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Mission group takes Haiti to heart

SHEPHERDSTOWN – As the world marked the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Rev. Rudy Bropleh led a group from Asbury UMC on a mission trip. They helped to rebuild the Methodist Church in Fond Doux, a village on the outskirts of Petit Goave, and did repairs on the Methodist Guest House where they stayed.

They also ran a “school” for about 70 children who had no school to attend. “About 20 adults also participated … gladly engaging in the many exercises we did,” Bropleh said.

During a Tuesday night prayer service with 350 people in attendance, the power went out. “Instead of ending the service, the folks began singing even louder,” Bropleh said.

“Despite all the damage from the earthquake and the decades in inequities and poor governance, the people’s spirits don’t seem to be broken,” Bropleh said. “And a big reason for that, I believe, is the presence of the church. Now, more than ever before, the church must respond to the needs of hurting people, in Haiti and around the world.”

Area US-2 serves in Nebraska

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kevin Huff, a member of Wesley UMC who lives in Alexandria, Va., was commissioned as one of 17 new missionaries under the Board of Global Ministries. He is one of eight US-2s, a class of young adult missionaries who serve in the United States for two years. He is now serving outreach programs for children and teenagers at Calvary UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Church gives children more than ESL

ANNAPOLIS – For the past three years, Eastport UMC has held a Homework and Reading program at the church specifically for immigrant children who are learning English as a Second Language. Volunteers from both the church and Annapolis community work with the students Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4 to 5 p.m.

Church growing in 130th year

CHARLOTTE HALL – Calvary UMC is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, and is pleased with its growth in membership, said Denise Whalen-Smith. “What is even more amazing is that 60 percent of the eight new members are men.”

At the church’s recent “Pink Sunday” service in recognition of breast cancer awareness month, Susan Black, the wife of the Rev. Richard Black, recognized Carolyn Barnes, a 7-year survivor, and Faith Taylor, a 9-year survivor.

As the Pink Sunday service came to a close, four people responded to an invitation to discipleship, coming forward to join the Calvary family of faith, Whalen-Smith said.

Economy creates long food pantry lines

BALTIMORE – Twenty-five years ago, Hampden UMC opened its doors to the Christian Fellowship Food Pantry. For many years the pantry served about 100 clients.

Then the economic downturn hit and “the pantry grew by leaps and bounds, “ said Betty Callahan, the supervisor. “Now there are more than 500 clients on the books. If they all come at once we are in big trouble.”

The volunteers give away food once a month. Callahan recounts the experience: “The day of our giveaway the clients start a line at the door at about 7:30 a.m. We open at 9 a.m. We do not have an inside waiting area and the never-ending line goes down the ramp, around the walk and up the street.” This goes on for 2½ hours. “By the end of the morning we are all tired, the place looks like a war had taken place and we are thankful to have had enough food to go around.”

Though donations are down and some small pantries have had to close, “we are blessed by our givers, the Christian Fellowship, and by Hampden UMC for their generosity,” she said.