STIRRAT — The Stirrat Community Church, along with their pastor, Rev. Wayne Meadows and his wife, Sonda "Dee", conducted homecoming services on Sunday, May 2.

Guest speaker was Rev. Paul Day. Titled The Christian Hope, Rev. Day spoke about the "homecoming" here, but stressed that the "homegoing" would be the best yet to come. Rev. Day, who now resides in Barboursville, served as pastor of Stirrat Community Church from 1957-1963 and again from 1972-1983 and returned once agan to serve from 1992-2000 for a total of 25 years of service at Stirrat. Day is still active in the ministry — preaching, teaching, Bible school and with helping various churches in the area.

Terri Diamond returned home and played the piano for the congregation singing. Special singing was done by Martha Whitt of Roanoke, Va., who was a former choir director for the church. She sang a solo, "It Is Well With My Soul," and a duet with James Earles, "How Great Thou Art." The congregation participated by joining in during the chorus. Billy Thomas played the accompaniment for the special singing and for the special request song, "When He Reached Down His Hand For Me."

Following the service, a dinner followed in the fellowship hall. Using the theme "Birds Come Home To Nest," the tables were adorned with blue tablecloths and bird houses with birds in a nest of ivy. The bulletin board displayed the theme and pictures of the past.

Those returning to the nest and signing the guestbook were Roy Killen; Nancy Killen; Chester Collins; Katey Gwinn; Alex Gwinn; Isiah Gwinn; James Earles; Betty Earles; Tom Thomas; Sonja Thomas; Martha Whitt; Annette Dalton; Beverly Holcombe; Danny Creakman; Luanna Creakman; Billy Thomas and Edith Thomas.

Steve Browning; Mimi Browning; Stevie Browning; Scotty Browning; Trent Dalton; Allen Farley; Josie Farley; Tiffany Machner; Nadine Bailey; Terri Diamond; Craig Adkins; Helen Bias; Edwin Bias; Jimmy Baisden; Hayli Baisden; Barbara Meadows Belcher; Jeremy Swims; Heather Swims; Elijah Swims, Mike Robinette and Andrea Robinette.

Jody Bias; David Maynard; Constance Maynard; Jeff Dillon; Katrina Dillon; Austin Dillon; Debbie Holbrook; Janice Stone; Gerri Ellis; Janice Blankenship; Sherry May; Maggie May; Mike Dalton; Lori Dalton; Mika Dalton; Rev. Wayne Meadows; Sonda "Dee" Meadows and Rev. Paul Day.