Dear Editor,

In recent years, some dramatic changes have been made to Utmost United Methodist Church’s family night dinners and youth snack suppers. There was a time when church meals consisted of the usual suspects; piles of fried chicken, vegetables cooked in lots of grease (green beans, butter beans, turnips, and collards) buttered corn on the cob, and heavily creamed vegetables lined the tables. Casseroles competed with cakes, pies, and heavily buttered side dishes with what we now know as cholesterol combos. Many desserts and some salads were also laced or loaded with nuts.

Recently, one of the youth nearly died from eating a salad that contained nuts. It got our attention! Farr Macy, chair of the outreach committee, is on a determined mission to care for the health concerns of the congregation. He said, "The time has long passed when we can ignore real health concerns. Not only do we have members with serious allergies, but there are also other threats to their health. We must address these."

Our pastor, Rev. Mostly Wright, said, "The word ‘salvation’ has lineage with ‘salve,’ a word for healing, or health. Jesus was concerned," he said, "with the whole person. So whole health is our business."

Until next time...

Homer Heardmore

Rhodes Crossing, GA