About 160 men and boys attended the annual prayer breakfast, January 27th which was hosted by Mineral Springs.  The MS men were assisted by the men from Arbor Springs in cooking a wonderful breakfast.

Many items for the Righteous Oaks Residental Treatment Center were donated by the men and boys.  An additional $400 will be sent to that ministry.

The boys expressed great excitement about the coming pinewood derby.  Over 50 cars have been distributed.  On Sunday, Feb. 3, the track will be open from 2 to 4 at Pickensville FBC for trial runs.  The race will be on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Alabama WMU’s annual Children’s Missions Explosion will be taking place on Saturday, February 23, 2008. This event is for boys and girls in grades 1 – 6. The location closest to us this year is First Baptist Church, Demopolis. The theme for 2008 is “God’s Action Packed Adventure.” Pack your bags, and come see where God is working in our world! Board Annie Airways, the Lottie Express or Kathleen Connection to a missions adventure you won’t forget. On your voyage, your group will learn about and meet missionaries and experience firsthand the culture in which they live and minister. You will taste new foods, learn a new language, play a new game and much more. It’s a journey you don’t want to miss! Registration is $10 per person, which includes lunch. T-shirts are available for $11 each. Register early! Space is limited. For more information about this event, contact Janet Estis at the PBA office or visit Alabama WMU’s website at www.alawoman.com

Enjoy some images taken from the association’s annual block party.

The 172nd annual meeting of the PBA was an excellent event. Our hosts were great. About 120 attended both days. The meetings are like a family reunion. We enjoy hearing what God is about in our churches.

A coalition of evangelical Spanish speaking congregations held revival services at a mobile home park in Carrollton the weekend of October 19-21. Over 200 persons attended the services. More than 75 came forward to register public decisions. Pastor of Nueva Vida in Aliceville expressed great joy about the meeting.

Terry Billings led an evangelistic witnessing team to assist Galilee Baptist Church at the Panola Day Parade on October 20.

Last year 601 persons registered for the Fall Festival Block Party in Carrollton.  It is held on the grounds of the Pickens Baptist Association.  Everything is free.  Games.  Entertainment. Train rides. Lunch.  Come about noon.  Enjoy.  Clowns. Face painting. Fun. This is a Saturday.

Each third Tuesday at noon a support group for those with diabetes meets at the PBA building in Carrollton. It is for fellowship and information.  A speaker provides insight.  Receipes are shared. At the September meeting 27 attended.   Share this info with a friend.

The association will hold its 172 annual meeting on Oct. 8 and 9. We will hear from the churches about what God has been doing in our midst this past year.

Monday we will meet at Springhill, our oldest church building. It is now 150 years old. The church has been refurbishing the old school house and will provide supper for us. The meeting begins at 3pm. And after supper picks back up about 6:30pm.

Tuesday we will meet at Friendship. We will help them celebrate their centennial. More celebration of what God has been doing. Times are the same. And supper will be provided by the church.

Many of the churches will be collecting can goods for the Baptist Center soon. This food is given to needy folk who are are sent to the BC by DHR, CAP, or a pastor. This is a great ministry. Consider helping. We hold this event every fall at this time in conjunction with the World Hunger Drive.

Friendship Baptist Church, north of Reform, will celebrate its 100th birthday on Sunday, September 30. Bro. Rick Lance will be the preacher of the day.  Dinner on the grounds.  The good folk of Friendship extend a welcome to former ministers, members, and all friends.  Plan to arrive about 10am.

Recently, seven or eight of us got together and made music for a couple of hours.We had a great time playing hymns and bluegrass music. We have set a date for a second pickin on the Pickens Square in Carrollton. 7pm. It will be this Saturday, Sept. 22. The Courthouse Square. Bring your instrument. Bring a lawn chair. If more than 15 or 20 show up, we will form a second group. Several of the pickers had enjoyed similar events in places like Mountainview, Arkansas. It just seems appropriate for us to do something like this in Pickens. Should the weather not be good, we can move the music back into the PBA building. So, if you like to pick, blow a harp, or sing along, plan to participate.

UPDATE:
About 20 persons attended the Sept. pickin in Pickens. We have another scheduled for October 13 at 7pm. We will play on the grounds of the Pickens Baptist Association which is just a couple of blocks up State Route 17 from the square. Restrooms will be available. We will play out under the trees, weather permitting. We would really like to have a banjo player join in with us on the 13th.