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 2006, the Council deliberated the Sunday Morning Worship Service and approved a revision which will have a Contemporary Service at 9a and a Traditional Service at 10:30a beginning in January of 2007. Sunday School will be offered at 9a and Children's Church at 10:30a. Adult classes will be held at both services. The Council led a retirement celebration for retiring Pastor Doug Trebilcock and arranged welcoming activities for the new minister, Mark Miller. The Council approved a new Minor Protection Policy. The Council commissioned a Technology Committee to develop a plan for new ways of using technology in worship, education, and administration.

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TRUSTEES

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

Achievements for 2006 include: reroofing of the entire flat roof of the church, repaving the parking lot, and purchasing a new computer for us by the Youth and Family Ministries Director.

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.

2006 brought a new pastor, the Rev. Mark Miller, to replace the Rev. Douglas Trebilcock who retired as pastor on July 1 after 40 years of service in the ordained ministry.
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FINANCE

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

Through the first 9 months of 2006, the income closely matches the budget. A "Raise the Roof" campaign raised over $40,000 to partially cover reroofing expenses. A loan from the District met the remaining expenses.
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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 2006, memorial gifts helped fund a wedding kneeler, Chancel Choir music, wall-mounted baby changing units in restrooms, Upper Room distribution for shutins, and support for 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. The Friendship Program involves initial personal visits with home-baked treats and information on the church plus follow-up visits as warranted. In 2006, a major focus has been to develop a "group directory" listing the many active groups within the church. In 2007 when the new worship hours are set, a new overview brochure will be prepared. _

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 389 members. _

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.

A new activity in 2006 was a Children's Church at the 11a hour. Middle-school youth went on a mission project to Cass Community Center in downtown Detroit. Senior youth went on an Appalachia Service Project in Kentucky. A church-wide Lenten study was built-up around the book Hospitality of the Heart by Marily Brown Oden. 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. Special celebrations and recognitions include Advent Celebration, Christmas Program, Madri Gras Celebration, Confirmation Sunday, Graduation Breakfast, Teacher Recognition, Dedication Sunday, and Celebration Sunday.

The Director of Christian Education continues with studies leading to certification and to becoming a Deacon in Full Connection. _

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 2006, a special highlight was the spring Music Fest with over 80 participants. The Advent Service was a "Hanging of the Greens".

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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 2006, 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, Bread of the World, 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 special projects for Chris Hena. We supported the missions activities of a dozen of our members who participated in hurricane relief efforts and of several projects of our youth.

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CHRISTCARE GROUP MINISTRY

ChristCare Groups are gatherings of 3-12 persons who meet regularly to develop close bonds with one another and Jesus Christ

As the results of a study by an Adult Ministry team and the attendance at ChristCare training sessions, a ChristCare ministry started in 2001. Groups currently active are Intercessory Prayer, Fellowship Bible Study, Friendship, Seekers, Prayers and Quilts, and Hospitality. A leader training course was held early in the year. _
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http://www.gbgm-umc.org/AldersgateUMCMI/action.html 11/08/06 JIM