I know most people attended the New Baptist Covenant regional event in Birmingham Jan. 31 to hear Jimmy Carter. While I thoroughly enjoyed his remarks, my experience felt more personal. As a new CBF Foundation employee attending one of my first meetings and as a  child of the 60’s I was overwhelmed by the historical significance of the event. The worship service at the 16th Baptist church was standing room only. The energy was incredible. When Kate Campbell sang her song, “Bear It Away” about the four little girls who were killed by the bomb that exploded in the basement below I felt as if I was living a part of history.

We sat at lunch with a woman who told us she remembered as a young woman of 20 having her picture taken as dogs were loosed on them while they were protesting the bombing, and the shock of seeing  herself years later in published photos. One woman attending the meeting had escaped death that day as a child. To have these women share their stories was for me an unexpected blessing.

I am proud to be a new employee of an organization that whole-heartedly supports these events.