Ashland Place

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

November 13, 2025

E-News

A Mid-week word from Pastor Darren...

Dear Family of APUMC,

I write today to share news regarding an important transition within our church community. After many faithful years of service, Mary Hunter Fuller will be stepping down from her role as Director of the Ashland Place United Methodist Church Preschool.

Mary Hunter has poured her gifts, her imagination, and her deep love for children into this ministry. Through seasons of growth and challenge, she has led our preschool with a genuine love for nurturing young minds and hearts. Her presence, first as a teacher and later as Director has been a blessing to our children, our families, and our entire congregation. We are grateful for her commitment and the ways she has reflected the love of Christ throughout her time here.

In Mary Hunter’s words, “I have a deep peace that this is the right time for me to close this chapter. I have confidence in the teachers, families, and church community to carry out the school’s mission…Ashland Place Preschool–I love you so.”

Please join me in praying for Mary Hunter as she enters this next chapter, and let us express our appreciation for the joy she has brought to Ashland Place.

With this transition, Ashland Place United Methodist Church is now receiving applications for the position of Preschool Director. Naturally, this role is a vital part of our ministry to children and families.

In summary, the Director of the Ashland Place United Methodist Church Preschool provides visionary and administrative leadership for a faith-based early childhood program that nurtures the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of young children. The Director ensures that the program aligns with the mission and ministry of Ashland Place United Methodist Church while meeting or exceeding state licensing requirements and best practices in early childhood education.

If you or someone you know feels called to serve in this capacity, we invite you to review the full job description and application details at the links below or you can find a link on our website.

We trust that God is already preparing the right person to help continue the joyful, formational, and Christ-centered work of our preschool.

With gratitude and hope,

Rev. Darren M. McClellan

For this coming Sunday's bulletin...

Hoover, Debra, Come Fill Our Hearts

From the Alabama West Florida Conference Office...

As a continuation of Bishop Jonathan Holston’s Matthew 25 invitation, calling our churches to feed the hungry and care for our neighbors in need as a result of reduced government food benefits, the Alabama-West Florida Conference is launching a conference-wide “Abundant Table” Offering on November 23rd, the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

This special offering will directly address food insecurity across our communities, building on the quick and compassionate response of local churches throughout the conference.

• 80% of all funds collected will remain in the local church’s community, supporting ongoing and emerging food ministries that meet local needs or established food banks.
• 20% will be directed to the Alabama-West Florida Conference, which will be managed and distributed by the Food Initiative task force comprised of lay and clergy from all four districts. These resources will be given as grants to underserved communities throughout our connection.

“When we share from what we have, God multiplies it,” said Bishop Jonathan Holston. “The Abundant Table Offering is a tangible expression of our faith in action, reminding us that when we come together in Christ’s name, every table can be filled and every heart can be nourished.”

Through this shared effort, the AWF Conference can ensure that every table has enough and that every neighbor knows the abundance of God’s love.

Join the Reunion Sunday School class for an Advent Study: The Advent of the Lamb of God, by Russ Ramsey. Starting 11/30 in Room 202 upstairs in the Fellowship Building, we’ll discuss scripture passages that unveil God’s loving pursuit of his people. All ages are welcome to join us! For more information, contact Kristi McClellan. 

We are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of our congregation and community. This week, we were blessed to receive a trailer full of food from our friends at Dauphin Way UMC, as well as a tremendous donation from a sweet couple who simply wanted to give back.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ramadan filled the back of two large SUVs with their gifts, and we are deeply grateful for their kindness and support.



Thank you to everyone who continues to pour love, compassion, and resources into this ministry. Your giving truly makes a difference.

Volunteers

We're expecting a surge of clients during the approaching holiday season, and could use some extra hands, especially on Thursdays from 9:30am to noon. The upcoming dates are November 6 and 20, and December 4 and 18. Please consider helping us help our neighbors and community.

Thanksgiving Food Donations

If you signed up to donate food, please make sure to have it here by 4:00 this Sunday. The youth will be packing the food at 5:30, and all are welcome to join them.

Next week, Wednesday regular packing will take place in the Fellowship Hall instead of Dumas Wesley. We could use extra hands as we have a lot of items, and we will still need volunteers at Dumas Wesley to unload senior boxes.

Christmas Card Fundraiser

Christmas will be here soon, and The Joseph Project will once again sell custom Christmas cards. This is our biggest fundraiser, and the money goes directly back to feeding our clients. As part of the included price, we will address and provide postage for your cards, so that you don't have to! A sales table will be set up in the Fellowship Hall starting November 9 and will be there every Sunday until the ordering deadline of December 7.

This year's card image will be...

For more information about any of these things,

please contact Stephanie Alexander at skalexander@bellsouth.net.

It's time again for our annual United Appeal Fund fundraiser. These beautiful ornaments will be on sale in the Fellowship Hall soon, or you can stop by the church office.

The cost is $30.

Exciting Things are Happening in the Children’s Ministry

We have a number of activities on the calendar for the next two months. Please keep these dates in mind and join us for Sunday School @ 10:00 every week! 

November: Emphasis on thankfulness and giving with mission projects and family sharing

December 10: Children’s Nativity Program - 6:30 pm Sanctuary  

December 14: Children’s Christmas Breakfast - 10:15 am Fellowship Hall

During the month of November, if you would like to share a story of Thanksgiving with the children or have an idea for a mission project, please let us know. Parents are always welcome to join us.



We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with everyone!! 

WEEKLY YOUTH HAPPENINGS

Sunday School (10:00am)

Sunday evening fellowship (5:30pm)