Rev. John Mark Carpenter brought an emotional message, "A Pastor's Prayer," Sunday for his last day as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church. He and his wife Betty will be getting some well-deserved rest and spending more time with their family. Several visitors were present for this special service including Rev. and Mrs. James Bland, several members of the Carpenter family, and others. The Lord's Supper was observed. Kim Abrams, daughter of the Carpenters, sang two special songs during the service. A fellowship dinner was held in the annex in honor of John Mark and Betty. They were presented a plaque and a gift in appreciation for their dedication and service to the church and community. John David Carpenter, grandson of Rev. and Mrs. Carpenter, joined the church at Sardis Sunday and was baptized in the baptismal pool by his grandfather, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Carpenter, and aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Abrams, present. In his visits to Sardis with his grandparents, John David had come to love the church so much that he wanted it to be a special part of his life. It was an awesome sight to behold. What a great compliment to Sardis Baptist Church! A group of 15 from Sardis Baptist Church went Christmas caroling Wednesday, December 13. They also handed out Christmas bags to the shut-ins and elderly of the community. This was a very rewarding experience for Denise Armour and Jackson, Angela Armour, Cody and Hunter Armour, Monica Gunter, Courtney, Meredith and Maddie, Jessica Walker, Jessica Murphy, Rebekkah Echols, Trey Bowen, and Pam and Avery Hall. Many people of the community have been sick with colds and viruses. We have had some dreary days including Christmas Day and New Year's Eve and Day. The weather is so different from one day to the next. I have yellow buttercups blooming in my yard today on New Year's Day and I have heard others say they have things budding out and as someone said, the birds are singing their springtime melodies. Josephine Orr was honored on her 75th birthday Saturday, December 23, with a lovely party at Sardis Baptist Church annex by her children, Marie Tyler, Keeve Orr, and Kate Messer. Many people came to help her celebrate. Ruby Arnold celebrated her 82nd birthday Thursday, December 28, by having most of her family with her. Mary Grace Owen of Rossman, N.C., came down and brought Gracie, David and Adrianne Owen, Grant and Macie came from Westville, Fla., along with many other family members to celebrate with her. Annie Blanche Vaughn came home Friday of last week after a stay in Wills Memorial Hospital and is recuperating nicely. Penny Vaughn of Martinez spent the weekend with her mother. On Christmas Day all of Annie Blanche's children and grandchildren spent the day with her. Billy and Susan Amason joined other members of the Callaway family Saturday, December 16, for a Christmas dinner and celebration in Winder with Kate Nicholson. Dick and Nellie Jane Berklew of Melbourne, Fla., came with their children, Dan Berklew, Brad Berklew, and Matt and Terri Berklew, and Leah. Ann Dodd, Brian and Beverly Dodd of Marietta; Blake and Susan Dodd and Kelly of Midtown; and Howell and Shirley Callaway of Hartwell were all present. A mother, daughter, granddaughter get-together was held at the home of Janet Lewis in Athens last Wednesday. Joining Janet were Doris Walker, Debra Sherrer, Cheryl Walker, Becky Orr, Whitney and Lindsay Sherrer, Alex Walker, Ashton Lewis, and Isabella Orr. Bonnie Boatwright spent Thursday of last week in Bogart with her sister, Martha Jones. They went to the Cracker Barrel restaurant for a wonderful lunch with Frankie Jones of Athens and James and Sharon Smith of Stephens. On Saturday J.W. and Bonnie treated Martha Jones of Bogart out to dinner at the

Red Lobster in Athens. Donnie and Kris Berry, Abbi and Jessi, Tom and Sandra Parker, Joshua Parker, Lee and Shelley Parker, Bradley, Tristan and Lila, and Sybil Vaughn enjoyed Christmas breakfast with Betty Berry. David and Margie Randall enjoyed the Christmas party with the Heritage Club at White Columns Inn in Thomson recently. Sudie Kennedy spent December 23 and 24 in Bluffton, S.C., with Mr. and Mrs. Bill Kennedy and family. Accompanying her to Bluffton were Johnny and Joann Lewis of Greensboro. Sudie had supper Christmas night with Bud Kennedy and Joel McCree in Union Point. Brooke Berry, Kaitlyn and Bryson of Washington, Martha Jones of Bogart and J.W. and Bonnie Boatwright enjoyed Christmas supper with Lamar and Kay Berry and Trey. Kim Berry and Aaliya entertained with a dinner Christmas Eve night for Ruby Arnold, Faye Johnson, Dorothy Callaway, Ruby Booth, Lamar and Kay Berry and Trey, Brooke Berry, Kaitlyn and Bryson. Frances Fendley, Joan Perez, and Richard Burkett, Chris and Heather Armour, Rebecca and Raeleigh, Greg and Jennifer, Daniella, Dominique, Trinity, Ishima, and Greg Jr. had dinner Christmas Eve with Bobby and Debra Armour. The home of George and Mozelle Casey was the scene of a family Christmas Day dinner with all the children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Joining them for the day were Frances Fendley and Myrtis Seymour. David and Margie Randall enjoyed attending the Christmas program and party at the Senior Center Thursday of last week. Sarah Bowen will celebrate her second birthday Saturday, January 6. T.J. and Karen Bowen, Roy, Trey and Sarah, joined other family members Christmas Eve for dinner and supper at the home of Nell Shedd in Tyrone. Others coming for the celebration were Laura, Hope, Valerie, D.J., Mason, Madison, and Tracy, Barbara, Amber, Nina, Adam, Alex and Jacob. Billy and Doris Walker had all their family with them for Christmas dinner including Mike and Debra Sherrer, Whitney and Lindsey, Whitney's friend, Reese; Sidney and Cheryl Walker, Clifton, Alex and Taylor; John and Becky Orr, Walker and Isabella of Lawrenceville; and Cliff and Janet Lewis, Ashton and Heyden of Athens. Buck and Linda Echols had a house full of company Christmas Eve. Joining them for dinner were Milton and Billie Sue Roberts, Milton Jr. and Terri Roberts, Kelly Roberts and Jessica Watson, Milton Roberts, Tim and Laura Purdy, Crystal Purdy and Andy Jackson, Paul and Heather Wheatley, Greg and Angela Armour, Samantha, Cody and Hunter, Will Callaway, Scott and Sissy Smith, Abby and J.T., and Richard and Lou Heard, Mattie and Hank. Christmas Day supper guests of Buck and Linda Echols were Mark and Beth Moore, Sam and Dawn Moore, Josh and Caleb Saggus, Greg and Angela Armour, Samantha, Cody and Hunter, Scott and Sissy Smith, Abby and J.T., Richard and Lou Heard, Mattie and Hank. Christmas night, T.J. and Karen Bowen joined Ty and Sue Land, Amanda and Katelyn, of Tignall and Jessica Courtwright of Lincolnton at the home of Tommy and Nancy Bowen for dinner. The prayer list includes Tom Bufford, Stephanie Chapman, Gary Rogers, Kathryn Padgett, Pete Poss, Mike Webb, Dorothy Callaway, Ellie Frey, Roberta Roper, Emilie Rorie, Jeffrey Moore, and Mrs. Johnny Winfrey. Ruby Arnold and Faye Johnson enjoyed Christmas dinner Saturday with Sallie Mae Arnold and all her children and grandchildren. They had a family reunion with all 10 of her children coming. The house was bustling with excitement, laughter, and lots of good food. The home of Pat and Bob Preston was the scene of a Christmas Eve celebration and dinner. Joining the Prestons were Ann Williamson, Jessie and Nancy Williamson, David and Dawn Williamson, David Jr. and Debra, Albert and Karen Petit, Rebecca and Keith of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Bobby Preston who was home from college in Virginia. Elizabeth Smith had Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Arnold, Stacie and Kelsey Arnold, and Tyler Hancock, Bobby and Sandra Arnold, Corey and Tammy Arnold, Haley and Hannah, Charlie and Linda Arnold and Jeffrey, Denise Robert, Lauren, Lucas, and Layla visited Saturday for their Christmas celebration. Jean Harper spent the day Wednesday and Ann Wideman also visited. Several visited during the new year's weekend. Shirley Chafin attended the Christmas program and dinner at Pentecost Chapel last Sunday night as guest of Charles and Hilda Palmer. Denise Armour visited Mrs. Talitha Hopkins last Wednesday and carried her a nice Christmas gift. Pam and Boyce Hall, Lindley and Avery, and Keaton Wilson joined other family members for Christmas dinner and celebration at the home of Norris and Frances Ware in Washington on Friday, December 22. On Christmas Eve, Boyce and Pam Hall, Lindley and Avery, and Keaton Wilson enjoyed supper with Martha Hall. Boyce and Pam Hall, Lindley and Avery, and Keaton Wilson had lunch on Christmas Eve with Clyde and Sandy Whittington. Fred Weidner of Lexington spent Friday to Tuesday with Clyde and Sandy Whittington. Christmas Day all of them visited Neil and Kim Frankel, Zachery, Kyle, and Bryce in Crawford. Helen Price of Athens had dinner with Martha Hall Saturday. Joining them were Boyce and Pam Hall, Lindley and Avery, and Keaton Wilson. Pam Hall and Avery carried Helen Price of Athens to Hartwell Wednesday to visit Bob Hall. Manuel Wheatley of Metasville had Christmas breakfast with Tracy and Denise Armour, Justin, Ethan, and Jackson, and Audra Chapman. Tommy and Fran Thaxton and Charles and Hilda Palmer attended the Christmas program and dinner at Rock Methodist Church last Wednesday night as guests of Troy and Shirley Chafin. Jack and Rubye Armour had all of their family with them for Christmas Eve including Lyn and Debra Armour, Mitch and Casey, John and Jennifer Armour, Mason, Barry and Beth Armour, Brittany, Bettina and Dylan, Greg and Angela Armour, Samantha, Cody and Hunter, Will Callaway, Tracy and Denise Armour, Justin, Ethan, and Jackson, and Audra Chapman. Troy and Shirley Chafin were in Athens Thursday and had dinner at Fire Mountain. On Christmas Day, Tracy and Denise Armour, Justin, Ethan and Jackson, and Audra Chapman enjoyed going to the home of Danny and Traci Bussey, Brett and Ashleigh in Lincolnton for dinner. Others joining them there were Manuel Wheatley, Scott and Angie Wheatley, Jim and Elaine Wheatley, Brandon and Jonathan Wheatley, April Smith, and Brittany Armour. The home of Troy and Shirley Chafin was the scene of a Christmas Eve celebration. Joining them were Mack and Ronnie Chafin, Raquel Johnson, Ken and Sheila Arnold and Blake, Matt and Mandy Young and Walker, Terri Diaz, Rocky Nation, Wendy Harper and Evan, Willard and Diana Queen, and Tommy Fong. Alyssa Stewart joined Jeffrey Roth of Washington for Christmas dinner with Wade and Ann Palmer and other family members. William Hester of Covington spent Saturday through Monday with George and Ann Wideman. Watson Wideman visited two days. Other visitors were James, David and Mathew Wideman, Gene Winfrey, and Leeman Stewart. Ann visited Elizabeth Smith and Sandy Winfrey. George and Ann visited Mrs. Laura Hester in Wilkes Health Care Center and took Christmas gifts. The home of Johnny and Kathryn Shedd was the scene of a Christmas dinner. Present were Tim and Gail Stewart, Paul and Hannah, Ava, Angie Paul, Chad Williams, Cody Paul and Ashtyn, Garrett Paul, Lyn Shedd, Ricky Shedd, Chance Shedd, Rodney and Betsy Shedd, Mil, Matt, and Morgan, Kenny and Vickie Mathews, Katie and Kelli. Shirley Chafin, Terri Diaz and Rock Nation enjoyed supper in Crawford Christmas Day with Claude and Ann Nation and other family members. Tommy and Fran Thaxton and Charles and Hilda Palmer enjoyed the Christmas program and dinner at Rock United Methodist Church as guests of Troy and Shirley Chafin last Wednesday. Ralph Smith is now a resident of the Silver Leaf Nursing Home in Athens after spending several weeks at the Silver Leaf home in Lawrenceville. Bill and Hope Remsen and Delaney of Evans spent Christmas Eve day with Peggy Echols and Johnny Adams. Martha Jones of Bogart, Frankie Jones of Athens, James and Sharon Smith of Stephens, Mary Burt of Washington, and Bonnie Boatwright enjoyed eating lunch Thursday, December 28, at Chiles in Athens. Afterwards Frankie and Bonnie went to Martha's home to spend the afternoon.