| Prayer garden at center of new addition  ST. LEONARD The congregation at Waters Memorial UMC celebrated a new addition to the church July 20. At the center of the new wing is a prayer garden. The addition includes classrooms, worship room, nurseries, a conference room, library, music room and administrative offices.
The $1 million building is home grown. Even the building designer and project manager, Trisha Beall, grew up in the church. The Rev. Mary Jane Coleman, Washington East District superintendent, officiated at the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was led by the Rev. Daniel Montegue III. When Waters Ross was asked what his ancestor, who began the church in 1827, would say of the large new addition, Ross replied that hed probably say, Youre in the middle of my tobacco field. He then conceded that Sewell Waters would be very pleased. Volunteer awarded for her commitment GLEN BURNIE Susan Renninger, who serves on the New Members Committee at Glen Burnie UMC, recently received a high honor from the Army Community Services when she was named the recipient of the Very Important Patriot Award of Merit for 2003. The award is given by the National Military Association to exceptional volunteers in the United States and abroad who work to improve the quality of life in their military and neighboring communities. On post, Renninger, who is the wife of a retired Sgt. 1st Class, has volunteered at Fort Meades annual Childrens Christmas Party, the National Make a Difference Day, and Octoberfest. She is the volunteer coordinator of Fort Meades Thrift Shop Council, where she spends many hours, bagging items, assisting customers and manning the doors at the flea market and bag-day sale. For 10 years she has worked on behalf of homeless people. She, along with her husband and daughter, have also participated in the past two Special Olympics, where she escorted participants in the swimming events, and has helped raise money for them. Church welcomes Marine home DAVIDSONVILLE At Davidsonville UMC this summer, three generations of Marines welcomed Pfc. Owen Wood of Deal home from Iraq. Wood, 18, was prayed for by his father, Frank Tucker, and his grandfather, Owen Tucker, as his unit moved from Basra to Baghdad. A member of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, the same unit his father served in, Wood was in the Iraqi capital city when the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled. During his tour, he saw fighting so intense, the Annapolis Capital reported, that at one point the barrel of his machine gun melted and had to be switched out. Woods father served as part of the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s. His grandfather fought in Okinawa near the end of World War II. When the pastor of Davidsonville UMC announced that Wood had returned safely home, he was met with a standing ovation. Church honors senior citizens  NEWBURG Seniors were honored and celebrated at Mt. Calvary UMC at a special event July 26.
John Wood Jr., from the Maryland House of Delegates, proclaimed the day Senior Citizens Day. The proclamation was presented on his behalf by St. Marys County Commissioner Thomas McKay. Approximately 120 people attended the evening event. The Rev. Leroy Boldley, pastor of St. Luke UMC in Scotland, delivered a message to the nine women and one man who were honored. Each senior received a token of love from the church, reported Clarise Smith. | 
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