Church holds "Ramp-A-Rama"
Mary Ables / Contributing Writer

Photos by Mary Ables Singing trio of Randy Nichols, Carissa Shelton and Jeff Roach.

On Sunday afternoon, March 27th, a double handful of folks from Moss Memorial Baptist Church went on an outing. The idea sprang up when someone mentioned "ramp season". During a Wednesday night bible study a seed was planted. Pastor Charles "Charlie" Shelton asked if the congregation would like to hold the following Sunday's evening worship service at Clear Creek. Pastor Shelton has a retreat camp located on Clear Creek on private land at what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. The congregation accepted the invitation and decided to have a covered dish supper with the pastor and wife Denise cooking ramps and fried potatoes. The get together would become the first annual "Ramp-A-Rama"!

In spite of the 80% forecast of rain 26 attended. As people began to arrive the cool mountain air was filled with the aroma of pan fried potatoes, ramps, bacon, fresh trout and almost green tomatoes. Some previewed the menu by peeking under casserole lids on the makeshift buffet. Others wandered about snapping photographs of the crystal clear creek, wildflowersand towering hemlock trees, just some of God's glorious creations.

Photos by Mary Ables Front row,left to right; Michelle Fusco, Phyllis Jones, Josh Stillwell, Spencer Woody, seated are Denise Shelton and Kathryn Cheek, John Clemmons, Jean Dalton, kneeling Mike Dalton, Mary Ables and Mike Ables. 2nd row: John Fusco, William Jones, Preston Woody, Heather Woody, Carissa Shelton, Shaun Nichols, Ginger Clemons, Jeff Roach, Allen Nichols, Diane Nichols. 3rd row: Debbie Woody, Pastor Charles Shelton, Thomas Dixon, Kyle Roach and Randy Nichols.

After the announcement that supper was ready the sounds of laughter and talking quieted down as Charlie said the blessing. The meal was followed with everyone singing hymns around the campfire.Charlie delivered a brief but stirring message from the Holy Bible, the book of Acts, chapter 13. The evening service concluded with a prayer and thanksgiving. The first raindrop fell just after sunset and all but a half dozen people had already departed for home. To borrow a quote from another conversation with Charlie, Clear Creek is not at the end of the earth but, you can see it from there. After visiting there I would gladly drive the ten or so miles of winding forest road, often steep, often rocky and ford the two streams for a worship service there any time with or without the ramps. In the mean time I'll be content with driving the quarter mile down the mountain to Moss Memorial for a bible study, fellowship and hearing Charlie preach and teach from God's Word to a God fearing, God loving congregation of Bible believers.

Over the years many visitors to the area and locals have driven by the beautiful river rock church with stained glass windows on Tusquittee Rd about 5 miles from the historic courthouse.

Numerous people have stopped to photograph the church as I have over the years without giving thought to what was inside. Last year, after an invitation from Pastor Shelton, my husband Mike and I attended the annual "homecoming" celebration. I was curious to finally see the inside of the church that often had the windows open and paddle fans going overhead when the weather was nice. We even heard the bell ringing from our little cabin on a Sunday morning. What a delightful day "homecoming" was, good sermon, good music and singing, and as always, good food. On that day I began to understand that the real beauty of this little river rock church was what was inside. I hope the next time you drive by you will think about stopping and coming inside to experience the real beauty this river rock building holds. You are invited and will be welcomed always.