By PASTOR T.R HARDIC
McELHATTAN - The day couldn't have been more perfect for 13 riders from the McElhattan UMC New Life Riders group to head off for Lewisburg. What was our destination? We were headed to the WGRC radio station parking lot to embark on a ride of 90 miles to benefit Your Loving Choices pregnancy care center in Bloomsburg.
The New Life Riders are a group formed by men and women of McElhattan United Methodist Church after one couple approached the pastor about it. The couple had recently purchased a motorcycle and thought it would be a great thing if there was a group of people who could ride together for fellowship and fun. The pastor agreed and The New Life Riders were born.
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The McElhattan UMC New Life Riders gather for short rides at 3 p.m. Sundays in the church parking lot. The group also recently participated in a benefit.
For those who may be wondering, yes the pastor rides a motorcycle too.
The group is open to anyone who enjoys riding motorcycles. You do not need to be a member of any particular church or organization. The goal of the group is for folks to come together in a safe environment to enjoy each other's company and God's creation.
We also have talked about supporting rides such as the pregnancy care benefit as a way to outreach to those who need support and care. We chose Your Loving Choices for just that reason. Your Loving Choices provides care and counseling to young people regardless of ability to pay, and the agency also provides spiritual support as well.
As the group grows I can see The New Life Riders sponsoring our own rides to help meet needs of people in our area as one of our priorities.
The group meets in the social hall of McElhattan United Methodist Church, 502 McElhattan Drive, the first Friday of every month at 6 p.m. We normally like to try to go out for a late supper or ice cream after the meeting.
We have been scheduling short rides together on Sunday afternoons. We meet in the church parking lot at 3 p.m. For tomorrow we are planning a ride to the Black Forest Inn for dinner, by way of Renovo.
All are welcome to join us for our meetings or rides. It's a great way to meet people, enjoy the great outdoors and to be a part of a group of folks that enjoy the sun on our faces and wind in our hair.
For more information, call the church office at 769-6066.
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Rev. T.R. Hardic is pastor of the McElhattan United Methodist Charge.
