New Jerusalem Church pastored by Dwayne K. Pickett, Sr. will host the first church Relay For Life in the State of Mississippi at their North location, 5708 Old Canton Road, Jackson, Mississippi.  Walkers go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. This celebration of life brings together numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer in a unified effort to fight back. 

            Teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at New Jerusalem for an overnight relay from 6:00 pm on August 22 until 6:00 am on August 23 that celebrates anyone who has battled cancer, remembers loved ones lost and empowers all to fight back against the disease.

            Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life — including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, faith-based groups and community volunteers — to join together to fight cancer. Relay For Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.

            Relay For Life opens as cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) take the first lap. This emotional time sets the stage for the importance of each participant's contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops around the track area at Relay For Life events. As participants make new friends and spend time with old ones, the Relay celebration and camp-out begins. Team members come together to celebrate, barbeque, play games and walk the track for a great cause.  Special speaking and musical guests will be in attendance:  Bishop Joseph Walker, Nashville, TN, Se’Lah Norwood, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Vergia Dishmon, Cynthia Goodloe Palmer, Stan Jones, Big “Z” Trey, Minister Robbie Cade from Natchez, MS and Dathan Thigpen & Holy Nation.  New Jerusalem will begin celebrating on Thursday and Friday nights, August 21-22 at 7P with a Revival and Pathway to Purpose Conference on Saturday, August 23 at 7:30A and culminating with an All-White Soiree at 8:30P.  For more information on the New Jerusalem Church’s events, please call (601)372-6772 or log onto www.njc-ms.org.

New for 2008 is the “Fight Back” Ceremony, in which a community leader inspires Relay participants with his/her own commitment to tangibly battle cancer, and he/she challenges them to make a personal pledge to take action (e.g., stop smoking, eat more healthily, exercise regularly, etc.)

            Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony, held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. Hundreds of luminaria (white bags lit with a candle) line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

            Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fund raiser. Many of the participants will be people who have been dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in reducing cancer death rates and in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

            The funds raised will enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through educational programs, research and services to patients.

            Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life is available from the American Cancer Society at 601-321-5513 or 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit www.RelayForLife.org. More information on New Jerusalem Church call 601-371-6772 or visit www.njc-ms.org.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call

1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Springhill Christian Center is sponsoring a benefit play entitle "Jesus is Coming to Dinner" written by Evangelist Gloria Williams to benefit Catherine Anderson who needs medical assistant for an Eye surgery. This play will be at Springhill Christian Center 1518 Spring Hill Road in Raymond August 23^rd at 6pm. For more information call 601-506-0405.

The next fun Friday for the Richland Community Dance Club will be Friday September 12^th. A line dance class starts at 6:30 with a ballroom and country dance

Friday February 29^th the Mississippi State University Extension service of Rankin County will offer Tummy Safe, a food safety education course for childcare providers. The course will be held from 8am till 4pm at the Rankin County Extension office located at 601 Marquette Road in Brandon. Deadline for entry is February 22^nd. This course is recognized by the Mississippi Department of health for six education hours. For more information call 601-825-1461 or e-mail rankin@ext.msstate.edu