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BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF

How can a small rural church, led by a local pastor, with an aging congregation, situated in a region that is drowning in need, create signs and wonders that reflect the glory of God?

They can?t, said the Rev. Virginia Weaver, 'but God can.'

Weaver, pastor of Ellerslie UMC on the Pennsylvania border near Cumberland, is excited about celebrating her congregation?s commitment to mission. Although humility keeps the church from talking about their ministry, the congregation, which draws 60 to worship each Sunday, gave more than $25,000 last year to mission.

Their spirit of caring was most clearly demonstrated recently at the opening of the nearby Hyndman Ministerium building.

The building, which houses a food pantry, clothing closet, counseling and office space, is a modular building, purchased after 21 years of wishing for a space, for only $10,000, said Weaver.

The need for the new comprehensive space was great. In July, 127 families received food from the pantry.

More than 500 parties expressed interest in buying the modular building. Weaver sees God at work in the ministerium being chosen to receive it and in the building?s relocation on government land in Hyndman, Pa., on which they only have to pay rent of $1 a month.

'I don?t know if you know much about Appalachia, but this is a depressed area,' said Weaver, who cited poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and poor health as a way of life for many people.

'You don?t have to go too far to find houses with dirt floors and no indoor plumbing,' she said. Many people have lung cancer. Industry left this area 25 years ago. There are no jobs. 'One of the most coveted positions is on the swing-shift at Sheetz gas station. They, at least, pay benefits.'

While some people in her congregation may qualify for assistance, they are a people who lead with hearts, giving to others because they feel God has blessed them, Weaver said.

Weaver and three members of the Ellerslie congregation volunteer at the food pantry. Others work in the church-run thrift shop, which spends all of its proceeds on 'social outreach.'

They are also a praying people. 'I?d put this church up against any cathedral. We pray constantly,' she said.

Weaver is uncertain about the church?s future. The lack of jobs in the area causes young people to move away and the older population is dwindling. 'We could be dead in 10 years,' she said.

But her congregation has taught her not to limit her expectations of what God can do.

'We?re not rich enough to support a family or anything like that,' she said. 'But we can lend a helping hand.'