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Salem Camp meeting starts this weekend
See the full schedule
Salem-Campground-2014
Staff Report
Updated: Jul 6, 2015, 1:56 PM
Published: Jul 6, 2015, 2:01 PM

The 187th Salem camp meeting begins July 10 with supper at the Salem Hotel and the Covington UMC Picnic at the pavilion at 6 p.m.

The camp meeting will last through the following Friday, July 17 with a candlelight closing service at 9:30 p.m.
This year’s camp meeting features leaders Dr. Stephen Rankin, Dr. Benny Tate, Thomas Roberts, Alice Walker and Becky Ramsey, Rev. Jonathan Anderson and Rev. Andrew Covington.

Dr. Rankin currently serves as Chaplain and Minister to the University at Southern Methodist. He regularly blogs at steverankin.wordpress.com and he recently published a book, titled Aiming at Maturity: The Goal of the Christian Life.
Dr. Benny Tate is originally from McMinnville, Tennessee and has served for more than 25 years as the Senior Pastor of Rock Springs Church in Milner. Dr. Tate has also served as Chaplain for the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He has authored: One More Night wit the Frongs, Happy Wife/Happy Life and When you Follow a Star and Find a Stable.

Roberts has been the music director and platform leader at Salem camp meeting since 1989. He serves as Principal and Chief Operations Officer of Green3Power Operations, Inc. and BioPower Operations, Inc.

Walker and Ramsey, identical twins, are duo pianist who both hold BA degrees form Agnes Scott College, have earned two certifications from the American Guild of Organists Colleague and Associate and have been pianists at Salem Campground since 1971.

Alice Walker is the Organist and Director of the Ambassador Choir and Handbell Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Covington and Becky Ramsey is the Organist and Director of Music for Senior Adults at Covington First United Methodist Church.

Anderson is an Associate Pastor at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church in Dacula.

Covington is the lead pastor at Connexion UMC at North Covington and was the Minister to Students and Contemporary Worship at Conyers First United Methodist Church.

Salem is one of the oldest existing camp meetings in the nation, having been founded in 1828.
schedule


FRIDAY, JULY 10

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Covington UMC Picnic at Pavilion

7:45 p.m. Alice Walker & Becky Ramsey
play grand pianos

8 p.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
Conyers First Methodist Choir

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

SATURDAY, JULY 11

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9 a.m. Bobby & Karen Milton
Wide World of Salem Sports

11 a.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
Smyrna United Methodist Youth Choir

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

12:30 p.m. Youth Lunch at Ramsey Pavilion

1 p.m. Youth Activities

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. Special Music

8 p.m. Dr. Benny Tate
First Baptist Church of Covington Choir

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

SUNDAY, JULY 12

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9:45 a.m. Sunday School at Salem Church

10:40 a.m. Alice Walker & Becky Ramsey
play grand piano selections

10:50 a.m. UMC of Covington &
Salem UMC Choirs

11 a.m. Dr. Stephen Rankin

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Conyers UMC Picnic at Pavilion

7 p.m. Supper for Special Groups
at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. The Rock Springs Church Adult Choir

8 p.m. Dr. Benny Tate

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

MONDAY, JULY 13

7:30 a.m. Morning Devotional at Tabernacle

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9:30 a.m. Classes for all ages

11 a.m. Dr. Benny Tate
Covington First Presbyterian Ambassador Choir & Covington First Methodist Singing Saints

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

7 p.m. Supper for Special Groups
at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. Special Music

8 p.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
Canon UMC Choir

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

TUESDAY, JULY 14

7:30 a.m. Morning Devotional at Tabernacle

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9:30 a.m. Classes for all ages

11a.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
Rockdale Baptist Joyful Seniors

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

7 p.m. Supper for Special Groups
at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. Special Music

8 p.m. Dr. Benny Tate
Conyers First Baptist Celebration Choir and Orchestra

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

7:30 a.m. Morning Devotional at Tabernacle

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9:30 a.m. Classes for all ages

11 a.m. Dr. Benny Tate
Salem Baptist Singing Saints of McDonough

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

4 p.m. Salem Trustees Meeting

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

7 p.m. Supper for Special Groups
at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. Special Music

8 p.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
Snellville UMC Choir

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

THURSDAY, JULY 16

7:30 a.m. Morning Devotional at Tabernacle

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9:30 a.m. Classes for all ages

11 a.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
First Baptist of Jonesboro
Glory Singers

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

7 p.m. Supper for Special Groups
at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. Special Music

8 p.m. Dr. Benny Tate
Crossroads UMC Choir

9:30 p.m. Youth Activities

FRIDAY, JULY 17

7:30 a.m. Morning Devotional at Tabernacle

8 a.m. Breakfast at Salem Hotel

9:30 a.m. Classes for all ages

11 a.m. Dr. Benny Tate
First Baptist of Conyers Singing Saints Choir

12:30 p.m. Lunch at Salem Hotel

6 p.m. Supper at Salem Hotel

7 p.m. Supper for Special Groups
at Salem Hotel

7:45 p.m. Special Music

8 p.m. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin
First United Methodist Church of Decatur

9:30 p.m. Candlelight Closing Service

 
NCS Announces Finalists for 2025 HERO Award
2025 NCS HERO finalists
Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department at the Central Office Chandra Mitchell (left), Clerk at Alcovy High School Kymberli Durden (middle) and Media Paraprofessional at Fairview Elementary School Cheryl Clark (right) are the three finalists for the 2025 Newton County Schools HERO Award. All three are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III. - photo by Newton County Schools
Staff Report
Published: Mar 11, 2025, 2:22 PM

Newton County Schools (NCS) announced Tuesday the three finalists for the district’s inaugural HERO Award, an annual recognition honoring classified employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment, performance and impact in supporting students from pre-kindergarten through high school.

The 2025 HERO Award finalists are:

  • Cheryl Clark, Media Paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary School
  • Kymberli Durden, Clerk, Alcovy High School
  • Chandra Mitchell, Administrative Assistant, Special Education Department, Central Office

These outstanding employees have been selected from a group of school and division-level HERO Award winners and will advance to the final stage of the selection process, participating in interviews with the award panel later this week.

Superintendent Duke Bradley and several district leaders surprised each finalist at their workplace Tuesday, delivering the news in front of their colleagues. 

“Our classified employees are the backbone of our schools, providing the essential services that enable teaching and learning to flourish,” Bradley said. “Recognizing their hard work is not just a celebration of individuals but a testament to the values that drive our district forward. These three finalists represent the very best of our classified staff, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions.”

The NCS HERO Awards were established to recognize classified employees who embody service, dedication, professionalism and community impact. Modeled after the state and national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Awards, the program highlights the invaluable work of employees in clerical and administrative services, custodial and maintenance services, food and nutrition services, health and student services, paraprofessionals, security services, skilled trades, technical services, and transportation services.

To be eligible for the HERO Award, employees must have worked at least three years in NCS and at least one year in their current school or division. They must also demonstrate excellence in job performance, leadership, teamwork and commitment to both their school community and the district as a whole.

The winner of the 2025 NCS HERO Award will be announced at the HERO Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Porter Performing Arts Center. All school and division HERO Award winners will be recognized at the event, and the district winner will go on to represent NCS in the Georgia RISE Awards program for potential state-level recognition.

School Board Chair Abigail Coggin praised the finalists and the impact of the HERO Awards.

“Recognizing the contributions of our classified staff through the HERO Awards is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude,” Coggin said. “These individuals are vital to the success of our students, and we are thrilled to celebrate their dedication and impact.”