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Aldersgate United Methodist Church
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A vibrant and inclusive Christian community
growing in faith, love, health and service
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Aldersgate UMC
14230 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 746-9800
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Associate Pastor
Church Office
Children, Youth, Family
Preschool Director
Core Leaders
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September 16
Sunday School Begins
Youth Group Kickoff
September 17
All Church Conference
October Calendar Deadline
September 19
Pastor's Class Begins
September 21-22
Love Thy Neighbor Revival
September 23
Preschool 50th Anniversary Kickoff
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October 2
Young @ Heart Potluck
October 4 & 6
Habitat Build
October 7
Bell Petting Zoo
Dinner & Club 345
Dinner & Youth Group
October 11 & 13
Habitat Build
Oct 12-13
Rummage Sale
October 20
Parenting Forum
October 22
November Calendar
Deadline
October 26
Fall Festival
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November 4
All Saints Sunday
November 6
Election Day
November 11
Harvest Dinner
Veteran's Day
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Church Leadership
Click these links to read the minutes of the Core Leadership Team and the monthly minutes of the Ministry Teams.
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Sermon
"Jesus' Extended Community Talking around the Table"
Scripture
Luke 17:7
This Sunday
This Sunday in worship, the message will be delivered in a style that looks unusual to us. It will be a time to hear God speaking in the truth of the stories we tell each other about our own families and our own experiences. The message will be followed immediately by the opportunity to gather around the table, not just for conversation, but also to receive holy communion together as one body. To make space and time for your voices, our Order of Worship will be abbreviated a little in both services. The choir will have the week off in second service. We will take a break from the prayers of the people in first service. Those elements are not gone, though. They will come back next week. For this one Sunday, the emphasis will be on what you bring and share. It doesn't need to be prepared ahead of time. It doesn't need to be fancy or deep. Just come and participate in whatever way you are ready to do so.
We'll have the opportunity to enter into Covenant with each other as we hear each others' stories. I hope you will read the Covenant ahead of time and consider whether it is something you can agree to uphold.
Covenant
We gather around the table acknowledging God's unbounded grace for all. We come from different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities and we acknowledge our differences of opinion and perspectives on many matters. Yet we gather still, knowing that Jesus calls us to break bread and share the cup no matter what, and that each of us has a place here.
And so, as we gather around the table I commit to:
- Stay curious. I come with a willingness to learn and commit to staying at the table. When the going gets rough, I will turn to wonder, ask questions and stay engaged.
- Be kind. There will be statements shared at the table that will challenge my perspectives. I will be respectful in my responses and engagement, treating each one with grace and love.
- Listen with the same amount of passion with which I want to be heard. In the words of St. Francis, I will seek to understand more than to be understood. I also commit to share the air and not dominate.
The Covenant and the process of engaging in conversation around difficult questions that we are following in worship has been developed by the United Methodist Church as we move toward General Conference in 2019. Several from our congregation participated in a similar liturgy at the Table Talks at Edmonds UMC last spring and at Annual Conference in Puyallup in June.
Please find attached three documents that may be helpful as background to the conversations we will have
on Sunday
and throughout this fall.
- First, click here to read a summary of the three plans that General Conference will consider in February based on an article written for the United Methodist News Service this summer.
- Second, the Western Jurisdiction leaders and bishops announced this week that they endorse one of the three plans that will be before General Conference in February. Click here to read their press release.
- Finally, to read a timeline of the history that brought our denomination to the point of needing the General Conference that has been called for February of next year click here.
~ Pastor Laura
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Moving in to the fall, Pastor Laura would like to work with a few other people on designing and organizing the slides for first service worship. The process usually only takes 1-2 hours a week and is a lot of fun for creative, technology-oriented people. Please contact Pastor Laura if you are interested, willing to learn the process, and can help as part of a team with this important work for the church.
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All Church Conference
Monday, September 17
Please plan to attend the All Church Conference on Monday, September 17 at 7:00pm. All are invited to participate in a single item at the Church Conference which is to confirm Associate Pastor Laura's new ministry commitments to Aldersgate UMC. The meeting will be held in Fellowship Hall and light refreshments will be served. Following the Church Conference, you are welcome to remain and attend the Core Leaders meeting at 7:30pm if you wish. Childcare is available if you sign up for it in advance.
To read more about this staff change and others, click here to read Pastor Brad's blog from the August 23 electronic newsletter.
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Pastor's Study - Community According to Jesus
Wednesday, September 19
Starting Wednesday, September 19, Pastor Brad will teach a class that will focus on Jesus, and his views, teachings and actions centered on what it means to be community. We'll examine who is welcome, who belongs, and how Jesus identified each. Jesus changed the whole idea of community, but why and how? To begin we'll examine some of the specific pieces of the Old Testament and the Laws around what constitutes, defines, effects, kills and upholds community. From there we'll begin to examine Jesus as we spend some time in the four gospels. Then we'll take a look at Paul and examine the influence of Jesus on Paul; how Paul viewed and built community, take a look at 15 "One Another" verses, and what they might mean for us.
Click here for more information
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Consider Reconciling Committee (CRC) Meeting
Sunday, September 23
The committee developing the process for Aldersgate to consider whether to become a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network will meet at
noon on
September 23. All are welcome at this committee meeting.
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Support Our Children's Programs
Volunteers are needed to help implement our children's programs. Please contact Jen Hoerber for more information.
- Sunday Dinners bring Club 345 and Youth Group together to share a meal before their fellowship time once a month. There are typically 20-30 children, youth and adult helpers for dinner. If you or your group would like to host a dinner, please sign up on the bulletin board across from the office.
- Kids' Club is a fellowship time for kids during the Sunday morning worship services. For first service it typically runs from 9:10-9:45am and for second service it is from 11:15am -12 noon. Kids' Club can consist of all types of activities-art projects, stories, games, and much more. Please consider hosting a Kid's Club and sharing your talents, passion and stories with our children. If you want to host a Kid's Club, but you just aren't sure of what to do, talk with Jen Hoerber as she has some activities all ready to go. You can sign up for only one service or for both, or for just one Sunday or several. Every bit helps!
- Sunday School teachers and teacher assistants are needed, so please prayerfully consider helping. No experience is needed. Training is available and the curriculum is very user-friendly!
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Looking for a Good Book?
Bob Olson is down-sizing his private library and has many books to give away for FREE or, if you are so inclined, you can make a small donation for the books which will go to the Pastor's Discretionary fund to help people in need of financial assistance. Look for his book table in the narthex and check it often as it will be updated regularly with more books. If you have favorite authors or topics of interest please tell Bob.
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Resource Library News
Please browse the Life 'til Death sermon series resources that are displayed on the library table. Included are Five Wishes brochures and the following books: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, Knocking On Heaven's Door by Katy Butler, When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, On the Brink of Everything by Parker Palmer, and The Grace In Dying by Kathleen Dowling Singh.
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Bell Petting Zoo
Calling all kids and youth from 3rd grade to 12th grade (and adults too)! Have you ever wondered what bells were all about? Come to the Bell Petting Zoo on Sunday,
October 7
from 4:45pm-5:15pm in the Sanctuary. You can learn how to ring and learn what all you can do with a bell and a chime. If you are interested in joining a kids bell choir or youth bell choir, please come and try out a bell and a chime or two. You don't have to know how to read music or have any music experience. Stop by and see what all the fun is about! Questions? Please contact Pam Johnson at [email protected] or by phone (206) 200-8254.
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Young Adult Ministry-"At the Crossroads"
"At the Crossroads" is a young adult fellowship group. Join us at Crossroads mall for dinner and conversation, on the first Monday of the month at 7:00pm by the stage. The next meeting is October 1st. Events are posted to Facebook on a monthly basis. For more information, text/call Katie Olleman, 425-457-3324.
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Come Join the United Methodist Women!
The United Methodist Women here at Aldersgate are organized to provide fellowship, learning and charitable activities for all the women in the church. There are two Circle groups that meet monthly. They share Sunday refreshment duty three months of the year. They help coordinate the UMW Spring Salad Supper in April, the Craft Sale in November and the Bake Sale in December. They also assist with church receptions. All the women of the church are welcome to join a Circle.
- Deborah Circle meets next on October 1, the 1st Monday of the month at 7:00pm in members' homes. Contact is Clarine Goodleaf, 425-643-9339.
- Mary Martha Circle meets next on September 20, the 3rd Thursday of the month, at 9:30am at AUMC. Contact is Kathy Maybee, 425-747-3668.
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Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)
Youth Group meets on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm. All youth in 6th-12th grade are welcome. If you have questions about the youth program, contact
Jen Hoerber. Here are some upcoming events:
*Sept 16 - Youth Group Kick-off, 6:00-8:00pm
*Sept 23 - Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*Sept 30 - Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*Oct 7 - Dinner & Youth Group, 5:00-7:30pm
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Club 345 (3rd~4th~5th Grade)
Begins October 7
Club 345 is open to all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and meets once a month on Sunday evening for dinner and a fun activity. The next meeting is
October 7
. Volunteers to host Club 345 and bring in dinner are needed!
Contact is Jen Hoerber.
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New Yoga Series
Starts September 22
Vince Fratello will restart his introductory series of yoga classes at Aldersgate. The classes will be taught at the most basic beginner level and will be organized to accommodate all body types and physical abilities. The series will tentatively be ten Saturdays starting on
Sept. 22
from 9-10:15am in Friendship Hall. Please note, first class, on Sept. 22, will meet in the Youth room
. Students should bring a sticky
yoga mat and Vince will supply the rest of the props. The cost will be $50 per student for the entire series -you can try out the first class with no financial commitment and scholarships are available. If you have questions, please contact Vince.
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Church Rummage Sale
October 13 & 14
SAVE the DATES! This year's Rummage Sale is
Friday and Saturday, October 1-14.
As they say, one man's junk is another man's treasure, so n
ow is the time to clean out your cupboards, closets, book shelves, garage and attic and donate your treasures to the church.
We will receive your donations
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, October 9-11
. Your support of the
Rummage Sale, whether donating items or buying items, raises funds for mission trips! Last year's Rummage Sale funds helped to pay for our youth to go on their mission trip this summer.
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Calling Crafters/Artists
As you exercise your creative side this fall, please consider making additional hand-crafted items or art work to donate to the United Methodist Women for their annual bake/craft sale,
December 8-9
. All proceeds will be used for church and missions. Sign-up sheets will come out mid-November. For more info, please contact Clarine Goodleaf (
[email protected]
or 425-643-9339).
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Warm Socks Needed
School has started and rains have returned! The need for warm socks touches everyone, especially the homeless. Please leave new socks in the basket across from the office. They will be delivered to Congregations for the Homeless, Griffin House, Mary's Place, Operation Nightwatch and Sophia Way. Griffin House may be new to many in our congregation. Located in Renton, Griffin House serves homeless boys. Imagine what a pair of socks in Seahawks colors would mean to its new owner!
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Love Thy Neighbor UMW Revivals
September 21-22
This summer, the Innovation and Vitality Team within the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church is holding six revivals in six cities. The nearest to Aldersgate happens on September 21-22
, in Seattle and we will celebrate what God is already doing in our midst and plot towards what is possible. We will reignite our communal imagination towards God's work in our neighborhoods. There will also be a time to network and collaborate with other Christians who are ready to figure out where the Spirit is moving within and around the church of the Northwest. Learn more and register at http://ordinaryrevival.org/.
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Parenting Forum
Saturday, October 20th
We are joining forces with Bellevue First UMC to host a day long Parenting Forum. Faith leaders, experts in education, and organizations passionate about helping families will come together to offer perspectives on relevant topics for parents of children and youth of all ages. There will be two key note speakers;
Dr. Ivan Duran,
Superintendent Bellevue School District and
Jamal Rahman,
Muslim Sufi Interfaith Minister along with several break out sessions focusing on healthy habits, positive discipline, addiction, and anxiety plus several more. The Parenting Forum will be held at Bellevue First UMC on Saturday, October 20 from 9:30am-3:30pm Registration will be opening soon.
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People Who Passed Away
*David Plowman's uncle Gerald
*Betty Fredeen's sister-in-law Sina's sister
People with Health Concerns
*Betty Fredeen's brother Tom
*Bonnie McAuliffe
Additional Concerns
*Missionary Katherine Parker, the Firefighters
To submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, email
Dorothy Bennet
t, the Prayer Chain Coordinator. You can also fill out a pew prayer card on Sunday and put it in the offering plate, or you can contact the
church office with your prayer request. All prayer requests will appear in the church newsletters unless you request otherwise.
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Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
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