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Middletown helps build deaf center in Africa

MIDDLETOWN - The Hope for the Deaf Ministry of The United Methodist Church in Liberia dedicated a modern skills training center for deaf students in Monrovia, July 11.

"You have added value to the human resource capacity of the students and the church," said Bishop John G. Innis.

Construction of the $14,000 center was made possible by donations of Middletown UMC. The center will house training for hearing impaired children in various skills, such as shoe manufacturing, sewing and pastry baking, as well as academic knowledge. It currently has 58 students.

A Middletown UMC mission team first visited the Hope for the Deaf school in 2009, where they conducted the first-ever Vacation Bible School, which led to a covenant relationship between the church and school.

Middletown sent an eight-member team July 10, most of whom are fluent in sign language, in time for the dedication service, and to conduct a VBS for 75 children. They also conducted classes for teachers to introduce new teaching methods and held nutrition classes.

Clergyman competes in world tennis matches

BETHESDA – Retired Elder the Rev. Tom Brunkow has been selected to represent the United States at the 32nd US Tennis Association Super Senior World Team Championships. The nation's top men and women tennis players in age groups 60 to 80 will compete against teams from more than 30 countries. The championships will be held in Novigard, Croatia, Sept. 10-15. Brunkow will be one of 1,000 athletes expected to participate.

Church secretary retires after 50 years

FORESTVILLE – Ruth Webb, the Church secretary at Forest Memorial UMC, retired July 22. She had served the church for nearly 50 years. Current and past members of the church held a Service of Celebration and luncheon to say, "Thanks for the faithful and dedicated ministry." Her tenure was through the appointments of 14 different clergy.

"She lets us all recognize the critical importance of dedicated service to the life of the church," said Kathy Agins.

'Church at the Beach' brings people together

SOLOMON'S ISLAND – Three churches met together July 15 at the Patuxent Naval Base Recreation Center for a day of worship and fellowship. Pastor Jerome Jones of Mt. Calvary UMC in Charlotte Hall invited Shiloh Community UMC in Newburg and St. Matthews UMC in La Plata, both served by Pastor Marvin Wamble to participate.

At the Patuxent River's edge, Jones began the day by baptizing six members. The congregation of 250 moved into the main pavilion for a service of praise and preaching.

Four speakers, both laity and clergy, preached as they were passed a baton by the Shiloh UMM's liturgical dance group. It was a scorching day, but a cool wind blew through the pavilion during the altar call, as "the Spirit of the Lord was felt and received by all," said Denise Whalen-White from Mt. Calvary.

After the service all joined for a smorgasbord and friendly competition between the churches in a variety of games.

Church delivers food for storm victims

KENSINGTON – The U-Haul truck was full as Jim Mollenauer drove six hours from St. Paul's UMC to Fayette County, West Virginia, July 14. The church had sponsored a "Fill the Truck" drive for food and water to aid communities in the rural county, which had been devastated by the June 29 storm.

Power and phone lines in the southern West Virginia county were knocked out by the June 29 storm, and again by a second storm July 4. "The need is great because many stores have been without power and have also lost food products," said the Rev. Sue Lowther of St. John's UMC in Grafton, W. Va., who with her husband is the West Virginia Conference's disaster coordinator.

The church and community donated 12,500 pounds of food and water. "I'm in the business of serving and overwhelming God," said the Rev. Adam Snell, "but this is tremendous." Read more here.