NEWS ARCHIVES - JAN-APR 2005

The Chancel Choir visited Calvary UMC on April 22 for their Spring Revival. _

At our April 17 service, we commissioned Duane Brooks as a Volunteer in Mission. He worked with a team at a high school in Boliva. _

Thanks to all who prepared and tied knots for the prayer quilt for Linda and Rod Wagner. _

The Aldersgate Mission Committee sponsored a blood drive on Wednesday, April 13. Thanks to all who helped. _

At their April meeting, the United Methodist Women heard Sue Asher talk on First Call For Help, a service of the United Way of Midland County. _

Thanks to the Youth Chime Choir for their rendition of Joshus, Jericho and the Walls on April 10 _

A dinner to plan activities for young adults (20s to mid 40s) was held at Pi's on Friday, April 8. _

Thanks to our youth, to Wyl, and to Lyn for a very meaningful Easter Sonrise Service. Thanks to our choirs for the beautiful music at our Easter services. Thanks to everyone who contributed flowers.
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Welcome to those who have joined the church this quarter:
            Mike & Jan Warren             Mike & Heidi Trebilcock             Todd & Jill Nyman             Kris, Rod, & Bob Babcock
            Amy & Dean Liakos             Jan Baumgras             Jamie Hoy             Ken & Jennifer Root
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From January 30 to March 13, members of Aldersgate were on a spiritual journey called 40 Days of Purpose. Members met weekly in small groups in homes or in the church to watch a video teaching session that explored a scriptural theme. They then discussed together the theme and how it applied to their lives. The pastoral sermons during the 6 weeks were centered on the theme. The kick-off potluck dinner was Saturday, January 29 and the introductory sermon and meetings were Sunday, January 30. After the 9:25a worship on March 6, there was a Cruising Through Aldersgate Ministry & Mission Fair which illustrated the many ways members of Aldersgate are in service. Click here to view pictures from this fair. The concluding Celebration was a ceremony and dinner after the service on March. Thanks to all who had a part in planning and participating in the event. Click here to view a slide show from our 40 Days of Purpose Mission and Ministries Fair. _

On Friday, March 4, the Friendship ChristCare group had a light supper and a Game Night. Participants teamed up to play Cranium where question cards tested the creative cats, data heads, word worms and star performers present. _

Rainbow of Caring Blanket Sunday was February 13. Thanks to all who made a gift to help those who need it most through the Tools of Hope & Blanket Program of Church World Service and the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
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The United Methodist Women had a Mission study on Cuba on Wednesdays from January 5 through February 2. It was led by Alice Morgan. Cuba is the national study topic for United Methodist Women. _

The Trustees have upgraded Sunday School rooms with new ceilings, new lighting, new paint, and new carpet. Most of the work was done by church members. Thanks to all who helped. _

On January 30 Aldersgate hosted a concert by the folk-music group Madison Greene accompanied by the Psalters. Madison Greene is a 5-member Michigan-based group which play songs with Celtic, Cuban, and West African undertones. Their musical influences range from The Indigo Girls, Paul Simon, Rusted Root, Santana, Leahy, and West African drummers Mamady Keita, to mention a few. The songwriting styles have predominately been influenced by American folk music which is reflected by the strumming patterns and the melodies. Celtic influence can be heard with the violin, tin whistle, flutes and some drum patterns. The percussionists incorporate these styles underneath a diverse rhythm section producing a sound that is definitely their own. Most of their concerts are at churches and youth festivals. _

On Thursday, January 20, members of the church went on a one-day ski trip to Crystal Mountain. _

On Saturday, January 15, the Friendship ChristCare group attended the Saginaw Spirit hockey game. They helped cheer the local team to a win. _

The Church Women United Annual Assembly 2005 was held Friday, January 14, at Aldersgate. Mark Massey, Board member of The Open Door spoke about the newly acquired property being developed and dedicated as a women's shelter. A White Shower of household items such as pillows, sheets, towels, and personal care items was collected. _

The seniors group, 55 and the 3F's had Christian O'Callahan, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association, speak on what is happening in downtown Midland at their January meeting. Warren Crummett, a toxicologist and internationally-known authority, discussed issues around the dioxin issue in the Saginaw Valley at the February 14 meeting. At the March meeting, Jim & Alice Morgan talked about their recent trip to Bhutan. Carol Busick, author of Life on the Prairie was the speaker at the April 18 meeting. At the May meeting, entertainment was provided by the Messengers of Note from Memorial Presbyterian Church. _

Our Director of Christian Education, Lyn Frazier, is on her first year as a full time seminary student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. She attends classes from Monday to Thursday and will be at the church on Friday and over the weekend. _

Donations to UMCOR's "South Asia Emergency" relief efforts can be made through local churches or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10015. Checks should be designated for UMCOR Advance #274305."South Asia Emergency." Credit-card donations may be made by calling 1-800-554-8583, or you can use UMC.org's secure server to make an online donation. One hundred percent of your gift goes to relief and recovery efforts.      O God, that Great Tsunami: A Hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is now available at: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/worship/greattsunami.cfm.      A Prayer from a Heart in Pain in response to the tsunami disaster and the coming of a new year is at: http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=2882.      Worship Resources are at: http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/southasia.stm#worship.

http://www.gmgm-umc.org/AldersgateUMCMI/news.html 6/18/05 JIM