Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center will hold a free Bible study for girls and women of all ages who have had an abortion on Thursday, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 6.

The Bible study will be a weekend retreat at an undisclosed location for confidentiality purposes. Participants will learn the location during the registration process.

Deanna Crist, executive director at Care Net, will lead the study, which is called “Forgiven and Set Free,” written by Linda Cochrane. Kacy Gray and Amanda Atkinson will serve as co-leaders.

“We are already starting preparations, but they (participants) will need to go ahead and get registered. Paperwork is a little lengthy.”

Crist said she must interview each person during her registration period. Interviews usually last about 30 minutes and allow Crist and the participants to get to know each other before the retreat.

“That way, they feel a little bit more comfortable with me and who I am,” Crist said. “All of this is confidential. Everything within the Bible study stays in the Bible study. I think that helps relax them.”

All meals and materials will be provided at no cost to the participants.

“Hopefully, we’re going to have some area churches who will be donating those things (and) cooking the meals,” Crist said.

Another Care Net event coming up is a fundraising banquet featuring guest speaker Cheryl Ringuette Ciamarra, host of Focus on Life radio, Oct. 20 at Jemison Municipal Complex at 7 p.m.

A painting fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Center Hill Baptist Church fellowship hall. Crist said it will be similar to the popular Sips N Strokes program, and attendees will paint an angel portrait.

The cost is $20 for individuals and $17 for groups of five or more. Up to 50 people may participate.

Care Net is also offering a training session for volunteers Friday, Aug. 26 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 27 from 8 a.m.-4p.m. at First Baptist of Clanton.

“We are in desperate need of volunteers,” Crist said. “I can’t say enough about our volunteers.”

To register for the Bible study or volunteer training, contact Deanna Crist at (205) 755-6767 or (205) 688-7792.