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 Church & 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 . For the month of August, we will enjoy "big church" together with our families in the sanctuary. We hope you will enjoy worshiping together as one big family! After school starts back up, we will start having Children's Church on Holy Communion Sundays, which is the first Sunday of each month. Every other Sunday will be our Sunday School Classes. We look forward to welcoming our Aldersgate children back to Children's Ministry this September! We can't wait to worship, learn, grow, and have fun together as we begin another wonderful season of faith and friendship. For more information, please contact us at children@aldersgate.net . Register for 2025-2026 School Year **Please register to ensure enough teachers and supplies** 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! Blessing of the Backpacks CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES Sunday, August 23rd | During Both Worship Services 9:30am & 11:00am 1301 Collingwood Dr. Alexandria, VA 22306 Join us for a special blessing for students, teachers, families and our entire community! As a new school year begins, join us for a special blessing for students, teachers, families, and our entire community. Bring your backpack, briefcase, or work bag, as we pray for God’s guidance, courage, and love in every new season. Whether facing the first day of school, starting a new job, or stepping into a new season of work, everyone deserves the reminder that God goes with us. We also invite our youth to be a source of encouragement within our Aldersgate church family by mentoring a younger child, offering support, friendship, and a caring presence as they grow, or simply walking alongside them on Sunday morning to help them feel a little braver for the first day of school! As a new school year begins, join us for a special blessing for students, teachers, families, and our entire community. Bring your backpack, briefcase, or work bag, as we pray for God’s guidance, courage, and love in every new season. Whether facing the first day of school, starting a new job, or stepping into a new season of work, everyone deserves the reminder that God goes with us. We also invite our youth to be a source of encouragement within our Aldersgate church family by mentoring a younger child, offering support, friendship, and a caring presence as they grow, or simply walking alongside them on Sunday morning to help them feel a little braver for the first day of school! Parables on the Playground CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Wednesdays this Summer through September 2nd 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! In case you missed it, we're continuing Parables through Labor Day! So, mark your calendars for Parables on the Playground ending September 2nd. Until then, we will see you Wednesdays, at 1pm on the playground! *Families that are busy during the week- we are wondering if you would be interested in a Saturday morning (9am-ish) gathering as well? Be sure to let Ms. Jesse know on Wednesday! Please reach out to Ms. Jesse with any questions. In case you missed it, we're continuing Parables through Labor Day! So, mark your calendars for Parables on the Playground ending September 2nd. Until then, we will see you Wednesdays, at 1pm on the playground! *Families that are busy during the week- we are wondering if you would be interested in a Saturday morning (9am-ish) gathering as well? Be sure to let Ms. Jesse know on Wednesday! Please reach out to Ms. Jesse with any questions. 70th Anniversary - Aldersgate Homecoming! ENGAGE EVENT Sunday, August 30th One Worship Service at 10am Community Picnic at 11:30am | Front Lawn 1301 Collingwood Rd. Alexandria, VA 22308 Celebrate 70 years of Aldersgate UMC with us! On Sunday, August 30th, we’ll celebrate 70 incredible years of Aldersgate UMC! For seven decades, God has worked through this church to transform lives, build relationships, serve our community, and share Christ’s love. As we look back on a rich history of faith and fellowship, we also look ahead with excitement and hope for all that God has in store for Aldersgate UMC's future. Mark your calendars and join us for this special milestone celebration. It's going to be a day filled with joy, gratitude, memories, and community! Be sure to stick around after the service for a picnic celebration! We will have a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, petting zoo, food, live music, fellowship, and so much fun! 70 Years of inspiring faith and building community! If you would like a brief history of Aldersgate, please click here ! To make this event as amazing as we know it will, we would love some volunteers to help with a few different things. Click here for a list of ways to share your time before, during, and after our picnic. Click here to contribute to our potluck for the picnic. On Sunday, August 30th, we’ll celebrate 70 incredible years of Aldersgate UMC! For seven decades, God has worked through this church to transform lives, build relationships, serve our community, and share Christ’s love. As we look back on a rich history of faith and fellowship, we also look ahead with excitement and hope for all that God has in store for Aldersgate UMC's future. Mark your calendars and join us for this special milestone celebration. It's going to be a day filled with joy, gratitude, memories, and community! Be sure to stick around after the service for a picnic celebration! We will have a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, petting zoo, food, live music, fellowship, and so much fun! 70 Years of inspiring faith and building community! If you would like a brief history of Aldersgate, please click here ! To make this event as amazing as we know it will, we would love some volunteers to help with a few different things. Click here for a list of ways to share your time before, during, and after our picnic. Click here to contribute to our potluck for the picnic. 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 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. SOCIAL JUSTICE "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31 The United Methodist Church has a long history of advocating for social justice. During university, John & Charles Wesley and their Oxford 'Holy Club' visited the local prison and tutored neighborhood children. The early Methodists expressed their opposition to societal ills such as slavery, smuggling, inhumane prison conditions, alcohol abuse, and child labor. Today United Methodists work, march and pray for racial justice, environmental care, and fair treatment for everyone. Learn how we continue in ministries of justice today and find places where you can serve. "The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people's lives to risk interpreting God's love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out of a faith perspective, not just respond to all the other 'mind-makers-up' that exist in our society." Excerpt from The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024. Copyright © 2024 by The United Methodist Publishing House. First adopted by the 1972 General Conference, the Social Principles document stands in the Wesleyan tradition of forthright moral witness and ethical action. The Social Principles articulate our ethical aspirations for the common good in our public policies and personal commitments. Through them, we seek to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength and to desire for our neighbors what we desire for ourselves. Social Principles of the United Methodist Church As Adopted by General Conference Charlotte, 2024 The Social Principles reflect the United Methodist response to today's most pressing social issues. UMC Social Principles Faith in Action: All Other Ground is Sinking Sand Justice Takes Courage, Edition 5 An article from Bishop Julius C. Trimble General Board of Church and Society | January 24, 2025 All Other Ground is Sinking Sand What Do We Mean by "Social Justice"? Learn what "social justice" means in the United Methodist Church and how we as a church participate in social justice. What do we mean by social justice? Dear President Trump: Letter from United Methodist Council of Bishops A letter to the Honorable President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, from the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. Council of Bishops Letter to President Trump Bishop, Appointive Cabinet Share Pastoral Letter to Federal Workers A Pastoral Letter to Federal Workers Summarily Dismissed from their Jobs Pastoral Letter to Federal Employees "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31 The Social Justice Team works towards living into our Strategic Priorities of Missional Outreach and Social Justice. To help educate, disciple, and model ways to transform for the better those people and causes we seek to serve locally, nationally, and internationally. Currently we partner with Woodlawn Faith UMC in worship and missional exchanges, as well as opportunities that you can find in our weekly newsletter (click the "Subscribe" button, below, to receive our weekly newsletter). We have a Social Justice section in our church library where you can check out books. We are offering tips for Creation Care in our weekly newsletter. Click on the tabs, below, to learn more about the different social justice focus areas at Aldersgate UMC. Learn more about the Social Principals of the United Methodist Church . The Social Justice Team comes together every 8-10 weeks to share what we are working on and plan for other ways to engage in our church and community. If you wish to know more, be part of a book and /or Bible study, or to actively participate in one of the above areas, please contact socialjustice@aldersgate.net . Woodlawn-Faith UMC Partnership Aldersgate UMC is currently partnering with Woodlawn-Faith UMC in worship and missional exchanges, as well as other events you can learn about here and under Upcoming Events . There are also opportunities to serve with Woodlawn-Faith UMC, such as Food Distribution on Fordson Road and to serve at the Community Gardens at the Grist Mill Park. Woodlawn-Faith UMC is an African-American congregation in our area. This partnership came out of our work on our Focus 2025 Strategic Priorities. We heard you as our congregation wanting to be more diverse in worship and in engaging with our community. Upcoming Partnership Events Woodlawn-Faith Food Distribution Friday, Aug. 21st | 8:30am - 12:00pm Where: St. John's Baptist Church (7730 Fordson Rd, Alexandria) St. John's Baptist Church (7730 Fordson Rd, Alexandria) Help pack food boxes for distribution to folks who come to collect food. Join Woodlawn-Faith UMC at St. John's Baptist Church on Fordson Road to pack food boxes for folks in our community to collect. No reservation or sign-up required! Drop by any time and stay for as long as you can! Students can earn community service hours. 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 Woodlawn-Faith Partnership Be the Bridge Book Club Creation Care Woodlawn-Faith UMC Partnership Aldersgate UMC is currently partnering with Woodlawn-Faith UMC in worship and missional exchanges, as well as other events you can learn about here and under Upcoming Events . There are also opportunities to serve with Woodlawn-Faith UMC, such as Food Distribution on Fordson Road and to serve at the Community Gardens at the Grist Mill Park. Woodlawn-Faith UMC is an African-American congregation in our area. This partnership came out of our work on our Focus 2025 Strategic Priorities. We heard you as our congregation wanting to be more diverse in worship and in engaging with our community. Upcoming Partnership Events Woodlawn-Faith Food Distribution Friday, Aug. 21st | 8:30am - 12:00pm Where: St. John's Baptist Church (7730 Fordson Rd, Alexandria) St. John's Baptist Church (7730 Fordson Rd, Alexandria) Help pack food boxes for distribution to folks who come to collect food. Join Woodlawn-Faith UMC at St. John's Baptist Church on Fordson Road to pack food boxes for folks in our community to collect. No reservation or sign-up required! Drop by any time and stay for as long as you can! Students can earn community service hours. 1 1 ... 1 ... 1

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH (UWF) FAITH. HOPE. LOVE. ACTION. United Methodist Women (UMW) is now United Women in Faith (UWF) FAITH. Women who participate in monthly circle meetings and support mission projects to grow spiritually and become more deeply rooted in Christ by putting faith into action. HOPE. Our national mission institutions empower women, care for children, educate and equip youth, care for the neglected, advocate for social justice issues, create economic opportunities, and strengthen neighborhoods. LOVE. Our members give out of their love for the world and provide financial support for local and national mission institutions, supporting 121 programs taking place in 110 countries. ACTION. UWF members’ voices are heard around the world as they call for justice on issues such as immigration, human trafficking, domestic violence, health care, and the environment. Circles Missions Events Resources Give to UWF U NITED W OMEN IN F AITH C I RCLES Any woman who wants to engage in mission work, have personal and spiritual growth with Christian women, and who wants to become involved in social action to better women, children, and families may join. It’s easy to become a member of UWF. You can talk to someone you know who is already a member, or email Lorrie Rezendes (lorretired@aol.com) or call her at 571-309-6001. UWF meets monthly during the months of September - May/June in small groups called Circles as follows: Elizabeth Circle 2nd Monday of each month | 10:30am Meeting Location: Member's Homes (Including at The Fairfax) Shirley Burgett ( saburgett@gmail.com / 703-780-7966) Elizabeth Circle are in charge of the Frozen Casserole Sale at the annual UWF Christmas Marketplace. They are group of delightful older women who want to have Christian fellowship, continue to grow spiritually, and support mission projects as everyone gracefully ages. Friendship Circle 2nd Monday of each month | 6:30pm Meeting Location: Member's Homes Lorrie Rezendes ( lorretired@aol.com / 571-309-6001) Friendship Circle is comprised of working or recently retired women who want to grow spiritually, have Christian fellowship, and work on mission projects. They are in charge of the Faith Cafe at the annual UWF Christmas Marketplace. Esther Circle 2nd Tuesday of each month | 10:00am Meeting Location: Room 132 (Library) Hettie Hervey ( hettieh@usa.net / 703-360-4625) Esther Circle enjoys doing mission projects, enjoys programs to learn about ourselves and each other and our faith, occasionally has speakers, and does two luncheons a year. They are also in charge of the White Elephant Sale at the annual UWF Christmas Marketplace. Sewing Circle 3rd Wednesday of each month | 10:00am Meeting Location: Rooms 203 Lorrie Rezendes ( lorretired@aol.com / 571-309-6001) The Sewing Circle meets monthly for fun sewing projects. We iron, cut, pin material, and machine sew projects. We sew 250 or more heart pillows for local hospital heart patients that have undergone surgery. We recently started to sew angels to uplift anyone receiving one. We start new sewing projects each year. All women are welcomed and there are jobs for all! Lydia Circle 2nd Thursday of each month | 10:30am - 12:00pm Meeting Location: Room 202 Peggy Lussier ( peggylussier47@gmail.com / 703-624-6600) Lydia Circle enjoys coming together monthly for fellowship and spiritual growth. They accept jewelry donations every Fall (August - November) to sell at the annual UWF Christmas Marketplace. Ruth Circle 2nd Thursday of each month | 5:00pm Meeting Location: Room 132 (Library) Mary Ellen Carawan ( mimi.car415@gmail.com / 207-329-4142) Ruth Circle enjoys spiritual meetings and deep friendships while welcoming those who are new to the group. Members participate in reading and discussion of UWF books, and sharing uplifting programs and projects. They are in charge of pecans sales and the Bakery Corner for the annual UWF Christmas Marketplace.