Davidson County Civitan Club holds clergy appreciation observance
The Davidson County Civitan Club honored nine local ministers and four spouses with the club’s 21st Clergy Appreciation Observance. The event was held in the fellowship hall of Hedrick's Grove Reformed United Church of Christ on February 27, 2024.
Among the honorees were Rev. Ed Armfield, and his wife Cindy, of the Burnett's Chapel United Methodist Church; Rev. Beverly Gaska of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church; Bishop Selmon Green and wife, Shirley, of New Hope Holiness Church; Pastor Warren W. Miller (retired) and his wife, Patti; and Major Ray Morton of The Salvation Army.
Other honorees attending were Rev. Gavin A. Pratt of North Lexington Baptist Church;
Jayne Radionov of Genesis Kardia at Mount Olivet UMC,; Pastor Joshua Rau and his wife, Alyssa, of Hedrick’s Grove Reformed United Church of Christ and Elder Ivory B. Roseboro of Saints Delights Holiness Church.
The featured speaker was Kevin Firquin who spoke about his three simple rules of life. Firquin is a retired educator from Davidson County Schools. He has held many positions including principal of many schools, athletic director and head football coach.
The attending pastors received gifts from the club in recognition of their service to the community. Music was provided by Jim and Kathy Knox.
Hundreds of Civitan clubs in North America participate annually in International Clergy Appreciation Observances honoring ministers of all faiths and denominations. The events are generally in February each year in remembrance of The Four Chaplains.
Eighty-one ago during World War II, on February 3, 1943, only 230 survived out of around 902 men and two women on board the U.S.A.T. DORCHESTER when it was hit by a torpedo and sunk off the coast of Greenland. Among those lost were four clergymen--a Catholic Priest, a Rabbi and two Protestant ministers, who went down with their troop transport ship after giving up their life jackets to soldiers who had left their vests below deck in the scramble to evacuate.
Survivors witnessing the event stated that the chaplains stood with arms linked together, braced against the railing offering courage, reciting "The Lord's Prayer" and singing as the ship sank.
The Ladies and Men’s Fellowship of Hedrick's Grove Reformed United Church of Christ provided and served the meal for a ninth year.
Civitan President Teresa Shaw presided over the event attended by 97 people. Civitan Chaplain Anna Louvet gave the invocation with Artanis Shaw leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag. Shirley Link closed the meeting with the reading of The Civitan Creed.
Civitan is a worldwide service organization dedicated to community service with an emphasis on assisting people with disabilities. The Davidson County Civitan Club typically meets the 4th Tuesday of each month.
The club currently has 54 members.
{Photo By: Gary Arnold} Ministers honored at the Davidson County Civitan Club annual Clergy Appreciation Observance were (seated from left) Elder Ivory B. Roseboro, Rev. Ed Armfield and Bishop Selmon Green. Standing from left is Pastor Joshua Rau, Jayne Radinov, Pastor Warren W. Miller, Rev. Beverly Gaska, Rev. Gavin A. Pratt, Major Ray Morton, Rev. Gavin A. Pratt and Shirley Green
