Staff report

The Civitan Club of Salisbury hosted 13 local pastors on Feb. 6 in celebration of Clergy Appreciation Day. 

Held annually by Civitan clubs throughout the world, the event is also a time of remembrance of “The Four Chaplains” who died rescuing civilian and military personnel as the American troop ship, S.S. Dorchester, sank on Feb. 3, 1943, during World War II.

The vessel, en route to Greenland and carrying 900 passengers, was torpedoed by a German sub off the coast of Newfoundland. The four U.S. Army chaplains, all first lieutenants, helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. They joined arms, prayed and sang hymns as they went down with the ship. Their courage, love for God, and ultimate sacrifice in the face of disaster are memorialized each February by all Civitan clubs 

Rev. James Demmel, youth pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church, was the guest speaker.

In a fast-paced world, he encouraged the group to slow down, stay connected with each other, and to have a listening heart.

Other clergy guests included: Rev. Dale Roth and wife Erleen, Rev. Jim Hopper, Rev. Antonio Snipes, Rev. Darrell Cox, Rev. Kendra Joyner Miller, Rev. Dr. Ken Clapp, Rev. Dr. Randy Kirby, Rev. Lara Musser Gritter, Rev. Daniel Joyner Miller, Rev. Darrell Norris, Deacon Rebert Durocher and Rev. Geoffrey Hoy.

The Civitan Club of Salisbury is the second largest Civitan club in the world and meets weekly for lunch and a program at the Country Club of Salisbury. For more information, go to www.salisburycivitan.org.