|
First Church's Work Teams travel whenever possible to reach out in faith to those in need.
In addition to the trip to McDowell County, West Virginia (see photos) our members helped with the construction of the new Handicapped-Accessible playground in Marion County, and with the annual apple butter festival in Burlington, WV, benefitting the ministries to children and youth across our state.
The McDowell Mission, Inc. began in 1991 as a mission of the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Its goal at that time was to minister to the needs of the Southern WV coalfields through home repair. Over the years, this ministry has expanded its mission to enrich the lives of residents of McDowell, Wyoming, Mingo, Logan, and Mercer Counties. They help physically, socially, educationally, and spiritually through children's, youth, and adult ministries.
The accessible playground was a glorious community project, conceived and headed by Leah Heimbach of Fairmont. Leah was with us during a special combined Sunday School class in September to share how her dream became reality, and to inspire us at First Church to step out in faith.
Over 10,000 jars of apple butter are made and sold annually at the Burlington Apple Butter festival, on the grounds of the United Methodist Burlington Home for Children and Youth. Our volunteers worked from 6:45 to 7:00 p.m. for two days, joining others from near and far to work to raise funds for the incredible ministry offer by the Home.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH THE FALL WORK TEAM -- CONTACT DON GARDNER IMMEDIATELY AT DGARDNER55@YAHOO.COM. Cost is $100 per person for transportation and lodging. We will be working in the warehouse of the Serrv Sale project, near New Windsor, Maryland.
"As you have done it unto the least of these, my children, you have done it unto me."
| 
