CHESAPEAKE — The annual Thanksgiving service for the area churches took place at the newly built Big Branch Church on Sunday evening.

“All of the area churches come together once a year for a Thanksgiving service in support of the Community Mission Outreach (CMO),” Randy Henderson, pastor of Big Branch Church, said. “The CMO has been around for 29 years, but this is the 11th or 12th year of our service.”

The CMO helps deliver food and clothing for people in need, as well as toys for underprivileged children at Christmastime.

Twelve area churches support the mission and six of them were represented at the service. St. Ann Catholic Church, Chesapeake Church of the Nazarene, Big Branch Church, Defender of United Methodist, Sybene Missionary Baptist and First United Methodist were involved with the service.

“The basic reason we are here is because the Lord asked us to unite in this service,” Father Charles Moran of St. Ann said. “Scripture is filled with the Lord asking us to give treatment to the poor. It is a Thanksgiving service and we give thanks because we are gifted. Part of being gifted is giving.”

The service started with a welcome by Randy Henderson of Big Branch Church, followed by an opening prayer lead by Moran, a CMO report by Donna Plybon, treasurer of the CMO, Scripture read by pastor Chuck Case of Chesapeake United Methodist Church, a message by pastor Brad Adkins of the Chesapeake Church of the Nazarene and a closing blessing by pastor Bill Flannery of Defender United Methodist Church. The Big Branch Praise Team performed music throughout the service as well.

“We are blessed by this service and all of the churches,” Plybon said. “Having such good supporters and volunteers is a blessing.”

The service raised $4,923 in donations that is all going to the CMO.

“Mainly this is going to help us provide food for the holidays for the needy families in this area,” Donald Moore, CMO hairman, said. “It is great that the whole neighborhood, community, churches and schools all chip in to make this possible.”

The CMO is always looking for volunteers.

If there is any interest in volunteering for the CMO, call 740-867-6628.