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2014
Share The Journey.
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Aldersga A significant place where disciples are made
e umc Downshifting for Christmas
A pastor quickly realizes that along about December 1, life finds a hidden sixth or possibly seventh gear to shift into. As I think about the season we are entering, I find it necessary to force a downshift into a lower gear to be able to appreciate all of the beauty of God’s creation and the wonder of what He’s given us. This story, that I received via email is a small example of how God can cause that downshift to occur. It spoke to me and I hope you like it as well.
The White Rose
I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could
through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys, and wondered if the grandkids would even play with them. I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, "Are you sure I don't have enough money?"
She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have enough money for it." The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere - that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle.
The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, "It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it." I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said "No, Santa can't go where my sister is... I have to give the doll to my Mama to take to her."
I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said, "She has gone to be with Jesus. My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go be with her. "My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said," I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store. "Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said, "I want my Mama to take this with her so she don't ever forget me. I love my Mama so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me. But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister.” I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet. While he was not looking, I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, "Shall we count that money one more time?" He grew excited and said "Yes, I just know it has to be enough." So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, "Thank you, Jesus, for giving me
(Downshifting for Christmas—Continued on page 2)
Share the Journey 2 December 2014
enough money." Then the boy said, "I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister. And He heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn't ask him, and he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama anyway. She loves white roses so very, very much.” In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on whether to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story. Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected. Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store. I left there in tears, my life changed forever. The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming.
*******
So, too, the love of God for you and me is overwhelming. Let us give thanks throughout this season of Advent for the birth and life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
From the Pennington family to you and yours, a most holy and merry Christmas,
Pastor Chris, Christy, James Connor, Keila and Nicholas
(Downshifting for Christmas—Continued from page 1)
The Solution for Excess “Stuff”
By Bob Reis
This fall Pastors Chris & Don preached on “Christians under Construction”. Amidst the many lessons we learned, one was that “stuff” often creates problems. This is particularly true as we progress in life and start to look at downsizing; realizing we do not need so much “stuff.”
As a Christian community, Aldersgate has a practical solution for excess “stuff.” Over the past few years we’ve developed a significant ministry that involves turning our unneeded “stuff” into financial resources for the church. You can donate your excess “stuff” with value to the church and have it sold at either the Rummage Sale, presented at a booth in the fall at the Flea Market, or held for auction at the Annual Gala and Auction. The funds from these three endeavors all go towards increasing Aldersgate’s missions and ministries.
So, if “stuff” is getting you down and in the way of a more fulfilling relationship with God, let it go! Bring it in or call Chris Burkett, Don Moore or Bob Reis to have it picked up, stored, sorted and put to good use as additional financial fuel to run our ministries. Scheduled pick up dates are: Saturday mornings January 10, February 7 and March 21. No need for you to sort or segregate! Special pickups can be arranged.
Chris Burket—609-504-3107
Don Moore—610-558-6817
Bob Reis—302-654-7133
Save the Date! Saturday, January 24
5 to 7:30 P.M.
5th Annual Chili & Chocolate Cook-off Social Evening
Good food and good fun—And you might
even wear ... a Sombrero of Glory!
Sunday, December 28
@ 10 a.m.
Christmas Worship &
Carol Sing Comfy clothes—no Sunday School
Share the Journey 3 December 2014
Food Closet Reminder By Martha & Willis Weldin, Food Closet Coordinators
Aldersgate supports two food pantries in Wilmington. One is run by Neighborhood House and the other by Brandywine Community UMC. We ask members to bring non-perishable food items each week to fill the shopping carts that you see around the church. You don’t need to bring a whole bag of groceries every time - a can or box or two will do! What a great way to live out Christ’s di-rective to love and care for others!
Right now, we collect enough food fill a MINI Cooper twice a month. It would be really wonderful if we could fill a MINI VAN twice a month! As a reminder, here is a list of foods the pantries always need, especially now that the cold winter months are upon us. Take this chart with you when you go grocery shopping to help you choose healthy foods to donate.
Protein Foods: Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, and
Nuts
Grains: Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta
canned tuna
canned chicken
canned beef stews
canned salmon
bean soups
canned or dried beans
baked beans
canned chili
peanut butter
canned nuts
rice and rice mixes
canned pastas
noodle mixes
dry noodles and pastas
macaroni and cheese mix
cold cereals
bran cereal
shredded wheat
infant cereal
hot cereal mixes
oatmeal
bread, muffin, and pancake mixes
whole-grain crackers
granola bars
graham crackers
flour
bread
Dairy: Milk, Yogurt and
Cheese
Vegetables Fruits Oils and Condiments
infant formula
nonfat dry milk
evaporated milk
instant breakfast drinks
shelf-stable (UHT) milk
(small boxes)
canned and boxed pudding
canned vegetables
vegetable soup
canned tomato products
spaghetti sauce
baby-food vegetables
V-8 juice
canned fruit
raisins
applesauce
dried fruits
baby-food fruit
fruit leather (100% fruit)
canned and boxed 100%
juice
vegetable oil
salad dressing
syrup
jelly and jam
honey
sugar
mayonnaise
Prison Ministries of Delaware—Annual Cookie Pack
By Margaret David
Collection of home-baked (or store-bought) cookies will begin on Sunday, November 22
through Monday, December 1. Please help provide a taste of Christmas and a glimmer of
hope to residents of penal institutions in the state of Delaware. Cash donations are accepted
for packing supplies and supplemental cookies, if needed; please make checks out to CWU
and indicate “Cookie Pack”. Margaret David, Aldersgate’s representative, can be reached at
302-478-0947 or madvd29@aol.com.
Share the Journey 4 December 2014
2014 Poinsettia Order Form
Your Name: _____________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
Number of Plants: ______ @ $12 each Total: $________
Dedication or Memorial:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
(Example: In honor of John Smith or In memory of Mary Smith)
Poinsettia orders must be received by the church no later than December 14. You may
place your order form and check (payable to Aldersgate UMC) in the collection plate, in the
treasurer’s mailbox #10 or mail them to:
Aldersgate UMC Attn: Treasurer, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803
Poinsettias you have purchased may be picked up from the Narthex following any service
on Christmas Eve or Sunday, December 28.
Share the Journey 5 December 2014
Report on the 2nd Annual Gala & Auction “Honoring Our Veterans”
By Bob & Carolyn Reis, Event Chairs
The 2nd Annual Gala & Auction was a great success! We had a terrific evening of fellowship, and were able to turn a good deal of our talents and gifts into resources for ministry totaling over $9300, from which we believe about $8000 will be net profit. Most importantly, we came together among generations and groups at Aldersgate to put on a tremendous event to honor our veterans. This year’s event was slightly larger than last year and included auction items such as a 4 day/ 3 night stay in Fenwick Island at a vacation house, an IPad, a Crab Cake Dinner for four, several valuable art pieces and many treasures. Proceeds from the event will be divided three ways: 25% will be a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project, 25% will go to Aldersgate youth for the Mission Trip this year and the remaining 50% will go to the budget to fund ministries.
Looking forward to next year, mark your calendar for Friday, November 6, 2015. Before then, consider how you can join in the effort. Our ministry needs are great and every dollar raised helps Aldersgate and the United Methodist Church do more. It also puts “stuff” we can part with to the best use.
But, the possibilities aren’t limited to those with full attics. All of us have talents that are not always used and are needed by others in our church community. An auction offering of services such as painting a room or raking leaves could provide many with a much-needed service and the cost can be recycled into ministry funds. If your profession or work provides a service in demand, could you offer a few hours of service to fill a fellow church member’s needs and puts your talent to the best use? Is your hobby creating something that has value to others? If so, consider making or doing one more for the auction and see your talent turned into ministry dollars right in front of your very eyes!
Many community businesses stepped up and donated items that were auctioned off. Please consider supporting these businesses that support our ministries, when making purchases in the community. A list of those businesses follows:
Artisan’s Gifts Brandywine Brewing Company Brandywine Prime Brandywine River Museum Candlelight Theatre Chanticleer Foundation Christina’s Unique Gifts Corner Bistro Delaware Children’s Museum Delaware Children’s Theatre Delaware Nature Society Delaware Theatre Company Fairfax Hardware Hagley Museum Herman’s Meat Market Hollywood Grill House of Watches Inn at Montchanin Lady’s Image Le Shio Restaurant Longwood Gardens The Meat House The Melting Pot Nemours Mansion and Gardens Panera Bread Philadelphia Phillies Pickles & Chips Pizza by Elizabeth’s Ponte’s Auto Care Pro Martial Arts & Karate Ryan’s Wine & Spirits Service Unlimited The Grand Opera House Twin Lakes Brewery Union City Grille Wilderness Canoes Wilmington Blue Rocks Wilmington Drama League World Café Live at the Queen
Candice’s pride and joy, MaKenzie is 4 months old!
Candice & MaKenzie would like to thank everyone for the continuous cards, calls, e-mails, concerns, and gifts or for simply
stopping in to ask how MaKenzie is doing or to see an updated photo.
We appreciate all the love we’ve received.
Share the Journey 6 December 2014
Each month, milestone anniversaries are listed as well as all those over 50 years. While we can all benefit from knowing that marriages truly can exist for more than 5 decades, we want to recognize those milestone years (i.e. 5, 10 15, 20 ) for all. Congratulations!
Jim & Dottie Titlow December 5 61 years
John & Mary Morris December 31 20 years
If you are not sure we have your anniversary and would like it to be included in the future, please contact Betty Moore (302-478-2575 ext. 117) or betty.moore@aldersgatede.org.
All additions or corrections are gratefully accepted to keep our records up to date.
GriefShare
GriefShare, a grief recovery support group,
welcomes all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Tuesday mornings—10 to 11:30 a.m. in room 236
Thursday evenings—7 to 8:30 p.m. in room 236
Please call the church office at 302-478-2575. For more
information: http://www.griefshare.org/
Aldersgate’s UMM December Meeting Tuesday, December 16—Fellowship Hall
11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The United Methodist Men’s meeting will be based on Christmas music. Won’t you join Janet and Peter Atwater as they help us “sing” in the season with their program: “From Medieval to Modern: Christmas Music Through the Ages”. They will share the stories of many of our favorite Carols and secular Christmas music in a fast paced, song-filled program that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. Guests are welcome to attend this or any UMM meeting. If you are not on the “contact “ list, please sign up in the HUB and indicate your choice of sub (turkey, roast beef, Italian and ham). If you have any questions please contact one of the UMM Coordinators who are Bob Bodwell, Bob Hawkins or George McKeown. You can easily reach them by sending an email to umm@aldersgatede.org.
Into the loving arms of Jesus:
Shirley Bohn on October 27
Aldersgate UMC is A Caring Community
Intentionally ministering to persons with
mental illness and their families.
Jennifer Anderson
&
Samuel Davison
October 18
Lincoln Charles Benson born October 20 to Heather & Levi Benson.
Elise (Ellie) Safiya Burket born October 21 to Heather & Chris Burket.
Thank you to the Altar Guild for decorating the Sanctuary
& hallways so beautifully for Christmas and to Stacie
DiGiacoma for her creativity in the Auditorium!
Share the Journey 7 December 2014
Report from the Worship Space Committee By Henry Daum, GATHER Team Leader
Thank you so much for your responses to the Worship Space survey several month ago! You provided over 120 responses which contained important information about what you think are important elements of a well-functioning worship space. Your five most important elements are:
#1 - Easy to hear #2 - Easy to see #3 - Safe and accessible #4 - Well illuminated #5 - Comfortable seating
A committee of church members has been meeting to discuss the survey results and to identify short-term opportunities and long-term strategies that address areas important to you and that align with other Aldersgate plans and needs. Members of this committee are Janet Atwater, Mary & Preston Cooper, Rick Cross, Henry Daum, Stacie DiGiacoma, Bill Holloway, Brett Landis, Royal Lowthert, Kitty Lugar, Jeff Manns, Ed McFarland, Sarah Ogilby, Chris Pennington, Suzette Sorenson, and Martha Weldin. As this committee does its work, they will be communicating with the Trustees, the Finance Committee and other Aldersgate groups to ensure coordination with all existing plans and programs. You can expect to hear from this committee as their work proceeds. As with other church programs, your spiritual and financial commitment to any worship space upgrades will be key to our success.
Share the Journey 8 December 2014
Cookie Walk and More! Saturday, December 13th at 9 a.m. in the Auditorium Fill a box of cookies for only $10! Cookies, other baked goods and food items, pecans, and crafts will be for sale. Proceeds support missions for
women and children.
Calling All Bakers: Cookies are needed for the Cookie Walk to be a success! Anyone can bake, not just UWM members, and not just women.
Please bring cookies to the auditorium on Friday, December 12 from 1 to 4 p.m., or on Saturday, December 13 between 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Cookies labeled for "Cookie Walk" may also be left in the small kitchen next to the auditorium. Cookies only please, no brownies or cupcakes! Thanks in advance to all who bake and help make the Cookie Walk a success!!
Pecans are Here! Our annual Pecan Sale features pecans fresh from the Whaley pecan groves. The one pound bags are $11 each. They are available at the Cookie Walk, through Laura Parrish at (302) 477-1718, or by email to umwcoordinator@aldersgatede.org. Also look for pecans on sale after services on Sundays.
Save the Date - UMW Epiphany General Meeting with Sandwiches and Dessert Monday, January 5 at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium. All Women are invited to celebrate Epiphany with UMW!
Dear Friends, First, let me say what great joy I find in serving the people of Aldersgate Church. I look forward to our coming years together as our ministry reaches out to bring comfort and peace to one another in our times of stress and need. When someone in the family is sick and hospitalized please tell the hospital that you are a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The Pastoral Care office will notify us that one of our own is in the hospital and the room number so that I can pay a visit. As we prepare to begin a new year perhaps some of you would like to become more involved with our prayer ministry here at Aldersgate. If you would like to become a prayer warrior and learn about the prayer needs of our church, please contact me. We can always use more prayer warriors to lift up our many needs and concerns. If you would like to join our Friendly Visitors Group please give me a call and come to our next meeting on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:30, room 237. Our group visits shut-ins located in their geographic area. At least once a month they visit their friends from church who live near them. It’s a great way to maintain the ‘ties that bind.’ As always if you are in need of pastoral care please do not
hesitate to call me at 302-562-4711 or e-mail me at
dgodwin2631@comcast.net .
See you in worship! Pastor Don
Can You Say A Prayer? By Brian Merritt, Family Promise Coordinator for AUMC
Then we have a job for you on the Family Promise team! This is the ministry we share with several other area churches where we house temporarily homeless families with young children for a week. Our next week is December 7 through 14.
We would like our guests to know that they have at least one specific person saying a prayer for them each day. We will supply our prayer volunteers with the names of the guests and also the names of the volunteers who will drive them, cook for them that day, and spend that night at church. You take it from there - pray for safe driving to and from the center, for peace and restful sleep as they spend the night in an unfamiliar space, for productive job searches and for our volunteers as well. Pray as the Holy Spirit leads you! It should only take a couple of minutes. We'll let the guests know who is saying a prayer for them as we sit down for dinner each night.
If you would like to sign up to pray, set-up, take-down, drive,
cook or spend the night, contact Brian Merritt (302-528-4734
or BJMerritt@outlook.com).
Share the Journey 9 December 2014
Sharon Jennelly, Director of Children’s
Ministry & Aldersgate Preschool
302.478.2575 ext.118
sharon.jennelly@aldersgatede.org
Advent Workshop Returns Sunday, December 7
1 to 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Families are invited to bring back this tradition of Aldersgate Church! Fellowship Hall will be filled with tables setup with various Christmas decorations to be made by our church family.
Enjoy the smell of delicious homemade decorated Christmas cookies baking in the oven! Please contact Sandy Anderson (anderson.sandy65@yahoo.com) or (sharon.jennelly@aldersgatede.org) to lead a table with your own craft supplies or we can provide a craft for you.
Please register your attendance with Sharon by Monday, December 1 by calling 302-478-2575, Ext.118 or emailing. Hope to see you!
A PAINLESS Way to Support Aldersgate’s Mission & Ministries
Use this link to sign on with your Amazon account credentials. http://smile.amazon.com/ch/51-0076387
Enter Aldersgate Delaware and select Aldersgate, thereafter, all of your purchases made via that link Aldersgate will receive .05% of the total purchase!
December is here and that means we are in the season of Advent; a season where we learn to wait. Waiting is often counter-cultural to our Western lifestyle. I love this time in student ministry because our students get the month to learn how to wait, and to embrace the waiting. One way that we reinforce our waiting is by taking part in Homeless for the Holidays on December 20. This is a night our
students spend outside getting a sense of what life is like for those who do not have a home for the night. We are finalizing the service project that will be going on during Homeless for the Holidays, and once we get that finalized, we’ll let the good people of Aldersgate know how they can help.
Thanks for your support of our gift card fundraiser; we raised $1,600 this round. This money will support our students who volunteer to serve on the 2016 mission trip. We’re still searching for a location to serve in 2016.
In November, our students learned about the letters to the seven churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation. We also held our annual Doubt night in November; a night when students can write down anonymous questions about Christianity which Pastor Chris and I pull out of a hat and try to answer to the best of our ability. Each year we’re both blown away by the questions the students ask, and I’m thankful that they feel that Aldersgate is a safe place for them to ask those questions.
Adam
Christmas Caroling
December 21 at 6 p.m., followed by cookies in the Music Center.
Share the Journey 10 December 2014
DivorceCare at Aldersgate
By Randy Husbands, Facilitator
Wednesdays—6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Library
DivorceCare is an outreach program open to the community offering a friendly, caring group who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.
There is a leadership opportunity for a woman who has been divorced and knows the pain and emotions kids experience through their parents' divorce. You can learn more about the program at http://www.dc4k.org/
Please prayerfully consider teaching/leading Divorecare4Kids at Aldersgate on Wednesday nights. The youth from our community and our own church will greatly benefit from this support group.
Please contact Randy Husbands, via phone (302) 383-0230 if the Spirit leads you to seek out more information or to volunteer.
Taber Smith will be running the Boston Marathon next April and raising funds for the Boston Children’s Hospital. If you are interested in donating, please contact him at tabersmith@verizon.net Thank you very much!
Going Green Reminder
If you’re receiving the Messenger now and wish to be dropped
from the distribution, paper or electronic, please contact the
church office at 302-478-2575 or send an email to
messenger@aldersgatede.org.
Thank
You!
Thank you Aldersgate family for your incredible generosity!!!
So far we have sent over 40 coats to the children and youth at
Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota as well as numerous
hats, scarves and gloves. Again, thanks so much for your
donations of coats (new and gently used), handmade scarves
and hats, $1,000 in cash (to help defray mailing costs and to
purchase new coats).
Donations are still being accepted – contact Judy Morton for
more information at 425-5222 or judymorton1@verizon.net.
Join the Adult Mission Team
Going to North Dakota Next Summer!
When: Sunday, August 2 to Friday, August 7
Cost: $1,000 – Includes Meals and Lodging, Airfare and Car
Rental
Would you like to spend a week next summer sharing the love of Christ with the people of the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota as part of a Volunteer in Mission Team? So far we have fifteen men and women signed up but there is plenty of room for more! As Mike Flowers says, “The witness of our volunteers provides a model of Christ’s love to those who don’t always see it, feel it or hear it.” Mike, together with his wife Libby, are Dakota’s Conference Missionaries and directors of the Spirit Lake Ministry Center. For more information and/or to sign up for the Mission Trip, please contact Pastor Chris (302-478-2575 ext. 113 or chris.pennington@aldersgatede.org) or Judy Morton (302-425-5222 or judymorton1@verizon.net).
Church Parking Lot Safety
Please be extra cautious when driving through our church parking lot.
Aldersgate’s building and grounds is host to two preschools, which includes
walking young children to our playground and crossing at the crosswalk. Please be sure to keep a safe distance and be attentive at all times.
When traveling the parking lot nearest the playground, please continue around the church towards the Panera side and onto Rt. 202 or around the building if you are exiting via the parking lot on the glass doors side of the building. Thank you for caring about the safety of children, teachers and our community in general.
Sharon Jennelly, Director of Aldersgate Preschool and
Share the Journey 11 December 2014
Notes from The Music Guy
Jeffrey Manns
Director of Music Ministry
(302) 478-2575 ext. 120
jeff.manns@aldersgatede.org
Arts @ Aldersgate Save the Dates:
Combined Choirs of North Wilmington present, Requiem for the Living, by Dan Forrest, Palm Sunday, March 29 @ 4 p.m., Brandywine Valley Baptist Church
A/V Ministry Volunteers Still Needed
The A/V Ministry is still looking for assistance with our computer presentations during The Journey worship services. We use a program called MediaShout which is fairly intuitive and requires only a few sessions to learn the software. Visual slides are an important part of our contemporary worship experience and we need your help. For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Rebecca Manns, A/V Ministry Coordinator, at hopeandgrace4@yahoo.com.
Share the Journey 12 December 2014
The good and generous people of
Aldersgate continue to be a beacon of
hope to a world in need of much
goodness.
Thanks to you all!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Share the Journey 13 December 2014
Aldersgate Youth Musical Auditions
Scripts will be distributed before Christmas.
Rehearsals will be held on Sundays starting January 4, 2015, although some additional
rehearsals may be required.
2015 Performances:
Friday, March 6th @ 7 pm
Saturday, March 7th & Sunday, March 8th @ 2 pm
For questions or more information, contact Janet Atwater
(610) 388-2120 or jratwater@comcast.net
Auditions for 2nd Grade and Older*
Saturday, December 6 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7 10:30 a.m. to Noon
There are MANY singing AND non-singing roles. You will be asked to sing
a brief song of your choice and may be asked to read from the script.
We will hold callbacks as necessary during the Sunday time period.
However, we encourage everyone to audition on Saturday if possible!
A Sign-up sheet for audition times is posted on the Bulletin Board
outside of the Music Center. *If you are unable to attend the auditions, but would like to be in the show, please contact Mrs. Atwater to arrange an audition.
Share the Journey 14 December 2014
Aldersgate Traditions
By Mary Jane Prince for the Altar Guild
History of Chrismons
The Chrismon Tree was first developed in 1957 by Frances Kipps Spencer, a member
of the Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia. Even though Christian symbols have
been used for centuries to share about the ministry of Jesus Christ and/or the
history of the Christian church, Ms. Spencer developed these symbols into a form
that would be appropriate for a church tree. Additionally, she created the word
“Chrismon” by combining the words “Christ” and “monogram,” which became a
trademarked word that year. Even though Chrismons are based on the original
Christian symbols which date back to the early Church, other Christian symbols
continue to be developed for the Chrismons which reflect other symbolism in the
Bible.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s Chrismon ministry began in 1983 when
Aldersgate’s altar guild members, instructed by Pat Carter from the Presbyterian
Church of the Covenant made enough Chrismons for 1 tree in 1984 and eventually
enough Chrismons were created for a second tree. The 2 trees which grace our
sanctuary during the Advent season are decorated with the originally-created
ornaments, which have been repaired over the last 30 years. The technique of
Chrismon bead-making is quite detailed and incorporates mostly pearl and gold
beads.
Please take a minute to visit the altar in the sanctuary to inspect the Christian
symbols on the trees that celebrate the story of Christmas through symbols. The
Chrismon tree ornaments are a labor of love that communicate God’s love and point
us to all the promises of our faith throughout the Advent season at Aldersgate
United Methodist Church.
Service of the Longest Night
Sunday, December 21 at 4 p.m. in the Music Center
Is your heart heavy and the burden of grief almost too much to bear? Then, please
come to this very special service.
We will memorialize your loved one by showing their special picture, have a
candle-lighting service and someone will be there to speak and uplift all of us.
Refreshments will follow. Please come and bring a photo. We are waiting….
For more information, please call the church office at 302-478-2575.
Share the Journey 15 December 2014
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
598
Wilmington, DE
19850
Aldersgate United Methodist Church—A significant place where disciples are made!
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Pastor Chris’ Message 1
The Solution for Excess “Stuff” 2
Food Closet Reminder 3
Poinsettia Order Form 4
MaKenzie... 5
Report on Gala & Auction 5
Church News 6
Report from Worship Space Committee 7
UMW News 8
Can You Say a Prayer? 8
Advent Workshop 9
Student Ministry News 9
Recent AUMC Recognition 12
Youth Musical Auditions 13
Aldersgate Traditions—Chrismons 14
Service of the Longest Night 14
Let Us Go Over to Bethlehem—Advent Series 15
What’s Inside...What’s Inside...What’s Inside...
Christmas Eve Services 4 p.m. Family Worship With Children’s Nativity
7 p.m. Contemporary Worship With the Journey Band 10 p.m. Traditional Worship With the Chancel Choir & Bells Communion in the Chapel at 9:30 p.m.
All services in the Sanctuary. May your Christmas be blessed in unimaginable ways!
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