Call to Action

During the next several weeks, the church school will be collecting new shoes and boots for orphan children through the program, "Shoes for Orphan Souls". You may donate a pair of new shoes or boots, new socks, or shoelaces, or you can donate money towards shipping these donations. There are brochures located on the table outside the office. There is a collection box downstairs for you to place your donations. We will also be collecting used shoes for our sister church in Nicaragua. These will be collected in a separate box. If you have any questions about a donation for "Shoes for Orphan Souls:, please call the church office.

Hurricane Relief Efforts

Hurricane Katrina - Aldersgate Responds - The Community Responds

In response to the unbelievable devastation of Katrina, the Love Offering envelopes in the pews can provide a way for us to help and encourage our brothers and sisters.

You may respond directly to UMCOR, or you may make a contribution payable to Aldersgate and marked for UMCOR. So far, we have contributed $1920 as a congregation. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) was among the first to respond to this crisis and will be the last to leave.

Any contribution is welcome and the need is great!

If you want to contribute to the Flood Bucket project, this is what is needed and the items are specific:

5-gallon bucket with re-sealable lid
Bleach - two 1-quart or one 82 ox bottle (DO NOT INCLUDE BLEACH IF YOU ARE SHIPPING THE BUCKET THROUGH THE US POSTAL SERVICE, UPS, OR FEDEX)
5 scouring pads
1 scrub brush
18 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
Liquid laundry detergent: two 25 ox or one 50 ox bottle
1 household cleaner, 12-16 oz bottle
50 clothes pins
Clothes line - two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.
5 packs dust masks
2 pair latex gloves
1 pair work gloves
24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon- remove roll from box before placing in bucket)
Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can

From the Aldersgate Church family: Brian Falla, son of Peg and Bob Falla is part of the rescue team with the US Air Force Helicopter 25th out of Arizona, saving 177 lives to date! There is a Website www.af.mil where you can read stories about Hurricane Katrina.We are very proud of you!

There is also a site for you to write a prayer of encouragement that God will help all His people in the areas of need. In cooperation with United Methodist Communications, The General Board of Discipleship, Center for Worship Resourcing, has created a place called Lord, Hear Our Prayers. We invite you to visit the site, read, meditate, pray; add your own voice to the community at prayer for those in such great need. Go to http://prayers.umc.org.

Coat Drive for Survivors

Donated coats should be clean and in good repair. They can be dropped off at Century 21 landmark Realty, One Chelmsford Street. Chelmsford drop off hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Or drop them off in front of Ed Roux's Garage at 4 Wiggin Street, Chelmsford (off North Road). PLEASE PUT THE COAT IN A PLASTIC BAG.

"This is the most outreach oriented church I have ever belonged to. The Spirit of Christ moves through every member of this congregation. You are truly the arms and legs of Christ here on earth. Please take this opportunity to let Christ act through you once again." Pat Casadone

Volunteers Needed for Elder Services

Volunteer Drivers are needed to provide transportation to "medical appointments". The volunteer provides door-to-door (picked up and returned to their home) transportation for those folks who are trying to remain independent and stay in their homes and apartment. Liability insurance and gas mileage is available to the volunteer. The Chelmsford Senior Housing units alone could use up to ten volunteer drivers just to support their specific needs for medical rides; another five drivers are needed for the remainder of the town elderly residents. Nursing Home Ombudsman (Advocate) Eight Volunteer Ombudsman are needed in the Nursing Homes in the greater Lowell (includes Chelmsford) area. The volunteer Ombudsman is the "voice" for all the residents in the nursing home, and generally looks after the welfare of the residents; if a problem is identified, the volunteer works with the staff to "fix" it. The state mandates that we look out for all the residents, which provides the volunteer with tremendous leverage to fix a problem. For more information call Jerry Proulx, Volunteer Recruiter, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, telephone 1-800-892-0890 extension 445.

Worship Arts Supplies

We are looking for colored tiles (can be broken), baby food jars and magazines to use for our Worship Arts Program this fall. Please see Cheryl to give her your donations.

Counters Needed

We need four additional counters to help count the offerings following lour Sunday Services. It takes about an hour following the service. We work in two person teams. With four additional counters, each will be needed to work about eight times a year. Schedules are flexible and are adjusted to fit your availability. Please contact Joanne at the Church office.