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PAGE UPDATED BY MARIA SIEVERDING MAY 4, 2017 1 P.M.

Christians pray for children on Blue Sunday

Wanda Engish Burnett
EDITOR

Across the nation, Sunday was recognized as Blue Sunday with millions of people agreeing to set aside a designated time to pray for children. Janet Magee is the co-founder of Blue Sunday. This coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month which was begun by President Ronald Reagan who saw the plight of thousands of abused children and declared the month a time to remember the greatest resource a country has – their children. The Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention Initiative is dedicated to helping communities reach out to abused children. It also supports those who rescue them.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOS
Bernadette Holman, right, gathered for Second Stories, along with others at West Fork Baptist Church on Sunday, to pray they will be a blessing. Also pictured is Les Bird, behind Holman, and Mike Goddard and daughter, Shawnee. Hover over the photo at left to view an additional photo: Pictured from left: Kim Taylor, Second Stories, Karen Reynolds, pastor at West Fork Baptist Church, and Candice Goddard, showed the blankets Goddard had made. Taylor told how important it is to have the blankets and thanked the church for their involvement in the program that promotes mothers and babies. The women were all dressed in blue to coincide with Blue Sunday activities

The West Fork Baptist Church, south of Versailles, joined others in prayer on April 30 knowing the staggering statistics of over six million new reports of abuse and over 1600 children dying annually as a result of abuse. Magee asked pastors to take the battle to their congregations and ultimately to the Lord. They prayed specifically for children to be rescued, to be put with caring people, for their little bodies and minds to heal and prayed the children find hope. It was a solemn prayer, but resolve for the faith community to pray not only on Blue Sunday, but continually for the plight of the children across our great nation that are in harms way. Some signs of child abuse might be the child shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance; has not received help for medical problems brought to the parents’ attention; has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes; is always watchful as if preparing for something bad to happen; lacks adult supervision; is overly compliant, passive or withdrawn; comes early, stays late and does not want to go home.

After the prayer, Pastor Karen Reynolds talked about Christians in service to others. She encouraged them to put feet to their prayers. Kim Taylor with Second Stories in Jefferson County was the guest speaker, telling what their group is about. It’s for women who are pregnant and need help. The range has been from 15 years of age to 42, according to Taylor. Mentors guide the woman in a non-judgmental environment. The group provides a variety of training classes. As the moms and sometimes dads-to-be take the classes, they earn points to purchase items needed for their babies such as diapers, formula, clothing, etc.

Those attending West Fork church had gathered items for Second Stories. One lady, Candice Goddard, brought handmade baby blankets. Each item was held and prayed over by those in attendance who wanted to take part. The prayers were simple, yet sincere. They prayed the children receiving them would know the love that was poured into the giving. That was the focal point of the message. Put your prayers in action. To learn more about Second Stories, whether you’re pregnant, or would like to help out you can contact Taylor at 502-241-5483 or email her: ktaylor@oursecondsstories.com.

Pastor Reynolds key verse for Blue Sunday was “Whoever receives one little child in my name, receives me.” Matthew 18:5.

Milan Park Board announces events

Sandy Day Howard
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Milan Park Board President Deb Shumate announced this week that exciting things are happening at Daren Baker Memorial Park this spring. Along with a number of upgrades to park buildings and property, board members are implementing plans for the July 4 weekend and annual fireworks display, along with a number of other community centered happenings. Schumate announced a series of events that are designed to bring summer fun to Milan all season long.

National Honor Society cleans up Milan Park SUBMITTED PHOTO
The National Honor Society students put down their pens and picked up paint brushes to help spruce up the park recently.

Community Health Fair
The Community Health Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 in the park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A variety of presenters are slated for the event. Included in the lineup are St Elizabeth’s Vascular Van and Mammography Van, Forefront Dermatology, Lions Club eye exams, Mini Zumba and Aerobics classes, Anytime Fitness of Aurora, and Milan PD who will be present to do DNA swabs and fingerprinting. In collaboration with the Health Fair, a “Hands Only” CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training is being offered earlier that morning at Milan High School at no charge. The course is a one-hour-guided training intended to instruct coaches, players and spectators in the use of the equipment in an emergency and how to operate the life saving device until professional help can arrive. An AED was recently donated to Daren Baker Memorial Park and is operational if needed. A variety of other presenters are scheduled to make Milan Park’s Health Fair a successful event.

4th of July Celebration
Milan’s July 4 celebration is historically an exciting affair in town with activities leading up to a spectacular fireworks display viewed from the park. The annual “Running Hog 5K” is in the planning phase for July 1 and will be only one part of the eventful weekend. Those interested in being a part of the preparations for the annual run will meet on Thursday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. following the regular park board meeting at 6 o’clock. The meeting will be held at Milan Town Hall on Carr Street and the public is invited to attend. Area clubs and organizations in and around Milan are encouraged to collaborate with the town board in the planning and presenting of this year’s fireworks show.

Movie Nights in the Park
Also in the works is a series of “Movie Nights In The Park” scheduled for the first and third Fridays of the month beginning June 2. Organizations are being offered a chance to open concession stands during the events and are asked to contact Schumate or any park board member for information about the fundraising opportunity. More details regarding movies being offered throughout the summer will be forthcoming.

Park Improvements
Daren Baker Memorial Park continues to add to its list of improvements as all of the bathrooms at the site have been renovated. Two shelters and The Barlow Building have newly remodeled facilities, all of which are now operational. Don Call and Denny Callen are credited for re-furbishing a set of bleachers with more scheduled for renovation in the coming weeks. Scheduled cleaning at the park has begun and all volunteer organizations are encouraged to become involved. Newly blacktopped areas of the park have now been accessorized with speed bumps and surface chips have been spread toward the baseball field parking area. Line painting for the new blacktop is in the works.

Milan Park Board intends to offer increasingly exciting opportunities for residents and guests and encourages everyone to become involved.