| Church float sends welcome message  HAGERSTOWN An estimated crowd of 75,000 spectators watched the 78th annual Alsatia Mummers Parade Nov. 2. In the parade, they saw the United Methodist message, Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, on a float entered by St. Matthews UMC. The church, established in 1884, also carried the message, Ordinary people in Gods Service, reported Claire M. Campbell, chairperson of the churchs special projects committee. To Russia, with love GAITHERSBURG Retired pastor the Rev. Kenneth Jones recently returned from his ninth trip to Russia since 1993. He participated in the 10th anniversary of the re-establishment of The United Methodist Church in that country, where the church is growing rapidly. J ones presented greetings from Bishop Felton Edwin May to Bishop Ruediger R. Minor, whose episcopal area includes Russia and the Ukraine, during the annual conference celebration, which was held at a once-Communist retreat center outside Moscow. In Russia, there are 111 United Methodist congregations spread across 9,000 miles and 11 time zones, Jones said. Jones is available to speak and report on the Russian churches. He can be reached at (301) 216-5210 or
To learn more about the United Methodist Church in Russia see www.gbgm-umc.org/russia. Chamber created for black businesses  ANNAPOLIS The Rev. Walter E. Middlebrooks, pastor of Asbury UMC, recently helped form a Chamber of Commerce for businesses owned by African-Americans in Anne Arundel County. Anne Arundel County has more than 550 minority-owned businesses. Though there are other chambers, none serve the African-American community, Middlebrooks said. Its our assumption that there is a large number of African-American businesses out there that dont belong to any chamber. The organization was incorporated in July and currently has about 20 members. Dues are $100 a year. Were sensitive to the fact that many African-American businesses are small and could be struggling right now, Middlebrooks said. Church celebrates 165 years ELLICOTT CITY Emory UMC celebrated its 165th anniversary Nov. 24, with the Rev. David Cooney, a former pastor at the church, preaching. Memorial pew cushions, presented by members and friends of the church, were dedicated. The wooden pews had been presented to the church on its 50th anniversary in 1887, according to the Rev. L. Katherine Moore. Each person attending the service received a Memory Booklet that included personal remembrances of the church through the years. Give a grouch a smile, church says  GREENBELT Recognizing that a bit of kindness and a smile can change the whole tenor of a day, Mowatt Memorial UMC held a National Grouch Day festival shortly after the sniper attacks in Montgomery County. As children and parents arrived at the church, they were given a drink of lemon juice, which brought on many grouch faces, said the Rev. Dae Hwa Park. These soon disappeared after a word of comfort, games and crafts, which included making smiley faces. After refreshments, the children returned home to their families, taking their smiling faces with them, Park said. UM named Hometown Hero DUNDALK Theres a new Hometown Hero at Dundalk UMC. At the end of October, Doris Thomas received the award from WJZ-TV Channel 13 for her 50 years of service to the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. Dundalk UMC currently has four Girl Scout troops that meet at the church. Thomas has been a part of that growing ministry most of her life. She currently works with the area administration for the troops and helps provide training for new Scout leaders. The church also presented her with the Cross and Flame award for 50 years as a Sunday school teacher and Girl Scout volunteer. | 
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