Save the dates: June 25-29, 9-12 a.m.

Teachers at May Street Elementary are invited to apply for educational grants in an amount between $50 and $100 for use in their classrooms. In a collaborative effort, Asbury United Methodist Church and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church plan to award three to six grants this year. These grants are our way of supporting our teachers and valuing our students during this time of tight school budgets.

The main selection criterion is that the grants be used in a way that will directly impact children in the classroom setting. For example, grants may be used to purchase classroom supplies, to buy books for the classroom, or to enable a class to do a special project. Grants may be used this school year or for the 2012-13 school year.

Please submit completed applications to your school principal by Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Recipients will be notified by May 15, 2012.

Asbury and Our Redeemer would like to publicly thank

• Rosauers Super Market
• Safeway
• and Walgreens

for their donation of supplies to this year’s fundraiser for educational grants.

Those attending the “Haiti Relief Concert” on April 18^th were rewarded with an awesome experience, reports Roy Pettit, one of the event organizers.

Mid-Columbia Community Choir

He added “I have lived here 37 years and have always been impressed by the quality of musical talent in the area!  This concert was proof of how blessed we are in this regard.”  Feedback received from others confirmed his feelings.  “The selections and quality of music affected me emotionally” reported one of the attendees.  This seemed to be the general feeling expressed by several others.  The Mid Columbia Community Choir along with the Gorge Brass Quintet played a rousing rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, directed by Perry Cole.  This grand finale included audience participation and almost raised the roof off of the Asbury Methodist Church historic landmark (dedicated in 1896)!

Co-organizer Gigi Siekkinen reported to the audience just before the final piece that $1,100 had been collected at the intermission break, and would be forwarded to the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) Haiti Relief Fund.  This is a Four-Star rated relief organization (the Red Cross is Three-Star rated) that invests 100% of it’s Haiti funds for direct relief of people in that country.  Gigi gave a brief history of UMCOR’s involvement in Haiti at the intermission, and explained how the money is used there.

Asbury UMC wishes to thank all the talented musicians who performed, all those who attended, and everyone who contributed so generously.  Especially noteworthy for their organizational efforts were Perry Cole, director of MCCC, and Gorge Brass Quintet member Carol Goter.

Haiti Relief Concert

A “Haiti Relief Concert” is planned for April 18th, at 3:30 PM, hosted by Asbury United Methodist Church. The Mid Columbia Community Choir and the Gorge Brass Quintet will be performing. A collection will be taken at the intermission, with the proceeds going directly to relief efforts in Haiti via the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).
Fifty members of the Mid Columbia Community Choir will sing sacred choral anthems from their repertoire acquired over the past seven years. Also the Gorge Brass Quintet will perform all kinds of music, from classical to Broadway tunes to tangos to hymns; music from the 16th century to the 21st century. Both groups will join in performing several pieces together, including “Crown Him with Many Crowns” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The concert will last about 90 minutes. This is your opportunity to enjoy some great music and contribute to a very worthwhile cause.
With the rain and hurricane seasons fast approaching, Haiti is still in need of help for the over 200,000 homeless and hungry people that

Brass Quintet

resulted from the earthquake on January 12, 2010. Flooding has already started in the dozens of temporary camps that appeared after the earthquake destroyed thousands of homes and buildings. The need for ongoing help in Haiti will remain for months to come. UMCOR has put their Haiti relief donations to work through a variety of efforts involving medical aid, housing, food, and clothing. UMCOR dedicates 100% of their Haiti donations to relief, and has a Four-Star rating at charitynavigator.org. For more information visit umcor.org/haiti.
Doors will open at 3:00 PM at Asbury United Methodist Church, located at 616 State Street in Hood River. Because of limited seating, attendance will be on a first-come first-served basis. There is no door fee for the concert, but everyone will be given the opportunity to donate to the Haiti relief fund as individually inspired and able. For more information go to hraumc.org