Vail's Gate United Methodist Church and ten other Methodist churches in the greater Newburgh area have joined
together to completely renovate a house at 70 Benkard Avenue in the City of Newburgh through Habitat for
Humanity of Greater Newburgh. This project is truly mission in action and wonderfully illustrates the connectional
aspect of Methodism.

Renovation will officially kickoff on Saturday, February 25, 2006 with a Methodist Work Day. Work will begin at 8
AM and will conclude at 12 noon with a soup lunch and worship at First Congregational Church on Liberty Street.
(Work on this day and for several weeks following will be demolition and anyone can do it!)

Participating churches have pledged $60,000 for this project. Over $30,000 has been raised. Habitat's annual Walk
for Housing on April 30, 2006 at Downing Park will be our next big fundraising effort. Methodist Build churches will
be walking together and all members and friends of Vail's Gate UMC are invited to secure pledges and join the fun.
If you cannot walk, please sponsor a walker!

Work on this house will continue every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 AM until
12 -1 PM until the project is complete. There is a coffee break each session that is both informative and
inspirational. If you cannot work a full session, you are more than welcome to come for as long as you can.

Even though the days are getting warmer, the evenings can still carry a chill in the air. Throwing a sweater or jacket
around our shoulders can ward off that chill, providing some warmth and comfort. Like a child carrying around his
favorite blanket for comfort, a person who is hurting (physical pain, emotional distress, grief, depression, etc.) can
feel warmth and comfort from the prayers which have been lifted up. Knitting (or crocheting or weaving) prayers into
a big, oversized, soft shawl can wrap that person in the love of a congregation, letting that person know that we
care and are praying for God's guidance and loving touch. Churches around the world have established prayer
shawl ministries to reach out to others, offering a tangible item along with a spirit of caring and love.

If you knit, crochet, or weave, and would like to be a part of this new ministry in our church, join us on the third
Friday of the month at 7 PM.