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February 2014

Volume 19, I ssue 1

In This Issue Page

1 - 2 Pastor’s Message

2 Prayer Requests

3 Council Notes

4 Finance Committee Report

A Joyous Send Off

5 - 6 Youth Group

7 UMW Christmas Tea

8 Missions Team Report

Green Cathedral

9 Welcome New Members

Connie’s Corner

10 Confirmation

Night of Worship

Recycling Reminder

11 Lenten Healing Services,

Kyle’s Devotionals, Sing

Loud and Sing Proud

12 In Memoriam

Tarzan Auditions

13 Birthdays and

Anniversaries

14 Important Dates

Our Purpose:

Knowing, Loving,

and Serving God

and Others in

Unity

PASTOR'S MESSAGE As I write this article, I am amazed that Christmas Eve was a

month ago. It just doesn’t seem possible that a month has already passed since we gathered on Christmas Eve to celebrate

the coming of the Christ child in our chaotic world. I have been contemplating Psalm 90 and concentrating on verse 12 this past week, “So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.”

Psalm 90:12 NRSV. With the realization that time keeps marching on and indeed does seem to speed up as I have been

told for many years by my elders, I sense that it is even more important for us to be more aware of our need to be proactive

about slowing down and experiencing the gift of time and life together as the body of Christ.

On 5 March, we begin our Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday. I hope this year you will make a new commitment

to your faith and experience the season in a new way. One way you can do this is by joining us during our Lenten Wednesday

evening services. We will be having three of them this year, and they will focus on healing in the areas of body, mind and spirit.

More information will be forthcoming, so please keep an eye

on the bulletin for announcements as well as our website. Lent is a time of preparation, a time of preparing ourselves for

the most important moment of the liturgical year, Resurrection- Easter Day. Lent is the time we observe the testing Jesus experienced in the wilderness during the forty days he spent

there. Many people will give something up for Lent by fasting or giving up some vice that they believe is keeping them from

being closer to Jesus. I believe that doing such an exercise together as a faith family helps us support each other in our

desire to become closer to Jesus and more in touch with our faith. We have heard for years, thanks to the writer Stephen Covey, that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit,

LAMPLIGHTER DAVIDSONVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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and so fasting or abstaining from something that we feel keeps us from growing in our faith for the

forty days of Lent may lead to a life changing experience. I invite you to join me in reflecting during the month of February on what we can do together and individually to become closer to Christ and

to become stronger in our faith during the upcoming Lenten season.

For the month of February, we will be doing a four-week sermon series based on the book, “Our Iceberg is Melting,” by John Kotter. This is a book that tells the story of a colony of penguins living on an iceberg in Antarctica. The book tells the story of the colony’s journey to manage and respond

to the change in an ever changing world. The characters in the story, Fred, Alice, Louis, Buddy, the Professor, and NoNo, are like people we recognize — even ourselves. Their tale is one of resistance

to change and taking action when confronting obstacles and clever tactics for dealing with those obstacles. It's a story that is occurring in different forms all around us today — but the penguins

handle the very real challenges a great deal better than most of us. I believe the church must be an

active presence in our community and in order to do so, we must be willing to step out in faith and try new ways of reaching our neighbors, friends and family with the gospel. “Our Iceberg is

Melting” is a simple story about facing change and the dilemma it brings to us. Even though it seems on the surface to be a light-hearted story about a colony of penguins, it is a powerful message

about the fear of change and how we can motivate each other to face the future and take action by not being passive in relation to our future.

May God continue to lead us and guide us with wisdom and grace.

In Faith,

Pastor Lisa

Bob Bence

Russ Smith

Mason Moseley

Ken Werre

Barbara Whittington

Joan Whetzel

Nancy Bassford

Emily, (Kate Scruggs’s

sorority sister)

The Kelley Family

The Sheapp Family

(Pam Durbin’s family)

The Rice Family

The Leitch Family

Bonnie Campbell

Send your prayer requests to prayerchain@dumc.net

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COUNCIL NOTES A special first installment from your new Council Chair features an update of two Council sessions. Council met on Monday, 16 December 2013 at 7:00 PM.

The Treasurer reports that year-to-date giving and expenses currently show a $3,318 loss, but the Treasurer predicts a surplus at year-end based on historical analysis.

After a successful stewardship program, Davidsonville United Methodist Church (DUMC) 2014 and CrossRoads Child Development Center (CCDC) 2014 budgets were approved with committees receiving funding as requested. Health insurance costs have increased over 21%.

The CCDC submitted and received Council approval on their published CCDC Procedures guide and Annex J. CCDC also requested and received approval to adjust an August 2013 Council decision to allow CCDC to pay $584 towards employee healthcare vice 80%.

The Council next met on Monday, 20 January 2014 at 7:30 PM.

The meeting started with a special order of business to elect a Vice Chair. Congratulations to Lee Matousek.

The Treasurer reports that DUMC ended 2013 with a net $7,000 surplus, and CCDC closed 2013 with a net $80,000 surplus. Proceeds were distributed as previously agreed.

A GPS Geo Cache has been installed in the Green Cathedral in an effort to draw newcomers to our wonderful worship location.

Security continues to be a concern, particularly with the Sanctuary doors. If you have a key and use the Sanctuary doors, it is paramount that you verify the door has been locked behind you or the church will need to re-key the doors at considerable expense. All are reminded that we have ladies and children in the church in the early mornings and late evenings; help ensure their safety by checking the security of the doors.

Missions reported the purchase of four disaster relief tent kits. Tongues of Fire will meet on 8 March at 10:00 AM, and Missions will meet 11 March at 6:30 PM. The Mission trip will be to Crisfield, MD on 4 -10 May to provide relief to the Hurricane Sandy devastated and largely overlooked area.

Congratulations to Lisa Niemann, the newly elected CCDC Chair and to Leanne Sparks, elected CCDC Vice Chair. CCDC will be meeting on the second Thursday of each month; the next meeting will be on 15 February.

The Ad Hoc Committee to address the replacement of the Church’s Treasurer issued its final report. Don Shankle has accepted the title of DUMC Treasurer. Kristy Moseley will increase her hours maintaining the books for the church and CCDC. The Committee, through the Finance committee, identified $6000 to be applied towards augmenting the Secretarial duties. Adjustment to the 2014 DUMC budget was approved as recommended. A need still exists to fully staff these functions.

It is with a humble heart that I have accepted the duties of Council Chair from long-serving Steve Leonard; it is my sincere hope to serve the congregation as well as he has. I’m looking forward to working with all the new and returning Council members in the year ahead.

Romans 12:11-13 (NIV) 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. In His service, Chuck Sparks Council Chair

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FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

The 2013 financial summary shows that we ended the year in the black (i.e., we did not spend more

than our income). Though our expenses were $10,788 more than our budget, our income increased. The CCDC contributed $3,331 more than last year, and the rest was made up with increased

revenue from our investments.

Changes for 2014 include a $3281 increase in our apportionments (what we pay to UMC as a percentage of what we spend on ourselves) and an increase of $122,284 in staff. With Russ Smith no

longer performing the 25 or so ‘treasurer’ activities this year, we have divided up those duties among Don Shankle (our new treasurer), Kristy Moseley performing numerous business manager duties,

and a paid outside CPA firm.

Bottom-line: Our stewardship campaign was again successful with an estimated annual income to

match our increased expenses.

Submitted by Nelson Outten, Committee Chair

A Joyous Send Off On 8 December, the weather promised to be wintry – and it was! It was the Sunday that DUMC, Pastor Rev. Dr. Lisa Bandel, staff

and parishioners had designated as a day to honor The Pecks, who had moved to Asbury

Solomons, MD. Needless to say, we looked forward to the event – Davis as Pastor

Emeritus, and Esther as DUMC organist since 1955. Fortunately, we were able to attend, despite the wintry weather.

After the 11:00 service, a large crowd

assembled in the Fellowship Hall for dinner and entertainment by church members.

Guests included former pastors, Rev. Jim and Cathie Stutler, and Reverends John and Bonnie Campbell. Lee Matousek served as

Master of Ceremonies.

We were completed overwhelmed with the tributes and gifts we received and wish to

thank everyone who made that day a memorable event in our lives.

Fortunately, the snow stopped about the time the party ended, and all made it home safely --

thus ending another wonderful day at DUMC.

Our membership will remain at DUMC, and we will continue to support DUMC (though separated by 50 plus miles) as much as

possible. Again, we say thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sincerely,

Rev. and Mrs. Davis Peck

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FROM THE YOUTH ROOM By Kyle Durbin, Assistant Pastor to Emergent Ministries

December and January were two incredibly

busy months for the Youth Group at DUMC. The month began with a hilarious parody skit

of Esther and Davis Peck at their Farewell Luncheon, with over fifteen youth taking turns

portraying the two beloved saints of our congregation. After snow led to the cancellation of a planned viewing of the

“Nativity Story,” the youth group had an even better time with a thought provoking

discussion regarding the cinematic liberties taken in depicting the nativity account in the

History Channel’s acclaimed mini-series, “The Bible.”

On 14 December, Nick Boogades and Arielle Hall were an enormous help taking

technological responsibilities at Crossroads Child Development Center’s annual

Christmas Pageant, this year with a Disney theme, which was performed in front of a packed Fellowship Hall of almost 200 people.

The following weekend, a bus full of youth,

including middle schoolers Zack and Jenna Alexander with Charlotte and Elizabeth

Gibbin, participated in Wreaths Across America at the National Veterans Cemetery in

Annapolis, MD. The next night, a similar youth-filled bus visited five different elderly or sick and shut-in members of the congregation

singing some favorite Christmas Carols led by the talented voices of Kennady Moseley,

Emily Marks, and Arielle Hall, and delivering baked goods prepared by Dot Wood, Debby

Wasson, and other women of the church.

On 23 December, there was a parlor full of youth and their families packing lunch bags

and toiletry items for over 600 local homeless or in-need individuals. Finally, on Christmas

Eve, Arielle Hall, Dane Hall, Noah Hall, Luke Borchelt, and Kennady Moseley, along with

the artistic help of Mo Hawk, Courtney Klute, Amanda Klute, Amanda Sparks, and Jack Sparks assisted Pastors Lisa Bandel and Kyle

Durbin, along with Pam Durbin, in the 5:30 PM Christmas Eve presentation of “Little

Star.”

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FROM THE YOUTH ROOM - Continued

January got off to a quick start as 5 January was not only the first Sunday of the new year,

but it was also a special Epiphany Youth Sunday, assisted by Rev. Rebecca Ianicelli

administering Communion at both services. As usual, youth from both the middle and high school youth groups stepped up to the

plate to create an incredibly moving and spirit-filled hour of worship at both morning

services. That night, youth and parents packed the Fellowship Hall for a special “Year

In Review” video presentation followed by

our annual Epiphany Gift Exchange, no gift prized more than the One Direction sticker

pack and keychain unwrapped by Nik Ostis, much to his chagrin.

The next week, eighteen youth, along with

chaperones Kyle Durbin, Lisa Niemann, and Kristy Moseley, packed up a few vehicles and headed to Camelback Mountain Ski Resort

under the leadership and direction of Damon and Rhonda Ostis for our annual Youth Ski

Trip. Despite poor weather on Saturday, accommodations were secured at the Great

Wolf Lodge, a massive indoor water park and entertainment resort, so along with pleasant conditions on Sunday, this may have been the

greatest Youth Ski Trip in recent memory, with strong bonds formed between all youth

who attended, middle school, high school, and even some returning college students.

Most recently, the youth of Cornerstone Theatre participated in our first ever “Musical Revue,” a free night of special musical

performances looking back on the history of Cornerstone Theatre. The evening was a great

success, and it appears a new show has been added to the annual Cornerstone Theatre

calendar. It was also publicly announced that Cornerstone Theatre has chosen Disney’s Tarzan for our Spring Musical on 2 – 4 May.

Next up on the calendar will be preparing and

serving dinner at the Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter on the evening of Super Bowl Sunday,

2 February, and all are invited to help out!

Give Lavishly! Live Abundantly!

The more you do unselfishly, the more you live abundantly… The more of everything you share, the more you’ll always have to spare… The more you love, the more you’ll find that life is good and friends are kind. And only what we give away enriches us from day to day. ---- Helen Steiner Rice

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UMW Christmas Tea

The United Methodist Women held their annual Christmas Tea for the ladies of the church. It was a wonderful time for fellowship, great food, Christmas carols, and there was even some tap dancing

by Dottie Beard. A special thank you goes to Lisa Niemann for hosting the tea.

Tricia Moeslein, Leanne Sparks, and others Pastor Lisa and Patricia Cain

Dottie Beard entertains the UMW ladies

Kristy Moseley, Vickie McMurray and Beverly Finn

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MISSIONS TEAM REPORT

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The quote above is preceded “by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said…” , from Acts chapter 20, verse 35. It is also the motto for the Mission program of DUMC in 2014. All are invited to participate in this work by planning with The

Mission Team, joining the Tongues of Fire Barbeque Ministry Team, or participating on a Volunteers In Mission (VIM) trip.

Not sure about being ready to have a hands-on physical work experience? Got some ideas about how to help others? Perhaps helping with the Missions Team is a good fit. This group oversees the

outreach programs of DUMC. To join this team all one needs to do is show an interest in helping

others. The next meeting of the Team is Tuesday, 11 March at 6:30 PM in the Annex.

One of the most unique features here at DUMC is the existence of a BBQ team. Curiously, it’s also

one of the largest groups in the church. The primary purpose of the Tongues of Fire (TOF) Barbeque Ministry Team is to raise funds for mission work by selling BBQ about five times each

year. The team also reaches out to the un-churched and under-churched. There’s also a strong social aspect to the group which contains members from both services and from a range of ages. If

interested in finding out more, the first meeting of the team will be on Saturday, 1 March

at 10 AM in the Parlor. This year the adult VIM trip will be to Crisfield, MD, which was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The town was once the center of a thriving seafood industry and had already fallen on hard

times. Largely ignored by the news media, these are fellow Marylanders who need help to re-build. Folks of all skill levels are needed. Up to 25 can be housed at a time, but it is hoped that some

participants who haven’t been able to go on longer and more distant trips will be able to cycle in and

out. The dates are 4 – 10 May.

Prayerfully consider participating in one of these groups and thereby be blessed by giving more than receiving. For more information contact me at 410-798-7236 or bbq.pilgrim@verizon.net.

Blair Smith

Chair of Missions Pitboss of TOF

Green Cathedral

You will be happy to know all is well in the Green Cathedral.

So far, there has been no damage from the snow, ice or wind. God has surely blessed it with his loving protective care. How quiet and beautiful the Green Cathedral is even in winter brown. Soon it will wake showing us it’s spring beauty. So, let’s look forward to spring and be thankful for our little piece of heaven. God Bless, Patricia Cain “God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”

Author unknown, commonly attributed to Martin Luther

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Welcome New Members

Connie’s Corner Dear Christian Friends,

“Because God hears, we are called to listen. Because God cares, we are called to care. Because God acts, we are commissioned to serve.” Sometimes I need to be reminded of who I am, so these

words are taped on my computer. We are called to serve; to be active, ‘assertive’ Christians. We can be no less. Being an assertive Christian is not merely being ever willing and ready to testify to

your faith; being an assertive Christian means ever living your faith so there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that you are who you are. In other words, in order to be assertive, you don’t need to

be aggressive, you need to be expressive. Paul tells us ‘not to let evil defeat us, but to conquer evil

with good,’ and being an assertive Christian permits us to do just that. Ah, but we are still human and must always be ready to face the reality of our weaknesses. Straying from the path will happen;

getting lost should not. Please be reminded that DUMC is a member of the Stephen Ministry Community which means that if you’re feeling lost, you can call me or Pastor Lisa to request

someone to walk beside you, to pray with you and to listen to your fears. If you feel you are being called to serve, please consider becoming a Stephen Minister. A new class will be forming in

September, and you are very much welcome to speak with me about this opportunity at any time. To learn more, explore the Stephen Ministry website at http://www.stephenministries.org/. It is truly Christian networking at its best!

Peace and Love, Connie

Welcome New

Members!

Tim and Vickie

McMurray and

Marley Morris

Tim, Vickie and Marley

come to us from Dallas, TX.

Tim is the new Senior

Associate Athletic Director

at the University of

Maryland.

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Confirmation Class Information Meeting 9 February (during Coffee Hour)

Classes will be held March – June on Mondays from 5:30 - 7 PM

Pastor Lisa and Kyle Durbin will be offering somewhat of a hybrid-course this year, using both original materials developed by our pastors, as well as following the Re:form and Re:form Traditions:

Methodist curriculum. There will be homework each week, which will typically be centered on Bible

readings, activities, and interactive discussions between parents and youth. This course is designed to encourage daily conversation between youth and parents to supplement the weekly class time.

Materials will be provided to students.

Subjects will include God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, (Trinity), Baptism, Eucharist, the Bible, the history

and structure of the United Methodist Church, the beliefs of the United Methodist Church, spiritual

gifts, mission and service, the Gospel and evangelism, social justice, other beliefs, etc. The tentative plan for our confirmation ceremony is to be held at both services on Sunday, 8 June,

which is Pentecost. The confirmation class will create and lead these worship services for our congregation.

Night of Worship and Praise 23 February, 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall

The DUMC Praise Band invites all youth, families, friends, and interested members of the congregation to join us for a very special alternative worship service on Sunday, 23 February at 6

PM. The service will be very music heavy, featuring some of our favorite praise songs and also introducing some new and emerging popular Christian worship songs. Come for a taste of modern worship, and leave with your spirits lifted and motivated to go out into the world as disciples for our

awesome God!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Benefits of Recycling

Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators;

Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals;

Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials; Saves energy;

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change; Helps sustain the environment for future generations;

Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States.

So help us. There are designated cans in the kitchen and throughout the church. Some are for

recyclables, and some are for non-recyclables. Please do your part to recycle at DUMC, including

during Coffee Hour and special events.

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Lenten Healing Series

The DUMC calendar for the Season of Lent has been carefully

planned to ensure that each week offers a special worship opportunity and a special meal (though they may not always be

one in the same). Join us for a three week evening worship series during Lent as

we explore healing our minds, bodies, and spirits. Each evening will include a special healing service.

The services will be held on Wednesdays -- 19 March, 26 March,

and 2 April. Both 19 March and 2 April will include themed Pot

Luck Dinners. 26 March will be only a Healing Service with no dinner included, as you are instead urged to have dinner at Ledo

Pizza in Edgewater the night before (25 March) to support the DUMC Youth Fundraiser and get your weekly DUMC related

dinner that evening instead.

** The complete Lenten Worship Services and Dinners schedule is published on Page 14 **

Kyle Durbin’s Advent Devotionals Published We are pleased to share that Kyle had two devotionals published in the 2013 Baltimore Washington Conference Young Adult Advent Devotional. Kyle is doing an amazing job with the young adults,

DUMC youth and the little ones at CCDC. Thank you, Kyle. We are blessed to have him!

Editor’s Note: Kyle’s Advent devotionals will be published in their entirety in the December

2014 Lamplighter

Sing Loud and Sing Proud Lyric sheets will be made available at the 8:30 Contemporary Service by ushers.

Please ask for a sheet when entering the Fellowship Hall.

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In Memoriam

Ed Kelley

Ed Kelley, former DUMC treasurer, passed away on

5 January.

Ed was a retired CPA and active in Meals on Wheels. He was an avid woodworker.

Survivors include his wife, Jody, and children, Matthew and Susan. We extend Christian sympathy

to the Kelley family.

Tarzan

Auditions

Come out and be a part of

Cornerstone Theatre

Audition for the

upcoming production of

Tarzan to be performed

2 – 4 May

No Experience Necessary

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February

3 Margie Turkett

4 Max Covington 4 Cynthia Howie 4 Evelyn Long

5 Morgan Barkdoll 9 Gwen Purcell

9 Nicholas Tate 10 Julianne Barkdoll

10 Dan Colacicco 10 Marty Sprecher 12 Olivia Robertson

12 Eric Thibodeau 13 Tim Hopkins

16 Matthew Cobb 16 Annette Graves

16 Barbara Whittington 18 Amanda Marie Klute 19 Amelia Williams

24 Lisa Alexander 25 Bob Bence

March

7 Tyler Cohen 7 Dalton Fowler

7 Norma Ingram 7 Davis Peck

8 Barbara Emert 8 Jonathan Miller 8 Kennady Moseley

9 Nancy Covington 9 Cindy Wratchford

12 Vonda Vales 13 Chad Moeslein

15 George Carter 16 Dorothy Beard 16 Brenda Weber

19 Nancy Bassford 22 Jenna Alexander 22 Zachary Alexander

22 Susan Wood

25 Anita Gray

29 Christopher Scruggs 29 Russ Smith

Anniversaries

February

14 Joe and Lisa Niemann

22 Russ and Jean Smith

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Important February

Dates 2 - Youth serving dinner at the Lighthouse

Shelter. Volunteers are welcome!

9 - Auditions for Cornerstone Theatre’s

Production Tarzan – 3 - 5 Fellowship Hall

21 - Youth Attend Baltimore Blast 7 PM

23 - Night of Praise and Worship – All are

invited to attend -- 6 – 8 PM

Important March

Dates 2 – New Members Class 10 AM

4 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner 5 – 7 PM 5 - Ash Wednesday Service 7 PM

9 - New Members Class 10am 16 - New Members Sunday both Services

19 - Lenten Dinner 22 - UMM/Youth Chili Cook-off 12:00 PM 25 – Ledo’s Youth Fundraiser

30 – 5 April Adult Mission Trip

Lenten Worship Services and

Dinners 4 March - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper –

5 - 7 PM 5 March - Ash Wednesday Service - 7 PM 19 March - Dinner - 6:30 PM and Healing

Worship Service - 7:30 PM 25 March –Youth Ledo Pizza Fundraiser (All

Day)

26 March - Healing Worship Service 7:30 PM

No Dinner 2 April - Dinner - 6:30 PM and Healing Worship Service - 7:30 PM

9 April - UMM Killarney House Fundraiser 13 April – Palm/Passion Sunday Cantata

17 April - Tenebrae Service – 7 PM

Easter Sunday Services

20 April 6:00 AM - Sunrise Worship Service

8:30 AM - Contemporary Blended Worship Service 11:00 AM - Traditional Worship Service

Davidsonville United

Methodist Church P.O. Box 370

819 West Central Avenue

Davidsonville, MD 21035

Phone 410-798-5511

Fax 410-798-6251

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lisa Bandel

Chairman Church Council:

Chuck Sparks

Editor: Caroline Day Scruggs

caroline@ddminsurance.com

We are on the Web! http://www.dumc.net

Like us on Facebook: Davidsonville UMC

The Lamplighter is published in February,

April, June, August, October and December.

Submission of material for the Lamplighter

does not guarantee publication and is subject to

editing.