Dear Editor: The Church at Covington did, indeed, ring with the sounds of love and praise at the FaithWorks' benefit, Sing-A-Song of Love, on Friday night, Feb. 26. Choir members and performers from the churches and community came together to raise funds for our ministry to those needing rent or utility assistance in Newton County. Admission was free, but generous hearts contributed over $4,600 in offerings taken that night. We could never have imagined such an overwhelmingly successful event, an event that will be repeated again next year.

Our thanks go to our host, The Church at Covington, pastored by the Rev. David Payne who himself performed a selection from his own CD. Founding Chairman Bob Furnad served as master of ceremony of the occasion. Others offering their talents for the cause were City Councilperson Janet Goodman, local businessman and songwriter Robert Rhoades, and Alcovy High School students Joseph Butso and Shekenyah McNeil. Members of the music ministry at First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Porterdale Baptist Church, and Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal provided spiritual inspiration and top-notch performances. If you weren't there, you should have been.

President of the Covington First United Methodist Men's Club Ken Royston, husband of event Chair Della Royston, and Covington Lions Club members J.T. and Nancy Morgan and Betty Bellairs staffed the supper service, and Bruce Vanderbunt donated his specialty pasta salad. The Covington Fire Department supplied the ice. Homemade desserts filled the bill.

Local businesses contributed significantly to the funds needed to stage this event. They include United Bank, Peoples Bank, Newton Federal Bank, Greyland Real Estate Investments, and the Covington Lions Club .

We at FaithWorks are heartened, grateful and inspired by such an outpouring of local support and attendance at our first fundraiser in our four-year-old ministry now sponsored by 35 local churches. The success of this event is testament to what can be accomplished by working together. Thank you to all whose generous donation of time, talents and contributions made Sing-A-Song of Love possible.