Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OCTOBER 2-8, 2019 UCW 27 Hope Mills News & Views NEWS Faith, unity focus of Church at the Lake observance by EARL VAUGHAN JR. Church at the Lake returns to Hope Mills this year with a new date but the same commitment to share the unity of the town's many faith groups. "I think it's important for us as a community to take advantage of the opportunity to come together with a display of unity, an opportunity to display our faith as a unified com- munity,'' said Pastor Michael McGill of Grace Place Christian Church on South Main Street. McGill is one of the pastors involved with planning and coordinating this year's Church at the Lake event, which moved from July to Sunday, Oct. 6, from 4:30-8 p.m. The service will be held at Hope Mills Lake with the various performers setting up at the gazebo near the large grassy area by the lake. McGill said although the area has been hit by multiple hurricanes in recent years, Hope Mills has been relatively fortunate that the damage done by the storms wasn't more extensive. "There is always the potential for destruction when there is a lot of water around,'' McGill said. "Church at the Lake is an opportunity for us to come there and give thanks for the goodness of the Hope Mills community.'' McGill said 10 different churches of all denomi- nations from the Hope Mills community will take part in the observance this year. "We've met sev- eral times this year to discuss the program and to organize the event,'' he said. A number of the churches will have a music ministry from their particular faith group performing at Church at the Lake. In addition, the minister from each of the performing churches has been invited to speak briefly before that church's group performs, talking for not more than three to five minutes. McGill said each pastor's message will focus on words of encouragement and unity for Hope Mills. McGill said the music will offer a variety of styles from bluegrass gospel to contemporary worship and more traditional hymns. The service will conclude with a unity number performed by multiple groups. Those planning to attend are wel- come to bring chairs or blankets to sit on as no formal seating will be provided. Parking will be available at the lot at Big T's by the lake and at the various businesses across the street from the lake. "We are looking forward to coming together as a community,'' McGill said. The gazebo where the Church at the Lake will be held offers a beautiful setting for the event. The seventh annual Run for the Pink 5K to support the fight against breast cancer is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, at 8 a.m., in Hope Mills near the municipal complex at the police and fire stations off Rockfish Road. Coco Ramirez established the race with the help of her husband Julio Ramirez and has continued it for the last three years in his memory, after he passed away from leu- kemia. Her goal is to raise money to donate to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center to help fund breast cancer screening for women who may not be able to afford it. Ramirez stressed that the Run for the Pink is a family- friendly event designed both for serious runners and for people who just want to get out and walk the course to support the battle against breast cancer. "It's very emotional for me to continue,'' Ramirez said. "The community supports me a lot. My goal is for them to have a very good time. "I'm trying to bring a lot of people. You can run, you can walk to support the Cape Fear hospital.'' There are multiple divisions and various prices for entering them. The fee for the 5K is $30. There is an additional $3.50 signup fee. The 5K for children ages 13 and under is $25. That is the same fee for participants who want to compete as members of a team. For active duty military, the 5K is $20. That is also the fee for cancer survivors. All teams must register to compete by Oct. 12. There will be cash prizes awarded for the top three overall male and female win- ners, $100 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third. Medals will be awarded in all age groups for the first 400 to cross the finish line. For more information on the race and to signup go to www.runsignup.com and search for Run for the Pink 5K. Ramirez can be contact- ed directly at 910-922-6301. In addition to the Run for the Pink 5K, Ramirez also holds the annual Cinco De Mayo 10K and 5K with Fayetteville Elite Running in downtown Fayetteville. Run for the Pink 5K supports breast cancer fight by EARL VAUGHAN JR. The seventh annual Run for the Pink 5K is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19 in Hope Mills.