The 71st annual meeting of the Alabama Crenshaw Baptist Association met Oct. 21 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Helping co-host the meal was Brantley Baptist, South Luverne Baptist and Dozier Baptist churches.

The early afternoon session began with a call to order by moderator Rev. Harry Driggers. Local committees of the Association and State representatives from The Alabama State Convention gave several reports. Rev. Mike Green later gave the doctrinal message.

Jessica Carpenter performed special Music for the afternoon service.

Rev. Jody Bentley gave the Missionary Message during the evening service and Teresa Grant gave the special music.

Congratulation was given to Rev. William Burns, pastor of Union Baptist Church in Honoraville. He was selected by the pastors of Alabama Crenshaw Baptist Churches to receive the coveted &uot;Stay in the Game &uot; award for the year 2004. The theme for the Alabama Crenshaw Association was, &uot;A Family of Churches Committed to the Great Commission.&uot;

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Etta Lou King celebrated her 88th birthday on October 23 with a Brunch at Luverne's Ferman Mitchell Multi-Purpose Center. Her children and grandchildren hosted the special event.

Family members on hand to help her celebrate were, Walter Alex King Sr. and wife, Jackie of Peach Tree City, Ga.; Walter A. King II, Allen King and

Morey LeFeve of Atlanta, Ga.; Pattie Reynolds and her children, Morgan and Macey Reynolds of Sharpsburg, Ga.; Penny and Steve Walch of Fort Mill, S.C. and Penelope K. and Larry Bratten of Catawba, S.C.

The highlight of the day was a photo of Etta Lou that had been taken earlier at Penelope’s house, with her seated on a four-wheeler. The photo had been blown up to life size with a captioned: &uot;You just thought you knew Etta Lou."

A beautiful white birthday cake, made by Penny, was decorated with live pansy blossoms. The brunch menu was barbecue chicken and pork, grilled chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, pickles and graham cracker squares.

Flowers of beautiful fall colors and potted pansies were used for decorations in the party area. Ms. Etta received many pretty and useful gifts. Over 50 guests were registered.

Other guests included, Jack and Bill Shows, Gaynell Holladay Young, Bill and Ann Heath, Elizabeth Osborne Thompson, Carrie Lois Thaggard, Judy Hatfield, LaNell Crowe, Johnny and Sue Kinney, Annie Bell Smith, Eugene Smith, Charles

Sipper, Elgie Lee Mason, Wilburn and Doris Schofield, Ottie and Mildred Thomas, Audrey Emma Eiland, Lena Langford, Bubba and Julia Davis, Mildred Dorman Olive, Joe and Sue Russell, Roberta Money, Josephine Partridge, Jewel Hudson, Brown and Frances Franklin, Virginia and David Richburg, Franklin King, Marie Morgan, Voncile Nichols, Whitman Till, Raymond Grayson and Kate Mathews.

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The fall season has been a busy one at Luverne First Baptist Church.

The highlight of September was the 115th birthday celebration of the church. In preparation for this event, pictures of former pastors, dating back to the 1800's, were hung in the hallway.

Bro. Gil Barrow delivered the morning message to a packed sanctuary, including several former pastors. After the morning worship service, lunch was served in the fellowship hall and a concert followed in the afternoon.

October has been equally buys.

Ten people attended the fall senior adult retreat at Shocco.

The Men's Monday night prayer group is presently involved in A Woman's Heart study.

Regular Sunday night worship continues with the Purpose Driven Life study and Wednesday night prayer time continues with orientation to the Net.

The fall revival was held Oct. 17-20 with Bro. Robert Griffin, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Chilton County, delivering the message.

Special music during the revival was provided by Barry Rowe, music minister at Highland Baptist Church, Madison Norrell of Greenville, Clara Williams, FBC Kids for Christ, FBC Quartet and the FBC sanctuary choir.

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Beatrice Seamon of Glenwood Meadows and her daughters, Elizabeth Watson of Avon Park, Fla. along with Martha Faulk of Luverne recently visited her daughter Ruby Everett of Midland, Mich. This special trip was arranged and paid for by Ms. Everett fianc\u00E9, Dr. Bryan Bensky. He hosted a surprise birthday supper in his home to celebrate Ms. Everett’s 50th birthday. It was a complete heart-warming surprise when the honoree saw her mother and sisters arrive on the day of the surprise party.

Mrs. Seamon is grateful and thankful to Dr. Bensky for making all this possible. This was his gift to his future bride on her birthday. While there they visited Ms. Seamon’s sister, Eloise Wildey of Brush Harbor, Lake Michigan. She also visited with her granddaughter, great granddaughters and grandson. They all enjoyed seeing the beautiful fall scenery of fall leaves and trees of all the fall colors. Another highlight was a visit to Brynes Apple Farm, Pumpkin Patches and a day of shopping at the Mall.

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Nancy Petrey was surprised with a birthday luncheon at Lawhons Family Restaurant last Thursday. The party table held a fruit basket with a large happy birthday balloon surrounded with several gift wrapped presents and a decorated birthday cake.

Friends in attendance were Janice Bell and Marlene Willis of Elba, Edna Norsworthy and Dianne Richardson of Luverne.

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Last Saturday evening, Greg and Judy McGinty of Luverne

were honored with a birthday celebration and dinner at Outback Steakhouse in Montgomery.

It was a double celebration because both of their birthdays are in October. The celebration was given by Greg's mother, Tura Farish of Lake Martin.

A good time was had by all.

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Linda Boswell and her son, Mark of Mobile, were weekend guests of Eleanor and Glenda Boswell.

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Marcus Moody and her son, Mitchell of German, were recent guests of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Dan Pope, grandmother Eleanor Boswell and Aunt Glenda Boswell.

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If you have any comments, suggestions or information you would like to submit to this column, call Mrs. Norsworthy at 335-6643.