By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— While the Iron Bowl is usually a weekend that divides the state as either Auburn or Alabama fans, the New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Calera uses the occasion to bring the community together.

The Sunday before the Auburn Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the congregation will dress up in their teams’ colors to tailgate after the church’s service.

“(The purpose) is to promote unity in the community,” said Pastor Mike Jones. “We want to show Christians can have fun. We want to stress that even Jesus used the context of the culture to get his message out.”

Last year, there were about 200 people who came out to tailgate, bringing the staples of football fan food, such as hamburgers, hotdogs, wings, chips and dips and more.

“It’s a fun event; it’s been real popular for us in the past,” Jones said. “Young and old, they all participate, and anytime there is food involved that’s an added bonus.”

Iron Bowl Sunday will take place Nov. 22 in the fellowship hall, and each team—Auburn and Alabama—will have a captain. Each side will raise proceeds to go to a charity of its choice, and the winning team will get a prize.

Jones said this event is a good way to unite the two sides and bring the whole community together instead of focusing on rivalry.

Some members of the church also have special connections to AU and UA football. Ronnie Clark, a graduate of Calera High School who plays football at Alabama, attends New Mt. Moriah, and Auburn’s defensive line coach Rodney Garner recruited Jones to play for Auburn.

Although, Jones didn’t end up playing for Auburn, he said the team still holds a special place for him. He said he’d like to invite anyone to attend and join them in their pre-Iron Bowl tailgate.

“Its open to the public not just our church so we definitely would love anyone in the community, and in surrounding communities, to join us,” he said.