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Crochet mission helps clothe the homeless

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Asbury UMC's Brighter Day Ministries expanded its ministry of Crocheting for Christ last summer. Since 2006 the group had been making items for various people or organizations, one in Soweto, South Africa. But last June they also began making hats and scarves for Asbury's Neighbors to Neighbors ministry with the homeless.

During the summer, Jackie Holmes met Virginia McBride on the D.C. Metro Bus. It wasn't long before they talked of McBride's hobby of making scarves, hats, baby blankets and other items for charity.

Holmes led and taught the crochet team, now numbering 12-15, and her dining room table became workshop central as the group gathered throughout the summer to choose yarns, discuss and learn patterns, and crochet to meet their goal of 100 hat/scarf sets by Thanksgiving time.

On Nov. 19, the Rev. Louis Shockley blessed 133 hat and scarf sets, which were distributed during the monthly Neighbor to Neighbor breakfast Asbury serves to homeless people.

'Shepherd's Run' brightens Christmas Day

CHASE – The three churches of the Chase Cooperative Parish (Ebenezer, Sharp Street, Piney Grove UMCs) spent part of Christmas Day on a "Shepherd's Run," giving small gifts and big gratitude to people in the serving professions who had to work on Christmas Day, people such as firemen, nursing home staffs, hospital security guards, gas station attendants, hotel front desks and convenience store clerks.

With Christmas falling on Sunday and members of the church attending Christmas Eve services, they decided early in Advent to take advantage of the day and to "take the church outside the building," said the Rev. Cindy Burkert.

Each gift carried a biblical message and information about the worship services.

UMCOR collection center opens

PARKTON – Starting Oct. 1, Bentley Springs UMC opened a second floor room in the education building as a collection hub for UMCOR. It has been organized to serve Baltimore City and the counties of Baltimore, Harford and Carroll. Churches from other areas are also welcome.

The hub is known as Bentley Springs UMC Mission Central Hub and Disaster Relief. It provides churches with a place to leave the health, school, birthing and cleaning kits they make for UMCOR disaster relief. Hours are Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteers are welcomed.

"We are grateful for this opportunity of serving the Lord Jesus Christ by connecting God's resources with human need," said the Rev. Dennis Schulze.

NEWS BRIEFS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Among the 11 professors at UM-related colleges, universities and theological schools who received the Exemplary Teacher Award from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry was Denise Dombkowski at Wesley Theological Seminary.

BALTIMORE- Ernestine Shepherd, 75, for 54 years a member of Union UMC, is in the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley's Believe it or Not as the world's oldest competitive female bodybuilder. She runs 10 miles a day, lifts weights and works as a personal trainer. "My ministry is to inspire and motivate others to live healthy lives," she said.

WHEATON – Dwight K. French, 64, a 39-year member of Hughes UMC, is running as an Independent candidate for President of the United States. He is recording secretary for the conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. Visit his website at www.dwightfrench.org.