| Congregation returns to burned church  NEW WINDSOR It was a blustery Sunday afternoon June 1 but that did not deter the pastor, members and friends of Strawbridge UMC from marching into the sanctuary to celebrate the rededication of their building.
Three months earlier, almost to the day, the church had a fire in the kitchen that left behind heavy soot and smoke damage throughout the building. The church was completely renovated, with new carpets, pews, paneling and paint. The study, narthex, choir room, social hall, kitchen and bathrooms were all given face-lifts, said the Rev. Gertie Williams. The Rev. Mary Kay Totty, from nearby St. Paul UMC, which had opened its doors for the congregation to worship during the past three months, assisted in the service. The church family thinks of this entire building ordeal as a sign of Gods love, Williams said. Remembering an unknown slave child ANNAPOLIS A Colonial-era slave child was reburied in a unique ceremony attended by 140 guests near Annapolis. The Rev. Walter E. Middlebrooks of Asbury UMC delivered the homily. This little childs spirit lives on among us, he said. The remains that included teeth, the outline of a coffin and stains in the dirt were discovered last fall by archeologists excavating the site of a long-gone building in a Colonial tobacco port. It is believed she was buried about 1725. It is probable that it is the first sub-floor slave burial discovered in the Chesapeake area. The custom was part of some African cultures. The public ceremony included an actress portraying the childs grieving mother crying over the three-foot coffin, which was buried in the ground where her remains were found. Plans are underway to recreate the house this year. The child will again rest beneath the floorboards. Pastor receives Harkness scholarship  FREDERICK Among the 10 women nationwide to receive the Georgia Harkness Merit Scholarships from the General Board Higher Education and Ministry, Division of Ordained Ministry for the 2003-2004 academic year is Linda A. Warehime. In addition to being a student at Wesley Theological Seminary and a pastors wife, Warehime is starting her student pastorate at Brook Hill UMC, where she will serve as an associate minister.
The $5,000 Harkness awards are given to women over 35 preparing for ordained ministry who are enrolled full time in a University Senate-approved theological school. Georgia Harkness died in 1974. Since 1983 the awards have been given annually in the memory of her life and service as a teacher and theologian. She was instrumental in the 1956 General Conference decision to give women full clergy rights. Christian Rap concert held at church  HAMPSTEAD Shiloh UMC tried something new with its Hay Wagon Concerts this summer. Rockhouse 2003, held on July 13, featured Christian Rap music.
Michael Guess, aka Protege, a 17-year-old high school student, contacted eight rap groups telling them, I know you dont know where Hampstead is, but God has anointed you to go there to share the Gospel message. It worked. Seven artists came from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Catonsville and Baltimore to rock the house, said the Rev. Richard Brown-Whale. Their stage was a hay wagon. We expected most adults wouldnt like the music, said Brown-Whale, but they were won over by the message in the music. Some of the neighbors who didnt join the crowd on the lawn, also enjoyed the music. One who lives half a mile away commented that he and his friends sat on their porch and listened, Brown-Whale said. The next Hay Wagon Concert will be on Aug. 17. | 
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