Child killed, mother seriously injured in Thanksgiving accident
November 30, 2009
by E. Dean Kelly, Minister, Highland Home, Ala., church
ATLANTA, Ga. (BNc) – Sometimes I need to write something, yet it seems that the words to write fail me. What is the best way to put what I am feeling into words? Sometimes the frailty of our existence in this life is overwhelmingly clear. Sometimes we are clearly reminded that there are no promises for tomorrow. Sometimes our hearts are simply torn within on someone else’s behalf. I feel those things now.
Brian and Kristy Gray had been in Prattville, Ala., a city in the Montgomery Metro area, where they had been visiting for Thanksgiving break, and were returning to their home near Atlanta, Ga. They never made it on this particular day.
The Grays were injured in an accident, Kristy critically. The little one, Helen, as Paul Harvey used to say, is now forever three. Read more
Loudoun County, Va gets first permanent facility for the church worship
November 20, 2009
by Laura S. Tinnel
PURCELLVILLE, Va. (BNc) – The first and only permanent facility for the saints’ worship and Bible study in Loudoun County, VA was completed after ten years of determined labor and prayer.
The 6,100 square-foot facility, located in the town of Purcellville, includes a 150 seat auditorium, a baptistery, five walled classrooms, a multi-purpose room (also used as a classroom), and a small office.
Prior to completing the new facility, the Purcellville congregation met in a small, rented office space, which it was outgrowing. It also met in the community center, the local skating rink and member homes.
While worshiping in the community center, the church began in earnest seeking a permanent place of worship but found no suitable existing facility in Purcellville. In 2004, the congregation purchased a parcel of land in the newly planned Village Case subdivision, which included plots for three church buildings in the back of the subdivision. The church paid cash for the property from savings and began efforts towards obtaining blue prints, county permits, and securing financing. Read more
Lella Harris Stripling celebrates 100th birthday
November 19, 2009
by Barbara A. Oliver, Managing Editor
BULLARD, Tex. (BNc) - On Oct. 31, 1909, twin girls, Lella and Ella Harris, were born at Peachtree Village in Tyler County, Tex. On Oct. 31, 2009, the Bullard church celebrated Lella Harris Stripling’s 100th birthday and honored her twin sister Ella Harris Keele, who died in July.
Their baby brother, Homer will be 95 on Nov. 25.
When asked what he could tell me about Lella Harris Stripling, Richard Fedell, one of the ministers for the Bullard church, said, “Have you got three days?”
Friends and relatives gathered at the fellowship building of the church to celebrate with Lella. While over 350 people signed her guest book, only 45 were family members.
“That shows you how well she is loved,” said Fedell. Read more
Extreme Barn Makeover – Church Edition
November 16, 2009
by Barbara A Oliver, Managing Editor
V
ILONIA, Ark. (BNc) — The Vilonia congregation celebrated its two-year anniversary in their new barnitorium, as Marty Knight, one of the three elders, dubbed it Sunday morning, Nov. 8.
The new Ministry Center was started the week before. Using the metal exterior from an old horse barn, they built a new 36×36 structure to serve as a temporary meeting place until they can build a new building.
When asked why they decided to use the old barn, the elders replied, “It was there and it was cheap!” Read more