| Oral histories sought  SHADY SIDE The Rev. Roberta Matthews of St. Matthews UMC is encouraging older local residents to tell their stories to the Shady Side Rural Heritage Society. The group is expanding its oral history library as a gift to future generations and is attempting to collect more history from the towns African-American community, the Annapolis Capital reported. Recording history is a good way of improving communication between the races, Matthews said. It proves we have more in common than we have differences. Churchs giving staggers pastor  BALTIMORE Amazed and awestruck, was how the Rev. Gary Sheffield-James of Arnolia UMC described his reaction to the congregations response to the need for repairs of its bell tower. Just two weeks after making the appeal for donations, the church received $55,000 in gifts and bonds. This amount alone was enough to complete the project. Now the tower is pigeon free, the walk-way to the front of the sanctuary is without cracks, and the tower entrance has a brand new tile ceiling, Sheffield-James wrote in the churchs January newsletter. In the coming year, the church plans to raise funds to repair the roof, modernize bathrooms and install new windows and ceilings in its education building. Sharing Table celebrates anniversary EDGEWOOD The Sharing Table, a coalition of Harford County churches and organizations, which operates at Presbury UMC at 806 Edgewood Road, recently celebrated its 10th year of operation. The group exists to help families who find it difficult to make ends meet, said Victor Argo, a member of the board of directors. Its motto is feed my sheep. The Sharing Table is seeking additional churches and individuals willing to volunteer to prepare and serve meals and transport people to and from the meals. For more information call (410) 676-6496. St. Johns receives Igniting Ministry grant LUTHERVILLE St. Johns UMC in Lutherville was recently awarded a matching funds grant from United Methodist Communications so that it can purchase more than $9,000 of television advertising as part of the Igniting Ministry campaign. The ads will air during the Lenten season. United Methodist writes childrens book  SAVAGE This fall, Pamela Love of Savage UMC had her new childrens book, titled A Loon Alone, published by DownEast Books. The book, for children ages 4-7, uses nature as a backdrop to tell a story about a young loon searching for its mother. It can be purchased by calling (800) 685-7962. | 
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