Shriners offers free healthcare to children

I want to share with Hartselle Enquirer readers, the great care given by the Cahaba Shriners for many children in need of medical treatment. The Mystic Shrine is a fraternal organization whose members compose 191 Shrine temples throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Men from various backgrounds and walks of life are Shriners. It’s not just fun and games.

Regarded as the “heart and soul of the Shrine,” Shriners Hospitals for Children is a charitable healthcare system consisting of 22 hospitals that offer orthopedic, spinal cord and burn care to youth under 18. The hospitals operate in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. and charge patients nothing. To date hundreds of thousands of children have benefited, even many from our area.

The most recognizable way that the Shriners finance treatment is through their annual paper drive, which is kicked off every year on Palm Sunday, also referred to as the Palm Sunday Paper Sale. This is a misnomer as they do not sell the paper, it is free. The paper is given out as a means to educate the public as to the nature and working of Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and they ask for a donation. Throughout the year, the Shriners will be at locations other than on Palm Sunday as this drive continues all year long. I enjoyed speaking to a Shriner on Palm Sunday as they were taking up donations in Danville. I enjoyed learning more about the wonderful care given free of charge to children. Every penny raised through the paper drives are designated and go to Shriner’s hospitals. If you would like to make a contribution to the hospitals, please contact the Cahaba Shrine Center Office. Your consideration is most assuredly appreciated.

Belated happy wedding anniversary wishes go out this week for Chuck and Kim Parker as they celebrated their 18th anniversary on March 28. Happy anniversary to Dustin and Whitney Holbert as they celebrate their fourth anniversary on March 30 and Tad and Ginger Campbell, who celebrate their 21st anniversary on March 31.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out this week for Mildred Lake, Jada Vest and Tim Lacy on March 29. Happy birthday wishes also go out this week for Mac Vest on March 31.

Charles Howse’s Glory Road Quartet sang for a fundraiser at the Massey Fire Station Community Center Fri., March 18. Proceeds from the concert were for the Rev. Kenneth and Allison Blackwood for their mission work. The Glory Road group will sing at Piney Grove Christian Church Sat., April 2. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Corinth Community Egg Hunt was Sat., March 26, at Corinth West Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Children, youth and adults enjoyed games and refreshments afterwards.

The Forrest Chapel UMC men’s club held their monthly breakfast meeting at the Cracker Barrel Sun., March 20, at 7 a.m. Jim Robertson welcomed the members and Pastor David Teel gave a devotional. He asked, “Do you seek God’s counsel before you plan a venture or undertaking. Do you ask for approval after the task is completed as Proverb 3: 5-6 advises? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”

During the business session, members agreed to hold future breakfasts at area restaurants. They provide support to community services throughout the area. The 13 members present voted to meet in April at the Cracker Barrel.

Rick Miller was the guest speaker at Corinth West Baptist Church for the Sunday morning worship service at 11 a.m. Steve Miller was speaker for the Easter Service March 27. Tony Smithson conducted the Bible study on Wed., March 16. Tim Garner leads the book study on Sunday nights and Hilton Kelly will be the speaker for Sunday morning, April 4. Brother Glenn Miller has returned to his home in Neel after surgery at UAB hospital.

McKendree United Methodist Church was fortunate to have the Good Friday Service with Brother Mike Vest conducting the worship program Fri., March 25, at 5:30 p.m. Tina Summerford was in charge of food for the supper.

A joint Easter Sunrise Service was hosted by Mt. Vernon Congregational Methodist Church at 6 a.m. Guest churches were Piney Grove and Corinth West Congregational Methodist. They enjoyed breakfast after the service conducted by the Rev. Best of Piney Grove.

Kim Byford was hostess for Sisters in Christ UMC women from Forrest Chapel UMC at their food, fellowship and business meeting on Thur., March 10, at 6:30 p.m. The unit chose the Freight House Restaurant for their monthly event. Kim gave the devotional addressing circumstances in the world today that are a source of frustration and worry. But being in the spiritual presence of our Almighty Father and keeping communication lines open through prayer allows us to overcome our fears and eliminate anxieties in our lives. The women discussed plans for the Egg Hunt on Sun., March 20 and the Easter Sunday brunch in the fellowship hall, preceding the morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Forrest Chapel UMC women met with Margaret Puckett in her home Mon., March 14, at 10 a.m. Jennie Turney opened the meeting for members to repeat the purpose with her. She welcomed a new member to the circle. The devotional scripture she chose was from Luke 23-24. Those chapters reflected the fact that Mary, a woman, was the first to discover the empty tomb and encounter the Risen Lord. Jesus blessed women in many ways but none more important than the role of women in his own story. She led their prayer for concerns and for missionaries serving locally and worldwide. Willodene King continued the devotional focus of the valuable contribution made by women in ministry and the importance of home missionaries and the mission of UMC women members as they answer the call of Jesus. Words in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Following the program, Margaret served a lunch of sandwiches, salad and strawberry short cake to the eleven members attending.

The Revs. Marcus Lipscomb and Ed King were the evangelists for the spring revival at Mt. Vernon Congregational Methodist Church. Services for the event were March 28-30 at 7 p.m. nightly.

Christian love and heartfelt sympathy go out this week for Helen Doyle Adair and the Adair family on the passing of Blanton Adair and to the family of Jeff Reid.

Get well wishes go out this week to Modeana Jones Hardin and to Jean Screws at Summerford Rehab.