Mary Madison
Contributor
The Jefferson County Ministerial Association (JCMA) has been conducting Holy Week services for many years. In previous years, the public gatherings were held at the Presbyterian Church on Dogwood Street. Eventually, the crowd outgrew the building and transitioned to the fellowship hall at the First United Methodist Church.
Each day of Holy Week, attendees enjoy comradeship, prayer, scripture reading and inspirational messages from distinguished local pastors. Special music presentations from anointed musicians and vocalists round out the daily program, which concludes with a nourishing repast.
In an unparalleled act of community-mindedness, the association includes a daily offering during each Holy Week service that goes into the JCMA's Community Assistance Fund. This fund helps county churches attend to the needs of others and assist anyone journeying through our hospitable county.
Personally, I enjoy everything, every day. I see old friends and former co-workers, but I also especially enjoy meeting and making new friends. What was deeply gratifying for me at this year's Holy Week was the surfacing of a couple of memories.
Those who can recall back to the mid 1970s may remember when ambulance, fire, and police services operated under one roof, the current Monticello Police Department facility on Mulberry Street. I remember well because I was a dispatcher at that time.
It's heartwarming to know that we live in such a benevolent county. I recall many times that I dispatched for an officer to return to the station to aid travelers passing through our county. The officers knew the pastors to contact to get assistance for the weary traveler, be it fuel, food, lodging or a mechanic.
It is my prayer that we keep our open-heart regime for the Glory of God.
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