Celebrating 50 Years in Faith!

40 Year History Newsletter

Honoring the past, embracing the present and growing into the future are focuses at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. 2010 marks the 50th anniversary since the church was incorporated in 1960. Grace United Methodist Church voted to sponsor Aldersgate in February 1960 and assigned Rev. Cliff Lott to minister among the 57 charter members. On the afternoon of Sunday, March 13, at the Olmsted Elementary School, seventy seven were present at the first worship service. After purchasing land, filling leadership positions, and settling into a building, Aldersgate became an important part of the Urbandale community, both of which grew rapidly over the next decade.

Aldersgate worked to maintain up-to-date facilities for its members. After the addition and expansion of classrooms in the 70’s, a new sanctuary was added and initiated on Christmas Eve 1981. The contemporary worship space included a new alter, artwork, organ, and stained glass window in the front of the sanctuary, inspiring a church motto: “In all seasons of our journey…Christ is the window to life.” Although Aldersgate has gone through many changes in the past 50 years, including the addition of an elevator and significant renovations over the past 5 years, some aspects remain. The mission statement adopted a few years ago to “Worship God! Grow in Christ! Serve in the power of the Holy Spirit!” would have applied throughout the history of the congregation.

In the area of service, Aldersgate took on numerous projects in the church, community and wider world to express a commitment to making a difference. One such mission is the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), which allows youth and adults to travel to Appalachia, working alongside economically disadvantaged families. Beginning in 1974, ASP remains a vital aspect of Aldersgate youth ministry, large groups taking this journey the past 8 years running. Other important outreach and service opportunities for members include the downtown meal site at the YWCA, Bidwell-Riverside Center, DMARC and the Urbandale Food Pantry (estimated $11,000 support in 2009), Interfaith Hospitality Network as well as sponsoring a missionary couple with Iowa connections, Larry & Jane Kies, at Africa University, Zimbabwe. These and numerous other projects support the Anniversary Theme: “Born in Mission, Still in Mission”.

Growing out of this mission theme, Aldersgate will hold a PAST (Prayer, Attendance, Service & Tithes) Celebration Service April 11th with Bishop Julius Trimble preaching at a single unified 10:30 a.m. worship service, replacing regular services at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Modes. Following worship, a banquet with Bishop Trimble as guest will be held in the Family Life Center, a full size gymnasium added in the 1990’s. By promoting elements of the PAST, Aldersgate continues to build ties within membership (numbering in the 900s), Urbandale, and the wider community of all God’s children. With John Wesley, Aldersgate affirms, “the world is (our) parish.”