New Rocky Valley hosts revival luncheon

The New Rocky Valley Baptist Church Deaconess Ministry Revival Luncheon was fit for a King. The Luncheon was the embodiment of elegance par excellence. The Luncheon was held in The Fellowship Hall No. 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 12 p. m. The hall was breathtakingly decorated in white linen tablecloths with red linen napkins. Fresh flowers were placed on each table donated by the Duke/Wiley family. This is an annual affair given each year during the Revival week. The Members of the Revival Luncheon committee were: Mildred Moss, president, Jeanette Hutchinson and Eula Woodard, co-chairs of the revival luncheon; Catherine McNeal; Hazel Hunter; and Debra Minnifield. Other members of the deaconess ministry who helped make this affair a great success were: Betty Hawthorne, Martha Pierce, Yanise Days, Lola Payne, Monica Bradley, Dorothy Carter, Johnnie Blake, Martha Norman, Betty Jones, Barbara Terrell, Louise Williams, Ruby Coleman, Jacqueline Sumler, and Freddie Washington. The afternoon program began with Jeanette Hutchinson presiding as mistress of ceremonies. Betty Hawthorne provided a Musical Prelude. Moss did an excellence job of introducing the special guests and persons seated at the Dais. They were Evangelist Dr. Jesse B. Bilberry Jr., pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, the Rev. Julius Sumler, pastor of New Rocky Valley Baptist Church and Jacqueline Sumler, first lady, Mildred Moss, president of the deaconess ministry, Dr. Jeanette Hutchinson, mistress of ceremonies, Dr. Jethro Terrell chairman of deacon ministry, Mayor Martha B. Andrus and Willie Washington, co-chairman of deacon ministry. After a scrumptious meal featuring baked chicken supreme with cornbread dressing and cranberry sauce, Rev. Sumler, pastor/teacher, spoke on Reflecting on The Heavenly Vision. He said, "New Rocky Valley Baptist Church is Biblical based and ministry driven. The mission of New Rocky Valley Baptist Church is to build on to the facility and the vision is to enlarge our membership. We can do this by growing the Sunday School attendance. This was indeed a memorable occasion.