Local church to offer dinner

The Columbia United Methodist Church is holding its annual Thanksgiving Dinner: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=60353

Church to sponsor dog walk

The Columbia United Methodist Church will sponsor this event: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=51082

Columbia UM is honored

The Columbia United Methodist Church is a recipient of The Kim Jefferson Award for Effective Urban Ministry. The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church was held May 20 through May 22, at the Lancaster Convention Center.
On Friday, May 21, Ken Sprout, Administrative Council Chairperson, and Senior Pastor Jeffrey Snyder were called up to the stage to be recognized for the award. Rev. Yvette Davis, Director of Urban and Global Ministries for the Eastern PA Conference presented certificates. Bishop Peggy Johnson greeted them and those gathered at Annual Conference gave a standing ovation.
On Sunday, Oct. 10, the South West District Superintendent Jim Todd and Rev Yvette Davis Director of Urban Ministries of the Eastern PA Conference will be with at Columbia United Methodist Church 510 Walnut St. for the  9 and 10:30 a.m. services to present an official plaque from the Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.
The Kim Jefferson Award is presented by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Urban Steering Committee for significant and effective urban ministry. The Northeast Jurisdiction goes from Virginia to Maine. The award is named in honor of the Reverend Kinmoth “Kim” Jefferson, a member of the Northern New Jersey Annual Conference who served in the Office of Urban Ministry of the General Board of Global Ministries. He was a member of the Field Staff for seven years and Executive Secretary for 18 years. Kim was a pastor in Newark in the 1960's and has served on numerous committees in both United Methodist and Interdenominational/Interfaith Relationships.
To qualify for the award, the ministry must be a provider of justice ministries that address systemic issues. The church supporting the creation, development, and ongoing success of the Community Life Network of Columbia is one of the main reasons we received this award. Rev. Yvette Davis is also Chairperson of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Urban Ministries Network and she said, “it is not just the categorical institution portion leading to transformation. Our many years of leading community prayer such as hosting the Mayor’s Day of Prayer Breakfast on National Day of Prayer, sponsoring community concerts of prayer,
Rev. Davis suggested we hold a Community Service to Celebrate the significant partnerships that unite to improve the quality of life in Columbia.

The balls will be blessed

John DeBella is hoping that one again he can bring good luck to the Phillies and their balls.

At 8:30 this morning, the 102.9 WMGK morning host will supervise as West Lawn United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Raffauf, the Rev. Joe Campellone, of Father Judge High School, and Rabbi Gregory Marx, of Congregation Beth Or, say a blessing over the baseballs that will be used in today's home opener.

The ceremony takes place on the patio at McFadden's at Citizens Bank Park. DeBella and the clergymen blessed the Phillies balls before the start of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, so the ritual has proven successful so far. Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Stephenie LaGrossa, wife of pitcher Kyle Kendrick, and Comcast SportsNet's "Daily News Live" host Michael Barkann will be part of the festivities.

Raffauf is the former pastor of the Columbia United Methodist Church.