Published: March 03, 2008 01:16 pm         

Community invited to local prayer event

By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Community church leaders are inviting residents to take part in the annual World Day of Prayer on March 7 at Walker Chapel Baptist Church.

“We need prayer now more than ever,” said organizer Helen Fassina. “The world’s gotten so crazy. There’s so much hate.”

Fassina has been involved with the event since the early 1970s, but said it’s been a long-standing tradition in Fultondale.

The World Day of Prayer’s Web site describes the day as “a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.”

Fassina said at one time it was a woman’s only event, but the service is now open to everyone.

“It’s a community event that allow us to get together and pray together,” said the Rev. Dale Olmstead of Fultondale United Methodist Church.

Olmstead said this will be his seventh year to be involved in the World Day of Prayer. He said the event normally averages 45 to 50 people, but last year’s numbers were down. He said he also sees fewer young people participating.

“I think it’s something that’s not going to be picked up by the next generation,” he said. “We’re going to keep it going while we’re here. I can’t see the community without a sense of prayer.”

This year’s World Day of Prayer will be held at Walker Chapel Baptist Church. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., with services starting at 10. The VFW Honor Guard will present the colors and conduct the Pledge of Allegiance.

Fassina said the event will feature singing, along with prayers led by various pastors from the community, including: The Rev. Dan Nichols, of Walker Chapel Baptist Church; Pastor Jim Branum, from CareNet Connection; Pastor Thomas Groves, of New Georgia Baptist Church; Chaplain Chuck Reedy, of the Fultondale Police Department; Rev. Roy Williams, of Walker Chapel United Methodist Church; Rev. Jerry Alexander, of New Hope Ministries; Rev. Mark Wood, of Fultondale Baptist Church; and Rev. Sam Green, of Gateway Baptist Church.

Fassina said prayers are said for the military, city leaders, the nation and the world. Services will end before noon and include a complimentary lunch. The World Day of Prayer is free of charge. An offering will be taken to benefit the CareNet Connection, a ministry that operates a food bank, furniture donation center and provides transportation for elderly residents.

Olmstead encouraged all residents to come take part in the World Day of Prayer. “We’re a blessed country,” he said. “When you’re blessed, it’s hard to see the need of prayer. But if we went one day without God and acknowledging him, the community would certainly see the need.”