Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1493303
ISSUE NO. 8 • February 23, 2023 ISSUE NO. 8 • February 23, 2023 • • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! Visit Visit rutherfordweekly.com rutherfordweekly.com click on click on "subscribe to our "subscribe to our weekly digital edition" weekly digital edition" Be notifi ed via email Be notifi ed via email of new of new publications! publications! ONLINE VERSION SAME AS THE PRINTED COPY! RUTHERFORDWEEKLY.COM RUTHERFORDWEEKLY.COM Online Subscription Online Subscription is FREE! is FREE! SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE online online LOCAL LOCAL POSITIVE POSITIVE NEWS NEWS Al Always ways Our 31 st Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers The Night to Shine 2023 sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation brought thousands of special needs guests and twice that many volunteers together in over 600 churches across the country on Friday, February 10 for an evening to celebrate each other. Locally Spencer Baptist Church in Spindale hosted the worldwide event welcoming more than 80 special guests from across the county to the church's Family Life Center for an evening of dancing, food and the time of their lives. Attired in evening gowns, suits and ties the guests were dressed for the occasion as they entered the Center that was decorated with a Winter Wonderland magical touch. "Love was in the air," said Dana Lail of Forest City, the mother of guest Isaac Lail, who attended with his buddy/volunteer Kenzie Edwards. "The decorations were gorgeous...The food was delicious, music was fantastic, all the great dance songs," Dana said. Although Isaac had been sick the week prior to the event, he "tested negative for everything" and was able to go," Dana said. "It was an amazing night. All the outstanding work was indeed worth it all," said Dana. Every guest was welcomed by church and community volunteers as they walked or rolled in wheelchairs onto the red carpet to the center where for a few hours the evening was all about them. They were treated royally from the moment they arrived and until they left. Every guest was crowned King or Queen of the Prom beneath an arch of colorful balloons and to the cheers of those attending. Linda Tribou, another mother of a special guest said, "The evening allows my child to experience an amazing evening created just for her. Corinne loves to dance, and loves to be with her friends. At the Night to Shine she can be who she is and not worry about judgement from others," Linda said of her daughter Corrine. Royal treatment included shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres for everyone, a catered dinner, plentiful desserts, karaoke, prom favors and a dance fl oor with music by DJ Will Bovender. All led up to the moment when every guest was crowned Queen and King of the Prom. "God certainly did shine down a little brighter on Spencer Baptist on Friday for the Night to Shine," said church pastor Rev. Bruce Caldwell. "Seeing all the smiling faces, the dancing, the laughing, truly warmed my heart. Our special guests, as well as all of the awesome volunteers created memories that will last a lifetime." Kelly Settlemyre, Music and Education Minister at Spencer said, "Night to Shine was worth every late night, every last minute detail, every diffi cult moment, and every celebration! Every person walked out of the building smiling. Our goal at Spencer Baptist Church is to share God's love in tangible ways; to love God and love people. Friday night, our church and our community did just that." Settlemyre shared this story about one family she observed as they arrived with their special guest. "The guest came in with his mom and dad, appearing a bit overwhelmed. I watched as these precious parents guided their son to a space that was not crowded and sat with him while they listened to the music in the distance. After about 10 minutes, I noticed they had moved closer to the main room. Later in the night, I saw that family sitting around the dance fl oor and our guest was cautiously bobbing his head to the music. These parents held a safe space for their son until he was ready to experience the fullness of the event. I was reminded of how God often creates similar safe spaces for all us until we are ready to dive into whatever the anxious situation may be." Spencer Church was part of a worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how cultures embrace people with disabilities and to rally the church worldwide to honor their local community of people with special needs, ensuring they know they are valued and loved, said a spokesperson from the Tim Tebow Foundation. Continued on page 13. Story by Jean Gordon; contributed photos Corinne Tribou, with her buddy/volunteer Rick Ledbetter, is all smiles after her crowning as Queen. Brandi Mutter, Miss North Carolina Miss America, with volunteer Danielle Tribou. Isaac Lail with his buddy/volunteer Kenzie Edwards, posting for photos in the Winter Wonderland photo booth. It was a It was a