Table of Contents
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Photo collage
Page 6
Page 7
Facilities Use
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 12
Treasurers Report
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Fellowship of Friends
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Bits n Pieces
Page 20
Staff Listing
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is always
an exciting and festive affair at the DoubleTree Hotel! We eat a lunch catered by the
DoubleTree chef, enjoy fellowship with each other, and listen to the Burley Middle
School Bearettes led by Craig Jennings. If you would like to join us Friday, December 18
at 12:30 pm, please see Jean Ward (964-1178). You do not have to be a member of the
Friendship Class. As long as you enjoy Christian fellowship, we invite you to come!
Here WEE Grow Again is certainly living up to its name! Our fall sale broke records in sales and
attendance. Our total sales were up by $18,000 and we had over 3,700 people through to shop.
Our volunteer force was 175 strong and we had over 400 consignors participate! We sold over
37,000 items and donated over 800 items to the clothing center in Belmont. It was quite an event
and a real win-win!
Our volunteers are what make the sale such a huge success; without them the sale would not be
possible. Of the 175 volunteers, 45 of them were Aldersgate members. You can ask any of the folks
listed below how much fun it is and what a great opportunity it is to get to know church members
as well as the hundreds of people who come through our doors as volunteers, consignors and
shoppers. I do hope you will join us in March for our spring sale!
Many thanks for the countless hours our AUMC family gave to HWGA to make it such a success
Margaret Childress, Marguerite Ballenger, Betty Muri, Nancy Berman, Joe Berman, Joan Forrest,
Jeanne Hamlin, Deb Reynolds, Susan Painter, Charlotte Mabry, Ann Galione, Mae McGrory,
Meredith McKeown, Becky Parkins, Kim Roll, Leatha Harlow, Melissa Dodd, Stephenie Mack,
Victoria Megginson, Faith Painter, Jean Ward, Joan Monte, Lou Monte, Heidi Crockett, Mary
Seymour, Martha Wheeler, Jenny Matthews, Jenny Lambrecht, Julia Harris, Laura Nelson, Linda
Vasquez, Mary Kay Hubbard, Chuck Hubbard, Patti Shifflett, Tori Fahrenkrog, Tom Howard, Mary
Howard, Betty Thacker, Pat MacNicoll, Julie Meadows, Vicky Miller, Carrie Chang, Madeline Chang,
Stewart Chang and Merrill Bishop.
Set-up
Drop-off
Volunteer Shop
Charity Shopping Event
Restock Inventory
Opening Day
Public Sale Days
Consignor Pick up day
www.hereweegrowagain.com
www.facebook.com/hereweegrowagain
Advent is a time to slow down and pause, in the midst of often frantic preparations for Christmas, to
focus on the unfolding story of God choosing to enter into the world as the vulnerable baby Jesus.
How did his birth affect those around him and what was their part in both preparing for and
responding to this outpouring of Gods grace in the world? Well ponder this and other questions as
we move through the Advent season together, focusing each Sunday on one person in the biblical
narrative whose life was changed forever by encountering the miracle we celebrate at Christmas.
Sunday, November 29
The First Sunday of Advent
16
Would you be willing to share the scriptures of our faith with the people coming to Liberdale United
Methodist Church in Mozambique? The people of this 2000 member (and growing) church in
southeastern Africa need BiblesBibles in their native dialect called Xitswa.
Chancel Choir
led by Rafael Scarfullery
New voices are always welcome to join in the fun!
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings,
7:30 - 9pm in the Sanctuary.
Handbell Choir
led by Melody Day
Ringing in memory of the lives lost on September 11, 2001
Childrens Moment
Every worship service includes a special
moment for our youngest friends!
What Legacy
15
Fellowship of Friends
You may always contact Betty Muri, Head Counter, at 434-296-6869 or betty.muri@gmail.com to arrange your giving
at this busy time of the year.
Give at one of the remaining worship services.
Mail your check to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1500 Rio Road East, Charlottesville, VA, 22901, postmarked
by December 31, 2015.
Use your banks bill pay system by December 31, 2015.
If giving stock or funds managed by a broker, ask for a transfer to Stifel Investment Services, account #49553417,
DTCC #0793 by December 31, 2015.
Bring your gift to the church office by Thursday, December 31, 4:30 p.m.
Step by step God has led us into more ways that we can minister. One ministry that has become a rich
blessing to the homebound is Serving Home Communion by those who have completed the training class.
Deep connections are made between server and receiver during this ministry. One gentleman said I no
longer feel alone, I am fed at Christs table again and I have Friends!
The Adopt-A-Heart Program was initiated this year with wonderful results. Several members of our
congregation have each Adopted an elderly person who is homebound and formed a special relationship
with them. This has consisted of visits, cards, remembering them in some way on birthdays and holidays.
The children of the church have entered enthusiastically into this program with us! Throughout the year they
make delightful little gifts such as wooden stars, paper flowers, bookmarks and cards, that are then delivered
to the homebound.
Other opportunities to serve in this ministry include:
975-1363
973-9889
295-9190
409-7357
295-8217
964-1178
jfd0740@embarqmail.com
jeaham@comcast.net
mermck@embarqmail.com
atratliff@gmail.com
rynldsdeb@yahoo.com
14
PACEM Shelter
To the congregation of Aldersgate:
Beginning November 7th thru November 14th members of this congregation participated in the PACEM ministry.
This ministry would not have been successful without many hours of dedicated volunteers. The caring, giving,
and loving spirit of Aldersgate touched the homeless women of Charlottesville. Each night we fed and
sheltered between 8-10 women. The ladies were extremely grateful for the food, hot showers, laundry service,
and the CVS, Subway and McDonalds gift cards. They were especially thankful that they had a safe warm place
to sleep out of the wind, rain and cold. Thank you to everyone who donated food, toiletry items, prepared
meals, evening helpers, overnight volunteers, participated in visitation, monetary donations and those doing
laundry for the women. Our set up and tear down teams as always were great! Most of all, thank you for your
prayers and lifting up this ministry. God has truly blessed each of us. May God bless this congregation as we
continue to do Christs work.
In His Service,
Deb Reynolds, Nancy Berman and Leatha Harlow
PACEM Co-Chairpersons
Angel Tree
Make Christmas a memorable day for underprivileged children and lonely senior citizens! There is an Angel
Tree display in the Reed Room. This year, we will have 40 youth angels as well as a number of seniors who
could use a little love and encouragement. You may pick up your angel at any time, but please return all to
AUMC no later than Sunday, December 6. Gifts for the Salvation Army youths should be unwrapped, and gifts
for the seniors do need to be gift wrapped or gift bagged. If you have any questions, please contact Ann Brown
at 434.882.2533. Thank you for your generosity to those less fortunate.
In addition to shelter, AUMC also provides generous financial support for PACEM. Your financial help supports the cost of
PACEMs shelter staff in your church. The graciousness of the entire PACEM Family makes it possible for us to remain
open throughout the winter.
Thank you for hosting PACEMs womens shelter again this year, for the hands of all your volunteers, the graciousness of
opening your doors, and your willingness to work with other congregations in our community to address the immediate
needs of our neighbors.
Sincerely,
Youre invited to Come to Bethlehem this year on Sunday, December 20 th. The annual Aldersgate Childrens
Nativity will be presented at 4pm and will be followed by a pot-luck. Our children will once again act out the
Birth Narrative of our Savior from Scripture. This year we look forward to joining together in song and praise
thanks to the Aldersgate Chancel Choir, the Aldersgate Hand Bell Choir, the Aldersgate Instrument Ensemble, the
Aldersgate Youth Praise Band, the Aldersgate Praise Team, Higher Voices, and the Joyful Noise Singers along with
the children from our community! This year there will be no rehearsals for the children. All children (and their
guardians) should arrive at Aldersgate at 2:30pm to put on costumes, learn simple lines from Scripture, and
practice traditional Christmas music. Teens and adults from Aldersgate will help guide them during the Nativity.
Advent Brunch
On November 29th at 10:00AM we will have our Annual Advent Brunch downstairs in the fellowship
halls. If you can please sign up to bring a dish to share and/or help with set up/clean up that would
be greatly appreciated. The sign up sheets are located in the Reed Room, or sign up online at
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0548AAAD2EA2F94-advent
Our Nativity this year is especially geared towards making sure we are inclusive to those with different abilities
and special needs. We welcome all children, roughly ages 4-11, to participate and children, teens, adults of any
age watch. To make the presentation more enjoyable for our friends with special needs, the lights will stay at
one level and the music will not be extremely loud. Children who may express themselves with loud sounds,
spinning, flapping, or other forms of stemming are all welcome! Children who would like to participate but need
an aid or parent to guide them, push them in a wheelchair, or carry them are ALL welcome to participate
EVERY child should have the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus by participating in, or watching, a
Nativity at Christmastime!
If you are currently an AUMC member and
would like your child(ren) to participate, please
be sure to see Mrs. Lynn Bremer during the
Advent season so your child can be fit for a
costume before the big day. Youll also want to
make sure your child(ren) participates in
Childrens Church and Joyful Noise Singers
rehearsals (Sundays at 10am in room 106) to
learn the music.
If you are currently not an AUMC member, we
will have plenty of costumes available on the day of the Nativity. If your child has sensory difficulties please know
that he/she will not be forced to wear a costume to be in the Nativity. Before the Nativity we will sing through
the songs a few times with the children. If they are not comfortable singing or are non-verbal they are welcome
to stand with the other children but do not have to sing. If you and/or your child(ren) would like to see the space
before the Nativity to make sure its accessible to your needs and so that its not overwhelming to be in a new
space on December 20th please contact me and Id be happy to schedule a time for you to check us out in person.
Following the Nativity, EVERYONE is welcome to join us for a Christmas Potluck Meal together! You can drop
your items for the potluck off in the fellowship hall before the Nativity. And, of course, well have our traditional
Birthday Cake for Jesus!!
I look forward to celebrating the Birth of Jesus and all the abilities of the children in our church and community
with you!
Thank you! Rachel Miller, Director of Ministries with Young People, AUMC (rachelmiller@cvaumc.org or
434.973.5806)
Please sign up only once on either the sign up sheets in the Reed
Room or online at SignUpGenius. The information will be combined
to help eliminate any duplication.
There will also be an Advent craft/project for children and adults of
all ages to participate in! (There will be no children or youth Sunday
school on the 29th so that all families can participate in the brunch!)
Come help us celebrate the beginning of this joyous time of year!! If
you have any questions please email Robin Oliver at
robinaoliver@comcast.net or Tina Shifflett at shiff82@earthlink.net.
Sip-n-Chat
Member Care is also responsible for arranging the schedule for those hosting sip-n-chat, which is
held each Sunday before and after the Worship services in the Reed Room. Sip-n-chat is also a time
of great fellowship for both members and visitors in an informal atmosphere. There are a few
Sundays still available for those that would be interested in hosting sip-n-chat for the 11:00 Worship
service. Hosting simply means that you commit to a
Sunday every other month (that's only 6 times a year) to
make sure there is food and beverages available after the
11:00 Worship service. Aldersgate provides all of the
supplies, you only have to put the food/beverages out
and clean up at 12:30. If this is something that you might
be interested in helping with please contact Robin Oliver
at 434-978-3553 or e-mail robinaoliver@comcast.net.
Treasurers Report
Where does our Income come from?
The pie chart (right) illustrates Aldersgates income budget for 2016.
Seventy-nine % ($730,192) of our income is budgeted from general
and special offerings and tithes. We are grateful to Karen Chang for
initiating the Consignment Sale and growing it over the years, to its
current income this year of more than $130,000 (16% of our
revenue).
Everyone of all ages is invited to join us on Friday, December 11th at AUMC at 6pm. We will gather at
the church and then head out to the neighborhoods around the church to sing Christmas Carols. We
also plan to make a scheduled stop by Our Lady of Peace to spread
the love of the Christmas season! After caroling we'll head back to
AUMC for Christmas treats and hot cider. Please RSVP to Rachel at
rachelmiller@cvaumc.org or (434) 973-5806. If you're able,
please bring some holiday treats to share. And, of course, please
invite friends!
Ever wonder how children eventually feel comfortable and become participants in Worship?
We teach them! We are so excited about our Participating in Worship series in the 1st-5th grade
Childrens Church class during 11am Worship. During the first Sunday of every month our children
will learn about why we do what we do in Worship. As they learn, they will prepare for their own
participation in Worship as members of the family of God. In many ways, Worship is like a family
meal. Individuals in a family can eat separately. However, there is deep enjoyment in sharing a meal
with others. If we never teach, never give the opportunity to practice, and/or never encourage children
to be part of Worship, we miss an important element - the love present among the members of Gods
family, and the power in Worshipping together. Please pray for the children who are participating in
this series. Smile at the children you see in church. Call the children by name; they will realize you
consider them an important part of the church family. Listen to what the children have to say and ask
them what they are learning. Thank you for your support and prayers!
As our amazing Children's Church program continues to grow and grow, we are in need of
adults to volunteer once a month at the 9AM or 11AM Worship services. (If you attend 9,
considering volunteering at 11 - or vice versa!) Please consider this wonderful call for helping hands
as you contemplate how you plan to make a difference in the world in 2016! For more information,
please contact Rachel at rachelmiller@cvaumc.org or (434) 973-5806. Thank you in advance!
sing along with the choir some of the most beloved Christmas carols.
7:30 PM
Come and celebrate Jesus birth with the Chancel Choir! A Child Is
Born, by John Purifoy, is a beautiful cantata set up so that you can
Come to Bethlehem
Annual Childrens Nativity and Potluck
Sunday, December 20, 4pm
Our inclusive Nativity welcomes children of all abilities (ages 4-11) to join in
After the program, we will enjoy a potluck dinner in the Fellowship Hall
This traditional service will feature carols and music performed by the
Chancel Choir and Instrumental Ensemble, closing with Candlelight
and Communion. Childcare/nursery is provided.
11:00 PM
Our third Christmas Eve service will feature musical accompaniment by
Rafael Scarfullery and Jo Pettitt, a message by Ashley Oliver, and will be
a joyous time of celebration, closing with Candlelight and Communion.