| Send nothing home The Rev. (Charles) Harrell thinks it proper that fliers from religious groups be sent home in public schoolchildrens backpacks (UMConnection issue of Sept. 3); I do not. Not long ago our community was divided over a proposed development project. One of our local public schools thought it was proper to send home a flier provided by, and supporting the views of, a particular group. My daughter is a student, not a courier or messenger. If a non-profit needs me to know something, they can put up signs, make media announcements or send me a letter. You take all concerns or none. Public schools have no business deciding what to send home. None is the right answer. Bob Lee
Centenary UMC, Shady Side Damages worst community has ever seen In times such as these it is especially good to be a connectional church. I ask you to keep the congregation of Back River UMC and the surrounding communities in your prayers. We are located on a peninsula in the bay in Southeast Baltimore County between Middle River and Back River. Perhaps more exposed to wind and water than other places, Tropical Storm Isabel hit our area pretty hard. The wind caused some destruction. Trees were downed and homes have been damaged and many power lines have fallen. The electricity and cable is out most everywhere on the peninsula. We dont expect to have it back for some time. However, by far the worst damage has come from the tidal surge that came up several feet above normal high tide. One of our older members of the congregation said he hasnt seen it this bad since 1933 when another record damaging hurricane hit the area. Most everyone along the water has had flooding, some worse than others. A few communities were almost completely submerged, literally becoming just another part of the Chesapeake Bay. Many folks had to be rescued by boat in the middle of the night as the water crept up upon them while they slept. Some of these homes were even uprooted from their very foundations and began to break apart in the strong water and winds. One church member said he had been awakened by the sound of his neighbors back porch knocking up against his house. When he looked outside it wasnt only the neighbors porch that had been torn from its foundation but the whole of his neighbors house that was beginning to float away. Of course by this time, the church members home was also undergoing severe flooding and he and his wife also had to be rescued. There are many people down here who have similar stories. As you can imagine, we are completely in shock at the amount of unprecedented damage that has occurred in this area to so many homes and communities. The sites I saw were unbelievable and the damage extensive. I know of several church families who have lost everything to the flood. Many other families I have not even been able to reach yet. I can only pray they are OK. Thank God, I havent heard of any deaths or severe injuries that have occurred here on our peninsula. And that most certainly is a blessing and a miracle. The work that has to be done is much, but with Gods grace and your prayers and support, I know we will get through even this. Thank you for taking your precious time to read this and to lift us in your prayers today. You and your churches are also in our prayers. We know we arent the only ones suffering damage due to Isabel. Rev. David J. Deans
Pastor, Back River UMC, Essex | 
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