March 2004 - Tower - Page 11
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District Board of Missions - Annual Meeting
This meeting held at Zion United Methodist Church in Seaford on February 17 was attended by a representative group from First United Methodist Church. Rev. LeGault, Gerry Turner, Kathy and Charlie Yates, Marguerite Thompson, and June Loving went in the van. Erleen and James Wheeling, Carolyn Snyder, and Dr. and Mrs. Ward drove their cars. The program after an enjoyable meal was mainly descriptive of the various recovery efforts by district groups after Hurricane Isabel. This recovery effort was an actual hands-on mission activity for people within our district by people in our district. There were special groups that came from many outside communities as well. Business contributions of materials, money, and services were recognized as well as all the individual volunteers from local churches and civic groups. Long-term work crews from the Mennonite Disaster Service and the Church of the Brethren Disaster Service played an important part. There were 65 volunteer work teams formed from local groups.
Special Offerings
In February, Heart Haven was our mission emphasis and $337 was collected on Communion Sunday. The youth sponsored the collection for Souper Bowl and received $177.35 for LINK. Our March Communion offering will go to "One Great Hour of Sharing" (UMCOR). Read the bulletin for more on UMCOR.
United Methodist Day at the General Assembly
Great trip to Richmond! (January 24) There were lucky 13 in the van! We had 11 from FUMC and two from St. James. Erleen and James Wheeling, Carolyn Smith, Ed Lyon, Kathy Yates, Jane Waters, Jonathan Smith (our driver), Neil Bates, June Loving, Virginia Preston and Rita Verlander were from our church and Elaine Branch and Lois Pigford came from St. James to ride with us.
Rain spattered slightly, but went away without getting any of us really wet. The group enjoyed the breakfast and lunch, the tours, the sessions, and the information. There were tours to the Capitol and the Governor's Mansion. We listened to pro and con discussions on a bill, collected literature for further study at home. Several of the group went their separate ways to see and hear events that interested them. We listened to a live video of a session as we ate our box lunch. In the afternoon session, we heard a discussion on the death penalty and especially the juvenile death penalty. Another topic presented was the "21-day rule" in Virginia, which is the shortest of its kind in the nation. This rule allows only 21 days after a conviction for a court to consider new, non-DNA evidence proving the innocence of an inmate.
Taxes, always a debatable subject, were discussed and one measure promoted taxes on cigarettes to help pay for some of the huge short falls in the state budget. That was of particular interest to me.
It was all very thought provoking and worth while. You feel more a part of the action when you are there and can hear a discussion and watch the voting. Next year YOU should plan to go. It is a trip you will remember.
Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Remember to continue recycling at home and bring to church:
Inkjet Cartridges, Dead Cell Phones
and Your Old Clothes
The eXra Years of Zest Group will meet on Wednesday, March 17 at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall. The program will be "A Civil War Soldier's Life" this should be informative, so bring a covered-dish and a neighbor or friend for some good Christian fellowship. A warm welcome to all.
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If you have any comments on any of these pages, please email me: Robert W.(Bob) McKitrick, thanks.
Last update: March 7, 2004