Many supported PFLAG benefit
On behalf of the Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG Executive Committee, the Scholarships Advisory Committee and our membership, I would like to extend our gratitude to corporate sponsor Food Lion and other event sponsors, to our foundation benefactors who donated generously to the scholarship fund, and to the 50 individuals, artists and businesses who donated auction items and door prizes, making the fifth annual 2011 Salisbury/Rowan Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Autumn SoirČe a beautiful and successful event.
We are also thankful to the volunteers and members who helped organize and stage the event and to the guests who paid admission and vigorously bid on the auction items.
A very special thank you to keynote speaker Dr. Janie Long for eloquently sharing her heartfelt message and extolling the importance and benefits of having a strong PFLAG chapter in Rowan County; to the Ashley Jo Farmer Band for providing inspiring, heartfelt, beautiful music; and to chef Lee Piper for her delicious creations.
This event was attended by a diversity of people: young and old; men and women; African-American, Asian-American; Hispanic; Euro-American; gay and straight; leaders from our faith, business, and civic community joined together to raise money for scholarships for Rowan students and to promote acceptance and equality for our gay and lesbian family members and friends!
The proceeds from this event will allow Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG to award four more $1,000 scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic school year. I encourage all senior GLBT students and their straight allies, including public, private and home-schooled students, to apply for these funds. More information and scholarship applications can be found on our website at www.salisbury-pflag.org.
ó Carol Williams-Swoope
Salisbury
Williams-Swoope chairs the Scholarships Advisory Committee of Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG.
Established church
Concerning recent articles about Blackwelder Park Baptist Church:
Our church has been in existence since Oct. 29, 1939, beginning as a mission. It first met in homes until land was purchased and a small, wooden building was completed on Dec. 7, 1940. It became organized as a Baptist church on Aug. 31, 1941.
Since then, it has added: 1952, educational building; 1955, parsonage; 1962, the sanctuary; 1990, the Family Life Center; 1991, educational building completely renovated; 1992, some renovation to the sanctuary; and 2006, the preschool building for our preschoolers, nursery classes, childrenís church and library.
All of this has been accomplished by the families who have given over and above their tithes to the building funds. This is ongoing with the debt on the preschool building.
When our current pastor came, we were so thrilled to have him and his family. We were too trusting.
It would benefit everyone to read ěThe Darker Side of the Purpose Driven Churchî by Noah Hutchings. The first chapter alone will explain what is happening to churches. Have these pastors overlooked Godís commandments … ěThou shall not steal … Thou shall not covet (Exodus 20) … Love thy neighborî (John 13:34)?
A 60-year member of Blackwelder Park Baptist.
ó Gail Reavis
China Grove