Vehicle to be given to local, deserving family

Following their distribution of over 600 Christmas gifts to local children and youth, The Church at Antioch continues their season of sharing with it’s second car giveaway. With a commitment to impact the city, The Church at Antioch will celebrate their 2nd anniversary with a vehicle giveaway Sunday, January 8, 2017.

One deserving member will be selected from a pool of nominations that began pouring in over the fall. This will take place following the 10:00 a.m. worship service, held in the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way.

“I am thoroughly convinced that we are supposed to be in Antioch and by virtue of the fact that our church name contains the name of the City,” said Pastor Christopher Williams, Founder. “We can’t be satisfied with just being a church. We are here to be the Church, and the Church should make an impact on the City. We’re grateful to work alongside others throughout the city to make lasting impact on the lives of those that call Antioch home.”

The anniversary celebration will also include recording artist Amante Lacey.

Since their January 2015 ministry launch, The Church at Antioch has made community service and engagement an integral part of its purpose. With an engaging combination of ministry and technology, the rapidly expanding congregation draws the diversity of its community.

For more information about The Church at Antioch, stay connected via their website at www.ChurchatAntioch.org, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The historic Camp Stoneman Chapel in Pittsburg, CA.

Sunday, January 1, 10 am

East County Shared Ministry

First Congregational Church of Antioch – Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg

200 E Leland Rd (between Railroad & Harbor), Pittsburg

The Historic Stoneman Chapel

www.eastcountysharedministry.org

925.439.9361 or 925.757.4094

Rev. Will McGarvey will ring in the New Year’s first worship celebration. Please join us as we learn about the Epiphany and share inspired scripture, songs of the season, fellowship and praise.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, all are welcome here. We recognize, celebrate and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. Everyone is invited to participate in community and worship including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

Experience one of six Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at Fellowship Church in Antioch, beginning tonight, Wednesday, December 21, 2016. Hope for your tomorrow, Healing from your yesterday. The church is located at 4873 Lone Tree Way between Staples and Walmart in Antioch.

For more information visit www.thefellowshipchurch.com or follow them on Facebook.

By Allen Payton

Contra Costa County Health Services announced, today, Tuesday, December 20, 2016, that the cause of the foodborne illness outbreak reported after a Thanksgiving Day charity event in Antioch has been identified. It was caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens.

A laboratory at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) confirmed the presence of the bacteria in stool samples taken from people sickened by food served at the Nov. 24 holiday celebration, held by Golden Hills Community Church of Brentwood and Antioch, at Antioch’s American Legion hall.

“Clostridium perfringens is one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the U.S. It can be found in the human intestine without hurting us, but eating food containing large amounts of this bacteria can cause illness and in some cases death,” said Dr. Louise McNitt, deputy health officer for Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS).

CCHS’ Public Health and Environmental Health divisions investigated 25 related reports of foodborne illness after the event, including three fatal cases.

“Our investigation was not able to determine exactly what people ate that made them sick. But after extensive interviews we found most of the ill people ate turkey and mashed potatoes and they all ate around the same time. Some dishes served at the event, including cooked turkey, were brought to the site after they were prepared in private homes,” said Dr. Marilyn Underwood, CCHS Environmental Health director.

Underwood said proper food handling is essential to prevent foodborne illness, including cooking foods to proper temperatures, cooling and storing them appropriately if they are not going to be eaten right away, separating raw meats from foods that won’t be cooked, storing food properly and washing hands and cooking surfaces often.

“We’re saddened for the families that suffered losses this holiday season. We encourage anyone planning charity events where food will be served to the public to contact us to understand the permitting process and to learn about food safety,” said Underwood.

All of the reported illnesses occurred within 24 hours of the patients consuming food from the event.

“We at Golden Hills are mindful of all the people who were affected,” said Senior Pastor Larry Adams. “We will continue to cooperate with local health officials and are encouraged by the county’s speedy investigation.”

“This is a difficult season for all involved. We as a Christian community will continue to pray for those who are ill and the families of those who have died,” he added.

For more information about preventing foodborne illness or about C. perfringens, visit cchealth.org.