Dear Editor:

WHAT A GREAT

COMMUNITY SPIRIT!

As the most fortunate director of the recent patriotic celebration held at Stephen Greene Baptist Church on June 27 and 28, I must give thanks to so many in the greater Winnsboro community for their support and assistance.

This was our 2nd Annual Patriotic Celebration ever. Last year was our first with about 300 attending one Sunday night presentation in late June 2008. This year we presented The Spirit of America on two occasions:

Saturday evening, June 27 and Sunday evening, June 28 with around 450 total attendance overall.

I need to publicly thank so many for their help to make this a great success for our community. Some 12 churches of all denominations were represented in the 40-voice mass choir that so excellently presented this powerful patriotic salute to our God and Country including our servicemen both currently serving and veterans.

Funds for this faith endeavor were provided by free will offerings received over a two and a half month period and we thank all who gave especially those attending the two presentations.

Special appreciation goes to the narrator, our pastor, Dr. Michael Cockrell, and to the dramatists from or local Pine Tree Players who together made the musical dramatic experience more relevant and realistic in so many ways. Strong thanks also goes to our rehearsal accompanist, Mrs. Bea Cockrell.

For the support from the entire Winnsboro (and beyond) community, we are most grateful and beholding.

Next year's dates for this community wide salute to God and Country are Saturday and Sunday, June 26 & 27 at 6:00pm. There's a possibility of moving it to a larger capacity location if this annual event continues to grow (50% from 2008 to 2009).

Rehearsals will begin in early May on Sunday afternoons from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the choir loft at Stephen Greene Baptist Church. We rehearse on both Mother's Day and Father's Day with an adjusted rehearsal schedule (5:30-7:00 p.m.) for those Sundays.

Let me even now invite all who will and can to join this community wide mass choir in 2010 with a goal of at lease 50 voices and an attendance expectation of 600 over the two nights of presentation.

In closing, let me also thank: my home church, Stephen Greene Baptist Church where I serve as both music and senior adult minister, for their cooperation and support in making this event possible.

God bless America - again and again!

Byron McCarty

Minister of Music &

Senior Adults

Stephen Greene

Baptist Church