March 2026
Potato Bake and Filling the Freege
This past Sunday, March 22, we enjoyed the annual Potato Bake after church. We gathered in the fellowship hall and enjoyed a lunch of baked potatoes with all the trimmings you can imagine, along with the wonderful sides brought by everyone else. Not to mention the amazing desserts. Thank you Millie for getting everything organized and all the folks who helped you out.
After all the eating and fellowship, we got together and helped make sandwiches. We put that together with homemade soup to fill the "Freege" at Abundant Life Church in support of our Loaves and Fishes ministry to help feed those in our community who are struggling financially and don't have enough eat. Thank you Lynn for leading this ministry and everyone who participated.
February 2026
Ash Wednesday
It was a very special time at Relief as we marked the beginning of Lent with a first-time opportunity for members of the church and the greater community to participate in this solemn day of repentance by receiving ashes in the early morning outside the shelter as they were on their way to work. Our pastor, Rev. Kathleen Haynes, was in the parking lot and, as the faithful drove thru, she shared the "Penitential Prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan." She administered the ashes and admonished each individual to, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Ecclesiastes 3:20.
After that, volunteers from the church, had coffee and donuts ready to send them on their way. It was a wonderful day as, not only members at Relief, but members of other denominations were there, as well.
The Annual Sweet Sunday Dinner and Auction
It was a great time at the annual Sweet Sunday Dinner and Auction. After church we all gathered for a covered dish lunch and then the the excitement of the Sweet Auction. Members brought lots of cakes, cookies, pies, brownies, and other delights to put up for auction. There were times when very special desserts caused the bidding to get pretty fierce. Charles, Sam, and Sharon were kept busy getting items out for the auctioneer to put up for bid. Special thanks to Debbie Faubel for, once again, organizing everything and making the day a big success. Over $1200 was raised for Blue Ridge Cares.
December 2025
Annual
The Sanctuary at Advent
The sanctuary was beautifully decorated for Advent. From the Christmons Tree, the altar pieces, the flowers, and the amazing wall murals, we could not have asked for a more fitting atmosphere to celebrate the coming of Christ's birth. Thanks to Laura, Mollie, Lynn, Debbie, Millie, and everyone else who had a hand in making this happen.
Christmas Dinner
We had a great time at the annual Christmas Dinner and Program at Relief United Methodist Church this past Saturday evening. As always, the food was delicious. And for the program, we spent the evening with members sharing memories of Christmases from their youth. Members also displayed presents they received and saved from when they were children. We also sang and listened to favorite Christmas songs. It was a wonderful evening, and many members stayed long after continuing to talk about and share more Christmas memories. Thanks to Eunice and Sue for planning the dinner, to Sue for accompanying us on the singing, and to Jeanette and Albert for planning the program.
Samaritan's Purse
The Mission Committee continues to be active as members of the church contributed items and the committee put together 32 boxes that will be sent to Samaritan's Purse to be distributed here in the U.S. and around the world.
Blankets!!!!!!!!!
The Mission Team at Relief United Methodist Church collected hundreds of blankets to give to groups in Frederick County to distribute to those in need. Among the groups we are helping are Our Family in Front Royal, CCAP, Abba Pregnancy Center, and many others.
Volunteering at the Our Family Center
Mission Committee members come together the 2nd Wednesday of every month and volunteer to help with crafts at the Our Family Center. This month the folks there made Christmas Tree tabletop decorations. We also gave everyone gloves and a knit hat. And this week they also prepared a Christmas dinner for everyone there, including the staff. They were so busy getting the food ready and serving it that they didn't have time to take any pictures until it was all over. If you would like to be a part of this community outreach, talk to Elwanda.
November 2025
October 2025
Pumpkin Palooza
It was a beautiful day for our 2nd annual Pumpkin Palooza. Kids and adults had a great time decorating and carving pumpkins. There was face painting, games, crafts, and fun food. Thanks to Molly and Lynn for all their hard work getting everything prepared and organized. And thanks to all the church members who volunteered with set up and helping with the events as Relief continues to reach out, providing a family-friendly, joy-filled time for the community.
And leave it to Lynn to remember to package up some of the great food from Pumpkin Palooza and make sure it got over to the freege and pantry.
October 2025
Filling the "Freege" in October
The Loaves and Fishes program at Relief United Methodist Church, begun by the Witness Committee, was started so members of the church could come together regularly to prepare meals for the "freege." This month we got together after church and filled containers with chili. We filled 25 pint containers and a dozen quart containers. We delivered them to the refreegerator at Abundant Life Church. CCAP has installed refrigerators and pantries at three locations in Winchester. The freege — a combination of the words "free" and "fridge" — is an outdoor refrigerator filled with donated food and, along with the pantries, are open 24 hours a day Those who are struggling financially can take whatever they need to feed themselves and their families. If you would like to get involved or just want more information, let Lynn know.
We filled the freege after church about 1:30. By 5:15, the freege was almost empty. There are a whole lot of families in Winchester who are absolutely in need of food.
