On November 11 ^th  at 12:00 noon, Grace United Methodist Church-Oak Grove will celebrate Veteran’s Day in dedication of its new flag pole with the United States flag and the flag of the United Methodist Church. The church service with Pastor Mike Liskiewicz begins at 11:00 am and all are invited to worship with us. A chili pot luck meal will be served after the church to celebrate the dedication and the service of our military veterans. Please call 804-224-2748 if you have any questions.

The public is invited to a Veterans Day Service at Afton UMC on Nov 11 at 7pm. This service will be in honor or memory of those who made the sacrifice to leave their home, family, and friends to defend the freedoms of our great nation. Included in the program will be John Miles, resident of Ophelia and member of Afton, sharing his personal story of being on the USS Oriskany when the hangar deck caught fire transforming it into a flaming inferno. The entire story of this incident is recorded in the book “Fire on the Hangar Deck-Ordeal of the Oriskany”, authored b Wynn F. Foster. Included will be others sharing personal stories from time spent serving our country. Among them, will be the story of the late Richard Rice of Reedville. In 1972, near the end of the Vietnam war, then Capt. Rice, at great personal risk, saved the life of an American pilot. For this act of heroism, Dick was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, one of the nation’s highest awards for bravery. Dick’s neighbor and friend, Robert Hathaway will help us recall the life of this American soldier. Also included in the program will be the stories of Buddy Scala, the oldest member of the Afton Congregation  Buddy’s stories of bravery will be told by Bob Pangle, friend and member of Afton church. Buddy entered the service as a teenager and survived multiple Island invasions in the South Pacific. While waiting in Luzon, Philippines, for orders of the Japanese invasion, President Truman ordered the bombing of Hiroshima marking the end of World War II.  Families are encouraged to bring their children so they can learn first-hand about these events.

All veterans attending the service will be recognized.  In addition, those attending who have a personal story they wish to share should contact Alf Braxton, Worship Leader, at 804-436-5310. The Northumberland High School ROTC will present the American flag. Light refreshments will be served following the service.  Afton UMC is located at 5130 Hacks Neck Road in Ophelia Virginia.

Afton UMC in Ophelia is having an Old-Fashioned Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings, side dishes, and homemade desserts on Saturday, November 17th from 5-7 pm. Cost is by donation and all proceeds will be used to help victims of the recent storms in the Carolinas and Florida.

 Afton’s renowned Chef Lenny Gaskins and the kitchen staff have planned a fantastic menu in keeping with the season of Thanksgiving. What could be better than enjoying comfort food with friends while helping to provide comfort to the victims affected by hurricanes Florence and Michael? The need is great, so come and bring your appetite!

Afton is located at 5130 Hacks Neck Road in Ophelia. Carry-outs are available - call 453-5945.

Christmas Blessings Food packing will be held December 19th at St. Matthias UMC on 426 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg beginning at 9:30am. Packers and delivery people are needed to pack the food bags and deliver to the 9 schools in Stafford County. Donations of Individual serving size macaroni and cheese, pasta and tomato sauce, chicken and rice, chili, tuna packs, noodle cups, rice and beans, cereal, granola bars, healthy snacks, shelf stable milk, juice boxes, Capri Sun, fruit cup are needed. Please contact Rev. Gayle Porias at 540.788.9838 or  [email protected]  if you have food to donate or would like to deliver food bags to the school.

The Heartwood Center 

Rev. Gayle Porias

Pastor Mount Horeb UMC

The Heartwood Center Director 

Rappahannock River District