Finance:

The Aldersgate UMC Ministry Story

community-education-worship-missions-pastoral care

Community COMMUNITY $60,772 (21%)

Through community ministry we care for each other and are visible in the community around us. During socials, movie nights, and Rally Day, we enjoy each other and welcome new friends. Sunday morning Fellowship time offers an elegant array of healthy food and beverages shared with old and new friends.

The Garden Club yields fresh healthy vegetables for members and friends. Some of our harvest finds its way to the tables of persons who rely on food pantries for their basic nutrition.

The Mighty Men frequently step up to the plate with projects to maintain and improve our property. Their annual Golf Outing is a swinging affair!

The Women’s Ministry offers women additional study and fellowship opportunities. Their projects and retreat events offer ways for current and new members to learn and grow together.

Other small groups include the Knitting and Quilting Group, Book Club, Faire Elves, Membership Groups…and others are forming!

Worship WORSHIP $77,989 (27%)

We gather for worship to celebrate God’s abundance. Grounded in scripture, we bring our experience, knowledge and the tradition of the church to apply Biblical texts to issues and circumstances in our day to day living. We seek personal holiness and social responsibility, recognizing that love of God is expressed through love of neighbor and strangers.

Complementing our worship experiences are a variety of music choirs including the Chancel Choir, two Bell Choirs, a young children’s choir, and “YuMmE,” a Youth Music Ensemble. Our offering includes a gift of praise by our children! Acolytes and ushers serve weekly.

A dedicated group of artistic persons help to vest our sanctuary with flowers, candles, and art work appropriate for the season. Lay readers, occasional mystery plays and skits complement our worship services.

MISSIONS $64,734 (22%)

Volunteer time and personal donations grow our mission outreach far beyond our budget. We support Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantries, Lowell Wish Project, St. Paul’s Feeding Ministry, My Father’s House, and schools. Piles of Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving baskets demonstrate our care for others during the holidays. Weekly “Change for Change” donations support specific missions such as Prison ministry and the Global Aids Fund.

Contributions to World Communion Sunday, Blanket Sunday and UMCOR connect us to mission projects making a difference around the world.

Our deep commitment to brothers and sisters in Nicaragua includes financial support and delegation visits to strengthen relationships and explore new development ideas. Gracias a Dios!

EDUCATION $62,580 (21%)

Our Christian Education ministry offers Sunday morning classes for children, youth and adults, plus weekly adult opportunities. Sunday School teachers are Safe Sanctuary trained and use puppets, music, DVDs, arts, crafts and stories for creative learning.

Our adult education program offers a wide variety of studies and topics. There is a book group, early bird Bible study and Thursday morning Bible study, in addition to our varied Sunday morning offerings. We are life-long learners!

Worship Arts offers our younger children a weekday gathering for arts, music and snacks built upon a multi-week theme introducing Christian values and choices.

The Junior and Senior High Youth groups actively engage in fellowship, mission and spiritual growth experiences. Look for our youth serving others at the WISH Project, town celebrations and church events like Easter and Mother’s Day breakfasts. To fund their annual mission trips, we enjoy their car washes, chocolate and sub sales, and formal dinners.

Each summer a team of volunteers directed by the education team offers a Vacation Bible School program. Combining education with outreach, VBS serves many children from the community.

Child care each Sunday during worship includes a Biblical story and craft.

PASTORAL CARE $26,260 (9%)

Pastor Lisa Bruget-Cass is our Pastor and lead shepherd! Our pastoral leadership and support staff coordinate both the spiritual and temporal care for our faith community.

Pastor Lisa shepherds us through life events including exciting weddings, poignant funerals, holidays and special ministry events throughout the year.

Tending to families in crisis, hospital visits, and leading Bible study classes keep the pastoral role full of variety. The ministry of a faith community includes coordination and empowerment of both staff and volunteers. In a growing community like AUMC, the pastoral role functions both as leader and servant. Pastor Lisa juggles these roles well, learning and growing with us.

AUMC: A beacon of God’s love radiating faith, hope and joy everywhere!