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Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. ENGAGE MINISTRIES ENGAGE ENGAGE ENGAGE ENGAGE Engaging People for Christ Engaging People for Christ Engaging People for Christ Engaging People for Christ Ministries/Strategies for the purpose of introducing Jesus, establishing belonging through relationship—usually outside the walls of the church, but not always. Ministry Areas Community Engagement, Trunk or Treat, Blessing of the Animals, Caroling on the Corner, Fresh Expressions Events, Scouts , Wellness Classes , ACCT , Day School , etc. To learn more about the Engage Ministries at Aldersgate UMC, please contact our Engage Team at engage@aldersgate.net . Upcoming Engage Events & Activities Fellowship Riders Saturday, June 6th | 10:00am Looking for a fun way to get outside, stay active, and connect with others? Have a bike you’ve been meaning to use—or thinking about getting one? Want to explore the area while enjoying meaningful conversation and community? Look no further! It’s time for you to join Fellowship Riders ! We meet monthly to explore local trails and scenic routes together, welcoming riders of all skill levels. Each ride is a chance to slow down, enjoy God’s creation, and build meaningful connections along the way. Whether you're coming for the exercise, the conversation, or simply the joy of being outdoors, Fellowship Riders is a place where community and encouragement grow with every mile. Families are warmly welcome; youth and kids are invited to ride along too! We aim to choose routes that are friendly for a variety of ages and abilities, making it a fun and safe experience for everyone. Bring your bike, invite a friend, and come ride with us! Please sign up here! Be sure to mark your calendar for future rides! June 6th July 11th August 8th September 19th October 24th *Please note* Ride specific information will be provided closer to the date. Any questions, please reach out to Bob Johnson at robert.johnson68@cox.net Looking for a fun way to get outside, stay active, and connect with others? Have a bike you’ve been meaning to use—or thinking about getting one? Want to explore the area while enjoying meaningful conversation and community? Look no further! It’s time for you to join Fellowship Riders ! We meet monthly to explore local trails and scenic routes together, welcoming riders of all skill levels. Each ride is a chance to slow down, enjoy God’s creation, and build meaningful connections along the way. Whether you're coming for the exercise, the conversation, or simply the joy of being outdoors, Fellowship Riders is a place where community and encouragement grow with every mile. Families are warmly welcome; youth and kids are invited to ride along too! We aim to choose routes that are friendly for a variety of ages and abilities, making it a fun and safe experience for everyone. Bring your bike, invite a friend, and come ride with us! Please sign up here! Be sure to mark your calendar for future rides! June 6th July 11th August 8th September 19th October 24th *Please note* Ride specific information will be provided closer to the date. Any questions, please reach out to Bob Johnson at robert.johnson68@cox.net Lots in Our Lot! - Parking Lot Sale Saturday, June 13th from 8:00am-2:00pm 1301 Collingwood Rd. Alexandria, VA 22306 Aldersgate UMC Parking Lot Has everyone begun their Spring-cleaning extravaganzas? Maybe you don't have the yard space, or a driveway to hold your own yard sale, so that's where we come in! Rent a parking lot space, and set up your things to sell! We will be holding our 2nd annual Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, June 13th from 8am-2pm. There will also be a food truck, who can say no to that? So, get your things ready, and start selling! Click here to rent your space! If you have questions, please reach out to Laura Lewis or the Engage Team . Has everyone begun their Spring-cleaning extravaganzas? Maybe you don't have the yard space, or a driveway to hold your own yard sale, so that's where we come in! Rent a parking lot space, and set up your things to sell! We will be holding our 2nd annual Parking Lot Sale on Saturday, June 13th from 8am-2pm. There will also be a food truck, who can say no to that? So, get your things ready, and start selling! Click here to rent your space! If you have questions, please reach out to Laura Lewis or the Engage Team . 1 1 ... 1 ... 1

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Serving children and their families from infants through 6th grade At Aldersgate UMC, we know how important a foundation in faith is for your children. Our Childrens Ministry strives to engage kids and empower families by providing Christian education, service opportunities, and fun events for the whole family. For more information about the Childrens Ministry at Aldersgate, please contact us at children@aldersgate.net . Your child’s safety is our priority. Learn about our policies and child protection procedures. Child & Youth Protection Policy Sunday School Acolyte Children's Choir Events Nursery Children's Sunday School In-person Sunday school is available for ages 4-years-old through 6th grade on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. If your child will be attending Sunday School, please sign in at the Check-In desk to receive a security sticker for you and your child. Check-In will begin at 9:15am on Sunday mornings and is located just inside Door #1. All Sunday school teachers have had a background check and follow Aldersgate's Safe Sanctuaries Policy . Register for 2025-2026 School Year **Please register to ensure enough teachers and supplies** For more information, please contact us at children@aldersgate.net . Children's Choir Calling all young musicians! Discover the joy of music through Children's Choir. At Aldersgate UMC, we believe in nurturing young voices and fostering a lifelong love of church music. All children are welcome! Who : Students in kindergarten through 6th grade Where : Day School Music Room (Room 126) -- Enter at Door #4 When : Every Tuesday from 4:15pm - 4:50pm What to Expect: Fun and Engaging Rehearsals filled with laughter, learning and music-making. An Inclusive and Supportive Environment for building friendships with like-minded kids who share an interest in music and where every child’s voice will be celebrated. Diverse Repertoire where we explore a wide range of musical genres, from traditional hymns to contemporary songs. Performances throughout the year during church services, special events, and holiday celebrations. For more information, please contact Ashley Carignan, Children's Choir Director ( childrenschoir@aldersgate.net ). Upcoming Events for Kids & Families There are plenty of opportunities for children to stay engaged at Aldersgate! Here's what's coming up! Children & Youth Sunday CHILDREN & YOUTH Sunday, May 31st | 10:00am 1301 Collingwood Rd. Alexandria, VA 22306 Come enjoy worship service led by our Aldersgate children and youth! On May 31st the children and youth will take the reins in worship! The youth band will lead us in song; kids and youth alike will serve as ushers and acolytes; and they will share scripture, prayers, and the message. It's going to be a wonderfully fun and inspiring look into how God works in, through, and with the youngest (and next to youngest) members of our church! We will work on the liturgy –– the call to worship and the prayers –– together in Sunday school, Tribe Time, and Youth Group. If your children are interested in sharing their voices and speaking during worship, please sign up here . We will rehearse on May 30th in the afternoon. On May 31st the children and youth will take the reins in worship! The youth band will lead us in song; kids and youth alike will serve as ushers and acolytes; and they will share scripture, prayers, and the message. It's going to be a wonderfully fun and inspiring look into how God works in, through, and with the youngest (and next to youngest) members of our church! We will work on the liturgy –– the call to worship and the prayers –– together in Sunday school, Tribe Time, and Youth Group. If your children are interested in sharing their voices and speaking during worship, please sign up here . We will rehearse on May 30th in the afternoon. Children's & Youth Ministry Bake Sale CHILDREN'S & YOUTH MINISTRY Sunday, May 31st | 11:00am During Fellowship Time 1301 Collingwood Rd. Alexandria, VA 22306 All proceeds benefit the Youth Mission Week and Children's VBS. Join us after the combined 10:00 AM worship service on Sunday, May 31st for a Youth and Children’s Ministry–led bake sale! During fellowship time, you’ll find a variety of homemade treats available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting Youth Mission Week and Children's VBS. Gluten-free and nut-free options will also be available. Questions? Please reach out to Bailey Johnson or Ms. Jesse ! Join us after the combined 10:00 AM worship service on Sunday, May 31st for a Youth and Children’s Ministry–led bake sale! During fellowship time, you’ll find a variety of homemade treats available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting Youth Mission Week and Children's VBS. Gluten-free and nut-free options will also be available. Questions? Please reach out to Bailey Johnson or Ms. Jesse ! Parables on the Playground CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Wednesdays in Summer beginning June 3rd through July 22nd 1:00pm start time - Storytime begins at 1:30pm Aldersgate UMC - Day School Playground 1301 Collingwood Rd. Alexandria, VA 22306 Come get those summer wiggles out on the playground with Ms. Jesse! Ms. Jesse and friends will gather on the playground on Wednesdays this summer! We invite you to bring your kiddos to run about and get those wiggles out. Storytime will begin at 1:30! Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Jesse . Ms. Jesse and friends will gather on the playground on Wednesdays this summer! We invite you to bring your kiddos to run about and get those wiggles out. Storytime will begin at 1:30! Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Jesse . 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 Nursery Your children are as important to us as they are to you (well, almost). That's why we provide a safe, loving, Christian environment for your babies and toddlers ages 3 and under while you are at worship. The nursery is available during all Sunday morning worship services in rooms 122 and 123. All staff members have had a background check, CPR training, and follow CDC safety guidelines. For more information, please contact our Director of Child Care, Corey Bales . We hope to see you this Sunday! Acolyte Ministry For more information, please contact us at children@aldersgate.net . At Aldersgate UMC, our acolytes serve as active participants in our worship services by lighting the altar candles at the beginning of our worship services, symbolizing Jesus entering the presence of the congregation. Acolytes may also carry a processional cross into the service. Acolytes serve in both the 9:30am and 11:00am worship services on Sunday mornings as well as other special services throughout the year. Aldersgate Acolytes Candlelight Companions The acolyte experience is a meaningful way for children and youth in kindergarten through 12th grade to assist the pastors in worship by bringing the light of Christ into the sanctuary. The acolyte commitment is flexible and allows children and youth to sign up according to their schedule. Acolytes may sign up for a Sunday morning worship service by clicking the button. Acolyte Sign-Up Candlelight Companions is an exciting new program designed to foster meaningful connections between parents and children through the shared experience of acolyting. This initiative will support family bonding; help children overcome potential nervousness; deepen and aid in faith development; and encourage family discussions about the importance and significance of serving as an acolyte. Adults interested in being a Candlelight Companion may sign up for a Sunday morning worship service by clicking the button, below. Acolyte Sign-Up Sunday School Volunteers Needed for the School Year We need volunteers to serve in Aldersgate's Children's Ministry! School Year: We need a roster of ~40 volunteers each week over the school year. Help us grow our Children's Ministry and support our new Director of Children's Ministry, Jesse St Clair Smith. We’re looking for lots of Sunday School volunteers for the upcoming school year! Having a strong team allows everyone the flexibility to take vacations, recover from illness, and attend worship. Please reach out to ChildrensMinistries@aldersgate.net with any questions. Volunteer for School Year Sunday School

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. Advent & Christmas Eve 2025 Christmas Eve Advent Events Advent Giving Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Wednesday, December 24th Volunteer for Christmas Eve Worship Order Poinsettias for Christmas Eve Altar 3pm | Family Worship + Pop-Up Children's Pageant Candlelight Worship Service with Communion (nursery available for 3 & under) Pop-Up Children's Pageant open to all children in worship - no rehearsal required! 5pm | Service of Song and Light Candlelight Worship Service with Communion (nursery available for 3 & under) 7pm | Traditional Worship Candleligh t Worship Service with Communion (no nursery available) Livestream will be available for 5pm & 7pm services (CLICK HERE ) Live nativity animals from 3:30pm - 7:00pm on the Front Lawn Special Advent & Christmas Events 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 ... 100 Giving this Advent & Christmas Season Alternative Giving Epiphany Tree Alternative Christmas Giving Welcome to Aldersgate United Methodist Church’s 23rd annual Alternative Christmas Giving to benefit the missions and the United Methodist Church in Cambodia. We sponsor this event during Advent to give folks an opportunity to honor Jesus’s birth by giving gifts of love to serve the poor as we seek to carry out Christ's commandment to “go and make disciples.” Shoppers make contributions to mission projects in Cambodia in the name of loved ones as an alternative to buying material goods. This ministry was established and lovingly run for over two decades by Juanita Csontos. We continue this annual ministry in memory of Juanita and her passion for serving others. Alternative Giving 2025 Catalog Alternative Giving 2025 Shopping List Alternative Giving Gift Card Alternative Giving Volunteers will be at a table in Wesley Hall during Fellowship Time on November 30th, December 7th, 14th, and 21st to accept your gifts for the Cambodian Christians. You may purchase online, or you may fill out the shopping list and either turn it in at the Alternative Giving table or mail it to the church at: 1301 Collingwood Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308. Please make checks out to Aldersgate UMC and indicate "Alternative Giving" on the memo line. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Julie Pfister . Epiphany Tree Epiphany is the day Christians remember the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It occurs on January 6th every year and marks the end of the Christmas season. The word "epiphany," from the Greek word epiphania , means appearance or manifestation. The arrival of these visitors was a sign that the incarnation of God in Christ had been made known and was recognized by the heavens to the whole world, so that even Gentile wise men from the East came to pay him homage. This is an observance of great majesty, solemnity, and awe. Just as the Magi brought gifts to Jesus, we invite you to bring a gift for a baby, toddler, or new mother. You can place these donations (unwrapped) in the box under the Epiphany Tree in the Narthex (outside the sanctuary). We will collect baby and toddler gifts throughout Advent and Christmastide, all the way up to Epiphany Sunday. In January, we will donate the gifted items to Second Story for Young Mothers, a Transition Living Program in Northern Virginia that helps pregnant or parenting moms ages 16 to 24 attain safety, stability, and independence. Learn more about Second Story for Young Mothers at here . If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Molly Johnson . Thank you for being a blessing to others less fortunate. Merry Christmas! Christmas Eve Services Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve Special Advent Events Advent Giving Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Sunday, December 24th 3pm | Contemporary Worship + Pop-Up Children's Pageant Candlelight Worship Service with Communion (nursery available for 3 & under) Pop-Up Children's Pageant open to all children in worship - no rehearsal required! 5pm | Contemporary Worship Candlelight Worship Service with Communion (nursery available for 3 & under) 7pm & 9pm | Traditional Worship Candleligh t Worship Service with Communion (no nursery available) Live stream will be available for 5pm & 7pm services (CLICK HERE ) Live nativity animals from 3:30pm - 7:00pm on the Front Lawn Come see Chewy the Camel!