Although the official start date is not until after July 1st, pastor Smith agreed to begin a week early being that the charge would be without a speaker on the 27th. Jonathan moved into the parsonage on Thursday June 24th and is settling in to his new community. Sunday provided a great opportunity to meet and greet the congregations of charge.

Pastor Smith asked that he be notified of any visitation needs, prayer requests or special events within the congregations. He is available by telehone at 301-746-5251.

More details regarding Pastor Smith and his appointment will be provided later.

Anyone wishing to help can report to the church beginning at 9:00am when icecream making will begin. We will need help cleaning the social building, setting up tables and chairs, preparing the mixes, freezing the icecream and cleanng up afterwards. Hand crank freezers will be available for those wishing to do it the ‘old fasioned’ way.

Thanks in advance to those willing to donate homemade icecream mixes and homemade baked items. Please deliver icecream mixes to the church before 10:30am so we have an idea of how many freezers we will need.

The Pastor has arranged for a group of ladies to help clean the parsonage and complete the parsonage checklist .

Thank you for all your help in moving Pastor Don out as well as moving Pastor Smith in.  Details

Please send birthday greetings to:

1285 Wakefield Rd
Friendsville MD 21531

Happy Birthday Buster!!

The Houchen Community Center is a non-profit multi-services organization and has been a beacon of hope for residents of South El Paso for 115 years.  The Center is ‘owned’ by the United Methodist Women and is under the umbrella of the General Board of Global Ministries. Located just a few miles from the US-Mexico border, Houchen Community Center first opened its doors in 1893.  Houchen is designated as a Texas Historical Site and serves as a United Way Agency. 

Mission Statement

The mission of Houchen Community Center is to make God’s love a reality in El Segundo Barrio and nearby neighborhoods through working to meet the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of children, youth and adults.

History

Houchen Community Center, a non-profit multi-services organization, has been a beacon of hope for residents of South El Paso for 115 years. Located just a few miles from the US-Mexico border, Houchen Community Center first opened its dooes in 1893. Houchen Community Center is locate in the heart of the Second Ward or El Segundo Barrio. El Segundo Barrio is the lowest income area in the City of El Paso and the fourth lowest in the United States. Houchen helps give the families from El Segundo Barrio a sense of belonging, the safety and security of a close-knit community, a good environment to work, and an opportunity to participate in creating a caring community. In addition to childcare services, Houchen Community Center provides social  service programs for teenagers, tutoring for-at-risk students from 2nd to 7th grade, senior citizens program providing information on life improvement issues, and a food pantry assisting 350 needy families once a month. The child development program offers high quality childcare for low to very low-income families that work, to go to school, or are enrolled in vocational training opportunities. We provide daily approximately 300 units of services.

Houchen Community Center operates a Food Pantry on the fourth Friday of every month.  The pantry is provided in cooperation with the West Texas Food Bank.  Approximately  350 families are provided groceries each month.

Young Adults

•    Weight -lifting
•    Kick-Boxing
•    Aerobics
•    Camps
•    Youth Conferences
•    Basketball
•    Volleyball
•    Weekly ESL Classes

 Houchen provides youth activities for Los Duros (the Tough Ones) and Las Mujeres Fuertes (the Strong Women).  Our youth may participate in learning karate, boxing and weight training.  Tutoring and mentoring programs are also available.  It is our belief that keeping young people safe and in a healthy environment will reap great rewards in their future and the future of the world.

Seniors

•    Sewing Room
•    Seasonal Outings
•    Weekly Bible Studies
•    Weekly ESL Classes

 The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday mornings.  Seniors are provided a place to connect with each other, take educational and fun trips.  Houchen monitors the health concerns of each senior citizen. 

 Thrift Shop

Clothing, household goods and furniture are sold at reasonable prices.  The Thrift Shop is open Monday through Thursday mornings.  We accept donations from individuals, churches and civic organizations. 

Here is a copy of a brochure for the center.

 Annual Conference is a couple of weeks off and I am getting ordained on Sunday June 13.  The Ordination Service is at 9:30am at WVWC chapel in Buckhannon. Then at 3:30pm my friend Meredith and I are having a combined party at the Wesley House in Fairmont.  I want to let everyone know in the church that everyone is welcomed.   Could you please spread the news.  I have attached a flyer and directions to the Wesley House.

 I hope you are enjoying the warm weather.  Major and I are going to Gatlinburg on Monday for few days of relaxation before conference. 

 Sarah Rettig

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Ordination Party

FOR

SARAH RETTIG & MEREDITH GUDGER-RAINES

 June 13

 Wesley Foundation House in Fairmont, WV

Food will be served after 4pm but please feel free to start gathering at 3:30pm.

WV Conference Ordination Service will take place that morning at 9:30am at the WVWC Chapel in Buckhannon.

Please celebrate this special day with Meredith and Sarah either at one or both of these special events.

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Directions:

From the North (Morgantown)

1. Take I 79S to Exit 137  Go toward East Park Ave.
2. Take  WV-310N Toward Downtown Fairmont
3. Toward Left onto WV-310/Park Ave.
4. Turn Slight Left onto WV-310/Merchant St./E Park Ave.
5. Turn Right onto Merchant St.
6. Merchant St. becomes Jefferson St.
7. Turn Left onto US-19/Jackson St. Continue to follow US-19S.
8. US 19 becomes Locust Ave. Pass the Entrance to the Fairmont State.
9. The Wesley House is on the Left after a big parking Lot.                

  From the South (Buckhannon)

1. Take I79N to Exit 132 toward Fairmont
2. Turn Left onto US 250/Fairmont Ave.
3. Turn Left at the onto Country Club Rd at a light (Shopping Save is on the  Right at the light)
4. Turn Right onto Locust Ave at a Light
5. Wesley House is past the Hospital and Entrance to Fairmont State on the Right(it is right after the Alumni Center)

 The Address for Wesley House is 1224 Locust Ave and if you get lost you can call 304-363-8210 or 720-226-3566 (cell)