ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MIDLAND, MICHIGAN


CHURCH ORGANIZATION
PASTOR-STAFF LAY LEADER LAY MEMBERS
OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY TREASURER COORDINATOR
OF COMMUNICATIONS
CHURCH COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES
LAY
LEADERSHIP		 PASTOR-STAFF
PARISH RELATIONS		 FINANCE
TRUSTEES MEMORIAL

PROGRAM MINISTRIES
MEMBER
CULTIVATION		 MEMBER
CARE		 CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION
WORSHIP MISSIONS AND CHURCH & SOCIETY

SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES
CHILDRENS YOUTH ADULT
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY CHRIST CARE

ORGANIZATIONS
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

In our era, the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action. - Dag Hammarskjold(Markings)


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LAY LEADER

The Lay Leader gathers the hopes and concerns of the congregation and works with the pastor and the church leadership to plan and support programs which will address these hopes and concerns.
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LAY MEMBERS OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Lay Members of Annual Conference link the congregation and the connectional church by participating in the Annual Conferences sessions and interpreting its actions to the congregation.

The Lay Members attend the Detroit Annual Conference sessions in late spring and make a report to the congregation.
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CHURCH COUNCIL

The Church Council shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources (lay and clergy leadership development) in the local church. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church. It shall meet at least quarterly.


In 2008, in addition to their routine concerns with church finances and operations, the Council approved and implemented a new improved audio/video system for the sanctuary, set up a Church Health Team, and approved a new vision statement. The Council led a retirement celebration for retiring Minister of Visitation Phil Rice and Choir Director Char Rice.

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TRUSTEES

The Trustees manage church property, equipment and investments to support the vision and mission of our church.

Achievements for 2008 include: classroom repainting, installation of new audio/video equipment in Sanctuary, replacement of furnances and parking lot improvements.

Our facilities are in excellent condition and more than adequate for the programs of the church. _

LAY LEADERSHIP

The Committee on Lay Leadership discovers, invites, nominates, and supports persons for leadership positions in the ministry of the congregation.

The Committee presents a slate of officers at the Annual Charge Conference each year. Additional nominations are presented at special charge conferences during the year. _

PASTOR/STAFF - PARISH RELATIONS

The Committee on Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations supports the pastors and other staff so that these persons can work effectively in managing the ministry of the congregation.

The committee continues a liason program where each staff member is assigned a specific committee liaison person.

2008 brought new Ministers of Visitation, Fran Longsdorf and Fred LaMere.
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FINANCE

The Committee on Finance proposes, raises, manages, and distributes the resources of the congregation.

Expenses of $60,000 to cover audio/video improvements to the sanctuary were met through extra offerings, a loan from the District, and borrowing from Church equity accounts. The 2008 Stewardship Campaign had the theme: "Growing in Thanks_Giving I'll Give It God's Way. The Committe approved Authorization Guidelines for managing church expenditures.
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MEMORIAL

The Committee on Memorials receives and dispenses funds given to the congregation in memory of deceased members or in honor of living members.

In 2008, memorial gifts helped fund the sanctuary audio/visual system, bell choir table covers, repair of choir chimes, purchase of American flag for sanctuary, purchases of Upper Room Devotional Guides, and mission projects.


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MEMBER CULTIVATION

The mission of the Member Cultivation Work Area is to attract members of the community to Aldersgate, welcome them, invite them into church membership and unite them with the congregation.

The Work Area advertises in the local publications, provides greeters for Sunday Services, has a Friendship Program for first time visitors, has an informative orientation session for prospective new members, and maintains the church bulletin board. _

MEMBER CARE

The Member Care Committee leads the congregation in nurturing a caring attitude among the people who make Aldersgate their church home.

Activities include maintaining membership records, providing subscriptions to the Upper Room for church members, publishing a church directory, a hospital visition program, a hospital discharge program, a nursing home visitation program, a Sunday morning Coffee Fellowship program, an intercessory prayer group, transportation coordination, providing special meals, helping church families with special needs, and new baby visits.

Our current membership is 370 members. In 2008, a new ministry was sending cards and other items to college students and those in the military.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The task of Christian Education is to share the story of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church with clarity and caring.

With a large team of volunteers, this ministry offers people of all ages an opportunity to grow in Christian faith.

In 2008, the church-wide Lenten study was built-up around the topic 40 Days of Community. Other programs include Together Time, Sunday School classes for Children, varied Adult Study classes, Super Sundays, Intergenerational Vacation Bible School, United Methodist Kids, and Youth Groups. The Youth started weeknight Girls and Guys small groups. A Sr. High co-ed groups meets on Friday nights for fellowship and Bible study. The Youth had a summer mission trip to Chicago. Special celebrations and recognitions include Advent Celebration, Christmas Program, Madri Gras Celebration, Confirmation Sunday, Graduation Breakfast, Teacher Recognition, Dedication Sunday, and Celebration Sunday.

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WORSHIP

The Worship Ministry Work Area works with the pastor, the Education Work Area, and the leaders of music to ensure that the congregation provides opportunities for worship that will help persons develop and strengthen their relationship with God, so that they may live more faithfully as Christian disciples

The Worship Ministry Work Area provides liturgists, ushers, acolytes, and communion stewards to aid in the worship services. An Altar Guild attends to elements of worship such as paraments, altar flowers, and banners. Lay Speakers fill in for the pastor in the pulpit and serve as substitute preachers in neighboring churches.

The music program of Aldersgate includes an organist, a Chancel Choir, a Handbell Choir , a youth Handbell Choir, a Chime Choir of elementary-age children, and a Rainbow Choir of younger children. Individuals, sub-groups of the choirs, church school members, and others provided special music. We also have a drama group.

In 2008, a special highlight was having members of the church share faith stories during the summer services..

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MISSIONS AND CHURCH & SOCIETY

The Mission Committee strives to do Christ's will in many areas of witness and services.

The Missions Ministry directs the stewardship of the church for two programs: those identified by the Detroit Conference (Jubilee), and those intended to meet the broad spectrum of mission needs, both locally and at the national and international level. Aldersgate is a Spotlight Church and a Global Mission Partners Church.

In 2008, we had 2 major participatory projects: Thanksgiving Baskets Program distribution, and Sharing Tree Christmas Presents. From our budget, we gave money in support of the Conference Jubilee program; medical missionary Chris Hena in Kazahkstan; a doctor in Old Muture, Zimbabwe; member Amber Lauer as missionary in South Africa and many global, national, and UMCOR programs. Through extra-mile giving by the congregation we gave money to Kelley and Dan Harman of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; Joshua Miller in the Dominican Republic; and to support of Youth mission projectrs.

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http://www.gbgm-umc.org/AldersgateUMCMI/action.html 05/27/09 JIM