Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

July 4, 2008

An Army comes to town

Church groups headed to Athens for service projects

By Lauren Ricks STAFF WRITER

The United Methodist Army will be marching back to where it all began this month.

Nine Methodist churches will send 90 people to Athens July 13-19 for a work camp.

“It is a mission program that began in Athens 30 years ago,” camp director John Beasley said. “We are coming back to Athens because 30 years ago that’s where it all started.”

In 1979, three churches from Houston sent 36 students and adults to Athens.

The U.M. Army has 1,500 worksites in 48 states, with about 4,000 participants every summer, according to a U.M. Army information sheet.

Beasley said 50 high school students and 40 adults have signed up to participate. The group will stay at the First United Methodist Church in Athens and shower at the high school.

The volunteers have each paid $175 dollars to cover meals, T-shirts, program activities and the cost of building materials.

“We will work hard during the day and play hard at night,” Beasley said.

He said the group already has 30 projects planned and hopes to have at least 15 more before they arrive.

Beasley said the group will be completing projects throughout Henderson County.

“We try to keep our projects to two-day projects,” Beasley said. “Most of our projects are through referrals from home health services or people in church.”

Beasley said the group will do projects such as building wheelchair ramps, cleaning and hauling off junk from yards, painting houses, replacing doors and patching roofs.

“It is hard work. By the end of it you are worn out,” Beasley said. “But you are ready to go back the next year. It’s kinda one of those deals that once you go, you want to go back.”

Churches sending workers are Asbury United Methodist Church, Pasadena; Genoa United Methodist Church, Houston; First United Methodist Church, Humble; First Methodist Church, Lyndale; Wesley United Methodist Church, Nederland; Rose Hill United Methodist Church, Tomball; St. Marks United Methodist Church, Houston; St. Paul United Methodist Church, Tyler; and First United Methodist Church, Crockett.

Beasley said each individual church is responsible for getting to Athens. They will split up in 13 work teams when they arrive.

According to an information sheet, the U.M. Army is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation organized and operated for charitable purposes.

To request assistance or more information, call First United Methodist Church in Athens at 903-675-5161.

Text Only
Local News
  • Commissioners re-appoint three current Fair Park Board members

    The Henderson County Commissioners Court, by a 3 to 2 vote, Tuesday, voted to re-appoint three current members of the Fair Park Board to new terms.
    Chairman Bob Miars and members Ken Hayes and Mark Davis were chosen to serve an additional two years, with their terms to run through Dec. 31, 2013.

    February 7, 2012

  • Walmart workers cooperate with APD

    Walmart employees and the Athens Police Department spoiled a scheme to steal televisions from the store, Monday afternoon, leading to three arrests.

    February 7, 2012

  • Man named in plane theft

    Had it not been presence of a truck that authorities were able to trace to a Nacogdoches man, the search for a plane stolen from Athens Airport might be as difficult as finding a single bird in the sky.
    The 1980 model Cessna reported missing on Jan. 28 was recovered Monday by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, which had been assisting the Athens Police Department in the case.

    February 7, 2012

  • Hornet dance.JPG Dancin’ with Henry

    Four-year-old Janiyah Ray gets funky during halftime of the Athens Hornets' varsity boys game against Rusk last Friday at AHS Gym. Henry the Hornet (also known as Will Carter) began a dance routine as halftime began, and Ray couldn't help but run out of the stands and join in — much to the delight of the home crowd.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • 2-7 Bel Air kids.jpg Students help honor veterans

    Congressman Jeb Hensarling is asking students across the 5th Congressional District to help him honor the service and sacrifice of veterans by participating in the annual Valentines for Vets program. Pictured are students at Bel Air Elementary who took part in the project. In the front row are Kaytlen Hurley, Meagan Miranda, Coralyn Happel, Reagan Farley, Emily Rodriguez, Julian Cazares and Camryn Pair. In the second row are Alondra Carillo, Louis Delagarza, Morgan Gould, Alexis Robles, Caroline Moore, Madison Wilson and Renee Campbell. In back are Amy Gould, Caleb Humphries and Ricardo Sanchez.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Airplane theft suspect arrested

    Authorities in Nacogdoches County arrested a man Monday in connection with an airplane stolen from the Athens Municipal Airport last month.

    February 6, 2012

  • Accident investigation continues

    PAYNE SPRINGS — Police in this community are investigating an accident on State Highway 198 last Friday, involving a small car which sideswiped a 1996 GMC Z-71 truck, which was pulling a 16-foot utility trailer.

    February 6, 2012

  • Political parties continue waiting game Monday

    Henderson County Republican and Democratic leaders continued to play the waiting game Monday concerning the upcoming primary elections.
    County Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez said that as of Monday afternoon, progress had been made toward getting an agreement on contested redistricting maps.
    “Nothing is set in stone yet,” Hernandez said.

    February 6, 2012

  • APD arrest suspect with multiple recorded arrests

    The Athens Police Department made a felony drug arrest at a traffic stop on Friday night.
    Karen Louise Harris, 48, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (one gram to four grams).

    February 6, 2012

  • Woman stopped, arrested in GBC

    GUN BARREL CITY  — Donna Jean Schultz, 43, of GBC was stopped by a Henderson County Sheriff’s Department deputy last Friday at about 6 p.m. for a minor traffic violation near CJ’s parking lot off State Highway 334 and U.S. Highway 175.
    The minor traffic violation proved to be the least of her problems. 

    February 6, 2012