Gateway Cluster Newsletter

Summer 2003

Calvary

Centenary

Centre Street

Fairview Avenue

Holy Cross

Melvin

Zion

United Methodist Churches

We, the Gateway Cluster of the United Methodist Church, have been called by God to minister to the needs of our community through cooperation, mutual support and sharing resources to accomplish the goal of serving God and winning new disciples for Jesus Christ.

Note from the Cluster Leader

      Grace and peace be with you.  Summer is already here, but it feels like we are still in March!  I pray that everyone in our cluster churches had a wonderful Easter celebration of our Lord’s resurrection.  I believe our cluster Lenten services helped all of us to prepare ourselves better for the events of Holy Week and for Easter in the life our Lord.  We had excellent attendance and good messages by all the Lay Speakers.  I know God used them to touch my heart again and again.  Thanks again to all the Christians at the host churches who welcomed everyone so graciously.
 

     I missed the last cluster meeting on May 19 at Centenary UMC since I was teaching a Lay Speaking class.  A special thanks to Rev. Bob Cook for presiding at that meeting and to Eleanor Muir for taking the minutes.  There was discussion about having a youth event sponsored by our cluster this summer.  There were suggestions to take a group to Baltimore to visit a soup kitchen, or have a special youth-led service, or visit some historic Methodist sites such as Lovely Lane UMC or the Strawbridge Shrine.  I pray that we may be able to do one or two events for area youth this summer.  Let me know your thoughts.  The youth are there.  Who will invite them to Christ if not us? 
 

     Mr. Eric Rosenberger, the new Director of Tri-State Teen Challenge spoke at our church on April 27^th.  His personal testimony and message moved many people to tears.  He is available to speak at local churches.  I would encourage you to invite him to come to your congregation.  You will be blessed and challenged.  You can reach him at 301-697-0035. 
 

     I appreciate the faithfulness of all our cluster pastors.  There will be some changes effective July 1^st.  Rev. Edward Dickel will be retiring and serving only Calvary UMC.  Rev. Dan Taylor will become the pastor of Fairview Avenue UMC as well as Melvin UMC.  I hope we can invite our new District Superintendent to attend a cluster event soon after he arrives.  We will miss Ken and Donnell Lyons and wish them well in their new assignment. 
 

     Have a wonderful and enjoyable summer.  Keep the Lord at the center of everything.  God bless you all. 

                                                                      Pastor Lloyd McCanna

Events of Interest to the Cluster

Jun 29 – Community Forum on Drugs, 3 PM at Kingsley-Grace Mission Center, Virginia Ave.  How can the faith community respond to the problem?  Sponsored by the Greater Cumberland Ministerium. 

Jul 1, 8, 15, 22 – Pan-Methodist Study on healing of divisions among the various Methodist bodies:  United Methodist, African ME Church, African ME Zion, Christian ME, and the Central Conference, 7 PM at Centre Street UM Church.  Open to all subject churches – call Centre Street UMC to register.

Wanted:  Men who like to sing.  If you like the sound of Barbershop harmony and would like to see if you can become a part of the “Chorus of the Potomac”, you are welcome to visit at any weekly meeting of the group – every Monday, 7:30 PM, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.  For more information contact Marvin Smith 301-777-0358. 

Gateway Cluster Events

Jun 29 – Healing Service, 7 PM at Centre Street UM Church, Rev. McCanna preaching. 

July 6 – Cluster Picnic, 5 PM at the Union Grove Camp Ground, bring a covered dish.  It is opening night of Camp Meeting.  Special music at 6 PM.  Preaching service at 7 PM. 

Centre Street UM Church Events

Jun 16 – Red Cross Blood Mobile, 11 AM to 5 PM in church fellowship hall.

Jul 21 – 25 – Vacation Bible School, 6 – 8 PM, Children through Adult Classes, call Centre Street UM Church to register. 

Aug 24 – Gospel Sounds Concert, 7 PM, in church sanctuary.  Featuring Steve and Apryl Caldwell sharing God’s word in song and testimony.  Free-will offering received.  Open to the community. 

Melvin UM Church Events

Jul 16 – Indian Holiness Mission – 7 PM – Rev and Mrs. Carl Noggle Jr. missionaries to the Navajo Indian Reservation, Chambers, AZ, will speak to the United Methodist Women’s group.  All are invited to attend. 

Jul 21 – 25, Vacation Bible School, 6 PM, Children through Adult Classes, all are invited to attend.  Theme: Lighthouse Kids Shine for Jesus!

District/Conference Happenings

Jun 12 – 15, Annual Conference in Washington DC

Jul 12 – District Night with the Hagerstown Suns.  Game time 7 PM.  Tickets $4.00 person.  Arrive 6:30 PM for pre-game show.  Call district office for tickets.  A portion of proceeds to benefit a district mission effort. 

(Beginning with the Fall 2003 issue an editorial page will be added, along with scripture and prayer concerns – as well as happy thoughts and joyful events each congregation may wish to share with the Cluster.  Any ideas to improve this newsletter are welcomed and encouraged.)

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