wfn.org | More than 1,500 help rebuild fire-damaged sanctuaries

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

April 5, 1999 News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-21-31-71B{185}

NOTE:  This is a sidebar to UMNS story #184. 

By United Methodist News Service

Through United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, more than 1,500 individuals
have provided their labors of love as an antidote to the hateful crime of
church burning.

Since September 1996, the Southeastern Jurisdiction volunteer office has
placed more than 100 teams at a variety of rebuilding sites. Working at
their own expense, some of the teams have made "sizable donations" toward
the cost of materials, according to coordinator Joe Hamilton. A single gift
of $10,000, for example, came from First United Methodist Church in Roswell,
Ga.

In addition to his United Methodist connections, Hamilton works with other
denominational groups and the National Council of Churches Burned Churches
Project to send teams where they are needed.

New friendships have been constructed along with the buildings. "People
really make a connection with what's happening and with the people
involved," Hamilton said.

Members of Gay's Hill Baptist Church in Millen, Ga., for example, have
continued to develop a relationship with two United Methodist congregations
in nearby Statesboro even after the dedication of their new sanctuary in
July 1997.

A current project attracting United Methodist volunteers is the rebuilding
of Apostle Faith Church of Jesus, an African-American church in Indiantown,
Fla. George Bozone of First United Methodist Church in Stuart, Fla., is
providing local coordination. "That section of Florida is probably the
forgotten stepchild of Florida, economically," Hamilton said.

Drawing ecumenical support is the rebuilding of the Avenue M Church of God
in Christ in Birmingham, Ala., which has received a $20,000 grant from the
United Methodist North Alabama Annual (regional) Conference.

Hamilton also hopes construction can begin soon on New Salem United
Methodist Church in Georgia and Solid Rock Baptist Church in Miami. Because
of the red tape involved with a loan from the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, "they (Solid Rock Baptist) have been on hold for almost
four years," he said.

For information on volunteering, call the Southeastern Jurisdiction Office
at (404) 659-5060 or send an e-mail to sejumvim@compuserve.com.

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