Online Archives

Church continues mission to Uruguay

OLNEY - An 11-member Volunteers in Mission team from Oakdale-Emory UMC spent a week in September at Methodist Camp Renascer in Paysandu, Uruguay. They began building the first cabin for the developing campground.

"Through this VIM project, Oakdale Emory has helped for the last four years our friends in Uruguay to shape a spiritual center from an abandoned territory," said Marti English, co-coordinator of the VIM team.

"We completed the cabin, as far as the roof," she said "We hope a future team will complete this cabin for the Uruguayans to use and enjoy."

"VIM is more than a project, it is relationship-building as the followers of Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Ines Simeone, lead pastor of Central Church in Montevideo.

Frazier to serve on Haiti mission

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Although the flight from the United States to Haiti is less than 90 minutes, the two countries are worlds apart, said the Rev. Malcolm Frazier, who was recently selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Beyond Borders.

Frazier, a campus minister at Howard University in Washington, D.C., has taken students on a mission trip to Haiti. He is particularly concerned about restavecs, children who are held in servitude. For more information visit www.beyondborders.net.

Church prays for local school

CUMBERLAND - Members of Emmanuel-Bethel UMC were very concerned about their nearby elementary school after its playground was set on fire a few weeks ago.

The school, which has 83 percent of its student body living below the poverty level, has been a mission of the church for years.

"The school is insured but we want to let the children and their families know that God is here for them," said the Rev. Glenn Capacchione. The church held a community prayer event Oct. 6. "We cannot let these children think that nobody cares."

Church preschool first to be accredited

LAUREL - Emmanuel UMC's preschool recently became the first preschool in Howard County to be accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education. It was more than a two-year process, said Janine MacDonald, the school's office administrator.

The preschool has been in existence for 32 years.

Small church generously gives

BALTIMORE - Only three children attend Rodgers Forge UMC, but this summer 24 children from the neighborhood turned out for the evening Vacation Bible School. It was the first time in many years that the church held a Vacation Bible School, which they did through donations from churches in New Jersey and North Carolina, as well as their own congregation. Each child received a Bible on closing day.

The congregation also sends care packages to two units in Afghanistan, inspired in part because the grandson of a woman in the church was injured by an IED bombing.

As a result of an emphasis on making food donations in September, the church increased its donations to a Towson area food program, and are using the momentum to increase
collections for Thanksgiving baskets.

"While we don't overflow our pews," said Brittany Fulk, "we do overflow our donation boxes."

In other news

• Monzel Smith, the youth leader at LaVale UMC will play the role of Aslan in the a production of "Narnia," at the Cumberland Theater Nov. 8.
• Sue Porter, a conference missionary in Liberia is itinerating in the area through Dec. 20. If you would like Porter to speak at your church, contact her at 410-404-4784.
• The Washington Theological Consortium and Wesley Seminary's Dadian Gallery in Washington will present the show "Icons in the American Style" Oct. 28 through Dec. 18.