Special to the Enquirer/Jesi Livingston 

The Sparkman Civic Center fills with prayerfully-minded people from Hartselle for the fifth annual Unity Service Friday night. Organized by George Hearring, the service gave attendees the opportunity to pray for state, local and national leaders, educators, volunteers, neighbors and the country. The event was also used as a time to commemorate the lives lost Sept. 11, 2001. The Unity Service began as a 24-hour service but changed to a two-hour service this year. Hearring, a retired teacher and coach from Sparkman High School, a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Morgan County Task Force, said he had the idea to hold this service because he saw the world getting away from God. “I wanted to try to bring people from all walks of life under one roof,” Hearring said. “I wanted to get the attention of the local people to come together as a family.” Hearring said 19 attended the socially–distanced event this year.