REV. DR. HOMER E. MORRIS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

It is with both sadness and joy that we announce the retirement of Rev. Dr. Homer E. Morris. It is with sadness that we will be losing Homer as our Sr. Pastor; but it is also with joy that Homer will be able to enter retirement, and hopefully a more peaceful and contemplative stage of his life. Dr. Morris and his wife, Debra have three children: Christy, John and Aaron; as well as grandchildren. Homer was appointed Senior Pastor to Aldersgate UMC on July 1, 2015 and has helped us not only with his sermons, but with his ability to bring some additional structure to our committees, as well as our other ministries and activities. Homer has been a servant of the United Methodist Church for 40 years. He is a graduate (B.A.) of Central Bible College and holds both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Asbury Theological Semi-nary. He was appointed Deacon in 1977 and a Full Member/Elder of the United Methodist denomination in 1979. Since then he has served churches all over eastern North Carolina. He has authored a book, Utilizing Word Pictures in Narrative Sermons which was published in 1992, and he is also the author of Filling Father's Shoes, a 1999 Book-On-Tape. Homer’s longest appointment was at Jarvis Memorial in Greenville, NC, for six years, just prior to coming to Aldersgate. Homer has also served at Harlowe-Oak Grove UMC, 5th Ave. UMC Wilmington NC, Burgaw Watha UMC, Whiteville UMC, First Clinton UMC, First Morehead City UMC, St. Paul UMC Goldsboro, NC. Homer’s retirement will be effective July 1, 2017. We will be planning a celebration for Homer nearer the time of his actual retirement. As part of the normal process of the United Methodist Church, we are work-ing with our District Superintendent to determine who Homer’s replacement will be. If you have thoughts regarding this, please see me or any of our other SPRC committee members. Please take a moment over the next few months to talk to Homer about his plans and to thank him for his service. Steve Wilfong SPRC Chair

Experience FEBRUARY 2017

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:

February Birthdays 2 Cookies/Conversation 2 Families Moving Forward 2-3 Thank You 3 Camp Chestnut Ridge 4 Sunday School Rally 4 Coming Soon 4 Everything Kids 4,5 AgapeShop4Kids 6 Music Notes 7 Stephen Ministry 8 Grief Share 8 WNL Meals 9 Lenten Worship Services 9 Lenten Devotional Book 10 PrimeTimers Schedule 11 Youth Valentine Banquet 11 Poverty Simulation 11 Special Events and Services 12 Aldersgate Weekday Ministries 13 Caring for the Caregiver 13 Lay Leadership Chairs 13 WNL Classes 14 Nursery Ministry, Acolytes/Altar Guild & Trustee 15 Financials 16 February Lay Assistants 17

RITTGERS, Shelia 02/01

SWARINGEN, Roy 02/01

BRESE, Dave 02/02

MARLOW, Barry 02/02

MULLINS, Jane 02/02

VEASEY, Paula 02/03

ANDERSON, Jeremy 02/04

KING, Lee 02/05

CUNNINGHAM, Baz 02/07

FISHER, Greg 02/08

MONTGOMERY, Nick 02/08

MORRIS, Linda 02/08

PANZA, Mary Kathryn 02/08

ANDERSON, Isabella 02/09

COLEMAN, Jan 02/09

OAKLEY, Ronnie 02/09

SCHOENFELD, Abby 02/09

VOORHEES, Scott 02/09

JONES, Cindy 02/10

REO, Julie 02/11

STORY, Shaunesy 02/11

FINCH, Anne 02/12

LEAHY, Margaret 02/12

SYKES, Debbie 02/12

TILLOTSON, Michael 02/12

CROSE, John 02/13

DOUGLASS, Mary 02/13

HAGAMAN, Alice 02/13

HAGAMAN, John 02/14

HEALY, Elizabeth 02/14

KANE, Dawn 02/14

DERNOSEK, Susan 02/15

WHITNEY, Shirley 02/15

LOWANS, Sheilah 02/16

STEWART, Randy 02/17

SWENSON, Christine 02/17

ALLEN, Carl 02/18

HINTON, Chick 02/18

WELLER, Diane 02/19

HUGHES, Madeleine 02/20

BOATRIGHT, Charles 02/21

JONES, Andy 02/21

COLEMAN, Drayton 02/23

STANCIL, Pat 02/23

CUMMINGS, Susan 02/24

EDWARDS, Kay 02/24

TILLOTSON, Mark 02/24

BAHOR, Ashley 02/25

MCALLISTER, Kim 02/26

NEWMAN, Fran 02/26

MCCORISON, Andy 02/27

BARBOUR, Sara 2/28

CARTER, Bob 02/28

HARRIS, Kaye 02/28

HONEYCUTT, Ryan 02/28

PAGE 2

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

CONNECTING (CONNECT WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER)

COOKIES & CONVERSATION

FEB 5TH, 9:30 AM AND 12:00 NOON Inviting all new members, regular attenders and guests! On February 5th, immediately following the worship services, we will offer “Cookies and Conversation,” in the Wesley Room. This is an opportunity for you to meet Aldersgate pastors, staff, and key lay leaders. This is a good chance to ask any questions you may have about AUMC, plugging into a ministry here, or the Methodist Church in general.

FAMILIES MOVING FORWARD * CURRENT NEEDS: NEW twin or full sheets, blankets or bedspreads, Gift cards to Walmart, Target or Visa ,Volunteers to mentor individual families (for 90 days), Study Buddies to work with kindergarten thru ninth graders (1 hr), Volunteers who can refresh a families room when they move out (1 hr). If you can help with any of these

needs please contact Mary Taylor: Mary@aldersgate.org

FMF is an emergency shelter for families with children. Homeless people go to the Dept. of Social Services and they are referred to FMF. We have supported this mission for more than 15 years. It was previously called IHN – Interfaith Hospitality

Network and merged with Genesis house to become FMF. Twenty-One Families at a time live at the shelter at 300 N Queen St near the downtown library. They stay there for up to 90 days. The shelter provides supportive services such as food, shelter, employment services and assistance will child care and schools. They teach life skills such as balancing a checkbook, finding a job, selecting a home, and providing effective parenting skills. AUMC partners with Temple Baptist and the Congregation of Duke Chapel 4 times a year. In January we served 59 people including 20 adults and 39 children. Our next opportunity is Monday April 24th and Thursday April 27th. If you are interested in preparing food, serving food, providing child care for children ages 5 and under, or being a study buddy to school age children, please contact Mary Taylor at mary@aldersgate.org

PAGE 3

FAMILIES MOVING FORWARD

EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS

LOVING (LOVE GOD THROUGH WORSHIP, AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR THROUGH SERVICE)

FROM: THRESHOLD CLUB HOUSE I wish to extend a tremendous thank you on be-half of everyone at Threshold for the generous monthly donations from the congregation of Al-dersgate. We are extremely grateful for the ongo-ing support. Threshold serves more than 100 men and women from Durham County with severe and persistent mental illness, many live at or below the poverty line. Thank you for your generous support and com-mitment to our programs and members. Elizabeth Barber Executive Director

FROM: LONGHURST UMC ROXBORO NC Dear Brothers and Sisters of Aldersgate UMC, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! We want to thank you for your gift toward the rebuild of the Longhurst Parsonage. Our Par-sonage was heavily damaged by a plumbing issue on June 4th. The restoration work was extensive and costly. Thank you again for your generosity. With the Peace of Christ, Pastor Norma Walters Roberts

CAMP CHESTNUT RIDGE Through our connection with Camp Chestnut Ridge, we are able to offer a discounted registration rate for summer camp the week of June 19th - 23rd, 2017. Simply register for week 2 and enter the code “Aldersgate.” Please see the note below regarding transportation.

Transportation: We are able to offer 13 spaces on our bus for transpor tation to Chestnut Ridge and back from the church. Cost is $25 for the week. Priority is offered first to AUMC members through Jan 31st. On February 1, any remaining spots will be opened to Week Day School families. Email eric@aldersgate.org to reserve your spot (if available). No other transportation will be offered from Aldersgate UMC.

SUNDAY SCHOOL February 5: The Sower, Luke 8:4-15 February 12: The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37 February 19: The Stories of the Lost, Luke 15:3-10 February 26: The Forgiving Father, Luke 15: 11-32

February 25th Prayer Brunch March 26th Third Grade Bibles presented in 11:00 worship March 19th-Apr 2nd Worship and Sacraments class for grades 1-5 (during Sunday School) April 2nd Children’s Sabbath Sunday April 26-28th Orange Conference June 19-23rd Chestnut Ridge Camp June 26-30th Vacation Bible School

PAGE 4

Sunday School Winter Rally: February 12th On February 12th, ALL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES will gather in the Sanctuary at 9:45 am for a time of teaching, discussion, worship, and fellowship led by Eric Prenshaw. We will also have some special music during this time as we gather together. Children’s classes will meet there, too, with their teachers, and then be dismissed to their classrooms in the Family Life Center. This will also be an oppor-tunity to review our new Kid Check digital check-in process for children and answer any questions that parents may have.

CHILDREN’S PRAYER BRUNCH February 25th * 9:30-11:00 in the Wesley Room All children from pre-K through 2nd grade and their parents are invited to a Prayer Brunch on Saturday February 25th from 9:30-11:00 am. This event will start in the Wesley Room in the main church building and then move to the Sanctuary. We will share a continental breakfast and then rotate through a series of activities to learn about how to pray. This event is part of our Milestone Ministry here at Aldersgate UMC. As children grow up in wisdom and stature before the world, we want to offer milestones for children to reach in their faith.

3RD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION On March 26th in the 11:00 worship service we will present Bibles to our 3rd grade class. This is another event in our Milestone Ministry here at Aldersgate and an important step as our children learn to read and understand the Bible on their own. If your child is currently in the 3rd grade, please email Eric Prenshaw (eric@aldersgate.org) to indicate how you would like their name engraved. Please do so by March 1st.

WORSHIP & SACRAMENTS CLASS On March 19th, 26th, and April 2nd, all children from grades 1-5 are invited to participate in a worship and sacraments class during the Sunday School hour. This class will be led by Eric Prenshaw with assistance from other Sunday School teachers. We will go over the different parts of the worship service, our role in worship-ping God, as well as baptism and communion. We will conclude the class on April 2 with a Children’s Sabbath celebration Sunday in worship.

CHILDREN’S SABBATH SUNDAY: On April 2nd our children will take a primary role in leading our worship services. Through prayers, music, readings, greeting, ushering, acolyting, and other roles, our children will offer their gifts of worship. As Jesus invites us in Matthew 18:3-4, “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This will be an exciting Sunday for our children as well as our entire congregation.

PAGE 5

KID’S OWN WORSHIP * VOLUNTEERS NEEDED You are invited to join us in an exciting ministry with our children. Every Sunday during the 11:00 worship service, we invite our children ages 4 through 2nd grade to join us in room 202 of the FLC for an age-appropriate time of worship. Not only is this a ministry to our children, but also to their parents who can engage with the sermon and other aspects of worship. We are looking for a rotation of volun-teers as both leaders and assistants during this time. You don’t have to be an expert on kids, you just have to show that you care about them and point them to Jesus. Please contact Eric Prenshaw if you would be willing to serve on a once a month basis, or even as a substitute (eric@aldersgate.org).

Saturday, March 18th 8 am-1 pm Sunday, March 19th 12:30 pm-2:00 pm

*many items will be half-price on Sunday

Items for sale include: baby clothes, children’s clothes, maternity clothes,

costumes, shoes, toys, books, movies, baby gear, bedding, furniture, and much more!

Come to:

Aldersgate United Methodist Church Family Life Center Umstead Rd., Durham • Call or email for information: 919-818-0454 (Barbara Snyder) Or request info through

agapeshop4kidsaumc@gmail.com

* Please Note: All Consignment Sales Are Cash or Credit Only *

Pick up Seller and Buyer information at the Welcome Centers

Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s Agape Circle’s Semi-Annual

AgapeShop4Kids A Children’s Charity Consignment Sale

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

MUSIC NOTES BY NAN DE ANDRADE Please contact Nan de Andrade, Music Minister, to learn more. (nan@aldersgate.org)

CHANCEL CHOIR You may have noticed our strange Musinex Germ-themed wreath on our choir room door. This is to highlight the health benefits of singing in a choir. Singing and choir participation are shown to be brain-builders and body-nourishers! Let music help you deepen your spiritual worship, grow in your music skills… and at the same time, oxegenate your blood and get those endorphins going! We are beginning work on special music for Holy Week and Easter, and all voices are welcome and needed!! Youth are also invited! Join us, Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 – 9:00 pm in the sanctuary. Child care can be provided, just let Nan know! YOUNG DANCERS AND SACRED DANCERS Young Dancers for Children (2nd-5th grade) and Sacred Dancers (Youth) will be launching new dance sessions this month. Any child/youth is welcome to participate – the session will culminate in a

worship performance, so please join if you can commit to the preparation and the performance date. WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE! FOR KIDS 6:30 – 7:30 pm * Music and Arts explorations each week! Two groups: Age 4 (Pre-K)-6/7 (1st graders) and 2nd-5th graders * Led by: Nan de Andrade and varied Worship Artists from our own congregation! Each week, we enjoy Singing and Worship and discover and experience other worship arts, such as painting, dance, bells and more! PLEASE BRING YOUR CHILDREN ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS! We are having a blast and Aldersgate loves when OUR CHILDREN LEAD US IN WORSHIP! P.S. If you practice a worship art (if you do it and it draws you to God, it’s a worship art!) that you could share with the children for a few weeks, please contact Nan! RING IN SPRING * As you know, our 2017 Epiphany Ring had to be cancelled due to snow and ice. But we have good news! Sunday, March 12th, we will host an alternative festival we’re calling “RING IN SPRING.” Hosted by Aldersgate and featuring six handbell ensembles from around the Triangle sharing massed-ringing and individual selections, this festival will offer a variety of beautiful sacred original compositions and hymn arrangements. Guest conductor is Kathleen Wissinger, handbell educator and composer, of Virginia. The con-cert at 7 pm is free; please invite your friends and neighbors to come and enjoy.

YOU'RE INVITED!

Next Saturday, February 4, at 4 pm, join us as 35 brass instrumentalists come together at Trinity United Method-ist Church to perform in a Brass Band Bonanza that will benefit Open Table Ministry. You do not want to miss this spectacular show in Trinity Church's neo-Gothic sanctuary. Joining forces for this unforgettable performance are the Durham Medical Orchestra Brass, Trinity Brass Quintet, UNC Sackbut Ensemble and the Durham Bullhorns, in addition to organist Rozanna Vancil-Goocey and guest conductor Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant. This is a free concert, open to all in our community. Listeners of all ages are greatly encouraged to attend. A free-will offering will be accepted benefiting Open Table Ministry, to help meet the needs of the homeless in our community.

PAGE 8

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Are you experiencing turmoil in your life? A Stephen Minister can help. They are members of our Aldersgate family who are specially trained to listen, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through a difficult time. In fact, their training allows them to provide one -on-one support for those who are experiencing grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, etc. Following the death of his young son in a freak accident at school, Roy became stuck in his grief and unable to reach out for help. To complicate his recovery, Roy began to turn away from his faith by believing that God had abandoned him. Instead of finding new hope and spiritual strength to move on with his life, Roy turned away from his friends and refused to attend church or to read his Bible daily. Roy credits his Stephen Minister with helping him see that his intense emotional feelings were dictating his thoughts, causing him to become stuck in his grief. “My Stephen Minister,” Roy said, “helped me to understand that just because I felt that God no longer cared about me did not make these feelings right, true, or helpful. Instead, his Stephen Minister helped Roy to see that God was still his shelter and strength and would continue to walk alongside him to provide peace, strength, and hope. “Over time, this understanding helped me to heal by enabling me,” Roy declared, “to see that God was for me, not against me.” If you want to request a Stephen Minister, or learn more about Aldersgate UMC’s Stephen Ministry program, or if you know of a relative, a friend, or a co-worker, who might benefit, contact Jack Snyder at 919-477-0509 Ext. 303, or email him at: Jack@aldersgate.org.

Grief Share Support Group

A Grief Share Support Group is being formed for those who have suffered a significant loss in their lives (death of a loved one, loss of a job, broken relationship, etc.). This nationally-recognized program provides encourage-ment, comfort, and practical suggestions to help suffering people find positive ways to grieve their loss. No matter the cause of a person’s loss, this support group offers an opportunity to be around other people who understand the painful impacts of one’s loss. Participants will learn how to recognize the symptoms of

being stuck in grief and the cost of being a prisoner to fear or worry about what others may think. Participants will also be guided in establishing a new norm for their life and in renewing their hope for the future. The next Grief Share Support Group will begin meeting Tuesday, February 7, from 6:30-8:30 pm. The group will meet weekly at Aldersgate United Methodist Church located at 1320 Umstead Rd. in northern Durham. There is no cost to participate, but registration is encouraged. To register, or for more information, contact Rev. Jack Snyder at 919-477-0509 Ext. 303.

RESERVATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED, However, dinner will be served on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis from 5:30-6:15 pm. So come early for a tasty meal, wonderful fellowship and a chance to partici-pate in a Bible study or other class. Meals will be sponsored by: Feb. 1st: Feed My Flock Feb. 8th: Haiti Mission Team Feb. 15th: Haiti Mission Team Feb. 22nd: Choir Menus were not available.

If you’ve been craving great food and fellowship your wait is almost over. Wednesday Night Live Fellowship Meals begin January 13th. Meals are served in the Family Life Center from 5:30-6:15 pm.

Each week's menu features an entree, vegetables and simple dessert. Prices will remain at $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10.

PAGE 9

LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES

EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT

MARCH 8TH - APRIL 5TH

Rev. Belton Joyner guest speaker (March 8th and 15th) We will begin the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30 pm on March 1st. On the Wednesdays during Lent, all adults are invited to gather in the Sanctuary for a Lenten worship service with a special speaker, discussion, fellowship, and worship. We will focus on how we worship together in light of the cross. Din-ner will begin at 5:30 pm with worship and teaching to follow at 6:30 pm. Children will continue to have their separate meeting time.

Our first guest speaker will be Rev. Belton Joyner, a retired United Methodist Pastor who lives in Bahama, NC. Belton has written many books including Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt and Life in the Fishbowl. He teaches Methodist History and Wesleyan theology as a visiting lecturer at Duke Divinity School. With Belton’s love of the church and his sharp wit, your heart will be strangely warmed for weeks to come. Other speakers will follow.

2017 LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOK * “BECAUSE HE F IRST LOVED ME”

For the past several years Aldersgate has published a Lenten Devotional Guide for all of our church mem-bers. Many people have been touched by these inspiring stories. We again want to call on our own church members to write a short devotion for our 2017 Lenten Devotional Book.

This year’s theme of the 2017 Lenten Devotional Book is “Because He First Loved Me". Please prayerfully consider telling a short story of a time when you felt God’s love, when you felt his presence, when you heard Him speak to you, felt God moving within your life or gently moving you in a different direction.

Select a scripture that relates to your message and end with a short prayer. The scripture and prayer will be printed in the book along with your story. If you need help with the scripture, we will be glad to help you. It should be between 200 – 500 words and begin with a title and conclude with a prayer. If you would like to see a sample, please contact: Holly@aldersgate.org.

Beginning the 1st day of Lent, March 1, 2017, you will receive a Daily Lenten Devotion each morning by email. Please make sure the church office has your correct email address. If you do not have an email account, printed copies will be available each Sunday morning at the Welcome Center. We hope this will serve as spiritual encouragement to our church members during the season of Lent, and pray that this will be life affirming for you too. Thank you for your contribution and may God bless you.

Please email Holly Hall and let her know if you will be writing a story. When your devotion is complete, please email it to holly@aldersgate.org. Your devotion needs to be sent in by Wednesday, February 8, 2017. If you have any questions feel free to contact Holly at the church - holly @aldersgate.org - (919) 477-0509 x 307.

PAGE 10

PAGE 11

PRIMETIMERS * FEBRUARY 2017 SCHEDULE

If you are 50+ and have not attended PrimeTimers before at AUMC, you are invited to enjoy fellowship, stimulating programs and good food. Learn more about our Church and community friends. We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday in the Wesley Room at 11:45. Thursday, February 2nd, at 11:45 is a potluck so please bring your favorite dish to share. As always, desserts and beverages will be provided. Chuck Alford will provide music for us to enjoy. Thursday, February 16th at 11:45 (bring your own lunch) Eric Prenshaw will speak with us and answer any questions you may have on Christian Formation. As always, desserts and beverages will be provided Thursday, March 2nd is a potluck so please bring your favorite dish to share. As always, desserts and beverages will be provided. Anne Finch will present a program on her recent trip to Guatemala for the Sewing Machine Project.

Bull City Youth Valentine’s Banquet

Sunday, February 12th Dinner starts at 6:00 PM * Breakfast in Bed! Who doesn’t love to eat breakfast food? It’s one of God’s greatest gifts to the earth, no matter what time of day!! Come out to celebrate the love in your life with this Sunday evening banquet! The Bull City Youth will be serving Breakfast food for dinner and playing games with the theme of “Breakfast in Bed!” All funds raised will go towards The Youth mission trip to do hurricane relief on the NC coast. Purchase tickets in advance: $10/plate, Tickets at the door $12. Contact Andrew Woods or find youth after worship services for your ticket.

Poverty Simulation

February 26th 5:00-7:30 PM * This simulation is a dynamic role-playing exercise meant to teach adults and youth about the realities of living in poverty. Groups of students will be assigned to “families” and have to navigate the complex world of being an adult, securing transportation, jobs, paying bills, and seeking help from agencies. We need adults from the church to assist by manning the agency stations: “lenders, mortgage collectors, police, social services, school teachers, etc.) This simulation is designed to be at its best when 60-80 people are taking part. We’re partnering with Mt. Sylvan UMC Youth group to put this event on, but we also want the adults of Aldersgate UMC to take part as well. Parents of youth are especially welcome so that they can participate and talk with their youth about the experience.

February 5th PETER: Do You Love Me ? Psalm 145:14-17; John 21:15-23 February 12th PETER: At the Beautiful Gate Isaiah 40:28-31; Acts 3:1-16 February 19th PETER: Peter’s Deliverance Psalm 18:1-3, 16-19; Acts 12:1-12, 18-24 February 26th Sermon by Eric Prenshaw

UPCOMING WORSHIP AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Special Events and Services

February 5th Scouting Sunday

February 12th Sunday School Winter Rally (9:45 am ) Sanctuary

February 12th Church-Wide Valentine’s Banquet (6:00 pm) FLC

February 25th Prayer Brunch

March 1st Ash Wednesday Service (6:30 pm)

March 12th Ring in Spring Handbell Festival (7:00 pm)

March 19th - April 2nd

Worship and Sacraments class for grades 1-5

(during Sunday School)

March 26th Third Grade Bibles presented in 11:00 Worship

April 2nd Children’s Sabbath Sunday

PAGE 12

MONDAY EVENING Caring for Caregivers meet the 2nd Monday each month (February 13th for this month) 6:30 pm in Room 201 in the Family Life Center. A class for those caring for loved ones with memory loss diseases. Learn, share and walk with others through this difficult journey. Led by: Sandra Reynolds.

PAGE 13 GROWING (GROW AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST, AND AS A FAITHFUL COMMUNITY CALLED THE CHURCH.)

Registration opens to the community on Feb. 7th. Please call (919) 479-8686 if you have any questions. FAMILY NIGHTS OUT: February 13th - Join us at the Blue Stingray from 5:00-9:00 pm. A portion of the sales will be donated to the scholarship fund.

ALDERSGATE WEEKDAY SCHOOL

Aldersgate Weekday School’s return registration for current students and Aldersgate UMC Members begins January 9th and is $30.00. The 2017 school year will begin in September, and we will have openings in our Toddler, 2 year-old, 3 year-old and 4 year-old classes. Registration forms are available in the school office or click on the link below: www.aldersgatewds.org.

2017 Lay Leadership Committee Chairs Staff: Sr. Pastor: Rev. Dr. Homer E. Morris Minister of Visitation: Rev. Jack Snyder Director of Christian Formation: Eric Prenshaw Director of Youth & Recreation: Andrew Woods

Minister of Music: Rev. Nan de Andrade Treasurer: Mary Taylor Facility Manager: Alan Roberts Director of Communications: Holly Hall Principal Organist: Stan Benton

Committee Chairs: Church Council: John Howe Lay Leaders: Suzi Caudill, Evelyn Johnson, Steve Wilfong Lay Member to Annual Conference: John Hall Trustee: Lisa Clark Finance: Lowry Caudill Staff Parish Chair: Steve Wilfong Methodist Men: Brandon Mitchell Audit: Paula Veasey, Susan Parham, April Twine Endowment: Ed Osteen Worship: Sandra Reynolds Lay Leadership: Rev. Homer Morris

Stewardship: Judy Alford Missions: Pat Porter Evangelism: Regina Whitaker Aldersgate Weekday School Board: Cynthia Bell Food & Fellowship: Debbi Sykes Sunday Coffee: Randy Gordon Special Events Set ups: Brandon Mitchell Children’s Formation: Kimberly Riggs Adult Formation: Audrey Turley Nurture & Membership: Holly Hall/Jack Snyder Parsonage: Robin Thomas Website: John Hall Technology: John Hall Youth Leadership Team: Andrew Woods

Wednesday Night Live * 7 sessions through Feb. 22nd

OFFERINGS:

“Our Covenant God” with Rev. Homer Morris * Room 206, FLC

Come explore the Book of Genesis with Pastor Homer Morris. This Bible study will help you understand the character of God and our relationship with God. We will begin at creation, continue through the fall, and see how God begins to work out his plan of redemption through covenant-making. This knowledge of God’s covenant is vital for under-standing the new covenant in Jesus Christ. Lessons will include the following: God speaks, God scatters the proud, God welcomes, carrying the covenant, wrestling with God, in God’s time, and God works for the good.

A Disciple’s Path with John Hall and Eric Prenshaw * Wesley Room

Have you ever had a sense that there ought to be more to being a member of the church than just attending worship, making a pledge, and sitting on a committee? Whatever our religious background may be, most of us long for something more. We catch fleeting hints of a spiritual hunger for a deeper relationship with God. Wherever we are along the journey of faith, we are pestered by the realization that church should not just be where we go, but who we are. This study combines a Wesleyan understanding of our growth in God’s love and grace with the time-tested practices of spiritual discipline expressed in the membership vows to uphold the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. You will develop spiritual practices, discover your unique gifts, and become engaged in ministry that brings transformation in our own lives, the lives of others, and the world.

Young Women’s Small Group with Lara Rowland * Room 210, FLC

Being a young woman, spouse, and/or mom all while trying to balance work and your own needs is a demanding job! Let’s come together to support and encourage one another as we walk this journey together. This group will focus on a weekly devotional and scripture read-ing, small group conversation, and praying for one another. Most sessions will meet at Aldersgate UMC, through there may be one or two weeks to enjoy a dinner out together.

PAGE 14

Wednesday Night Live Classes * 6:30 - 7:30 pm

PAGE 15

8:15 AM SERVICE 2/5/17 MCKAYLE NYE 2/12/17 BENJAMIN WIKE 2/19/17 DANIELLE NIXON 2/26/17 MEADOW SNYDER

Alice Osteen and Myrna Umphlett

Nursery Ministry

Acolyte

An acolyte is a person who assists the presiding minister/pastor in worship and carries out cer-tain duties, including candle lighting; carrying the processional cross; holding or getting items the pastor needs at baptisms, Holy Communion, and other worship acts. Acolytes may be chil-dren, youth, and adults.

11:00 AM SERVICE 2/5/17 ELIZABETH HEALY AND SAMMY TURLEY 2/12/17 ABBIE ROBINSON 2/19/17 RILEY HALE 2/26/17 JOSHUA BOSECKER

Altar Guild

EACH SUNDAY MORNING:

Nursery teachers are: Lynn Wilfong, Ellen Whisnant and Dawn Eckhoff.

Altar Guild assures the worship space and supporting materials are prepared for worship.

Trustee for February

Trustees are Christian stewards of the property God has entrusted to the congregation. Effective trustees supervise and maintain the property of the congrega-tion to ensure that disciple-making ministries of the congregation are effective and that local legal re-quirements related to the property are satisfied.

Kaye Harris

PAGE 16

When you think about AUMC’s finances, more than likely numbers, commas, and decimals come to mind. Some may think of the annual budget. Others may think about monthly giving or the church’s capital debt. While these are important aspects of the church’s finances, they are not our most important numbers. The real story is what your gener-ous and faithful financial support of the church makes possible – creating disciples of Christ. It is the lives touched, needs met, and relationships deepened with our Lord and Savior.

2017 February Financials

Income $61,898.00

Expenses $ 63,008.00

Net Loss $1,110.00

The new balance on our loan is now $ 97,241.55

MANY WAYS TO GIVE

One convenient way to give is to set up an EFT or electronic funds transfer. You can give a one-time gift or set up weekly, or monthly donations. You can set it up yourself by going to our Aldersgate.org web site and then selecting Mission & Giving and then On-line giving or by contacting our church treasurer. You can make donations to the operating budget, the capital campaign or to special ministries such as the community backpack ministry or urban ministries, or make a special memorial gift. Another way to give is by donating shares of stock. We use the United Methodist Foundation and Morgan Stanley to assist us with gifts of stock. If you are interested in this option just contact Mary Taylor by email at mary@aldersgate.org and she will give you or your stock broker the necessary paperwork to transfer the stock. Thanks for all that you do to support the many missions and ministries of Aldersgate.

FEBRUARY LAY ASSISTANTS

PAGE 17

USHERS GREETER WELCOME STATION LAY READER 8:15 Service 2/5 Chick Hinton Carol Brese (m) Carol Brese Steve Wilfong Richard Riggsbee Dave Brese (o) Katherine Siler Mary Tom Roberts 2/12 Paul Jones Pat Stancil (m) Pat Stancil Judy Alford Linda Jones Norma Roberts (o) Phil Stancil 2/19 John Field Sharon MacLaurin (m) Sharon MacLaurin Ruth Kay Mitch Adkins Richard Riggsbee (o) Jacqueline Andrews Chick Hinton 2/26 Kirk Brown Linda Jones (m) Linda Jones Pattie Porter Doug Morris Paul Jones (o) Chick Hinton Holly Hall 11:00 Service 2/5 Bill Smith Sarah Walker (m) Sarah Walker Ronnie Oakley Pam Boatright Brent Walker (0) Michele Tucker Paula Veasey 2/12 Ginger Hawkins Paula James (m) Paula James Burton King Sarah Walker Gary James (o) Suzi Caudill Nancy Grinstead 2/19 Kim Riggs Audrey Turley (m) Audrey Turley Judy Schlegel Mike Hughes Lindsey Brown (o) Paula Alford Lynn Baird 2/26 Emily Wike Rusty Grimm (m) Rusty Grimm Mike Hughes Amelia Oakley Paula Veasey (o) Ronnie Oakley Stacey McCorison

Phone: 919-477-0509 Email: holly@aldersgate.org

1320 Umstead Drive Durham, NC 27712

ALDERSGATE UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

FIND US ON:

Facebook: Aldersgate UMC Durham Twitter: TheGate27712 Website: Aldersgate.org LinkedIn: Aldersgate United Methodist Church