McClure First United Methodist Church is one of five churches within the Mountain View/West Snyder Charge in the Lewisburg district, served by Pastors Jim Jacobs and Kathy Mercado. Both pastors firmly believe that “empowered people do great things.”Over a year ago, a few of the ladies approached the pastors and asked if they could “rejuvenate” the Good News Club, an after-school program that ministers to elementary aged children. The youth leaders recognized that a number of the community children got off the bus after school and were then home alone because most of their families were either one parent families or both parents needed to work to make ends meet.
At each Good News Club gathering, the kids get off the bus and come to the church social hall. The youth leadership provide them with hoagies or grilled cheese sandwiches and other snacks, a craft, a time of Bible stories, and guest speakers. Some of the guest speakers have discussed bullying and how to handle it; anger management and ways to counter it; and another guest speaker talked about his time in the Navy on submarines.In June of this year, the Good News Club children planted a “Three Sisters” garden in the church parsonage next to the church. The garden consists of corn, squash, green and red peppers, tomatoes and pumpkins. They learned that “seeds sown in good soil” will produce good fruit. The fruits of their labor will help seniors and folks that need a little help in our community. The children can’t wait to start the harvest and “spread the love.”
For more information contact Pastor Jim Jacobs at jjacobs@susumc.org.
