Online Archives

Pastor couple helps in Joplin

KEARNEYSVILLE, W. VA. – Carol and Duane Strickler, co-pastors of Middleway UMC, recently spent two weeks assisting families in Joplin, Mo., where a third of the town was destroyed by a tornado and 151 people were killed. They were deployed by Children Disaster Services.

During their two weeks they helped to provide creative childcare in a shelter that housed more than 100 families on the campus of Missouri State University.

Many of the people in the shelter had only Red Cross cots to sleep on and a few possessions that didn’t get destroyed, Strickler said. "We were amazed that (they) would give God the glory for protecting them and that they didn’t express any bitterness."

Historic preservation grant aids church

CHEVERLY – The congregation of Cheverly UMC had much to celebrate at an open house June 12. The church had just been awarded an $87,710 grant from the Prince Georges Historic Preservation Commission. The 2011 grant program was funded by the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission.

"We are so grateful to the commission," said the Rev. Saroj Sangha. "This has made a difference in this great old building, which is used extensively by the community." She expressed special gratitude to church member Melanie Hartwig-Davis, who made the grant request and saw it to its successful conclusion.

The initial funds will be used to assist the church’s continuing efforts in historic preservation as well as improving energy efficiencies.

The historic front doors will be restored to their original design, and extensive repairs will be done to the wooden siding, fascia and eaves.

‘God’s Foolish One’ awarded to retirees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two members of the retired generation received the "God’s Foolish One" honor for long time service and commitment to social justice at the annual Methodist Federation for Social Action dinner during annual conference.

The Rev. William Holmes was introduced by his son, the Rev. Chris Holmes, who told of the risks for justice his father had taken including his stance against gun violence. Living in Texas at the time, he publicly chastised the school children who cheered when President Kennedy was killed. "We had to go in hiding for awhile," the younger Holmes said.

William Astor Kirk, 91, is still speaking out and writing about race issues, particularly in The United Methodist Church. "He was instrumental in desegregating Foundry," said Ralph Williams, who introduced him.

Corporate volunteers clean up house

BALTIMORE – Twenty-five volunteers from Heery International descended on the Susanna Wesley House April 30. The Heery employees spent the day as part of Heery from the Heart, making improvements, both outside and inside, on the home to nine mothers and their children, who stay at Susanna Wesley until they can make it on their own.

The workday was organized by board member Judy Brown, who is a project manager at the company, and the Rev. Jay DeMent, pastor of St. Johns Idlewylde Cooperative Parish.

Bikes are off to Uganda

HAGERSTOWN – Otterbein UMC held its seventh successful bike collection, receiving 202 bikes to send to Kampala, Uganda.

The bicycles will be given primarily to women and will ease their impoverished lives, enabling them to get to work, school and health services. For instance, Mama Alex was abandoned by her husband and had four sons to support. She uses a donated bike to supply bottled water to small shops and mini-markets.

Also collected were 22 sewing machines, twice as many as last year. They will help recipients start small businesses.

Lightning strikes Marvin Chapel UMC

MOUNT AIRY – Early on July 3, the Rev. Earl Mason received a call that the church he’d just been appointed to was on fire. He was to preach his first sermon at 9:30 a.m.

A direct lightning strike collapsed the church steeple into the sanctuary, causing an estimated $150,000 in damages. Mason was able to retrieve a cross, offering plates and one undamaged Bible, plus a few other things.

The church, built in 1888, is part of a charge with Prospect UMC. The two congregations worshiped together at Prospect that morning. "It was a packed house," Mason said. He used passages from Jeremiah that says the Lord is sufficient to provide, no matter what happens.