February 2024

937-426-3988 / www.aleyumc.org

From the Pastor…

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are now in the rear-view mirror and on the

road ahead is Lent. Oddly enough, in the church we seem to shift from a season

focused on giving to a season focused on giving-up rather quickly. I love the spirit of

generosity that seems to be more abundant and evident during the holiday season; it

truly is great to see generosity lived out and loved out! What might it be like if this were

to be lived out (and loved out) far beyond the holiday season? What if for Lent we gave

up going back to “normal” after the holidays? There are people in need beyond the

holiday season; likewise, there are people capable of giving and serving more beyond

the holiday season. Paul wrote to the Romans about how they (and we) are called to

live as a sacrifice to God.

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to

what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each

other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our

confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in

need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)

Just imagine what could be possible if we were to earnestly live this out every day!

There are opportunities before us each day to live into this Scripture; are we seizing

these opportunities? Our God is a God of immeasurable possibility and we are called

to hold an active role in God’s possibilities becoming realities.

What if for Lent we gave up our scarcity mindset, our fears of the other shoe-dropping,

our categorizing of people, and our out-of-order priorities? What might it be like if we

were to give more freely, hopefully rejoice, love more genuinely, and serve more

enthusiastically?

Here’s a few passages to help us focus on those characteristics…

Give More Freely: 2 Chronicles 31:1-10, Proverbs 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Hopefully Rejoice: Psalm 16, Romans 4:18-25, Philippians 4:4-9

Love Genuinely: John 13:31-34, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4:7-21

Serve Enthusiastically: Mark 10:35-45, James 2:14-26, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Blessings,

Pastor Abby

Happening...

If you are looking for a way to add some devotion time to your day, here is a great way to do that.

Pastor Laurie does a daily devotion on Facebook for a half hour, Monday-Friday @ 9:00am.

click the link to get connected!

Then you have an informal devotion to use throughout your week.

If you have questions, contact Pastor Laurie for more information at pastorlaurie@aleyumc.org

Your 2024 Staff Parish Relations Committee members

The Staff Parish Committee members are available to address your comments, concerns, and compliments about Aley Church. Their contact information is in the church directory, or the church office will provide it for you. Members of the committee are:

Chuck Manker - Chair

Paul Bauer

Beth Collins

Mike Derenzo

Bonnie Essex

Bob Linhardt

Dawn Mumford

Cynthia Shishoff

Spotlight in Ministry

Summer Mini-Camps are Returning!

Last summer was full of fun for everybody with some great mini-camps. Remember Chemistry Camp, Pickleball, Justice Camp, Reading Club, Music Camp? Fun in the Kitchen? Some of those activities have become on-going activities that people are STILL doing!

To have another great summer, we need YOU! What kinds of hobbies or activities do you do that you can share with others? Gardening? Sewing? Car repair? Hiking? We want to put together a bunch of fun activities that will appeal to kids, youth and adults. ALL ideas are worth considering.

Please contact:

Pastor Abby (pastorabby@aleyumc.org) or Susan Grinkemeyer (kids@aleyumc.org) with your thoughts!

Impact Future Generations

Through Scholarship

Each year Aley UMC offers a scholarship that is available to any graduating Seniors pursuing higher education, skilled trade training, or entering a skilled trade, or anyone pursuing religious training at a level beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Applicants must be actively involved in Aley UMC and/or Youth At Aley. Applications are reviewed by Pastor’s and a team of highly-involved Aley UMC servants. The scholarship was founded in 1984 in honor of Wesley Christian who was a longtime faithful representative of God’s love here at Aley UMC.

This scholarship is only available through generous donations; this is a great way to make a meaningful impact for future generations.

If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please indicate “Wesley Christian Scholarship” on your donation and place it in the offering plate or drop it off in the church office.

LOVE GOD. LOVE PEOPLE. MAKE DISCIPLES…

and to do that sometimes we have to GO. Here is an opportunity for Aley UMC to be part of a team heading to Highgate in the beautiful mountains of Jamaica - Join Pastor Laurie and others on a CSI Ministries Team April 6 - 13, 2024 and cost is usually around $1500 (includes flight, lodging and food).

For more information you can connect with Pastor Laurie (pastorlaurie@aleyumc.org), but first take time to pray about how God might be calling you to missions beyond our community. The applications and team meetings are underway, but it's not too late join the team. You can check out CSI on their web-site on the link below.

CSI Ministries

Flowers for Easter Services

Easter flower orders need to be placed by February 11th!

Hyacinths are $16.50 each

Daffodils are $16.50 each

Please make checks payable to Aley UMC and put "Easter Flowers" in the memo line. The money needs to be turned in by February 25th.

If you have any question, contact

the office at 937-426-3988 or

email aley@aleyumc.org

Aley United Methodist Men's monthly meeting

Men's UMM meeting will be held on February 17th in the hospitality Center beginning at 8:30am. We'll enjoy breakfast and have a short business meeting. All men are invited to join us.

Assistance for 2023

Thank you Aleyans!

You were able to offer $8, 444 in assistance to 6 members of our Aley family and 33 members of our community! Most of the assistance went to Kroger gift cards for food and fuel, some went to families who couldn’t give their children clothes and toys for Christmas and some of it paid for heating or water bills when there was a threat of turn off. Without your help through the #335 fund, they would not have been able to survive. Your donations to the Emergency Relief fund (#335) made a difference in these folk’s lives. You are the hands and feet of our Savior!

-Karen Engel

Director of Caring Ministries

St Paul's Breakfast

Saturday, February 10th!

We will need potato casseroles, egg sausage casseroles, fruit (bananas, oranges, apples), cases of bottled water, and packs of toilet paper (1- or 2-ply only) to sign up click on the link below.

Recipes for both casseroles are on Sign Up Genius. All casseroles are to be COOKED. Items may be put in refrigerator or on counter in the Aley UMC Kitchen and marked for

"St Paul" by Friday, February 9th BEFORE 12 pm or delivered to the church by Saturday, 7:30 am on February 10th. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity and service.

Questions? Call/text Susan Lehneis

at 937-901-4398.

Blood Drive

The next blood drive will be on February 13^th from 4pm-7pm out in the church parking lot. If you will be donating, sign up for your appointment at the link below.

Make an Appointment!

United Women in Faith

Evening Circle, UWF Update… for Monday, February 26 @ 7 pm. For our Project to Support “Caitlin Smiles” Ministry, we’ve been asked to bring generic coloring books, and elementary and preschool reading books. However, nothing with God, no stickers, no Lion King or Bambi. Hospitals have become very restrictive. Questions?

Contact Julie LaPolt at (937) 361-3362.

Walk to Emmaus Updates

The Women’s Walk to Emmaus is February 15-18 at Normandy UMC in Centerville. They still need help with setting up, meal preparation, etc. If you have been on a walk already and want to serve in this way go to daytonemmaus.org to help serve or contact Kirk or Susan Lehneis.

The Men’s Walk to Emmaus will now be on June 27-30, 2024 at Sulphur Grove UMC in Huber Heights.

Contact Kirk or Susan Lehneis about being a Sponsor @ 937-426-6255. Men’s Registrar is

Steve Holmes @

937-681-1986 and email sholmes1439@woh.rr.com

The Bread Ministry

We would like to reintroduce the Bread Ministry which was put on hold during the time of COVID. Visitors will be given a loaf of bread as a welcome gift for visiting Aley. Needed are 5 people or couples (1 per week) willing to visit. You may bake your own bread or a loaf will be provided for each family to be visited that week. All that is required is a friendly smile! Also needed are several bread bakers.

Questions? Call/text Susan Lehneis at 937-901-4398.

Aley to Serve Luncheon at

St. Paul UMC

Once again Aley UMC has the opportunity to serve a hearty luncheon to those in need. We will prepare to serve around 150 people at St. Paul UMC on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024. Our menu will be goulash, green beans, Jell-O salad, rolls, and Texas sheet cake or brownies. We need donations of food along with drinks, paper products & supplies. Look for the sign-ups for servers and food on the UWF bulletin board located across from the refrigerator by the stairwell. Please consider helping with this worth while endeavor. Please have your items to the church before 10 am on February 20^th.

Any questions, please call:

Susan Lehneis

@ 937-426-6255 or

Bonnie Essex @

937-374-3099.

Miami Valley Disaster Recovery Team (MiDRT) Training

Our team continues to thrive. We have worked not only disaster projects at home and in various parts of Ohio, but we have also deployed to New Jersey, West Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Western Kentucky. The West Ohio Conference continues to build and recertify MiDRT team members, as well as members from other ERT/DRT teams. To that end, Aley UMC is sponsoring an UMCOR sanctioned class for both first-time volunteers and those who require recertification in order to renew their UMCOR badges. This ERT/DRT training will be held at Aley UMC, Saturday, 2 March 2024, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Cost is $40 for the Basic class or $35 for recertification. ERT members are not required to be United Methodist but must deploy with a United Methodist-led team. To register, click here:

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/early-response-team-training-recert-aley-umc.

A background check (free of charge) is required, and a link to complete this will be provided upon registration. ERT members are not required to be United Methodist but must deploy with a United Methodist-led team.

If you have any additional questions/concerns feel free to contact Keith Simpson at kesimpson49@gmail.com or 937 902-1541.

Family Ministries at Aley

Youth

Aley

Wesley Christian Scholarship Application now available!

Graduating seniors or individuals pursuing higher religious education who are active in the mission and ministry of Aley Church are eligible to apply for the Wesley Christian scholarship which is offered through generous donations from Aley congregants. Applying for the scholarship is not guarantee of receiving funds, all applications will be reviewed by a committee; the number and amount of scholarships awarded varies each year. The application is available at www.aleyumc.org/ministries/youth and completed applications are due to Pastor Abby by April 15th.

Summer Camp!

Save The Date:

July 15-20, 2024

Each summer youth are invited to attend Tar Hollow Church Camp. This Camp is open to all youth entering grades 7 through those who just graduated high school. College age students and adults are encouraged to volunteer as staff. Tar Hollow is a locally led camp that has been in place for over 60 years and is open to all denominations.. We spend a week together in fellowship, worship, learning, growing, sharing, and discovery. It is an excellent opportunity for youth to connect with God and each other. For more information click on the link below.

Tar Hollow

Mission Trip!

The week of June 10 students will be going on a mission trip with Miami Valley Disaster Recovery Team to provide aid in Clarksville/Nashville, TN who experienced devastating tornados in Dec. 2023. Some details are still being worked out, but students who want to participate should return their completed form to Pastor Abby by February 14 (if you need another copy of the commitment form there are extras in the youth room, or contact Pastor Abby).

Kids' Ministry

Kids’ Ministry is growing!

We have a new Aley Kid's space that is "Under Construction!" Please take a short trip down the hallway off of the Hospitality Room to see the newly inspired Kids Ministry areas. It is exciting to be able to expand and grow the kids Ministry program with dedicated rooms and programming space.

Every Sunday, kids are offered several different experiences to encourage their faith journey.

Kids Church - during each of the worship services, kids are able to attend their own age- appropriate worship service. Kids engage in songs, games, and an interactive message that connects to the one the adults are hearing in the sanctuary.
Sunday School- our dedicated team of kids Sunday School teachers offer a structured curriculum that focuses on stories from the Bible and their application to the kids' lives.
Nursery - Babies and toddlers are welcome in the nursery every Sunday. We have adult and youth volunteers. If you are interested in being a part of the active and growing Kids Ministry at Aley UMC, please contact Susan Grinkemeyer (kids@aleyumc.org)

Vacation Bible School!

It is time to start planning for Vacation Bible School. This summer VBS will be held Jun 3-7 (in the morning). The theme will be camping, when we travel to Camp Firelight and meet with Lumen the firefly and learn "Whenever I am afraid, I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3) We will need volunteers to help with crafts, games, snacks, storytelling, and leading the kids through our VBS camp experience. You can look forward to hikes, s'mores, and a great time learning how we can connect and put our trust in God when we are afraid.

Please contact Susan Grinkemeyer (kids@aleyumc.org) to become a part of this fun summer mission.

DECEMBER GREETERS/USHERS!

If unable to greet, please switch with someone; if that fails,

contact Fay Young at flyoung@sbcglobal.net

More servants are needed to greet on Sunday mornings.

8:30 am	Downstairs	Upstairs	10:30 am	Downstairs	Upstairs
Feb.4th	Fay Young	(Ushers)	Feb.4th	(Need Greeters)	Joanna Warner
Feb.11th	Jim & Jobie Dunham	(Ushers)	Feb.11th	Cheryl Skipper	Joanna Warner
Feb.18th	Bob & Diana Lindhart	(Ushers)	Feb.18th	Shirley McChesney	Joanna Warner
Feb.25th	Wretha Haines	(Ushers)	Feb.25th	Carl Herting	Joanna Warner

Office Closings for the Holiday Season

February 19th - Presidents' Day

We would like to pray and celebrate all of those whose birthdays are in February this month.

Get In Touch