January/February 2026 Newsletter Looking to 2026 C.S.I. > There is nothing like a good crime drama. I have always been a fan of the CSI shows and enjoy watching the cases get closed on TV. One element to the show usually involves an autopsy with findings that help close the case. An autopsy is necessary in order to determine what may have led to the death of one or many individuals. I would ask us now to consider the state of the church today. Looking at the body of believers within our nation and local community. How does the vitality look? Are we yet alive or are we slowly dying? Is an autopsy in our future? The Church and Christian movement we remember as children has changed. The automatic gear which led so many to church and to be part of a Christian movement has disappeared. Sunday morning worship was the thing you did. Usually, you didn’t need to talk much about it because mostly everybody was going or at least knew what it was about. God did not change but people have changed. The talk of church and faith slipped away. We now have a generation that does not know how to talk about faith, because it was not considered an expectation while the church was full of worshippers. Now the churches across our nation are not as full and conversation about faith is our greatest need. And we don’t know where to begin. I must now come back to CSI. I believe the future of the church requires a new type of CSI: Connections are necessary for church growth and even more important for kingdom growth. How many connections do you make daily? Every person you interact with is a potential candidate to share your life and faith. Faith communities are built through relationships. Who are the people with whom you can begin to connect deeper? Sharing is the key to the second step. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to share more of your life and Christ’s love with others. Sharing is being there and listening to the hearts of others. Sharing happens when two parties start to feel an investment and commitment to each other. Invite someone to join your faith community. An invitation to church is best received from the fruit of an ongoing relationship. And it is always a special touch to bring them with you. May the Lord bless us and bring new brothers and sisters in Christ to join us in the journey in 2026 Pastor Doug PRAYER CONCERNS Little Kennedy Rae, Caleb Hagan, Jenny, Kathy Boyce, The Family of Jeannete Bell, Tammy Colucy, The Family of Pat Ramser, Henry, Jim Huston, Jenny Muldrick, Ruthie and her husband Kenny and Jasper. Please pray for the homeless and for those battling with depression, anxiety, stress, mental illness and addictions. Pray for our Nation. Pray for Pastor Beggs & Family and for our Church Family. WOMEN’S MINISTRY On Monday, December 15th the Women of the Church gathered in the Church Fellowship Hall for an evening of Christmas spirit, fun and fellowship. Christmas cards were addressed and plates of Christmas cookies were assembled to be delivered to our shut-ins, widows and seniors of the Church. Cindy Battershell shared several devotions. She expressed what a glorious season Christmas is because we have a glorious Savior! As we look ahead of the greatest gift ever given to mankind how fitting it is to begin this special season by considering what we can give in return. The ladies rejoiced in the birth of a child born, one birth, one life...one world changed forever and sang together "Happy Birthday to Jesus!" The Women's Ministry teamed up with Missions to wrap gifts for a Family in need. Fun was enjoyed as they gathered in teams of two putting together a puzzle and everyone went home with a prize. The ladies enjoyed the rest of the evening in fellowship and of course a few snacks! Thank you to all of the ladies who baked and donated cookies and helped deliver them. You are loved and greatly appreciated. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Cindy and Leanne Battershell, co-chairwomen CHECK OUT ALL THESE ITEMS TO KEEP IN MIND! Please continue to bring in non-perishable food items for our Blessing Box at Aldersgate. Suggested items that are taken the most are individual packets/containers of Breakfast Cereal, Mac & Cheese and Ramen Noodles. Keep in mind as the temperature is colder, we are not able to put any items that could freeze out there. As always thank you for your continued support. Clothed in Righteousness has an ongoing need for the following food items: Canned Meat and Soups with pull-top lids, Mac-N-Cheese, Ramen Noodle Bowls, Protein Bars, Apple Sauce (individual serving containers work the best). The Basket for these items is on the table downstairs close to the stairway. The JANUARY/FEBUARY issue of the Upper Room Devotionals, both large and small print, are now available on the table in the Narthex. When you are here at the church, please remember to take one for yourself and/or a copy to share with someone who would enjoy receiving it. The next American Red Cross Blood Drive to be held at Aldersgate is Tuesday, January 6. 2026 from 1-6p.m. Any new or changed addresses, phone numbers (cell or landline) or E-mail addresses that you would like to share with the church office are always welcomed, as it keeps the lines of communication open with our church family. Thank you. Also, be sure to check the Upcoming Events on the back page of the Newsletter and mark your calendars accordingly. FROM THE FINANCE CHAIR It has been an interesting year. Beginning with Darlene Baum, as a trainer for her replacement Treasurer, Rachel Lamb. Rachel resigned by mid-year and we filled the position with Phyllis Nisly. In addition, the church changed accounting systems away from the overly complex “Church Windows” to “QuickBooks”. That said, financially we have been on the learning curve during this year. On the positive side, we have not skipped a beat on payroll or bill paying. In terms of the 2025 budget, ($158,201) we are projected to be ahead of our planned expenses by about $5,000 by year’s end. This is not because we had over-giving, but because the secretary adjusted her working hours less, to correspond better to the needs of the job. (good for her) We also moved some of our reserve funds into interest bearing Certificates of Deposit that are more productive in terms of our funds. Presently we are allowing the interest to be reinvested. The Ad Council approved the 2026 budget for $155,980, a slight decrease. Again, this is not because expenses are getting any cheaper, but because we are working as frugally as we can and by looking ahead to contract the lowest energy rates for the longest term possible. Capital improvements are made outside the budget with funds that have been donated and designated for those purposes. The church is facing an expensive repaving project in the coming year or the next. Please help the trustees prepare for this by making a generous contribution, out of faith, toward the Parking Lot Repair fund. Lastly, we will conduct an audit of the financial accounts and accounting procedures in January. A report of the findings will be forthcoming following Council approval. Respectfully, Bob Graham- Finance Chair. Help! We need help!! In a small congregation, that is the call that is always going out and it is the ears of the congregants who has to hear the plea. It never minds how big or small a congregation is. It’s all about being the hands and feet of Christ. The problem at Aldersgate is that there are only so many hands, feet and pocketbooks. Ah, the challenges of following the Savior that asks us to put Him first. How? Our time, resources, talents and creativity all represent our offering. A successful church needs them all. A successful church is the vehicle that allows us to demonstrate our faith through our works. No one is expected to do it all, but all are encouraged to be sensitive to a call. A call to help. How do you help? How can you help more? Listen and read. Clip boards tell of service that is needed for our own benefit. Trustee announcements inform us of upkeep that our property requires. Mission announcements provide opportunities to reach outside of our walls. The prayer chain gives us ways to call upon the name of the Lord interceding for others. The shut-in letter and women’s ministry provide outreach to those who find it difficult to join us in worship. There is always more to do, but many hands make the work light. It's hard to think of a person who is not contributing in some way. A church is always able to do more when it has more, so never be hesitant to try something else if you have the idea that you are capable of taking up a new challenge. Motivation is the key and how is that achieved? There are three components and many of us possess two of them. Here they are. Desire - Ability – Effort. Most of us desire to be in the service of the Lord. All of us have abilities both applied and unapplied., but it is making the effort that becomes the roadblock that needs to be overcome. If you are feeling a nudge in the New Year to do or do more, any committee chairman or the pastor will help plug you into something that will help satisfy the soul. Do you have a thought of something new that can be tried? Let your spark be the energy that lights the fire for Jesus. One final thought that goes beyond time and that is money. Operating a church and parsonage is costly, but letting the premises run down is even costlier. Big undertakings require big expenses. If you have been blessed financially and love our little but mighty church, please consider a meaningful donation that will allow the trustees to accomplish some costly jobs that the future holds. We simply can’t afford to wait until the need arises. Lack of available funds always leads to procrastination and lack of confidence to move ahead. Consider the Parking Lot Paving fund, or Capital Improvement fund as a place to donate some of your abundance in an investment to the future of our church properties. Take this challenge to heart and let its success be your prayer. COMMITTEE CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION These are the faithful church leaders who coordinate the specific work of our church. Each would welcome your input of ideas and time. Please feel free to contact any of them as needed. CommitteeNamePhone Email AdministrativeCouncilDave McAlister(330) 935-2569 Home davemc@clemlumber.com Staff Parish RelationsSue Feller(330) 704-7308 Cell suef1848@yahoo.com FinanceBob Graham(330) 418-6605 Cell rgraham2@neo.rr.com TrusteesBob Muckley(330) 257-2842 Cell rmuckley@neo.rr.com Dale Lepley(330) 206-0628 Cell dalelepley@netzero.com WorshipKaren Carroll(330) 206-6084 Cell karencarroll6858@gmail.com Bereavement/funeral dinnersSue Feller(330) 704-7308 Cell suef1848@yahoo.com Marita Weidman(330) 206-2631 Cell mkweidman@gmail.com Hospitality/Fellowship/ Servant SchedulingJanet McAlister(330) 428-1896 Cell mcalisterjl@gmail.com MissionsTara Wright(330) 935-0206 Home) tlwright40@neo.rr.com PrayerCindy Battershell(330) 472-1544 Cell cbattershell1@neo.rr.com SOUP COMPETITION There is going to be a Soup Competition later in January here at Aldersgate. Look in your recipe box and pull out the favorite family soup recipe. It could be the winner!! Details will soon follow for date and time. SERVING IN THE MILITARY Stateside - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Drago USS Key West, USMC-MSgt Robert Graham, Army Colonel Robert Greiner, Army-SFC Zachary Smeltz Bible study will begin again on Wednesday, January 7, at 6:30p.m. We will be studying the book, Bad Girls of the Bible: And What We Can Learn from Them. All are welcome, please consider attending. MISSION FOCUS Details will be coming soon for the different Missions that will be happening here at Aldersgate in 2026. January/February JanauaryFebruary 1 Tom Pontius 11 Oscar Dunn 7 Tanner Hennebert 13 Diana Dunn 13 Patricia Davis 14 Kendall Battershell 14 Wayne Hennebert 19 Caleb Beggs 15 Madison Beggs, David Weidman 21 Jill McNeil 17 Shelly McAlister 24 Robert Graham, Mary Lou Muckley 20 Patty Knepper 21 Anita Pontius 23 Devlin Carroll 23 Megan McNeil 23 Tom Wright 24 Jordan Beggs 27 Jeff Baker 30 Susan Koons Please let the church office know when there are changes to this listing. We like to keep it as accurate as possible. Thank you.