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MARTINSBURG, WV - Hours before the Rev. Ed Grove at Trinity UMC and the Rev. Dennis Sparks, executive director of the West Virginia Council of Churches, were preparing to lead the charge on West Virginia House Bill 4314, which would allow only the four counties with racing establishments to vote on the expansion of gambling in those facilities, the legislature withdrew it from the table for lack of votes. It will be back next session, Grove said.

MILLERSVILLE - Mary Clemons, a member of Baldwin Memorial UMC, one of 30 people on the Annapolis District Volunteers in Mission trip to do Katrina recovery in Gautier, Miss., Feb. 18-25, is returning to First UMC in Gautier for two weeks to help with coordination of volunteers and home repairs.

WASHINGTON - Many conference churches participate in the former Christmas in April, now called Rebuilding Together, helping to refurbish homes. The founder of the organization, Trevor Armbrister, died March 22, at the age of 72. He began the organization in 1982. It is the largest volunteer home rehab group in the country and in the Washington area has rehabilitated 2,500 homes.

LISBON - Lisbon UMC, which has had successful pre-school and after-school programs for many years, has determined it needs a new educational wing. They are seeking capital funds to make the project possible.

Across the Conference is compiled and written by Linda Worthington.

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