Mitch Carroll, Andrew T. Fox, Ana Maria Davis, Chris Davis, Staci Fox, Shirley Ritter, Connie Love, Andy Love and Tom Cheatham. Photo by Tom Carroll.

Or how to chop an onion without doing the same to your hand

by Tom Cheatham

AMORY, Mississippi–That was only one of the lessons Mitch Carroll and his peers Andrew T. Fox and Staci Fox learned as they prepared and served a spaghetti supper for 50 people on a Wednesday night in December at First Presbyterian Church, Amory, MS. Under the watchful eye of Chris Davis, they made the sauce from scratch, served the crowd, and practiced hospitality. Drawing on years of experience in food service, Chris guided the three youth through every step and ensured a success. Chris’s wife Ana Maria and clerk of session Shirley Ritter took care of table decorations, while youth sponsor Andy Love did any task he was asked. Desserts were provided by the ladies of the church. Tom Carroll took lots of photos.

These efforts were all for a great cause. As the youth began to look at their activities for the fall, and decided on a fundraiser meal, sponsor Connie Love suggested Living Waters for the World. The teens liked the idea and especially warmed to it when pastor Tom Cheatham found from Wil Howie that the projects in Haiti still needed help. They had previously raised money for LWW with the Souper Bowl of Caring offering and were glad for another opportunity to provide clean water for those in need in the developing world. In the end, because of the generosity of the congregation, the youth raised almost $400 for LWW’s Haiti project.

Living Waters for the World is a mission of the Synod of Living Waters which serves as a resource to churches of all denominations, civic organizations and others, enabling them to install clean water systems with their partners in need.

First Presbyterian’s youth are a caring group of teens. They met for a couple of months during the fall every other week to plan the fundraiser, and as if that project were not enough, they were simultaneously working on how to say “Merry Christmas” to shut-ins. Through a church member’s generosity, they were able to provide a beautiful professionally-done basket to five ladies in the congregation, accompanied by a card signed by the three youth. They are currently looking forward to the next Souper Bowl offering, which will be given to the local food pantry.

Dr. Tom Cheatham is Stated Supply for First Presbyterian Church, Amory, MS.

He lives in Starkville, MS.