CARE Day turned out to be a huge success for CCC's Food Pantry and the University of Alabama School of Social Works. Through God's help we were able to serve 147 families for a grand total of 459 people. This was completely beyond expectations, and we thank God for allowing us to meet the needs of many in our community.
We are looking forward to next month's distribution. Anyone wishing to donate to the Care Package Food Pantry may do so by contacting us at Cottondale Community Church, POB 192, Cottondale, AL 35453, or by calling (205) 553-9413.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuscaloosa News covers CARE DAY
By Tommy Stevenson Associate Editor
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
COTTONDALE: After the single largest purchase from the West Alabama Food Bank in its history, students from the University of Alabama and volunteers at Cottondale Community Church have been working frantically nearly all week for the first “CARE Day” at the church Saturday.
For the graduate students in the UA School of Social Work who conceived the “Cottondale Area Resident Enrichment Day,” the distribution of some 6,500 pounds of food actually comes with class credit.
“But that’s not the main goal,” said Julie Holden, of Birmingham, who is working on her masters in social work. She spoke Thursday as she took a break from sorting cans of food at the church gym. “The main goal is to help the food pantry at the church expand and really serve the community.”
The class is Social Work 542, taught by J.K. and Joanne Terrell Holden said the class concentrates on “micro-social work, where you really get out in the community and concentrate on a single need.”
Denise Cleveland, the research administrator for the UA social work school, a graduate student herself and also a native of the unincorporated Cottondale area east of Tuscaloosa, said the university’s Center for Community Based Partnership provided a grant for several teams of grad students to initiate projects in various parts of Tuscaloosa County.
“So we had about $500 in seed money this semester to help us get local businesses involved,” she said. “That was enough to get us started, but we then need to decide on a project.”
Before the class settled on the food drive, the class organized a community meeting attended by State Rep. Gerald Allen, a Cottondale member of the Alabama House of Representatives, County Commissioner Gary Youngblood and representatives from area churches and businesses.
“We went over a lot of problems that the community has, like roads and sewers,” Holden said. “But we knew there was nothing we could do about sewers, so we settled on partnering with the Cottondale Community Food Pantry.”
The two-month old food pantry, a project of Rev. Ron Martin’s Cottondale Community Church, had just gotten off the ground, he said, and has served about 20 families.
“But we knew the need was much greater,” he said. “And the social work class was a perfect fit.”
By the time the students had fanned out in the community, getting donations from businesses and churches as diverse as Food World, Catfish County restaurant, Cottondale First Methodist Church, the local VFW post and even the Oasis bar, $3,500 had been raised. Most of it went to purchase discount food from the West Alabama Food Bank.
The food distribution will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Cottondale-area residents who come to receive free food items will be required to show proof of residency, which can be anything from a drivers license to a utility bill, and fill out a form detailing the family size and other data that will be collected by the students.
“We are expecting at least 100 families and people to show up, based on what the church has told us and the flyers we have put up all over the Cottondale area as well as the outreach the churches and social agencies have done,” Cleveland said. “For some of the families who have young children, we also have ‘CARE packages’ that include things like diapers, toothbrushes and toiletry items.”
CARE Day will end at noon, but since it is anticipated that only a fraction of the food items will be dispersed, the church’s food pantry should find its shelves well stocked for the future when people in the community find themselves in need.
“Part of our class assignment was to help create something sustainable,” Holden said. “Not to just do something and not come back. And we think getting all these various business, churches and agencies involved with the project will do that.”
Martin, whose church has about 120 members, agrees.
“This is really going to be a tremendous boost,” he said. “We started out our food pantry real small, mostly because our church is not that large,” he said. “So when the students came to us with the offer to help it was something we just couldn’t pass up.
“This will probably quadruple what we had on hand even after Saturday and it will certainly help us to continue our pantry and even expand the number of people we can serve.”
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
COTTONDALE: After the single largest purchase from the West Alabama Food Bank in its history, students from the University of Alabama and volunteers at Cottondale Community Church have been working frantically nearly all week for the first “CARE Day” at the church Saturday.
For the graduate students in the UA School of Social Work who conceived the “Cottondale Area Resident Enrichment Day,” the distribution of some 6,500 pounds of food actually comes with class credit.
“But that’s not the main goal,” said Julie Holden, of Birmingham, who is working on her masters in social work. She spoke Thursday as she took a break from sorting cans of food at the church gym. “The main goal is to help the food pantry at the church expand and really serve the community.”
The class is Social Work 542, taught by J.K. and Joanne Terrell Holden said the class concentrates on “micro-social work, where you really get out in the community and concentrate on a single need.”
Denise Cleveland, the research administrator for the UA social work school, a graduate student herself and also a native of the unincorporated Cottondale area east of Tuscaloosa, said the university’s Center for Community Based Partnership provided a grant for several teams of grad students to initiate projects in various parts of Tuscaloosa County.
“So we had about $500 in seed money this semester to help us get local businesses involved,” she said. “That was enough to get us started, but we then need to decide on a project.”
Before the class settled on the food drive, the class organized a community meeting attended by State Rep. Gerald Allen, a Cottondale member of the Alabama House of Representatives, County Commissioner Gary Youngblood and representatives from area churches and businesses.
“We went over a lot of problems that the community has, like roads and sewers,” Holden said. “But we knew there was nothing we could do about sewers, so we settled on partnering with the Cottondale Community Food Pantry.”
The two-month old food pantry, a project of Rev. Ron Martin’s Cottondale Community Church, had just gotten off the ground, he said, and has served about 20 families.
“But we knew the need was much greater,” he said. “And the social work class was a perfect fit.”
By the time the students had fanned out in the community, getting donations from businesses and churches as diverse as Food World, Catfish County restaurant, Cottondale First Methodist Church, the local VFW post and even the Oasis bar, $3,500 had been raised. Most of it went to purchase discount food from the West Alabama Food Bank.
The food distribution will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Cottondale-area residents who come to receive free food items will be required to show proof of residency, which can be anything from a drivers license to a utility bill, and fill out a form detailing the family size and other data that will be collected by the students.
“We are expecting at least 100 families and people to show up, based on what the church has told us and the flyers we have put up all over the Cottondale area as well as the outreach the churches and social agencies have done,” Cleveland said. “For some of the families who have young children, we also have ‘CARE packages’ that include things like diapers, toothbrushes and toiletry items.”
CARE Day will end at noon, but since it is anticipated that only a fraction of the food items will be dispersed, the church’s food pantry should find its shelves well stocked for the future when people in the community find themselves in need.
“Part of our class assignment was to help create something sustainable,” Holden said. “Not to just do something and not come back. And we think getting all these various business, churches and agencies involved with the project will do that.”
Martin, whose church has about 120 members, agrees.
“This is really going to be a tremendous boost,” he said. “We started out our food pantry real small, mostly because our church is not that large,” he said. “So when the students came to us with the offer to help it was something we just couldn’t pass up.
“This will probably quadruple what we had on hand even after Saturday and it will certainly help us to continue our pantry and even expand the number of people we can serve.”
The Parable of the Sower
Sunday's message will be a continuation of the series Stirred, But Not Changed! We will be looking at The Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13. This wonderful story encourages us to allow our hearts and minds to be cultivated into good soil so that we may reap the bountiful harvest of God's truth. Prepare your minds to receive the seed of God's Word this Sunday.Relationship Study
Dr. Don Brock, and his lovely wife Yvonne, have been conducting a wonderful study on Relationships during our Wednesday night adult Bible Study. The Brocks will be with us during the month of November. Join us for this very important study from the Word of God.
Kingdom Players to visit CCC!
The Kingdom Players from Lee University will visit CCC on Sunday, November 23rd at 10:30 a.m. This dynamic drama group has blessed us in ministry before, and we are looking forward to this very special day. There will be a dinner to follow the morning service. We invite you to join us as we worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth!
Care Day!
The Care Package, in conjunction with the University of Alabama School of Social Works, will be having a special food distribution day Saturday, November 15th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event, known as CARE Day, will help provide needy families with food and supplies to make their holiday celebration a special event. UA has raised close to $3000 for the event, while CCC has contributed almost $1500 to buy 125 turkeys and supplies for this very special day.
Creative Arts Course Begins!
CCC is pleased to announce the first session of a Computer Class designed to help new beginners navigate their way through modern-day technology. The instructor for the class is Angela Boatwright. A special thanks to computer guru P. J. Behan for the time and effort he has put into getting the donated computers functional for the class. The class will last for 4 sessions. We hope to be able to add more classes in the future, and with the help of more donated computers, add more students to our program.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Philippians Study Continues
Former Pastor Tony Ledbetter did an excellent job this past Wednesday evening dealing with the 2nd Chapter of Philippians. If you would like to obtain a copy of the CD please contact the church and we will provide you with one. Pastor Tony will be teaching from Philippians 3 next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss it.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Movie Historically Inaccurate
'The Express' Posted by John Antonik on Thursday, October 9, 2008 (4:50 pm)
‘The Express,’ depicting the life of Syracuse Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, is both entertaining and moving. It is also completely fictitious, at least the movie’s characterization of West Virginia.
‘The Express’ chronicles African-American football player Ernie Davis’ triumph over the racial injustices of the 1950s. Woven into the story were the real-life protests that ultimately led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
‘The Express’ chronicles African-American football player Ernie Davis’ triumph over the racial injustices of the 1950s. Woven into the story were the real-life protests that ultimately led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The movie takes Davis from his early years in Uniontown, Pa., to Elmira, N.Y., and then to Syracuse University where he is one of three African-Americans on the 1959 Orange team that captures the national championship. Davis follows the footsteps of the great Jim Brown, an African-American who endured similar hardships and who becomes a sort of father figure to Davis.
Later when he is dying of cancer, Davis is shown in one final scene passing the baton to Floyd Little.
In addition to Brown, another key figure in the movie is Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, played by Dennis Quaid. Schwartzwalder was a Captain in the 82nd Airborne during World War II who earned distinction during the invasion of Normandy and the battles that followed. The movie uncovers the hard-scrabble Schwartzwalder’s complex relationship with the intelligent and sensitive Davis.
In addition to Brown, another key figure in the movie is Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, played by Dennis Quaid. Schwartzwalder was a Captain in the 82nd Airborne during World War II who earned distinction during the invasion of Normandy and the battles that followed. The movie uncovers the hard-scrabble Schwartzwalder’s complex relationship with the intelligent and sensitive Davis.
In one scene Schwartzwalder notices Davis glancing at a white cheerleader during practice. Later in his office, Schwartzwalder advises Davis that he should give his old girlfriend from home a call. The coach's message is clear: it is not proper for a black man to socialize with a white woman.
Another practice scene shows Davis being roughed up by a white player to which Schwartzwalder shows indifference, remarking to Davis that he will encounter much worse during games.
Another practice scene shows Davis being roughed up by a white player to which Schwartzwalder shows indifference, remarking to Davis that he will encounter much worse during games.
Then Syracuse arrives at West Virginia. Schwartzwalder is shown in the visiting locker room preparing his team for what they are about to encounter when they play the Mountaineers.
“They play by a different set of rules,” the coach says in the movie. “It will be hostile. Their fans are unruly, especially when they’re playing against a team that looks a little different than they do.”
Next comes a riveting scene when the Syracuse team is about to walk out onto Mountaineer Field underneath the haze of flying beer bottles, garbage and other debris in almost complete darkness.
“Everyone is to keep their helmets on at all times whether you are in the game or not,” Schwarztwalder says. “I don’t want anyone hurt by flying bottles. Davis, you stay in the middle of the pack and keep your head down.”
“It must be Halloween because here come the spooks!” yells one crazed West Virginia fan.
West Virginia players are shown giving cheap shots to Davis while he is on the ground. After a long Davis run that comes up just short of the goal line, Schwartzwalder removes Davis from the game because he is fearful that if he scores a touchdown he could be harmed.
It is all very compelling and dramatic. It also never happened.
Ernie Davis played just once at West Virginia in 1960, not 1959. The game that year was played during the day, not at night. And at no time do any of the participants on either side recall the unfortunate racial incidents portrayed in the movie.
“They play by a different set of rules,” the coach says in the movie. “It will be hostile. Their fans are unruly, especially when they’re playing against a team that looks a little different than they do.”
Next comes a riveting scene when the Syracuse team is about to walk out onto Mountaineer Field underneath the haze of flying beer bottles, garbage and other debris in almost complete darkness.
“Everyone is to keep their helmets on at all times whether you are in the game or not,” Schwarztwalder says. “I don’t want anyone hurt by flying bottles. Davis, you stay in the middle of the pack and keep your head down.”
“It must be Halloween because here come the spooks!” yells one crazed West Virginia fan.
West Virginia players are shown giving cheap shots to Davis while he is on the ground. After a long Davis run that comes up just short of the goal line, Schwartzwalder removes Davis from the game because he is fearful that if he scores a touchdown he could be harmed.
It is all very compelling and dramatic. It also never happened.
Ernie Davis played just once at West Virginia in 1960, not 1959. The game that year was played during the day, not at night. And at no time do any of the participants on either side recall the unfortunate racial incidents portrayed in the movie.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, recruited to play football at West Virginia University in the mid-1960s, voiced his outrage Thursday morning.
“It’s labeled a true story but to have so much falsehood is just ridiculous,” Manchin told the Charleston Daily Mail. “I mean there is no truth to it.”
Syracuse quarterback Dick Easterly concurs, saying what was depicted at West Virginia University simply did not happen.
“What the director tried to accomplish is showing the conditions of those times," Easterly was quoted in Thursday’s St. Petersburg Times. “A lot of things in the movie didn't happen at that time at Syracuse but did happen in the country.
“I see a lot of things that never were done to Ernie but maybe happened to (Syracuse great) Jim Brown (in the 1950s). The movie's more about him than Ernie. And they made Ben look like a racist, to me.”
There are also connections to West Virginia the movie ignores. Schwartzwalder was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, attended West Virginia University and briefly coached high school football in the Mountain State before going to Muhlenberg College and then on to Syracuse.
The early part of Davis’ life took place in Uniontown, just a ½ hour drive from Morgantown. The West Virginia game was essentially a homecoming for Davis.
“It’s labeled a true story but to have so much falsehood is just ridiculous,” Manchin told the Charleston Daily Mail. “I mean there is no truth to it.”
Syracuse quarterback Dick Easterly concurs, saying what was depicted at West Virginia University simply did not happen.
“What the director tried to accomplish is showing the conditions of those times," Easterly was quoted in Thursday’s St. Petersburg Times. “A lot of things in the movie didn't happen at that time at Syracuse but did happen in the country.
“I see a lot of things that never were done to Ernie but maybe happened to (Syracuse great) Jim Brown (in the 1950s). The movie's more about him than Ernie. And they made Ben look like a racist, to me.”
There are also connections to West Virginia the movie ignores. Schwartzwalder was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, attended West Virginia University and briefly coached high school football in the Mountain State before going to Muhlenberg College and then on to Syracuse.
The early part of Davis’ life took place in Uniontown, just a ½ hour drive from Morgantown. The West Virginia game was essentially a homecoming for Davis.
Also, West Virginia’s coach the year Davis played in Morgantown was Gene Corum - the man responsible for integrating football at West Virginia University in 1962. To depict Corum and his West Virginia University team as bigoted is utterly appalling.
Of course West Virginia is an easy target. It always has been. Young people watching this movie are going to form an opinion of West Virginia that is completely false.
This is sad because West Virginia became a state because it seceded from Confederate Virginia during the Civil War.
Of course West Virginia is an easy target. It always has been. Young people watching this movie are going to form an opinion of West Virginia that is completely false.
This is sad because West Virginia became a state because it seceded from Confederate Virginia during the Civil War.
Unfortunately, that fact is lost to history.
(From MSNsportsNET.com)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Family Emphasis Day
We are delighted to announce that Larry & Susan Duncan will be with us on Sunday, October 12, 2008. Our focus will be Family Emphasis. The morning service will deal with the effects of crisis management and how we can better equip ourselves in God's grace. The evening service will focus on emotional healing and the importance of building stronger family relationships. Join us Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m and Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. for this special Family Emphasis Day.
Larry has been ministering full-time in the Church of God of Prophecy since 1973. During that time he has served in a wide variety of positions at the local, state, and international levels. His deep passion for relational ministry is expressed in efforts to strengthen families, encourage pastoral couples, and equip church leaders through retreats, relational ministry courses, and personal ministry.
A Study of Philippians
From beatings to imprisonment, Paul endured an enormous amount of suffering for the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ. Overwhelming trials had taught the Apostle to be content in whatever circumstance he found himself. Through his experiences he was able to encourage the Philippians to cultivate a similar lifestyle. His letter to the Philippian church is a testimony to his courageous attitude. Even though he was in prison, facing an uncertain future, Paul wrote this letter of gratitude expressing an abundant joy in what God was accomplishing through the Philippians.
Join us every Wednesday night at CCC in the month of October as we explore the depth of God's grace from the book of Philippians. Our guest lecturer for this month will be former pastor Tony Ledbetter. Bible study begins at 6:30 p.m.
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