Cleaning buckets needed

The United Methodist Women (UMW) of Belin Memorial United Methodist Church is inviting the people of Murrells Inlet to join forces with the Belin congregation in their latest mission project: to produce at least 200 buckets full of cleaning supplies which will be donated to the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Relief Supply Network. Those buckets, called UMCOR Disaster Relief Cleaning Buckets, are stored until a community in the United States is faced with the task of cleaning up after a disaster situation such as a tornado, severe storm, flooding or (as could most likely be our case) a hurricane.

Over 18,000 Cleaning Buckets were delivered to survivors of storms all over the United States in 2011 and because of the number and severity of this year's spring storms the supply of Cleaning Buckets has been nearly diminished. Many in our community can remember all too vividly what a daunting task it is to begin the process of cleaning up after hurricanes and severe storms and we know the impact that another person's kindness can have on us at such a time.

The Reverend Dr. Mike Alexander, Senior Pastor of Belin says, "Our church's origin goes back to John Wesley in the mid-18th century in England. Wesley was overly methodical and exceptionally detailed with Bible study and living a holy life. For Wesley, living a holy life included meeting the needs of people in crisis. This Cleaning Bucket project addresses the immediate needs of folks in a crisis so that we might later be able to tell them about the love of Jesus Christ."

So in response to a plea from UMCOR, Belin UMW is giving the Murrells Inlet community an opportunity to do some "hands on" relief work by purchasing and filling up 5 gallon buckets with the cleaning supplies requested by UMCOR and dropping them off at the church during the month of May. Also, donations of individual items or bulk items from the list will be accepted and combined with the donation of others to complete as many buckets as possible. Then on May 27, 2012, Reverend Alexander will ask God's blessings on those who have participated in this project and, most importantly, on those who will receive the buckets. The buckets will be dedicated to the glory of God and then turned over to UMCOR who will distribute them or store them as needed. And in the event that we endure any hurricanes here, then some of those buckets, with those put together all over the United States may make their way back to our area!

For the sake of consistency and to ensure the most useful combination of products, UMCOR has compiled a very specific list of items that are to be included in the buckets. The list and details on this mission project opportunity can be obtained from the Belin Memorial UMC website belinumc.org or by stopping by or calling the Belin Church office 843-651-5099.

Also, look for the UMW/UMCOR Cleaning Bucket Booth at Belin's Blessing of the Inlet on May 5 where information can be picked up and buckets and supplies can be dropped off. Monetary donations for this project will also be collected at this event and a trinket will be given to any children who come by the booth to see an actual bucket filled with supplies.

It is important to note that Brown's Chapel UMC in Murrells Inlet has already offered to donate some filled buckets and Belin UMW invites any other churches, organizations, and businesses in our area to partner with Belin in this endeavor.

And most importantly, Belin Memorial United Methodist Church is asking everyone to begin praying now for God's blessings on every person who handles these buckets and on the people who will receive these buckets. May they be touched by the love of the people of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. And may God receive all the glory!!

Diane Strickland

President, Belin United Methodist Women

Belin Memorial UMC

Murrells Inlet

One-cent (1%) sales tax in Georgetown County

In today’s weak economy and high unemployment and high gas prices, families are looking to economize and find ways to reduce spending. Most county families do their shopping only in Georgetown County because they cannot afford or do not want to pay the extra penny in sales tax charged in Horry and Charleston County. Our elected city and county politicians, however, are trying to get every family in the county to spend another 1% in sales tax.

It was only several years ago that Georgetown County passed a $319 million budget for capital improvements, including parks, recreational facilities, buildings, etc. The proposed one-cent sales tax is intended for capital improvements, buildings, parks, etc. These politicians claim this sales tax would be limited to 2 to 8 years.

Putting this in perspective, a family with an income of $15,000 a year and spending this amount in the county could end up paying as much as $150 a year with this new proposed sales tax or a total of $300 to $1200 over the 2 to 8 years. A household with an income of $50,000 a year and spending it within the county could end up paying as much as $500 a year or a total of $1000 to $4000 over the 2 to 8 years.

Come November, if this proposed sales tax is on the ballot, I hope Georgetown County families vote it down. I also hope that you vote for replacing the currently elected politicians with county residents who know how to economize, stay within budget and live within their means.

Ronald Heffner

Pawleys Island