FAITH BRIEFS
St. Ann fundraiser reaches milestone

GBUMC volunteers pitch in Rev. Neil Epler, above left, helps plant a crepe myrtle in the front yard of the habitat home located in East Bay Heights that was built by Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church (GBUMC) volunteers. Jeremy Vance, below, helps frame the house. GBUMC members and volunteers celebrated the dedication of their 18th Habitat for Humanity home in the Gulf Breeze area on Sunday, Sept. 16. The new homeowner, Kristina Lynn Thompson, was given her keys that morning. Volunteers from both GBUMC campuses came together to make the dream of decent and affordable housing a reality for a local family.

St. Ann Catholic Parish's Discovery School Director will shave her head as promised.

"We have reached the first landmark," said Shirley Chase, "so the haircutting will begin!"

However, cutting Shirley Chase's hair to celebrate her personal fund raising goal has been postponed due to illness. A new date will be announced when Chase returns to work.

In May, Director Shirley Chase set a personal fundraising goal for buying new playground equipment for St. Ann Discovery School. The total renovation will cost around $60,000, but Chase set a personal goal of $6,000, vowing to allow a donor to cut her hair down to one inch all around when the goal was reached.

The total reached $6,000 on Aug. 3.

The winning donor is Tom Wheeler, Jr. , who is the father of a former student, now teacher at St. Ann Discovery School. He donated $1,000 in his daughter's name because she played on the current playground equipment 20 years ago, and he saw the need for renovation.

"There was a great deal of love at St. Ann's when my children attended," Wheeler said. "Ms. Shirley's willingness to shave her head is one more demonstration of the dedication to and love for the children that marks my memory of St. Ann Discovery School."

The fundraising for the playground renovation is ongoing, Chase said.

"We will accept company sponsorships, club donations, and individual participation as well," Chase said. "It is all part of our commitment to providing the best quality pre-school environment in the Gulf Breeze area."

Calvary Chapel hosts Believer's Baptism and Beach Picnic

Join Calvary Chapel for a very special service on Sunday, Sept. 23, at Park East on Pensacola Beach, from 4 p.m. until dark, for a time of worship, food and fellowship as they celebrate the Lord in Believer's Baptism.

Calvary Chapel will provide KFC chicken and ask attendees to bring a side dish (disposable containers & serving utensils only). RSVP and inform the church if you would like to be baptized. The group meets at Park East in the late spring, summer and early fall for these Baptism events and many church members and visitors attend.