an associate pastor,
yet SPRC has struggled to find a licensed Methodist pastor to fill the
position. This year, SPRC and Pastor Rob worked much more closely
with the District Superintendent to fill this need, and our prayers for
help have been answered. We are happy to announce to you that our
Virginia Conference’s Bishop Lewis projects that starting July 1, Julie
Nitzsche will be appointed as Aldersgate’s part-time associate pastor.
Pastor Julie is licensed for pastoral ministry in the Virginia Conference,
and earned a master of divinity in 2017. She’s been called to ministry a
little bit later in life, having already enjoyed a distinguished career as a
Registered Nurse in acute cardiology. Pastor Julie’s passion is in
fostering an intergenerational faith community, and she served for
many years as a director of children and youth ministries before
accepting a charge as the pastor at Westover United Methodist Church.
We are very blessed that she is coming to Aldersgate, and we eagerly
await her arrival! Pastor Julie is married to Kurt and they have 3
children; Helen, Olivia and Brandt. We will plan events in July to
welcome Pastor Julie, so please look for more details to follow in our
weekly bulletins!
VA Annual Conference
June 15-17, 2018,
Hampton, VA
Live streaming of the Conference will begin
on June 15. Visit www.vaumc.org/AC2018
for more information or to find the link.
Annual Conference Offering
Bishop Lewis has announced the annual conference mission offering
goal of $200,000 to focus on the following missional priority projects:
Cambodia: $50,000 - Church Growth and Development and Community
Health & Agric. Development
Brazil: $25,000 - Shade and Fresh Water Ministry with Children
Mozambique: $25,000 - Lay Leadership Development
Native Americans: $10,000 - Support for Volunteers in Mission teams
working with Native American Ministry and Tribal Youth
Cuba Recovery: $25,000 - Hurricane Recovery for Churches in Cuba
Haiti: $25,000 - Funds to support Volunteers in Mission teams to Haiti
Puerto Rico Recovery: $25,000 - Hurricane Recovery support for Puerto
Rican churches
Moscow Seminary: $15,000 - Support for student scholarships
Peace with Justice Sunday
Because we believe that all God’s children deserve to live full lives, we
will celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday on May 27. On this Special
Sunday, follow in the footsteps of our founders who left us a legacy to
care for and support the oppressed. If you would like to make a
contribution to support vulnerable and
oppressed children, youth, and adults, make
your checks payable to “AUMC” with “Peace
with Justice” on the memo line. Offering
envelopes will be available in each bulletin.
 AED Training Sessions, Sunday June 3rd
Aldersgate’s United Methodist Men have recently purchased a new
automatic defibrillator (AED) to place on the ground floor level of the
church. On Sunday, June 3rd there will be two training sessions (about Youth 2017-2018 School Year Schedule
30 minutes duration) on how this device operates – one at 10:15 and a May 13th - Mother’s Day – No Youth Group Tonight
second session at 12:15. Both sessions will be held in the Fellowship May 20th - Youth Group End Of The School Year Celebration
Hall. 5:00 - 8:00 PM Combined Middle and High School
Includes dinner to celebrate a wonderful year
AED’s are easy to use devices, which give step by step audio instructions spent together in fellowship!
when activated. And they will not shock anyone who is not in need of
May 27th - Memorial Day Weekend – No Youth Group Tonight
such treatment. Nonetheless, it is helpful to be familiar with the device
so that one is more comfortable using it, should the need ever arise.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in one of these
training sessions. No RSVP is required – just be there.
For questions contact Dave Reynolds at 434-295-8217 or
dreynolds51@earthlink.net.

Vacation Notice and Pastoral Care Wear Red Next Sunday!

Rev. Robertson will be taking some time off. The schedule is as follows:
Half days 5/7, 5/8; Off 5/9 - 5/16; Half day 5/22; Off 5/23 - 5/29
For urgent congregational care needs, please call Mrs. Pat Daniel
at (434) 975-1363. She can help to make the necessary arrangements.
Graduate Recognition Sunday is June 3
If you or your child will be graduating from high school, college,
university, graduate school, or trade school, we would like to know!
Please email aldersgate@cvaumc.org with the graduate’s name, degree/
diploma earned, and name of school by May 27th. If you have a clear
photo of the graduate’s face that you would like to include, please
attach in JPG format. Congratulations on your success.
Next Sunday, May 20th, is Pentecost and Confirmation Sunday. Wear
red and join us in welcoming our confirmands into membership.
Sip n Chat Host/Hostess Needed:
June 3rd at 9am and July 1st at 11am
We need your helping hands to set up and/or take down coffee and
goodies. All refreshments are provided (of course you may supplement
if you like). We have instructions printed out and are happy to walk
through the process with you. Please contact Jennifer Hamlin
(Jennifer@eventswithpanache.com) 434.960.1527 or Tina Shifflett
(shiff82@earthlink.net) 434.978.1723 if you can help fill this need.
Save the Date
Missionary Clara Biswas is coming to Aldersgate! Join us for a coffee
and dessert reception at 7pm on Friday, June 29.
 Youth Ministry June 2018
Summer Schedule
June 3rd 5:00 PM - Mandatory Parent and Youth Meeting
for Summer Youth Ministry Programs
Aldersgate Youth Summer Ministry is design for all youth in middle and
high school including Rising 6th Graders. Join us for dinner, fellowship
and important information regarding youth ministry programing for
Summer 2018. This is very important information that will facilitate a
wonderful summer of fun and fellowship together. Please plan to join
us! Adults interested in chaperoning are welcome to join us as well.
June 8th River Tubing on the James -Scottsville, Virginia
Reservations must be made in advance of this event.
A fee of $20.00 per person, includes roundtrip transportation to/from
Aldersgate-Scottsville, tube rental, lunch and drinks for the day. Tubing
Trip run about 2-4 hours depending on river.
June 21st KingsFest
If you are interested in attending, please sign up by contacting Carolyn
Robertson, Youth Coordinator. Tickets will be purchased prior to the
event. Reservation Fee: $ 30.00 for Ticket. Please make checks payable
to “AUMC” with “KingsFest” on the memo line. Reservations must be
made in advance of this event, Deadline for reservations is June 6th .
June 24th – 28th Vacation Bible School – Youth, Hang out with us while
we are “Shipwrecked” together! Volunteer your time to serve others at
VBS as we learn how Jesus Rescues all of us!
Youth Praise Band
After a summer break, the YPB will start up again in September. We’ll be
looking for a new keyboardist and guitar player. Please contact Mike
Colley, Whitney Gatesman, or Rob Robertson if interested.
Join the Conversation concerning the Work of
Commission on a Way Forward
The Charlottesville District is presenting a series of open discussions
with the intention of helping churches begin, or continue, conversations
about the work of the Commission on the Way Forward and the Council
of Bishops. “The Commission on a Way Forward was proposed by the
Council of Bishops and approved by the 2016 General Conference to do
a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph of
the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and explore options
that help to maintain and strengthen the unity of the church.” [https://
www.vaumc.org/WayForward] The final resolution from the Council of
Bishops will be presented at the specially called General Conference in
February 2019. At each event a summary and overview of the work will
be presented as well as discussion about what happens next. There will
be ample time for questions and discussion. We hope that at the end of
the evening you will take away hope for what God has in store for the
future of the United Methodist Church. There is one remaining event:
6:30pm - 8:00pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Aldersgate UMC, in
the Sanctuary.
If you have questions in advance of the event, feel free to contact
Martha Murray, Assistant District Lay Leader, mmurray757@yahoo.com
A handout on the Commission on a Way Forward can be found in the
narthex on green paper.
Stay informed :
Website: UMC.org/wayforward
Facebook: UMCforward
Twitter: @UMCforward
Instagram: UMCforward
 ALDERSGATE AT…
Aldersgate will host several events during the spring, summer and early
Fall of 2018. We are calling our series “Aldersgate At…” These events
will be hosted by various ministries of Aldersgate. All these events are
designed to be fun outings for everyone, members and guest alike!
These events will occur both off-site and at the church. The mission of
“ALDERSGATE AT…” is to create an opportunity for our members,
friends, families and guest to meet one another for fellowship and fun.
We hope you will find an opportunity to join us at one of these
“ALDERSGATE AT…” events.
Aldersgate At…ANNIE Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Deadline for ordering tickets is Thursday, May 17. Everyone’s favorite
Orphan is back! Annie, Molly, Kate, Tessie, Meg, Kate, July, Duffy are
just a few of the girls who live in the NYC Municipal Orphanage that is
run by the not so nice Miss Hannigan. One day though, the seemingly
hopeless situation changes dramatically for Annie when she is selected
to spend a short time at the residence of the wealthy, Oliver Warbucks!
This is a wonderful outing for every member of the family young and old
alike! The play last approximately 2 hours and yes young children will
enjoy this production. The cast includes several Aldersgate family
members! Aldersgate families will pay for their advance ticket at the
church. The cost will be $5 per person - that is half off the At the Door
Price. We will have reserved seating so that we can all sit together the
night of the show. For more information, see MaryAnne Thornton.
Aldersgate At … Evening Sunset at Carter Mountain
Thursday, June 14 - 5:30 to 8:30
Join us for an evening filled with live music and the best sunset
anywhere! It’s free admission so bring your lawn chairs or a blanket!
This is a great evening to gather together in fellowship on to watch a
lovely sunset with friends and family. This is also a wonderful event for
families. Because this is a free venue, it would be a nice to gesture to
support our local food vendors on the premises. For more information,
contact Amanda Vogel Helmstetter.
If your ministry would like to host an event or for more information,
Contact Carolyn Robertson carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org
We are getting Ready for Summer 2018!
SHIPWRECKED
Volunteers are Needed, and Registration is Open
for
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!
Sunday, June 24th- Thursday, June 28th
Free Family Dinner-5:30 to 6:00pm
Program- 6:00 to 8:30pm
Registration is available online at www.cvaumc.org/vbs
Come to a five night adventure learning about how we are Rescued by
Jesus. Each evening will start with a free, family friendly dinner and fun
for all. Registration is online, and volunteering opportunities are being
posted in the Reed Room Our “Shipwrecked” VBS is opened to all
children from 3 years (must be potty-trained) to rising 6th grade.
This week for VBS we are looking for the following:
“Crew Leaders” Adult Volunteers- Crew Leaders are people who love
the Lord and love working with children. You are only responsible for
around five children and you are a guide that leads your crew to each
station. You can join in on the fun without having to prepare anything!
Please sign up in the Reed Room. All Adults will be required to meet our
child policy standards.
Tropical Café Meal Time Volunteers-There are many ways to volunteer
in this area. Can’t be here for VBS this year, well this might be an area
you can help support! Or, you might be saying, “I can only can be here
one evening to support VBS”. Again, this might be the place for you. If
you are interested in helping to serve, set-up, clean-up or working with
a team of others to prepare an evening meal, or support the planning of
an evening meal, please sign up in the Reed Room. Deb Reynolds will
contact you and find a place for you to help support our VBS ministry
based on your schedule this summer!
Middle School and High School Youth Volunteers- There are many ways
to offer your talents this summer as a volunteer at Vacation Bible
School. If you are interested in helping this year, please send an email to
the Youth Coordinator and she will contact you and/or your parents on
opportunities that are available. Carolyn Robertson
carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org
 Children’s Ministry is Growing!
We are growing! As a result, the Children’s Ministry is looking for a few
adults that are willing to rotate once a month to serve as “Assistants”
with our Pre-School Children’s Church Sunday Ministry during the 11 AM
Service. This is a Non-Teaching position. This will allow us to continue
to maintain a safe and fun experience for our pre-school age children
who join us each Sunday. Required: Child Safety Policy Training and
fulfillment of guidelines. For more information please contact: Carolyn
Robertson, Interim Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator at
carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org
Summer Show!
Come join AUMC and the Black Box Players this summer in "The Pirates
of Penzance". There are lots of great roles for women and men of all
ages and experience levels in this fun musical!
The shows are July 26, 27, 28, and 29, and August 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Casting will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd at 6PM in the Reed Room.
If you would like be in the show but can't attend casting, or if you would
like to help out behind the scenes, email MaryAnne Thornton at
maryannethornrton@gmail.com or call (434) 825-9202.
Children’s Summer Sunday School
If you love crafting, music, science, food creations, drama or telling Bible
stories please prayerfully consider if you would share your talent to
teach our children the scriptures in a new and creative way about the
love and life of Jesus.*
Children’s Ministry is beginning to prepare for our Summer Sunday
School Programing. This year we will be offering a new program of
Rotational Sunday School that will allow our children to explore in
different ways our monthly scripture lesson. This programing model
offers our children various approaches to learn their monthly scripture
lesson while reducing the time commitment of adult leaders and
assistants during the busy summer months.
What is your commitment? We would request you serve no more than
four Sundays from June 10th to August 26th, during the Sunday School
Hour. Approximately once every 3 to 4 weeks on our monthly rotational
cycle. Since vacations vary, we will work together as a team to meet
individual/family summer schedules for all who are interested in serving
and sharing their talent with the children of the church. This will also
allow our regular Sunday School Teachers to take a much-needed rest
this summer.
For more information please contact:
Carolyn Robertson, Interim Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator at
carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org
*Required: Child Safety Policy Training and fulfillment of guidelines.
Nursery Volunteers Needed!
Please consider joining Aldersgate’s group of loving nursery volunteers
and help care for the smallest of our members while their parents
attend worship! This is an easy and fun service to our church. Volunteers
sign up for about 1 service a month. You can attend worship at 9 and
then volunteer during the 11am service, or you can come early and
volunteer for the 9am service, then attend worship at 11am. If you are
willing to join our group of volunteers, please email
kathrynbreid@gmail.com. Many thanks for considering!