Aldersgate United Methodist Church has anchored Bellevue's Eastgate neighborhood since 1963, occupying a single campus at 14230 SE Newport Way. The congregation describes itself as "An Inclusive Christian Community," a phrase that captures both its identity as a Reconciling Congregation within the United Methodist Church and its warmth toward anyone who walks through the doors. The senior pastor, Rev. Mele Taumoepeau 'Aho, was appointed as the fifteenth pastor of Aldersgate in July 2024. A Tongan-American raised in the Free Wesleyan tradition, she carries forward the church's commitments to inclusivity and warm hospitality. The vision she set in her inaugural sermon, drawn from 2 Samuel, is for the community to offer blessings and support human social and spiritual needs as people live out their daily lives alongside one another.
Worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM
Worship is the center of life at Aldersgate. The single Sunday service begins at 10:00 AM and runs about an hour, gathering in the sanctuary for a blended liturgy that weaves together classic hymns and cherished prayers with the energy of contemporary songs. Music is not background at Aldersgate; it is integral. The Choir, led by Music Director Jim Peterson, anchors the service with anthems and choral pieces, while the Praise Band, directed by Roger Ingalls, leads contemporary songs that span the modern worship catalog. A Bell Choir rounds out the music ministry. Recent services have included pieces like "Way Maker," "What a Beautiful Name," "Spirit of the Living God," and classical piano sonatinas performed by Jim Peterson. Music is always performed live, never prerecorded.
Each week, preaching is shaped by the lectionary and the pastor's chosen themes. Recent series have walked through the Gospel of Mark, ethics and accountability, the Imago Dei, and what it means for a church to be sent into the world with authority and presence. Scripture is most often read from The Inclusive Bible. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on Facebook Live at 10:00 AM and uploaded afterward to the church's YouTube channel.
Coffee and Fellowship in Friendship Hall
The Sunday morning rhythm starts early. Coffee and Fellowship Hour runs from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in Friendship Hall. Coffee is roasted fresh by Pura Vida, a Burlington, Washington roaster that sources fair-trade, organic, arabica beans in small batches. Tea, hot chocolate, and juice are available, alongside cookies and homemade treats donated by members. Every cup and utensil is compostable. The Coffee Hour often doubles as a celebration space for moments like the Reconciling Anniversary or Graduation Sunday in June. After the service, the fellowship continues in Friendship Hall from 11:00 AM onward. A 9:30 AM Online Fellowship takes place via Google Meet each Sunday for those who want to connect before the livestream begins.
Nursery, Sunday School, and Family Ministries
Free nursery care is offered every Sunday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM for infants and toddlers, staffed by attendants Olive and Sophie. Parents can register their children on arrival through a Nursery Check-In form. Children's Sunday School runs alongside the worship hour and includes seasonal programs such as Blessing of the Backpacks in fall, Trunk-or-Treat, Vacation Bible School in summer, and a Parents-Night-Out paired with Kids-Night-In during winter. The Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries is currently being recruited to oversee Sunday School, youth group, Confirmation class, 3rd grade Bible literacy, family events, and the church's partnership with Aldersgate Christian Preschool.
Aldersgate Christian Preschool
Sharing the campus is Aldersgate Christian Preschool, a ministry of the church's Christian Education program. ACP serves children ages two through Pre-K, emphasizing learning through play and the education of the whole child - intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The preschool is open to all families, with weekly tours available by calling or texting 425-562-0433 or emailing director@ACPreschool.com.
Adult Ministries: At the Crossroads and Deborah Circle
Adult ministries are organized around two signature groups. At the Crossroads is a fellowship for adults in Generations X, Y, and Z, gathering around shared meals, conversation, and the navigation of careers, relationships, and daily life. It is a relaxed space for young adults who want community without formality. Deborah Circle is a women's faith-based group that meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 AM. The Circle supports charitable causes locally and globally, hosts fundraisers, and welcomes all Aldersgate women to attend.
Education and Bible Study
Aldersgate offers ongoing opportunities to study Scripture and theological books. Adult Sunday School gathers from 9:00 to 9:45 AM in Classroom 21 and offers a space to study Scripture and Wesley's theological tradition together. Two study series are current: Faith in the Age of AI, a four-week book study based on Nathan Webb's God and the Machine; and An In-Depth Study of the Gospel of Mark, offered both Wednesday afternoons at 1:00 PM and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM. A Women's Study group also meets Mondays at 1:00 PM online via Google Meet.
Music Ministries
Beyond Sunday worship, Aldersgate's music groups are a backbone of the congregation. The Praise Band rehearses Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, and the Choir rehearses Thursdays at 6:30 PM. The Bell Choir adds a third dimension to special services and seasonal offerings. No professional experience is required; musicians and singers of all levels are welcome to join. A Worship Tech Team runs the sound system, manages the teleprompter, and produces the live stream each Sunday.
Inclusion and Reconciling Ministry
Aldersgate is a member of Reconciling Ministries Network and identifies openly as a Reconciling Congregation. Its Inclusion Statement quotes 1 Corinthians 12 on the variety of gifts given by the same Spirit and commits the congregation to dismantling barriers of prejudice, including ableism, heterosexism, racism, sexism, and other forms of division. The congregation "fully affirms and warmly embraces the diverse expressions and experiences of our LGBTQ+ siblings."
A Disability Inclusion Statement pledges to remove every barrier that separates one from another within the body of Christ. Anyone who needs an accommodation to participate fully is invited to contact the Office Manager at least four days in advance.
A land acknowledgement names the church's location on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish Tribe (Dkhw Duw'Absh). The church acknowledges harm done by the United Methodist Church to Indigenous nations and supports efforts toward federal recognition of the Duwamish Tribe.
Mission and Service
The mission of Aldersgate extends well beyond its walls. The church partners with several organizations across the region. HopeLink, a local social services nonprofit, addresses hunger and housing instability. Sophia Way shelters and supports women experiencing homelessness; Aldersgate serves a monthly breakfast at Sophia's Place. Porchlight supports those affected by homelessness in the area. Mary Magdalene Breakfast serves women struggling with housing, paired with a small worship service, and is held every four months at St. Outreach Center in Seattle. Issaquah Community Closet provides clothing and household supplies. Communities of Belonging is a global ministry partner. Panera Gleaning is an ongoing volunteer effort in which a team picks up unsold food from the Factoria Panera on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and delivers it to three nonprofit partners. Aldersgate also supports missionaries around the world and gathers donations of food, hygiene kits, clothing, and seasonal supplies for community members in need.
The Building and Community Use
The Aldersgate campus hosts a variety of community-led groups beyond its own ministries, including Saturday Morning Yoga with Vince, the Bellevue Rock Club, From the Hat (an Alcoholics Anonymous group), the Sommerset Community Association, and Brownie Scouts. The facility is also available for event rentals. Friendship Hall, a versatile space adjacent to a commercial-style kitchen with a built-in sound system, is suited for birthdays, bridal showers, team events, and small gatherings. The kitchen is offered in both full and half-day configurations, and classrooms, the parking lot, and outdoor space are also available for booking. Requests are reviewed by the Trustees and typically take up to three weeks to confirm.
What Aldersgate Believes
Aldersgate's beliefs are organized around four pillars: Faith, Love, Health, and Service. Faith is the deepening of trust in God through study of Scripture, Wesley's warm-hearted tradition, and theology. Love is the call to welcome all people with open hearts and open doors, rooted in Christ's command to love one's neighbor. Health is the care of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Service is the practical expression of belief, grounded in John Wesley's call to "do all the good you can," through feeding the hungry, advocating for justice, and serving neighbors.
The congregation affirms the belovedness, dignity, and sacred worth of all people. It commits to confronting actions that harm creation and to "flip the tables of injustice" by seeking change in the surrounding community. Where language falls short, the congregation believes the Spirit will guide toward inclusivity and justice.
Membership and Baptism
Aldersgate offers two membership class sessions each year, in summer and winter. Members of other United Methodist churches can transfer their membership directly through the Membership Secretary, Wendi Brick. Baptism is offered year-round for adults and children, with four preparation courses annually aligned to major feast days: All Saints' Day, the Baptism of the Lord, Easter, and Pentecost.
Staff and Lay Leadership
The staff includes Rev. Mele Taumoepeau 'Aho as Senior Pastor; CJ Ingalls as Office Manager; Jim Peterson as Choir and Bells Director; Roger Ingalls as Praise Band Director; Debbie Daugherty as Finance Secretary; Jill Swanson as Treasurer; Doug Manis as Facilities Manager; and Olive and Sophie as Nursery Attendants. Lay leadership includes Kate Ingalls as Lay Leader, Patty Ferguson as Worship Chair, Gretchen Stuenkel as ACP Board Representative, Patrick Eames as Trustee Chair, Jean Harris as Mission and UMW Chair, David James as Finance Chair, and Wendi Brick as Membership Secretary.
Visiting Aldersgate
Sunday Worship is held at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary and via Facebook Live. Coffee and Fellowship runs from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in Friendship Hall and again after the service at 11:00 AM. The nursery is open from 9:00 to 11:00 AM Sundays, and Adult Sunday School meets from 9:00 to 9:45 AM in Classroom 21. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 12:20 PM and 2:00 to 3:30 PM, and Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The office can be reached by phone or text at 425-746-9800 or by email at office@aldersgate-church.org. Financial gifts can be made online through the church's giving portal; item donations of food, hygiene supplies, and seasonal items are welcomed through the Volunteer page.
Aldersgate UMC lives at the meeting point of the United Methodist tradition and the values of radical hospitality. The congregation's commitments to inclusion, justice, and the care of the whole person shape everything from the music on Sunday morning to the breakfast served at Sophia Way, and they invite anyone, regardless of background, story, doubt, or question, to worship alongside them.