“To all the saints in Christ Jesus … Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

   As I mentioned this past Sunday, engaging in mission and sharing our faith story go hand-in-hand. Our Journey 10X10 focus for April has been engaging in Mission and the focus for May is Sharing Your Faith Story. I have news on both fronts. First, if you are even remotely curious about “Cardboard Testimonies”, please remember to come to the New Beginnings classroom during fellowship time this Sunday, May 4 to find out more.

   I also have news on mission opportunities available to you this summer. The trip to Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East Saint Louis is scheduled for July 23-25. Due in part to funding cuts, the details for the trip have not been confirmed, but Sidney Crowcroft will keep us updated as information becomes available. This trip might include a work day at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Springfield. Stay tuned.

   The tornado recovery mission trip to Washington IL. is scheduled for June 20-21. We will plan to leave Quincy around 5:00 p.m. on Friday the 20^th. We will spend the night in Washington and put in a full day of work on Saturday the 21^st, then return home Saturday night. There are currently ten people who have expressed interest in this trip. The United Methodist Church in Washington can sleep up to 15 of us on cots. There are bathrooms but no showers. If you prefer or require better accommodations, the Sleep Inn in Washington will give us a special rate ranging from $81 to $94. The hotel phone number is 309-481-0450. Be sure to mention you are coming with a church mission group. As far as I know right now, the main work to be done is glass clean up and fallen tree clean up. I will have more information on work to be done and tools needed a little closer to the time of trip.

   Contact me if you are interested in the Washington Il. trip and contact Sidney concerning the Lessie Bates Davis trip.

   Peace for the Journey!

                                                                        A Fellow Servant in Christ,

                                                                                    Pastor Tim