As God calls us toward a Mission, He always provides the necessary provisions for the labor. 

As most of you know, one of our long time faithful members, Mrs. Electa Barrier, died on 
January 25th of this year, and we were able to celebrate her life and faith in the sanctuary 
just a few months ago. 

It is a joy for me to announce to you that a substantial memorial gift has been given to the 
church in memory of Mrs. Electa Barrier, to the Glory of God.  This gift was given undesignated,
 which allowed the Finance Team and the Pastor, along with the donors, to divide the funds 
 to help the church in a variety of needful ways.  The following funds received portions from
  this generous gift: the RBUMC General Fund, the Building Fund, a Parking Lot Fund, the Bus 
  Fund, the Missions Fund, a Playground Equipment Fund (for small kids), Evangelism Projects, 
Preschool Reserve Fund, Stewardship Program 2010, Hut Improvements for Youth, a folding 
machine to do 11/17 size bulletins, Continuing Education for Laity, and a line item for storage 
needs to be determined by the Trustees. 

This one time memorial gift will not only allow the church to avoid desperate financial cuts 
for the present, but will allow us to advance the Kingdom of God in a variety of areas in the 
near future.  

I believe this generous memorial gift will take some of the financial pressure off as we 
continue building growing ministries. It will allow the Youth and Children to have a successful
 summer with retreats and VBS, open more possibilities for generosity through Missions and 
 provide a base for advances in areas that might have otherwise taken years to achieve. 

What a wonderful gift of generosity to the church, and a welcome relief for the church of 
Jesus Christ at Red Band UMC.  This does not relieve the rest of us from doing our part in 
giving to the church, but should inspire us to offer as much as we can to glorify God, as 
our fast growing, active church continues to serve even with a slower growing budget.  
Presently we are not taking in what we need to each month to run the church at this pace.  
If we are to thrive in the future, we will need to, as a church, continue to teach, practice 
and preach good stewardship. 

RBUMC has so much potential and continues to reach out in powerful ways to our membership 
and the community with ministries, outreach, generosity, love and hospitality, but the 
ultimate question is; “What kind of Church is Christ calling us to be in the Red Bank 
community and the World?”

Praise to God for Mrs. Electa Barrier’s generosity in helping build the Kingdom of 
God, even beyond her years here on earth.  We are grateful. 

Note: This is the second gift in the past 12 months that has blessed the church through a            
substantial memorial giving. Thanks again to Mrs. Annie Lee Taylor in her generosity earlier         
in the year toward the Building Fund in the close of her Estate/Will and to all of you who 
have, and continue to, lend your support for the mission and ministry of RBUMC.

						~ Joy and Peace ~ Rev. Tommy Wilkes