Kids from across the region came together at No Fences Cowboy Church to compete in youth rodeo July 31.  

The list of contestants included first–timers all the way through those who are competing in amateur rodeos. The events spanned from the youngest competitors at 1 year old on stick horses to 18–year–olds competing on fast–running horses in the barrel racing event.  

The rodeo itself was not a high–stakes event. It was held more to provide a fun and loving atmosphere, for contestants of all skill levels to be able to come together and enjoy the sport they love.  

At No Fences Cowboy Church, their mission is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Western culture through events like these. By incorporating Western culture, the church has the opportunity to share Christ through devotions and through actions while in the arena.  

While the youth rodeo was a huge success, No Fences Cowboy Church looks forward to its biggest outreach of the year, Day of the Cowboy 2020.  

Day of the Cowboy is the world’s second–richest ranch rodeo, and it’s hosted by No Fences Cowboy Church. This event is a professionally–produced rodeo performance complete with a dance, a kids’ area and chuckwagons. This event also has Western culture–themed vendors and horse demonstrations; there’s something for everyone at the Day of the Cowboy.  

No Fences Cowboy Church invites everyone to come out for this event Oct. 16–18 to enjoy the Day of the Cowboy at no charge.  

Cedar Plains Church Activities  

Before rural and urban churches had baptistries, their baptizing services for the summer revivals were held at creek banks and rock crusher pools. Hartselle churches used Shoal Creek and Flint Creek, near Huckabee Bridge. Round Top Community Church, Evergreen Methodist, Mt. Nebo Baptist and McKendree Methodist used the Summerford pool.  

Cedar Plains Church used a crusher pool near the church. Tomas and Jane Sandlin Wallace were Cedar Plains members who were baptized at the crusher pool near the church.  

They kept church records in their home for some years. Other founding members from 1837 were the Kings and the Fitzgeralds.  

Their homecoming has traditionally been held on the first Sunday in August, and later the summer revival would begin on that first Sunday. Everyone looked forward to the covered dish lunch, fellowship and worship service.  

This year the homecoming service was canceled due to the pandemic.  

The current church leaders at Cedar Plains Church are the Rev. Clint and Deidre Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Ott Lee, Sylvia Teague, Craig Holmes and Billy and Ginny Owens.  

Falkville United Methodist Church Events  

The guest speaker at Falkville United Methodist Church Aug. 16 for the morning worship service was Steven Barber, of the Stone River Church in Decatur.  

The Falkville Church music director is Debbie McCaig Higginbotham.  

Their pastor, the Rev. Slade Hogan, conducted the graveside service for Charlotte Evans Wise Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. at Falkville City Cemetery.  

McKendree United Methodist Church News  

The members of McKendree United Methodist Church have begun their Sunday School classes at 10:30 a.m. The teachers of the class are Carolyn Besnyl, Rhona Summerford and Darrell Mosely.  

They also have traditional hymns and contemporary music led by music directors Tom and Tina Summerford.