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Tanzanian choir inspires worshippers

WHEATON - The Bukoba Lutheran Choir, composed of 20 professionals, sang and danced at Hughes UMC's "Coffee at The Crossroads" worship service in November. Since 1974, the choir has translated Jesus' parables and other Bible stories into songs and used the songs to reach people in the native languages of Tanzania and other eastern African communities.

Their two-month tour in the United States raised funds for the construction and development of the Bukoba Gospel Music Archive and Vocal Training Centre.

Church partners with school

WASHINGTON - Mt. Vernon UMC, in northeast Washington, has formed a partnership with the neighboring Smothers Elementary School. Many of the 220 students, from ages 4-10, are from impoverished families.

"We know that the needs are great. Many families are suffering and the children are hurting," said Barbara Brooks, Church Council chairperson. In the Adopt-a-School program, the church, with fewer than 100 mostly older members, contacted families of children at the school needing help and identified their specific needs.

Nineteen children received school uniforms, coats, hats, mittens and other clothing at a pizza party at the church Dec. 19. The church also presented the school with 40 dictionaries it had requested.

This is just the beginning, Brooks said. "The partnership will continue as long as Mt. Vernon can be a blessing to those in need."

150 attend UMM district breakfast

CAPITOL HEIGHTS - Nearly 150 people gathered for the Greater Washington District United Methodist Men's fourth annual prayer breakfast Nov. 14, hosted by the UMM of Gethsemane UMC.The Rev. Carletta Allen from Locust UMC spoke on "Christian Men Taking Leadership for Christ."

"We enjoyed a great message, engaged in prayers for matters of greatest concern and partook in a hearty breakfast and delighted in the fellowship," said Phillip Ferguson,
coordinator of the event.

Club's favorite author visits

ROCKVILLE - Jerusalem-Mt. Pleasant UMC formed a book club in March and eight months later hosted their favorite author.

Stacy Hawkins Adams from Richmond, Va., discussed two of her books, "The Someday List" and "Watercolored Pearls," with the 18 members of the intergenerational book club when they met in November, said Annie P. Rhodes, discussion leader.

Adams wrote four of the five books the group has read and in January the club will read another, "Worth a Thousand Words."

Tent meeting brings church renewal

UPPERCO - Everyone was invited to "Come" together as a Christian community, to "Grow" a step further in their faith journey and to "Connect" or reconnect on a personal level with Jesus, as 10 United Methodist churches gathered in October for "an evangelical experience different from the usual church-styled service," reported Cathy Pokorny of Mt. Zion UMC.

More than 100 people attended the services each of three nights, coming from around the rural area to tents set up in a field behind Mt. Zion UMC. Participating were the congregations of Grace, Emory, Mt. Gilead, Mt. Zion, Patapsco, Salem, Sandymount, Shiloh, St. John's and Wesley United Methodist churches.

"We wanted to spark renewal in our congregation," Thomason said. And the whole idea grew and reached beyond one church's borders. "We certainly did that."