A benefit fundraiser will be held for the Justin and Deanna Stutts family, Mon., June 22, at the Shady Grove Baptist Church pavilion from 4 to 8 p.m. Entertainment for the benefit will feature Garrett and Briana Dean with special music and Swamp John’s plates which will be $10 per plate.

Deanna Stutts went into cardiac arrest Dec. 30, 2014, while on vacation in Indiana in her van with her husband, children and her mom and dad. Deanna’s husband, Justin started CPR while her dad was driving and her mom was on the phone with 911. The oldest child who was 12 at the time took care of the rest of the children and tried to comfort them.

Deanna was airlifted to the Methodist Hospital in Indiana from a smaller hospital. She was in the neuro intensive care unit. She had brain swelling, and doctors didn’t know what the outcome was going to be.

After about two weeks, she was taken off the ventilator and moved to the heart unit and a diffibulator was put in. She was sent home the next day, Jan. 21. She couldn’t drive or work until June 1, when she was released to drive but still couldn’t work. The family has to live on one income. All of the proceeds from the benefit will go to the Stutts family. All help and support will be greatly appreciated. Deanna was 29 years old at the time and the family gives thanks to God for his blessings.

Happy wedding anniversary wishes to Steve and Mary Terry as they celebrate their 27th anniversary on June 21.

Belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Michael Self and Aiden Baker on June 15, Janice Hargett, Dawson Bell and on Delbert Vest on June 16, and happy birthday wishes to Bari Camper and Dewayne Eddy on June 21.

Basham Chapel UMC has several good programs for members and the community under the leadership of pastor Tommy Elder. Every month on the second Tuesday, senior citizens enjoy a devotional, a short program and a potluck meal at 11 a.m. Sometimes they have special meals, and now and then, a caterer brings food in or they go out for the occasion.

On Tues., June 9, area residents and members brought potluck lunch and everyone had a good visit, entertainment and food. There are interesting Sunday school classes and youth activities as well as monthly UMC women’s meetings.

The annual Decoration Day for Fairview Cemetery off West Lacon Road was Sun., June 7. The memorial church service was at New Life, God’s Church at the 11 a.m. worship hour. There were comments about family, church and community leaders who are deceased and interred there. Many wonderful experiences were told. Everyone enjoyed special music and pastors Phillip Hardin and Tony Johnson’s program. A delicious meal was served in the fellowship hall at noon. Families and old friends cherish these meetings and sharing food together.

Congratulations and best wishes go out this week for Jonathan and Shabree King who were married May 12, 2015, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Shabree is the daughter of Billy and Tammy Vest and the granddaughter of Delbert Vest. Jonathan is the son of Steve and Beverly King of Florence.

The Rev. Scotty Reeves from Lawrence County will be Neel UMC’s pastor for this conference year. His first worship service was June 14, at 10:30 a.m. The church and the community welcomed Brother Scotty.

The Falkville High School Class of 1953 met at the home of classmate J. C. Dunnaway in Falkville Sat., June 13. Pat Fitzgerald, formerly of Massey, is the class president. The group had the meal catered and members took desserts. Classmates shared personal and family news, photos and memories. Many went by the campus to see the renovated high school building.

A group from Corinth West Baptist Church went on a mission trip June 13-19 to Fulton, Ky. Those attending were Bro. Glenn Miller, Jeff Reid, Hilton and Nancy Kelly, Tim and Shanda Garner and Carson Moon and Taylor and Jessi Emerson. The men’s group met Sun., June 7, at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. They discussed church and yard clean-up, repairs, rewiring and helping the women’s group with tables and chairs for the conference June 20. They enjoyed breakfast served by the women.

Special congratulations go out this week to Dale and Hannah Burch on the birth of their daughter, Ada June Burch. Ada was born on May 8, she weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces and she was 20 inches long. Proud grandparents are Hank and Holly Little and Dale and and Tammy Burch and great-grandparents are Clyde and Levonia Gillott, Ruth Burch and Louie and Judy Little.

Neel UMC met Wed., June 3, at the home of Jill Wallace. Brenda Lewis presented the program,welcoming people of all abilities. The hostess served refreshments to 14 members and two visitors. Their next meeting will be Wed., July 1.

Lebanon Baptist Church on Hwy 55 West, hosted their monthly senior citizens potluck lunch on Wed., June 3. Members and area residents enjoyed the meal and devotional in the fellowship hall. Lebanon’s annual summer vacation Bible school was June 14-17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Area children, youth and visitors enjoyed the classes, crafts, music and food.

The Rev. Jason Green completed several years at Neel UMC as pastor on Sun., June 7, at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. The members presented him with cards and gift cards and money. Bro. Jason will be starting a new Methodist church in Lawrence County. The members and community will be praying for him in his new work. May he and his congregation be blessed.

Pastor Patsy Carlberg addressed the congregation at Forrest Chapel UMC May 31 with the sermon, “Coming and Going” as her farewell. She thanked the congregation for peace and healing. “You have brought joy and tomatoes, laughter and corn, peace and peas.” She quoted from a poem “Reason, Season or Lifetime.” People come into your life on those occasions. When someone is there for a reason, it is usually to meet a need. For a season, someone comes because the timing is right. And then there are lasting lifetime relationships. You came into my life for a reason to be your pastor. For a season, you came into my life for six wonderful years. You came into my life and heart for a lifetime.

She concluded with a comparison of Paul and his ministry to the church at Philippi. Philippians 1:27 “Only live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.”

The congregation shared communion in Biblical tradition. There was a passing of the mantle from the departing minister to the new pastor, Rev. David Peel.

The members honored her on that occasion with a fellowship lunch and many personal expressions of love and appreciation. On Sun., June 7, at the 10:30 a.m. worship service, the youth led the program in her honor. Rev. Carlberg and Rev. Long will be in the Birmingham area.

Bro. Billy Coleman was the guest speaker for Falkville First UMC Sun., June 7, at the 11 a.m. service. The bulletin scripture was II Corinthians 4:18 “The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.”

Pastor John Russell will be at National Guard captain, training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery during the month of June. Members and visitors enjoyed a potluck lunch in the fellowship hall. The youth met on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The counselors were Debbie Higginbotham and Susan Smith.

On Sun., June 7, at 10 a.m., the Corinth West Baptist women’s group had their monthly breakfast and business meeting in the large Sunday school room. Dawn Shedd served a breakfast casserole and coffee cake and Gay Nell Wilhite served juice to the ladies and men’s group. Shanda Garner did the devotional and Gayle Miller prayed for the requests. They made more plans for the women’s conference Sat., June 20. Donna Smithson spoke about Bible school in July. Anita Reid adjourned the meeting.