Pacific Relief

Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunamis
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The earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan was a frightening experience even for people in Tokyo, some 200 miles away from the epicenter. The magnitude 8.9 quake, which struck offshore Japan on Friday, unleashed a 23-foot tsunami and was followed for hours by more than 50 aftershocks, many of them of more than magnitude 6.0.

UMCOR has established Advance 3021317 “Pacific Emergency” where relief donations can be directed. Persons wishing to donate can put a check in the local church offering plate clearly marked PACIFIC EMERGENCY or Advance 3021317, which the church can then remit to the conference treasurer’s office. Persons wishing to make donations online can go to PACIFIC EMERGENCY.

To read more about the United Methodist response to this disaster, go to the United Methodist News Service article at Japan Earthquake news.

Pancake mix from Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper

Enjoy!
(This is adapted from a Cooks Country Recipe.)
Makes about 6 cups of mix, enough for 3 batches of 8 pancakes each.
Ingredients
2 Whole wheat flour
2 cups cake flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter , cut into 1/2 -inch pieces

Instructions
• Process all ingredients in food processor until no lumps remain and mixture is texture of wet sand, about 2 minutes. Freeze in airtight container for up to 2 months.

• To make 8 pancakes: Whisk 2 cups mix, 2 lightly beaten large eggs, and 1 ½ to 2 cups buttermilk in large bowl (or 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup 2% milk for thinner cakes). Pour ¼-cup portions of pancake batter onto lightly oiled large nonstick skillet or griddle and cook over medium-low heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. (If you don’t have buttermilk, make clabbered milk by whisking ½ tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice into ½ cup whole or low-fat milk and letting the mixture thicken for 10 minutes.)

Calling all Gardeners!

Time to get those green thumbs on, plant some spinach and chard, and plan for the summer!

There is garlic growing like gang-buster there now, and strawberries that need tending.

Bring gloves and Tools: Saturday (March 26) 9 a.m.