On Sunday, August 7, over 212 United Methodists from the Casey County Cluster of the Corbin District, gathered at the Bethel Ridge UMC for their summer cluster gathering.

Bethel Ridge UMC has a wonderful and large outdoor Picnic Pavilion and a natural amphitheater with a stage, which gave Pastor Steve Glenn and his people a gracious opportunity to host and serve the 11 local UM churches in Casey County. The host church set up plenty of tables and chairs for the overflow crowd, and cooked the hotdogs and hamburgers and provided all the fixings and utensils and drinks, while the other churches brought plenty of salads, vegetables, and desserts. The entire evening was wonderfully planned and prepared by Bruce Lee, Leader of our Casey County Cluster, and his team and the folks from Bethel Ridge UMC and all the churches.

The 6:00 pm Picnic Supper was followed by a beautiful and moving outdoor Worship Service. The Lord provided a gentle and cool breeze with lots of great shade from the trees, while the Praise Team from Liberty UMC led in praise and worship to our living and loving Lord, as we all sang and worshiped together.

The pastors in the photo are: Front Row: Bernard Allen (Retired), Bruce Lee (Liberty), Creech Richardson (Willow Springs), Ed Parton (Atwood/Bethlehem/Salem), Larry Nichols (Evangelist), Steve Glenn (Bethel Ridge/Mintonville). Back Row: Terry Faris (District Superintendent), Wayne Cole (Slate Hill), Roland Moore (Jennies Chapel), Scott Whittle (Bruces Chapel), Bill Hill (Middleburg).

On the way over to Bethel Ridge UMC, Terry and Judy Faris stopped at Somerset UMC to join in the 70th Birthday Celebration of Rev. Paul Sayne, one of our retired pastors. A wonderful time with Paul and Pat and their family and their Church Family. Brother Paul has had much sickness in this last year, and we praise God that he is doing so much better.

It was also a great personal joy to have Jerry and Carolyn Godbey, and his mother, Dollie Godbey, present at the Casey County Summer Cluster Gathering. Jerry grew up in nearby Eubank, Ky., and his late father, Rufus Godbey, is buried in the Bethel Ridge UMC cemetery. Jerry and Carolyn are active members of the Covenant UMC in Oldham County, were Terry and Judy served for 12 wonderful years (1991-2003), before moving to the Corbin District.

Our next Casey County Cluster Gathering will be in the Fall, as we gather on a Sunday evening at Liberty UMC for our Casey County Church Conference.