Religion THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,2016 5 Rotary Speakers SUBMITTED PHOTO Michael Cartwright, the fire tech teacher at Perquimans County High School, was recently the guest speaker at the Hertford Rotary Club at Captain Bob’s Restaurant in Hertford. Cartwright’s class offers another career pathway for his students as a fireman. Upon completion of his series of courses, the students upon turning 18 years old are eligible to become firemen or to further their studies in firefighting in a technical college. SUBMITTED PHOTO Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent of Perquimans County Schools, recently spoke at the Rotary Club of Hertford meeting about progress the school system has made. OBITUARIES John W. Gravely Sr. ROUGEMENT - John Willoughby Gravely, Sr., of Hertford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Thursday, October 27, 2016 at his daughter’s home in Rougemont. Born in York County, SC, John was the son of the late Horace Edward Gravely and Katherine Amanda Carter Gravely. He was a graduate of Clemson University and worked as a project engineer for over 20 years with Nortel Networks. “Papa John” loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also enjoyed trav eling and Clemson Tigers football. Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Busch Gravely of the home; one daughter, Leigh Gravely Watson and husband, Walter of Rougemont; one son, John Wil loughby Gravely, Jr. of Clayton; six grandchildren: Krystal Keiffer, Samantha Watson, Megan Haney (Johnny), Cassidy Gravely, Bennett Gravely, and Andrew Gravely. The celebration of his life will be held 11AM Fri day, November 11, 2016, at Red Mountain Baptist Church, 1322 Red Mountain Rd., Rougemont, by the Pastor David Pryor and the Dr. M. David Cham bers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be .made to Red Mountain Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 103, Rougemont, NC 27572 or Home Health & Hospice of Person County, 355 A S. Madison Blvd., Roxboro, NC 27573. Condolences may be sent to www.brook- sandwhite.com. Church Briefs SUBMITTED PHOTO Perquimans County High School basketball coach Tommy Johnson spoke recently to the Hertford Rotary Club. ■ Hertford UMC The Hertford United Methodist Women will hold their Holiday Ba zaar and chicken salad luncheon on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. For advance tickets ($8), call 426-5467. Items for sale in clude baked goods, home canned goods, fresh pro duce, plants, cutlery, hand crafted items and salted peanuts ■ Outreach Center Matthew 25:35-36 Minis ¬ tries Community Outreach Center will be having a free fall and winter clothing give- away on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 1211 Hunters Fork Road, Tyner on the property of Hunters Fork Church. ■ Hertford UMC Hertford United Meth odist Church will host The Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. For infor mation call 426-5467. SUBMITTED PHOTO Sheryl Corr, president of Perquimans Arts League (PAL), was a recent guest of Rotarian Gayla Colins.Corr made an presentation about the arts league, noting PAL’s involvement with the Perquimans County Schools, their Suzanne Towe Haste Scholarship and workshops offered to members and to the public. Sock Hop Saturday at Links at Mulberry From staff reports If you love the good old days when everything from poodle skirts to mini skirts were all the rage, make plans now to come to a Sock Hop on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Links at Mulberry Hill in Edenton (formerly Chowan Golf and Country Club). Besides dinner, root beer floats, a disc jockey and dancing, as well as fun-filled contests, there will also be a variety of great musical entertainment from the era with special performances featuring the music of Elvis, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, The Village People and more! Feel free to wear cloth ing reminiscent of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Cost is $25 per person and tickets are on sale now. Seating is limited so call the clubhouse now at 482-3606 to reserve a spot. HERTFORD UMC 200 Dobbs Street, Hertford Pastor Jane Leechford (252) 426-5467 www.hertfordumc.org Whoever follows me will never walk in “We always welcome new patients.” COMFORT • QUALITY • EXPERIENCE ALBEMARLE Dental Associates general and Cosmetic ^bentistly DR. CHRIS KOPPELMAN, DDS DR. ETHAN NELSON, bDS 482-5131 103 Mark Dr. Edenton, NC (behind Chowan Hospital) darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12 In recent days, our country seems to be shadowed by events that are mind-boggling. In eastern North Carolina, we have witnessed rising waters and floods. People’s lives have been devastated by the amount of water in our streets and our homes. The current election season has placed questions in many minds about the future. We hear of wars and rumors of wars. There seems to be a prevalent darkness over our hope. A recent trip to the country of Armenia and the area of Nagorno-Karabakh helped me to interpret this darkness and the way that Jesus shines light upon our darkened lives and gives us hope. Along with five others, I served with Project Agape, a mission of the two North Carolina conferences of The United Methodist Church. Armenia is the first country in the world to claim Christianity as its national religion. It is surrounded by countries who, over the centuries, have initiated conflict and diminished the size of Armenia’s land by pushing their borders in upon them. It is a country where the darkness of war and tragedy has attempted to reign supreme. Countless bombed-out homes, churches, and monasteries fill the landscape. Many people are hungry and in need. Yet, in the midst of that darkness, the church has stood and proclaimed the light of the world for centuries. During my time in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, I walked the darkened halls of holy spaces nearly every day. As 1 did, I listened to my heart and I imagined listening to the hearts of those who walked there long before me and 1 looked for signs and wonders. I looked for light and hope among the darkness, and I found it. 1 saw the light breaking through the windows of darkened sanctuaries. Along with others, 1 lit candles in the sanctuaries as light pushed the darkness to the corners of the room. 1 sensed and smelled the incense as the priest shared that wonderful fragrance with us. As light filtered in, I heard the words of Jesus, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” I observed a white dove as it peered toward Turkey and Mount Ararat, the traditional resting place of Noah’s ark, and at the same time, continued to keep watch over the people of Armenia. Today, I cherish a tapestry fashioned by an eleven year-old girl Armenian girl. It is an image of a church surrounded by darkness. In that image, the church, the body of Christ, is the light that shines in the darkness. And I remember the hope and the promise that Jesus brings. Perhaps this is how the light of the world sneaks in - through the church and her faithful people, not only in Armenia, but in our country as well. This Weekly Message Is Brought To You by These Businesses: REED OIL/ GAS CO. Since 1940 Motor Fuels • Heating Oils LP Gas • Appliances 206 N. Covent St • Hertford 426-5458 WOODARD'S PHARMACY For All Your Pharmaceutical Needs. Third Party Insurance 426-5527 ** all seasons self storage DOZIER’S MINI STORAGE 5x10,10x10,10x20 & 10x30 104 BERRY STREET, HERTFORD, NC 27944 (252) 426-7917 337-4068 • 337-4996 FAMILY CARE PHARMACY -Drive Thru Service diabetes & convalescent supplies 426-2214 606 S. 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