CULLMAN, Ala. – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School will host its annual Benefit Dinner & Auction on Saturday, March 1, at 5 p.m. at The Venue at Cotton Creek. Individual tickets are $50, and a table for six is $325. The evening will include a catered meal by Johnny’s Bar-B-Q and an auction featuring handmade goods crafted by church members and donations from local businesses.
A highlight of the event will be the presentation of the IMPACT Award, an honor given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the school and community. This year’s recipient is Sue Westerfield, a longtime church secretary and supporter of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. The IMPACT award will be presented by Reverend John M. Bussman, senior pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran, while the evening’s emcee will be her goddaughter, Chandra Shikle.
For nearly five decades, Westerfield has been an integral part of St. Paul’s, serving behind the scenes with quiet dedication and steadfast support. “Sue Westerfield has been such a blessing to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. Truly, I don’t know St. Paul’s without Sue!” said Emily Trahan, former creative services director at St. Paul’s Lutheran School. “My family moved up from Birmingham in 1994 and transferred our church membership to St. Paul’s, and I started school here in 1995. From the very beginning, Sue was a constant presence, always there, always supporting and always serving.”
The IMPACT Award has previously been presented to Fred Heinze, Michael Heatherly, Martha Blanton and Coach Jim Taylor, all individuals who have left a lasting mark on the church and school community. Through the years, Westerfield has been there for every award presentation, celebrating and supporting each recipient. Now, it is her turn to be honored.
Westerfield’s contributions to St. Paul’s extend far beyond her title as church secretary. She has been a steady and guiding presence for generations of students, faculty and church members. “Her impact has been one of quiet but unwavering support. I don’t think we will ever fully grasp the depth of what she has done for our church and school because she doesn’t seek recognition,” Trahan explained. “She is a private person, and the generosity she has shown has always been given without fanfare, no expectation of praise, just a heart dedicated to doing the Lord’s work.”
Trahan recalled Westerfield’s influence throughout her own life, from childhood to adulthood. “In Confirmation class, if I forgot a pen or pencil, I’d pop across the hall to her office to borrow one, only to be gently reminded that I needed to come prepared next time. When it was my turn to serve as an acolyte, she patiently showed me how to change the wick in the taper for lighting the altar candles. If I had a question, about anything in the church or school, she had the answer. She carries so much of our history and institutional knowledge, and she shares it with such grace.
“When I moved back to Cullman in 2019 and began working for the school, Sue was once again right there, offering her quiet wisdom and steady encouragement,” she continued. “She had been a guiding figure in my childhood, and there she was again, helping me navigate this next chapter of my life.”
To purchase tickets or for more information about the St. Paul’s Benefit Dinner & Auction, visit www.stpaulscullman.com or scan the QR code provided in the flyer. The Venue at Cotton Creek is located at 417 Third Ave. SW, Cullman, AL 35055.
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