Here we go again ...

I can hardly believe I’m starting my eighth year as religion editor and, in May, will go into my 15th year with The Citizen. Some of you may know that I spent the years 1993 to 1999 as a graphic artist here designing ads. Before that, dating back to 1982, I worked for three other newspapers in Fayette County — the now defunct Fayette Sun and the old Fayette County News and This Week in Peachtree City. This religion editor position was supposed to be temporary as I “phased” into retirement in the fall of 1999. But plans do change and I’m still here. I’ve even added the weekly genealogy column to my duties. Retirement seems to have faded into the sunset.

Every year at this time, I do a column letting you know how much I appreciate your sending your religion news to The Citizen, try to give a little recognition to those who have become very good at it, and tell others how they can get their church news into our paper.

Just about everything you see in the weekly religion section was sent in by representatives from churches. Since many have been doing it for years, I feel as if we are old friends, even though we have never formally met.

I thought about giving some kind of “virtual” award or recognition to one person who has really knocked himself or herself out this year, but I’m afraid I might miss someone who has really made an effort ... so that idea was dumped. However, I’d still like to mention some of the very faithful from whom I receive well-written information on a regular basis.

At the top of my list would have to be Marie Mulvenna of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Sharpsburg. This church was born out of Holy Trinity in Peachtree City and Marie has made sure I know everything that goes on within their “young parish” as she constantly refers to it.

From the destruction of their legendary “tin barn,” inherited when they purchased the property and used for special Masses and about everything else out of necessity, to the construction of their new sanctuary (nearly done), Marie has fed constant progress reports to us and I can’t wait to see the sanctuary when it is finished. Marie always sends photos with everyone properly identified, writes the stories and the cutlines, and almost does my entire job for me. Marie’s news comes via what we now call “snail mail,” or via the local post office. Thank you, Marie. You are a blessing!

Another who always sends timely news releases, well written, with cutlines and photos attached properly is Cindy Disharoon. Cindy’s news comes via e-mail and she actually wears two hats — one for Prince of Peace Lutheran and another for Christ’s Church at Whitewater. Cindy is one busy gal. Her stories are always right on the mark, she includes plenty of quotes to make the story interesting, and she also, does much of the work for me. Thank you, Cindy.

Others who deserve thanks and who do an excellent job are Jim Winkler of the Catholic Church of St. Gabriel, Honey Corbin at St. Andrew’s in-the-Pines Episcopal, Fr. David Epps of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal , Fr. Paul Massey of Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal, Betsy Haas of Peachtree City United Methodist Church, David Beecher and Sallie Satterthwaite of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran, Walt Bishop at Open Door Baptist, Patti Phillips at Woolsey Baptist, Erika Fulks at Mt. Olive Baptist, Lakeisha Fleming at The Body of Christ Church International, Kim Corcoran of First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City, Cathy Griggs of Little Bethel Baptist, Shannon Karafanda from the brand new Lighthouse United Methodist Church, D.C. Pratt at Inman United Methodist, and many, many others who have sent occasional news releases from their churches.

I also receive regular weekly or monthly bulletins and newsletters from Flat Creek Baptist, Bethany United Methodist, Fayetteville First United Methodist, Fayetteville First Baptist. National Heights Baptist, Christ Our Hope Lutheran, Fayetteville Christian, and Harp’s Crossing Baptist. You would be amazed at what I can get from your newsletters and bulletins.

So ... you’ve been left out ... what do you do? Send me news about your church’s special events. If your church is having anything to which the public is invited, I want to hear about it. If you are having a Bible study class or support group, going on a mission trip, changing pastors or staff members, hosting a musical performance of some kind — anything of community interest — please send it to me. Remember who, what, where, when and why.

How? There are three ways: snail mail, e-mail and fax.

Snail mail should be addressed to The Citizen, P.O. Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Type your news release and include a daytime phone number in case I have any questions. Photos should be sharp and clear and captions should be included. All persons must be identified, first and last names, left to right, front row to back row. This is important. If people aren’t identified, I can’t use the photo. Period. End of story. No exceptions.

E-mail should be sent to me at jkilgore@thecitizen.com or JodieK444@aol.com. Type the announcement into the e-mail document, attach the photo in jpeg format (300 dpi), and send it.

For announcements without photos, you may fax the info to 770-719-1976.

Deadline for all religion news is Monday at noon. But the earlier you send it, the easier it is to plan for it. Also, if I have room, I may be able to run your announcement more than once.

Everything runs on a space-available basis with time-sensitive material taking priority. If I get it in time, I will make every effort to squeeze you in somehow.

That’s it. Easy, huh? Let me know what’s going on out there. I’m looking forward to another great year of church events!