Faith in action stories

United Methodist Women at Arthur UMC joined a sewing machine drive that is helping Haitian women help their families. With sewing machines, Haitian women could make clothing for their families or earn money for housing, better food and medical care by making and selling crafts, clothing or other items. Arthur UMW put out a call in the church and community for sewing machines. The church and community responded with more than 60 sewing machines.

ALEDO -- A June 30 Malaria No More Concert in Aledo raised $6,000 for Imagine No Malaria. In all, five hours of Christian music combined with testimonies of personal contact with malaria and games for children complemented cooperative weather.

Proving that they may have been small in number, but big in heart, the 16 children who participated in New Salem United Methodist Church's Vacation Bible School held the week of July 9, collected $130.41 for the Imagine No Malaria campaign.

Cahokia Park UMC, bringing together leadership from nine different congregations, hosted a Vacation Bible School for its commmunity.

Members of Fairfield First UMC purchased three-speed box fans and distributed them. As a way to keep the financial burden off the church budget, the congregation held a rummage sale in the church’s fellowship hall and a pork burger sale. More than $2,200 was raised during this one-day event and the first 100 fans were ordered. By the end of the summer more than 250 fans had been distributed in Fairfield and throughout Wayne County.

The Orville N. Mueth Chapter of the UMM in Caseyville presented Larry Green, a UMM member for more than 50 years and a diligent worker at the church behind the scenes the chapter's 13th John Wesley Fellowship Award.

Fithian UMC recently honored Joy Love Johnston, who has taught first and second grade Sunday School since 1955. She is still teaching after turning 90 in January 2012 and has no plans to retire anytime soon

Marshall First UMC sponsored three community projects for Change the World Day May 19.

Rankin UMC observed its centennial celebration in its current facility on July 22, 2012.

Springfield Woodside UMC hosted a bicycle/school supply give-away at Laketown Ministries Resale Shop Aug. 25. A total of 15 bicycles, donated by Midwest Mission Distribution Center, were given to needy children. Twenty backpacks loaded with school supplies were also distributed with 12 other back packs were donated to local schools.

Fairview Heights Christ UMC is working with Bishop Palmer, Bishop Elias Galvan and Honduran Superintendent Juan Gurrereo to plant the first United Methodist church in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Beardstown First UMC celebrated its 175th anniversary of service to God and community throughout 2011.

Carl Sharp, 98, a member of Chatsworth UMC, mans the Salvation Army kettle during the Christmas holidays.

Look in the Bible and find 28 chapters in the Book of Acts. But look at the license plate on the vehicle Geneseo resident Clarke Barnes drives, and find "Acts 29." A 29th chapter may not be in the Bible, but it has been a major part in the ''Bible of Life'' of this retired Marine colonel and in this retired circuit court judge's witnessing of his faith. It has been a good conversation starter for Mr. Barnes when sharing his faith with others.

For the second year in a row, members of Decatur First UMC joined together in an intergenerational effort to serve the people of Oakville, Iowa. Oakville was one of the many communities damaged by the floods of 2008, leaving an already struggling community in worse shape. In June, 36 members and friends of Decatur First spent a week in Oakville working on five different homes. The homes were in varying stages of re-building. One team was assigned to the “demo crew”, demolishing the floor and rebuilding it. Other crews worked in homes that were close to being ready for the homeowner to move into.

IGRC retired pastor Bill Zander and his wife Nancy were recently honored by the Methodist Medical Center Foundation for exemplary long-term service. The Zanders have served Methodist Medical Center and the Methodist College of Nursing both jointly and individually for more than 25 years.

As Bradley University students walked Peoria's downtown in celebration of graduation, Peoria First UMC served thema free meal in their parking lot.

Belleville Union UMC will celebration the completion of its sanctuary renovation on Sunday, May 1.

Rev. Bob Morwell of Quincy Union UMC is offering an online Bible study that is available at any time, anywhere there is an internet connection.

East St. Louis Trinity UMC has been working to find ways to grow its Sunday School program while at the same time looking for ways to embrace the community.