As Anna rounded the curve on the winding back road, she was struck with awe at the beauty of the silhouette of the church in the waning minutes of the dusky twilight.  There was a supernatural glow surrounding the dark-framed outline. But wait, there is an even stranger glow emanating from below into the belfry spire.

Anna pulled her car into the graveled church parking lot. She slowly emerged from her vehicle and quietly walked up the slate path to the front steps. She mounted the steps and tried the door latch.  It was open. 

She pushed the door slowly. To her surprise she could hear the organ playing the prelude to How Great Thou Art. Then she recognized the high soprano voice of Miss Lila raised in praise. Can’t be, she left us many years ago Anna thought. 

Carefully, Anna eased upon the door to the sanctuary. There in front of the pulpit railing stood Miss Lila, dressed in her favorite red and black suit, singing with gusto to an ethereal congregation of shadowy shoulders and heads. The spectral flock joined in the chorus. A glowing light seemed to rise from the stain glass windows in the pulpit extending up through the ceiling toward the belfry. 

Feeling a holy presence about her, she went to her knees behind the last row of pews. As she knelt there, the ghostly congregation rose and filed passed her leaving the church. Miss Lila and the shadowy organist were in the rear of the procession. Anna felt a compulsion to rise and follow.

Outside the ghostly worshippers filed through the rusty wrought iron gate to the cemetery and stopped by an open grave. They lowered their heads in silent supplication and then lifted their heads in praise with Amazing Grace, led by Miss Lila. Chords from the organ drifted from the open church door. As the last hints of twilight faded, so did the glow in the belfry. 

Anna jerked in her sleep and woke. She felt across the bed to find Albert sleeping peacefully. She slept fitfully waking often and wondering the rest of that Halloween night, the eve of All Saints’ Day.

Happy Halloween!

Community

Communiqué

Children are invited to trunk or treat at Glenn Memorial Baptist Church on Saturday, from 5:30- 7 p.m. with games, snacks, candy and costume contests.

Elon Baptist Church, Pamplin, will hold a free Harvest Fest on Saturday from 2 -4:30 p.m. Ages middle school and below will be entertained with games, prizes, and food; costumes are optional. For information call (434) 248-6132.

On Saturday, Darlington Heights VFD is doing Halloween in the creepy haunted woods at 2015 County Line Road, Cullen (go straight by the fire department until you see the signs) from 7-10 p.m. Cost is $5 a person, kids 6 and under free.

Farm Use String Band will hold a Harvest Dance at the Pamplin Depot Freight Room Saturday, 6-8:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and music at 6:30 p.m. A meal of tasty fall favorites with a drink and dessert is $5.

Prospect UMC will hold Cowboy Church on Saturday with trail ride at 2 p.m. with and chuck wagon at 6 p.m. Cowboy Church around the campfire begins at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

The Prospect Historical Society will offer its annual Election Day Stew Tuesday for $7 a quart (ready at 11 a.m.). The stew pot will be near the entrance to the Prospect Fire House parking lot.

Pamplin Town Council will meet this Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room of the Pamplin Town Office.

The Prospect Volunteer Fire Department’s 55th Annual Harvest Sale will Saturday, Nov. 7, with bake sale is 7 a.m. and yard sale 7 a.m. until noon. Auction begins at 1 p.m. Food will be served all day, with the BBQ supper at 4 p.m. Call (434) 547-8830 or (434) 574-6625 for information or to have donated items picked up. Consignments are accepted. 

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers: Evelyn Shelton, Wendy Richardson, Nancy Dickerson, Martha Whitehead, Kenneth Brisentine, Dorothy Womack, Betty Jean Bolt and Gary Fiscus.

“People do not die for us immediately, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life which bears no relation to true immortality but through which they continue to occupy our thoughts in the same way as when they were alive. It is as though they were traveling abroad.” – Marcel Proust

If you have any news, call (434) 574-6576.

EDWINA COVINGTON is a retired teacher and columnist for Elam. Her email is ecovington@centurylink.net.