“Chapel in the Pines begins the first Sunday in May and runs through the last Sunday in September,” said Shulanda Keller, community outreach administrator for Pell City First United Methodist Church.
Keller said area residents have attended the multi-denominational worship services at Chapel in the Pines, near Pine Harbor Marina, since 1965.
She said the property was originally owned by Tom and Olive Cassaday then continued by Dr. Lawrence Lemak. Leadership of Chapel in the Pines was entrusted to the First United Methodist Church and the Chapel in the Pines Board of Directors.
Chapel in the Pines features a 30 minute worship service, including an invocation, the singing of two hymns, pastoral prayer for community needs as indicated by those who attend, special music during the offering, a 12-15 minute sermon and a benediction.
Keller said the Rev. Sam Huffstutler, the Rev. Nathan Carden, the Rev. Nancy Boorman and the Rev. Arthur Harrison will take turns leading the services, which will feature a different guest pastor each week.
“We had a larger average attendance last year with about 175-220 people each week,” she said. “And we had several people come in boats each Sunday, because you can tie up to the pier there.”
Keller said Chapel in the Pines’ offering benefits 13 local charities each year. Monies given, unless specifically earmarked, are given to the local charities or used for Chapel in the Pines upkeep.
“We will give $1,000 donations to the charities May 20-Aug. 5,” she said.
Keller said a representative from the charity is given time during the service to share a word of thanks and a brief word about the charity and what it does. Local charities receiving donations this year include the Christian Love Pantry, the Pell City Library Guild, the Imagination Library of the Pell City School District, Loaves and Fishes, The Children’s Place, the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter in Pell City, the First United Methodist Church Community Outreach Program, the Gideon’s, Habitat for Humanity, Lakeside Hospice, Camp Winnataska, Animal Shelter of Pell City Inc. and Aaron’s Hope.
Keller said local charities can apply to receive donations for next year. The chapel is also available for rent for weddings and events.
In case of rain, the service is moved to the Pine Harbor Golf Course Clubhouse.
The May 6 service features Dr. Lindy Martin.
The May 13 service features the Rev. Phillip Burden.
The May 20 service features the Rev. Maurice Keller.
The May 27 service features the Rev. Nancy Boorman.
The June 3 service features Father Jeff Garner.
The June 10 service features the Rev Nathan Carden.
The June 17 service features the Rev. Donald Gover.
The June 24 service features the Rev. Paul Brasher.
The July 1 service features the Rev. Branson Isley.
The July 8 service features the Rev. Arthur Harrison.
The July 15 service features the Rev. Michael Barber.
The July 22 service features Deacon Terry Rumore.
The July 29 service features the Rev. Ava Rozelle.
The Aug. 5 service features the Rev. Dale Foote.
The Aug. 12 service features Dr. Charles Alexander.
The Aug. 19 service features the Rev. Daniel Leavengood.
The Aug. 26 service features Dr. Tom Bell.
The Sept. 2 service features the Rev. James Blair.
The Sept. 9 service features the Rev. Sherill Clontz.
The Sept. 16 service features the Rev. Michael Densmore.
The Sept. 23 service will be announced at a later date.
The Sept. 30 service features the Rev. Sam Huffstutler.
For more information or for charity applications to receive donations, call First United Methodist Church in Pell City at 205-338-3374.
Contact Elsie Hodnett at ehodnett@dailyhome.com.
