At 75, Wall, of Norwood can't imagine leaving the children she loves, and that's just one reason she recently was named the first runner-up for Sunday School Teacher of the Year - a national recognition program sponsored by Gospel Light, a Christian book company.

"I was so stunned, I couldn't say anything," Wall said.

She has worked with children since she was a teen-ager, but discovered her calling after her husband died, leaving her widowed with five children ages 5 to 12. "I had to do something, so I raised my kids and babysat and raised everybody else's kids," she said.

Then church members encouraged her to teach children there as well.

She has served Trinity Pentecostal Church in Norwood for 16 years, at one time teaching grades 4-8. She now teaches fourth and fifth grade and serves as a counselor for youth camps, taking children from the church on field trips and participating in youth activities.

"As long as I can stand on my two feet and I've got a mind to teach, I'll keep doing it," Wall said. "I don't think I could quit. The kids wouldn't let me."

Her advice to other Sunday school teachers is simple.

"Just love them and show them you care for them," she said. "Work with them and let them work with you. Talk to them and pray with them."

National speaker at temple

The Rev. Gardner C. Taylor will speak at a service Sunday honoring the 180th anniversary of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Bond Hill.

Taylor is the pastor emeritus at Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, N.Y., serving from 1948 to 1990. The church has an elementary school, a nursing home, a clothing exchange, a credit union, a senior residence and a $1 million endowment fund for community development.

Taylor, an author of four books, has also been honored with numerous citations and degrees, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.

He will speak at the 10 a.m. service at Allen Temple, Jordan Crossing, 7080 Reading Road.

Choir to feed hungry

A community choir is being formed at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church to perform a Dec. 19 concert to benefit the hungry.

The choir, open to people of all faiths and ages, begins rehearsing 6 p.m. Oct. 30, with a rehearsal each Saturday until the concert. Calvary's Cupboard Outreach Committee is sponsoring the concert at the church, 801 Taft Road, Walnut Hills. An offering will be collected of non-perishable food items.

To join the choir, call (513) 221-1700.

Workshop to spread Gospel

God's Provisions Christian Resource Center will host a free lunchtime workshop, "Effective Strategies to Reach the Lost: How to Win Your Family, Friends and Co-Workers to the Lord" at noon Monday.

The workshop will teach non-threatening ways to evangelize family, friends and co-workers.

The center, a Christian bookstore and resource center located at 901 Elm St., downtown, will provide a free copy of the book Praying Effectively for the Lost to the first 50 people at the workshop.

For information, call God's Provisions at (513) 794-0079.

To submit religion news, e-mail kbvance@adelphia.net or send a fax to 755-4150.