Author: Owner

September 2012

The Gate Post

Our Mission: To Create Contagious Christian Community
That values children and helps them grow in the light of Love.
That meets people in the midst of crisis and walks alongside to find solace and solution.
That builds deep and caring relationships and fosters a sense of the joy of belonging.
That gathers together in worship in forms/expressions that are dynamic, meaningful and open to all.

Rally Day
Sunday, September 9th
All Church Potluck at 11:00
(Look for details inside this newsletter)

September Sermon Series
Love Language
Sept. 9 A Confusion of Tongues Genesis 11:1-9
Sept. 16 Finding the Rosetta Stone Acts 2:1-13
Sept. 23 All Outta Love Deuteronomy 4:23-31
Sept. 30 Love Wins 1 John 4:7-19

The Aldersgate Community~2417 Getz Road, Ft. Wayne, IN 46804~260-432-1524~www.aldersgatecommunity.com

September Weekly Reading Through the Bible

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	Gospels	Law	History	Psalms	Poetry	Prophecy	Epistles
Sept. 2	John 13-15	Numbers 13-16	I Chronicles 20-24	Psalms 105-107	Proverbs 22	Joel	ll Timothy 3-4
Sept. 9	John 16-18	Numbers 17-20	I Chronicles 25-29	Psalms 108-110	Proverbs 23-24	Amos 1-4	Titus
Sept. 16	John 19-21	Numbers 21-24	ll Chronicles 1-5	Pslams 111-113	Proverbs 25	Amos 5-9	Philemon
Sept. 23	Acts 1-2	Numbers 25-28	ll Chronicles 6-10	Psalms 114-116	Proverbs 26-27	Obadiah	Hebrews 1-4
Sept. 30	Acts 3-4	Numbers 29-32	ll Chronicles 11-15	Psalms 117-118	Proverbs 28	Jonah	Hebrews 5-7

Aldersgate Financial Update

In an effort to keep Aldersgate Members more informed about the ongoing status of our Church’s finances the Finance Committee is providing the following information in summary form. Please note that our Church’s revenue and expenses fluctuate throughout the year; and, each Member’s commitment to honoring a pledge is vital to the financial stability of our Church. Thank you for your commitment and participation in giving.

	June, 2012	June, 2011
Need per month	68,917	68,306
Received	54,130	45,894
Need YTD	413,502	409,836
Received YTD	400,155	383,766
Expense YTD	416,798	393,126

	July, 2012	July, 2011
Need per month	68,917	68,306
Received	53,990	62,661
Need YTD	482,419	478,142
Received YTD	454,145	446,427
Expense YTD	480,448	477,145
The total operating budget for 2012 is $827,000.00, which is an average monthly need of $68,917.

Potluck Lunch
11:15-???

Aldersgate Rally Day
2012
Sunday, Sept. 9th

What is Rally Day?

Bring a dish to share and join us for food, fellowship, and fun! If your last name begins with
A-M...bring a main dish;
N-R...bring a side dish and
S-Z...bring a dessert.

*Please contact Joan Schell or the church office to sign up for the Potluck Picnic
(so we can plan accordingly) or sign up in the Market Place each Sunday in August.

2417 Getz Road
Ft. Wayne, IN 46804

260-432-1524
aldersgatecommunity.com

Rally Day is a day when the Church “rallies” together to launch all of the ministries for the upcoming school year after having been gone for the summer.
We welcome every member of our faith family to participate in Worship, Sunday school and social events. Our programs provide meaningful Christian education for everyone—wherever they may be on their faith journey.
Join us between services and after the 10am worship for our Ministry Open House! Come and see what you might be missing. We have ministry opportunities for all ages - children, youth and adults!

Ministry Opportunities

Community Outreach Opportunities

Bowling for Wellspring
Congregation members are invited to support the second annual Bowling for Wellspring scheduled for September 7th and 9th at Pro Bowl West, 1455 Goshen Road.
Participants form teams of four or five and bowl two games selecting one of three bowling times: Friday, September 7, 9:15p.m., Sunday, September 9, 1:00p.m., Sunday, September 9, 3:30p.m.
A challenge for each bowler is to raise $100.00 or more, gaining sponsors from family, friends, businesses and organizations.
Bowling is free and participants will enjoy refreshments, receive t-shirts, surprise giveaways and be eligible for other prizes based on the amount raised and bowling scores.
Proceeds from the event will be used to support both Wellspring’s Youth Summer Day Camp and its Food Bank.
For more information contact Jennifer Kasmier or Frank Zirille at Wellspring by phone (422-6618) or by e-mail, fzirille@wellspringinterfaith.org

ALDERSGATE ART SHOW
Sunday October 7-Sunday October 28
The Aldersgate Liturgical Arts Committee is proud to sponsor
an Art Show featuring members of the Fort Wayne Artist Guild.
Art work will be displayed in the hallway by the church office, the Gallery, Market Place and Parlor.

Wellspring Interfaith Social Services
Presents a
Congregational Open House
Sunday, October 21, 2012
9:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
Wellspring Center- 1316 Broadway
Refreshments
Wellspring to honor volunteers from its supporting congregations.
Also, tour the recently renovated facility and learn more regarding Wellspring’s efforts to provide services for the city’s core.

Canterbury Family Fun Run (Tin can 5K)
The Canterbury Family Fun Run/Walk is an annual fundraiser to support the Associated Churches Food Bank. This race offers great fun, fitness, prizes and the opportunity to serve the hunger needs of our community. Whether you love to run or walking is more your speed, bring the whole family on October 13. The course begins at the Canterbury High School soccer fields and continues through the campus to part of the Aboite New Trails system.
Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Canterbury High School
8:45a.m. Pee Wee Race (ages 3-9)
Entry Fee: Canned Food Donation
9a.m. 5K Run/Walk
Entry Fee: $15 and Canned Food Donation
* Food barrels will be located at the race site for your canned food donations
* Childcare provided for Pee Wee racers during the 5K
10a.m. Awards
Awards are given to the overall male and female winners and to the first three male and female winners in each age group. Age groups are 10 and Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and over.
Please go to: www.canterburyschool.org for race information and entry forms.

Do you know what your toes are doing?
I have become increasingly aware of how much I do not know of the many ministries that are part of Aldersgate. Many of us have a particular passion that consumes our time and talents. Often our single-minded focus blinds us to the work of others. Some are so humble (never been accused of that!) that others are not even aware of their ministry contribution even though they might like to join them.
As I said in the last Administrative Board meeting, I want to take time to highlight and celebrate the ministries of our church. Paul taught us that we each have different talents; but as long as each one of us uses the talents that we have, the overall works become those of the body that is Aldersgate. If you are a leader of a mission project in Aldersgate, I would love to hear from you and publicize your contribution to our church. Put aside your humility and remember that what you do is God working through you! That’s not anything to keep quiet about!!
Jane Van Kleeck sent me this information on the Shawl Ministry:
The Aldersgate Shawl Ministry began in 2006 with a group of ladies who love to knit and crochet and wanted to use their talents to benefit others in the Aldersgate Community. They began by making prayer shawls for those who were suffering from illness, were hospitalized or just needed comfort. Another arm of this was making baptismal shawls for the babies and children who were baptized here at Aldersgate.
Today, this ministry involves twenty-five ladies who come once a month to the church to visit, knit, crochet and make shawls, which are then blessed at the altar and have a prayer card attached to be given to the recipient of the shawl. Around Christmas time, a special project is done by the group which have included knitting and crocheting sweaters and scarves for the Bear Creek Mission in South Dakota. Future projects being considered include neck-warmers for our military forces serving in Afghanistan.
If you are in need of some extra prayer or comfort, or know of someone who is, contact the church office. If you like to knit or crochet and would like to join this group, it meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 at the church.
To date, over 300 prayer and baptismal shawls have been made and given away. “Our hands are God’s hands. He works through us.” Isn’t it comforting to know that our love and caring will touch or change someone else’s life?
Thanks Jane for sharing this ministry with us. You don’t want me in this group, but never the less it’s part of MY church’s ministry. Please let me have more news to highlight by email at davidtcarter@gmail.com or via the church office.
David Carter- Lay Leader

United Methodist Women
Martha Circle: will meet Sept 10 @ 6p.m. in the lounge. Call Linda Sackman (403-2462) Mary Circle: will meet Sept. 11 @ noon in the lounge , “The Landcomer”, book review. Call Ruthann Keisler (485-5175).
Rachel Circle: will meet Sept 26 @ Gloria Gillenwater’s house. Call Melinda Fast (625-5315).
Ruth Circle: will meet Sept 4 and 18 @ noon in room 202 at the church. Call Lynette Jehl (616-0164).
Fall Kick Off: Tuesday, Sept. 18 @ 7p.m. in the lounge. LaDonna Weber will be speaking about her mission trip to Africa.
NE Indiana District Conference: Aldersgate UMW will be hosting this event. Saturday, Sept. 29, 9:30a.m.-2:00p.m.
Mark Your Calendar: FALL RUMMAGE SALE…...Thursday, October 11th.

Outreach Community Offerings
AA- Every Monday @ 7:30p.m. in room 124
ALANON- Every Tuesday @ 7:30p.m. in room 131
ALATEEN- Every Tuesday @ 7:30p.m. in room 202
12 Step- Every Tuesday @ 7:30p.m. in room 124
Big Book- Every Thursday @ 6:30p.m.
Super Shots- the first Thursday of each month from 4p.m.-7p.m.
Weight Watchers- Every Wednesday from 6:30p.m.-8:00p.m. and Friday from 9:30a.m.-11:00a.m., Down Under
Me-N-U Community Meals- Every Thursday from 6p.m.-7p.m. in the gym
CUB SCOUT PACK 3349 meets Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Down Under. It serves boys in grades 1 to 5. Contact Jim and Mindy Flesher- email jimandmin@comcast,net
BOY SCOUT TROOP 349 meets Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Down Under. It serves boys 11 to 18. Contact Dean Wilkening email dwilkening@reawire.com

The Street ~ Children’s Ministry We are working with a new name and logo for the Children’s Ministries at Aldersgate.
The children’s wing renovation project should be done in September or early October and we will be moving all of our children's activities into this exciting new area!!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED THEIR TIME AND GIFTS TO THE RENOVATION OF THE GYM. Because of you we have an amazing place for kids to come to Aldersgate and learn about God in a space designed just for them!
The Name: Three to four years ago, early on in the design process for the new children’s area, we had to decide on a theme. There were a group of people who met fairly often to create and imagine what the new space might look like. I preferred a Biblical theme while others suggested a fun theme. After research and discussion we decided on ‘The Street’ because it gave us both….
A child who may be attending our church or coming to a church for the first time, will see our new area as a fun ‘cityscape’. Those who attend Aldersgate on a regular basis will soon learn that ‘The Street’ is an image of what Aldersgate Street may have been like (with a whimsical twist) when John Wesley had his heart strangely warmed. Come and see how many hearts you can find hidden throughout the new children's space ♥
Fall Sunday School returns with new learning opportunities on Sunday, September 9th!
3 yr olds—1st grade will hear traditional Bible stories as their first stepping stone on their faith journey.
2nd graders will dig into their heritage and history by learning about John Wesley, Communion, and Baptism along with learning how to read their Bible.
3rd graders will dig a little deeper into the Bible by learning the names of the books, who wrote them and what each book is about.
4th—6th graders will learn about their ‘Ancestors’ in the J12 Club for tweens.
All of these classes give the children a foundation of faith to build on as they grow.
Cradle Care Nursery is moving! We have outgrown our current nursery room with our baby boom last year. We should be all moved into our new space in room #120 by early September.
Kid's Club & J12 Club return Wed. September 5th, 5:30-7:30 for all children in Kindergarten—5th grade. No need to register—just bring your dinner, Bible, giggles and be ready for fun Bible learning and games!

Music, Worship & Arts Ministries
The Choir Season for 2012-2013 is about to begin and with it comes plans for extraordinary music and arts offerings for folks of all ages. We hope to have many more participants in our area of ministry. Choir practices begin the week following Labor Day, September 4-9. So, if you can sing, ring handbells, play an instrument, dance, sew, draw, build or are good with publicity call Marlane at the church (432-1524) and let's chat about a place for you in the Arts Ministry! Opportunities are available for Kindergarten age kids to age 100+.
The Old Crown Brass Band and Aldersgate's Music Ministry are working together for some exciting program plans. So please mark you calendars and watch for more detailed concert information. The Band will offer a fall program on Monday, September 17. On Monday, November 12th, our Handbell Choirs & the band will offer an American Trilogy in honor of Veterans' Day. December 17th, will bring a joint program with the band, Aldersgate's Vocal and Handbell Choirs. All concerts are at 7:00 p.m. Please don't miss them!

Lifetree Cafe
September 5- “What’s Right With You? : The Surprising Truth about Self-Worth”
September 12- “The President's Faith: Does It Matter?”
September 19- “Passing Judgment: The Surprising Truth about How We Make Up Our Minds”
September 26- “Living After a Suicide: When Loved Ones Take Their Own lives”
Meeting at New Ground Coffee Company
5925 North Clinton Blvd. (Washington Square)
Every Wednesday Evening from 7p.m.-8p.m.

The Aldersgate Academy
Aldersgate Academy is currently enrolling children from church families and the community. We are committed to being a high quality child care and educational program in which children are supported to reach their full potential as Children of God. This is accomplished through the caring love of staff, the use of developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities, and a safe environment. Please contact us if you would like information about our program.
Sara Lane, Director
432-4507

Senior Adults
Jolly Gaters- will meet Tuesday, September 18, at noon in the lounge. Max Robison from Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana will speak about the flights to Washington D.C. with World War ll veterans. Please join us.
Doctor’s Seminar- join us as Dr. Bruce Guebard, Dr. Mark O’Shaughnessy and Dr. Leslie Swartz-Williams hold a question and answer session on Sunday, September 30th at 11:15a.m. in the lounge. Starting the first Sunday in September a box labeled “Ask the Doctor” will be on the Welcome Kiosk for the congregation to submit questions.
Looking Ahead- October 28th, the Sr. Adults will host a fundraiser bake sale. Funds raised will pay for the veteran’s meals at their luncheon in November.
For additional questions or information contact Roy Horther (432-1524).

Parish Visitor
As your Parish Visitor, I am going to start sharing with you the people on my list who are either shut-ins, unable to get out with others’ help or having health issues at this time. Please lift these people up in your prayers. I am in contact with each of these every week with a letter and the bulletin. Some of them also get CD’s of the service. Visits are made also. It is my desire to keep them connected to their church in this way. If you know others who should be on the list, please let me know (432-1524)
Ellen Rhoades, Parish Visitor
OUR CURRENT SHUT INS….
Marie Albert, Jim Altman, Mariam Baker, Betty Baker, Barbara Ball, Clarence Bandelier, Kathie Bell, Jeanette Bridgett, Joyce Campbell, Pat Dewart, Clarence & Bonnie Dowling, Geraldine Frederick, Marinell Fry, Ruth Gongaware, Deidra Gulley, Rosalie Hofmann, Mary Hughes, Hilda Kreigh, Elmer Maucher, Elaine Ping, Thelma Ring, Mable Robinette, Phyllis Rudolph, Gaynelle Shady, Kathryn Shurtz, Ann Taylor, Colleen Ward, Virgina Gilb, Ruth White, Valoice Woodruff.

Bear Creek Mission
In July, our work mission projects went very well at the Bear Creek Community in South Dakota. The recipients of our house painting were grateful & asked that we thank Aldersgate for your most generous support!
Bless you, Friends!
Marlane

2417 Getz Road
Ft. Wayne, IN 46804

Non Profit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
Fort Wayne, IN
Permit No. 683

Return Service Requested

Our Ministry Staff
Dr. Derek Weber– Lead Pastor derekcw@aol.com
Rev. Christopher Millay- Associate Pastor christopher.millay@inumc.org
Rev. Don Wismer- Life Tree Cafe donaldwismer@gmail.com
Marlane Sturm- Dir. of Music, Worship & Arts Ministries marlane.sturm@gmail.com
Deidra Gulley- Music Assistant deidragulley@comcast.net
Jane Brager- Organist jmbrager@gmail.com
Brenda Henline- Accompanist brenda.henline@gmail.com
Joan Schell- Director of Children's Ministries kidsmagnet@yahoo.com
John Schell- Cradle Care and J12 Coordinator johnschell40@yahoo.com
Michele Phillips- Church Administrator aldersgate_office@yahoo.com
Deb Eckler- Financial Assistant ecklerdeb@gmail.com
Ellen Rhoades- Parish Visitor emr7962@comcast.net
Roy Horther- Sr. Adult Ministry Coordinator rehorther@hotmail.com
Sara Lane- Academy Director aldersgateacademy2012@gmail.com
Judy Smith- Volunteer Librarian J_S2802@comcast.net
Roy Horther- Custodian
Tina Mihalec- Custodian
Ken Arend- Night Host