Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012

Trinity Baptist helps build school in Belize

A group of Trinity Baptist church members recently spent their days spreading mortar on concrete blocks to build a school for a village in Belize.

The mission trip began a two-year partnership between the Raleigh church and the Santa Elena Baptist Church in Belize to finish a school building that has sat unfinished for more than two years.

Thanks to the hard work of the Trinity Baptist mission team and the Santa Elena church members, the first floor of the school will open for students in September, and the second floor in 2013. The school will also serve as a hurricane shelter for the community.

“A father came to see us with his three kids and was overjoyed that the school would be finished because his children’s current school is too far for them to ride their bikes,” said Hal Melton, associate pastor of missions and senior adult ministries of Trinity Baptist Church.

To show their appreciation, community members brought the Raleigh volunteers homemade tamales wrapped in banana leaves for lunch every day.

A building team from Trinity Baptist is headed back to Belize Aug. 10-18. Melton said anyone in the community who is interested in helping with concrete block construction is welcome to join the mission team. The cost will be about $1,400, depending on actual airfare costs, and includes lodging, food and transportation.

Another Trinity Baptist Church mission trip is scheduled from May 18-26 to provide medical, dental and vision care to residents of Hope Valley in Belize. This trip is open to medical professionals with licensing documentation and will also cost about $1,400. To learn more about either trip, contact Rev. Hal Melton at hmelton@tbcraleigh.com or 919-787-3740.

“The bottom line is that Christianity is a mission: making the world a better place here in Raleigh, in our nation and around the world. It thrills me that our people do not mind getting their hands dirty to help others,” Melton said.

Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers

Two area churches are having Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent, is traditionally celebrated with a pancake supper.

The community is invited to feast on homemade pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and juice from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Louisburg. The supper is free, but donations will be accepted. Takeout also will be available. The church is at the corner of Church Street and Sunset Avenue. For more information, call 919-496-4180.

Fairmont United Methodist Church is holding its pancake supper from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the church, 2501 Clark Ave., Raleigh. The event is $6 per plate, and all proceeds will help mission teams assisting Hurricane Irene victims in eastern North Carolina. For more information, call 919-832-3316.

Benson Memorial UMC Saturday night service

Benson Memorial United Methodist Church recently began offering a casual Saturday night worship service in addition to its two Sunday morning services. The new service meets at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary and will begin meeting in the fellowship hall next month when they finish remodeling the church at 4706 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh.

“The service will combine the best from the past and the best from the present, making it into something that hopefully people will be comfortable gathering at,” said Jeff Babajtis, associate pastor.

The worship time includes weekly communion, innovative music, Bible study and a message. Nursery is provided, but parents are encouraged to keep their children with them to worship as a family. A children’s table with coloring pages and crayons is set up in the worship space to help occupy the little ones. For more information, call 919-787-0789 or visit www.bensonmemorial.org.

Divorce Recovery Workshop

Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest is beginning a new session of Divorce Recovery Workshop for people going through a divorce or separation. The class meets from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays and runs from Feb. 16 to March 22. The cost for the workshop is $40, and child care is available for $10 per child. The church is located at 3229 Burlington Mills Road. For information or to register, go to www.rc3DivorceRecovery.com.