Methodist Men announce officers
<span>CHESTER - The Methodist Men of the First United Methodist Church in Chester met for their February meeting on Feb. 3 at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. </span>
<span>The business portion of the meeting was conducted by President Zeb Holder. The first order of business was the reading of the minutes of the January meeting by Secretary Bob Koenegstein.</span>
<span>The treasurer's report was read by Judge Richard Brown. Brown discussed various elements of the report and it was approved by the membership.</span>
<span>The main portion of the business meeting consisted of a lengthy discussion regarding upcoming Annual Methodist Men's Pancake Breakfast. The event will be hosted by the Men at the Fellowship Hall on March 14. </span>
<span>The breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. and serving will continue until 11 a.m. The menu will include "all-you-can-eat" pancakes, sausage links, coffee, milk and orange juice. </span>
<span>The cost for tickets is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 12 and younger and children 5 years old and younger will eat for free.</span>
<span>Profits from the sale of the pancakes are used to support numerous charities, organizations and benefits throughout the year. </span>
<span>In other business, Brown was authorized to make several payments to various entities. A $200 donation was made to students from the Chester High School Band and Chorus who assisted the men with their Annual Ham and Bean dinner last fall.</span>
<span>Brown also noted that he had written a $200 check to the Wesley Foundation at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The Wesley Foundation is a Methodist organization on SIU's campus which offers religious services, recreation opportunities and a place for students to visit, study and relax while they are away from home at the university.</span>
<span>The UMM further voted to approve a donation of $200 to the Hospitality House in Chester. This facility offers visitors to Menard Correctional Center an affordable place to have an overnight stay while visiting inmates in Menard. </span>
<span>Brown will also write a check for $750 for the second installment of the Methodist Men's College Scholarships for Noah and Hannah Wunderlich.</span>
<span>Both are members of the church who are completing their college degrees this year and have been very faithful to the church throughout the past two decades.</span>
<span>Lastly, Brown announced that he would write a check for a $200 donation to the "Kids First" Program at Chester Grade School. This program provides needy student with various supplies such shoes, coats, gloves, caps, school supplies and other items which may not otherwise be available to them.</span>
<span>In other business, it was recommended and approved that the Methodist Men would host their annual ham and bean dinner from now on, the second Friday of November each year. It was also agreed and voted to host the annual pancake breakfast on the second Saturday of March each year.</span>
<span>The meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m. with a prayer offered by Manley Limbaugh, a long-standing leader and member of the United Methodist Men.</span>
<span>The next meeting of the UMM will be March 3 at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the church.</span>