Children's Sabbath will be Sunday Oct 10 but we are starting the work for it now at WNL time. The theme will be "The Sights and Sounds of God's Children".  We need a picture of each one of our children to be used that day and for a future project. Be sure to get them to Rev. Nancy soon. School Pictures, candid shots, etc but try to have just the St. Paul's children in the photos.

Youth 2011 is coming this summer and we are going to be there.  Where? Purdue University in Indiana What? Passionate High Energy Worship with terrific speakers, great workshops, awesome music and concerts and lots more.  We have to register by Dec. 1 so talk about it now and make plans for July 13-17 to be with your youth group and thousands of others in Indiana.  Check out www.youth2011.org for information.   

The children of St. Paul's Church are still collecting money for Heifer International.  Donations are greatly appreciated!

 Circle No. 2 donated a Christmas memorial to Heifer International in memory of Goldie Thornton. Goldie was a long‐time member of St. Paul’s and Circle 2. She was very active in the UM Women activities like the bazaar, apple‐butter making, dinners, rummage sale and wherever she was needed. She was fun‐loving and concerned for members of our church.  We will always miss her.

We chose a Llama in memory of Goldie. After Heifer has given the family training in caring for the Llama, we pray it continues to help a needy family.

The United Methodist Men’s Breakfast is held the 2nd Saturday of each month at 8:30 am in the gym.

There is good food, devotional time and business discussed.

All men are invited.

Check the Calendar for changes in venue and other activities.

Mission Trip Recap and Excerpts from our Week's Journal

On July 18th six youth and two adults (Jake and Luke Bowles, Conner Means, Colin Waugh, Morgan Peaytt and Olivia Hawley with Pastor Mark and Rev. Nancy), headed out to Wheeling and the House of the Carpenter, one of our Annual Conference Mission Agencies, to help with needed work for the week. We were greeted in Wheeling by Mr. Gary Bryant, an old friend from Rev. Nancy's ministry days in Wheeling and the present work coordinator for the HOC, as well as treated to a terrific meal at Fourth Street UM Church. After we settled into our lodging at the 'old' HOC, a Victorian home on Wheeling Island, we found out we would be working at 2 sites about a 30 minute ride away. On Monday we met Mrs. June Ellison and her daughter, Cindy, as well as her caregivers, sisters Sandy and Linda Smith. Mrs. Ellison is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and this is a very difficult situation for all. In fact while we were there that week, she was placed in a care facility. The Smith home was our work site for most of the week as they need to be able to move back in because of the new situation with Mrs. Ellison. The home was damaged by the winter snows and has been neglected over the last years, along with being home to several dogs. Our main area of work was the porch, replacing the roof, encasing the eaves of the porch and adding handrails and gutters. We also cleaned out a very neglected storage basement and other gutters of the home. We did good work and had great instruction and help from Gary Bryant all week. The youth stepped up, learning new skills and working together on tasks all week. They didn't shy away from the unpleasant tasks and were willing to try their hand at power tools, ladders and more. We were joined one day by 2 local youth we know from SYC, Sarah and Rachael Allen.

We also enjoyed some evening fun with miniature gold at Oglebay Park, swimming and food at the Allen home and another of Nancy's old friends, the Joseph's as well as dessert and Wii games at Rev. Keith Forkey's home, another SYC connection. There were side trips to Cabela's store and Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh on our last day. We thank all who supported this experience and will be sharing more in worship in August with pictures and stories.

"I had a great experience in Wheeling this year. It felt good to help out the Smith sisters and to see the great impact our work left on their lives." - Morgan Peaytt

"This week was really fun. We learned a lot of things about building stuff. Gary was a really nice guy and he was a real big help." - Jake Bowles

"I had a great week. Helping out Gary with the Smith sisters' house was fun. And seeing how happy the sisters were when we finished made me feel good." - Olivia Hawley

"My favorite part was building the roof. It was awesome. I can't wait to go again." - Luke Bowles

"Long" - Conner Means

"It was very hot. It's good to go home but I can't wait to go again." - Colin Waugh

AND—"I must say, Nancy has some mighty nice friends with some good genes to make some PUURRRTTYY daughters..." - Jake Bowles

AGEE's Angels

The Cure Starts Now Cancer Research Foundation is the recipient of funds raised at the September 2009 walk.  It started with just one child. It started with just one heart. Today, The Cure Starts Now Cancer Research Foundation (501c3 Federal Non-Profit) is one of the only cancer foundations dedicated to a “homerun” cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: pediatric brain cancer. Many experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting pediatric cancer may in fact provide us the critical first step in winning the battle against all forms of cancer, both pediatric and adult.

The Cure Starts Now represents a revolutionary new strategy in cancer research: one that fights cancer not according to numbers, but instead based on knowledge and research. And isn’t that the way we’ll ultimately win the battle?

The Cure Starts Now’s mission is one that knows no boundaries and stops at no borders. It is an international effort of families, friends, businesses and even strangers, united in the desire to cure cancer, one child at a time. And it all started with one child, but today the inspiration is carried with us all. 

Angels For a Miracle Walk – September 19^th

Nitro Community Food Pantry

Snack Pack Mission

The Nitro Mission Team and Food Pantry are participating in a new mission offered to the children in specified schools.  The “Snack Pack” ministry sends a nutritious bag of food home on Friday afternoon with the children who receive free lunch at those schools.  There are about 40 students at each school. This is done discreetly as not to embarrass the children, but it enables them to have some small amount of food through the weekend. 

While some funds are available to help with this, all donations are appreciated.  You might pick up a bag of fruit, or a pack of cheese/peanut butter crackers, fruit cups or cereal bars, pudding cups, etc. Remember that those in charge cannot send items full of sugar or things not seen as healthy snacks.  Drop off anything with the other foods brought for the food pantry and they will be used for the children.

Please take time during the Lenten Season to visit the Nitro Community Food Pantry to see what it is all about and maybe lend a hand.  The times you can visit are as follows:

Monday mornings between 10:00 am-11:00 am:

The food boxes are prepared for clients—filling boxes with non-perishable canned and boxed foods.

Tuesday mornings between 9:30 am-11:00 am:

Clients come in to pick up their monthly food allowance—help to load up the baskets and to deliver those who do not have transportation.

Saturday mornings between 8:30 am-9:30 am:

Pick up food that is donated from the United Food Operation (UFO) - which is an organization of local labor unions who support the food pantries in the months of January, February and March.  Help is needed to unload and place the food in their proper storage places.

Donations:

If you are unable to visit the pantry in person, we are always in need of non-perishable food stuff and personal hygiene items. We use donated funds to purchase perishable foods and to supplement our inventory.  Items needed:  Shampoo; toilet paper; cake mixes; Jiffy corn bread mix; jelly; and spaghetti.

In 2009 they served 1041 families -  2103 individuals were touched by your generosity.