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Imagine there is no escape. It’suncomfortable to do. In fact,
we strive to be alert and to alwayshave some control. There is some-thing within each of us telling usof threats that swirl around us.We are primed to “be prepared,”“drive defensively” and “stop,look, and listen.” When con-fronted by a threat, our heartsbegin to race, our musclestighten, our breathing becomesrapid. Our minds and bodies re-spond by either preparing to fightor flee. Trauma occurs when theseoptions are taken away, when weare powerless to change our cir-cumstances.
People experience some level of trauma in their lifetimes –– anautomobile accident, the death of
someone with whom we are veryclose, being fired from a job, losing a home and belongings to fire or flood. Although there is great emotional pain, most areable to return to some level ofnormalcy in time.
Children who come to live atBaptist Children’s Homes (BCH)have suffered a wide array oftrauma ––violence, abuse, neglect.BCH has utilized a programmodel called CARE (Childrenand Residential Experiences) formore than eight years to better respond to the children in carewho have experienced trauma.
“The CARE model emphasizesthe ‘what,’” says Sandy Perry,BCH’s Statewide Director ofFamily Interventions and Train-ing. “To effectively help a child
who has experienced trauma, one must begin by asking ques-tions. ‘What has happened to thischild?’ ‘What has he/she experi-enced?’ ‘What pain is the childfeeling emotionally and mentally?’”
CARE stresses that each child isunique and embraces an “attitudeof understanding.”
Perry says all behavior hasmeaning. Something that may beperceived as “bad” behavior canbe a good place to begin askingquestions.
“It’s like an iceberg,” says cot-tage parent Roy Bingley. “Whatyou see is only one tenth of anissue. That one tenth is revealedthrough a child’s behavior. Theninety percent below the surfaceis where the pain resides.”
All behavior has meaning.Some behavior is disruptive. Itcan be loud and impact the otherchildren in care. And other behav-ior is more private. A child maywithdraw from the others in acottage, show signs of depression,(Continued on page 3)
Battling the frightening effects children have faced__________________________________________________________________________________
By Jim Edminson, Editor
Charity&ChildrenAnd now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina
131/3
Ron experiences positive changes at Kennedy Home. (Page 6) Food Roundup pick-up points set. (Page 8)
4/18
N E E D S L I S T O N PA G E 8
Charity & Children – Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Inc., 204 Idol St., PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Michael C. Blackwell, publisher; Jim Edminson, editor ([email protected]); J. Blake Ragsdale, managing editor (jbragsdale@ bchfamily.org); Marcia Housand, account clerk. Charity & Children (ISSN 0009-1723-09 USPS 100-460) is published 11 times a year for friends and supporters of Baptist Children’s Homes. It is printed at Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC and mailed by Excalibur,Winston-Salem, NC. Circulation: 62,000 seven times a year, 30,000 four times a year. Periodicals postage paid at Thomasville, NC, and at additional mailing offices. For free subscription or to be removed from the mailing list or make address correction orchange, use the above address and write to Attn: Circulation Manager, send an email to [email protected] or call at 336-474-1209. Subscribe online at bchfamily.org/charityandchildren. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Charity & Children, PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361-0338.
Vision: sharing hope . . . changing lives
Mission: To provide the highest quality
of Christian services to children, adults
and families in a caring culture of
measurable excellence
Read Baptist Children’s Homes’ stories at www.bchblog.org.2 4/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
[ MY THOUGHTS }
Accepting oneself includes accepting setbacks and tragedies that are inevitable
facts of life. I have a friend who became an oncologist. As we talked recently, we agreed that our work has much in common. I oversee a network of children’s homes that try to salvage wounded lives. He attempts to alvage whatever time can be gained from a disease that, despite modern medical advance,sometimes represents a death sentence.
“I see two kinds of people in my office,” thisdoctor told me. “Those who are embittered anddestroyed by illness and those who are ennobledby it. Some people become angry when theylearn they are going to die. They lash out atGod and everybody around them. Everythingcenters on them and what is happening to them.
“Others are the opposite. They get in touchwith the ground of their beliefs, with some deepfaith inside of themselves. They become peace-ful centers of radiant hope and goodness. Theybecome more loving and considerate of others.They submit themselves to the will of God.”
Prominent Swiss physician and psychiatristPaul Tournier gave me great insight on how accepting oneself can spell the difference between a victorious life and one lived in shallow misery. In The Meaning of Persons, he told a story of two patients:
The first was a highly successful politicianwhose appeal and charisma had carried him to a string of victories at the ballot box. Thoughoutwardly full of charm and confidence, his private actions revealed a much different nature.He confessed feeling so timid that his handsshook violently whenever he shared a cup of tea with a small group of friends.
The second patient was a forty-year-old manwho felt so insecure that his mother accompa-nied him to the office. Nervous and fidgety, he sat on the edge of his chair throughout theirinitial interview. However, over time, doctorand patient developed a basic trust. To his
surprise, Dr. Tournier discovered the soul of an adventurer. Though the man dreamed ofheroism, daring deeds, and voyages to distantlands, he was ineffectual. Because he had not accepted himself and embraced the idea of tak-ing action to realize those dreams, he remainedtied to his mother by an invisible cord.
Accepting self means we not only achieve our dreams, but also help others reach theirs.We do this not by writing a bestselling book,becoming a famed motivational speaker, or sell-ing a million videos on “the successful life.” No,we inspire others to greatness simply by seeingthem as people of worth and value. Life runs atits best when people treat each other with honorand respect. Poor relationships with others injure both parties’ feelings. It dims all hopes in businesses, friendships, cooperative ventures,and families.
The one who treats people poorly suffers in others ways. A man or woman constantly atodds with others reaps a harvest of loneliness,or at best a grudging acceptance. The pain maysimply be felt inside, with the individual ill atease with self. By hurting others, such peoplehurt themselves. Do other people speak unkindly, make dumb moves, and fail in theirown endeavors? Sure. But so do you. Lovemeans making allowances for others’ shortcom-ings, just as they make allowances for ours.
To complete this picture of acceptance, I offer the word comfort. Becomfortable with yourbody, your spirit andwith others.
Be comfortablewith your body.
Do you findyourself frequentlywishing your bodywas a different type,size, shape, or color? To be at peace with your
body requires a “faith-full” acceptance of yourbody type. Most people cannot be supremelyshapely or muscular. Yet, most of us can developthe awareness that our body is not something to fight, but to accept and value. Because of itsintricate nature and creation, it is a thing ofbeauty. Comfort involves acceptance.
Be comfortable with your spirit.Many dwell on our incompleteness, sinful-
ness and faults. That is self-defeating behavior.You will never know the joy God intended foryou to have if you stay mired in the quicksandof negative, defeatist thinking. Sure, periodi-cally we all struggle with fears and anxieties,but we must remember each of us came into the world with the possibility of wholeness and completeness. While that is a lifelong quest, we can take comfort in knowing that we are notalone in our journey. The One who was with us in the beginning will be with us to the end.
Be comfortable with others.This is the fruit of the previous pair of
comforts. The person at comfort with his or her body and spirit has no compulsion to lashout at others. Those who are comfortable withtheir body and spirit no longer need to projecttheir discomfort onto the world or onto others.They no longer need to hate, discriminate, or hurt others.
Acceptance = Comfort. There is a right way to order our lives so
they are not constantly tangled and adrift,but moving forward with shape and
aim. Our level of comfort plays a huge part in how we view theworld and live in it. We are not totally mature unless we know the comfort for which we havebeen created and intended.
Michael C. Blackwell leads the ministry with vigor and enthusiasm. He has served as president
of Baptist Children’s Homes since 1983 and marks his 35th anniversary this year
Accepting oneself is key to achieving dreams________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Michael C. Blackwell, President/CEO
(Continued from page 1) or neglect everyday routines likepersonal hygiene.
Disruptive behavior may actu-ally be a coping device. BCH’strained staff members discoverthat the child’s “normal” is living in chaos with noise. Hisbehavior attempts to recreatethat environment. Often aftertensions have heightened, onemay see the child relax and turn his attention to other activities.
Another child neglectsbathing and personal hygiene. It is discovered that her behaviordeveloped as a coping defense to ward off attention.
Finding the “what” for the pain is the starting place in helping a child who has facedtrauma.
“Terrible horrors have beenbrought upon these children,”says cottage parent Sandra Bing-ley. “Being aware of the trauma in their lives is essential. We must open our eyes to their pain,step beside these children, and love them likeJesus loves them.”
Sandy Perry says that BCH’s emphasis ontraining makes the difference. “Knowledge is liberating. Equipping our staff with the knowl-edge and the right tools helps them meet the challenges they face.”
Training is motivational, helping staff membersbecome more self-aware. They are able to face
daunting tasks with “Yes, I can.”“CARE changed how we work with children,”
says Sandra. “Rules and consequences are limit-ing. Children push back and the road to buildinghelpful relationships become rocky. CARE isabout understanding the child. We begin thefirst day a child arrives.”
For a child, being forced to leave home andfamily members is traumatic in itself. Even if theenvironment is unsafe and the relationships arebroken by abuse or neglect, a child is over-whelmed. Her “normal” has shifted.
“If it is mandated for a childto be removed from a homesetting, a social worker arrives,often without notice, and instructs the child to put somebelongings in a plastic bag andthe child is taken away,” Perrysays. “Our cottage parents gointo action as soon as a childarrives.”
Sandra Bingley says she is prepared to offer simplechoices to the child as soon as the child enters the cottage.It is a way for the child to feelshe has some control in what is happening to her.
“When you feel all choicehas been taken away, makingthe decisions about which bedyou would like to sleep in orwhat color towel and sheetsyou would like to use goes a long way.”
“We immediately turn ourfocus to laying groundwork for
a relationship,” says Roy Bingley. “It’s the begin-ning for everything. From day one, children mustsee that you care, that you love them despitewhat has happened to them before they arrived,and that they know they are safe.”
“CARE allows us to see children actually turnthe corner,” Sandra says. “CARE helps us get itright. That’s the reward.”
“I can’t imagine not using CARE or workingwhere I was unable to share the hope of Jesus,”Roy says. Together, these effect lasting change.
Subscribe family and friends to C&C at www.bchfamily.org/subscribe. 34/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
[ CARE TRAINING IMPACTS TRAUMA }
Staff members use CARE to share hope, change lives_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The 2018 Senior Adult Ministry State Lead-ership Conference, Living Forward!, will
take place on May 1 at Rich Fork Baptist Churchin Thomasville. The conference is designed toprovide leadership training for pastors and layleaders of senior adults as well as provide encour-agement and information to senior adults them-selves. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to3:00 p.m. with lunch provided. Cost for the con-
ference is $10.Dr. Michael C. Blackwell,
president/CEO of Baptist Chil-dren’s Homes and founder ofNCBAM, will provide the keynoteaddress on the theme “LivingForward!” Attendees will be en-couraged to maintain a positive at-
titude and “run the race” with joy.
Carolyn Hill Edwards, senioradult retreat planner, will providethe closing address, “What’s YourCalling?” Edwards will share howself-examination helps leaders dis-cover “who” they are in ministry.
The conferecne will feature sixbreakout sessions.
q Grandparents Raising Grandchildrenby Leisa Henderson
q Building an Intergenerational Communityby Josh Lail
q The Nuts and Bolts of Senior Adult Ministryby Sandy Gregory
q Looking Forward, Living Forward by Martha McDowell
q Rediscovering Your Best Selfby Whitney Brooks
q Ageism and What to Expect with Agingby Elizabeth ThomasAlong with great music, fellowship and
food, exhibits from select vendors will be on display and a “Parade of Churches” will showcase innovative approaches to senior adultministry.
NCBAM’s “ENCORE” outreach to pastorsage 65+ will also hold fellowship and planningmeetings during the conference.
The Living Forward - Senior Adult MinistryState Leadership Conference is an outreach ofNCBAM’s Leadership Network and AAIM(Aging Adults Innovating Ministry).
For more information about AAIM, the SeniorAdult Ministry State Leadership Conference, orto reserve your space for the May 1 event, visitncbam.org/aaim or call 877-506-2226.
Senior Adult Ministry State Leadership Conference, May 1_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Carol Layton, NCBAM Director of Communications & Administration
Blackwell
Hill Edwards
Sandra and Roy Bingley have served as cottage parents for three years. The couple didn’t consider re-tirement before coming to BCH; instead they “refired” and gave themselves to serving children. The
couple credits CARE for helping make them the cottage parents they are today.
Recently while clearing off mydesk, I uncovered a beautiful
“thinking of you” card designed by oneof our Camp Duncan girls and an “I’mso thankful for a friend like you” cardcreated by one of our boys at CameronBoys Camp. These beautiful cards expressthe importance of friends.
As I looked at them, I could not helpbut be reminded of you and our manyfriends of children.
You, dear friend, touched the lives of afamily of five children who without our min-istry would have been separated and placed inmultiple homes. You helped give them ahome where they could be together and youhelped their family get to a place where, hope-fully one day soon, they will be reunited.Thank you!
You helped Briana find her forever home. Bri-ana dreamed she would one day be adopted, butshe never thought it would become a reality.After living at Baptist Children’s Homes for sixyears, she was adopted by her former BCH cot-tage parents. Thank you!
You helped a young mother leave a life of drugsand abuse. At her weakest moment and alone, shecried to God and asked Him to take control.“Please turn my life around,” she cried. She nowdescribes her life as a miracle, “God transformedmy life.” Now, her number one priority is being abetter mom and making a better life for her andher children. Thank you!
You introduced Abigail to God. Abigail lives atCamp Duncan for Girls. She made a commitmentto make life changes when she entered CampDuncan and has worked hard to accomplish hergoals focusing on her relationships. Abigail nowhas a new relationship – a relationship with God.“Letting Christ into my life made a big difference.I want to be close to the Lord. I am reading myBible and I pray every day.” There were 203 pro-fessions of faith in 2017 and hundreds of othersthat rededicated their lives to God. Thank you!
You put the word success back into Sam’s life.Sam was failing in school. His days were spentshut off from everyone while he played video
games in a dark room. He came into ourcare hungry and the stench from his clotheswas overwhelming. But you helped provideclean clothes, food, books, shoes, a warm bed,and big doses of encouragement and it made adifference. Sam began to excel in school. When hetook his end-of-the-course math exam, his testscore was the highest level, a “5”, with a totalscore of 266. He scored in the upper 5% of thosewho took the test. His score exceeded the scoresof those in his school district and in North Car-olina. Sam is another young man who acceptedChrist into his heart this year. Thank you!
You helped provide a new friend to a lonelyaging adult. You helped her feel less frightened.You helped make sure she had food when she wasnot able to go to the grocery store. You were apart of helping her receive a needed wheelchairramp. You helped provide transportation when sheneeded to go for doctor’s visits. But, most of allyou helped her not feel alone. Thank you!
You shared the gift of hope with 32,576 chil-dren, families and individuals last year. So yes,
as I uncoveredthis beautiful
“thinking of you” card,I am indeed thinking of
you. And “I’m so thankful for a friend like you.” Thank you!
When you give, you stand with our staffmembers who stand at the door of each of our
ministries with outstretched arms offering God’slove. You help make it all possible. Thank you!
As Easter approaches, we are preparing for thecelebration of Jesus’ resurrection. We see thepower of that resurrection every day in thechanged lives of those we serve. Thank you forsaying a resounding “Yes” when God said to you“Feed my sheep.” Thank you for saying “Yes”when God said to you “Whatever you have donefor the least of these you have done unto me.”Thank you for saying “Yes” when God said to you“Bear ye one another’s burdens.” Thank you!
“Thinking of you” and hopingyou experience a glorious Easter!
4 4/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3 Leave a legacy through planned giving. Visit www.bchlegacy.org.
Brenda Gray’s passion is children. She serves BCH as the executive vice president, development & communications and directs all fund-raising/friend-raising activities for the state-wide services.
Lives are changed because you care_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Dev. & Comm.
[ WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS }
Child Abuse Prevention Month is a timewhen we are reminded to stand andspeak up for those who are alone andcannot speak for themselves.
Today in the U.S., as many as four millionchild maltreatment referral reports arereceived. Child Abuse reports involved7.2 million children. Almost 40% were
abused by a parent, 51% by a relative of the child . More than one quarter ofvictims were under three years of age.Almost five children die every day fromchild abuse.
In North Carolina, child abuse reports involved nearly 8,000 children. One in 10children live in extreme poverty. Twenty
five children died from abuse and neglect. Sixty eight children and youthcommitted suicide.
Data released in May 2017 estimatesthat 122,000 adolescents are addicted to prescription pain relievers.
Please stand with us. Notify local law enforcement officials of any suspected child abuse.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
It’s fast and easy! Give online at www.bchfamily.org/easter 54/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
[ 2 0 1 8 E A S T E R A P P E A L }
children and adultsaccepted Christ!
Last year, 203 lives were CHANGED for eternitybecause of your prayers and generous support!
We celebrate together when a child, who has experienced so many hurts and heartache,gives her life to Jesus.
When you give, your support helps providea safe home, daily provisions and the loving care of Christian cottage parents.
And you make it possible for the boys,girls and adults we minister to daily to learn about Jesus!
Please share the hope of Easterwith our children! Makeyour special gift today.
To make a gift by check, please print your information below and mail this form with your check.
Name _____________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________ State ______ Zip __________ Phone ________________________________________ Email ________________________________________
To make a gift by credit card: 1) Go online at www.bchfamily.org/easter 2) Or make your gift by calling Faith Frazier at 336-474-1312
Yes, I would like to receive email updates from Baptist Children's Homes. Contact me with information on how to prepare a Christian Will. I have included Baptist Children’s Homes in my estate plans.
Use my gift to share the HOPE of Easter with a child. $100 $300 $500 $1,000 $ _________________ Any size gift!
Please pray for the children and families Baptist Children’s Homesserves through 22 locations andan orphanage inGuatemala.
Go to www.bchfamily.org/easter or mail your gift.
Jessie and Matt Chilson have served atKennedy Home as cottage parents since 2016. Jessie laughs when she tells how she
and Matt came with their home church group fora mission project and decided to stay. The coupleserve in Aydlett Davis Cottage caring for a groupof boys. One of the boys is 14-year-old Ron.
“We try to make every boy’s birthday special,”Jessie says. Ron’s birthday is December 12. “Ronasked for meatloaf and coconut cake. I’ve nevermade either.”
Ron’s cottage mom didn’t back down fromthe challenge. She decided to tackle the meatloafbut have Matt go to a store bakery and buy an already-baked coconut cake. Simple.
Matt went to every store in Kinston and surrounding community grocery stores. Therewas no coconut cake to be found.
“I asked Matt to pick up the ingredients; I would make the cake, too,” Jessie says.
The meatloaf was a success. The cake turnedout to be delicious. She nestled 14 candles intothe bed of coconut on top. Everyone in the cottage gathered around, Jessie struck the firstchord, then Matt and the boys joined in the chorus: “Happy birthday, dear Ron. Happybirthday to you!”
“It was a good day for Ron,” Jessie remem-bers. “He later told me the cake was the firsthomemade birthday cake he had ever beengiven – he said it was the best cake he had ever eaten.”
Ron was born in Manhattan and at age two heand his older sister were placed into foster care.
“We were moved around a lot, different fosterhomes,” Ron confides. “Sometimes we were
together, and other times we weren’t. We didn’thave any relationship with our birth mom anddad. Things were all over the place until my auntadopted us.”
Everyone was hopeful. But the shadows of thepast crept in as Ron grew older. He said tensionbetween he and his aunt gaveway to arguing, and before hecame to Kennedy Home a littlemore than two years ago, thearguing turned to fighting.
“It became difficult foreveryone,” Ron says. “The change was good.”
Things were better at Kennedy Home immedi-ately, despite the fact that it was the first timeRon had lived with so many people or been challenged with so many expectations.
“I adjusted because I was given lots of support,” Ron says. “My cottage parents and my cottage mates helped me.”
Ron gets along with the other boys in his cottage, but shares that he prefers spending timereading and doing puzzles. He also has an exten-
sive collection of Star Wars themedLego sets.
“Ron is showing leadership abilitiesin our cottage,” Jessie Chilson says.“Things can be up in the air, and atthe right moment, he steps forward
and encourages the other boys to make the rightdecision. He has a good head on his shoulders.”
Last fall, Ron was his middle school’s footballteam manager and traveled with the team to awaygames. He is running track for the first time aspart of a community program this spring andlooks forward to possibly running in high school.
The A-B student plans on attending collegewhen he graduates high school in four years.After college, he hopes to join the U.S. Air Forceto become a pilot.
“It would be difficult not to think about Godwhile living in our cottage,” Ron jokes. “We havedevotions at breakfast and dinner and we attendRivermont Baptist Church in Kinston regularly.We are also involved in our youth activities atchurch.” This, too, is a positive change.
Jessie is quick to express her pride in Ron.“Our hope is that all the boys in our care will do as well as Ron.”
[ CHILD FEATURE }
Ron makes best of opportunities at Kennedy Home_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Jim Edminson, Editor
Fourteen-year-old Ron has lived at Kennedy Home in Kinston for a little more that two years. He is a good student, enjoysathletics and is planning for his future. Ron credits his cottage parents Jessie and Matt Chilson for helping him succeed.
6 4/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3 Read Baptist Children’s Homes’ stories at www.bchblog.org.
Yo u r V B S c a n m a k e a
D i f f e r e n c e !
Collect an offering | Invite a speaker | Download resourcesVisit www.bchkids.org & learn how your VBS can help.
Help your children help BCH’s children!
H O P E HOPE changes lives and dispels
darkness.
YOUR CHURCH CAN HELP!Wheelchair ramp builders needed on
April 28 & May 5.Call NCBAM at 877-506-2226 or go to ncbam.org
Learn more about Fancy Finds at www.fancyfinds.org. 74/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
From the beginning, Fancy Finds’ mission has been to funnel proceeds
from its store and services back into the many ministries of Baptist Children’s Homes(BCH). A year and half after opening itsdoors, the upscale resale store is making a significant contribution to the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM)and its biennial “Rampin’ Up!” event.
A $10,000 check was presented by BCHpresident/CEO Michael C. Blackwell toNCBAM director Sandy Gregory on March 8.
“As the founder of both NCBAM andFancy Finds, I could not be prouder of what these two vital and vibrant ministries are accomplishing,” Blackwell said. “This giftis a tangible representation of BCH’s diverseservices working together — many ministriesbeating with one heart!”
Rampin’ Up! is a partnership betweenNCBAM and Baptists on Mission and is heldin conjunction with Operation Inasmuch onApril 28 and May 5.
Fancy Finds’ donation will help empowervolunteers to build much-needed wheelchairramps for North Carolina’s frail aging.
“Making this contribution demonstrateswhy Fancy Finds is here,” said director ReneeGregory. “It’s about how our resources canmake a difference.”
Gregory saw the difference firsthand twoyears ago when she and her children assistedthe NCBAM in constructing a ramp.
“We not only witnessed how it helped theclient who received the ramp but also how it impacted the whole family,” she explained.“It made life easier being able to get theirloved one in and out of the home.”
It is moments like this that drive the FancyFinds’ mission. Located at Mills Home inThomasville, Gregory specializes in takingdonated, timeworn furniture and home decoritems and creatively restoring them for sale.
The process is known as “repurposing”which is incorporated into Fancy Finds’ marketing tag “repurposed for a purpose.”Whether it’s proceeds from retail sales or its estate sales service, the funds support BCH’sministries to help children, aging adults, fami-lies, special needs adults, and other individuals.
“One of the other benefits is there arepeople who come to the store who knownothing about Baptist Children’s Homes,”Gregory stated. “We get to share with themwho we are. They buy something, and attimes it leads to them becoming involved and partnering with BCH.”
Learn more about Fancy Finds by calling Renee Gregory at 336-474-1331. To be involved with Rampin’ Up!, call 877-506-2226.
[ NCBAM RECEIVES DONATION }
Fancy Finds fuels Rampin’ Up________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fancy Finds donated $10,000 to the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) for this year’s “Rampin’ Up!” to build wheelchair ramps for aging adults across the state. The check was presented by BCH’spresident/CEO Michael C. Blackwell to NCBAM director Sandy Gregory on March 8, 2018. Left to right: Renee
Gregory, Fancy Finds director; Keith Henry, BCH Chief Operating Officer; Dr. Blackwell, Sandy Gregory.
Baptist Children’s HomesAccomplishments ReportLast year was filled with stories of success.The 2017 numbers tell of the impact.
O p e r a t i n g R e v e n u e s
Total Served byBaptist Children’s Homes
32,576
Decisions for Christ203
Clients Served
7,668
Children & Family Services
North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry
Developmental Disabilities Ministry
Children Served
1,442
O u t r e a c h
Families Served
1,103
Evangelism & Outreach
12,916
Residents & Families Served
54
Clients Served
9,393
Greater Vision Outreach Ministry
40% Fees for Services
26% Church Gifts
88% Programs/Services
O p e r a t i n g E x p e n s e s
4% Development3% Communications
34% Donations/Earnings
5% Gen. Administration
8 4/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3 Download resourcesat www.bchfoodroundup.org.
MOST NEEDED ITEMS:__ Canned Fruits__ Paper Products (paper
towels, toilet paper,Kleenex, napkins)
__ Household cleaningproducts (i.e. bleach,Comet, Lysol spray andwipes, Clorox spray andwipes, Windex, Pinesol,Pledge, Tilex, etc.)
__ Fruit Juice (Apple, Orange,Grape, Cranberry)
__ Laundry Detergent__ Bottled Water__ Dry Cereal__ Spaghetti Sauce__ Pasta (Spaghetti, Lasagna,
Macaroni)__ Canned Tomatoes (diced,
sauce, paste)__ Pancake Mix and Syrup__ Soups (All types &
condensed)__ Sugar (Granulated & Brown)__ Flour
__ Splenda and Stevia__ Popcorn, Kettle Corn__ Apple Sauce__ Fruit Pie Filling (Cherry and
Peach)__ Beverage Mixes (Tea, Tang,
Kool-Aid, Lemonade, CiderMix - All Sugar Free)
__ Vegetable Oil, Shortening,Olive Oil, Pam CookingSpray, Bakers Choice
__ Canned Sweet Potatoes,Canned Yams, Can pumpkin
__ Canned Meats (pinksalmon, tuna, roast beef,chicken - packed in water)
__ Stuffing Mix__ Gravy Mixes__ Hamburger, Chicken, and
Tuna Helper (all types)__ Pickles (Sweet & Dill)__ Refried Beans__ Hot Chocolate Mix__ Snack Foods with & without
sugar (Fruit Rollups, FruitCups, Beef Jerky, Slim Jims,
Pepperoni Sticks, CheeseNips, Pretzels, etc.)
__ Health Snacks (DriedFruit, Nuts, Raisins,Cranraisins, Trail Mix)
__ Individual Cookie Packs__ Jello__ PopTarts__ Rice__ Instant Potatoes (scalloped,
au gratin, mashed, julienne)__ Muffin Mixes__ Bisquick Mix__ Kidney Beans__ Baked Beans__ Pickle Relish__ Cranberry Sauce__ Mac & Cheese__ Corn Meal__ Jiffy Mixes, Corn Muffin Mix__ Potatoes__ Hush Puppy Mix__ Peanut Butter__ Jelly, Jams, Preserves
(Strawberry is their favorite)__ Pizza & Pizza Dough Mix__ Saltine Crackers, Ritz, Nabs
Crackers, Graham Crackers__ Sauces (A-1, Steak, BBQ,
Texas Pete, Cheese,Worcestershire, Soy,Teriyaki, Sweet & Sour)
__ Spices and Seasonings(including Salt & Pepper)
__ Dishwashing detergents__ Laundry pre-treating
products (i.e. Shout, Sprayand Wash)
__ HE Laundry Detergent__ Brooms, Mops, Scrub
Brushes, Dust Pans__ Foil and Plastic Wrap__ SOS Pads__ Fabric Softener__ Dryer Sheets__ Sanitary Pads & Tampons__ Hand Lotion__ Shampoo__ Body Wash__ Soap__ Hand Sanitizer
OTHER NEEDED ITEMS:__ Brownie, Cookie Cake and
Icing Mixes__ Canned Vegetables__ Individual Chef Boyardee cups__ Clif brand nutrition bars__ Hot Dog Chili__ Coffee (Regular & Decaf)__ Coffee Creamer__ Sweetened Condensed Milk__ Evaporated Milk__ Dehydrated Food (powdered
milk & eggs, dehydrated meals)__ Flavorings (Vanilla, etc.)
__ Honey__ French Fried
Onions__ Ketchup__ Mustard__ Oatmeal__ Salsa__ Vinegar__ Parmesan
Cheese__ Puddings, Pudding Cups__ Paper Products (Cups, Plates,
Bowls, Plastic Ware,Dixie Cups)
__ Copy/Printer Paper__ Trash Bags (large & small)__ Zip-Loc bags (Sandwich,
Snack, Quart & Gallon Sizes)__ Band Aids__ Rubbing Alcohol/Peroxide__ Anti-bacterial ointment__ Razors__ Shaving Cream/Gel__ Dental Floss__ Hair brushes__ Deodorant__ Conditioner__ Tooth Paste__ Tooth Brushes__ Diapers (all sizes)__ Baby Wipes__ Bug Repellent__ Wasp/Hornet Spray
__ Sunblock 30+__ Batteries (AA , AAA and D)__ Disposable Gloves
(Non-Latex ONLY)__ Heavy Duty Soap
(Fast Orange)
[ FOOD ROUNDUP }
Needs list_____________________________________
When churches and friends unite for the Food
Roundup, it feeds hundreds and hundreds of boys and girls living at BaptistChildren’s Homes. When you are feeding cottages of children across North Carolina thatcan have as many as 12 to 16 residents, it takes a lot of food to fill hungry bellies.
VIDEO: HouseparentsSee Hunger FirsthandAdam & Sian Saunders share theneeds they see daily. Download at www.bchnc.org/food16a
April 2018
Alexander AssociationBecky Parker828-632-6546Anson AssociationKim Glenn704-694-2790Ashe AssociationTrish Church336-846-5631Atlantic AssociationRachel Dupree252-447-4593Avery AssociationGarland Huneycut828-733-6674Beulah AssociationTeresa Wilkins919-730-0226Bladen AssociationConnie Holland910-862-3496Blue Ridge AssociationSharon Blanton 828-559-0685
Brier Creek AssociationSherry Mesimer336-468-8000Brunswick AssociationApril Smith910-754-7979Brushy Mountain Assoc.Gloria Kilby/Linda Holland336-838-4407Buncombe AssociationNancy Owen828-252-1864Burnt Swamp Assoc.Odum Home - Kathy Locklear910-521-3433/910-318-3981Cabarrus AssociationMarvin Tyson704-786-9171Caldwell AssociationAssociation GarageDarlene Townsend828-758-4081Cape Fear Network ofBaptist Churches1. Andrea Knight910-799-11602. Scotts Hill BC- Alena Sandlin910-686-9885Carolina AssociationPaula James828-693-4274Catawba River Assoc.Amy Carr828-437-0137
Catawba Valley Assoc.Woodlawn BCRev. Jerry Anderson828-464-6921Cheoah AssociationNew Hope BC, RobbinsvilleGerald & Nellie Phillips828-479-8279Chowan AssociationNancy Porter/Annie Leslie252-426-9621Columbus AssociationTeresa Powell910-642-2155Dan Valley AssociationFirst Baptist, ReidsvilleGail King336-932-0500Dock Association910-640-0801Eastern Association1. Sandra Winstead910-293-70772. Grove Park BCCameron Dunn910-574-9829Elkin AssociationChurches independentlycollecting & delivering toMills HomeFlat River AssociationBecky Curran/Myra Klein910-690-5120/919-693-2300
French Broad AssociationDru Moore828-689-2845Graham AssociationNew Hope BC, RobbinsvilleGerald & Nellie Philips828-479-8279Greater Cleveland Assoc.Katie Harris704-482-3472Greater Gaston Assoc.Association WarehouseBetty Hamilton704-867-7257Green River AssociationTeresa Sams828-286-9278Haywood AssociationBroyhill Home - Linda Morgan828-627-9254Johnston AssociationJohnston Comm. CollegeCarolyn Tharrington 919-934-3749Liberty AssociationMills Home - Alan Williams336-474-1277Little River Association1. Baptist Grove BC919-552-85922. Gourd Springs BC910-436-02763. Lillington BC910-893-91514. Westfield BC910-892-2216
Macon AssociationCyndi Bohner828-524-3215Metrolina AssociationBeth Rose704-375-1197 ext. 103Mitchell AssociationJudy Greer828-765-9412Montgomery AssociationWendy Jarman910-572-2451Mount Zion AssociationSandy King 336-226-0249Neuse AssociationKennedy Home –Brenda Hinson252-522-0811New River AssociationChristine Nemoto910-347-3146New South River Assoc.Robert Ivey/ReginaHam-monds910-485-8791North Roanoke Assoc.Regina Dalasoto252-443-3883Pee Dee AssociationLanell Moree/Janie Frye910-895-5282Piedmont AssociationRebecca Newlin336-275-7651
Pilot Mountain Assoc.PMBA at Northwest BaptistKaren Taylor336-830-8189Polk AssociationPhil Bailey828-894-3787Raleigh AssociationIris Woodard919-231-3995Randolph AssociationJill Murray/Dr. Richard Crider336-625-4175Robeson Association1. Alan Taylor910-738-81862. Odum Home -Kathy Locklear910-521-3433910-318-3981Rocky Face AssociationTony Daniels 828-850-2267828-632-4726Rowan AssociationCindy Key704-637-3407Sandhills AssociationTom Lamkin910-947-2238Sandy Creek AssociationNancy Evans919-776-9423Sandy Run AssociationKaren Hutchins828-245-2613
South Fork AssociationFaith Ingle704-735-1642South Mountain Assoc.Don Willis704-462-4472South Roanoke Assoc.1. Linda Franks252-756-43322. FBC Wilson, Max Liles252-243-7961South Yadkin AssociationFairview BC - Paul Hill704-872-4246Stanly AssociationJudy Hartsell/Libby Hartsell704-982-4891/704-982-1033Stone MountainJulius Blevins336-696-4210Stony Fork AssociationRoy Gryder828-295-3410Surry AssociationSusan Haynes336-789-5701Tar River AssociationLouisburg Baptist Church919-496-4195Tennessee River Assoc.FBC, Bryson City Judy Hensley828-488-2679
Three Forks AssociationGarland Honeycutt828-264-4482Transylvania AssociationJan Miller828-877-3203/828-808-7917Truett AssociationDuronda Hood/Linda Mays828-837-5401Tuckaseigee AssociationGracella Morris828-586-6011Union AssociationBessie Benson704-283-8383United Association(Drop at Metrolina Assoc.)Beth Rose/ 704-375-1197West Chowan Assoc.Joann Mizelle252-332-3235Yadkin AssociationBrenda Garner/Dennis Shaw336-679-8731Yancey AssociationCathy Silvers828-682-2388Yates AssociationTeresa Dotson/Michael Bond919-489-3396
PLEASECALL FIRST
Delivery hours varyat each location. Call in advance
to schedule your delivery.
Statewide pick-up points ready for food donations_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gift Cards are appreci-ated to buy perishablesand items not received.(Walmart, Sams Clubs,Food Lion, Lowes, Ingles,Piggly Wiggly, etc.)
We can use all size cans.Some locations prefer#10 family-size cans.Please check for expireddates on food. Help ourvolunteer truck drivers bypacking your donations insmall, sturdy boxes.
Questions? Help? Contact Alan Williams at 1-800-476- 3669 ext.1277 or email him [email protected]
Please accept our invitation toMills Home (MH) Homecom-
ing 2018 on the weekend of August3, 4 and 5. Plan now, make every ef-fort to be there, and encourage oth-ers to join us. The theme this year is“Hawaiian Luau.” No, you will nothave to perform the hula! There willbe great decorations, festive musicand delicious food. And a great shagperformance will take the place of ahula dancer (probably on Saturdayafternoon). Sharon DeHart Stileshas the Worship Service plans forSunday almost complete. She saysall will enjoy being actively involvedin the service. You will be thrilled tosee the beautifully renovated MillsHome Baptist Church sanctuaryand the other improvementsthroughout the building.
Bill Bailey sent the sad news ofthe death of C. Conley Thompson.Conley came to MH in 1942 withbrothers David and Fred, both nowdeceased. He left MH in 1945 butfinished school, served his countryin the U.S. Air Force, and returnedto Thomasville to build a 42 yearcareer at Thomasville Furniture In-dustries. Conley loved gospel musicand was a wonderful singer, oftenproviding a solo on HomecomingSunday. A family member wrote“Pops was such a loving husband,father, grandfather, great-grandfa-ther, and friend. He will be greatlymissed.” He leaves behind his wifeRuth, two sons, three grandchil-dren, four great-grandchildren, andMH brother Talmadge West. Con-dolences may be sent to Ruth andthe family at 602 English Court,Trinity, NC 27370.
Joe (Pat) Jolly came from Lexing-ton to MH in 1964 with siblingsTom, Rick and Becky, last two nowdeceased. He graduated in 1961.Joe wrote: “...life was made easierfor me because Woodrow Stevenshelped me adjust to life at MillsHome. J.W. Abernathy helped meput my feet on the ground and getmy head out of the clouds. And TedGriffin helped me become who I amtoday.” At MH, Joe said he enjoyedbeing in Scouts, working for C&C,being in the Tour Choir, driving a
school bus, and driving campus ve-hicles when needed. Joe and his wifeLinda are self-employed and are tiedto Liberty Tax SVC out of theirhome. They still live in Charlotte.Friends can contact them at [email protected] or 704-996-0674.Everyone learned last year that Joeis our alumni treasurer and gets fan-tastic assistance from his family.Linda especially co-works on the fi-nancial records, a very commonthing with council members andtheir spouses. They both help withHomecoming registration. Joe lovesHomecoming because he loves“being home.” He and Linda havetwo children, one grandchild andone great grandchild.
Please keep the family of CeceliaTownsend Wilkerson in yourprayers. Cecelia’s husband Mark’ship replacement surgery is onMarch 5. Unfortunately, he will nolonger be able to work because hiscompany does not offer light-workemployment. So please pray that adoor will open for Mark when hehas recovered. Mark is anotherspouse who has worked so diligentlyfor several years helping withHomecoming chores, especially theSilent Auction. Incidentally, the2017 Auction brought in around$2,800.The other big money makerat Homecoming was the t-shirt salerun by Cecelia and it raised around$1,800. I insert those facts at thispoint to show you again how ourspouses jump right in and help. Withsix to 10 weeks of recovery forMark, Cecelia has much to be con-cerned with, but says “I have faithand I trust God! I know there’s alight at the end of this.” Folks cancontact Cecelia at 525 OvercashRd., Salisbury, NC 28147.
Delores Williams has been show-ing up for Homecoming every yearnow recently. It has been greatwatching her introduce her husbandaround as she reunites with her“friends of olden days.” Delores,often called just Dee, came to MHfrom Durham in 1954 and shegraduated in 1963. While in care,she learned to love so many campusactivities and responsibilities: choir,GA’s and her duties in the Sewing
Room, Idol Infirmary and IdolPrint Shop. Although she was fondof many workers, she says Miss Imo-gene Wilson was her favorite. Shefelt Miss Imogene understood herbest. Dee and her husband havethree children and two grandchil-dren. She and her husband are bothenjoying retirement and still resideat 141 Woodbridge Circle, MountHolly, NC 28120. Friends can con-tact Dee at [email protected].
Peggy Ann Bentley Hall says sheloves Homecoming because she canvisit with her “brothers and sisters.”Peggy came to Mills Home fromBoone in 1947 with siblings BettyRuth, Irene, and Della Mae. Shegraduated in 1956 and has longmade her home in Lexington. Folkscan contact her at: 336-7654-3636.On campus, Peggy was involved inalmost everything: Junior Choir,Senior Choir, BTU, GA’s, and Jr.Varsity and Varsity basketball, not tomention all kinds of “duties.” Sheespecially liked Mrs. Naomi Russell,housemother at Aydlett, and Mr.and Mrs. Tom (Chris) Marlowe whowere houseparents at Hoffman Cot-tage. Mr. Marlowe was also her bas-ketball coach. Peggy and herhusband have two children, twograndchildren and four great-grand-children. I have missed her atHomecoming for a few years now.
Donald McCarson’s update sheetsays, “If I get there for Homecom-ing, I’ll find you.” And I do hope tosee Donald at Homecoming thisyear! I especially like Don’s list ofMH workers whom he admired somuch and remembers so well:Maude Segal, Velva Daughtry, Rev.W.C. Reed, (general superintendent,called president today), Lucille Reed,Rev. Roger Williams, Paul Edinger,Lois Edinger, Sallie McCracken, andTom Marlowe. (Quite a list and I sayditto.) In the past, Don has regaledus with very interesting accounts ofhis more recent travels, but he alsoalways inquires about the presentalumni association leadership andwants to know if we are still work-ing towards getting current MHseniors interested in joining. Goodquestions. To the first inquiry, I say,
I am always amazed at the quality ofpeople who step forward to keepthis organization going. They reallydo an amazing job, especially con-sidering that there is continualturnover in leadership as required byour by-laws, new people every twoyears, except for secretary and treas-urer. These two officers are allowedto stay as long as they wish becauseof the importance for continuity.Years ago, Charlie Hawkins served astreasurer for 26 years and his wifeNellie served as secretary for 22years. That’s the kind of people wehave on the council.
So what are we doing to bringthe younger generation into associa-tion work? In Donald’s day as presi-dent (‘64-‘66), the council took theMH seniors to breakfast to “famil-iarize” them with the work of thegroup. Around 1975, the counciltook them to a fancy steak dinner,and in the 1980’s-90’s, the counciltook them for pizza. What do we donow? Today’s residents are verybusy people, usually working a joboff campus and few have time for ameal. The big thing that we havedone for several years is make surewe include them in our Homecom-ing celebration by using their skillsand talents in the church service.We also involve them in activities onSaturday (games and contests) andprovide them lunch. Probably themost popular way that we includesome MH residents is to providehonorariums for help in manningMitchell during Homecoming and for serving during the alumnidinner. We know they enjoy theweekend because they join in oursocializing. Unfortunately, we donot get the newest graduates to joinright away. It takes several years todraw them into the association andinto council service. We simply haveto catch them when they are bitolder. As long as BCH and Dr.Blackwell “keep the light on for us,”
we will continue tooutreach to them.
Lib Johnson was a resident of MillsHome from 1946 to 1957. Johnsonbegan writing the Mills Home alumnicolumn in 1992.
[ MILLS HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }
MH Alumni Association outreaches to residents –Alum remember workers with fondness_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Lib Smathers Johnson (336) 299-7412 [email protected]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/millshomealumni 94/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
10 4/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3 Discover ways to help at www.bchfamily.org/getinvolved.
You can help!bchfamily.org/getinvolved
_______________________________Developmental Disabilities Ministry
Residents from Mercer and Lanier Homes, sup-portive homes for special needs adults in San-ford, played handbells during worship at WestConcord Baptist Church in Concord on Sunday,March 11. The men and women received astanding ovation from the congregation._______________________________Church Support
BCH led worship at Mt. Pleasant Baptist inHayesville on Sunday, March 4. Pastor PhilGoble and wife Michelle are pictured in theback row left alongside BCH staff members.
_______________________________Camp Duncan for Girls
The girls of from Camp Duncan in Aberdeencreated a new addition to their campsite: a dishrack. Campers made the rack out of the forestwood and dowel rods. At Camp, the girls liveoutdoors 24/7 year round and learn how tobuild the shelters where they sleep, cook, eat,study, and more._______________________________Children Helping Children
Local resident Khloe Chapman decided to helpthe boys and girls living at Broyhill Home in themountains of Clyde. For her seventh birthday,Khloe gave all of her gifts to the campus to givethem to the children._______________________________NCBAM Volunteers from four Cabarrus county churchesteamed up to load a truck for a North CarolinaBaptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) client. Con-fined to a wheelchair and recently widowed,the client needed to move to New York state to
be closer to family. The client, and NCBAMstaff, are thankful for volunteers from GlorietaBaptist, Kerr Memorial Baptist, Southside Bap-tist, and El Camino Del Rey._______________________________Fancy Finds
Customers of Fancy Finds, BCH’s upscale resalestore at Mills Home in Thomasville, partici-pated in a recently do-it-yourself (DIY) class.Fancy Finds hosts DIY classes, where customerslearn to make creative home decor items andother crafts. The classes are held the thirdThursday of each month. All proceeds fromFancy Finds benefits the many ministries ofBaptist Children’s Homes. Learn more atwww.fancyfinds.org.
Every day at churches and BCH facilities “around the state,” staffmembers, residents and North Carolina Baptists are making news. Learn more by connecting throughsocial media.
Around the State
1. Western Area Family Services Linda Morgan, Lead Dir., 828-627-9254
2. Central Area Family Services Regina Keener, Dir., 336-474-1200
3. Eastern Area Family Services Brian Baltzell, Dir., 252-522-0811 www.kennedyhome.org
4. Odum Home Kathy Locklear, Res. Mgr., 910-521-3433www.odumhome.org
5. Oak Ranch/Family CareLynn Garner, Dir., 336-474-1240
6. Cameron Boys Camp Drew Scott, Dir. , 910-245-4034 www.cameronboyscamp.org
7. Camp Duncan for Girls Paul Daley, Dir., 910-944-3077 www.campduncanNC.org
8. Weekday EducationLinda Russo, Dir., 336-474-1313
9. Tucker Greater Vision MinistrySara Becker, Mgr., 336-687.6384
10. HOMEBASE at WCUJim Dean, Dir., 828-293-4660
11. Developmental Disabilities Ministry Peggy Pennington, Dir., 828-964-0731 www.hereismyhome.org
12. NC Baptist Aging MinistrySandy Gregory, Dir., 336-474-1221www.ncbam.org
13. Good Shepherd Children’s Home, GuatemalaKeith Henry, 336-474-1215
Baptist Children’s Homes’ heart beatswith a rhythm of hope! Is there a ministrythat can help you or someone you know?Learn more at www.bchfamily.org/help
Sat. Friends of Children Workdays:+ Oak Ranch in Broadway – May 5+ Kennedy Home in Kinston – May 19+ Odum Home in Pembroke – May 19 + Camp Duncan in Aberdeen – May 26
Founders Day (almost May):+ Cameron Boys Camp – April 30
Ride to Clyde Motorcycle Ride:+ Statewide Charity Ride – May 9-12
Spring is here! I hope many ofmy Kennedy Home (KH)
alumni are going to or already havesung in an Easter Cantata. We hadsome great choirs at KH in the day.Everyone always worked so hardand were very good at learning themusic. I taught it then and remindeveryone again: Always use yourtalents for the Lord! He expectsyour best at whatever age.
When I served at KH, Rev. RogerWilliams was the director – heserved in the 60s and 70s. Beckyand I grew to be very close to Mr.and Mrs. Williams. At that time, Ialso led a choir at Lenoir Commu-nity College. Mr.Williams thoughtleading the choir would help buildgood “community relations.” Wepresented two big concerts a yearand even sang in Grainger Stadiumas a part of the Nation’s bicenten-nial celebration.
Mrs. Williams (Mary) enjoyedsinging in the choir and was a greatsinger. Mr. Williams preached manyrevivals in the local area while wewere there and I would take theKH youth to perform. Mr. andMrs. Williams have both gone onto be with the Lord. Recently, I re-ceived a letter from their daughterNancy Williams Bailey.
She wrote: “Hello John, I hopeyou and Becky are doing well. I fol-low C&C faithfully and am de-lighted that you are covering theKH alumni column. Here is a briefupdate. My husband Steve and Ihave been married 44 years thispast October (You may recall thatyou and Becky played for our wed-ding.) We are both retired NorthCarolina employees and are enjoy-ing some free time for travel and tospend time with our sons andgrandsons. In addition, we havebeen involved with N.C. Baptistson Mission for several years andhave assisted with hurricane andflood relief in N.C. and W.V. Wehave lived in Morganton since ourwedding in 1973.”
Nancy asked me about the
Alumni Beach Cottage Retreat. Sheand her brother, David, and sister,Betty Gaile, have very fond memo-ries of the beach cottage and shewanted to know if “scrub” orphanscould attend. I let her know that allare welcome to join the gang. Ihope to see them at this year’s re-treat.
Remember that Homecoming isJune 2-3. Plans are being made andthe alumni association’s new presi-dent Avon Jackson is doing a greatjob leading. The committee hasasked Rev. John Russ, son of Dorisand Vance Russ, to be our Home-coming pastor for Sunday services.We are all excited that he agreed tocome. He and his wife live in Col-orado. We have never had a “scruborphan” pastor before. We are alllooking forward to this time. Let’sfill the choir loft and have a greattime together!
Hugh Lane Kirkman sent me anote about living at KH. He sharedthat he lived on campus in 1975-76and lived at the CCB Cottage.Hugh is very involved with thealumni and always comes to Home-coming. Hugh stated that he wasnine years old going on ten whenhe arrived. His brother Earl camewith him. He writes: “I rememberthat great, big building calledBiggs. It had so many steps goingup to the front porch. Earl and Ihad to wait in a little room in theoffice building and we lookedthrough a big box of comic books.I remember it was also raining thatday.
“So on a Labor Day morning,Sept. 1, 1975, we moved from afoster home in Havelock to KH tolive in CCB cottage with Mrs. Crib,our house mother, and Mrs. FannieHoward, our live-in cook. Ourpreacher, Rev. Herman Orr, hadtold my mama about KH. Mrs.Cribb was so nice. She helped uswith our Sunday School lessonevery Saturday. She put our moneyup and gave us some for the gymand some for the church everyweek. We had devotions every
night at nine o’clock. Then we hadprayer time. Then we had snack(milk and ginger snaps). I had towork in the kitchen. I had neverwashed dishes before. A boy namedMitch Webber and I worked to-gether but we soon were replacedbecause we were too slow. I enjoymusic today because I sang in thechoir with you. It was fun! I lovedto go to the gym. We could skateand play games. We even had a biglibrary upstairs in the gym. (Mrs.Beals, the pastor’s wife, was the li-brarian.) We had a Christmas partyin the gym. Mr. Thompson came insinging “Up On the Housetop”with Santa Claus. We had a specialguest, Jim “Catfish” Hunter. Wewent Christmas caroling in La-Grange with Mr.Thompson. I re-member camping in a tent back onthe farm. Mr. Thompson wouldtake us on the weekends we didn'tleave campus. Mrs. Cribb and Mrs.Howell retired and we hated to seethem go. Our pastor was Rev.Huber Dixon. He was real good. Iremember going to the beach cot-tage and Mr. Thompson went withus to help out. Mrs. Hardison wentwith us as well. When I was eleven,I moved to Knightdale, NC. I havea daughter named Gloria Elizabeth.She will be 26. Please pray for me.Love you Brother John and Mrs.Becky.”
Yuki Spellman Straus wroteabout the death of KH alumnusRalph Spellman. It reads: “Mycousin, one of many in my familywith ties to the KH, gave me youraddress. I would like to let youknow that my father Ralph Spell-man passed away Feb. 16 at the ageof 82 at his home in Zebulon. Dadlived at KH from 1944 through1953 when he graduated from La-Grange High School. He grew upat KH and after leaving served inthe U.S. Air Force. He laterworked for Pan Am and OfficialAirline Guides. He liked to buildthings in his garage and he enjoyedcooking and trying new recipes. Hewas loved by his children and wasthe best grandpa in the world. I
would like to add that my fatherenjoyed his time at the KH, wherehe grew up with his brothersCharles Albert, Roscoe and Royal,unfortunately all have passed awaynow. Two of the brothers marriedgirls who also grew up at the KHand have also passed away. Charlesmarried Lucille Gibbs and Roscoemarried Jenny Murry. Ralph’syounger sister Rowena Spellman(Libby Ramsey) and brotherWilliam (Billy) Spellman alsomoved to KH several years after hedid. My father valued the manyfriendships he made at KH and en-joyed coming back for reunionswhen he could.”
Sarah W. Cahoon sent a noteabout Carlton E. Weatheringtonwho was at KH until he was 16 or17 years old and his aunt came andtook him to Goldsboro. While atKH he learned to cook and milkthe cows. He worked at CherryPoint after leaving KH for 25 years.Then he worked with his brotheron Queen Street until his death.Carlton was born January 9, 1925and died October 18, 2009. Hehad a lot of memories of KH. Healways enjoyed going back forHomecomings and being with allthe ones who were there when hewas.”
IMPORTANT: We need yourhelp. If you know of anyone whodied since the last Homecoming,please let Alumni President Mrs.Ynonne Avon Jackson know. Shealso needs to know who is eligibleto receive a fifty-year certificate thisHomecoming. If you have had achange of address, let her know ofthis as well. You can call her at252-529-4718 or write her at 510Acreridge Drive, Kinston, NC28504.
Blessings and I hope all is wellwith you and those you hold
dear. – jt
[ KENNEDY HOME ALUMNI COLUMN }
Alum remembers baseball great “Catfish” Hunter –Pastor’s daughter has fond memories of KH_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By John Thompson, 2324 Country Club Road, Jacksonville, NC 28546 (252)671-3515 [email protected]
John Thompson was the choir director at Kennedy Home from1972-1977. Today, he enjoys a veryactive retirement.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kennedyhomealumni 114/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
Read more at #Homeword or www.bchfamily.org/charityandchildren.12 4/18 – Charity & Children – 131/3
The lake reflects the azalea blooms and the dogwood
blossoms as the duck family waddles toward the shore. Sunlight stretches in and reaches through the just-bud-ding trees overhead, and every now and then the breeze ripples through the clover grass. From the deck, theview is picture perfect. My daughterand her friends agree: It’s exactly right for prom photos.
“Just where the fence frames thoseflowers and catches some of the lake.That will be the spot!” Jenny andLaura confer. “Will the flowers still be in bloom then?” The pair look at me for assurance that their plans will be just right for the pictures.
“We should be okay, and if not thoseflowers, there will be others,” I say.
Jenny and Laura turn to check with Kendra and Grace. There is somediscussion about heels and sinking intothe ground; the four walk down to do some scouting, and I can’t hearspecifics, but things look good. They’re smiling.
A couple years later, I seem to repeatthis same scenario, but the daughter isdifferent. Mary makes plans for photosby the same lake with the same flowers,sunlight, and ducks forming the back-drop for another group of friends andtheir prom.
I shake my head with a quick move-ment to focus on the right time period.Daughters and proms and photos bythe lake run together, and I feel deja vuin a very real way. Bemused, I consult
Kathy: “Did we do this with Amie,too?” “Well, we lived in a differentplace, so no lake. But yes, there werelots of photos.”
Being the dad of three daughtersages a fella. It’s very easy to flashbackto my oldest daughter Amie’s birth.Kathy likes to tell the story about myfirst reaction to seeing this daughterand holding that small bundle and saying out loud: “Oh! One day I’ll haveto give her away.” In my heart, thenand now, I know it to be a father’sheartache –– the time when a childgrows beyond a parent’s vigilantwatch-care.
In the intervening years, a mantracame to light that reinforced my dad-lessons and worked when I was notphysically with my children.
Jenny’s prom arrives. She and herfriends decide to go as a big group instead of distinct couples. Behind thecamera lens, I smile and think to myselfhow my girl shines brightest. I wish fora moment that the evening would endwith the photo shoot, under my watch-ful eye. But the picture taking finishesand the girls tiptoe up the hill, carefulof those heels, holding the long skirtsabove the spring green grass. I catch upto Jenny and walk with the group tothe cars. She hangs back a moment fora hug, I tell her I love her, hope she hasa good time, and then I say the wordsshe knows she will hear, my mantra:“And remember who you are!”
Sometimes, I pretend not to hear mynow-grown daughters conferring witheach other about parental admonitions
they have heard through the years: “It only take 30 minutes to finish allyour chores; don’t put it off.” “Eatyour vegetables or no dessert.” “Do it nice or do it twice.” “In this house,we will be kind to each other.” “Brushyour teeth.” “Call me when you getthere.” They pass around the memo-ries, laughing all the while, until one of them wraps up the session:“And, of course. . .” –– dramatic pause. Then they chant in unison: “Remember who you are!”
It’s true. For all of their growing up years, they have never left homewithout hearing that mandate. I flipthrough my mental photo album andsee them at all ages, off to myriadplaces with different friends andgroups. My parting words, after “I love you,” have always been the same.
In Christ, we are not our own.John’s Gospel records it this way: “Seewhat great love the Father has lavishedon us, that we should be called childrenof God! And that is what we are.” Wehave received the “Spirit of adoption.”How we conduct ourselves in our com-ings and goings need to reflect the one we are invited to call “Abba, Father.”
Let us hearken to our hearts as Hewhispers, too: “Remember who youare. . . Remember Whose you are.”
New HOMEWORD Presentations: Discovering the Riches of Aging –
A Biblical PerspectiveCelebrating God’s Faithfulness –
A Family Exploration of HopeFalling in Love with Jesus –
A Man’s Path to Deeper DevotionSchedule a presentation for your next program bycalling 336-689-1698. Presentation descriptionsare available by emailing [email protected].
[ # H O M E W O R D }
Remember whose you are_________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Jim Edminson, Editor
