HOLY WEEK

Holy Thursday, April 13, 2006

7:00 PM Service in the Sanctuary

Childcare provided for infants to age 10.

Good Friday, April 14, 2006

12:00 Noon Service in the Sanctuary

7:00 PM Service at Mt. Carmel Chapel

EASTER

Sunday, April 16, 2006

“Powered Up” (John 20:1-18)

6:30 AM Sunrise Service at The Homestead

8:00, 9:20 & 11:00 AM Worship Services in the Sanctuary

9:27 AM trueFusion Service in McComas Hall

Childcare provided for infants and toddlers at 9:20 , 9:27 & 11:00 AM services.

Sunday School classes at 9:20 AM for age 2 through Grade 12.

9:00 AM Worship Service at Mt.Carmel Chapel

(corner of Route 924 & Wheel Road )

There will be no evening services.

LENT

The Lenten/Easter Sermon Series Continues: The Power of the Cross

March 26 “The Power of Believing”

4th Sunday in Lent Scripture: Mark 5:21 -43

8:00 AM – Cindy Caldwell preaching

9:20 & 11:00 AM – Cantata presented by the Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir will present the cantata “Jesu, Priceless Treasure” by J.S. Bach.

Sung in English, the words are a beautiful and powerful reminder of the victory

we have because of Christ’s work on the cross.

April 2 “The Power of Love”

5th Sunday in Lent Scripture: John 12:1-8

April 9 “The Power of the Passion”

Palm Sunday Scripture: Mark 11:1-11; 14:1-15, 47

April 16 “Powered Up”

Easter Sunday Scripture: John 20:1-18

See the complete schedule of Easter Services on the front cover.

April 23 9:20 AM – The Wesley Choir will present the cantata “Elijah: Man of Fire”

2nd Sunday of Easter by Austin C. Lovelace. Be sure to come and get fired up about the Lord!

11:00 AM – There will be an impromptu Easter Pageant. All children present will

be invited to participate. The children will enter as the Easter scriptures are read.

This is a special time for the children and a wonderful way to close the Easter

season for us all.

“A Tisket, A Tasket… Let’s Make A Basket!”

Our annual Easter Basket making party will be on Sunday, March 26 from 4:00-6:00 PM. This year, the baskets we make will be taken to New Hope Christian Church, our sister UnitedMethodistChurch in Edgewood, and also to the Board of Child Care in Baltimore. Join the fun with other families as we put together special gifts for those in need. A pizza fellowship meal will be served. For more information, contact Lisa Caudill at 410-638-1538 or e-mail joelc1923@netscape.com. Let’s remember, and put into action, “Faithful Disciples Serve God By Serving Others!”

It Is Well…

One of my favorite hymns goes like this, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

As I reflect on my first 2 ½ months at Bel Air UMC, I hear those words resounding in my mind and in my soul. My family and I were so excited at returning to our home area and expectant of what God would do with us here. His leading us here has not been a disappointment in any way, but the complete opposite! You have received us with open arms, and we have felt like we never really left, and that has really eased our transition. We are very appreciative to all of you for your welcome of us and your kind words as we meet you each week. So thank you very much, and we look forward to many longs years of serving God together with you in this wonderful place!

I want to take a few moments with this article to catch you up on what’s happening in the youth ministry of Bel Air UMC. My first weekend here, I had the privilege to go with the youth to a rally in Ocean City . This was a great opportunity to get to know the youth and spend some time learning about them. We saw and heard lots of great speakers and musicians, and we were stirred in our faith to strive to serve more faithfully and fearlessly for Christ. But, for me, the best part was just getting the opportunity to spend some quality time hanging out with the youth and letting them get to know me. On March 12 th, all three services at the church got to see a slide show of that event and you saw youth with smiles on their faces and enjoying each others company. That camaraderie was strengthened at that rally, and we have continued to build on it each time we spend time together. The senior high ministry is continuing to meet on Tuesday nights for fellowship and Bible study. We are looking forward to this year’s Baltimore Mission trip as we seek to be servants and the hands and feet of Christ to those who need to see Him. We are going to Creation Festival in June, where we will camp and listen to Christian musicians and inspirational speakers. In the fall, the Youth Center will open for an after-school ministry that we hope will bring even more youth into the sphere of influence of our church. There are many exciting events and opportunities for service coming up in the next year for our senior high students, and I am excited about where those opportunities, along with weekly Bible study and chances for “going deeper” in the Scriptures, will take our youth on their faith journey. It is well!

At first, I was a little concerned about the lack of a mid high ministry for our middle school students, but that has been replaced by an incredible new sense of anticipation at what is soon to be arriving for our young youth. At the end of April, there will be a new mid-week Bible study and fellowship time for our mid high group that will meet each week. They will dive into how the Bible can speak to their lives and begin to learn how to apply its imperatives to everyday life. They will begin to tap into the incredible power at their disposal as children of faith! Along with this new Bible study time, there will be the accompanying activities and events in which they can have fun, reach out, and be strengthened. The future of the mid high ministry, well… It is well!

Our present class of confirmands is an exceptional group of youth! They have all demonstrated an increasing thirst for things of God. Each of them was impacted by the Holy Spirit in some way on the Confirmation Retreat in February and was changed with the message of the Gospel. Our times of worship with the fusionCore band each week are inspirational, and I am excited to see what each of these youth do with the nurturing of their faith beyond the confirmation experience. Along with the 50 confirmands, we have 21 mentors who are exhibiting growth as they serve and continue learning how to be leaders in their church and use their faith. This is the largest confirmation group I have ever led, and I have learned at least as much from them and this experience as they have from us, and yet I can’t help but be in a state of anticipation of what is yet to come from each of them. The confirmation process has been, and will continue to be, an important step in the spiritual growth of our younger youth. It is well!

Recently, we have renamed our student ministry! Let me be the first to tell you what that name will be from now on and what it means. The new name is “EXIT412.” This name will apply to both the mid high and senior high areas of the ministry. This name comes from the passage in 1 Timothy 4:12 , which says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity” (NIV). That’s where the “412” part of the name comes from. The “EXIT” part comes as an encouragement to the youth to exit the status quo we find in our culture. Don’t accept complacency or the commonplace (status quo). Don’t settle for what everyone else is doing, but exit that and strive to rise above that in excellence in all you do! Be an example, for all, in your speech, life, love, faith, and in purity. So, EXIT412 was born and will continue to be taught to all youth who enter the influence of Bel Air UMC student ministries. I believe… It is well!

There is much to be encouraged about concerning the present and future of the student ministry of Bel Air UMC! There will be so many great accomplishments and opportunities for our youth to have fun, study how the scriptures shape their lives, how Jesus wants them to have an abundant life, to serve and share in the ministry of Christ, and to be a blessing to our church and community. None of this could be possible without your support and without the help of the EXIT412 leaders and the youth Sunday school teachers directly involved with these youth on a weekly basis. They, so often, go above and beyond in their actions that they humble me, while at the same time making me proud to be allowed to serve with them. However, I pray that there are more of you out there that would like to serve in an exciting and growing ministry! We need more help as we grow, in number and ministry opportunities. If you’ve ever considered working with teens, please see me and let’s talk and pray about it together! We need the help and would love to have you serve in this way -- you’ll be blessed, as well as be a blessing. As the ministry grows, so will you and you’ll be able to say… It is well!

So you see, as I said in the beginning and throughout this note to you… It is well! And will continue to be, with your prayers and support.

Blessings to each of you and your families,

Tom Hodges

Healing Prayer Seminar

An informal seminar on the topic of healing prayer will be offered by Rev. Doug Hollida on Saturday, April 8 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The seminar will start with refreshments, followed by a biblical overview, some practical “how to” teaching, and an opportunity to put the learning into practice in pairs or small groups.

Some of the questions to be addressed will be:

• What does the Bible say about healing prayer?
• Why don’t we do it (or do more of it)?
• Why do people get sick? (Why does God allow it?)
• Why isn’t everyone healed?
• What should I say or not say?
• What do I do with my hands?

This seminar will be invaluable for anyone who prays or would like to begin to pray with others, whether for healing or for other issues. Please bring your Bible.

Childcare will be provided. To register, pickup a blue form at the Welcome Center or from the Church Office, or simply call Rev. Hollida at 410-838-5181, ext. 35 or e-mail hollidad@baumc.com. When calling or e-mailing, please give your name, contact information, and the names and ages of children needing childcare.

Metro Maryland 2006

FRANKLIN GRAHAM FESTIVAL

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

July 7-9, 2006

You are invited to participate in a major outreach event coming to Baltimore this summer. The Franklin Graham Festival has already begun to mobilize churches in the Baltimore area to pray for, connect to, and bring the unchurched to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The event will not only bring vitality to our own faith journey but will reverberate in the spiritual life of our community for a long time. The Gospel will be presented, and thousands will be invited to make a commitment to Christ. Now is the time to be thinking of the unchurched friends and family you will want to invite.

The Festival is a three-day event, with a rally on Friday evening, a children’s event on Saturday morning, focus on youth on Saturday evening, and another rally on Sunday. The following is a list of special events and opportunities leading up to the Festival weekend. You will be learning more about these in the weeks to come.

CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS COURSE

A Ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Revitalize Your Faith and Share It With Others

Plan now to participate in this dynamic course designed to help you live a life

that pleases God and equip you to share your faith in Jesus Christ with others.

• Operation Andrew, a simple plan for us to reach out to those who need Christ.
• The Christian Life and Witness Course, which we will be hosting here at Bel Air UMC

on the Tuesday evenings of April 25, May 2, 9, 16 and 23. This course is a rare opportunity

to strengthen your spiritual witness, and will equip many to serve as counselors during the

Festival services.

• Exciting opportunities for youth involvement.
• Special classes for children in Sunday School.
• Opportunities to participate in Festival events, as members of the 10,000-voice choir,

as counselors, as ushers, or in other capacities.

• Opportunities to provide financial support.

If you would like to participate, please contact Joe and Susie Huber at 410-420-9062 or e-mail huberje@comcast.net. Joe is the coordinator for our church, and Susie is coordinating participation in the events.

THE BOARD OF CHILD CARE AUXILIARY

Board of Child Care Auxiliary Membership Drive

Our membership drive for the Board of Child Care Auxiliary is now being held, through April 9. The membership drive is the primary source of funding for the Auxiliary and enables the continuation of valuable services to the children of the Board of Child Care. This includes art and leisure activities, Easter baskets, Valentine cards, birthday cards and money, the Christmas store, and Christmas parties and gifts, and each graduating senior is given an afghan and $200. These activities expose the children to new experiences and help to develop social skills. The Auxiliary has also furnished the chapels at the Gaither Road and West Virginia campuses. Checks should be made payable to Bel Air United Methodist Church and designated for the BCC Auxiliary. Envelopes are provided in the pew racks. Our Keyperson for the Board of Child Care Auxiliary is Sandy Millner. For more information about the Board of Child Care and the work of the Auxiliary, contact Sandy at 410-803-1660 or e-mail sandymillner@comcast.net.

Thanks For The Cookies!

We recently collected for the Baltimore-Harford District Cookie Drive – and were thrilled with the response! Thank you to everyone who baked and brought cookies, which will be frozen and used for birthday and holiday celebrations at the Board of Child Care throughout the year.

BCC Auxiliary Spring Meeting & Dedication of Welcome and Archive Center

The Spring Meeting of the Baltimore-Harford District Auxiliary of the Board of Child Care will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 12:00 Noon at the Baltimore Campus, 3300 Gaither Road. The dedication of the new Welcome and Archive Center will then be held at 2:00 PM , with Bishop John R. Schol officiating. Tours and a reception will follow. Please RSVP to 410-663-0354. For details and directions, please contact Linda Myrick (who serves as Treasurer of the BCC Auxiliary) at 410-638-1939 or e-mail fnlmyrick@msn.com.

The Feinstein Foundation

For the ninth straight year, Alan Shawn Feinstein will divide $1 million among hunger-fighting agencies nationwide. Any donations to our Food Ministry in March and April – either in the form of food items or monetary donations – will count towards additional Feinstein funding. Food items will be valued at $1 per item. Please help us fight hunger in Harford County and help the Feinstein Foundation fight hunger nationwide. Thank you!

Random Acts of Kindness on Saturday, April 1

Rebuilding Together on Saturday, April 29

The Confirmation Class, in partnership with Teleios participants, will be sharing Christ’s love in the community on two days in April.

On Saturday, April 1, starting at 9:00 AM, participants will meet at the church and team up for Random Acts of Kindness throughout the morning. Activities will include yard cleanups, delivering treats to our fire and police stations, ministry in the Country Village Apartments complex, and a visit to nursing home residents. We’ll conclude the morning with a gathering at 12:00 Noon to share pizza and testimonies.

On Saturday, April 29, we will be going as a team to help build and repair homes for the needy. See more about Rebuilding Together on page 7.

All who have a heart to SHOW the love of Christ in the “low risk, high grace” form of simple kindness and service are invited to join us. For more information, contact Tom Hodges (hodgest@baumc.com) or Cindy Caldwell (caldwellc@baumc.com) at the Church Office (410-838-5181).

Rebuilding Together – Harford County

Neighbors helping neighbors – isn’t that the way it should be? On Saturday, April 29, the Harford County affiliate of Rebuilding Together will be participating with affiliates all over the country in NATIONAL REBUILDING DAY. You may remember this as “Christmas In April,” a program originally begun in 1988 in Washington , DC . Rebuilding Together’s mission is to preserve and revitalize homes in our communities, assuring that those in need live in warmth, safety, and independence by providing necessary repairs free of charge to needy homeowners. These repairs often include handyman kinds of repairs, minor modifications or improvements, painting, and some general cleanup. More significant repairs are handled by licensed tradesmen who have volunteered to help.

This year, Bel Air United Methodist Church is sponsoring a home and putting together a work team to accomplish the needed repairs. The work all takes place on one day – Saturday, April 29. In a few weeks, the specific home (somewhere in Harford County ) and scope of repairs will be determined. If you are interested in helping with this effort, please contact Tony Ciampaglio at 410-879-5123 or e-mail tonyciampaglio@comcast.net.

VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION

Upcoming VIM Projects

The Volunteers In Mission (VIM) Team is getting ready to work on a number of projects in the upcoming months, and we’re looking for other like-minded individuals to volunteer and join in the fun! Don’t worry if you can’t fix a toilet or put up a wall. There are plenty of other things to do, including painting, cleaning, gardening, and helping to prepare meals. We will be hosting a VIM Information Meeting on Wednesday, April 19 from 7:00-8:00 PM in the Narthex.

The upcoming projects are:

May 5-7: Fairlee Manor on Eastern Shore (near Chestertown, MD)

Help get the Easter Seals camp ready for summer campers. Past projects included raking leaves, trimming bushes, building a sand box, painting, fixing fences, and fixing the bottom of the swimming pool. You can come for the weekend (we stay in the camp cabins), or just drive over for the day to help out.

June 10-11: Camp Wometo at Rocks State Park

The roof on the fellowship hall at this Christian camp needs to be replaced. We will need people to take the existing shingles off, pickup broken shingles and put them in the trash, and put on new shingles. We also need help in the care and feeding of the volunteers. Even if you can’t spend both days with us, the camp is close enough for you to volunteer for a few hours. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

July 17-21: Gulf Trip to Lake Charles , Louisiana

The group will be housed at University United Methodist Church and will work on various improvement projects. The first VIM team to the Gulf in January worked on hanging drywall, adding trim, painting, and fixing a roof. We have not yet been assigned projects, but we expect them to be similar to the ones performed in January.

More information will be provided at the meeting on April 19. If anyone is interested in participating in any of these projects, you can place your name and contact information on the signup sheet on the bulletin board in the lobby (around the corner from the Welcome Center ) or contact Tony Vinciguerra at 410-893-9828 or e-mail tlvincig@clearviewcatv.net.

THE SHEPHERD MINISTRY recently celebrated their 10th year of caring and support to members of the congregation. Shepherds who received their 10 year certificates were: Donna Becker, Elaine Crowe, Fred Guenthner, Beth Happick, Judy Niles, Susan Rate, Mike Savakinas, and Nancy Savakinas. Chuck Heatwole and Jane Russell were also recognized for serving in Hospital Ministry.

On Sunday, March 19, we commissioned a new group of Shepherds, who had completed training at the Disciple Equipping Seminar on March 4 and the Shepherd Equipping Seminar on March 18. Our new Shepherds are: Shirley Cooney, Sandy Gorrell, Wilson Gorrell, Cindy Graham, Pat Grahe, Connie Schepers, and Barb Sedlak.

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY ?

In November 2005, the Shepherd Ministry hosted one of the Wednesday Night Mission Dinners to raise funds to enroll in the Stephen Ministry program. We are now enrolled, and Rev. Peggy Groseclose and Connie McNey will be attending leader training in June 2006. Shortly thereafter, training will begin for Stephen Ministers at Bel Air UMC.

Since 1975, the Stephen Ministry has been making it possible for congregations to organize, equip, and supervise lay caregivers to provide high-quality, distinctively Christian care. More than 9,000 congregations from more than 110 denominations are now involved in Stephen Ministry .

At some points in life, everyone faces periods of crisis, transition, or difficulty. During these times, people can receive great benefit from a caring relationship with someone who will faithfully listen, empathize, pray with and for them, and encourage them with Christ’s love and care.

How does that differ from the Shepherd Ministry? We certainly will continue and reinforce the Shepherd Ministry. Shepherds provide long-term Christian friendship and care. They are trained to do this very well. However, Stephen Ministers will be especially trained to step in at the point of crisis. This is a short-term ministry which may last for a short period of time or until the crisis resolves, usually six weeks or so. At that time, a Shepherd may continue oversight if necessary.

As always, your pastors will be interested and involved in your care. The nice thing is that the Stephen and Shepherd ministries multiply a pastor’s care. Both these ministries train and use laity as sources of Christ’s loving care. We are very excited about this new venture and will continue to keep you updated as we begin to train. We covet your prayers. Pray also if you may be experiencing the call to be a Stephen Minister. If you have any questions, please call Rev. Peggy Groseclose at 410-838-5181, ext. 14, or e-mail groseclosep@baumc.com.

A BENEFIT FOR RUSSIAN ORPHANAGES

The Grand Jete Russian Ballet will perform on Monday, April 3 at 7 PM at the John Carroll School in Bel Air. Our Russian Outreach Ministry invites and encourages everyone to attend. Grand Jete Russian Ballet is an internationally recognized group of young people from Russia , some of whom reside in Orphanage #105 in Moscow . These young dancers have won numerous awards for their unique talents, vibrant costumes, and professional choreography in competitions worldwide.

Attendance is open to the public, and no admission is charged. Donations are accepted to support projects that help improve the living conditions, medical care, and educational opportunities for children in Russia ’s orphanages through the Peacework Development Fund and Grand Jete Dance Company. For more information about supporting these children’s initiatives in Russia , contact Peacework at 1-800-272-5519.

With the generous help of our congregation, we were able to give out a total of $17,439.53, to help a total of 550 families. We helped 209 with their fuel bills, 97 with eviction prevention or security deposits, and 10 with prescriptions. In addition to the [over 3,000] food bags given out at Manna House, we also gave out a total of 495 grocery bags. We also helped several people with small amounts toward doctor bills, rehabilitation, car insurance, and other special needs. A big THANK YOU to all who contributed to this much needed ministry.

The Pass It On Ministry Team: Anne Brown, Alice Humphrey & Bobbie Whitlock

Toy Workshop 2005

The Toy Workshop gets bigger and better every year, and THANKS TO ALL who donate and work on the toys. Our two trailers were bigger this year (they wouldn’t fit end-to-end) – and we filled them!

THANK YOU, SORTERS! It was wonderful to have help, from November 1st through Workshop week, with sorting and moving toys into the trailers. We actually kept the hallway fairly straight.

We couldn’t do it all without everyone’s help. Thanks to those who donated, sorted, cleaned and repaired, put together and played with, brought food, ran errands, worked at home on mending, puzzles, dolls and crafts, helped setup on Sunday, lugged supplies and parts down and then back up to The Homestead.

THANKS TO LENNAR HOME BUILDERS, who sent their employees for two mornings. How great to have so many cheerful and hard-working helpers. They accomplished so much while they were here.

THANKS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES:

Paidon Products – cases of plastic bags

Ronnie’s Beverage Warehouse – cases of soda

Subway – subs

Bel Air Bakery – donuts

Dominoes, Little Caesar of Rock Spring, Papa John’s, Fortunato Brothers – pizza

THE TOYS WERE DISTRIBUTED. They were first offered to our Adopt-A-Child Program, agencies, schools and churches in Harford County . Then the workshop was opened to Baltimore County and City churches and schools. The remaining toys went to Appalachia , thanks to Sandy and Wilson Gorrell.

This and That

The next Wednesday Night Mission Dinner will be held on April 5 from 5:00-7:00 PM in McComas Hall. This will be a Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #777. Tickets will be available at the door.

Our College Ministry will be collecting “goodies” for our College Care Boxes on Sunday, April 9 (Palm Sunday). Please bring cookies, Rice Krispie treats, brownies, cheese crackers, chip bags, etc. to the College Ministry table setup in McComas Hall. Snacks need to be individually wrapped. Our college students really look forward to these boxes, so please help us send great Care Boxes to our away-from-home college students! Any questions? Call Judy Jones at 410-692-2360 or the Church Office at 410-838-5181, ext. 10. Thank you in advance!

United Methodist Day at Kings Dominion. The annual Family Fun Day at Kings Dominion for the Baltimore-Washington Conference will be on Saturday, May 6. Tickets will go on sale at the Conference Center in Columbia on April 21 and 28 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM each day. Tickets cost $24 each and are valid on May 6, 13, 20, 27, and 29. For more information, call Priti Khanna at 410-309-3437 or e-mail pkhanna@bwcumc.org.

The Mt. Carmel Chapel Congregation has made plans for Spring 2006.

Here’s what’s happening:

Sunday, March 26 – 7:00 PM

“Power of Believing” (Mark 5:21 -43)

Cindy Caldwell preaching

Sunday, April 2 – 7:00 PM

“Power of Love” (John 12:1-8); Communion

Cindy Caldwell preaching

Saturday, April 8 – 9:00 AM

Spring Cleaning Day!

Palm Sunday, April 9

“Power of the Passion” (Mark 14:1-15: 47)

Rev. Peggy Groseclose preaching

Good Friday, April 14 – 7:00 PM

Evening Worship Service

Rev. Peggy Groseclose preaching

Easter Sunday, April 16 – 9:00 AM

“Powered Up” (John 20:1-18)

Rev. Peggy Groseclose preaching

(No evening service)

Sunday, April 23

Potluck Dinner – 5:00 PM

Rev. Peggy Groseclose preaching

Want to find out more about Bel Air United Methodist Church ? Come to the next Discovery Class Luncheon on Sunday, May 21 from 12:30-2:00 PM . Come for lunch, meet the pastors, and ask your questions about the church. Stop by the Welcome Center to pickup an invitation, or call the Church Office (410-838-5181) for more information.

UMC Camping Information is available. The 2006 Camping Advocate booklet is now available only online at www.bwcumc.org/camping, and look in “Camping Forms.” Access this .pdf file to receive information about Camping Sunday materials, a camping advocate quiz, camping and retreat ministries, and campership applications and information.

Volunteer Tax Deductions – Inform your church volunteers of the savings that are available to them through the Internal Revenue Service. Volunteers can take certain deductions on their federal income tax returns for some of the expenses incurred in their church ministry involvement. Basically, this means certain unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs such as auto mileage, parking, travel expenses, uniforms, telephone bills, office supplies, etc. Also, expenses spent on the “service user” are deductible. For example, a youth mentor who takes his assigned junior high student to the zoo may deduct the admission price for the student – but not for himself. These contributions are all included as cash contributions on Schedule A of the volunteer’s personal income tax return (Form 1040).

Reference: Susan J. Ellis, From the Top Down, Energize, Inc., Philadelphia , PA.

Your Asbury Guild representative, Elaine Crowe, wishes to thank everyone who participated in the recent membership drive. A total of $174 in membership dues and donations will be forwarded.

It’s hard to find words to express my thanks and appreciation for all the prayers that were lifted up to God on my behalf. Those prayers carried me through the surgery, recovery, and healing process. Praying for others has always been important to me and a way of sharing Christ’s love to others. Being on the receiving end of prayer was an awesome experience of being wrapped in His love. Again, thank you all on behalf on Don and myself. - Beverly Gladkowski

Many thanks for all the cards, phone calls, and especially the prayers from church friends during this recovery period. It has been very helpful as the healing process takes place. I am hopeful that this last surgery and the new medicine will be successful, though it will be a while before we will know. - Nancy Clayton

From Rev. Dale Kelley, Pastor of Unalaska United Methodist Church …

What a joy it was to receive today from the GBGM, your generous gift of $150 for our mission here in Unalaska , Alaska ! Your faithfulness through your gifts and your prayers is what keeps our hearts and our congregation “on fire” for the Lord’s work here in this remote place. We couldn’t continue with the strength God gives us without your continuing prayers and financial support, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

As I write this letter to you today ( January 10, 2006 ), the icy winter winds, sleet and snow continue to whip across our island. The crab boats and the Pollock fishing fleets are getting ready for the harsh and often treacherous winter season that begins this week. Our prayers are very much with the fishing families of our island that there will be no fatalities this year, as there have been in almost every season in recent years. We invite your prayers for them as well. Our outreach ministry continues to be present to these families through our children’s program, worship services, our “donation basis” second-hand sales, and frequent family visits.

The Scripture verses that have become central ones for us as we praise God for your partnership with us are where the Apostle Paul reminds those young churches through his letters: “I/we continually thank our God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because through you [and your faithfulness] the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed throughout the whole world!”

May our Loving God be with you as you pursue the ministries to which God has called you! You and your good works remain daily in our prayers! Thank you, indeed, for helping us to make this ministry possible here in Unalaska!

From Rev. Fidel Compres, Pastor of Baltimore Hispanic Ministry of The United Methodist Church …

I want to express our gratitude to you and your congregation for the support you have given us over the years by providing toys for the children in our community for Christmas. This past December was an exciting time for our community because once more we provided between three or four toys for over 50 children. Also, we provided boxes of food for 25 families.

Please, receive on behalf of our church and myself a special note of gratitude for the check of $250 we received from your congregation in response to the request of our District Superintendent, asking for support for the Baltimore Hispanic Ministry. We pray that the Lord will continue blessing you, your family, and your congregation. Again, thank you so much, and God bless you.

Bel Air United Methodist Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 a.m. (Communion), 9:20 & 11:00 a.m. in Linwood Sanctuary

6:07 p.m. trueFusion Contemporary Service in McComas Hall

7:00 p.m. Evening Worship at Mt. Carmel Chapel

MORNING FELLOWSHIP in McComas Hall – 9:00-11:15 a.m.

SPIRE SCHEDULE:

Deadline

May 2006 Sunday, April 30

June/July 2006 Monday, June 5

August 2006 Monday, July 31

SPIRE Editor - Alice Archer

SPIRE Mailing - Sandy and Palmer Paules

SPIRE Circulation - Bruce Allen, Margaret Browning, Shirley Cooney, Elaine Crowe,

Candy Ellenberger, Sue and Bob Gillette, Nellie Graybeal, Betty Hartsock, Jean Henderson,

Garner Jones, Elsie Kaste, LeRoy Knepper, Jane Knode, Auleen and Ed Leister,

Irene Littleton, Shirley MacLean, Wayne and Jane Mason, Barbara Matthews, Jean Moore,

Dorothy Panowitz, Nancy Paris, Shirley and John Renshaw, Doris Scholl, Ellen Smith,

Ruth Smithson, Bette Stancill, Audrey Tolston, Carole Vangrin, Linda Vinciguerra,

Marguerite Ward

BAUMC ON-LINE...

The SPIRE is posted on our webpage

at www.baumc.com.

The e-Spire, a weekly update of information, devotions, upcoming events and activities, and a printout of the previous week’s sermon, is distributed via e-mail (usually on Fridays). If you would like to receive the e-Spire, please send your e-mail address to info@baumc.com. If you do not have e-mail and would like to read the e-Spire, copies are available at the Welcome Center .

Here are the e-mail addresses for the church staff. Please use these addresses for information, announcements, prayer concerns, etc. Use e-mail for any questions you have or to sign up for any church activities.

Archer, Alice archera@baumc.com

Behrendt, Joni behrendtj@baumc.com

Caldwell , Cindy caldwellc@baumc.com

Firth, Cheryl firthc@baumc.com

Groseclose, Bill grosecloseb@baumc.com

Groseclose, Rev. Peggy groseclosep@baumc.com

Hidey, Rev. Barry hideyb@baumc.com

Hodges, Tom hodgest@baumc.com

Hollida, Rev. Doug hollidad@baumc.com

Jones, Judy jonesj@baumc.com

Schepers, Jim schepersj@baumc.com

Children’s Christian Center ccc@baumc.com

Bishop – Rev. Dr. John R. Schol

District Superintendent - Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt

Lead Minister - Rev. Barry Hidey

Associate Minister - Rev. Peggy Groseclose

Director of Worship & Arts – Rev. Doug Hollida

Director of Christian Education - Joni Behrendt

Director of Adult Discipleship - Cindy Caldwell

Director of Youth Ministries – Tom Hodges

Church Administrator - Jim Schepers

Bookkeeper – Bill Groseclose

Pastoral Administrative Assistant – Judy Jones

Office/Facility Coordinator - Alice Archer

Congregational Care Coordinator - Cheryl Firth

Membership/Data Base Coordinator – (Vacant)

Building Superintendent/Custodial Supervisor –

Don Sandefur

Custodians – Stephen Kenly, Thureen Drake,

Keith Kennedy

Chair, Administrative Council – Bill Benson

Secretary, Administrative Council – George Newberry

President, Board of Trustees – Sandy Miller

Chair, Finance Committee – Barry Miller

Vice Chair, Staff-Parish Relations - Genene LaCour

Secretary, Lay Leadership Committee – Sue Shank

Lay Leader – Janet Newberry

The Bel Air Players of Bel Air United MethodistChurch

will be presenting

“ Crazy for You: The New Gershwin Musical.”

Wonderfully familiar songs such as “Embrace Me,“ “I’ve Got Rhythm,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me” are just a few of the great musical numbers in this show. For those of you who are too young to remember these wonderful tunes, it’s time your musical education was brought up to snuff!

Crazy For You tells the story of a would-be dancer from New York falling in love with the only girl in Deadrock, Nevada. The result is a story full of dancing, singing, laughter, and delightful characters. You won’t want to miss it!

Performances are scheduled for: Thursday, April 27 7:00 PM

Friday, April 28 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 29 7:00 PM

Sunday, April 30 2:00 PM

Ticket prices are:

$12 for Adults / $6 for Children (age 12 and under) on Thursday and Sunday

$40 maximum per family on Thursday and Sunday

$14 for Adults / $8 for Children (age 12 and under) on Friday and Saturday

$48 maximum per family on Friday and Saturday

Friday and Saturday performances include a dessert buffet at intermission.

Doors will open ½ hour before curtain time.

Tickets will go on sale on Sunday, April 2 between services in McComas Hall. You can also purchase tickets by mail (send a check to Bel Air UMC, Attn: Drama), from the Church Office, or from a member of the cast. For ticket information, call Pat Jones at 410-838-9562. For more information about The Bel Air Players, call Kathy Frawley at 410-515-5665 or the Church Office at 410-838-5181.