Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Civitan Club honored local clergy Feb. 19 with an appreciation dinner recognizing their service, leadership, and compassion in the community, inviting 12 faith leaders, though one was unable to attend.
Each February, Civitan clubs across the United States and around the world recognize clergy as part of a tradition that began more than 60 years ago. The observance commemorates the heroic actions of the four chaplains aboard the USAT Dorchester, which was torpedoed in 1943.
Club member Meg Smith shared the history behind the tradition, recounting how four chaplains of different faiths gave their life jackets to sailors and prayed together as the ship sank. Clergy Appreciation Month was established by Civitan in 1960 to honor the sacrifice and the service of faith leaders today.
“The story of the four chaplains is a beautiful example of unity, faith, and selfless service,” said Johannah Munck, President of Prattville Civitan. “Tonight is about honoring every person who has chosen a life of service through ministry.”
Clergy members recognized with plaques and gifts were Mike Mozingo and Steven Vaughan of Journey Church; Pastor Travis Coleman, retired from First Baptist Church; Father Den Irwin of St. Joseph Catholic Church; Minister Mary Adair and Rev. Willie J. Morgan of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church; Pastor Larry Patton of Prattville First Methodist Church; Pastor Dave Burns, retired from First Baptist and Calvary Baptist churches; Father Charles Troncale of Our Lady of Guadalupe; Rev. Arthur Moye of Jackson Street Missionary Baptist Church; and Minister Calvin Baxter of First Missionary Baptist Church. Nick Edwards of The River of Life Church was unable to attend.
The 2026 Clergy Honorees were Father Den Irwin, Rev. Willie J. Morgan, and Pastor Larry Patton.
The evening also featured guest speaker Stacey Little, creator of the award-winning food blog Southern Bite and a former Prattville High School Junior Civitan president and Alabama West-Florida Junior Civitan governor. Little, a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and television personality who has appeared on the Food Network and “Guy’s Grocery Games,” spoke about gratitude and perspective.
He shared a childhood memory of gathering spare change with his mother to buy discounted hamburgers, saying she could “make good out of whatever it was.” He credited her with teaching him the “power of perspective,” encouraging others to see opportunity and gratitude even in difficult moments.
The event concluded with a message of unity and service, celebrating the faith leaders who continue to strengthen families, churches, and the Prattville community.
