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Aledo United Methodist Church

an edition ofThe United Methodist ReporterTwo Sections, Section A071050 Vol. 158 No. 24 October 14, 2011

P.O. Box 126, Oak at Pecan St., Aledo, TX 76008 | www.aledoumc.org | 817.441.8329 Fax: 817.441.1352

InsidePAGE 4PrayersSmall GroupsWednesday Ignite Schedule

PAGE 5Upcoming Book DiscussionsStephen MinistryChurch Angel

PAGE 8Hot Topics for ParentingYouth & Children’s NewsTrunk or Treat

For the past ten years, Run for Missions has been an important tradition to Aledo United Methodist Church. The run raises funds to help send our junior high, high school and college students on mission trips across the United States and around the world.

Race Day Registration 7:00-8:15amKiddie 1K 8:15am5K Run/Walk 8:30amAwards Ceremony 10:00am

Kiddie 1K = $105K Run/Walk Before the day of = $15 Day of Registration1K and 5K = $20Virtual Runner = $15

The people of Aledo United Methodist Church are the hands and feet of Christ in the

world, so that where we are, there the church is! As we get ready for our charge conference, I am reminded of where we have been this past year:• Our young adult mission team

went to New Orleans to continue the rebuilding efforts there; the Senior High transformed a neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas; the Junior High served in Killeen, Texas; an adult team was sent to Haiti; and in November another adult team will travel to Guatemala.

• The Master Builders were available to help with mission projects for people in need in Parker County.

• We began offering Pastoral Counseling in the Education

Annex with a licensed counselor. This ministry is sliding scale based on income, so all who seek counseling should be able to receive it.

• Over 35 adults enrolled in Disciple Bible Studies, and over 25 adults participate in a Tuesday morning study led by Pastor DeAndrea. Over 20 adults are in Study at Ignite on Wednesday evenings, and LeAnn Scott is leading a Bible study off campus at a nursing home with over 25 people studying the Bible! This fall Pastor DeAndrea started three new small groups that meet off campus.

• Through our food pantry, we give food to those who are hungry. We support the Center of Hope by providing and serving dinners to people in need.

• We support Kid’s Hope in conjunction with Aledo ISD to give kids hope through adult role models.

• We began the Snack Sacks ministry with Aledo ISD, beginning with McCall Elementary with the hope to expand it district-wide by Christmas. This ministry ensures that students in our district have food for the weekends.

Last year I wrote, “My hope and prayer is that the hearts of our children and youth are touched by the love of God in such a way that, literally, they are the ones bringing their parents to Christ and Christ’s church! Can you imagine the possibilities?” Throughout 2011 we have increased our mission field and focused on our youth and children

continued on page 8

FROM THE PASTOR

On a Mission

Vision 2012 renovations underway Often we talk about the possibilities and dreams of new buildings. New build-ings take time to build—what about our current buildings? What could we do to make them more hospitable to our guests? What could we do to make the education building a place where our children want to be? What could we do to our youth buildings so that our youth are excited about them? Just as Nehemiah set a Big Dream for the Israelites in Jerusalem and challenged them to rebuild the wall around the

city, together we are asking, what would Nehemiah say to Aledo United Methodist Church about first impressions? We have begun this process through Vision 2012. We have upgraded the Edu-cation Building with new tile, new carpet, and new paint! These upgrades would not have been possible except that an anony-mous donor and several companies came together to make this possible for Aledo UMC. Tom Tafoya, who owns Above and Beyond Painting, donated much time and

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NOTICE OF CHARGE

CONFERENCESunday,

October 23, 20114:00 PM Chapel

Aledo United Methodist Church

Our Church

HomeATTENDANCE

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011 8:45 11:002011 161 2572010 161 267

OCTOBER 2, 20112011 139 2262010 173 207

OFFERING9/25 General $18,418.00 10/2 General $22,419.28

StaffMINISTERSALL THE CONGREGATIONPASTOR OF TEACHINGAND VISIONINGJASON JONESPASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP AND PASTORAL CAREDEANDREA DAREWEEKDAY PRESCHOOL MINISTRIESJAYNE DAWSONDIRECTOR OF CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIESTRUDY SMITHASSIST. DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIESLEANN SCOTTDIRECTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRIESCLINT CHURCHASSIST. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRIESLAURA GREERMUSIC AND FINE ARTS DAVID EDMONDSPRAISE BAND DIRECTOR CHRIS MCLELLANPIANISTKRISZTA KOVÁCS-TUBBSOFFICE MANAGER & BOOKKEEPERSHARI BIRCHELLADMIN. ASSIST. TO THE CLERGYKIM WATSON

Page 4 Aledo United Methodist Church

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will. — Mark 11:24

Concerns: Martha Cross’ dad Eliseo Pulido, Rhonda Rhine, Natha Lee Shannon, Aaron Gomas, Marla Jones’ mother Diann Montgomery, Charlie McLain’s brother, Cynthia Sadler’s mom Nancy Williams, Randy Gideon, Renee McCullough’s uncle Denny, Willie Gibson, Yvonne Stegall, Jennie May, Bob Kupper, Robin Brown, Shannon Reynolds’ cousin Korrie McWilliams, James Dorrell, Beth Calfee, Steve Bale’s brother-in-law Herschel Nelson, Andrew Karnes, Jim Britton’s dad Ellis Britton, Katie Bryant’s uncle, Brandy Dietz, Laura Abbott, Terry Reynolds, Tanner Mathews, Jaci Mitchell, Kacie Brannen, Rosemary Karr, Dean Thompson, David Kent, Butch Fernstrom, Lance Holland, Jim Hanley, Kathy Mayotte’s father, Edmond Gutierrez, Jr., Rita Burnett, Jim Olney, Roy Pitcock, Pat Simon, Tammy Boutwell, Michael Finck, Cindy Vance, Jeff Herron, Chad & Rena Tyson Family, Linda Malloy, John Rubenkoenig, John Hartle, Sharon McCoy’s mother Laura Mae Barnard, John Breaux, Tip Read, Dorothy Srba, Mary Hart’s brother John Roach,

Nick Wright, Alison Evers, Mark Strickland, Tina Stevens’ mother.

Sympathy to: Christy Lipscomb and family in the death of her husband Kevin.

Our special members who are unable to be with us for worship: Anna Boger, Rosemary Houser, Wynell Stevens

Our Long Term Prayer Concerns: Sara Reed’s mother Paula Duckering, PFC Logan Tidwell, PFC Travis Dare, Kids Hope USA Children, Sheryl Glusing, Henry Davis, Brian White’s Family, Capt. Marc R. Bradle, PFC James Spurlock, Brian Hebert, Casey Tutt, Lucas Potter, Sgt. Aavram Powell, Barbara Moore’s parents Edward & Helen Farcus, Mason Gomez, Lt. 1st Class Jesse Spurlock, Bryan Thomas, USMC Cory Applewhite, Sgt. Adam Novak, Sgt. Andrew Schneider, Pvt. 1st Class Ryan Hedblad, Johnny Rowell, Ben Weston, Missionaries, Chase Peysen, Sgt. Joe Washam, Beth Fischer’s Mom, All Military Personnel

If you have an emergency (life threatening illness or death in the family) and would like to speak to one of our pastors, please call (682)710-AUMC (2862).

Pastoral counseling availableAledo United Methodist Church is thrilled to announce the offering of Pastoral Coun-seling to the Aledo Community starting in October. The Rev. Dr. Mitzi Ellington will be available to see individuals and couples over the age of 18 on Tuesdays from 12:00-4:00pm. Counseling will be available by appointment only and will take place in the Educational Annex. Fees are based on in-come. For appointments, call 817-907-3243.

Rev. Dr. Mitzi Ellington is a pastoral counselor in private practice at First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. She re-ceived her clinical training and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling from Brite Divinity School. Mitzi is ordained and her experi-ence includes over twenty years of hospital chaplaincy as a Board Certified Chaplain.

Q: What is a Small Group?A: A Small Group is made up of 10-12 individuals who come together weekly or bi-weekly to share a meal, study and pray together for an hour and a half to two hours.

Q: Where do Small Groups meet?A: Small Groups meet in homes. The host opens their home to the group and the other group members provide the meals on a rotational basis.

Q: Who leads the Small Group?A: Small Groups usually share the responsibility of facilitating the study on a rotational basis.

Q: What does a Small Group study?A: Small Groups can decide what they want to study on their own. Some do Bible studies focusing on specific books of the Bible. Others do video-based Bible studies, and some use a book to guide their discussion.

Q: How do I become a part of a Small Group?A: Contact Pastor DeAndrea at 817-441-8329 or DeAndreaDare@aledoumc.org.

Q&A: Small groups at AUMC

IGNITEyour life & faithON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

5:30 PMYouth ReVive

6:00–6:45 PMDinner

6:00 PMLove & Logic Parenting

6:30 PMPraise Band Rehearsal

6:45 PMFinancial PeacePastor’s Bible StudyP3 (Peace, Prayer, Pilates)SPARK for K–5thHot Topics for Parenting(See article on page 8)

7:30 PMChancel Choir Rehearsal

Childcare CoordinatorOpening for a part-time (10 hours/week) Childcare Coordinator at Aledo UMC. Childcare Coordinator is responsible for overseeing our childcare area (nursery through 4 year olds) including scheduling, training and supervising childcare staff and volunteers.Childcare experience and references are necessary.Please send resume to Trudy Smith, Director of Children and Family Ministries, at TrudySmith@AledoUMC.org or Aledo UMC P.O.Box 126, Aledo, TX 76008

Aledo United Methodist Church page 5

Church Angel Cindy MayfieldMany church members come on Wednesday evening for our fellowship supper. And most of us know Lynnda Burroughs who is part of our church staff and runs the kitchen. But few of us know Cindy Mayfield, who has been Lynnda’s “right-hand woman.” Cindy helps out every week, peeling potatoes, tossing salad, making tea—whatever needs to be done. She is usually a quiet gal, but when Cindy and Lynnda get together in the kitchen, cooking up a storm…well, quiet is NOT the word we would use! Laughter abounds! Thanks, Cindy, for being a faithful Church Angel.

Church Angels

Upcoming Book DiscussionsNOVEMBER BOOK DISCUSSION“Sinning Like a Christian”Thursday, November 3, 6:30-7:30pmWilliam H. Willimon, noted author, teacher, preacher and now United Methodist Bishop, brings his blunt, eloquent, and humorous style to bear on the question of sin. His penetrating observations will be welcomed by readers who are dissatisfied with shallow, feel-good Christianity (from the left or the right) that does not attempt to grapple with our propensity to do evil.

DECEMBER BOOK DISCUSSION“Searching For God Knows What”Thursday, December 1, 6:30-7:30pmMiller weaves phenomenal characters and true-to-life spectacles into his acclaimed memoir style to show that one of the greatest desires of “every” person is the desire for redemption. Instead of the chaotic relationships, self-hatred, wreckless consumerism, and anxiety, Miller uncovers the beauty and power of the Gospel to fulfill one of our deepest needs.

paint to the Education Building upgrade. He oversaw the painting of the building for no compensation. If you ever need painting help, you can reach Tom at 817-676-1154. John Butler, who owns Butler Flooring, provided us with a lot of free labor for the new carpet and the new porcelain tile at the entryways. You can reach John at 817-676 6201. Let’s thank Tom, John and our anony-mous donor for their wonderful effort in upgrading our Education Building! The bright colors in this building make it very appropriate for our children and family ministries! This building is being better uti-lized, and the number of children participat-ing is growing! Our metal building behind the youth house, The Epic Room, has new

paint, one less wall, and has over 50 7th–12th graders in it on a Sunday morning! We continue to ask: What about our cur-rent campus? What could we do to make it more hospitable to our guests? We are look-ing at better signage, so guests know where to go; we are looking at making our space feel warmer and to use pictures to tell the story about what God is doing through and in Aledo UMC. You can find more details about Vision 2012 on our website. Aledo United Methodist Church is an ex-citing place to be, and we are excited to see what God has in store for us as we continue to be united in Christ’s love to change lives and transform communities!

Vision 2012 renovationscontinued from page 1

ReadingOne day [Jesus] got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with wa-ter, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Mas-ter, Master, we are perish-ing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and

amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”

Luke 8:22-25 NRSVPrayerI need you, Lord. I need your help. I need your hand to hold onto. I feel as if I am sinking in a swirling sea of endless conflict and difficult issues. I have little strength left and I am weary of the struggle. Reach out to me, Lord. Hear the cry of your servant and come. Just speak the word. Command the wind and the raging waves. Calm the seas and carry me

to safe harbor. Do not let the undertow of fear whisk me back out to the danger-ous deep. Hold me and keep me as your own for all time and all eternity. I need you, Lord. Do not desert your servant.John Gugel, in “Cries of Faith, Songs of Hope: Prayers for the Times of Our Life”

If you or someone you know would benefit from the sup-port of a Stephen Minister, please contact DeAndrea in the church office at 817-441-8329 or DeAndreaDare@aledomc.org.

When in need of rescue

Thank you to Center of Hope Volunteers We would like to express our appreciation to the following AUMC volunteers who so willingly gave of their time to prepare and serve meals recently at the Center of Hope: Jennifer Corby, Fanci Coyle, Larry Kelly, M. Kerrigan, Phyllis King, Emily Kite, Thersa Lohmann, Lynn McCartney, Nelda McGlinchey, Toni McGregory, Sally Mizell, Beverly Rector, Shannon Reynolds, Lois Sell, Trudy Smith, Cindy Snider, Julie Turner, Bobbie Wooten and for the anonymous monetary donation. Also, thank you to Mary Hart for her dedication to the Center of Hope and making a smooth transition of Church Coordinators.

Kenneth and Doreen Kammer, Church Coordinators

Page 8 Aledo United Methodist Church

Text Updates for Student Ministry happenings!

Text “UMC” to 68398

On a MissionPastor’s message continued from page 1

Sunday, October 30 at 6 PM

& Halloween House

Dress up your kids, your car, and yourself and drive over to our church parking lot for “Trunk or Treat”! Bring lots of goodies to pass out. The kids will trick-or-treat from decorated car to decorated car, with prizes in several categories. When the youth house is ready, we’ll head across the street to explore the Halloween house! Fun for kids of all ages!

in East Parker County. Our student ministry and children and family ministry teams have been changing lives and transforming our community. We know this because of both the number of people participating and because of the stories we hear. The stories tell us that through Trudy Smith, Clint Church, Laura Greer, LeAnn Scott, Kim Watson, and the many adult leaders, our young people are excited about their church. Weekly, I am hearing comments like: • “My 8th grader told me, unprompted, ‘I can’t wait until

church.’” • “My elementary aged child told me about what he learned

in Sunday school.”• “My student told me that the one place that she loves

going to the most is church.”• “My students tell me that they look forward to Sundays

and Wednesdays.”These stories are just the tip of the iceberg! Can you imagine the possibilities? I am reminded of the words of Jesus: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14 NRSV).May the Lord bless you and keep you,

Rev. Jason M. Jones

WEDNESDAY 5:30–8:30 PM YOUTH HOUSEJunior High Bible Study 6:30–7:15High School Bible Study 7:30–8:30

WEEKLY YOUTH EVENTSJoin us on Sunday Mornings 9:45–11:00 in the E.R. for the

Gathering and Sunday School.

Join us on Sunday Nights at SURGE from 6–7:30.

Club 45: 4th & 5th GradersFun and fellowship, arts and crafts, cooking, mission projects, guest speakers, “road trips” and more! We meet on the second Sunday of the month from 4-5:30pm in the Gathering Room.

Oct. 16 at 4pm: Trick or Treat for UNICEFJoin us as we collect donations for UNICEF, a nonprofit organization serving children worldwide. We’ll dress up and go door to door with some of our awesome youth.

Oct. 22: Run for MissionsKiddie K (8:15am) and 5K (8:30am) See how fast you can run in our Kiddie 1 Kilometer race! Bigger kids may want to run the 5K. Both races help support our youth mission trips!

Children’s News“Hot Topics for Parenting” at AUMC on Wednesday nights is a fun and laid back time to share parenting tips and ideas with one another. We meet upstairs in the Education building from 6:45–7:30. Oct. 12: Children’s BooksBring your favorite book (or several) to share with the group. Kids of all ages love to be read to, and research shows reading aloud to our children, no matter how young or old they are, is a great tool to improve their reading ability.Oct. 19: One-Dish MealsBring your favorite recipes for those easy, fast and yummy meals your kids will actually eat! We will make copies of the recipes so we all go home with new meal ideas for the Fall! There will be a favorite soup for all to sample.

Oct. 26: HalloweenFrom costumes to treats, what do you do to make sure your child knows how to make good choices while trick or treating?Nov. 2: I Wish My Parents Had Told Me About That!Share stories and tips about things you have learned about parenting that you sure wish your parents had told you first!Nov. 9: Being THANKFUL For Our KidsShare stories of thanks for your children. You will also receive some ideas for thankful activities you can do as a family.Nov. 16: Best GiftsShare ideas and hear new ones about great gift ideas for kids of all ages—what is new and what are our old favorites that all kids love to help them learn and have fun.

Hot Topics for Parenting