AGAPE

Children receive encouragement and help with their homework so that no child will be left behind.

CHRISTIAN CHILDREN'S COMMUNIT Y CENTER 4605 Fleming Road P.O. Box 155 Horntown, VA 23395 Phone: 757-824-0072 Open for Visitations Artist: Debby DeLoach

“...and he took them up in his arms, laid his hand on them, and blessed them.” --Mark 10:16

Children will not be discriminated against due to race, national origin, sex, or religion.

A ministry of the Eastern Shore District Virginia Annual Conference UMC P.O. Box 317 Parksley, VA 23421

“God sent Christ in the form of a child as the Messenger to bring good news…” --Matthew 18:3

"Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." -Mark 10:14

● Recipient of the 2011 VA Annual Conference Offering ● National Shalom Site ● VA Conference Advance Special

Please send contributions to: Barbara Mason, Treasurer P.O. Box 704, Chincoteague, VA 23336 Inquiries: 757-336-6436 or E-mail: or Website:

agapé (God’s unconditional, welcoming love) A ministry of the Eastern Shore District of THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The Agape Christian Children's Community Center (ACCCC) is a place where children can come to have fun and learn the basics in preparation for school - ABC's, counting, colors, etc. It's a place where their activity is encouraged with art; dress up play, stories and games. It’s a place where their feelings are respected and where they can learn how to get along with others in love. Each child is treated as someone special because he/she is! The Center is a happy place where children want to return every day because, most importantly, it’s a place where they learn how much Jesus loves each and every one of them.

We are grateful to our director and teaching staff. They have been carefully selected to become a part of the Agape Center because of their unique gifts and talents, their love of children and their love of Jesus Christ.

The well-equipped, fenced in playground provides a safe place for the children to play.

The Agape Center is governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of volunteer laypersons, local clergy and the Superintendent of the Eastern Shore District of The United Methodist Church.

How you can help... This center has potential to produce young men and women that can make vital contributions to this community as well as the nation.

Pray for the center and its mission. Send work teams to do repairs on the playground and building.

Send a team to hold Vacation Bible School this summer. The Agape Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Our preschool is for children ages three and four. The children are served breakfast, lunch and two snacks each day. The schedule for the After-School Program is Monday through Friday 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The After-School Program is FREE with preferences given to parents who have a child attending our preschool. In 2006 we stepped out in faith and extended our program to year round!

Invite a speaker. Some of our board members are available to speak to your church, UMW, UMM, Sunday School, or other groups.

Support Agape through regular giving or through Christmas & Lenten offerings.

For more information contact: As the Body of Christ, it is our responsibility to make a brighter future for our children and youth.

Barbara Mason at 757-336-6436 or Brenda Child at 434-848-3329

THE AGAPE CENTER NEWSLETTER

Agape Christian Children’s Community Center 4605 Fleming Rd., PO Box 155, Horntown, VA 23395 A Mission of the Eastern Shore District of the United Methodist Church Virginia Conference Advance Special #920 Doris Cropper, Director 757-824-0072

FEBRUARY 2014

THANK YOU!

Aldersgate UMC UMW Mr. & Mrs. Allen Andreatch Atlantic UMC Mr. & Mrs. George Barr Bay Lake UMC Bay Lake UMC UMW Belle Haven UMC UMW Robert C. & Joann Bingham Mr. & Mrs. William Bornscheur Mr. & Mrs. James Bott Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Bradley Burke UMC Calvary UMC, Parksley, VA Calvary UMC UMW, Parksley, VA Cana UMC Carrie Radcliffe Circle, Market St. UMC, Onancock Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Child Christ UMC, Chincoteague, VA Christ UMC UMW Christian Fellowship Group, Larchmont UMC Ms. Sandra Clark Community UMC, Virginia Beach Community UMC UMW, Virginia Beach Ms. Patricia O. Compton Concord UMC Craddockville UMC UMW Crouse Bible Class, First UMC, Hampton, VA Mr. & Mrs. Jean Cutter Dahlgren UMC Cdr. & Mrs. William DeHart Downings UMC, Oak Hall, VA Drummondtown UMC UMW Ms. Audrey Doughty Dudley Duncan Memorial UMC Eastern Shore District Clergy Association Eastern Shore District UMC

Barbara Mason, Editor 757-336-6436

2013 AGAPE SUPPORTERS!

Eastern Shore District UMW Mr. & Mrs. William E. Evans Evergreen/New Hope UMW, Hacksneck, VA First UMC UMW Circle #6, Hampton, VA First UMC UMW Circle #8, Hampton, VA First UMC UMW Circle #9, Hampton, VA First UMC Fisher Class, Hampton, VA First UMC, Hampton, VA First UMC UMW, Hampton, VA Ms. Margaret Fitch Franktown UMC UMW Franktown UMC Friendship Bible Class, Christ UMC, Chincoteague, VA Front Royal UMC Mr. & Mrs. C. Sherman Frye, Jr. Grace UMC, Parksley, VA Guilford UMC Charge Mrs. Mary Jane Halsor Haygood UMC UMW Hearts to Hands Circle UMW, Yorktown, VA Hopewell UMC UMW, Chesterfield, VA Horntown Charge Trustees, Horntown, VA Ms. Clara A. James Johnsons UMC, Machipongo, VA Ms. Robin P. Joynes Mr. & Mrs. E. Polk Kellam, Jr. Kilmarnock UMC Youth Kilmarnock UMC Mission Team Larchmont UMC, Norfolk, VA , Larchmont UMC UMW, Norfolk, VA Ms. Hedy C. Leutner Ms. Nancy Lewis

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT W. G. & Clare L. Lockett Ms. Michell Mardis Rev. Kirk C. Mariner Market St. UMC, Onancock, VA Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Mason Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Mason McCanless Mem. UMC, Rev. Joe Trickery Rev. Peggy L. Morris Mr. & Mrs. T. D. Murdock Mr. & Mrs. David F. Nefzger Mr. & Mrs. John M. Nelson New Force Sunday School Class, Market St. UMC, Onancock, VA Ocean View UMC, Wachapreague, VA Onley UMC Ms. Joan S. Porter Prospect UMC UMW, Ebony, VA Providence UMC, Yorktown, VA Mrs. Walta Pruitt Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Rayfield Refuge Temple, Oak Hall, VA Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Riordan Mr. & Mrs. Donald Ritenour, Jr. Saint Luke’s UMC, Yorktown, VA Saint Luke’s UMC UMW, Yorktown, VA Salem UMC, Mathews, VA Ms. Christine L. Serman Mr. & Mrs. Roger Smith Smith Chapel UMC, Quinby, VA South Hill UMC Ms. Ruth S. Spain St. Andrews UMC UMW, Virginia Beach, VA St. Andrews UMW, Diantha Circle, VA Beach, VA St. Luke UMC, Sisters in Christ, Yorktown, VA St. Thomas UMC UMW, Bloxom, VA Mr. & Mrs. Donald Stanton Ms. Barbra Stehlik Mr. John Marcus Sterne Mrs. Patsy Stith Susanna Wesley Circle, Richmond, VA Swain Memorial UMC, Tangier Island, VA Mr. & Mrs. Sidney R. Swiggett Sydenstricker UMC UMW Sydenstricker UMC Kitchen Class Thalia UMC UMW, VA Beach, VA Trinity UMC, Amelia, VA Trinity UMC,Newport News, VA Tues. Reunion Group, Franktown, UMC United Way of VA Eastern Shore VA Conf. Licensing School VA Conf. UMW Williamsburg UMC Williamsburg UMC UMW

FOR 2013

Ms. Clayshia Willis Woodland UMC UMW, Wind Mr. & Mrs. Stephen R. Woodzell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Wright Revs. Edward & Elizabeth Wright Mr. & Mrs Richard Young

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Treasurer’s office of the Virginia Conference is no longer providing names of those who donate through the Advance Special. A total of the month’s donations is given and direct deposited to Agape. We wish to thank all of you who continue to support us in this way as well as the UMW Units who donate through the VA Conference UMW. We are not provided with information on individual unit donations. Unfortunately, we cannot acknowledge your gifts with a thank you note, but are deeply grateful for your faithful support!

WHAT WILL THEY SAY NEXT? Alyrica, a 3 yr. old, was quick to point out and recognize all of her ABC’s during Circle Time. She is the little one who was sleeping during class in the previous newsletter. It brings to mind the old saying “Every shut eye ain’t asleep”. The children were practicing a new song: We’re going to sing, sing sing, We’re going to shout, shout, shout, We’re gonna sing,we’re gonna shout. Little Jayden spoke out in a heavy voice and said, “Praise the Lord!” Little Sundai arrived at the Center and proceeded over to Ms. Doris to bring tuition from her mother. She looked at Ms. Doris and said, “Now you take this and go to Walmart and buy something for yourself.” Ms. Doris said, “I can’t do that, I’ll go to jail.” Sundai stated very boldly and with confidence, “No you won’t, cuz I’m going to be a cop.”” The children sometimes bring in personal toys to show, however, little Jayden took it to a new level. Upon arriving at Agape, he walked over to Ms. Doris, handed her a package of Ramen Noodles, and said, “Now go and cook this.” Little Kamari has a “colorful” way of saying his colors: Red—like candy Blue—like the sky Green—like the grass Yellow—like the banana and Purple—like the BARNEY!

CHRISTMAS COMES TO AGAPE Santa and Mrs. Clause (Kemp and Charlene Rantz) and their elf helper (Hunter Wharton) visited Agape and a great time was had by all. The children model their hats with mittens attached that were given to them by Larchmont UMC along with books for Christmas.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Market St. UMC, Onancock for hand knitted and purchased sweaters (children shown modeling on page one) Ocean View UMC, Wachapreague for large gift bags with clothes, toys, and stuffed animals. Williamsburg UMC for personalized stockings with gifts for each child. Larchmont UMC for books and hats with mittens attached (shown above right) St. John Independent Church, Messongo, VA for cleaning supplies. Local Legends Divas (social group club) for blankets and snack for Christmas. Bethany UMC, Hampton, VA for a car loaded with supplies, food, gift for each child, books and a nativity ornament. Barbara Gray, Avon Representative for coats, gift stocking with candy for the children and Avon gift for the staff. Faye Keenan, Yorktown, for books. Charlene and Kemp Rantz and Hunter Wharton for the visit from Santa and coloring books, crayons and candy canes. St. Andrews UMC, Virginia Beach for supplies and food. Christ UMC, Chincoteague, VA for part of their Christmas offering.

Thank you for providing scholarships! Christ UMC UMW, Chincoteague, VA Market Street UMC, Onancock, VA South Hill UMC, South Hill, VA

By Mrs. Doris Cropper, Director HAVE WE LOST TOUCH? In reading the scriptures recently, I came upon Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” My mind immediately goes to today’s children. They have become so involved in the many activities society offers that it takes their attention away from the important aspects of life. Grant you, there is a need for technical applications, such as computers, I-pads and the like because it is necessary, both in classrooms,on our jobs and just about everything individuals are involved with; however, has it taken place of the touch of a parent’s hand showing love and concern for our children? Has it replaced the normal conversations parents had when the children were small and so inquisitive about life? Has prayer at the dinner table and Sunday morning been replaced by text messaging, conversations on cell phones, playing games on tablets and X-Box 360’s, Wii,Nintendo, etc.? The bible says we are to “train a child in the way he should go”, but are we delegating this responsibility to television, computers, I-pads, I-phones, tablets and the like? Many of our children are starving for the attention that can only be given by a loving parent. With the condition of our world today, we need to put our children’s time to good use on these activities and maybe spend a little family time with them. Why not text our teens and let them know we love them. For our small children, take time and sit with them, read to them, and tell them each day you love them!

Looking for a speaker? It would be a blessing to come to your Church, UMW, UMM, Sunday School, Youth Group or any interested groups, to share the story of Agape in a message called “Miracles of Horntown”. I will travel anywhere in the Virginia Conference, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me. Barbara Mason 757-336-6346 cell 757-894-3208 [email protected] It would be a blessing to come to your Church, UMW, UMM, the story of Agape and the “Miracles of Horntown”. I will travel anywhere in the Virginia Conference, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

AGAPE CCCC FINANCIAL UPDATE 2013 Year End Facts 2013 Income all sources 2013 Expenses 2013 Shortfall

$89,485.36 $97,279.72 $ 7,794.36

We need approximately $10,000 per month for salaries ($7,000) & scholarships ($3,000) The children and their families as well as the Staff and Board of Directors want to express their heartfelt thanks and love to each of you who sent us financial gifts in 2013! We would not be here without you! Please make checks payable to Agape CCCC and send to: Mrs. Barbara S. Mason, Treasurer PO Box 704 Chincoteague,VA 23336

WAYS TO HELP Advance Special #920 Budgeted Mission Benevolence Advent/Easter Offerings Bazaar Proceeds Penny or Coin Collection Second Mile Giving Memorials & Honorariums Sunday School Classes Alternative Giving Events Youth, UMM, UMW, VBS Fundraisers

Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14

To arrange for a visit or a mission trip or do VBS this summer, please call Mrs. Doris Cropper, Director 757-824-0072 before 2:00 p.m.