The Shadow
The Willing Workers of Pine Street Baptist will celebrate their 60th anniversary this weekend.
The Willing Workers Club of Pine Street Baptist Church was organized in 1950 under the leadership of a former pastor, the Rev. G.M. Grandison. The Willing Workers started by having devotions as a missionary group.
Under the direction of Loretta Hunter, the membership increased and they began traveling and spreading the Gospel in song anywhere they were asked to attend. The group was initially named The Willing Workers Chorus and was assigned the fourth Sunday of each month to sing at the church.
Former presidents were Viola Burks, Madeline Cosby, Kathleen Helton, Flora Rose, Rosemary Wooding and Carol Hill. The current president is Linda W. Cook.
The Willing Workers have accomplished many things in the church and community. Some of the projects include the purchase of an organ for the church, furnishing an educational room on the upper floor, assistance to finance the P.A. system, assistance to purchase security lights for the garage as well as many others.
The group hosts a Mother’s Day dinner and the group continues to minister in song by visiting the sick and shut-ins at home, in the hospitals and nursing home facilities.
The group’s first song was “Back to the Dust”; the first uniform was black skirts and white blouses. The first robes were purchased in 1954. The group sponsored the Clara Ward Singers in Covington in 1952; performed a play called “Slab Town Convention” in 1957 and performed a Manless Wedding in 1962. The group traveled to Tennessee, Baltimore, Maryland, and all parts of Virginia and West Virginia.
The group is planning numerous activities this weekend.
There will be an “Evening with the Stars” tonight at 7 p.m. at the church located at 347 E. Pine Street. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
There will be “A Retreat for All Ladies” Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the church. Lunch will be available.
On Sunday, there will be “An Afternoon of Praise and Worship for All to Enjoy” beginning at 3 p.m.
The guest speaker will be the Rev. Samuel Anderson of Rocky Mount as well as a guest choir. Chairpersons for the events are Carolyn Ross, Margaret Burks and Linda Cook. The Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Simmons is pastor.
The public is invited to attend the weekend’s activities planned by the Willing Workers.
