| Frederick church offers God and a program of recovery for addicts BY ANGELA SWINSON LEE
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT  In 1998, David, 47, was injured in a car accident. He was prescribed pain medication to ease the aches. Before he knew it, he was addicted.
Four years ago, Peters wife left him. He suffered from cancer. Radiation killed nerve cells in his retina, causing him to go blind. Since then, he has been clinically depressed. For several years Mary, 28, said she made bad life decisions. She is currently involved in a custody battle and divorce. Shes also an alcoholic. Once a week, all three attend Celebrate Recovery, a program aimed at those battling substance abuse and other addictions, at Centennial Memorial UMC in Frederick. There, they and 50 other worshippers work to overcome adversities in their lives through prayer and worship. The biblically based program begins with dinner. Lessons based on the eight principles of the Beatitudes are conducted by the Rev. Mike Albro, the churchs director of addiction. Following the lessons, members break off into small groups where they have confidential talks about their addictions. On a recent Wednesday night, lessons centered on forgiveness. The group was asked to share personal situations of forgiveness and how it could hinder recovery. They hugged those going through difficult times in their lives and assured them that everything would work out. They even sang Happy Birthday to honor the son that a mother had no way of contacting. Aside from lessons of recovery, participants said they receive love, support and knowledge of Jesus at the sessions at Centennial Memorial. In 1995, the Rev. George Earle, pastor of the church, said he felt the church was failing to reach the neighborhood. He hired Albro in January, 2001, to oversee the addiction ministry. Thats when a contemporary Saturday night service began. Worshippers come for praise, worship and preaching. In December 2002, Celebrate Recovery began. Attendance averages about 50 participants each week. Earle said the program is not worthy of praise because the church is doing what it was designed to do. Were not unique. Were the church, he said, adding that at Centennial leaders are trying to establish the closeness that existed in the early church. David attends the weekly service. He admits he had it all, a successful ceramic tile company and a family. His main focus, he said, was getting medicine. I couldnt function, David recalled, adding that he knew in his future there would be death or recovery. I just visualized how nice it would be to be healed. David has been clean for more than three years now. He attends the service because he needs a spiritual base. God has really helped me mend a broken heart. I know that Im here for a reason. Im satisfied if I can help somebody where I used to be get a glimmer of hope. His life has gotten back on track. He now has a new business a power washing company, which washes decks and sides of buildings. Mary said she has had different points of sobriety in her life. But at Centennial things are different because of the presence of God you feel. Everybody is treated like family and respected. Albro said when he hears a success story, he has more than one reaction. My first and immediate feeling is thanksgiving because there really is evidence to me of Gods involvement. They couldnt heal themselves, thats why they came to me. And if they cant heal themselves then what makes me think I can heal them. I celebrate with joy. Thats a real faith builder, Albro said. Theres always that element of concern. It is not unheard of for people to recover their lives and then in their overconfidence try to take control of their lives again away from God. They relapse, he added. Thats why behind every recovery he has guarded excitement, Albro said. In this story, the names of those in recovery have been changed to protect their privacy. | 
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