Taking a plunge for mission
BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF
Bishop John Schol, Frederick District Superintendent Terri Rae Chattin and pastors representing 24 churches in Berkeley County, W.Va., took a dive for mission in a dunking booth as part of a fundraiser that brought in more than $12,500 for Habitat for Humanity.
"This is more than just taking the plunge. This is a proclamation of hope," said the Rev. Terri Cofiell, one of the organizers of the event, which was held at Trinity UMC's Orchard House in Martinsburg, W.Va.
This will be the fourth house the United Methodist churches of Berkeley County have built, said the Rev. Al Clipp. It is expected that $60,000 will be needed to build the home for a family in need.
Working cooperatively is one of the hallmarks of the Berkeley County churches, Chattin explained. "They are a model of how United Methodists can work together connectionally."
Two years ago, the cluster of churches called upon the bishop and district superintendent to kiss a pig to raise money. Pledges for that Habitat for Humanity fundraiser brought in $22,000.
Times are tough financially for many of the county's residents and West Virginia doesn't always have the accessibility to affordable housing that's needed, Cofiell said. "This is an opportunity to stand against what's happening in the economy."
The bishop commended the churches for continuing the ministry of Christ, providing shelter and hope to people in need.
In a brief worship service before the dunking, he told a story from a confirmation class he had led, of baptizing Brian, one of the confirmands, in an immersion tank. Each time he tipped Brian back under the water, the bishop noticed the boy didn't shut his eyes.
He asked him why he kept his eyes open under the water and Brian replied, "I want to be able to see it all."
"That's what our faith is about," said the bishop. "If we go forward with our eyes closed, we will miss the awesome things God is doing in this life."
"We come here in a spirit of fun and fellowship," said Clipp. "But we do this because people in our community need shelter. We do this because we're the church."
The ground for the new home has not yet been bought and the family who will live there is still to be selected. But the spirit that will enable the walls to rise is being nurtured.
Leaders of the project hope the construction will begin in 2010.
On Oct. 5, West Virginia celebrated the completion of the 600th Habitat for Humanity house built in that state.
"Mission like this has always been important," Chattin concluded, "even more so now, given the number of foreclosures that are occurring throughout the region. But truth be told, we should always be stepping up and doing ministry. ... Today we'll be doing it with a splash."
Those who wish to make a contribution to the Berkeley County, W.Va., cluster's Habitat for Humanity house, can send a check to the Rev. Al Clipp at Calvary UMC, 220 W. Burke St., Martinsburg, WV, 25401.
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