Gateway Cluster Newsletter

Calvary
Centenary
Centre Street
Fairview Avenue
Holy Cross
Melvin
Zion
United Methodist Churches

Events of Interest to the Cluster

Gateway Cluster Monthly Meetings

Monday, October 17- Calvary UMC, 7 p.m.

Monday, November 21- No Cluster Meeting due to Thanksgiving

Gateway Cluster Healing Service Scheduled

Our cluster will sponsor a Healing Service on Sunday, October 30, at 6:00 p.m. at Fairview Ave UMC, Rev. Bob Cook, pastor of Zion & Centenary UMC, will be preaching.

District and Conference Events

October 15 – District "Connectional Table" (formerly called District Council on Ministries) has a planning retreat from 9 – 3 at John Wesley UMC in Hagerstown.

Community Events

October 17 – CAUSE Meeting at 5:30 PM at Christ Lutheran Church, LaVale. A grassroots group to deal with substance abuse in the area. All are welcome.

Katrina Relocation Project (MKRP)

The MKRP is a regional effort in cooperation with the Cumberland Area Ministerial Association to relocate persons and families displaced by Hurricane Katrina into Allegany County and the surrounding region. The following items are needed:

     a. Funds to help with relocation and personal needs.

     b. Housing for up to 6 months or longer.

     c. Furniture and household goods.

     d. Transportation (donation of vehicles and/or able to offer rides.

For information contact KMRC website katrinalocationproject.org

Centre Street UM Church Events

October 11 – Sarah Circle Rummage Sale 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

October 18 – Esther Circle Rummage Sale 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

October 16 – Stewardship kick-off dinner at 4 p.m.

October 23 – Charge Conference at 2 p.m. at New Covenant UMC

November 5- Holiday Bazaar, time to be announced.

November 24- Thanksgiving Day- Buffet Breakfast and Worship at 9:30 a.m.

Melvin UM Church Events

Oct 22 - Fall Fun at Brookedale Farm in Fort Ashby. Corn Maze, Hayride, Little People Park, and weenie roast. Call Pastor Dan for details.

Nov 23 — Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7pm. All are welcome to attend

Fairview Avenue UM Church Events 

Nov 12 – Harvest Festival in Social Hall 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Centenary UM Church Events

Nov. 23 — Centenary UMC will be hosting the Zion-Centenary Charge Thanksgiving Eve Service that is open to everyone. It will begin at 7 pm

Holy Cross UM Church Event

Holy Cross UMC to Host Chicken Dinner Saturday November 121h, 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Come join us for food and fellowship! Menu includes baked chicken in creamy sauce with cheese and stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, baked pineapple, deserts and beverages. Adults $7.00, children $3.50.

Gateway Cluster Newsletter

Published by the Churches of the Gateway Cluster

Editor: Dan Taylor

Mail address: PO Box 688, Fort Ashby, WV 26719
Email — tdtdgt@citlink.net

Note from the Gateway Cluster Leader

Dear Friends,

The grace of God has been amazing in these last few weeks, as we have witnessed the recovery efforts from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There has been a tremendous outpouring of prayers, help, and support from people of all segments of society, even those who don't normally associate with one another for whatever reason. It is a reminder of the unified response that occurred after the 9-11-01 terrorist attacks in our country. I believe that the grace of God was active in all these cooperative and unified efforts to help and to serve others.

One pastor, whose church has been destroyed, had organized a feeding station at the site of his former church building. A reporter shoved a mike into his face and asked: "Are you just feeding your church members?" The pastor paused for a moment and then slowly said: "We are feeding ALL God's children.

From the first word to the last word in these recovery efforts; we see God's grace at work in people, even people who are not followers of Jesus Christ. In fact, some of these "helpers" may even have been unbelievers or people of other faiths. I pray that we may see God's grace at work in our cluster. May we focus on the needs of others and serve Christ without seeing first whether or not those in need are indeed worthy of our help. Is not ANYONE worthy of our service simply because he or she is one of God's children?

May God bless you with the amazing grace of his love in Jesus Christ.