An annual event steeped in tradition will continue this week.

  Shingleroof Campground in McDonough will host its annual campmeeting July 19-25, with services at 11 a.m. and 7:45 p.m., each day. Shingleroof is located at the intersection of Ga. Highway 155 and Campground Road.

    County Historian Gene Morris, Jr., of McDonough has attended throughout his life. He said it is the “longest-running reunion and revival in the history of Henry County.”

  “Since 1830, the people of our county have gathered on the shady porches and under the tabernacle at Shingleroof Campground for one week each year to catch up with old friends, sing, worship together and refresh our souls,” said Morris. “I’m really looking forward to campmeeting.

It’s a great opportunity to spend some special time worshipping God in a place separate from the worries of modern life.”

  Morris said he feels closest to God, his friends and family when he is at the Shingleroof Campmeeting each year.

  “Sitting on the porch, watching the kids play, talking with the old

folks, walking to the spring – these are special things,” he said. “Singing the old hymns, like ‘Bringing in the Sheaves’ and ‘When the Roll is Called Up Yonder’ brings back precious memories from childhood. Thank God for the gift of campmeeting. The word ‘revival’ has gone out of style in the modern church. But, if you want revival for yourself and your family, come to Shingleroof Campmeeting. You’ll be glad you did.”

    The Rev. Carol Cook, pastor of McDonough First United Methodist Church, will serve as host pastor at the campmeeting for the second straight year. She said she is looking forward to seeing people reconnect with each other at Shingleroof.

  “It’s just like a big family reunion,” said Cook. “It’ll be good to see people I don’t get to see on a regular basis. It’s also good to be outside and worship in that special way.”

  Cook said her church has enjoyed a long history with the Shingleroof Campmeeting.

  “We enjoy coming together with people from other parts of the state,” she said. “It’s good to build relationships with people we know, and new people. I’m just very happy to be a part of it.”

  Additional preachers scheduled for the campmeeting are the Rev. Dr. George Mathison, pastor emeritus of the Auburn United Methodist Church in Auburn, Ala., and the Rev. John McGowan, lead pastor of Restoration City Church in Washington, DC.

  Mathison has appeared at Shingleroof several times in recent years, and said he is excited about doing so again this year.

  “It’s one of the great joys of my ministry, preaching there,” said Mathison. “I just count the days until campmeeting gets here.”

  Mathison is no stranger to campmeetings, having preached at similar venues numerous times throughout his ministry. Still, he said Shingleroof and its people hold a special place in his heart.

  “I feel a pastoral connection with them,” said Mathison. “It’s so much fun to preach there because the people there are so warm, receptive and loving.”

  Mathison said when he brings a sermon at Shingleroof, he doesn’t see himself as merely a guest preacher. Instead, he considers himself to be part of the “campmeeting family.”

  “There’s just something about the atmosphere there,” said Mathison. “As soon as I step on the campmeeting grounds, I feel God’s love in the air,  and I see God’s love in all the people there.”

  Last year was the first time at the campmeeting for Jake Carter, his wife Jennifer and their three children, despite living in Henry County all his life. Carter said Morris had encouraged him, over the years, to visit Shingleroof.

  “Gene was always telling me about it, and I always came up with a good excuse as to why I couldn’t go,” said Carter. “Last year, I just said,  ‘you know what, we’re going.’”

  Carter, 38, of McDonough, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to coming back this month.

  “We had the best time fellowshipping with other believers and catching up with other folks that I hadn’t seen in years,” he said. “With the amount of kids there, it was good to see that aspect of it because it lets you know that the old-time tradition of going to campmeeting will continue on.”

  Marianna Rowan Brown, 67, of McDonough, came to her first campmeeting at Shingleroof when she was five months old, and has come back every year since. She said her family’s roots at Shingleroof date back 189 years, to the beginnings of campmeetings there.

  “Shingleroof is one of the only things and places that hasn’t changed much,” said Brown. “It gives me a feeling of security.”

  She said she always looks forward to being with her family and friends at the campmeeting, as well as hearing the preachers’ messages and “singing the old, familiar songs from our songbook.” As for this year, in particular, Brown said she is excited to hear the sermons that will

be preached, and meeting the new babies that have been born since last year’s campmeeting.

  Songleader Doug Stroup, pianist Melissa Hensel, and children’s activity coordinator Amy May will continue their service this year at Shingleroof.

  The campmeeting will also feature performances by: the choir and praise team at McDonough First United Methodist Church; the Peach State Quartet; the Jonesmen Quartet, the Liberty Hill Baptist Church Praise Team; choirs from Flippen United Methodist Church, McDonough

Presbyterian Church, and Salem Baptist Church; and singers Wanda Joy, Ben McGalliard and Tim Foster.

  For more information, visit www.shingleroof.org.