Wellsville Area Ministerial Association

Tuesday - April 13: The WAMA held their regular monthly breakfast meeting at Tonda's Place this past Tuesday. Present was Pastor Troy Warner, President, Rev. Roosevelt Thompson, V.P., Deacon Terry McCuen, Treasurer, Pastor Dirk Hall, Byron Carter, Rev. Jay Nightengale, Rev. Bill Betteridge, Bishop Bill Rudder, Mary Heaton and Dennis. We didn't write Dennis' last name down and we apologize for the memory lapse.

Rev. Warner announced that this year's Lenten Series was a huge success with the Sunday evening services being well attended each week during Lent. The Lenten Series is a prayer service held each Sunday evening during Lent at different area churches that volunteered to host the service. The WAMA pastors served as guest ministers to lead the services.

The annual Good Friday Breakfast at Covenant Presbyterian was also extremely well attended. There was around 100 tickets sold and 99 tickets were collected at the door the day of the breakfast.

Rev. Nightengale reported the Good Friday Calvary Walk was very well received. Nightengale estimated that 50 people participated in the event that went from the Gazebo to the Central Methodist Church. The Central Methodist Youth Group dressed in Biblical costumes to emulate Jesus' walk carrying the Cross to Calvary. Thanks were offered to the Wellsville Police Department for escorting the Walk participants.

Rev. Betteridge reported that there was good news and a slight set back for Jo Ann McClain getting her kidney transplant. The good news is they have found a donor willing to help. The set back was a broken ankle Jo Ann suffered before the surgery could be performed. The operation has been delayed until she recovers from that. Betteridge asked that everyone keep Jo Ann in their prayers.

Deacon McCuen reported that the donation to the Beth Daniels Family Fund was deposited in the account set up at Central Federal. Mrs. Daniels and her family lost their home and everything in it in a fire not long ago. Bishop Rudder announced that a new residence has been found and they are in the process of getting all the details worked out. Mrs. Daniels is a member of the New Life Hope family.

A letter was read from the administrators of the Youth With A Purpose Home in Salineville. The home is located on the Moore family farm and they take in young men that need a place to live in a Christian environment. With cuts in government funding this past year the home is struggling to survive. Right now they are just getting by but that is a tenuous situation forcing the home to live practically day to day. The letter asked for continued prayers that these young men will have a place to live and also asked that consideration be given to supporting the young residents. Only $180 will sponsor one resident for a month. If each parish in the area would commit to supporting one resident each, the worry of having to close down would be gone. If it wasn't for the Moore's mission many of these young men would be forced to return to lives that got them into trouble. WAMA is making a $250 donation to the home.

Bishop Rudder reported that plans are coming together for the monthly Community Prayer Meetings. Rudder is chairman of the committee to once again get this going. He advised that there will soon be a dedicated phone number at New Life Hope for prayer requests and suggestions. In the meantime anyone wanting to communicate with the Prayer Ministry can stop by the church or write them at P.O. Box 252, Wellsville, OH 43968. It is hoped to have the first service in June. The prayer service will be open to the public.

Plans were announced for the National Day of Prayer which will be held at noon the first Thursday of May at the Gazebo. Taken from Nahum 1:7 this year's theme is "Such A Time As This". The National Day of Prayer is a community event sponsored annually by WAMA. In case of foul weather the event will be held at Wellsville Village Hall.

Plans were announced for Wellsville's Class of 2010 Baccalaureate and graduation. Baccalaureate will be held at the First Christian Church on May 16 at 3 P.M. Tee shirts with the Class of 2010's adopted scripture verse inscribed on them will be given to each Senior Class member attending. WAMA will also have a member on hand for the invocation and benediction at the graduation ceremony scheduled for May 30 at the high school.

At next month's meeting devotions will dedicated to Rev. Bob & Connie Phillips wishing them well as they approach their retirement date. Phillips announced at the March meeting that his last day in Wellsville will be June 30. He and Connie plan to relocate to Ravenna. Phillips is pastor of Wellsville's United Methodist Parishes.

Byron Carter announced that a Revival & Healing Service will be held at Lee's Chapel AME Church April 22 & 23. Guest evangelist will be Rev. Wesley Reid who is Pastor at the Lee Memorial AME Church in Cleveland. The services will begin at 7 P.M. on each of those evenings. Lee's Chapel is located at 1325 Center Street in Wellsville. Music will be provided by visiting choirs. You can call 330-532-1136 with any questions. Everybody is invited.

Next meeting is scheduled for 9 A.M. at Tonda's the second Tuesday of May. As Rev. Thompson remarked there is no "fussing & arguing about denominations". It is open to anyone wishing to partake.

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