A New Year, A New Journey

Eight more days and I will once again have the privilege to embark on another journey to Haiti with five other amazing people. The donations are lining up on and under the table behind the Parlor at church. Thank you so much to all of you wonderful people who have shared your suitcases, vitamins and medications with us and therefore with the people of Haiti. There is still a great need in Haiti. Many people are as of this days still living in tent cities. Hunger is also affecting so many of the Haitian people on a daily basis and basic needs, such as clean water, sanitation and health services are still lacking. There are estimates that this will be a longterm recovery effort (some say up to 10 years). Our presence and the presence of many good-hearted people will be needed there for a long time to come.

We will leave on February 2nd and will be staying for most of the time in La Tremblay, Haiti. We were informed that we will most likely be working on building the roof the Methodist Church in La Tremblay. This church has been damaged so much in the earthquake, that it had to be built new. As I mentioned in connection with last year’s trip to Haiti, the churches provide a great support to the communities in a country where there is as of now still no orchestrated support system in place. Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers. Our team members this year are John Sheely, Dave Bednash, Leanne McRill, Gene Winkler, Brian Frederickson and myself (Sylvia Hibbard). We will try our best to keep on posting updates on this blog, as long as we have internet availability. Keep on checking this post over the next few weeks for thoughts and reflections from our team members as we get ready for and begin this exciting journey.

Peace and love,

Sylvia

Roselle UMC Responds: Flood Relief

Thank you to all those who responded to our call for flood relief items! The items were brought in through Sunday, September 11 and were sorted and packed by our Jr. High youth.

These buckets full of supplies (and the other supplies that came in) will be brought to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL, to be shipped to families in need whenever a natural disaster (floods, hurricanes and more) strikes.

Thanks again for your faithful response!

Jr. High Youth & Parent Service Project

Parents, grandparents and Jr. Highers worked side-by-side on several service projects as part of their annual “Parent Party” at Jr. High Youth Group on Sunday, September 11.  Among their projects were sorting and packaging the supplies donated for flood relief and sorting and cutting plastic bags into strips (to be crocheted into sleeping mats for the homeless).

Thanks to all the parents and the kids who came out and worked so hard!

We Remember.

On Sunday, September 11, 2011, the people of Roselle UMC gathered to remember the tragedy and loss of September 11, 2001 — and to recognize our church’s long tradition of responding to needs in our community, in our nation and in our world.

Whether you were unable to join us for worship on this momentous day or would simply like to revisit the ways we worshiped, mourned and even celebrated together, please visit our church Web site at www.RoselleUMC.org or take an opportunity to use the resources below.

  • Listen to our special music presentation of “Hole in the World” (Henley/Frey), performed by our Morning Praise Worship Team
  • Reflect on images of sorrow and hope by viewing the video presentation (below), featuring the song “Hole in the World” (Henley/Frey) performed by our Morning Praise Worship Team



2011 Annual Roselle United Methodist Church Potluck Picnic

It was a gorgeous day to gather for food and fellowship at our Annual Church Potluck Picnic on Sunday, September 11!  Children and youth enjoyed jumping and playing ball in a “bouncy house,” while adults of all ages chatted and lingered over a sumptuous array of picnic foods — supplemented by pieces of pie from our Annual Pie Baking Contest and ice cream!

Congratulations to our youth, who took ALL FOUR prizes in the pie contest!

Be sure to check out the video below — and more! — on the Roselle UMC YouTube Channel!  Email Val Sutton, Director of Communications, at val@roselleumc.org if you have more photos from this fantastic all-church event!




2011 Adult Mission Trip to Mississippi

Just under a dozen adults joined together for Roselle UMC’s second trip of the summer to the Choctaw Reservation near Philadelphia, Mississippi.  This hard-working group served community meals, repaired and cleaned a house for a young family and (of course) had a great time together!   A stop in Memphis, Tennessee cemented their great times together.  Thank you all for serving — and to those who supported this trip with your donations and your prayers!