THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509200243
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
AT 5 A.M. Aug. 20, a caravan of vehicles left Main Street United Methodist Church and headed toward a mission adventure in the emerald mountains of Beverly, Ky.
Aboard were eight adults from the church and 11 local youths, who reached their destination, the Red Bird Center, just in time for dinner, evening worship and a short orientation.
The team got its project assignment for the week, then settled in for a week of hands-on ministry and fellowship.
Adult representatives from Main Street were Robert Baker, Vern Bishop, Jacque and Leroy Edwards, the Rev. Alan Felumlee, Tim Gordon, Carolyn Owens and Susan Stone.
Felumlee and Gordon headed a project to convert a stonewalled lawn mower shed into a bath house. ``We had fun, especially when the sheet rock came down on Tim's head,'' Felumlee said with a laugh.
The youngsters installed vents and installation.
Stone and the remainder of the Main Street team traveled 28 miles each day to refurbish the exterior of a mobile home for a middle-aged couple with two small children.
``Two years ago, they started adding on a bedroom as money would come in,'' Stone said. The husband, legally blind since birth, worked sporadically, so money ran out before the project was complete.
With winter coming, the couple applied for assistance at the Red Bird Mission. By week's end, two coats of paint spruced up the exterior, and Baker and Edwards finished trimwork and interior of the bedroom.
Main Street young people collected three truckloads of debris from property surrounding the mobile home. There's no trash pickup in this rural mountain area.
Praising his hard-working young people, Felumlee noted, ``There was no complaining; they were just happy to do it. Everything came together so well.''
Wednesday was set aside for sightseeing, and 12 from the Suffolk team took an excursion to Cumberland Falls State Park and to Yahoo Falls, the highest waterfall in Kentucky. ``The waterfall was hardly a trickle, but some of the kids got to hear a real echo for the first time,'' Felumlee reported.
Each evening, as weary work crews congregated at the Red Bird center, staff would provide informative sessions of the various ministries offered. The mission, established in 1921, was founded to be a witness for Christ in the heart of Appalachia. It includes a medical center, a private school for K-12 serving 300 students, a craft store selling items made by local craftsmen and a community shop that provides donated clothing for local residents at discounted prices.
``The staff at the mission impressed me as much as anything,'' Stone said. ``Their committment and dedication clearly express God's love to the people of southeastern Kentucky.''
Stone described the people as hardworking and industrious, but long-term jobs are difficult to find. With an average annual income of $8,000, there are many opportunities to extend help and Christian service.
``Our congregation was very supportive and very generous in this mission endeavor,'' Felumlee said. Through contributions of individuals and Sunday School classes, the church gave over $3,000 for the mission trip. At their departure, the Suffolk group donated $1,000 to the center for the purchase of materials and supplies.
``The way the Lord works is incredible . . .'' Femumlee said. ``In construction and reconstruction, you need the right people with the right skills at the right time. This could be a scheduling nightmare for the Mission, but it's unbelievable how well it all falls into place.''
At Main Street, dates are already set for two trips to Red Bird Mission in 1996 - one for young people in August, and a second for adults in October. MEMO: COMMUNITY OUTREACH
On Sunday, Oct. 1, Main Street United Methodist Church will begin an
early worship - at 8:30 a.m.
The Rev. Alan Felumlee said, ``This service is designed to be an
outreach to the community, realizing that new residents may be hesitant
to join an older, established congregation. This service will be an
opportunity for our own members as well.''
For months, the Worship and Layspeakers Committees attended early
services in various Hampton Roads churches - 12 in all - and evaluated
them. The committees made suggestions about what the Main Street
service should involve.
Felumlee said early services will follow the same basic format as the
11 a.m. worship. However, a wider variety of music will be used, and the
dress and atmosphere will be more informal.
A fellowship time will follow the early morning service, and Sunday
School will begin at 9:45 a.m.
For more information, call 539-8751. The church is at 202 N. Main
St. by CNB