United Methodists Aid German Playground
United Methodist News Feature
September 2, 1999
Contact: Linda Bloom • New York
Contributions from United Methodists have helped create a children's playground in Oranienburg, a city in eastern Germany.
The denomination's involvement began in November 1998, when United Methodist Bishop Lindsey Davis of Atlanta visited "White City," a new housing development in an area formerly used for Soviet barracks. The area's name reflects the fact that all the barracks were painted white. The development – home to some 3,000 people – had no playground because of a lack of funding, and Davis promised his assistance.
ABOVE:
Children
from the "White City" housing
development in Oranienburg,
Germany, enjoying new playground
equipment bought with funds donated
by United Methodists in Georgia and
Texas. The development is named
after the white barracks that
formerly housed Soviet troops on the
site.
BELOW:
Children celebrating the dedication of
new playground equipment bought
with funds donated by United
Methodists in Georgia and Texas.
The development is named after the
white barracks that formerly housed
Soviet troops on the site.
UMNS photos courtesy of Heinrich Meinhardt.
Joining the bishop in providing financial help were the United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church in Marietta, Ga., and Sunday school members at the Utopia (Texas) United Methodist Church. Volunteers from United Methodist churches near the housing development and the local mission church participated in the actual construction.
The playground was dedicated after a weeklong summer Bible school for the children. Annagret Stransky, chairwoman of the Oranienburg parliament, thanked the United Methodists for collecting money for the project.
Information for this story was provided by Heinrich Meinhardt.