Happy New Year to the United States of America, the greatest country in the world. We are so blessed to be Americans and have the freedom to make our own choices, right or wrong, to learn from our mistakes, pick ourselves up and start all over again. These freedoms have been and still are being paid for by our brave young men and women serving in the armed forces. We should never take our freedom for granted. I pray that the New Year will bring peace, good health and love for all Americans and their families. I also want to wish a happy New Year to all of my family and friends. God bless each and everyone.

McKendree United Methodist Women met on Dec. 7 and enjoyed their annual Christmas luncheon. At this meeting each year the UMW disperses its budget. Members really enjoy this meeting as they use their contributions from pledges collected during the year to bless their community. It’s the practice of the group to be good stewards and distribute to worthwhile causes such as Meals on Wheels and the Falkville Community Food Chest.

Jeannie Alexander gave a devotional reading about a Russian orphan who was taught about the baby Jesus and Carolyn Besnyl shared a program from a class she taught earlier at the North Alabama Missions Conference. Other members attending the meeting were Pam Holmes, Lorene Bryant, Kay Farrar, Ruth Lewis and Linda Ryan.

The meeting was closed with special prayers for those members not able to attend, Jean Lawrence, Earlne Morris and Lois Penn.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Charles Austin on Dec. 19, Jennifer Hogan on Dec. 20, Ryan Johnson on Dec. 21, Katelyn Self on Dec. 22, Trevor Sherrill, Paul Martin and Buddy Lacy, all on Dec. 25, and Jordan Morgan, Jacob Palmer and Brennan Swafford, all on Dec. 28.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Tucker Boyd, Olivia McCleskey and Rhona Summerford, all on Dec. 29, and Frances Morgan on Dec. 30.

Special belated happy weeding anniversary wishes go out to Pat and Kimberly Smith on Dec. 24.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express Christian love and prayers for the following: Marilyn Rainey, Janis Spinks, Sherry Anderson, LeAnn Lamar, Cecil Ransom, Perry Hampton, Don L. Allen, Shirley Bibb, Stephanie Hyde, Chuck Honer, Delbert Vest, Eunice Chappell, Rhonda Lindsey, Kaye Alred, Stewart Terry, Adlee Swafford, Gloria Hadder, Erline Ballew, Barbara Gillespie and Jerry Hogan.

Christian love and heartfelt prayers are expressed for the following military personnel and their families: Brandon Jones, Aaron Money, Jack C. Herbert, John Black, Jeffrey Green, Robert Green, Josh Fagan, Derek Jones, Lance Brown, Anthony Thomas, Matthew Young, Lee Thompson, Brad Wallace and Jeremy White.

A Special thank you and best wishes for a blessed and safe New Year goes out to all of our fire fighters who risk their lives to protect us.

Happy New Year and best wishes for days of feeling better go out to a friend, Johnny Fenlayson.