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RecentEvents
World AIDS Day
Unifour Christian Fellowship Church was the
personal story, and a candlelight vigil with the reading of the names of those ALFA clients who have passed away.
With an unexpected attendance of over 130 guests, the WAD event was
an explosive evening of remembrance of the past and embracing of the
future.
Pastor Calvin Vaughn participated on the 2009 WAD committee and Unifour had
twenty volunteers to assist with the event. I am proud to be
a part of such a caring and involved church that not only shares the
Word of God, but also shares the bounty and favor with which He has
showered down on our church with those in need.
UCFC's Christmas Banquet with Kenny Bishop
UCFC held its annual Christmas banquet on Saturday
December 5th. This year still proves that UCFC can throw an event.
The evening began with a welcome by Pastor Calvin Vaughn followed by
an invitation for those present to dine on turkey, ham,
stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad, and the
tastiest strawberry shortcake ever. Special guest performer, Kenny Bishop, took the stage and performed traditional and mainstream Christmas carols for guests. He engaged the audience with songs such as "Jingle Bells," "Joy to the World," and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas."
Local Missions
On Wednesday, December 9th, volunteers gathered at
the church to make bag lunches for the Corner Table, a local soup
kitchen servicing the Newton community.
 The Corner Table offers meals
Monday through Thursday between 11:30-12:30 for those who are in need of
something to eat. More than 120 bags were made which included a peanut
butter & jelly sandwich, crackers, snack cakes, an apple, and a drink.
These lunch bags are given out on Thursday to help individuals make it
through the weekend while the Corner Table is closed. The evening started out with people bringing items they felt led to donate. Some volunteered to bring apples, others peanut butter, snack cakes, water, etc. Also came the volunteers who wanted to make the sandwiches and put the lunch bags together. At the beginning was the sandwich crew. Two applied jelly on one slice of bread, while two others smeared creamy peanut butter on the other. It can be a messy job but no one seemed to mind. Then the sandwiches had to be bagged and collected with snack cakes and crackers to be bagged. Another team of two already had bags opened and ready with water and an apple already in it. Finally, the lunch bags were counted and loaded in the car for delivery the next morning. The whole process only took about an hour and a half which is a quick and easy way to help so many in our community.  There are now so many people who are in need. With the current state of
our economy and unemployment high, people who in the past were
financially secure are having to rely on the services of The Corner
Table. As I delivered the lunch bags the next morning I was asked to
extend many thanks to the church for all the help it has given. Also, I
was told if there are any other dates we would like to help to just let
them know.
There were plenty of other opportunities available. Thanks to The Corner Table, since January 2002, a total count of 215, 378 meals have been served. An average of 140 people visit the soup kitchen on a daily basis. If anyone feels led to volunteer at the kitchen or would like to donate other items such as gloves, coats contact the volunteer coordinator at 464-0355, or email The Corner Table at info@thecornertable.org.
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Where We Discover, Develop, and Demonstrate the Love of God!
2009 Theme "We Have A Better Place For You"
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hosting
site for this year's World AIDS Day event sponsored by ALFA, the
HIV/AIDS service organization serving Catawba and eight surrounding
counties. The community began to gather around 6 pm and received
refreshments provided by Jason's Deli and Panera Bread Company. Hugs
were given and friends were greeted and welcomed into the church
fellowship hall. The program began around 6:30pm in the sanctuary
and included selections from the Lenoir-Rhyne University Gospel
Choir, keynote speaker Marsuc Baeder of HOPE for AIDS, a client's
All of the ALFA staff and many members of Fairgrove Primary Health,
the local clinic who takes care of many of the ALFA clients, were
notably present. Community representatives from many organizations,
including Susan Smith from our sister church, Exodus Missionary
Outreach Church, were captivated by the keynote speaker, Marcus Baeder or HOPE for AIDS. Mr. Baeder told of the global progress and
needs concerning HIV/AIDS. An informative power point and message
was shared. Following his presentation, a client of ALFA shared his
personal struggles and victories with the virus and noted the
importance of his faith and ability to rely on God for everything.
Afterwards, Cecilo Orta, Lead Health
Educator for ALFA, did a Call To Action to the participants in the
WAD event. He informed the community of all the volunteer
opportunities and the needs of ALFA. The evening closed with some
farewell fellowship and the determination to continue the fight to
stamp out HIV/AIDS.
You could feel the Christmas spirit as Kenny
remembered his childhood Christmas' with mom, dad and his brothers.
He also shared personal stories of what the holiday meant to him and
his kids. There was a soulful rendition of "Silent Night" that
showed Kenny's talents as a singer and demanded an encore to
close-out the Sunday morning worship Service. After the event
came to a close, there was a time for folks to get pictures, give
Kenny personal praises, and share stories of how he and The Bishops
touched their lives. 
He spoke of a time in his life when he
rebelled and tried to run from God, of trying to find a place where
he was sure God would not follow him, where God would refuse to go.
Kenny ever found that place as he shared his belief that there is no
place God will not follow us to reach and show us His love. He brought a message of
hope and unconditional love for all. 
