| Church holds largest summer program  WASHINGTON, D.C. More than 60 children and youth, ages 5-16, attended the summer school program at Calvary-Casa del Pueblo UMC this summer. It was the churchs largest program ever, said the Rev. John Mkwalu, pastor.
Certificates were presented to the children, mostly from immigrant communities, on Aug. 23 at the culmination of the two-and-a-half month program. Activities from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily included field trips, swimming, sports and acrobatics in the churchs gymnasium, computer training, English and math classes. The children represented 19 different nationalities. The church obtained a $40,000 grant from the city for the program, most of which was used for food and to provide limited salaries to the staff. Calvary-Casa del Pueblo UMC is involved in an urban ministry partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary, where Mkwalu, a native Kenyan, is completing his doctoral studies. Christ House spotlights volunteers  WASHINGTON, D.C. The Rev. E. Allen Stewart was the keynote speaker at the 2002 Volunteer Appreciation Night at Christ House, a Baltimore-Washington Conference Advance Special that provides health care for the homeless in Washington, D.C. Stewart, the Washington-Columbia District superintendent, leads a group of volunteers who are famous around Christ House for providing Fish Fry Friday each month, according to Bill Hepler, director of volunteers. Since opening in 1985, Christ House has served more than 4,400 persons. Plans for new center underway WESTMINSTER In a partnership between the city, a church and the non-profit Westminster Community of Shalom, plans are underway for a new community center. Construction of the three-floor, 7,800-square-foot center will begin next spring, on property owned by Union Street UMC. The center will provide non-religious-based programs for people of all ages. The city has provided $50,000 to jumpstart the building campaign which is expected to cost about $725,000, said the Rev. Howard Hinson. The city is seeking grant funding to underwrite the costs, he said. This will truly be a community center for anyone who wants to use it, Hinson said. Camp hosts Sleepy Creek Awakening  BERKELEY SPRINGS, W. VA. More than 100 people went to Camp Harmison Sept. 8 for an afternoon of praise and music in a wide-open spaces at the annual Sleepy Creek Awakening. Among the guests was the ghost of Bishop Francis Asbury, (portrayed by Ken Steward) who came, as he did in the 1780s, to admonish the townsfolk to listen to the Lord. One youth group, which mistakenly thought the occasion was a youth event, not only stayed, but had a great time, and plan to come again next year, said the Rev. Vivian McCarthy, an associate council director. The Praise Club, a community Christian choir from the area, performed, accompanied by Christie Kefer of the Sleepy Creek Charge. UM clergy mayoral candidate loses race WASHINGTON, D.C. The Rev. Douglas E. Moore, who retired from the conference in 1993 after serving as chaplain at the District of Columbias Lorton Prison program, was one of the few candidates for mayor of Washington, D.C., who was on the ballot for the primary, Sept. 10. He was beaten by the current mayor, Anthony Williams, who gained the nomination thorough a vigorous write-in campaign. Moore, a former member of the citys council, is currently serving the Poolesville UMC. | 
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