Features Editor

The year may be 2001 but, time will turn back more than half a century at Clay Hill Sunday, April 22.

An old-time gathering is planned for one of the oldest churches in Pike County and everyone who wants to experience that old-time religion is invited.

The present church building was completed in 1878 and is now a part of the Brundidge United Methodist Church ministry.

"As we embark on a new millennium, it is importart for us not to forget our roots," said Jimmy Ramage, a member of the Clay Hill Committee of BUMC. "We all have roots in churches such as the one at Clay Hill. Some of us remember the ways of the old-time religion and the rest of us need a chance to experience it. The gathering at Clay Hill Sunday will be an opportunity for both."

The gathering will begin at 10:30 a.m

with a song service featuring Calvin Bodiford and the Southern Strings. The congregation will join in singing the familiar traditional hymns and the strings

will provide a background of sounds of the old time religion.

The worship service will begin at 11 a.m. The service will be a unique blend of message and music and should be an inspiration to all who attend, Ramage said.

At noon, dinner will be spread "on-the-ground" and everyone is asked to bring a dish to share.

Special thought has been given to making this gathering one that children will long remember.

A mule and wagon will be standing by to take the children on a ride down the red clay road next to the church and each will get his/her turn at churning ice cream in a hand-cranked freezer.

"The kids can play marbles and hop-scotch and jump rope while the adults visit and sing some more if they wish," Ramage said. "The Gathering at Clay Hill will bring back the days of the old- time religion and we hope that everyone will join us for all or part of the activities we have planned."

Clay Hill Church is located off the Brundidge-Banks highway on County Road 26 (the Pronto Crossroads). The church is less than a mile from the railroad crossing on 26.