UNITED WE STAND

If those in attendance here Saturday during a unity march against crime and
drug abuse have their way, then there is a major change in store for this
tiny, Northampton County town.

Members of New Jerusalem Church of God and Mt. Sinai Church of God banded
together Saturday morning for a leisurely stroll down Main Street where
their mission was to bring awareness to the problems of crime and drugs,
especially when those two unwelcome elements ruin the lives of young people.

"This is not a black, white, red or blue problem, it's everybody's
problem," said Pastor Randy Beale of New Jerusalem Church of God. "We're
not just going to sit in our church on Main Street here in Woodland and
watch our little community collapse under the weight of crime and drugs.
We're taking our message to the hedges and the highway."

Pastor Beale promised if just one young person could be saved from the
evils of crime or drug abuse, then the program his church sponsors would be
worth its weight in gold.

"My heart broke when that lady over at the bank in Conway was shot and
killed just recently," he stated. "When events such as that happen, you
search your own soul and wonder what could you have done to prevent it.
That's what our program is all about - education and prevention."

He continued, "We need a place where our young people can go instead of
hanging out on some corner with their pants drooping down, smoking Newports
and drinking Budweiser."

Woodland Police Chief Don Ryan offered a suggestion.

"Despite being such a small town, Woodland has a wonderful recreational
program for our young people," he stressed. "I urge everyone to become
involved in these wholesome family programs offered at the recreation park."

To that, Beale remarked, "Mayor (Margaret) Burgwyn is our friend. Chief
Ryan is our friend. Let's work with them to regain control in our battle
against crime and drugs."

Also on the agenda to speak out against the menacing elements that threaten
families and communities was Elder Arthur Clark of Mt. Sinai Church of God.
"If crime and drugs aren't dealt with then they will explode and pour into
our neighborhoods," he noted. "It all starts within the home. My best
advice is to create a relationship with your children. Deal with them in
their childhood ways. They can't be taught to be afraid to come and talk
things over with their parents. Therefore it's important to keep an open
line of communication with them."

Chief Ryan echoed those comments by saying, "It's so important to have open
dialog with your children. If that happens, I'll guarantee you that 99 out
of 100 times, families who sit down and rationally talk things over will be
the ones who have children who can distinguish right from wrong and are
able to make the right choices."

Ryan continued, "It's important to love your children and show them that
you love them. I urge all parents not to ignore the problems of crime and
drugs and don't take for granted that someone else will take care of those
problems. Talk to your children and keep an open line of communication with
them."

Pastor Beale emphasized the fact that drug abusers or criminals don't only
hurt themselves with their actions.

"Think of the families, good and law-abiding citizens, who have to suffer
because of the unlawful acts of their loved ones," said Beale. "They are
forced to carry emotional scars that perhaps will never go away."

Beale concluded the event by stating, "Thank you all for supporting our
cause here today. With your presence, you've shown your love, not just for
your own children or loved ones, but for this entire community. You have
taken a stand against crime and drug abuse and I feel we're on the verge of
something big here in Woodland. My heart is encouraged to keep on with this
battle."