Central Alabamians come together for Afternoon of Praise

Central Alabamians come together for Afternoon of Praise

Singers and musicians from 22 congregations across Central Alabama gathered Aug. 19 for the 6th annual Afternoon of Praise (AOP).

The choir and orchestra had been practicing since February to provide a beautiful and moving time of praise and worship.

With more than 100 members, the choir and orchestra filled the stage and orchestra pit to capacity. The choir was conducted by Richard Kingsmore. The worship services took place in Talladega’s historic Ritz Theatre.

AOP began as a vision of Susannah and Dave Herring, said Valorie Cooper, media relations coordinator for AOP. “It was a vision to bring the community together, build community and serve our community. There is definitely a sense of family within the choir and orchestra. Participants have made new friends and become part of a larger faith community. There is always a sense of fun and joy at every practice session. And at every Afternoon of Praise, the theatre is filled with a sense of faith, hope and joy. We hope each attendant walks away encouraged and inspired, and with the feeling of being part of a larger and more closely knit community.”

Donating proceeds

All money received from ticket sales was given to The Red Door Kitchen, Samaritan House and Fresh Start Recovery Ministries. AOP has become the largest annual contributor to The Red Door Kitchen, which provides a noon meal to more than 100 people in need each weekday. Samaritan House provides nonperishable food, toiletries and clothing to those in need. Fresh Start Recovery Ministries provides a Christ-centered and structured reintegration and spiritual development program to men in recovery who need a fresh start in life.

“The donation made to Fresh Start from the Afternoon of Praise will be used to aid the indigent clients who enter the program with nothing,” said Tee Jay Wilson, founder and director of Fresh Start Recovery Ministries. “A large percentage of our clients come to us straight from jail with just the clothes on their backs. We use the donations to provide them with toiletry items as well as any other necessities they may need. Any money left over goes into the program for food, housing, transportation, etc.”

Over the years, the annual praise experience has become an important part of many people’s lives.

“I look forward to the Afternoon of Praise every year,” said Tina Wheeler, member of Southside Baptist Church, Talladega. “It is a reunion of my faith friends from many different churches and denominations across this fine city that I call home. … I am honored to be a small part of it.”

Skip Kitchens, member of Grace Church (formerly Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church), a United Methodist Congregation in Vestavia Hills, said, “This year was my fifth straight opportunity to play in the orchestra for AOP in Talladega. Learning the music and rehearsing with the wonderful choir and orchestra in Talladega is like a long worship service to me. I feel close to God with this music.”

“Afternoon of Praise was a huge success this year,” said Cooper. “The 2:30 p.m. experience sold completely out and the 4:30 p.m. experience was at two-thirds capacity. The sound and the spirit at each was phenomenal. Each year, AOP is a unique expression of faith, hope and love in and for our community.” (TAB)