Aldersgate News Vol. 120, Issue 22 4/30/2020 United Methodist Church www.aldersgatedsm.org

Mission Statement: We will share the love of Jesus Christ and transform lives by creating deep, meaningful relationships with God and one another.

Pastor’s Note

We continue to be appreciative and encouraged by the faithful and regular giving that our members are providing to the church during this challenging time. The Aldersgate UMC Finance Committee remains committed to keeping you up to date with our current financial situation and income.

Our April giving has remained fairly strong with total giving to the general budget of $26,826.72, bro-ken down by the weeks of:

4/5 $2,891.97 4/12 $7,505.00 4/19 $13,358.75 4/26 $3,071.00 Total $26,826.72

We did not receive any rental income in April since the building has been closed. In addition to the general budget, givers have given $2,180 to missions, memorials, and the Pastor’s discretionary fund.

Our estimated expenses for April will be about $30,000. We are estimating that we will close April with an ending Fund Balance of approximately $10,000, so we are operating in the black. However, income year-to-date is short by about $24,800 as compared to this time last year.

At the most recent Steering Committee meeting, the Finance Committee received approval for a Contingency Plan that allows for responsible deferring of some payments and expenses and the possible borrowing of money if that becomes necessary. The flexibility of this Contingency Plan will allow the church to remain on solid financial footing in the months ahead.

Several alternative giving options are available to members. Currently Aldersgate members are giv-ing in these important ways:

Setting up re-occurring weekly, monthly, or quarterly gifts online at our website One-time gifts online at our website Setting up re-occurring check payments from their own bank Mailing checks to the church Dropping off checks in the mailbox by the office door Paying their total 2020 pledge early in the year Making a special “birthday” gift to the church during their birthday month Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA (must be over 70 ½ yrs old) with the benefit that

the distribution is not included in your income. Stock gift. Benefit is no taxes on stock gains. Donate your time and/or talents. We always need people to serve in leadership roles and

team members for all our areas of ministry.

(For more information on any of the ideas listed above, see the church website giving page at https://aldersgatedsm.org/give or call/text Joan Hitzel 515-205-3449 or email Joan at jdhizel5@gmail.com.

In whatever ways you are able and choosing to give during this time, we appreciate your financial support to the church.

Eric

The Church has been Graffitied!

These pictures were a pleasant welcome outside the main office door Tuesday morning. We don’t know who left them, but they were a nice day brightener. We are choosing to interpret the butterfly as a hopeful sign of new life.

This week’s online worship service will be available Saturday, May2nd at 5:00 pm. You are welcome to tune in anytime.

On Sunday at 10:00 am Megan will provide a Zoom gathering for any families of individ-uals that would like to join.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74865244527?pwd=T0hia0ZIOGg2OXI2bkRLTW05bEtwQT09

Meeting ID: 748 6524 4527 Password: 7BRbJi

Scripture Readings for Sunday May 3rd

Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

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Denominational Leaders Unite: Congregations should refrain from in-person gatherings

April 28, 2020

As denominational leaders in the Christian tradition, we are united in our concern regarding Governor Kim Reynolds’ declaration to allow spiritual and religious gatherings in Iowa.

It was with surprise we learned of the Governor’s proclamation and, as such, we feel compelled to provide clarity and guidance of what it means for congregations to be faithful and safe during these extraordinary times.

In the spirit of ecumenism, we join together in asking congregations and members across the state to take faithful action by refraining from in-person religious gatherings, including worship. We encourage and hope that congregations will worship and gather in community from afar continuing the use of technology and other means. Decisions to return to in-person gatherings in our congregations should be based on science, the best practices recommended by public health officials, and in consultation with the leaders of our faith com-munities.

It is by our faith that we are compelled to love our neighbor. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, that love comes to expression by remaining physically apart. Loving our neighbor, and thereby the whole community, includes putting public health and the well being of others ahead of the natural desire to be physically present together in community and in worship.

As faith leaders, our hearts grieve for the immense pain and suffering felt by so many during these times. Whether mourning the loss of a loved one who has died from the coronavirus; facing the economic stress due to the loss of employment, business, or income; feeling isolated or alone; experiencing the stress of manag-ing children and work from home; carrying the burden of uncertainty from the disaster and when a new nor-mal may emerge, we pray you might find strength and hope in God’s unending and ever-present love.

For the sake of the common good, we ask all congregations, their leaders, and their members to prioritize the safety and well being of each other, those at particular risk, and those in their broader community. Please love one another and your neighbor by continuing to be in community together from afar.

Rev. Ian McMullen, General Presbyter, Presbytery of North Central Iowa Bishop Laurie Haller, Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church Rev. Brigit Stevens, Executive Conference Minister; Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota UCC Conferences The Right Reverend Alan Scarfe, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa Bishop Thomas R. Zinkula, Catholic Diocese of Davenport Bishop Michael L. Burk, Southeastern Iowa Synod - ELCA Rev. Lorna H. Halaas, Bishop, Western Iowa Synod, ELCA Bishop Steven L. Ullestad, Northeastern Iowa Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Rev. John M. Richardson, Interim Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Upper Mid-west Rev. Jacquline L. Saxon, Executive Minister of Mid-American Baptist Churches of Iowa and Minnesota Tim Button-Harrison, Northern Plains District Executive, Church of the Brethren Rev. David Feltman, Ecumenical Connections of Iowa Coordinator Rev. Kristin Pike, Presbyterian Church (USA), Stated Clerk of the Presbyteries of Des Moines & North Cen-tral Iowa Pat Shipley, Stated Clerk, Presbytery Missouri River Valley Rev. Richard Francis, Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Prospect Hill, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Elder Amgad Beblawi, Interim Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Des Moines Rebecca Blair, Ph.D., Stated Clerk, Presbytery of East Iowa Rev. Chaz Ruark, Executive Presbyter, John Knox Presbytery Nathan Luitjens, Executive Conference Minister, Central Plains Mennonite Conference Susan Janzen, Conference Minister for Ministerial Leadership, Central Plains Mennonite Conference Amanda Bleichty, Conference Minister for Christian Formation, Central Plains Mennonite Conference

Ways to Give When We Can’t be in

Church

Mail 3600 75th Street, Urbandale IA 50322

Online www.aldersgatedsm.org/give

Automated reoccurring transfer from your bank

Drop off in the outside mail box next to the office door

CHURCH STAFF 515–278-0466 Eric Guy Lead Pastor eric@aldersgatedsm.org Megan Stange Faith Formation Ministry Coor-

dinator megan@aldersgatedsm.org

Theresa Constable Office Manager theresa@aldersgatedsm.org

Eve Copeland Clark Music Ministry Coordinator eve@aldersgatedsm.org

Sunday Worship Celebration 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Nursery available during Sunday Service

Please submit articles for the Newsletter to

theresa@aldersgatedsm.org

by Monday at noon for the fol-lowing week. Please include a short description or explanation also include who—when and where.

Happy Birthday

Michelle Breach 5/10 Emily Marshall 5/13 Alia Banner 5/14 Jane Ketterling 5/14 Arlo Wilson 5/14 Riley Peterson 5/15 Monte Bonnicksen 5/16 Rachel Shepherd 5/17

Long Term Facility Members:

Russ Carey—Urbandale

Health Care

Bob Keller—Wesley Acres

Our Prayers: Dear Lord, we pray for our world in the midst of a global crisis. For the sick and infected. For the vulnera-ble and those with underlying health conditions. For the mentally challenged and the homeless. For our medical professionals and the scien-tific community. For the es-sential work force and busi-ness leaders. For our local, state and national govern-ment and leaders. For our church and pastors. Help us to follow Jesus in this trying

time. Amen.

Join us for an ONLINE VBS June 14-18! We want to care for and protect our volunteers and kids by hosting VBS in a free, online format this year. We'll do all we can to help each other find joy and strength in this special week! Here's how to join in:

1. Register at https://2020.cokesburyvbs.com/AldersgateWestDesMoines. Registering helps us ensure we have enough supplies for everyone. Invite a friend to join us for VBS, too! 2. Pick up your VBS supplies from Aldersgate or West Des Moines United Methodist Church on Friday, June 12. 3. Starting on June 14, head to our web pages for videos that will guide you through each day's Bible story and VBS activi-ties.

Questions? Contact Megan Stange (Aldersgate UMC) at megan@aldersgatedsm.org or Morganne Reinboldt (West Des Moines UMC) at mreinboldt@wdmumc.org.

Christian Sympathies to the family and friends of Rev. Rick Dee who passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 in Sioux Falls, SD.

FOOD HELP NEEDED

We are all aware of the upcoming food shortages that have been pre-dicted due to the coronavirus pandemic and the financial instability for families to purchase food during the coronuvirus pandemic. WE can help!

Our congregation can provide food for others by planting our communi-ty garden. Enabling us to supply fresh produce to the Urbandale food pantry and UCAN, who are supplying food to struggling families and individuals.

Planters-Weeders-Pickers: The HELP starts now - we need volunteers to clean the current garden plots, plant seeds and seedlings, help maintaining the garden during the season.

To volunteer call Brian Carter (515-979-5775), Judy Marshall (515-330

-1658) or Theresa (515-278-0466). Thank you!