A Local Mission Opportunity
at St. Paul United Methodist Church

On Saturday, May 31, 2008 a group of enthusiastic, mission oriented persons from Wesley descended on St. Paul UMC in New Bloomfield for a day of work and fellowship.  This small congregation had asked for some assistance in completing some maintenance items on their church. Dr. Arnold Parks, a member of Wesley, is currently pastor of this church.  The church was originally constructed in the late 1880’s, remodeled in 1904, and a fellowship addition was added in the last several years.

Our mission group reworked several doors to assist in their closing and operation.  A wall was closed in the mechanical room, the rain gutter system was repaired in several places to properly discharge water away from the foundation, a sign was moved out closer to the highway for better visibility, a newly acquired metal cross and flame sign was moved from the Wesley Foundation on Lincoln University Campus and installed on the front side of their facility, aluminum fascia was installed on the overhang on the front side of the facility, and then there was one other very large project.

All fourteen pews were sanded, primed, and painted a linen white color.  On Monday, three persons from the group went back and trimmed out the arm rests on the pews in an accenting brown color.  What a difference the newly painted pews made in helping to brighten up their sanctuary.  A break in the workday did occur when several ladies from their congregation provided us with a lunch of fried chicken, several side dishes, and who could forget the deserts.  This nourishment definitely helped to replenish our strength to continue on with the painting in the afternoon.

Those participating in this mission project included Pat Proctor, Lesa Jenkins, John Wilson, Jeff Green, Mike Flynn, Edwin Bybee, John Yovich, John Newberry, Shelby Newberry, Wayne Johnson, Bill Burton, Ron and Wendy Hansen, and Arnold Parks.

A great time was had and several members of the St. Paul congregation expressed how pleased and thankful they were for all the help they had received.

Ron Hansen
Mission Team Member