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Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. GENERAL CONFERENCE 2024 After a four-year delay, the 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist Church will take place April 23rd - May 3rd, 2024, in Charlotte, NC. As stated in a UM News explanation of General Conference , “The United Methodist Church has no pope. But it does have a General Conference — the only body that can set official policy and speak for the international denomination. General Conference brings together lay and clergy delegates from four continents whose decisions will affect how millions of United Methodists do church for years to come." General Conference typically gathers every four years. General Conference was scheduled to meet in 2020. However, the global COVID pandemic resulted in multiple postponements of the 2020 General Conference. When the General Conference meets this April, it will have been eight years since our primary denominational governing body came together. Since the last meeting in 2016, the denomination has seen a quarter of its U.S. churches depart under a disaffiliation policy that began in 2019 and expired at the end of 2023. General Conference 2024 will determine what happens next in the United Methodist Church. In order to prepare our Aldersgate UMC family for the Town Hall meeting that will occur on May 19th following the 2024 General Conference, we are providing information and links to resources that have been compiled and vetted by the pastors, staff, and Equip ministries team. The following are resources that we believe provide accurate information about the upcoming General Conference. The Northern Virginia District invites you to pray for the upcoming General Conference. Each day from April 1- May 5 we offer the name of a person or persons (beginning with each VAUMC delegate) as well as a theme or idea to help focus your prayers. General Conference Prayer Calendar Post General Conference Panel Discussion The Virginia Conference held a post-General Conference Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 9th, at 7pm. The panel included Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson; Rev. Lindsey Baynham Freeman, head of the Virginia delegation; and delegates Rev. Mark Ogren, Marshall Bailey, and Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page. You can watch the webinar on the Virginia Conference YouTube Channel. Watch the Recorded Post-General Conference Webinar Due to the large volume of questions received during the webinar, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) was created by the Virginia Conference Connectional Ministries Office. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) It is important to note that the deadline for disaffiliation has passed. Aldersgate UMC will not be considering disaffiliation in our Town Hall meeting. At this time, there is nothing to vote or decide upon regarding Aldersgate UMC's status until more information is received after General Conference. ALDERSGATE UMC'S PLAN April 14th, 21st, & 28th: We will offer a three-part sermon series on John Wesley's "Three Simple Rules". We invite you to read the book (available on Amazon and Cokesbury ) and follow along in prayer. April 17th: Clergy pre-brief for General Conference offered by our district leadership. Pastor Randy and Pastor Jon will participate in this. April 23 – May 3, 2024: The 2024 General Conference (also still being called the “2020 General Conference”) will take place in Charlotte, NC, to further discuss and vote on plans to address the issues under debate for the past eight years. May 8th: Following General Conference, there will be a debrief for all laity and clergy. This will be held via Zoom. Information on how to participate in this will be provided to the congregation when we receive it. May 19th: We will hold a Town Hall at to discuss what is next for Aldersgate UMC following the 2024 General Conference. More information on this Town Hall meeting will be provided as it comes together. This will be open to the entire congregation. HOW DID WE GET HERE? A TIMELINE May 2016: Divisions among delegates at the 2016 General Conference were apparent in regard to church teachings on marriage and human sexuality. A plan was approved to table all legislative action on human sexuality. The Council of Bishops was empowered to form a commission to study the divisions in the denomination and to come up with a plan. 2017 – 2018: Three plans emerged from the Commission on the Way Forward . The Connectional Conference Plan recommended re-organizing the church into two separate but connected entities. The One Church Plan (endorsed by the Council of Bishops) would allow conferences, clergy, and local churches to make their own decisions on same-sex marriage. The Traditional Plan recommended keeping all of the current language in the Book of Discipline and enforcing disciplinary actions such as removing openly gay clergy from their churches. February 2019: A Special Session of the General Conference was held to vote on the plans from the Commission on the Way Forward. The Traditional Plan was passed with amendments made and voted upon at the Special Session of the General Conference. Summer 2019: Following the decision of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference, a number of Conferences in the United States passed resolutions against the Traditional Plan . A 12-person group of centrist, traditionalist, and progressive church leaders drafted a plan for the amicable split of the United Methodist Church denomination that would provide a future for the denomination, its local churches, and its clergy. This plan addressed issues such as ownership of church property, pastoral pension plans, etc. It was to be discussed at the 2020 General Conference. January 2020: A group of 16 United Methodist bishops and church leaders offered a proposal that would allow traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination ; this plan included provisions for funding and allowed local congregations who disaffiliated to keep their local church property. March 2020: The pandemic caused the 2020 General Conference to be delayed – first until 2021, then until August/September 2022, then until April 2024. March 2022: The formation of the Global Methodist Church was announced, allowing adherents of the Traditional Plan to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church to join the Global Methodist Church. December 31, 2023: This was the last day that churches were allowed to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. April 23 – May 3, 2024: The 2024 General Conference (also still being called the “2020 General Conference”) will take place in Charlotte, NC, to further discuss and vote on plans to address the issues under debate for the past eight years. WHAT IS GENERAL CONFERENCE? What is General Conference and what does it do? Watch this quick overview of the General Conference from the United Methodist Communications team and find out how it serves the United Methodist Church. You can find additional resources to learn more about General Conference in this "beginner's guide" to General Conference put out by UM News . ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RESOURCES Here are some additional helpful resources to learn more about General Conference: VA UMC Guide to General Conference General Conference FAQ Document published by the Virginia Annual Conference that describes the Christmas Covenant and the Regionalization Plan that may be voted on at the 2024 General Conference: Christmas Covenant Regionalization Plan WHAT IS "DISAFFILIATION"? This article will provide additional information on what "disaffiliation" is. It is important to note that the deadline for disaffiliation has passed. Aldersgate UMC will not be considering disaffiliation in our Town Hall meeting. Disaffiliation in the UMC: What You Need to Know WATCH PANEL DISCUSSIONS TO LEARN MORE Watch a panel discussion that took place at Floris UMC in Herndon, VA, on February 6th, 2024, about preparations and legislation related to the 2024 General Conference. Disclaimer: The panelists have similar viewpoints to one another in regard to the issues they are discussing, so it is somewhat less objective than other resources. However, there is an excellent description of the history of the contentious issues that may be addressed at the 2024 General Conference. Also, there is a lovely statement by our Bishop regarding the working of the Holy Spirit in us as we work together. Pastor Adam Hamilton moderates a panel of pastors who have started new churches in areas with disaffiliating churches. There is also a discussion with a pastor from a church in Africa about the issues faced by UMC churches in African countries.

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. SUPPORT GROUPS Aldersgate United Methodist Church offers support groups to the congregation and to our community. Monthly Caregiver Support Group Aldersgate UMC offers a support group for those who are caregivers. The monthly Caregiver Support Group will meet on the SECOND Wednesday of every month at 5:00pm in the Library. For more information, please contact Judy Jurkowski, Wellness Coordinator & Director of Congregational Care ( judy@aldersgate.net ) . Monthly Grief Support Group Aldersgate UMC offers a support group for those who have experienced a loss and who are grieving. The monthly Grief Support Group will meet on the THIRD Wednesday of every month at 5:00pm in the Library. For more information, please contact Judy Jurkowski, Wellness Coordinator & Director of Congregational Care ( judy@aldersgate.net ) . Weekly Divorce Care Group Aldersgate UMC offers a weekly virtual support group for those who are going through or have gone through divorce. This group will foster healing from separation or divorce. Meetings consists of a discussion of the material (video and workbook) completed during the week. The DivorceCare videos cover topics essential to recovering from the hurt of separation or divorce. The group will meet weekly on Tuesday at 7pm starting September 19th. All meetings are virtual. Please visit the DivorceCare website for additional information on the program and to register to attend the group meetings hosted by Aldersgate UMC. Attendance at each session is not required for participation. There is a $20 fee that covers the cost of the workbook.

Feel supported in this mothering journey together! EVENT INFORMATION < Previous Event Back to Upcoming Events Back Next Event > Breastfeeding Support Group Safe space for moms to share, connect, and ask questions! Every 3rd Wednesday of the month | 9:30am - 10:30am 1301 Collingwood Rd. Alexandria, VA 22308 Aldersgate UMC | Room 202 Whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed, or combination feed, you are welcome here. Join us as we support and encourage one another along the feeding journey of motherhood. Cara Greer and Bobbyjean Bauch of Alexandria Lactation Partners are offering a free, non-judgmental, and welcoming space for moms to gather, share experiences, ask questions, and build community. Come as you are, connect with other moms, and receive encouragement for this season of life. We will meet on the third Wednesday of each month. We would love for you to join us! Any questions, please email hello@alexandrialactation.com . Whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed, or combination feed, you are welcome here. Join us as we support and encourage one another along the feeding journey of motherhood. Cara Greer and Bobbyjean Bauch of Alexandria Lactation Partners are offering a free, non-judgmental, and welcoming space for moms to gather, share experiences, ask questions, and build community. Come as you are, connect with other moms, and receive encouragement for this season of life. We will meet on the third Wednesday of each month. We would love for you to join us! Any questions, please email hello@alexandrialactation.com . < Previous Event Next Event >

Help provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our neighbors in need through the Mondloch House Program. MISSION INFORMATION < Previous Back to Local Missions Next > Mondloch House Volunteers are needed to purchase and deliver fresh produce for the local homeless shelters and transitional housing tenants through the Mondloch House program. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/03f741_d4ff8b5126434456949e71fa433040ee/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Mondloch House, How-To-Video CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer. "Mondloch House" is the name of Aldersgate UMC's longstanding program that provides fresh fruits and vegetables each week to area shelters and to supportive housing operated in Alexandria by New Hope Housing . New Hope Housing is a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing and a gateway to a better life for homeless families and individuals in our community. Mondloch House 1 on Lockheed Boulevard and the Eleanor Kennedy Shelter on Route One provide both short-and long-term housing to homeless individuals, while Mondloch Place provides them with transitional housing. In addition, New Hope Housing runs a number of supportive housing programs to help otherwise homeless families find and maintain subsidized housing. New Hope Housing offers families and individuals more than just food and shelter. It also helps them to develop the life skills needed for successful independent living by offering counseling, teaching employment skills, providing health services, and facilitating transportation assistance. New Hope Housing also operates an employment resources center and provides educational enrichment and recreational activities for children and their parents. For many years now, Aldersgate volunteers have supported the important work of New Hope Housing by providing fresh fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis to ensure that the individuals residing at the Mondloch House and Eleanor Kennedy Shelters have healthy and nutritious food to eat. The program also adds our fresh produce to grocery packages given to the families in subsidized and supportive housing. How Can You Help? CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer for a week (or more) this year. Volunteers pick a week of their own choosing to shop for and deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to our central drop off point at Mondloch House 1 (3510 Lockheed Boulevard). Volunteers are contacted early in the week with a list of the produce that is needed. Volunteers are asked to commit to spending at least $50 to purchase the requested items at a store of their own choosing (and sometimes right from their own gardens!) and deliver them to the Mondloch House 1 shelter during daytime hours that week or weekend. The time and financial commitment for volunteers is minimal, but the reward is great! For more information, please contact Patricia M. King at pamking63@verizon.net . < Previous Next >

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. 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 background checks, 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!

< Back Judy Jurkowski Wellness Coordinator & Director of Congregational Care Email: jjurkowski@aldersgate.net Phone: (703) 765-6555 x626

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. AUMC Collegiate & Seminary Awards Aldersgate United Methodist Church Collegiate and Seminary Awards 2026-2027 Academic Year The Aldersgate Permanent Endowment Committee will offer a limited number of competitive college and seminary awards, which include tuition assistance, for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applicants must be members or regular attendees of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Further eligibility requirements and application forms are available below. Applications will be accepted through April 24th, 2026. AUMC Collegiate & Seminary Award Application For questions, contact Cindy Culbertson at aumcscholarship@gmail.com . Application Details & Requirements Eligibility Seminarian Awards Selection Criteria Description of Awards Process Certification Eligibility Applicants must attend an accredited college or university as full-time students during the 2026-2027 academic year. Limited funds are available for Methodist seminary and other graduate-level studies Seminarian Awards Applicants must attend an accredited Methodist seminary, during the 2026-2027 academic year, leading to a graduate degree in preparation for the Christian ministry. There is no age limit to apply. Selection Criteria The criteria used to select award recipients are: Financial need Academic performance Commitment to and participation in church activities Extracurricular activities; and community service. The applicant provides this information in the online application. Written Essay: In the essay, graduating high school seniors should focus on their formative and high school years. If you now attend college and are a previous recipient of an Aldersgate previously submitted, focusing greater attention on how you have built on your past accomplishments, with a relevant discussion of your experiences and circumstances during college. Description of Awards The number of awards and amounts are based on the review and evaluation of the applications by the Aldersgate Endowment Committee, using the selection criteria, the available funds designated for distribution by the Committee and guidance from the original fund donors. Process Completed applications must be emailed and received no later than April 24, 2026. The Endowment Committee will review and vote on applications during the month of May. Award recipient notices will be forwarded to students on or about June 1 and announced in church services on June 8. Awards are made payable to the colleges where the recipients will attend. Checks should be forwarded from the Aldersgate Finance Office to the schools’ Bursar Offices in July. Certification Applications must be signed and dated by the student, certifying that all information provided is true and correct. Applicants who have the capability may sign the application electronically or by hand and scanning the entire application to the Committee. Download a PDF of the application details & requirements information: Application Details & Requirements

Reach out to Dave Malzahn for place. EVENT INFORMATION < Previous Event Back to Upcoming Events Back Next Event > Lunch Bunch Fellowship, Food, Fun, & Friendship! Local Alexandria area Fellowship, food, fun, & friends! Experience this once-a-month event on a Tuesday or Thursday at noon at one of the area's many restaurants! If you would like to join, please reach out to Dave Malzahn . Fellowship, food, fun, & friends! Experience this once-a-month event on a Tuesday or Thursday at noon at one of the area's many restaurants! If you would like to join, please reach out to Dave Malzahn . < Previous Event Next Event >

Join Fellowship Riders and Youth Group for a morning bike ride! EVENT INFORMATION < Previous Event Back to Upcoming Events Back Next Event > Fellowship Riders Special Ride! FRESH EXPRESSIONS EVENT Saturday, July 11th | 10:00am Fellowship Riders, start your engines! ... we mean, pedals! Missed our last ride? No worries! You've got another chance to hit the road with us! Join the Fellowship Riders AND Youth Group on July 11th for a great day of riding, fellowship, and fun. We are planning on riding to National Harbor, having lunch, and then catching the Ferry back! Whether you're a regular rider or thinking about joining for the first time, we'd love to have you along. Mark your calendar and invite a friend! Bikers of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Please sign up here! Be sure to mark your calendar for future rides!  August 15th September 19th October 24th If you have questions, please reach out to Bob Johnson or Co-Youth Director, Bailey Johnson . Fellowship Riders, start your engines! ... we mean, pedals! Missed our last ride? No worries! You've got another chance to hit the road with us! Join the Fellowship Riders AND Youth Group on July 11th for a great day of riding, fellowship, and fun. We are planning on riding to National Harbor, having lunch, and then catching the Ferry back! Whether you're a regular rider or thinking about joining for the first time, we'd love to have you along. Mark your calendar and invite a friend! Bikers of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Please sign up here! Be sure to mark your calendar for future rides! August 15th September 19th October 24th If you have questions, please reach out to Bob Johnson or Co-Youth Director, Bailey Johnson . < Previous Event Next Event >

Courageously living and sharing God's unconditional love every day, with everyone, everywhere. OUR MISSION JOYOUS RISK-TAKING WELCOMING GENEROUS FAITHFUL JOYOUS We embrace fully the joy of the Lord; it pours out from us and strengthens us as we live, serve, give, worship and praise in the name of Christ. Nehemiah 8:10 RISK-TAKING We courageously step out in faith to pursue the vision that God has given us for Aldersgate and the community. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 WELCOMING We show hospitality at all times to all people and welcome them with open arms as we serve God together. Mark 9:37 GENEROUS We selflessly give our time, talents, money, and resources to bring about God’s kingdom on earth with gratitude for all God has so generously given us. 2 Corinthians 9:11 FAITHFUL We are dedicated to the Great Commission to “go and make disciples” by growing our faith and our relationships as we love God and others. Hebrews 10:23

Fellowship Small Group for Dads with Kids at Home EVENT INFORMATION < Previous Event Back to Upcoming Events Back Next Event > The Father's Table EQUIP MINISTRIES Next Meeting: June 18th | 8:00pm - 10:00pm Chris Mullins House Please join us for fellowship as we share and grow in our faith. The group will meet at Chris Mullins house on the last Thursday of each month. For more information contact Chris Mullins . Please join us for fellowship as we share and grow in our faith. The group will meet at Chris Mullins house on the last Thursday of each month. For more information contact Chris Mullins . < Previous Event Next Event >

The Rising Hope Food Market provides much-needed food to individuals and families in need along the Route 1 corridor. MISSION INFORMATION < Previous Back to Local Missions Next > Rising Hope Food Market Aldersgate UMC is proud to support the Food Market mission at Rising Hope Mission Church . What is the Rising Hope Food Market? The Rising Hope Food Market provides groceries to food insecure individuals and families in the community. Throughout the year, Aldersgate UMC collects food donations and delivers those goods to Rising Hope Mission Church. Rising Hope Mission Church then distributes the food donations to individuals and families in need on Wednesday from 1:30-3:30pm, and on Thursday from 10am-12pm and 1:30-5:30pm. Why is this outreach program important? Many individuals in our community do not get a sufficient quantity of nutritious, affordable food. The donations that we provide and the work that we are doing with Rising Hope Mission Church help serve those in need along the Route 1 corridor by providing them with quality, reliable food assistance every week. How can I help? Donate non-perishable food items. Donated food items may be dropped off in the bin by Door 3 any time. Make a monetary donation to the Rising Hope Food Market. Monetary donations can be made with cash or check and brought to the church office or dropped in the offering plate on Sunday morning. Please make checks payable to Aldersgate UMC and indicate "Rising Hope Food Market" in the note. Donations may also be made online - CLICK HERE . Please select "Missions" from the drop-down and enter "Rising Hope Food Market" in the note. You can also sign up to be a driver, where you pick up the food donations at Aldersgate UMC and deliver them to Rising Hope Mission Church once a week (on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings from 10am-12pm). Who can I contact to volunteer or for more information? For volunteer-related questions, please contact Dave Halladay . If you'd like to contact a representative of Rising Hope Mission Church to gain more information about the Food Pantry mission, please contact Heather Marshall . < Previous Next >