Methodist Men hold April meeting
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Members of the First United Methodist Men's Group in Chester held their monthly meeting for April 2011 on Tuesday April 5. The men gathered at 6 P.M. for a delicious meal prepared by the United Methodist Women consisting of pasta, salad, hot garlic bread, homemade cherry pie with ice cream along with iced tea and hot coffee.
Following the meal a brief devotional was presented by Bob Koenegstein. Scott Gilpin, Secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting and they were approved. Judge Richard Brown read the Treasurer's Report. It was approved.
Gary McDaniel reported on the recent mission work conducted at Menard Prison. The Kiros Ministry Group spent approximately 40 hours at Menard with the inmates and it was truly a moving experience. Plans are underway to return to Menard next fall to repeat the mission offering.
The UMM hosted their annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday March 19 and raised a record profit for all of the years having conducted this fundraiser. The Chester High School Life Jackets and several home school students associated with the church were praised for their assistance with the breakfast.
Scott Gilpin reported on his upcoming trip with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The FCA will once again travel to Honduras to spread the good word via the avenue of softball. Scott and his wife, Karen were provided a sizeable donation from both the UMM and UMW to help defer the costs of this trip.
The men approved a donation to the 2011 Chester High School Project Graduation. This event is an all-night drug, alcohol and tobacco-free event to help keep Chester High School graduates safe and sound on graduation night. This year's event is Sunday May 29. The UMM have been faithful supporters of Project Graduation for decades.
May 17 the UMM will help serve dinner to the Methodist Women and their guests at the Annual Mother-Daughter-Women's Banquet. The men also approved a donation to the local Hospitality House which provides over night support to families of prisoners at Menard.
June 7 the UMM will host a FREE steak dinner for all adult members of the church. The annual event takes place at Kaskaskia State Park and will feature steak, baked potatoes, salad, bread and a variety of desserts and drinks. The event began as a way to thank the women of the church for all of their support throughout the year and expanded to all adult members of the church as a Christian fellowship.
Easter Sunday April 24 the men will serve their annual FREE Easter Breakfast to everyone who attends the Easter Sunrise Service. Church begins at 6:30 A.M. after which the breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall. The public is always invited for this meal which consists of pancakes, sausage, hot coffee, juice, milk and occasionally scrambled eggs. The Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday School and the 10 A.M. service will follow.
The Annual Methodist Men's College Scholarship Program is currently underway. Dr. Jim Beers, Scholarship Chairman, announced that applications are posted on the church bulletin board. Completed applications are due Sunday May 1 while the men will approve the recipients Tuesday May 3 at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
Applicants must attend the First United Methodist Church in Chester to qualify. In addition they must support the church with their time, talents and gifts. Scholarships will be presented at the 10 A.M. church service Sunday May 29. Recipients must be present to receive their award.
The men discussed summer camps available for 2011 at all of the six Illinois Great Rivers Conference Camps and agreed to offer camperships to children or adults of the church who wish to attend. The men have supported summer camperships for several decades.
The community vegetable garden planted and tended by the Hunt family of Chester was discussed. The men will assist in any way possible with this effort which provides fresh vegetables to the Christian Area Food Pantry which is also supported in part by the Methodist Church. The Administrating Council of the FUMC donated funding to help purchase seeds and supplies to get this one-acre garden started for the summer of 2011.
A camp work day was discussed in which the men would travel to Little Grassy United Methodist Camp in Makanda, Illinois to help prepare the camp for the upcoming series of summer camp opportunities. Dr. Jim Beers, FUMC Camping Coordinator, will contact the camp to see when and if assistance is needed. A report will be given at the May 3 meeting.
The next meeting of the First United Methodist Men of Chester will be Tuesday May 3 at 6 P.M. All men of the church and guests are encouraged to attend the meeting which will begin, as always with a delicious meal served by Pat Koenegstein and her crew of United Methodist Women.