High School Senior Jessica Bradley wins Future Engineer Scholarship from Amazon.
Congratulations to Prince of Peace (POP) Catholic Parish’s Jessica Bradley who won a $40,000 Future Engineer scholarship from Amazon and the chance to intern with the online commerce company after her freshman year of college. The high school senior was one of 100 U.S. students chosen for her academic and civic accomplishments. Since the beginning of her junior year at Hoover High School, she along with a group of high school students have introduced other young women to the field of computer coding by inviting Hoover elementary and middle school girls to “Hoover Girls Code,” a night of computer science which meets every month or so. Her work with Hoover Girls Code was part of the reason she was also named one of the top two youth volunteers in Alabama for 2019 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Jessica is the daughter of Angela and Jimmy Brady and a graduate of Prince of Peace Catholic School. †
Dr. Crain met his wife Carol Owens Crain at Walker High School. They have three children ranging from twelve to fifteen years old. Carol is a special educator for St. Clair County Board of Education and a Trustee for Judson College.
The churches of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association (BMBA) have partnered together to do great work in the Birmingham community and beyond since 1833. The Association, now with 126 churches spanning the Metro Area, started Baptist Health System, launched new congregations, served the poor, and helped survivors in numerous storms and disasters.
Last year, Executive Director Dr. Mike McLemore passed away leaving a leadership void. “We loved Dr. McLemore and knew that his leadership would be missed,” said Dr. Jim Cooley, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Birmingham. On November 26, 2018, Dr. Greg Corbin of Lakeside Baptist Church and Chairperson of the Executive Director Search Team recommended to the Executive Board that the BMBA call Dr. Chris Crain to serve as the new Executive Director. Dr. Crain was elected unanimously.
Dr. Earl Tew, former BMBA Executive Director, praying for the BMBA’s new Executive Director, Dr. Chris Crain, at his installation service earlier this year.
Serving previously as Director of the St. Clair Baptist Association, Crain was officially installed as Executive Director of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association on February 21st at the First Baptist Church of Birmingham. Dr. Greg Corbin said, “Chris steps into a great legacy of effective men of God such as Mike McLemore and Earl Tew. As we work together, we will help to ensure that the ministry of Chris Crain will be built upon the foundation that has been established. We look forward to all the Lord has in store.”
In the short time since Dr. Crain’s arrival, the Association has rebranded and embraced a mission “to encourage, equip, and engage biblically faithful churches in the Great Commission.” The BMBA will be in a prominent role in hosting the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham in June 2019. “The Convention has not been in the Magic City since 1941. Our goal is to welcome thousands of Southern Baptists from all over the world to Birmingham so that they can see the incredible things God is doing in this city for His glory,” Crain said.
Besides writing Every Moment Holy, Douglas McElvey has penned lyrics for more than 250 songs recorded by a variety of artists including Kenny Rogers, Switchfoot, and Jason Gray.
An ancient Hebrew writer once proclaimed that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Every valley and every hill, every city and every landfill belong to God. There is no place where God is absent, which means that every inch of the universe is graced by God’s presence and is inherently sacred. We may desecrate our surroundings, our hours and our souls, but they are still sacred territory. In the Christian faith, the mundane and the holy are merged. There is no “holy land,” no temple made with hands, no spiritual aristocracy. There are only ordinary children of God who live and breathe and have their being in a world saturated with God’s presence.
In his wonderful book, Every Moment Holy (Rabbit Room Press), Douglas McKelvey has given the people of God a beautiful gift. Filled with prayers and recitations, Every Moment Holy is designed to match the rhythm of our lives. There are liturgies for weddings and deaths, for times of hope and times of fear, for days of celebration and nights of lament. With his inclusion of prayers for preparing a meal, reading a book, or waiting in line, McKelvey pushes back on our instinct to separate the ordinary tasks and activities of life from the spiritual. There are liturgies for doing laundry, changing diapers, and washing windows. There are prayers for acquiring a new pet, going on vacation and finishing a beloved book. Every Moment Holy is a liturgy for the ordinary life.
McKelvey’s literary gift is premised on the understanding that a life of the Spirit is one in which God is recognized as an ever-present reality. Every day is the Lord’s day, every task is an opportunity to glorify God, and every person we encounter is someone whom God loves and intends to redeem. The whole earth is filled with God’s glory and every moment is graced by a God who, in Jesus, broke through his holiness to walk among us.
–Darrel Holcombe, Owner Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
Congratulations to Oak Mountain High School Senior, Payne Watkins, the recipient of the Second Annual Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) scholarship sponsored by Tactical Faith. Watkins’s essay about how his faith impacted him during his high school career was chosen from among more than 60 essays submitted by area high school seniors.
“During my 4 years at Oak Mountain High School I have been through many different trials and tribulations. I have seen lives changed both for the good and for the bad. My faith has allowed me to remain committed to Christ and to help others stay on the right path as well.
I was part of the football team for my first two years of high school. During my playing time, I faced some of the hardest times of my life. I was pushed to my limit. My body and mind were broken. I was on the verge of giving in when God led me back to him. He provided new friends for me and helped me develop some long-lasting Godly friendships. Through two major injuries, God helped me to see that my identity was not in football. My identity was in Christ. I had drawn away from Him and started to rely more on myself rather than on Him. My worth as a child of God was far greater than anything I could accomplish on the gridiron.
Many of my friends were also drifting farther from God. Some had reached the point that you couldn’t even tell that they had once been Christians. Through my faith I was able to hold them accountable and prevent them from going down the wrong path. Through this journey, we all grew closer to God. Other friends started down the path of using drugs and drinking alcohol. I was always ridiculed for not doing those things. Through the teachings of my youth pastor, Sunday school teachers, and every other spiritual leaders in my life, I was able to resist those temptations and was able to keep the jokes from getting to me.
High school has not been easy. From the beginning to the end I faced temptations, persecution, and different trials. I have also seen friends give into sin that changed their life for the worst; drawing them away from God. Throughout all of this, God strengthened my faith allowing me to stand firm throughout the difficult times. God would always pick me up when I fell down. He also used me to do the same for many of my friends and helped me point them back to Christ. God has brought me through these high school years and I look forward to seeing how He will use me in college.”
–Payne Watkins, Oak Mountain High School Senior
Here are some additional inspiring words of wisdom from the four 2019 Essay Finalists.
Madison Seay, from Hueytown High School, shares, “Throughout my recovery process, I became a different person. My concussion taught me perseverance and strength, and it taught me to always be humble and appreciative. Most importantly my concussion strengthened my faith. Before my concussion, I knew about faith because I had read about it in the Bible and heard about it from my family, but I had never really experienced it. While recovering, the Lord used my newly acquired “disabilities” to show himself to me.”
Elizabeth Ezell, from Hewitt-Trussville High School, says, “Being a peer partner has impacted my Christian faith because it has taught me to love everyone, no matter the circumstances.”
Abigail Vandiver, from Heritage Christian Academy, shares, “All of my friends know that I go to church and love Jesus with all my heart. Sometimes I have been ridiculed for it, but often it is a gateway to conversations with people that I do not usually talk to.
Jacqueline Wilson, from Pell City High School, says, “God has a plan and no matter what my plan may be, his is greater. I continue to praise God for what he has done for my family and me.”
-Do you want to read more? Click to read each finalist’s full essay! Watch for details on the 2020 Scholarship later this year!
When you think of ministering- where does your mind go? Leading a Bible study, visiting the sick, taking a mission trip? All very good and important things but have you pondered how a simple “hello” at the office or anywhere can minister to someone?
The Leader of Prevention and Wellness Efforts for Google, Dr. Lauren Whitt, shared her personal testimony at a recent Birmingham area Women Business Leaders event. Near the close of her message, Whitt asked the business women in the room a question and gave a very insightful answer.
“Want to minister in the work place?
Start with hello.”
Whitt shared how so many of us are longing to be seen, recognized, valued in a world where our attention so often seems to be on some type of technical device. I walked away with new insight into how a simple “Hello,” can be a powerful way to start a conversation, let someone know you care, and share God’s Love with someone who desperately needs it.
Have a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ?
“Look to the Lord & His Strength, Seek His face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
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Enjoy activities and tributes to Veterans on Memorial Day at the American Village. Admission is free. Over 700,000 students have visited the American Village since its opening in 1999. The multimedia presentations are great learning tools for all who visit the American Village, especially our youth.
The American Village is open to the public with free admission on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019 – a day of remembrance for those who have served and sacrificed for liberty. “Memorial Day is one of the most meaningful days for visitors to the American Village,” said American Village president and CEO Tom Walker. “We remember those men and women in every generation who have served and sacrificed to defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans…”
The American Village opens Memorial Day at 10:00 a.m. with events beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continuing until 3:00 p.m. “A Salute to Our Veterans” begins at 11:00 a.m. in Liberty Hall and will feature patriotic music by the Montevallo Community Chorale. Events include drilling with Washington’s Continental Army with opportunities to meet revolutionary figures. Visit a replica Oval Office, Concord Bridge and more. You can also help the American Village tell the stories of our veterans by adding someone you know who has served or is serving in the U. S. Armed Forces to the Veterans Register of Honor, www.veteransregisterofhonor.com, housed at the Village’s Veterans Shrine. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.americanvillage.org. †f
Disabilities can change the way we operate in day-to-day life, even in spaces as familiar as our home. In fact, the home can quickly become a challenging space full of obstacles when new disabilities impact our lives, and when we age. Stairs, bathrooms, doorknobs, and certain surfaces may suddenly become hazardous, and it may be overwhelming to try and adapt.
Replace Stairs with Ramps. Stairs are a hazard for many, not just those in wheelchairs but for anyone with limited mobility. Several ramp styles exist to meet any needs; collapsible ramps allow for easy storage, portable ramps mean you can quickly transform any step into a wheelchair accessible entry on the go, and threshold ramps make an entryway instantly accessible.
Install a Stair Lift. If you or your loved one finds stairs to be a cumbersome obstacle, consider installing a stair lift. Stair lifts turn multi-level homes or even front yard steps into accessible homes for those with limited mobility. Installing them will level out your home and create a safe, accessible space.
Consider an Elevator. An alternative to a stair lift, elevators can be a great solution for those with limited mobility. They can be elegant, safe, reliable, and swift. They can also be integrated into existing architecture.
Update your Toilet. The toilet is another area of the bathroom that can become treacherous for those with disabilities. Handrails eliminate users need to balance as they sit down and stand up from the toilet. Consider installing a simple safety frame around your toilet to increase the user’s comfort and quality of life.
Place Handrails & Grab Bars in Key Areas. For those with poor balance, prone to falls, low mobility, or who simply need help getting up out of chairs, beds, or bathroom areas, well-placed handrails can make a world of difference. Grab rails in the bathroom especially will decrease the risk of falls, and help users lift themselves up from seated positions. They increase independence and create peace-of-mind.
Ditch Doorknobs. Many styles of doorknobs are cumbersome and hard to use for those who have a hard time gripping. Replacing doorknobs with push/pull bars, press lever handles, or even automatic doors will increase your home’s accessibility tremendously.
Simplify Pool Entry. Backyard pools can be a lot of fun, but they can be hard to use for those with a disability. But, pools offer great opportunities for exercise and therapy for many people facing disabilities, and so updating your pool to be ADA compliant is a big part of making your home into a handicap accessible home. There are a great variety of pool lifts that are built to enable safe aquatic entry for the disabled and mobility-challenged.
Rearrange Your Furniture. Consider the layout of your home. Is your furniture situated so that those with low-mobility or those in wheelchairs can easily get around? Arrange your furniture so that there are no sharp turns or narrow passageways. Make daily use items, such as comfy chairs, bookshelves, and kitchen plates and utensils, easy to access. This may mean moving items to lower shelves for those using mobility devices.
Consult with an Expert.There are many ways to convert your home into a handicap accessible home for those with disabilities, and the options may seem overwhelming. The good news is, 101 Mobility experts are always standing by to advise you on the best solutions for you and your loved ones.
Derek Gann
Locally Owned & Operated in Birmingham, Serving Residents Across Alabama
Red Mountain Grace is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing gracious housing to out-of-town patients and caregivers during their extended medical stays in Birmingham. We maintain and continue to expand a portfolio of clean, quiet, comfortable apartments within a few miles of world-class hospitals, where families can settle and unwind as they endure their loved ones’ arduous medical regiments. We believe home is much more than a place to eat, shower, and sleep, and we welcome each of our guests with warmth and individual connection.
Red Mountain Grace has helped more than 400 families find their home away from home while seeking medical treatment in Birmingham, Alabama — and we want to celebrate with you!
Widespread Grace is Birmingham’s most exciting invitation to listen to life-changing stories, meet our past and present guests, and get involved and change the lives of families this year. Read more about this special event here!
Eagle Scout Will Allison with parents, Deidre and Kyle Allison.
Will Allison, a senior at Hoover High School and a graduate of Prince of Peace Catholic School designed, coordinated and directed the construction of an outdoor classroom and walking trail behind Prince of Peace Catholic Church. He is the son of Kyle and Deidre Allison
Joseph Carter, also a senior at Hoover High school designed, planned anddirected the construction/installation of three flag retirement drop boxes, one of which is located in the Prince of Peace Catholic Church parking lot. He is the son of Roger and Georgeann Carter.
Eagle Scout Joseph Carter with parents, Roger and Georgeann Carter.
The Prince of Peace Knights of Columbus Council #11537 partially funded Allison and Carter’s Eagle Scout projects.
Eagle Scout Jacob Pugh has participated in scouts for 12 years, earned 40 merit badges and has held leadership positions as Quarter Master from 2012 to the present, Patrol Leader in 2016, and the Troop Representative for The Order of the Arrow Brotherhood – Greater Alabama Coosa Lodge since 2017. He has also been awarded the AD ALTARE DEI – Catholic Faith medal.
Jacob Pugh, a senior at John Carol High School and a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School wanted to give back to his former elementary school community. In 2018, he developed an Eagle Scout project that included the design and construction of a six-foot tall and seven-and-a-half-foot wide maple wood Lost and Found Center for the school cafeteria. The center is a cabinet that consists of a coat rack and ten-compartments to hold a variety of lost items at the school. He is the son of Mary and Wesley Pugh of Hoover.
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. †
High school and middle school youth take part in the recent Rise Against Hunger meal packaging service project at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Homewood.
Parishioners at Our Lady of Sorrows(OLS) Catholic Church are excited about their part in a mission to put a dent in world hunger. The last weekend in February food packing assembly stations were set up in the Family Life Center and church members worked together to help Rise Against Hunger,an international hunger relief non-profit organization,aid starving and malnourished children. On February 23 parishioners of all ages, including Cub Scouts, worked to prepare meal packages during three two-hour shifts. On the afternoon of February 24, the Confirmation class of the Parish School of Religion prepared 16,000 packages as a service project. That night, 60 high school and middle school youth group members assembled several thousand meals. In all, OLS packaged 80,000 nutritious meals containing soy, dehydrated vegetables, rice, and vitamins. One bag can feed six children. The goal of the project is to support Rise Against Hunger’s goal to end hunger by the year 2030.
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