The Friday Finish - Rudy, the Red Pig - Join Us for the Dedication - Cowboy Church Donation - Bags to Beds

August 21, 2026

Rudy, the Red Pig Comes to Red Bird

All 14 of Mrs. Chasley’s K-1 students were fully focused Tuesday morning to hear the fascinating story of Rudy, a red pig. Arlinda Lewis, a Red Bird Christian School substitute teacher and former K-1 aide, organized the visit by well-known author Catherine Ritch Guess, to read her widely-published children’s book, Rudy the Red Pig. Arlinda and her husband, Andy, have hosted Catherine many times when she’s come to Clay County to drop off donations for The Joy Center in Big Creek.

Catherine shared that sales of Rudy, the Red Pig were dedicated to funding relief after Hurricane Katrina the Gulf Coast region. She also said that she sent 10,000 copies of the book to libraries in the region as it recovered. Catherine has 27 published books to her credit and said she’s currently working on three books now.

Mrs. Chasley was so excited to introduce Ms. Guess as an author, who writes books that would read a book she has written. Catherine continued the teaching moment about authors as she ended the reading time looking into the eyes of each student and saying,

“Every single one of you has a story in you!”

Ms. Guess has also visited Red Bird Mission many times over the years when Ruth Wiertzema was on staff with the former Red Bird Missionary Conference. That familiarity and the Red Bird welcome received today spawned a follow up visit in December for Ms. Guess to read a second “Rudy” book, Rudy and the Magic Sleigh, for the RBCS Elementary School during the Christmas season. The kids were especially excited when she told them that she’s like to bring “Rudy” with her next time.

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Join Us Wednesday for the Marker Dedication

Coworkers, friends, families, and alumni — the countdown is on. In just 5 days, we’ll gather for the Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony honoring Red Bird Mission. Mrs. Patty Vance, our marker project advocate, and our teams at Red Bird Mission and Red Bird Christian School have been busy as bees getting ready for this milestone. As we put the finishing touches on this big day, we know it will not be complete without the people who make Red Bird what it is. Pack up, grab your folks, and come back to the hills — a celebration like this does not come around twice.

To everyone who has ever walked these halls, prayed in these valleys, or offered a helping hand — this moment belongs to you. Whether you were a student who learned here, a teacher or staff member who poured your heart into this ministry, a volunteer who gave your time and labor, or a neighbor who grew up alongside us, Red Bird Mission is part of your story, and you are part of ours. Standing together as this marker is unveiled is not just about celebrating history; it is about honoring every step you took to help build it. Come home, stand with old friends and family, and help us mark this unforgettable day.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 

Time: 1:30 PM 

Location: Beverly Campus of Red Bird Mission (164 Cow Fork Rd, Beverly, KY 40913) 

Here is what you can expect during the dedication ceremony: 

Speakers & Remarks

Mr. Jamie Collett, Executive Director, Red Bird Mission

Dr. James B. Seaver, Kentucky Historical Society

Mrs. Patty Vance, Marker Project Advocate & RBSAA President

Mr. Marcus Collett, Former Guidance Counselor and Principal, RBCS

Mr. Daugh Sizemore & Mrs. Joyce Turner Sizemore, Distinguished Red Bird Alumni

Ms. Karla Roberts, Distinguished Red Bird Alumna

Mrs. Jackie Moody, Distinguished Red Bird Alumna & RBM Board of Directors

Mrs. Jennifer Wilder, Director of Education, Red Bird Christian School

Special Music

Performed by the Cardinal Singers (Directed by Mr. Mark Smallwood and Mr. Nate Smallwood, Distinguished Red Bird Alumnus)

Unveiling of the Historical Marker

Participating in the unveiling will be current Red Bird School students, Red Bird School alumni, members of the Red Bird Mission Board of Directors, and Red Bird Mission employees.

Closing Prayer

Led by Mr. Dan Crabtree, Former Distinguished Educator and Coach; RBM Board of Directors

Reception & Refreshments

Following the dedication, the National Honor Society of Red Bird Christian School and Beverly United Methodist Church invite everyone to join them for refreshments!

Cowboy Church Shifts Donation

The Lonesome Dove Cowboy Church near Cullman, Alabama involves itself in mission outreach as part of their Christian witness. They had assembled new backpacks to distribute to kids in need for a mission trip to Montana, but circumstances led to the cancellation of this year’s trip. One member, Shari Brown, told a work associate in the school system she works in about the dilemma and desire to get the backpacks to kids. That co-worker had been on a Work Camp team to Red Bird Mission so she put Shari on a path to finding a place that could use the backpacks.

On Wednesday, the Brown family took a “detour” from Blountsville, Alabama moving their daughter back to Campbellsville University in south central Kentucky. They delivered 17 backpacks containing personal items to Red Bird Mission Community Outreach where they’ll be packed for children qualifying for the Christmas Assistance. Shari, a teacher, also left hundreds of children’s books in excellent condition at Red Bird Christian School for our students and other children in our service area.

Thank you to the members of the Lonesome Dove Cowboy Church and the Brown family for being partners in mission here at Red Bird Mission.

Bags to Beds

The compassion for others at Red Bird Mission’s DeWall Senior Center is adding another group of overlooked people to their outreach projects. They’ve been delivering uplifting cards to nursing homes and this new project will make life a little better for the homeless population. A couple of months ago, a partner church delivered a special loom designed for making sleeping mats from plastic shopping bags. This week, the first mat came off the loom.

When asked where the mats would be going, Tammy Adams, Red Bird Mission Elderly Ministries Coordinator said that likely organizations such as Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, local law enforcement or other groups interfacing with homeless people will receive them. Tammy said it takes about 1,000 bags to make one mat, so if you live close to Red Bird, you can drop off those shopping bags knowing that they’ll be giving someone a softer place to sleep at night.

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