Janice Roberson, left, on recent mission trip to Belize. | Special to the Enquirer

Janice Roberson enjoys mission trip to Belize

Janice Roberson enjoyed traveling to Belize Feb. 13, through the organization “Fishers of Men International Missions.” This is a non-profit organization formed to spread the love of Jesus Christ in the country of Belize. This organization believes by first meeting the physical needs, through medicine and construction, a better platform is created to meet the spiritual needs.

This particular trip was designated for medical and dental treatment. Over 50 people consisting of dentists and others from various work backgrounds joined together for a week of service. Over 1,200 patients with medical and dental needs were seen. Their focus was to assess the needs of children and adults of all ages and administer the needed care. Upon seeing the patients, they wanted to show love and compassion and spread the gospel of Christ.

Janice stated that her task was to sterilize instruments. This job assignment allowed her to visit the dental stations to console a frightened child or sing “Jesus Loves Me” with a group having to hold down a child getting first time dental care. Janice saw patients getting dentures for the first time and seeing their bright smile was very fulfilling. She received many hugs. An opportunity arose for Janice to give a lady a pair of her reading glasses, so she could see to read. What a joy that was! As Janice shares her story, her heart fills with the spirit.

The Belizian people will wait a whole year for them to return. We live in a country with doctors just around the corner. Belizians are not so fortunate. Janice said that she prays that we will realize how blessed that we are. According to Janice, this is a trip that she will never forget.

Jerome Ward, music director at Mt. Zion Baptist near Cedar Cove led special singing during a Sun., Feb. 21, morning worship service. Everyone enjoyed the contemporary music and hymns. Monica Nixon played piano, Larry Ealey played drums, Ty Ward and Jerome Ward played guitars and Tracie Ward sang.

I am pleased to report this week that Brother Wayne Penn is doing better after his hospital stay. I am also happy to report that my friend Carrie King is doing well and is now at home. Carrie is a pianist at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Carrie spent several months at Summerford Rehab and Nursing Home and in a Decatur Assisted Living facility. Our thoughts and prayers are still with her.

Johnny and Mary McCay of Neel are the proud great-grandparents of Josiah Keith McCay of Hartselle. His parents are Jake and Natalie McCay.

Forrest Chapel UMC men’s club meets on the third Sunday each month. They had their first meeting of the year on February 21, for breakfast, fellowship and business at 7 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Bobby Sharp, vice president, presided. The group will continue with project plans for their usual activities this year.

A fundraiser for Mt. Vernon Congregational Methodist Church, located on County Road 1069 off the Corn Road from the Corinth Store will be Sat., March 12. A Swamp John’s supper of fish, shrimp and chicken, fries, slaw and dessert with drink will be served in the fellowship hall from 4 to 7 p.m. for $10.

Round Top Community Church, members and guests enjoyed their monthly potluck supper on Feb. 24 in the Family Life Center. Brother Pearl Jenkins is the Round Top Church pastor.

Neel UMC women will meet Wed. March 2, at 7 p.m.

Jennie Turney, president of the Forrest Chapel UMC women’s group welcomed members to their monthly meeting Mon., Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Jennie shared a memorial of former unit women, Opal Bridges and Virginia Sims. She announced that Rolling the Legacy would be presented at Camp Sumatanga, near Oneonta, Sat., March 5, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is an historical account of the Methodist women’s organization and will be led by Bishop Debra Wallace Padgett.

There will be a Spiritual Growth Retreat at St. James UMC in Florence on April 2 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Items for the hands on mission project for 2016 will be collected from each local unit attending the retreat at St. James Church. Upper Sand Mountain Parish’s items will be collected, also. All items collected will go to the United Community Center Inc. (Riley Center) in Birmingham.

Jennie gave the devotional from Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you, seek and ye shall find.” Adell Byford was asked to remember and pray for the ones on their concerns list. Doris Douglas gave the program on the annual observance of A Call To Prayer and Self Denial. The title was Women At Work. Doris gave numerous examples of ways the United Methodist Women has responded with faith, hope and love.

Women have worked to improve the lives of women, children and youth, local and worldwide. Also, the women give to the Call to Prayer and Self-Denial offering to fund local missions activities. The program ended with a litany. Following the meeting, members enjoyed lunch together.

Lorene Dutton Bryant was honored by her family, Pam Holmes and John Steven Bryant for her “96th” birthday Sun., Feb. 21, from 3:30 till 4:30 p.m. at her home in Massey. Her birthday was Tues., Feb. 16. Lorene is well known and loved as a school teacher at Danville, Massey and Crestline Elementary Schools and Sunday school teacher at McKendree UMC. Those enjoying cake, ice cream, cookies and lemonade with her were Judy Steele, Jane Knight, Jane Evans, Phyllis Johnson Castille, Sonja Holladay, Mary and Jim Holladay, Bill and Ruth Lewis, Rhona Summerford, Darrell and Beth Shelton and Dixie Fields Smith.

The Sisters in Christ group at Forrest Chapel UMC met Thurs., Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. at the Freight House Restaurant in Hartselle. Susann Sullivan was hostess. The program following the meal and fellowship was read by Susann from Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing. Susann gave examples of how words of encouragement can affect and even change the life of another. When you look for good in a person and express it, they have something to look up to. You motivate them to be better than they are. Then everyone was asked to list ways each of the other members had encouraged them and share it. You don’t have to be rich, attractive, prominent or brilliant to give encouragement and its always appreciated. So, encourage someone today.

Stacy Adams was the guest speaker at Corinth West Baptist Church Sun., Feb. 21, for the 11 a.m. worship service. Stacy chose for his scriptures Isaiah 55:11 and Mark 9: 23. Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. He represented the Gideon’s and spoke of their worldwide efforts to provide Bibles in hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, rehab facilities and other public venues. 85 million Gideon Bibles were distributed last year. Taylor Emerson was their song leader for Sunday and Shanda Garner was their pianist. Their pastor is Brother Glenn Miller. Stacy Adams attends Hartselle First UMC. The Corinth Congregation enjoyed his message and appreciates the Gideon Society’s work.

Christian love and heartfelt prayers go out this week for the family of Jerry Boyd, Ona Carter Holladay, Aline Barnes and the family of Jimmy Randolph.