Camp for children with special needs - 11th in a row
Monday, 19 July 2010 19:21
At the Eurohotel in Struga this year we again gathered 95 children, leaders and associates from the two schools for children with special needs: St. Kliment of Ohrid School in Novo Selo, Strumica; Maca Ovcharova School in Veles and Inter-Municipal Center for Social Services in Skopje. There were children of various ages with different needs, led by their minders. In the morning hours religious classes were held for the children on the theme: "God - Creator of everything." So the children would better understand the Bible story, coloring, drawings, and arts and crafts were used. From our church seven children from the Sunday school attended. They very much helped the children with special needs and they were in charge of the evening program of songs and games. The children used the remainder of the day for sunbathing, swimming and resting.
From our considerable experience we can confirm that these camps are very useful for children to get to know each other, to learn something new and fellowship together. This year's camp was financed by several donors to whom we are sincerely grateful. Huge thanks also to the participants in the camp, those responsible for the groups and the schools for their support and assistance in the implementation of this camp.
Franjo Zhunk - Methodist veteran visits the UMC Macedonia
Sunday, 18 July 2010 13:34
From July 10 - 14, 2010, our brother in Christ, Franjo Zhunk, visited our church. During his visit, on Sunday July 11, he participated in worship services, the morning service in Strumica and evening service in Kolesino. He also had an opportunity to meet with young people from Strumica and Kolesino where in the pleasant company of the youth, brother Franjo shared his life experiences in faith, recommending to the youth that when they are honest before God and before themselves, then they are ready to give and to assist the work of God and to be grateful.
Yesterday, July 5, 2010, the faithful members of our congregation in Monospitovo [village], organized a collection of food products for the kitchen of the Miss Stone Center [where the Meals on Wheels are prepared]. This humanitarian gesture which is the fruit of their faith in God is welcoming and encouraging. From our hearts we wish all of them that their fields are blessed by God with good fruit. May such an example also encourage others to do good deeds.
Diaconia Macedonia and the Staff of the Miss Stone Center.
First summer camp for children from the Sunday school of UMC
Friday, 02 July 2010 20:27
Through the organization of the Secretariat of the church and the Commission for Work with Children, the first summer camp for children from the Sunday schools took place from June 25 to 30, 2010 in Struga, Macedonia, at the Eurohotel. The camp was attended by 50 children and 13 teachers of Sunday schools. The main theme of the camp was “God, the Creator of everything.” The creation of the world was covered and was accompanied by crafts, small group discussion, songs and games. As part of the program, the children enjoyed the beautiful lake, swimming and participating in many sports activities. The time spent at this first camp proved to be very useful for children, because in addition to the spiritual growth, they had the opportunity to establish new friendships and gain new experiences that will have a special place in their hearts. Taking lessons from the theme of the camp, the children rejoiced daily in God's creation. The camp was funded by the congregations of the church. Special thanks to the Boards of our church congregations who pledged their financial support in the realization for this camp.
From May 28 - 31, 2010, Ullas Tankler visited Macedonia, to see the work of missionary Carol Partridge, to acquaint himself with the United Methodist churches and to meet some of the members. Dr. Tankler is from Estonia where he served 22 years as pastor of a UMC. Now he works for the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), as Executive Secretary for mission relationships in Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia.
On Sunday. May 30, Dr. Tankler preached in Strumica at the morning worship service and in Monospitovo at the evening service. In his sermon, based on Luke 11:1-13, where Jesus instructs his disciples about prayer, Dr. Tankler explained the interconnection of relationships and prayer. Prayer is about our relationship with God as well as our relationship with one another as believers in Christ.
In the few days that he was here, Dr. Tankler was able to see the five UMCs in the Strumica valley and to meet their pastors and other leaders. In Strumica he observed a Saturday children’s class and met with the youth following the Sunday church service. On Monday morning, Dr. Tankler visited the MissStoneCenter to see the Meals on Wheels program and a few recipients.
Dr. Tankler was impressed by the natural beauty of our country and the friendly, out-going character of the people. He was happy to get to know the Methodists of Macedonia, how we worship and serve.
Address delivered by HE Bishop Heinrich Bolleter on the Second World Conference of Inter-Religion and Inter-Civilization Dialogue
The role of religion shall lead to a new culture of respect, trust and cooperation and towards an open civil society. It is important that the religions are not be seen as factors of conflict in inter-cultural settings. Religion has a potential to work towards solutions in the problematic fields of nationalism and racism, environmental problems, and violence. On the one hand people of religion are not the experts on these global issues, but they are on the other hand experts on the moral and ethical life that strengthens and supports the vision of an open civil society.
In honor of Mother’s Day, the children from the Sunday School of the UMC in Strumica led the morning worship service on May 9, 2010. They presented an entertaining and informative drama, “Who Wants to Be a Milionaire?” with questions about mothers and other famous women from the Bible. The children also led the prayers, sang and read the Scriptures. Carol Partridge, missionary from the USA assigned to the UMC in Macedonia by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), gave a short sermon on the value of love. At the end of the service, the children gave a flower and Bible verse to each woman in the congregation.
