On Saturday, September 6, we held our community-wide “One in Christ” Celebration Concert at 6 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church. The sun was out amidst a clear blue sky that evening, which was a big relief, since the previous night and all morning, tropical storm Hannah dumped around four inches of rain in Farmville! Choirs and Praise Teams from five different churches–Heritage Baptist, Apostolic Faith Church of All Nations, First Baptist, Farmville Baptist and Zion Hill Baptist–performed songs to the delight of almost two hundred folks who were in attendance. After the concert, everyone enjoyed a free barbecue picnic supper.

Many thanks to the following persons for making this event possible:

• Pastor Jeff Hudgins of Heritage Baptist for planning and hosting this event.
• Jane Hudgins of Heritage Baptist for coordinating the barbecue picnic.
• Music Minister Dawn Bradley of Heritage Baptist for coordinating the choirs.
• Gerry O’ Conner of Heritage Baptist for coordinating the stage and sound equipment set up.
• Pastor Sylvia Meadows of Farmville United Methodist for planning this event and providing T-shirts.
• Pastor Betty Jones of Apostolic Faith Church of All Nations for planning this event.
• Pastor Michael Cheuk of Farmville Baptist for planning this event and taking pictures.
• Sara Fritz for being a catalyst for the “One in Christ” group and providing seed money and publicity for the event.
• To all the volunteers who helped with setting up, parking, food preparation and service, and clean up.
• To the choirs and praise teams who led us in worship and celebration.
• To the pastors of area churches who promoted this event and who attended this celebration.
• And finally to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who “reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Jesus Christ was the reason why we gathered. Jesus Christ is the reason why we strive to be “One in Christ.”

For a gallery of pictures of the concert,

Sara Fritz shows off a “One in Christ” T-Shirt.

The kitchen team of Heritage Baptist Church.

Several of many volunteer helpers for this event.

Pastors gather for a group shot.

Pastor Michael Martin of Zion Hill Baptist shakes hands with Principal Barbara Brown of the Prince Edward County Elementary School.

Pastor Samuel Williams of Levi Baptist reads scripture.

Pastor Sylvia Meadows of Farmville United Methodist reads scripture.

Rev. Barbara Reed from Levi Baptist share a laugh with Rev. Sylvia Meadows.

The Praise Team from Heritage Baptist Church.

Dr. Patricia Watkins, Superintendent of the Prince Edward County Public Schools

The choir from Apostolic Faith of All Nations.

Wendy Jones, Principal of Cumberland High School, energetically leads the choir from Apostolic Faith Church of All Nations.

Pastor James Lyle sings a solo.

The worship team from Farmville Baptist.

Pastor Jim Ashton introduces his choir from First Baptist Church.

The choir from First Baptist Church.

Pastor Jeff is one of the last to get his barbecue.

Doris Ashton leads in the singing.

The joint choirs of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

All pastors were asked to come up on stage for the benediction.

The crowd hold hands for the benediction.

Jeff Hudgins & Betty Jones lead the closing prayer.

Barbecue is served!

The crowd lines up for barbecue.

Pastor Michael Martin chats with Sheriff Travis Harris.