Church Calendar

New Member Sunday happens on the second Sunday of each month during worship. It is an opportunity for people who are ready to take a next step in the life of Allendale UMC by formally joining as members.

At Allendale, membership is not about having every belief figured out or fitting into a narrow mold. It is a way of saying, “This is a community I want to be part of. These are values I want to help live out. This is a place where I want to worship, serve, grow, and help build something more just and loving.”

Interested in becoming a member Visit www.allendaleumc.org/join to fill out the New Member Interest Form and survey. This lets our staff know you would like to join and helps us connect you with groups, activities, and opportunities that fit your interests.

Grief does not follow a calendar. Even in seasons centered on hope and new life, many of us still carry the weight of loss. Whether your grief is recent or tied to a memory that resurfaces this time of year, you are not alone.

Allendale UMC offers an open grief support gathering every other Sunday, facilitated by Rev. David Franks. This is simply a space to be with others who understand loss, to share if you wish, or to sit quietly among people who care for one another. All are welcome, wherever they are in their grief journey.

Allendale’s Sunday morning worship is a welcoming gathering for seekers, followers, doubters, and anyone looking for a faith community rooted in love, justice, and belonging. We worship every Sunday at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary, with music, prayer, scripture, preaching, and space to reflect on how faith connects with the world we live in.

You do not need to dress a certain way, believe all the same things, or know how church “works” to be part of worship at Allendale. Children are welcome in the service, and child care is available for infants through age 5. Greeters are available near the entrance to offer a bulletin, answer questions, and help you find your way.

Worship at Allendale reflects the diversity of our community. Music may include piano, guitar, organ, choir, or other instruments, and our services often include creative elements, justice-centered prayer, and scripture read from the Inclusive Bible Translation. Several times a year, Allendale also offers drag-led worship services as part of our commitment to celebrating sacred worth, queer joy, and the many ways people reflect the image of God.

Services are also streamed online for those who want to worship from home or get a sense of Allendale before visiting in person.

Allendale’s Sunday night youth group is a welcoming space for students in grades 6–12 to build community, ask honest questions, and grow together. Youth meet on scheduled Sunday evenings from 5:30–8 PM for food, games, conversation, and time with adult leaders who care about who they are and who they are becoming.

Our youth ministry is shaped by Allendale’s commitment to love without exclusion. Students do not need to have everything figured out to belong here. This is a space for seekers, followers, doubters, and anyone learning how faith can connect with compassion, justice, friendship, and everyday life.

The direction of Sunday night conversations is guided by the Youth Leadership Council, made up of students, parents, and ministry leaders. Together, they help shape a youth ministry that listens to young people, honors their questions, and creates room for them to lead. Questions Email youth@allendaleumc.org

Suncoast Squares is an LGBTQ+ square dance club that meets weekly at Allendale UMC. The group welcomes individuals and couples of all genders and orientations for a lively, social, and beginner-friendly approach to square dancing. There is no dress code, and dancers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and come ready for movement, music, and community.

Classes and dance sessions meet Monday and Thursday evenings at Allendale. Monday nights include beginner/mainstream and plus classes, while Thursday nights are for more advanced dancers. For the most current schedule, class levels, and new dancer information, visit Suncoast Squares.

Allendale offers a free Pilates class on Tuesdays at 2 PM in the Nursery, led by Rahima Mamedova. This class is currently designed especially for adults ages 50 and older, with a focus on gentle movement, strength, flexibility, balance, and body awareness.

Rahima brings extensive training in Pilates and bodywork, including study through the Pilates Institute and Practika in Moscow, Polestar Pilates School in Miami, and the California School of Craniosacral Therapy in Sacramento.

There is no cost to participate. Bring a mat with you if you have one.

Allendale’s Wednesday Night Dinner is a weekly community meal served at 5 PM, often before Wednesday evening classes and gatherings that begin at 6 PM. It is a relaxed time to share food, catch up with others, and enjoy a meal prepared by our own Chef Bruce and friends in the Allendale kitchen.

Dinner is $10, or whatever you can afford. No one is turned away because of cost. Whether you are staying for a class, coming from work, bringing family, or just looking for a place to sit at the table with others, you are welcome.

Suncoast Squares is an LGBTQ+ square dance club that meets weekly at Allendale UMC. The group welcomes individuals and couples of all genders and orientations for a lively, social, and beginner-friendly approach to square dancing. There is no dress code, and dancers are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and come ready for movement, music, and community.

Classes and dance sessions meet Monday and Thursday evenings at Allendale. Monday nights include beginner/mainstream and plus classes, while Thursday nights are for more advanced dancers. For the most current schedule, class levels, and new dancer information, visit Suncoast Squares.