Don't Bother Calling...My Phone Will Be Off!!

For those of you who are threatening to call me this weekend, don't bother! I'll be making full use of the "off" button on my phone! I'll be sure and give you a full report when we get home. Well...ok...maybe not a full report but I'll cover the highlights and hopefully have a few pictures to share!

Dixie Echoes and Palmetto State Quartet

This past Saturday May 3rd, the Dixie Echoes made their annual trip to Westminster, Maryland along with our friends Palmetto State Quartet. Every year the folks at Reflections of Light Ministries bring these two groups together for a great night of classic quartet music. If you live in that area be sure and go support all of the Reflections of Light concerts and be watching for next years concert with the Dixie Echoes and PSQ. Special thanks to Beth Nease for the pictures!

Dallas Rogers, Randy Shelnut, Scoot Shelnut, Tracy Crouch, and Stewart Varnado

Stewart playing his heart out for the folks in Westminster

46 years of great quartet music...The Dixie Echoes

Randy "Scoot" Shelnut, Jr., Tracy Crouch, and Stewart Varnado

Dallas Rogers and Randy Shelnut

On the second half of the program Palmetto State and the Dixie Echoes joined forces on several numbers

Kerry Beatty giving a wonderful rendition of "The Lighthouse"

The Palmetto Dixie State Echoes Quartet

This was Burman Porter's first weekend out with PSQ, he did an outstanding job

Dallas Rogers, John Rulapaugh, Rick Fair, Kerry Beatty, Randy Shelnut, Burman Porter, Scoot Shelnut, Tracy Crouch, Andrew Ishee, and Stewart Varnado

Legacy 5's Celebration 2006, Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN

On May 27 the Dixie Echoes had a great time singing with our friends Legacy Five at their annual homecoming held in the beautiful Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. This was our first appearance at this event, we hope it will not be the last!! Here are a few photos from that weekend.

Dixie Echoes delivering a great performance

Doing it the old fashioned way!

4 Guys and a piano player!

Dallas Rogers and Randy Shelnut

I wish Stewart would have more camera appeal!!

The crowd around the product tables

Our friends the Booth Brothers were there on Friday night

The accompanist...Roger Bennett

A sell-out crowd!

Your hosts for the weekend...Legacy Five

The emcee...Roger Bennett

An outstanding message being delivered by Rev. Phil Hoskins

Members of the Dixie Echoes along with Roger Bennett visiting backstage

The Voices of Lee...if you've never heard this choir you are truly missing out!

Greater Vision turning in another outstanding performance

A very underrated and unique group, The Pfeifers

Indonesia Disaster Relief

Taken From NCNNews.com

Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

At approximately 6 A.M. local time on Saturday morning, May 27, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rippled through the major city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. International news agencies are now reporting more than 5,700 people have been confirmed killed, with hundreds more injured and as many as 200,000 homeless. The death toll continues to rise as rescuers clear away rubble from collapsed homes and businesses.

Later on Saturday, Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Regional Director Verne Ward spoke by phone with Sealands Field Strategy Coordinator Bob McCroskey, who lives in Yogyakarta. Although Yogyakarta had felt the brunt of the quake, McCroskey reported that they are safe.

Further investigation by the World Mission Department, the Asia-Pacific Regional Office, and McCroskey's team revealed that several Nazarenes in the community lost their homes, but they were okay. Many lost friends and associates in the quake, including McCroskey.

By Tuesday, May 30, it was learned that four Nazarene churches and parsonages were destroyed. Some missionary homes were also damaged.

Damage to the Nazarene Bible College was extensive. Classes were quickly cancelled for this week in order that students and faculty help with disaster relief. Students have mobilized to cook approximately 150 each day so far. Meals are being wrapped in oil paper and distributed among the wounded. Tools were purchased for teams of students to help clean up rubble from broken houses. A visitation team is also being assembled to meet with patients in local hospitals.

World Mission Director Louie E. Bustle reported on Sunday, May 28, that compassionate ministry outreach was underway almost immediately after the disaster.

In Panggang, the local Nazarene congregation distributed food to neighbors in spite of the destruction to their church building.

Asia-Pacific teams continue to work with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) in Kansas City to coordinate additional outreach efforts.

NCM reports immediate needs are food supplies and water. Long-term needs include sacks of cement, tin roofing, nails, and wood for the rebuilding of homes and churches, as well as household supplies.

“Indonesia is a country battling great crisis.” stated Bustle. “In this time of uncertainty we need to rally around our brothers and sisters in Christ, not only helping them to rebuild, but helping them to show the love of our Lord to their neighbors.”

“The needs are great,” said McCroskey. “The challenges are enormous. But God is greater. We know we have great friends and a great church that will rally around us. As we each do what we can do, God will help us to help the suffering.”

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for Indonesia earthquake relief efforts can mark their checks “Indonesia Earthquake Relief ACM2001” and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Immediate donations may also be made online at www.ncm.org.

All donations remitted through the General Treasurer’s Office will receive 10 percent Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

"Please join me in continuing to pray for all those who have been affected by this earthquake - many of whom are still suffering the effects of the 2004 tsunami," said Bustle.
--NCN News, NCM, Asia-Pacific Region