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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Penrose, NC

Home Care Penrose, NC

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Penrose Strawbridge House at Graeme Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Penrose, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Penrose, NC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”

Randall P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”

Tiffany B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”

Jessica
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TESTIMONIALS

“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”

Stephanie Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”

Kandice S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”

Barbara D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”

Randall P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”

Kathryn M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”

Joanne G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”

Joe W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”

Lisa C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”

Roger M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”

Bob N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”

Bob N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”

Jennifer H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We were blown away and continue to be by the quality of service and care that the team of ALWAYS BEST CARE provides our family. My parents were moving from out of state and were in immediate need of in-home care. Melisa was wonderful! She was able to help us line up the intake paperwork, clinical assessment and a caregiver within 24 hours of my parents’ arrival in to their new home. Millie and Bethany are tremendous support as their clinical nurse team with a very thorough assessment of both parents. Mary is their care coordinator and was very helpful with finding the perfect caregivers and coordinate the right schedule for my parents . Melisa, Nicole, Jennifer and Janet are also a tremendous asset as they handle and place the caregivers! Jim Smeaton, their owner should be proud of his company! We highly recommend them!”

Katherine K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC in Fletcher has an amazing team, and they made a huge difference for myself and my mother. We had them as in-home caregivers for 10 months. They are responsible, flexible and just a solid group with whom to work. I could reach them by phone immediately almost every time I needed to contact them. They handled billing and insurance claims and kept the caregiver plans absolutely up-to-date. As well as the regular RN visits. Jan, Mary and Melissa rock in addition to our caregivers. My only reason for not giving five stars has to do with the systemic challenge of finding enough caregivers. And in our case, caregivers who are proficient with Parkinson’s patients.”

Jennie G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“After Many years of retirement from critical care nursing I have found the perfect employment enabling me to to care for others. Working with the staff at Always Best Care has been such a blessing and I love my clients that I work with.”

Kathryn W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I feel like I'm part of the family every time I'm there! A lovely bunch of ladies! The best quality care provider in the business!”

John Z.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have had many dealing with Always Best Care during my professional healthcare career. They have always provided great care to the seniors they serve. Jim and his team are great to work with and always go above and beyond not only in serving seniors but supporting many events in the community. I would highly recommend ABC for any in home needs.”

Bob P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I like working with Always Best Care Senior Services because the office staff are so nice and understanding and I have gotten to know them on a level that I know they are here to help me, when I need help or have a questions. From day one when I have called, they have ALL been here to help guide me and they have been there every time I’ve had a questions. Working for ABC has been an honor because I really do love the company and we have some sweet clients. The ladies that work in the office are amazing and without them I do not think our company would thrive like it does. When I did an application, it was on accident and then I got a phone call asking me to come in and interview and honestly I’m so blessed. I love my job because it is my passion to help people and to do what I can to make their daily living better and easier. I honestly don’t think there is anything that needs to change about ABC. I have never worked for such an amazing company before”

Craig R.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Penrose, NC?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Penrose, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Penrose, NC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Penrose, NC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Penrose, NC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Penrose Park & Recreation District with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Penrose, NC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Gooseberry Patch or visit Allison-Deaver House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Penrose, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Penrose, NC

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Penrose, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Penrose, NC

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Penrose, NC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Penrose, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Penrose, NC

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Penrose, NC

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Penrose Senior Citizens Club
  • Florence Care Home
  • Primrose Retirement Community of Pueblo
  • Fremont Home
  • Colorado State Veterans Nurse
  • Bonaventure of Pueblo
Home Care Penrose, NC

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Penrose, NC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Penrose, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Penrose, NC

Latest News in Penrose, NC

Drop-off sites to open for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts

ASHEVILLE — More than 4,000 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project, including several in Henderson and Transylvania counties.Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 15-22, offering a curbside option.Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts — filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys — to children worldwide since 1993. This is a pr...

ASHEVILLE — More than 4,000 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project, including several in Henderson and Transylvania counties.

Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 15-22, offering a curbside option.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts — filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys — to children worldwide since 1993. This is a project that everyone can still be a part of, even with COVID-19 restrictions.

Individuals, families and groups still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need.

Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage via www.samaritanspurse.org/.

“In the midst of the pandemic, children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, said in a news release.

Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.

Henderson County:

French Broad Baptist Church

182 Grandview Lane

Hendersonville, NC 28791

Monday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Hendersonville Presbyterian Church

699 N. Grove St.

Hendersonville, NC 28792

Monday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

635 Gilliam Mountain Road

Hendersonville, NC 28792

Monday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Transylvania County:

Little River Baptist Church

51 Little River Church Road

Penrose, NC 28766

Monday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Brevard Wesleyan Church

583 N. Broad St.

Brevard, NC 28712

Monday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 21, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Anyone interested in more information on how Operation Christmas Child is making adjustments during its National Collection Week can visit the organization’s Important COVID-19 Updates webpage for the latest information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

‘Where Two or Three Are Gathered, I Am in Their Midst’

SCRIPTURES & ART: A look at the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, through the eyes of artist J. Doyle Penrose John Grondelski Blogs September 10, 2023Today’s Gospel makes two major points: the need for fraternal correction and the communal context of prayer and salvation.Jesus speaks about how to correct a brother. Be...

SCRIPTURES & ART: A look at the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, through the eyes of artist J. Doyle Penrose

John Grondelski Blogs September 10, 2023

Today’s Gospel makes two major points: the need for fraternal correction and the communal context of prayer and salvation.

Jesus speaks about how to correct a brother. Before we even look at Jesus’ three-step process for fraternal correction, let’s first consider the concept of spiritual admonishment. We should consider it because it may seem alien to some modern ears.

In saying how to correct a brother who wrongs you, Jesus clearly assumes that there is right and wrong and that someone can do the latter. He also assumes that the other brother recognizes there is right and wrong and that someone is committing the latter.

It is not “judgmental” to recognize that there is right and wrong and that people do both. And it is not “judgmental” or even “hypocritical” to point that out. Rather, the Church’s tradition speaks of “spiritual works of mercy,” four of which are relevant here: “to admonish the sinner,” “to forgive injuries,” “to instruct the ignorant” and “to counsel the doubtful.”

To point out wrong to another is a good thing. God even requires it: in the First Reading, from Ezekiel, God tells the prophet that he has a responsibility to correct the sinner because, if he fails to do so, he shares the sinner’s guilt. Note that God does not say “if he succeeds in dissuading the sinner.” Everyone has free will. Some may respond to admonishment by mending their ways. Others may double-down in them. In any event, because there is right and wrong, we have a duty to help our brother to do good and avoid evil. That’s not a just a theological principle; it’s the first principle of practical reason, applicable to every human being.

(I mentioned “instructing the ignorant” and “counseling the doubtful” because sometimes people are unclear or don’t even know what is right and wrong. We live in a world that often calls evil good and vice versa. Such peoples’ responsibility may be diminished, but we likewise do not want to leave people in ignorance. That’s not loving one’s brother.)

So, admonishment of the sinner is an act of mercy. But how do we do it? Jesus offers a three step process.

First, share it between the two of you. Nobody likes to be criticized in public. Praise in public, correct in private, four eyes only. “If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” If not, escalate.

Take “one or two others along with you.” Jesus is clearly invoking Deuteronomy 17:6, which required two or three witnesses for conviction in a capital case. (It’s why the Sanhedrin had such problems framing Jesus, because “their testimony did not agree” — Mark 14:56.)

By setting fraternal correction in a witness context, Jesus is underscoring that sin also damages the Body of Christ, especially if that sin is mortal. So, at this point, it’s not just “my word versus his word,” but a communal record, involving witnesses, is being established. Two weeks ago, Jesus entrusted St. Peter with “the keys of the Kingdom,” charging him to bind and loose, to forgive sins and to hold them bound. (Jesus repeats that formula of binding and loosing in today’s Gospel.) That is a quasi-judicial act, and so Jesus himself makes clear an offense that may exclude from the Kingdom “should be established in the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

If the sinner finds even that unpersuasive, “tell the Church.” For Jesus, the Church is clearly the tribunal of last resort: if the sinner refuses her admonishment — “If he refuses to listen even to the Church” — he is cut off. “Treat him as you would a Gentile or tax collector.”

Jesus is rich in mercy and forgiveness — forgive a brother 70 times seven times. But even God cannot forgive somebody who doesn’t want forgiveness: God doesn’t take away what somebody freely grasps, to force himself on a recipient who refuses. You should forgive him regardless, even if your forgiveness does not alter his behavior or the consequences deriving from it. Jesus does not ask us to be naïve: if a sinner persists in sin without the least sign of repentance, the Church should “treat him as you would a Gentile or tax collector.”

Is this not “loving?” No. St. Paul answers that in the Second Reading: Love fulfills the Law; it does not replace it. The Commandment of love of neighbor is the fulness of all the Commandments, but does not displace the specific norms of those Commandments. One simply does not love while adultering, killing, stealing or coveting.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus turns his “two or three” around. “Two or three” are indispensable witnesses to admonishing against evil because what they want to bring the brother is good. To bring someone good is to love. True charity, of course, requires a state of grace: one cannot give what one does not have.

Because two or three are together for good and in the name of Jesus, he is in their midst. Love is, after all, relationship: a God who “is Love” (1 John 4:8) cannot be anything but Trinity, a communion of persons. And when we, who are made in God’s image and likeness, form our own little trinities “when two or three are gathered together in my name,” obviously he of whom they are images is “in the midst of them.”

That doesn’t mean that God does not hear us when we are alone. God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — is certainly with us in our solitude and abandonment. Father Walter Ciszek, who spent five years in solitary confinement in a Moscow prison (and 22 in total in Soviet detention), never doubted it: his autobiography is entitled, With God in Russia.

But, as Vatican II reminds us, “God … does not make men holy and save them merely as individuals, without bond or link between one another. Rather has it pleased him to bring men together as one people, a people which acknowledges him in truth and serve him in holiness” (Lumen gentium). It pleases God because God himself is communion of persons, and we are made in that Triune God’s image.

The Church, therefore, is not an “optional extra” or “add-on” to the work of prayer, worship or sanctification. It is indipensable to it. It’s not me saying that — it’s Jesus.

That has implications across the board. “Why do I have to go to Mass?” or “I find God on the golf course on Sunday morning” are evasions denying that God is present “where two or three are gathered in my name.” (I really doubt even a golfing trio tees off “in his name”). Since God himself makes clear that his presence is particularly to be found in his community, why do we continue to pretend that, somehow, the Church dimension of our relationship to God is just a choice or an extra?

Today’s Gospel is illustrated in art by early-20th-century Irish-born painter, J. Doyle Penrose (1864-1932). “The Presence in the Midst” was painted in 1916. It depicts Christ’s spiritual appearance amid a group of Quakers during a Friends’ Meeting, their equivalent of a worship service.

All are gathered around, most with heads bowed in prayer. A little child on the left draws us, the viewer, into the picture. One woman’s head is slightly raised, looking in the direction of where Our Lord spiritually appears, perhaps sensing his presence. Our Lord stands over the congregation, in some sense transfigured (transparent — we can see a Quaker through him), his hands extended in blessing. He who is “the Light of the World” (John 8:12) blends into the light streaming through the plain glass window that would be typical of Quaker worship.

I chose this painting because it clearly illustrates the Gospel point of Christ being present “whenever two or more are gathered in his name.” That said, I recognize something of the tension in the theology. Quaker worship is not so much a community praying together as a group of friends assembled under one roof at one time. It is typically silent, except when one is moved by his “inner light” to speak up about something. In sum, it reflects the extreme of atomized individualism of Protestant worship, with its “Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior,” something that ultimately makes the Church nice but superfluous. Ultimately, that undermines what Jesus is teaching in today’s Gospel.

That said, God often writes straight with the crooked lines we give him so as to draw us — twos and threes — into that “great multitude, which no one could count” that worship the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-17).

John Grondelski John M. Grondelski (Ph.D., Fordham) is former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. He is especially interested in moral theology and the thought of John Paul II. [Note: All views expressed in his National Catholic Register contributions are exclusively the author’s.]

Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in North Carolina

Konstantin L // ShutterstockCities with the fastest-growing home prices in North CarolinaStacker compiled a list of cities with the fastest growing home prices in North Carolina using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the dollar change in Zillow Home Values ...

Konstantin L // Shutterstock

Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in North Carolina

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the fastest growing home prices in North Carolina using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the dollar change in Zillow Home Values Index for all homes from the twelve months ending April 2023. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib. Data was available for 676 cities and towns in North Carolina. Home values in the top city on the list grew by $81,671 over the last 12 months.

Metros with the most cities in the top 50 #1. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC: 8 #2. Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC: 5 #2. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC: 5 #4. Brevard, NC: 4 #4. Jacksonville, NC: 4 #4. Morehead City, NC: 4 #4. Wilmington, NC: 4 #8. Asheville, NC: 3 #8. Kill Devil Hills, NC: 3 #10. Cullowhee, NC: 2 #10. Shelby, NC: 2 #12. New Bern, NC: 1

Read on to see which cities made the list.

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#50. Penrose

- Typical home value: $358,450 - 1-year price change: +$29,762 (+9.1%) - 5-year price change: +$154,362 (+75.6%) - Metro area: Brevard, NC

#49. Sunset Beach

- Typical home value: $417,685 - 1-year price change: +$29,785 (+7.7%) - 5-year price change: +$162,091 (+63.4%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#48. Biltmore Forest

- Typical home value: $1,360,579 - 1-year price change: +$29,832 (+2.2%) - 5-year price change: +$477,908 (+54.1%) - Metro area: Asheville, NC

#47. Gloucester

- Typical home value: $321,627 - 1-year price change: +$29,853 (+10.2%) - 5-year price change: +$112,603 (+53.9%) - Metro area: Morehead City, NC

#46. Morehead City

- Typical home value: $363,998 - 1-year price change: +$29,864 (+8.9%) - 5-year price change: +$140,845 (+63.1%) - Metro area: Morehead City, NC

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#45. Caswell Beach

- Typical home value: $577,312 - 1-year price change: +$29,915 (+5.5%) - 5-year price change: +$213,967 (+58.9%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#44. Oriental

- Typical home value: $382,271 - 1-year price change: +$29,925 (+8.5%) - 5-year price change: +$144,982 (+61.1%) - Metro area: New Bern, NC

#43. Peletier

- Typical home value: $337,870 - 1-year price change: +$29,982 (+9.7%) - 5-year price change: +$135,277 (+66.8%) - Metro area: Morehead City, NC

#42. Holly Ridge

- Typical home value: $325,991 - 1-year price change: +$30,078 (+10.2%) - 5-year price change: +$145,115 (+80.2%) - Metro area: Jacksonville, NC

#41. Wilmington

- Typical home value: $379,027 - 1-year price change: +$30,143 (+8.6%) - 5-year price change: +$145,744 (+62.5%) - Metro area: Wilmington, NC

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#40. Atlantic Beach

- Typical home value: $481,187 - 1-year price change: +$30,242 (+6.7%) - 5-year price change: +$216,337 (+81.7%) - Metro area: Morehead City, NC

#39. Kill Devil Hills

- Typical home value: $476,626 - 1-year price change: +$30,255 (+6.8%) - 5-year price change: +$190,399 (+66.5%) - Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

#38. Brevard

- Typical home value: $413,310 - 1-year price change: +$30,363 (+7.9%) - 5-year price change: +$186,026 (+81.8%) - Metro area: Brevard, NC

#37. Lake Waccamaw

- Typical home value: $300,407 - 1-year price change: +$30,420 (+11.3%) - 5-year price change: +$110,014 (+57.8%) - Metro area: not in a metro area

#36. Polkville

- Typical home value: $128,108 - 1-year price change: +$30,532 (+31.3%) - 5-year price change: data not available - Metro area: Shelby, NC

#35. Bent Creek

- Typical home value: $491,334 - 1-year price change: +$30,624 (+6.6%) - 5-year price change: +$153,291 (+45.3%) - Metro area: Asheville, NC

#34. Jarvisburg

- Typical home value: $325,216 - 1-year price change: +$31,081 (+10.6%) - 5-year price change: +$135,846 (+71.7%) - Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

#33. Rosman

- Typical home value: $324,699 - 1-year price change: +$31,233 (+10.6%) - 5-year price change: +$137,855 (+73.8%) - Metro area: Brevard, NC

#32. Lattimore

- Typical home value: $125,999 - 1-year price change: +$31,430 (+33.2%) - 5-year price change: data not available - Metro area: Shelby, NC

#31. Southern Shores

- Typical home value: $739,383 - 1-year price change: +$31,665 (+4.5%) - 5-year price change: +$294,508 (+66.2%) - Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

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#30. Bakersville

- Typical home value: $225,705 - 1-year price change: +$31,670 (+16.3%) - 5-year price change: +$108,587 (+92.7%) - Metro area: not in a metro area

#29. Southern Pines

- Typical home value: $448,267 - 1-year price change: +$32,454 (+7.8%) - 5-year price change: +$179,685 (+66.9%) - Metro area: Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

#28. Grandy

- Typical home value: $351,795 - 1-year price change: +$32,564 (+10.2%) - 5-year price change: +$145,136 (+70.2%) - Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

#27. Macon

- Typical home value: $319,017 - 1-year price change: +$32,748 (+11.4%) - 5-year price change: +$138,139 (+76.4%) - Metro area: not in a metro area

#26. Aberdeen

- Typical home value: $312,249 - 1-year price change: +$33,495 (+12.0%) - 5-year price change: +$132,867 (+74.1%) - Metro area: Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

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#25. Spruce Pine

- Typical home value: $233,234 - 1-year price change: +$34,208 (+17.2%) - 5-year price change: +$108,003 (+86.2%) - Metro area: not in a metro area

#24. Sneads Ferry

- Typical home value: $369,178 - 1-year price change: +$34,675 (+10.4%) - 5-year price change: +$155,065 (+72.4%) - Metro area: Jacksonville, NC

#23. Vass

- Typical home value: $346,172 - 1-year price change: +$35,185 (+11.3%) - 5-year price change: +$136,177 (+64.8%) - Metro area: Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

#22. Foxfire

- Typical home value: $379,147 - 1-year price change: +$35,713 (+10.4%) - 5-year price change: +$150,545 (+65.9%) - Metro area: Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

#21. Swansboro

- Typical home value: $319,932 - 1-year price change: +$36,427 (+12.8%) - 5-year price change: +$135,929 (+73.9%) - Metro area: Jacksonville, NC

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#20. Nags Head

- Typical home value: $649,903 - 1-year price change: +$37,200 (+6.1%) - 5-year price change: +$257,442 (+65.6%) - Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

#19. Oak Island

- Typical home value: $511,110 - 1-year price change: +$37,512 (+7.9%) - 5-year price change: +$250,286 (+96.0%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#18. Scaly Mountain

- Typical home value: $422,674 - 1-year price change: +$37,533 (+9.7%) - 5-year price change: +$168,875 (+66.5%) - Metro area: not in a metro area

#17. Whispering Pines

- Typical home value: $494,950 - 1-year price change: +$37,782 (+8.3%) - 5-year price change: +$200,250 (+68.0%) - Metro area: Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC

#16. Holden Beach

- Typical home value: $790,522 - 1-year price change: +$37,867 (+5.0%) - 5-year price change: +$340,671 (+75.7%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#15. Ocean Isle Beach

- Typical home value: $562,441 - 1-year price change: +$38,126 (+7.3%) - 5-year price change: +$225,596 (+67.0%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#14. Bald Head Island

- Typical home value: $1,103,030 - 1-year price change: +$38,395 (+3.6%) - 5-year price change: +$468,334 (+73.8%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#13. Glenville

- Typical home value: $624,239 - 1-year price change: +$38,666 (+6.6%) - 5-year price change: +$300,851 (+93.0%) - Metro area: Cullowhee, NC

#12. Lake Junaluska

- Typical home value: $420,941 - 1-year price change: +$39,880 (+10.5%) - 5-year price change: +$165,345 (+64.7%) - Metro area: Asheville, NC

#11. Knotts Island

- Typical home value: $375,935 - 1-year price change: +$40,015 (+11.9%) - 5-year price change: +$147,256 (+64.4%) - Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

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#10. North Topsail Beach

- Typical home value: $479,731 - 1-year price change: +$40,772 (+9.3%) - 5-year price change: +$251,704 (+110.4%) - Metro area: Jacksonville, NC

#9. Carolina Beach

- Typical home value: $564,412 - 1-year price change: +$40,936 (+7.8%) - 5-year price change: +$268,873 (+91.0%) - Metro area: Wilmington, NC

#8. Harbinger

- Typical home value: $427,134 - 1-year price change: +$42,114 (+10.9%) - 5-year price change: +$167,901 (+64.8%) - Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

#7. Point Harbor

- Typical home value: $424,386 - 1-year price change: +$42,501 (+11.1%) - 5-year price change: +$185,727 (+77.8%) - Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

#6. Saint James

- Typical home value: $665,011 - 1-year price change: +$44,603 (+7.2%) - 5-year price change: +$251,431 (+60.8%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#5. Winnabow

- Typical home value: $327,309 - 1-year price change: +$46,881 (+16.7%) - 5-year price change: +$158,595 (+94.0%) - Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

#4. Topsail Beach

- Typical home value: $857,294 - 1-year price change: +$53,418 (+6.6%) - 5-year price change: +$433,175 (+102.1%) - Metro area: Wilmington, NC

#3. Lake Toxaway

- Typical home value: $596,165 - 1-year price change: +$54,754 (+10.1%) - 5-year price change: +$263,148 (+79.0%) - Metro area: Brevard, NC

#2. Cashiers

- Typical home value: $990,218 - 1-year price change: +$57,370 (+6.1%) - 5-year price change: +$505,204 (+104.2%) - Metro area: Cullowhee, NC

#1. Wrightsville Beach

- Typical home value: $1,332,549 - 1-year price change: +$81,671 (+6.5%) - 5-year price change: +$602,658 (+82.6%) - Metro area: Wilmington, NC

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Picturing the past: origins of the name Penrose

Much has been documented about the Lyday family who had their beginnings in the Penrose area of Transylvania County. Land was granted to Col. Jacob Lyday for his service in the Revolutionary War, but the first true Lyday to settle in what would become Transylvania County was Dr. Andrew Jackson Lyday. A recent donation from a direct descendant has been given to the N.C. Room at the Library, which includes 11 reference texts that belonged to A.J. Lyday and his son William, both practicing doctors. Most of them appear to belong to William. Thes...

Much has been documented about the Lyday family who had their beginnings in the Penrose area of Transylvania County. Land was granted to Col. Jacob Lyday for his service in the Revolutionary War, but the first true Lyday to settle in what would become Transylvania County was Dr. Andrew Jackson Lyday. A recent donation from a direct descendant has been given to the N.C. Room at the Library, which includes 11 reference texts that belonged to A.J. Lyday and his son William, both practicing doctors. Most of them appear to belong to William. These volumes were used daily to aid in treating patients, though a couple of the volumes are non-medical texts, such as a dictionary and a geography book. What adds to the interest is the inscriptions inside, which show dates and locations of where the books were purchased. Due to the high costs of textbooks, some of them were used by multiple owners and the list of signatures in the front tell a story of legacy. Some loose materials were also found inside, such as a deed, a patent application and a handwritten prescription on letterhead.

New pieces of history have been discovered with this donation as well. One of the texts has the author’s name of “Penrose” on the spine. This led to research that has revealed a connection between the author and the name of the Penrose area. When A.J. Lyday practiced medicine, he did so in a cottage built on family land. When his son William graduated medical school, he joined his father in practice. After A.J. passed away, William took on the practice entirely. The area where they lived was then known as Calhoun and has the approximate modern location of the intersection of Everett Road and Crab Creek Road. Property stamps inside the donated texts and letterhead confirm that the family lived and worked in Calhoun. A post office was located in Calhoun, as well, operating from 1856-1904. In 1904, the post office for the area became the Penrose post office. Why the name changed, it cannot yet be determined, but it has been confirmed through a direct descendant that the Lyday family had a hand in naming the new area, presumably due to their prominence.

The “Penrose” on the spine of “Taylor’s Medical Jurisprudence” refers to a Philadelphia judge named Clement Biddle Penrose. He was called upon to edit the manual, which was penned by Alfred Swaine Taylor, due to his position and authority in legal matters. His nephew, however, is the namesake of Penrose, N.C. That nephew, Charles Bingham Penrose, was an obstetrician and gynecologist in Pennsylvania. He and his father, Richard Alexander Fullerton Penrose, founded one of the first hospitals exclusively for women. Charles Bingham Penrose was also known for inventing a flexible surgical drain that is called the Penrose Drain. Penrose was an inspiration for Dr. William M. Lyday, who was also a specialist in women’s and children’s medicine. Several of the donated books are specific to women’s and children’s health. The stamp inside several of the newly donated books states that he specializes in “diseases peculiar to females.” The donor of these texts has confirmed that William Lyday respected Dr. Penrose so much that he chose to honor him by renaming the area for him.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Local History Librarian Laura Gardner. For more information, comments, or suggestions, contact N.C. Room staff at [email protected] or (828) 884-1820.

Executive Committee deems four churches not in friendly cooperation

NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee deemed four churches not in friendly cooperation with the SBC on Tuesday, including Immanuel Baptist Church in Paducah, Ky., because it has a female senior pastor.Based on the recommendations of the SBC Credentials Committee, the EC ruled against New Hope Baptist Church in Gastonia, N.C., because of its egalitarian view of women in ministry posted on its website.Because of ma...

NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee deemed four churches not in friendly cooperation with the SBC on Tuesday, including Immanuel Baptist Church in Paducah, Ky., because it has a female senior pastor.

Based on the recommendations of the SBC Credentials Committee, the EC ruled against New Hope Baptist Church in Gastonia, N.C., because of its egalitarian view of women in ministry posted on its website.

Because of matters related to the handling of sex abuse allegations, the EC deemed not in friendly cooperation West Hendersonville Baptist Church in Hendersonville, N.C., and Grove Road Baptist Church in Greenville, S.C.

Immanuel Baptist Church

Immanuel’s Senior Minister Katie McKown serves in the pastoral role at the church. The Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) already deems the church not in friendly cooperation because of the church’s dual alignment with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). The CBF differs with the SBC in matters of gender roles in ministry and biblical directives for gender identity.

Immanuel “has a faith and practice that does not closely identify with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith, as demonstrated by the church having a female lead pastor functioning in the office of pastor,” the EC said in its decision.

Baptist Press had not received a response from McKown by press time.

Immanuel averaged 165 in Sunday worship in 2022, when it gave $500 to the Cooperative Program from undesignated receipts of $796,503, according to the Annual Church Profile. The church gave $250 to the CP in 2023, its most recent donation, but did not submit other ACP statistics that year.

New Hope Baptist Church

The EC voted to “formally recognize the discontinued relationship of New Hope Baptist Church … as demonstrated by the church’s lack of reported financial participation for at least the last five (5) years and its lack of intent to cooperate to resolve a question of faith and practice.”

The Gastonia, N.C., church does not have a female pastor, but posts on its website, “We believe in equality in ministry and we do not discriminate between genders.”

New Hope Baptist Senior Pastor Brandon McKoy said he thought the church’s formal relationship with the SBC had already been severed at the local, state and national levels through the Greater Gaston Baptist Association, until he received the inquiry letter from the Credentials Committee. The local association severed its relationship with New Hope in May 2023 because the church is dually aligned with the CBF.

“We haven’t considered ourselves Southern Baptist since really Southern Baptists started removing women from the pulpit,” McKoy said. “We haven’t been Southern Baptist for a long, long time.”

He followed the advice from the deacon board that there was no need to respond to the committee’s inquiry.

The last time New Hope submitted an ACP report in 2017, it gave $1,616 to the Cooperative Program from $267,697 in reported undesignated receipts. The church averaged 98 in worship attendance that year.

West Hendersonville Baptist Church

West Hendersonville Baptist Church “is acting in a manner inconsistent with the Convention’s beliefs regarding sexual abuse as demonstrated by their retaining as pastor an individual who is biblically disqualified,” the EC said in its decision against the congregation.

Jerry Mullinax was hired in September 2020 as the senior pastor of the church on a part-time basis, according to the ACP.

In 2004, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) revoked Mullinax’s teaching license for sending “improper emails” to a student, according to the DPI online database of more than 750 license revocations since 1967.

Before his current post, Mullinax held ministry leadership posts at Calvary Baptist Church and Shaws Creek Baptist Church, both in Hendersonville; Emmanuel Baptist Church in Greer, S.C.; Boiling Springs Baptist Church in Fletcher, N.C., and Little River Baptist Church in Penrose, N.C., over the course of 40 years, according to his biography on West Hendersonville’s website.

Baptist Press had not received comments from Mullinax by press time.

Grove Road Baptist Church

The EC deemed Grove Road Baptist Church not in friendly cooperation “based on a lack of intent to cooperate in resolving a concern regarding the pastor’s mishandling of an allegation of sexual abuse.”

Terry Greene pastors Grove Road Baptist, a small congregation of 20 members that averaged 12 in Sunday worship in 2021, the last year the church submitted statistics to the ACP. Greene previously pastored Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Greer, S.C., as early as June 2004, according to his profiles on LinkedIn and Facebook that have not been updated since 2020.

On Facebook, he listed previous South Carolina pastorates at Northgate Colonial Baptist Church in Camden, Home Branch Baptist Church in Manning, and Dentsville Baptist Church in Columbia.

Baptist Press could not reach Greene for comment, and details of the sexual abuse allegation in question are confidential.

In accordance with Article 8, Section C of the SBC Bylaws, when an issue arises regarding a church’s cooperative status, the Credentials Committee may make inquiries of the church and make a recommendation to the EC based on information available to the Committee. The Committee is not authorized to conduct investigations of churches or perform other processes that would violate the SBC Constitution.

Churches may appeal the EC’s decisions at the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis in June.

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