Announcements/Events
(All events are subject to change)
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Minnesota Conference
Save the Date!
Imagine Day with Rev. Dr. Michael Beck, a United Methodist pastor and director of re-missioning for Fresh Expressions US
When: Sept. 30, 2023
Where: Hub sites across the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences
Across the United States, amid a Christian landscape that looks and feels like a desert of decline, God is up to something. Inherited congregations with long histories, deeply rooted in their traditions, are experimenting with cultivating “fresh expressions” of church. Bring your teams and join Rev. Dr. Michael Beck as we imagine new ways to reach new people in new places.
Stay tuned for more information and how to register!
Ongoing Fellowship Opportunities with Alex UMC
Friends Gathering “Friends Gathering” is simply women gathering for friendship~food~creating memories~ we share stories and our lives in fellowship and camaraderie. We welcome newcomers and we meet monthly.
Where: The Lure Lakebar, 2800 N. Nokomis NE, Alexandria, MN 56308, on Lake Le Homme Dieu.
When: Next gathering July 24, 5 pm
RSVP to Jean Bristow, [email protected]
Adult Fellowship happens once a month – all are welcome – we meet at Fat Daddy’s in Alexandria, 115 30th Avenue E. Please consult the Weekly Calendar page for this meeting schedule.
JOY Circle
Joy Circle will not be meeting during the summer months. Joy circle will reconvene the third Thursday in September. We hope everyone has a wonderful summer and we hope to see you all back in the fall. Contact Carol, 320-763-5814 or [email protected] for updates, questions.
Coffee Fellowship second Tuesday of every month, coffee fellowship is hosted in the Narthex ~ join us ~ all are welcome!
Christian Education with Alex UMC
All-Church Read – “Messy Church” by Lucy Moore and Jane Leadbetter
Read to page 45. We will be back on schedule with our all-church read, Messy Church, this Sunday – wrapping up the chapter on “What is Messy Church” and reading the next section, “The Values of Messy Church”. In this chapter, we dive into conversation around the topics of Messy Church as celebration, intergenerational, Christ-centered, hospitality, and creativity!
Ecumenical Bible Study, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, at Windmill Pond Chapel (2nd floor)
715 Victor St, Alexandria, MN 56308,
All are welcome and encouraged to join us! We meet for 45 minutes or so and Pr. Amy and Sue Helgeson lead the group in sharing, prayer, Bible-based discussions and often a hymn or two! No homework – just come as you are!
Please consult the weekly calendar for our schedule – during the summer months, we do not meet every week.
#SeeAllThePeople – if you missed the first time, please join Pr. Amy in May for this series on discipleship – kick-off breakfast and details forthcoming.
Social Creed and UMC Principles Study – Please consult the weekly calendar for updates on the meeting schedule.
More happenings at Alex UMC!
Pizza Ministry at the Alexandria Community Wood-fired Oven
AlexUMC members are invited to volunteer for a Wednesday night with the Alexandria Community Wood-fired Oven
Volunteers can be greeters, help with activities, deliver pizza orders to those waiting …
For more information, contact Pr. Amy or Jeremy Vinar, 320-763-4624, [email protected]
Wednesday nights, June-August: 4:30-7pm
See schedule here: https://alexandriacommunitywoodfired.com/index.php/entertainment/
Vacation Bible School (VBS) – August 7-10, 5:15-7:30 p.m.
Monday – Thursday, August 7-10, 5:15-7:00 p.m.
All are welcome! You do not have to be a member to join our VBS program!
AGES: Pre-school to Grade 5
Sign up sheet in Narthex for meals.
We recommend 2 households partnering up to provide a meal – many hands make light work!
8/7 Monday Tacos in a bag
8/8 Tuesday Hotdogs/chips
8/9 Wednesday – (pizza oven)
8/10 Thursday – Sloppy Joes/chips
Stations include a Bible Story, Science, games, and crafts.
VBS Nightly Schedule:
(subject to change)
We begin the welcome at 5:15pm
Meal, 5:30pm
Large Group, 6pm
*Stations, 6:15-7:00
Large Group, 7-7:30 p.m.
*Station Schedule: 6:15-7:00
Bible Story, 10-12 min
Games (this will move around in our schedule)
Science, 15 min
Craft, 15 min
Confirmation and our Youth programming with Alex UMC
Pr. Amy leads and interactive children’s message every Sunday!
Pr. Amy also takes youth on field experiences – watch for announcements here and in the Sunday Bulletin. Recently, she took confirmation age youth to the Faithful Five event at Koronis Ministries: an introduction to Confirmation for middle school/high school students who are considering Confirmation
The Faithful Five:
Prayers – we visited various stations that led us in different ways to pray
Presence – we listened to a presentation on noticing how our attention to our faith life is vital for our formation as Christians
Gifts – we took an 80 question assessment that revealed spiritual talents that we are using every day even if we aren’t consciously thinking about it
Service – we created a skit about a service project we might do in our congregation. Our group did a skit about starting a ‘kindness campaign’
Witness – we heard testimony from one of our group leaders about his own faith journey
“I am excited and curious about all that we can do together as a Confirmation class, but most importantly, I am interested in endeavoring to grow in faith alongside the youth of Alexandria UMC. Confirmation changes the relationship a child has with their church, especially in terms of service and expression.” ~Pr. Amy
If you have a youth interested in our weekly programming or in our Confirmation programming, please contact her at [email protected]. If you are an adult interested in learning more about Confirmation and/or helping with our youth programming, please contact Pr. Amy and schedule an appointment. Pastor’s office hours are posted in the weekly bulletin or call Ginger at 320-763-4624.
Join us for CAMP MINNESOTA!
Find our brochures on bulletin boards here at church or go online to see a full listing of all that is going on in Minnesota regarding Methodist Campership opportunities: www.campminnesota.org/campsessions
Alexandria UMC to Camp!
July 9-15, Northern Pines (Park Rapids) – “Family Camp 2″ – all ages
Historically, our church families have not gone camping together so this will be something new! Congregants can register and/or sponsor a family to go; cost is $420. All families interested are encouraged to apply for a campership award – the forms are available online or in our main office and posted on the bulletin board.
Tentative – Shores of St. Andrew Family Camp with Pr. Amy and Pr. Christa – Immanuel Lutheran, July 26-30 (email Pr. Amy if you are interested in this opportunity. Costs are very reasonable – this is a tentative plan).
Sponsoring a youth camper!
Youth camping – many dates and programs from which to choose – Northern Pines (Park Rapids) and Koronis Ministries (Paynesville) has camping for youth starting at age 6. Our congregation is encouraged to sponsor a youth to attend camp for a week of their own choosing. Depending on which week a camper chooses, costs vary, see pamphlet on bulletin board or go online to www.campminnesota.org .
Highlights from Camp Minnesota – applications are online, or email/call: [email protected], 855-622-1973
Grandparent Camp opportunities
Northern Pines – June 9-11, $155/$175
Koronis Ministries – August 7-11, $290/$400
KoWaKan Adventures – Boundary Waters Canoe Area near Ely, MN
Kowakan Teen Trek, July 16-21, Ages 13-18, $535
Looking Ahead to 2024!
Pr. Amy and Thomas are planning travel to the Holy Land in April 2024!
“The Holy Land – The Women in Jesus’ Life”
Our Holy Land guide is Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis.
Are you interested? Dates are set for April 15-24, 2024.
Click here to register, or visit the URL below by copying and pasting it into your preferred web browser:
Price Main Tour:
Starting at $3,750 per person sharing a double (optional single room supplement $870)
Website: https://shepherdstours.com/package/she_lewis_2024/
Brochure: https://shepherdstours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/She-Lewis-2024.pdf
Our Contact information
Rev. Amy VanValkenburg, LLP Email: [email protected], Pastor’s mobile: 320-309-5574/320-460-0776
Ginger Mayer, Admin. Assistant, Phone: 320-763-4624 Email: [email protected],
Office Hours: 9am – 1pm, Church Address: 2210 Sixth Avenue E, Alexandria, MN 56308