| Health and school kits delivered WASHINGTON. The Baltimore-Washington Conference United Methodist Men took responsibility for collecting and  delivering the health kits contributed by many churches and brought to the June Annual Conference session. Curtis Brisbon, president of the UMM, delivered 47 boxes full of the health supplies in zippered bags to the conference center, then later on to the regional depot for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Thanks to all the churches that helped, said Sandra Ferguson, the associate council director in charge of the project. Mission house dedication PAW PAW, W.Va. On the first-year anniversary of the death of the Rev. Nancy Ward, the church she had served for six years dedicated a mission house in her name. The house at Paw Paw UMC has been renovated from the old parsonage. As it had when Ward was alive, the center will serve the community and outlying areas with clothing, holiday food baskets, emergency medical bills, funeral services, clothing, furniture and fuel assistance, said Donna Twigg, chairwoman of the mission house. Standing under a tent pitched in the front yard May 24, former pastor, the Rev. Herbert Doggett, church members, pastors of neighboring churches, people from the community, West Virginia Delegate Charles Trump and members of Wards family dedicated the Rev. Nancy Ward Memorial Mission House. Wards grandchildren, Michael, Kelly and Patrick Spong unveiled the sign marking the house. District initiates Young Adult ministry WASHINGTON Young adults in the Washington area launched the traveling Christian Caf June 23 at Hughes Memorial UMC. Attached to the Washington-Columbia District, the new ministry exists to empower young adults everywhere to believe and to live in the love and knowledge of Christ by becoming mature disciples through him, according to their press statement.  For four weeks, eight young adults from six United Methodist churches in the Washington area shared common interests, faith matters and their goals for life. They organized, selected leadership, asked the Rev. Kevin Smalls to serve as advisor and launched the first event.
The June 23 event attracted 13 young adults who listened to Christian music and talked around a biblical theme. They are excited and enthusiastic and looking forward to the next meeting, Smalls said. The next meeting will be July 29 at Simpson-Hamline UMC. Saving Station model invites community  ROCKVILLE A big tent, in the style of a Saving Station, graced the lawn of Francis Asbury UMC on a cold, wet Saturday in May. Some of what went on inside was reminiscent of last summers Saving Stations.
The church holds an annual Octoberfest, but wanted something in the spring to invite the community to church, said Nancy Gray, chairwoman of the church council. They borrowed the big white tent used in the Saving Stations. It housed crafters, refreshments and activities for the children. Sharing in the daylong event was a Latino childrens choir from the Community Ministries of Montgomery County and a folk band. Clowns from Middletown UMC entertained. The clowns, who led and mimed a communion service, provided the highlight of the day, according to Bob Lamas, the administrative assistant at the church. 185 years old and still counting FREDERICK Though its been three months, members of Asbury UMC are still remembering the 185th anniversary of the church. They celebrated with special events each Sunday throughout the month of March. The celebrations began with a family bowling night at a local bowling alley and included a music evening, birthday party, missions night and gala banquet. Bishop Felton Edwin May preached at the first worship service in the month. Guest preachers also included former pastor, the Rev. Maurice Moore, Pastor Erma Ambush, the Rev. Robert Matheny from nearby Calvary UMC, and the Rev. Eugene Matthews from Asbury UMC in Washington, D.C. After the worship service March 16, the church had a 185th birthday party in the social hall. The best part of the event was the missions night, said Dorothy Crews who helped organize the celebrations. During it, the missions committee shared their vision and plans for missions for the year ahead, she said. | 
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