Local Church

Every day in Kentucky, many men, women and increasing numbers of youth find themselves in trouble and in court because of substance abuse problems that have taken control of their lives, and Clark County is no exception. The drug problem knows no boundaries, destroying relationships, marriages and communities at an alarming rate. But cities like Winchester are trying to fight back and reclaim their communities and the lives of their family members. On Thursday, more than 150 people gathered at the People Helping People building for the Where Hope Begins banquet, a fundraising event for Lifeline Connection and Teen Challenge, organizations that work with people with substance abuse problems.

First United Methodist Church held its annual crucifixion reenactment on Main Street on April 10, Good Friday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Ben Zobrist often gets treated like royalty in his line of work. People arrange his travel and carry his bags. He stays in swank hotels. He gets autograph requests. Such is life for the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop during much of the year. It's a different story at his church during the offseason. Zobrist works behind the scenes. He picks up trash. He gets beaned by bean bags. "I manned one of the booths at a Halloween alternative party," Zobrist said. "I remember all I did for the whole time was bend over and pick up these weighted sand pins and set them up so a kid could knock them down again.

There are several jobs in this world I wouldn't want. There isn't enough money in the world to pay me to be an accountant. The blitz of numbers, tables, and balance sheets would drive me crazy. I also would not want to be a newspaper editor, especially in a small town. My own brief stint in journalism, admittedly as an amateur, has left me with a few bruises. I was warned before I started that I needed tough skin. As I read Mike Moore's column last week, I was struck by a couple of intriguing questions.

Church of the Nazarene to celebrate anniversary The Church of the Nazarene in Winchester will join with 18,000 other Nazarene churches in 151 world areas to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the denomination on Oct. 5. Celebrations will take place in Winchester on Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. Biblical studies center offers classes for fall The 2008 fall classes at the Winchester Center for Biblical Studies...

When Calvary Baptist Church was founded in 1959, it shared Hogsett Elementary School's Waveland Avenue building. Last year, Calvary, which now sits less than a mile down the road, decided to start helping out the current inhabitants of its original home. Beginning last fall, every Hogsett student received a variety of school supplies courtesy of the church. Students were greeted by the same surprise when classes began this month. Hogsett Principal Rebecca Goode says the arrangement is more federally than divinely inspired.

It was a great day at South Fork Baptist Church on Aug. 3. Our Sunday school attendance was 44, with 64 in attendance for our morning worship service. 51 attended the evening worship service. We really have a great time at South Fork. My message for Sunday morning asked, "Do We Really Care?" I asked if we as a church really cared about the condition of those people in and around our church. I want everyone to know in the South Fork area that we "really do care" about your spiritual needs.

The Rev. Quentin Scholtz can measure the high cost of gasoline many ways. Two of the key measurements for the pastor of Danville's Centenary United Methodist Church are the ones that involve himself in his occupation as a minister and his church in its efforts to provide programs and services to its congregation and the community. As a minister, Scholtz is considered self-employed. Under that designation, he is entitled to receive reimbursement for the gasoline he uses while he is on church business.

Dear Editor, Many years ago a friend, responsible for a youth group in a local church, shared information with a group about an interesting event that involved the youth group. A well-known and highly respected judge who lived in the town where my friend lived was invited to speak to the youth group. At one point in his speech, the judge became every impassioned. In that impassioned state, he gave the youth some advice: "I know you will grow up to become good citizens," he said.