Sunday, April 20, 2008
SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone has undergone 11 years of civil war. During this
time thousands of people were killed and towns and villages were burned
down. All of the United Methodist locations have been hard hit.
They have concluded their first elections since UN peace keepers moved
out. But needless to say are still struggling and have a long way to go.
Our Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference has partnered with the United
Methodist Church is Sierra Leone to do two things. One is to help
finance the pensions of Sierra Leone pastors and two is to help pastors
salaries by yoking Sierra Leone churches with our central PA churches.
Most pastors in Sierra Leone have poor health because of no medical
facilities, poor housing and little training and education. Churches can
not afford to pay their pastors a livable salary and pastors struggle to
provide for their spouses and children. Many have to work other jobs and
only pastor part time. Many others are discouraged and do not go into
the pastorate because they can’t provide for their needs.
We are in our second year of helping to support a Sierra Leone United
Methodist pastor. We send $100 a month to help pay the salary of pastor
Alex Koroma of Saint Marks United Methodist Church in Roueitte, Sierra
Leone.
I have no idea where that is in Sierra Leone and I’m not even sure if
I’m spelling everything correct. We are going to send the Sierra Leone
Conference an e-mail to introduce ourselves to Pastor Alex and send the
Saint Mark Church family some pictures of us here at Turkey Valley.
It is my understanding that communication is very slow and the UM
conference will get the message to our sister church in Sierra Leone.
In the mean time, please keep Pastor Alex and Saint Marks in your
prayers. We do not know if a team will get to visit Pastor Alex in
January or not. I have been told if we have 4 or 5 or 6 who go to Sierra
Leone, they will try to arrange a meeting with our sister church but
they can not promise that because of the difficulty and distance of
travel and of road conditions.
I hope you don’t look down on our Sierra Leone brothers and sisters as
if we are in some superior role because we are helping to financially
support them. We are partners in mission, ministry and outreach. Their
role is just as vital and important to the kingdom of God as ours is.
This is a sister church that we want to get to know and love.
One day we will meet face to face and celebrate together.
“Take Risks” and God Bless,
Pastor Sal
SUMMER CAMP
For any of our children who wish to go to a church, summer camp,
the church is willing to pay half the cost. Please submit your request
to the church office. Tell us the name of the camp, the date, the cost
and for whom a check should be written. Happy camping!
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Thursday, May 1st will be the 57th annual national day of prayer.
We will have two opportunities on that day to participate. During the
morning, we will do a driving tour of the area and pray at the court
houses and schools. Some of this will include prayer walking. We will
leave the church at 9 AM and finish up by doing lunch somewhere. Please
sign up.
Thursday evening, 7 PM, we will have a concert of prayer here at Turkey
Valley. We hope to see you there.
MOTHER’S DAY CHOIR
Anyone who would like to join the Praise & Worship team for
Sunday morning, May 11th, we will be doing another mass choir. This is
for anyone, 7th grade and up who can make two practices: Wednesday,
April 30th and May 7th from 7 PM to 8 PM. Sign up so we know we can
count on your voice!
101 & 201 CLASS
On Saturday, May 3rd you have the option of one or both classes.
101 is our Membership class. It informs you of who we are and how we
operate. This is a great class for anyone and you do not have to become
a member of the church.
201 is our class on developing spiritual maturity and looks at some
basic habits to develop in order to help us grow.
Please sign up for one or both classes.
ONE DAY WORK CAMP
So far we have had a team work at Care & Share for a day build
walls and dry walling. And we have had a team at the Center for
Spiritual Formation (in Millerstown) clearing brush.
We have one more work camp day before our summer work camp in July. We
are looking to put together a team for Saturday, May 10th from 8AM to
4PM. If you can come a half day, that’s great. Sign up and let us know.
SERVANT EVANGELISM
Set aside Saturday, May 17th for a morning of servant evangelism.
We are working on setting up some sites where we can do some random acts
of kindness. Please sign up so we know how many to prepare for.
SUMMER UNIFORM
We would like to order T-shirts for our summer activities so we
have something that identifies us as Turkey Valley. We would like to
have these for parades, Dutch Days, VBS, swim parties, work camp and
servant evangelism projects. Cost is listed on the sign up sheet in the
back of the sanctuary.
LAST SUNDAY’S RECORD
Attendance: 121
FOOD PANTRY FOR APRIL
Canned vegetables and beans, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo,
lotion, toothbrushes, shaving razors. There is a cart in the entrance
area of the church for your donated items. Thanks.
YARD SALE AT CARE & SHARE
There will be a large yard sale at Care and Share, Saturday April
26th from 8AM to 1PM. Huge Spaces are available for $5. Clean out you
treasures and come join us. Call Heather Prater at 589-3119 to sign up
for a spot.
SERVANT-VOLUNTEERS
Church Nursery (infant – 3 yr old)
Today: Donna Matter & Melissa Boonie
Next Week: Rose Hoffman & Jessica Sassaman
Children’s Church (4 yr old – 3rd grade)
Today: Lana & Lucy Ferguson
Next Week: Nathan & Holly Bailor
Jr. Church (4th grade through 6th grade):
Today: Trish Wagner & Kim Rice
Next Week: Tina & Eileen Linn
ANGEL FOOD
Mark your calendars, share some brochures and be a part of the
distribution team!
April 26th: Distribution Day
May 18th: Orders Due
