Ashland Place

United Methodist Church 

E-News
Issue: #34

August 21, 2014

Ashland Place United Methodist Church

15 Wisteria Avenue

Mobile, AL 36607

251-478-6356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev.Charles H. "Chip" Hale, Jr 

 

Rev. David J. Morris

 

Director of Music 
Jenny Slay

 

Music Assistant

Amy True

 

Director of

Children's Ministries 
Kathy Minor    


Director of Youth Ministries      

Rev. Amanda Messer 

 

Director of

Older Adult Ministries 

Lee Hoagland

 

Director of

Weekday Programs    
Chee Chee Street

 

Administrative Secretary 

Pam Bostick

 

Financial  Office

Chrissy Counts

           
Building Steward  

Doug Winters

 

Assistant Building Steward 
Dave Baldwin

                              

 

 

NOTES FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR

         

           

The season of fall is a wonderful time of activities after the more relaxed days of summer.  My grandmother would always say, "I just can't wait for autumn to get here because maybe it won't be so hot."  Most of us look forward to fall because football, for many people, is the centerpiece of their weekends.  Whether it is high school, college, or kiddie football, it is a lot of fun for the whole family.

As Ashland Place gets ready for fall, our KICK-OFF SUNDAY is September 7th.  It will be a day full of many activities.  Our Fall Fellowship Luncheon will take place at noon in the Fellowship Hall.  As is our custom, the church will provide the fried chicken, and we ask all of you to bring a salad, a vegetable, or a dessert.  Also on September 7th, we will hold the Ministry Fair, with tables full of the Ministry and Mission Activities of the church.  A representative of each group will be available to answer your questions.  Additionally, the newly-formed Confirmation Class, consisting of all our Church's 6th Graders, will be presented for their annual covenant service.  At our 11:00 service, the Children's Choir will be singing a special song from Vacation Bible School.  Please mark this date on your calendars, and plan for your family to join us.

I want to welcome Amy True to our Church Staff.  For the last few months, Amy has been leading the congregational singing during the services when the choir is absent.  Personally, I am so grateful for her presence.  Perhaps you remember when I left my portable microphone on during a hymn and people fled from the Sanctuary in droves.  I have noticed that the Ashland Place congregation has been singing with renewed vigor since Amy has been leading us.  Beginning on Sunday, September 14th, Amy will also begin directing our Children's Choir.  The children will have their practices on Sunday nights at 5:00 p.m.

Amy will also be coordinating the music for our Wednesday night Connection Services.  We are so fortunate to have Amy.  She started her music ministry at the age of eleven as a performing soloist who traveled from church to church in the Southwest.  Amy comes to our church with a rich history of performance in New York off-Broadway, and also in a number of venues across the country.  She met her husband Richard in acting class, and they have a precious and delightful three-year-old daughter, Parker.  Again, I want to welcome Amy to our Church Staff.

Exciting things are happening at Ashland Place this fall.  Please join your Ashland Place family on September 7th for our Kick-Off Sunday.

                                        

 

      Yours in Christ,

                                                       Chip Hale

 

 

                                                                          

 

 

Last Sunday, Rev. Hale referred to  "Celebration of Discipline" 

by Richard J. Foster in his sermon.  Many members have asked about the book.  There are some copies available at Ashland Place in the library and the church office.  


Here is the link to Amazon to purchase the book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CONNECTION WEDNESDAY NIGHT


 

Dinner at 5:30 p.m.  
 
Enjoy dinner together with your Ashland Place Family in the Fellowship Hall.  The menu for Wednesday is pizza spaghetti,   Children will have an additional option of chicken fingers. The cost for dinner is $3 kids, $5 youth, $7 adults, or $20 for a family. 


 

Worship at 6:15 p.m. 
 
Children, youth, and adults will begin worship with the wonderful music and communion. Rainey Tanner will be singing during the Offertory. This week, the hymns will be traditional Celtic hymns led by Amy True.  Adults will continue with a Bible lesson taught by Rev. Amanda Messer from the book of John. Children will break out in their own activities and games, led by Kathy Minor.  A nursery will be provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that we have reached the end of summer, we have begun focusing on our fall programming here at Ashland Place.   September's just around the corner which means it's time to start planning to join a Covenant Bible Study group.

If you've always planned to learn more about the Bible but weren't sure when or how to do it, this is your opportunity! Covenant is an introduction to the whole Bible, with weekly small-group discussions around a brief video. The video segments will bring expert Bible scholars right into the room with us. There are daily Bible readings with introductions for each day, as well as a longer weekly reading in the Covenant study book. These study groups will last about an hour.

Right now, we're planning on two groups:

Sunday Mornings during the Sunday school hour led by Gayle Alexander

Sunday Nights at 5:00 in the Fellowship Hall led by Rev. David Morris

Covenant Groups will start meeting on September 14th and will continue for 8 weeks. There are three 8-week units in the 24-week Covenant study - you can join any of the 3 units as we begin it.

Each participant will be expected to have access to a good Study Bible, as well as the study book for the current term. We'll be making the Covenant study books available in the coming weeks, as sign-ups begin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Night Youth is back! To kick-off our program, the youth group had a great time playing laser tag last Sunday. We hope you can join us this Sunday in the youth basement from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m, for food, worship, and games!

     

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

This is an exciting month for our Children's Choir!  On Sunday, September 7th, our children will be singing at the 11:00 service.  Performing one of our well-loved songs from VBS "All Creatures of Our God and King," any child who attended VBS this summer is encouraged to take part!  Sign up sheets will also be available to join the Children's Choir, which starts on Sunday, September 14th at 5 pm.  Ages K3 - 5th Grade welcome.  If you have any questions, you can contact Amy True @ 478-6356 or by email: atrue@apumc.com.

        

     School is back in session!   Our children were welcomed back on August 18 with pictures, songs, cheers and cookies, but most of all with the warm love from our teachers and director.   God has given us a great privilege to be a part of these children's lives and we are excited about the coming year.

     If you have been in the Education area lately, you may have noticed a new bulletin board.  It is currently showcasing some of the traditions that have made our school one of the most dearly loved programs in the city for 43 years now.  Stop by and see if you recognize anyone!  We will be changing the display monthly to feature the activities and children of this wonderful ministry.

    If you have questions about the program, please call the Preschool Director, Chee Chee Street, at  478-6360.  You can find monthly updates about the programs in the newsletter or, "like us on Facebook" by searching for "Ashland Place Preschool"!

      Meanwhile, enjoy a "taste" of our first week:


 

Children in our four year olds enjoyed delicious "Kissing Hand" cookies on the first day.


 

 During center time, our three year old children pretend to bake ABC cookies.

 

 

 

       

Children's Ministry Fall Planning Meeting

Children's Ministry is getting excited about the fall!  A planning meeting to go over details and plan special events will be held this Sunday, August 24 in the Landing after the 11 am service.  If you are interested in helping develop our children into young disciples, please consider attending.  For more information or to express interest, please contact Kathy Minor at kminor@apumc.com

 

  Bible


 

3rd Grade Bible Presentation

As an important milestone in their faith journey, Ashland Place will present our third grade students with Bibles in the 11 am worship service on September 14.  If your child is in third grade, please contact Kathy Minor at kminor@apumc.com to ensure your child is included in the presentation.


 

 

 

     

Art Show for Rev. Hale
 

In two weeks, Ashland Gallery, the art and framing store located three doors down at 2321 Old Shell Road, will host a reception featuring the paintings of our Senior Minister, Chip Hale.  On Thursday, September 4, from 5:00 until 7:00, plan to drop by Ashland Gallery for a delightful evening of art, light refreshments, and a visit with Chip.

Ashland Gallery has partnered with our church before, providing refreshments and children's activities during our Preschool's "Mystics of Ashland Place" Parade.  Chip's art showing will be a part of the Gallery's "First and Third Thursdays" art showings by local artists.  We are proud of our talented Minister!  

 

  

 

CONGRATULATIONS

 

We extend Christian love and congratulations to Stephanie and Justin Watson on the birth of their daughter, Mason Della Watson.  Mason was born on August 18. We are thankful for this precious gift of love from God.

  

 

CONGRATULATIONS

 

We extend Christian love and congratulations to Mary and Jeff Sessions on the birth of their granddaughters, Joanna Turner Walk and Phobe Montgomery Walk.  Ruth and John Walk are the proud parents with big sisters, Gracie and Hannah.  Joanna and Phoebe were born on August 18 and weighed 6 pounds each. We are thankful for these precious gifts of love from God.

 

 
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UPCOMING MEETINGS

 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES | Monday, September 8 | 5:30

COMMITTEE OF FINANCE | Monday, September 15 | 5:30

STAFF-PARRISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE | Monday, September 22 | 5:30

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD | Monday, September 29 | 5:30

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CIRCLE OF CONCERN


 

MEMBERS:  Betsey Barnes, Mel Brassfield, Linda Lee Counts, Essie Crawford,  Ervetta Haas, Mike McMaken, Joan Price-Williams, and Bob Thomson.

 

Blue prayer request cards are available in the racks on the back of the pews.  Please place these in the collection plate, and they will be prayed for and held in confidence by the Monday morning prayer group.