LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I imagine that during the upcoming Palm Sunday, March 31, weekend and the following Holy Week events you will want to visit a church somewhere. This Sunday morning, we will have the usual procession of palms and children as most mainline churches will be doing. In addition we will be having a balloon release of 500+ helium balloons (a colorful picture that will represent the power of the cross to lift sin and guilt away from us)!

Also this week is special because I began the new year with the same resolution as everyone else -- to lose weight. What I have done that is different is that I enlisted the aid of my personal battle of the bulge is to pledge to our church's mission fund for every "pound of preacher" that I lose! To date I am worth about $40 a pound. I will be "weighing in" once a quarter with the congregation as I report my progress and at those times they will pay up their pledges. THIS SUNDAY is the first official report. I have purchased the same amount of Brachs candy as I have lost in pounds (it's a huge basket full) to show as a graphic representation of my progress.

Our main service of worship, where this will be taking place, is at 10 a.m. on March 31.

Rev. Scott Lohse

New McKendree Methodist Church