le
Church Salute
Lily May donated the land on which May Chapel United
Church was constructed in 1909. The congregation was
the same year with Reverend Ben Simmers as the first
obUilding- is located on Route 92 approximately seven
f Neola. The interior features grooved wooden paneling.
Miller has been the minister of the congregation since
s Newest Church
Many Helping Hands
newest church, Faith Midwest, and accepted an invita-
Chapel, may operate in tion from the Southern Baptist
but that doesn't Home Mission Board in March
scores of out-of-state 1989 to take the helm of the
coming each sum- Rupert church. The congregation
David Patterson worships in a home rented from
Joye couldn't be hap- Betty Loudermilk on Main Street
six-month-old son (U. S. 60).
the crowds in stride.Since the Pattersons arrived,
so many people corn- a number of groups have come
and helping the com- to help, including 16 from
made people realize Stoney Point, North Carolina. in
on here," Mrs the summer of 1989; 42 from
Mathiston, Mississippi, in the
lot of co6peration summer of 1990; and 33 from
people sharing Stoney Point, also in the sum-
space," Reverend mer of 1990 ......
said. "but it's been The majority of the volunteers'
efforts involve conducting "Back-
:tersons arrived in yard Bible Schools for area
y l tst year when Rev-
er ;on accepted the young people, along with out-
of the new churcla, door musical programs. Atten-
zed by Nettle dance has run from 30 to 58.
"These groups have been a big
from nearby help," Reverend Patterson said.
"We don't have quite enough
-'r mission groups," teachers ourselves to have a
of teenagers and large Bible school--they have
n churches In North
md Mississippi, began helped us do that. We want to
reach people with the gospel,
help the fledgling and this has been an effective
in 1988 when way to accomplish that."
of the Nettle church
Bible studies and Before coming to Rupert. each
schools in antici- group spends several weeks of
Organizing the church, training in the techniques of
Opened a food bank conducting their programs. Most
s closet for needy camp out at the church's back
COnducted a survey yard. During free times the
attendance trends, young people visit numerous
those surveyed said
attend church regu-
to Reverend Pat-
indicated there was
SOmeone to reach
Who were not being
anyone else," he
J
Pattersons ar-
two such summer
bUps had already
groundwork for
named Faith
Reverend and
had already been
home mission
South and the
area attractions.
The church's long-range plans
call for either the acquisition of a
larger building or the purchase
of land on which a building will
be constructed, "If we decide to
build a new church, we'll hope-
fully be able to get more groups
to come in and help us with the
construction," Reverend Patter-
son said. "We're optimistic about
our ministry here In Rupert.
People here are very warm and
friendly--it's the same as in
small-town Mississippi, where
we come from."
na Hospital - Greenbrier Valley
like you to meet someone special.
, M.D.,
Oncologist,
joined the staff
}ital -
Valley. He is
practice in
is certified by
Board of
subspe-
tl Oncology.
of Wayne
niVersity School of
In Michigan.
a native of
WV. He prac-
in Atlanta
as move to the
Greenbrier Valley.
Dr. Baker is happy to be
back home in West
Virginia.
To make an appointment,
call:
645-4288
Greenbrier Oncology Clinic
Grey Rock Professional Park
Lewisburg, WV
McCallister Family
Has Reunion
At the time of their Mother's
death October 22, 1989, the chil-
dren of the late Etta McCallister
Halstead pledged to get together
again one year from that date. In
keeping with their pledge they all
took their vacations at the same
time and rented motel rooms in
Alderson. All six children, and
some of their children and
grandchildren, spent several
days visiting places they had
known and loved as youngsters
when they visited their grand-
parents, the late Elisha and Vir-
gie McCalllster on Muddy Creek
Mountain.
On October 24 the Commu-
nity Building at Asbury was the
scene of a reunion of the McCal-
lister decendanis. Special recog-
nition for the oldest faxnily mem-
ber present was given to Mrs.
Madeline McCallister of Asbury.
She was given a mauve rose cor-
sage. The meal was catered and
provided by David and Danny
Halstead. The tables were deco-
rated with pastel cloths and silk
flowers with runners of freshcut
ivy. The invocation was given by
Gene Jones who also gave a brief
history of the family, starting
with his grandfather, Elisha Mc-
Callister, who was born August
6, 1867 on the old Davis Farm
on Daivs-Stuart Road.
Gospel music singing with
Faye Hancock at the organ, and
looking at picture albums were
children of the late Emery Mc-
Callister. Ruby Richmond and
Mary and husband Louis Merritt
of Alderson; the late Etta McCal-
lister Halstead's children. Harold
and wife Mae and daughter Sh-
errl of Edgewater, Florida; Geor-
gia Tilson of Middleburg, Florida:
Luci and husband Clauson
Green of Middleburg, Florida:
Danny and wife Faye Halstead of
Redfield, Arkansas; David and
wife Wilma Halstead of Redfield,
Arkansas; Margie Cummings
and daughter Cindy and, her
children, Larry, Tiffany and
Justin of Bloomingrose.
The late Nellie McCallister
Utterback's son Gene and wife
Cathy Jones and their daughter
Debby and children Timmy and
Amy of Alderson; The late Erma
McCallister Walthall's children.
Norene and husband Harold
Pence of Lewisburg; Doris Lilly ol
Hillsdale; Ix)is and husband Bob
Roles of Greenville; Faye and
husband Charlie Hancock ol
Wolf Creek.
The Mountain Messenger, Thursday, November 29, 1990 3B
Christopher Defibaugh Is Fo l Church Clowns
Has Big Bsrthday Celebratson ! Vssit Elderly
Christopher Lee Defibaugh of White Sulphur Springs, celebrated his
fourth birthday September 22 with a party held for him by his parents,
Danny and Kim Defibaugh. A white cake decorated with dinosaurs, ice
cream, pop, and potato chips were served to all of his guests.
Those attending the party were: his parents, paternal grandparents Mr
and Mrs George E. Defibaugh, his aunt Carol Defibaugh, all of Lewis-
burg; his aunt and uncle Barbara and Mark Sparks of Fairlea; his
maternal grandmother, Blanche B. Wickline, aunt Donna G. Blake, and
cousin Gary Glover, all of White Sulphur Springs. Christopher is the
grandson of Wilbur Wickline of White Sulphur Springs andthegreat-
grandson of Anna Defibaugh of Frankfordand the late Lonnie G. De-
fibaugh.
By Helen W. Searle
About the year 242 AD.
Saturninus went to Rome as a
priest from Carthage, an ancient
city of northern Africa near
Tunis. From Rome, Pope Fabian
sent him to Gaul. now France, to
preach the faith to the people.
Saturninus established his See
al Toulouse. He converted many
of the people through his mir-
acles and his preaching.
This period of history was a
relatively cahn and productive
era for the Christian church, a
time of strenglh and growth that
would last until 250 AD when
Declus became Emperor of the
Roman Empire. Under Declus'
rule. the Christian persecutions
began again -- starting with his
edict which ordered Christians
to deny Christ by some form of
tangible and visible sign like of-
fering incense or sacrifices to the
gods at their temples. Out of
fear. the people obeyed. Those
thai were caught, who refused to
submit to the edict, were se-
verely abused, usually until
death.
In Toulouse. Saturninus was
dragged in the temple and lorced
to deny his failh by offering sac-
rifices, or die. When he totally
refused lo submit to the rituals.
Saturninus was badly beaten
and then tied by his ankles to a
wild bull thai had been brought
to the {enlple as a sacrifice. "ltxe
bull was then turned loose to
run through the cobblestone
streets of the town. dragging this
saint behind him. Saturninus
died quit:My, but the bull contin-
ued to run through the sweets
until Saiurnintls' body was torn
to shreds.
Sainl Saturnmus is reznem-
bered on November 29.
Hattie 5mltn wlin t;iuwH
Rachel Flynn
"lXventy clowns visited each of
five homes in Greenbrier County
November 11. Students and
teachers from the Sunday School
of Trinity United Methodist
Church in Ronceverte dressed as
clowns and visited five of their
church's home-bound members
who had birthdays over the
weekend.
The clowns went to the homes
of Richard Fleshman, Hattie
Smith, A. K. Plercy, Pearl Robin-
son, and Veda Robinson, At each
home. they presented a frutt
basket and a helium-filled bal-
loon, and sang several songs. Af-
terwards, they returned to their
church to have some pizza and
wa tch a video tape about clowns.
Those who participated in the
mission of good cheer were Mary
Alice Welkle, Bookie Perslnger.
Jamle Harvey, June Peters,
Frances Bramble, Diane Flynn,
Reverend Mark Flynn, Chris
Harvey, Rachel Flynn, Rebecca
Flynn. Benjamin Honaker, Jen-
nifer Smith. Amanda Morris,
Daniel Wlndon, Mary Beth Win-
don, Gabriel Thomas, Autumn
Peters. Danny Morgan, Casey
Morgan, and Courtney Creas-
man, all from Trinity, and
Courtney's friend Angle. All of
the children and most of the
adults dressed as clowns.
Griffith Creek Baptist Women
Christiansburg, Virginia
The ladles of the Grifflth
Creek Baptist Church, accompa-
nied by their Pastor Eddie Harris
and Deacon Roy Walthall, trav-
eled to Christiansburg, Virginia
for a day of shopping, fellowship
and fun. Christmas gifts, church
attire, and lots of packages filled
the church van at the close of
the day. During the lunch hour
the group went to the Ponderosa
Steak House for lunch and com-
pleted the day at the shopping
mall. The men were very helpful
in driving the van, carrying
packages, and lending an extra
hand.
October 31, the Grimth Creek
Baptist Church met for their
regular prayer meeting and
youth meeting. This was a little
different since everyone stayed
together for the devotions con-
ducted by Pastor Harris. The de-
votions were given based on
scripture "Why Christians do not
Celebrate Halloween." After de-
votions Carolyn Eller. Allsa Ben-
nett, and Kathy Harris led the
young people in games and a
time of fun.
The Glenna Harris Mission
Society of the Church met for
their November luncheon at the
Dairy Queen In Hlnton. Devo-
-tlons were led by president
Kathy Harris with closing prayer
by Pastor Harris. After lunch to-
gether the ladies, accompanied
by their pastor, went to the Hill-
dale Nursing Home to visit,
Church Cantata
At Ronceverte December 9
*Meet Him at the Manger," a
Christmas musical written by
Dave Clark and Russell Mauldin.
will be presented December 9,
6:30 p.m., by the Ronceverte
Church of the Nazarene sanctu-
ary choir.
"One of the greatest rewards
of being a songwriter comes from
knowing there are other people
who feel the same way you do,"
Mr Clark said. "When you write
from your heart and someone
sings your songs, in essence
they are sharing your prayers. It
was my desire to be a part of a
musical that not only proclaimed
the joy of the Christmas story,
but invited the listener to come
and worship."
Ruth Poole of Alderson directs
the c~aoir. Pastor David Harris
and the congregation invite the
public to the performance. The
church is located at 610 West
Main Street, one block east of
the Ronceverte Public IAbrary.
i
Roger W. Mayhew, M. A.
Private Practice - Licensed Counselor
Individual, Group, Marriage and Family
Hypnosis-Weight Loss, Smoking Control and Stress Management
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Evenings by Appointment 645-7641
iH
