January 14, 2010 - Cindy Adler - "Hi! I am Cindy Adler and I am the new Christian Education and Youth Director at the church. I was just going to let you all know a little bit about myself. I was born in Springdale, AR and lived there till I was five, then my parents got a divorce and my mom remarried and we moved to Huntsville. I grew up in a Baptist church with my family, so I’ve been in church all my life, and I am very grateful for that. My mom is a great woman of God and that is where I got my desire to follow the Lord. She taught me great morals and I am truly blessed to have her as my mom! I have two brothers and two sisters, an older brother and a younger brother, and an older sister and a twin sister. My older brother is married and has 4 kids, 1 girl and 3 boys. My older sister is married and has 3 little girls. My twin recently got married a year and a half ago and has a little boy now. I am a big family person! I graduated high school at Huntsville in 2005. I went to North Ark here in Harrison for 2 ½ years. While in Harrison, I got involved in k-life and volunteered there until I transferred to Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. At Tech, I became involved in the Wesley Foundation which is a ministry on the campus. At the Wesley Foundation I was a Frog leader which stands for Freshman Outreach Group; I lead a Bible study, and did age-to-age which is a mentor program for at risk kids in k-12th grade. Also, I was involved with a lot of intramural sports and other different activities. I graduated in December with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the First Christian family! I am very excited to get started and see what God has in store for me and the youth. I already feel so welcome and I thank everyone so much for helping me feel at home. I can’t wait to get to know all of you, feel free to come visit me at anytime!"
Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galatians 1:10
February 26, 2009 - Laura West - “I have literally grown up in this Church and, because of that, I have been able to experience and share many milestones here. I was dedicated as a baby in this Church; was baptized at age nine; and was very involved in the Children’s and Youth Departments. Currently I am blessed to serve the Church as the Director of our Children’s Music Department; a Deacon; an assistant teacher for the Journey class; and as a member of our Chancel Choir. This Church has helped me to grow spiritually and, because of that, I felt that God was calling me into the Ministry. I started carefully praying about this, thinking that if this was God’s plan for my life, I wanted to be absolutely sure about it. Then, on December 9, 2007, Dr. D preached a sermon in which he made the statement, “God may be calling some of you into the Ministry”. As he spoke those words, he happened to turn and look at the Chancel Choir. At that very moment I felt this rush of fire go through me and a small voice saying “Yes”. I now recognize that this was the work of the Holy Spirit, and that was the defining moment when I received my full confirmation from God that He was, in fact, calling me into the Ministry. This Church has been so supportive of me throughout my life, but especially now. My decision to start Seminary was something that was celebrated and valued by my Church. I feel so blessed to attend a Church that sees the value of women in Ministry. I can’t tell you how much it means when someone from the Church calls me or stops me in the hall, simply to inquire, “How are classes going?” I love this Church - this Church is my home! If you are looking for a Church where the members truly care about one another, as well as a place where you can grow spiritually, then welcome home!”
February 6, 2009 - Robbie Cotton - "Did you know that God works in mysterious ways? I have been a member of a Church for many years, and a member of First Christian Church for 24 years. I have loved belonging to this Church. The people are so friendly, loving and caring. But, I merely “attended” this Church for several years. Then I realized that God had blessed me in so many ways…so why did I not participate in Church activities? That was a question that began to bother me…and soon I could not ignore it any longer. I joined a Sunday School Class - you guessed it - the Hearthstone Class. I even agreed to be a substitute teacher. Then, when I was asked to serve as a Deacon, I said “Yes”. I was very afraid that I would not do it right, and I did make some mistakes. Then I even served a second term! I have rotated off the Board now, and it is so amazing I have now found other places at FCC where I can be active. Thank you, Church, for giving me the opportunity to help where I can".
January 24, 2009 - Ed Warabow - "I recently completed a Spiritual Growth "journey" that took me to each of our Sunday School classes, on successive Sundays. It was a big step outside my comfort zone, but the rewards were awesome. Now I know, and have shared an experience with, members of our Congregation whom I've often viewed from a distance or said "Hello" to in our halls. I also now know about the wonderful sharing and caring displayed each year by our Sunday School classes. One class, for instance, donates between $8000 and $10,000, each and every year, to various needy organizations and individuals in our community and worldwide! I also stand in awe of the teaching talent displayed by the instructors in our classes. Finally, since stepping out of my comfort zone was such a positive experience, I'll be looking for other paths leading to Spiritual Growth in the future".
December 23, 2008 – Patty Methvin - "Where to begin? I wish I could name all of the blessings that this Church has given me and my family since we came here in June of 2001. From the very beginning we have felt loved and cared for by you. I especially think of when Dad was so sick and how many people showered him with love. When he passed away we all felt the warmth of a Church that truly cares. Thank you for helping us raise our boys! I’d love to be able to name all of the people who took interest in them and let them know that they mattered - but there are just too many. That’s just the personal stuff. Now there’s the support you gave me as your Youth Director and eventually Associate Pastor. Your continued support of our children and youth programs is amazing. We were able to do so much because this Congregation was always behind our efforts with financial and emotional support. I can’t tell you how many times I really FELT your prayers for our programs. Of course there are all the many volunteers that put in countless hours to make such a wonderful program. Each of you were a blessing to me! Then there are the children and youth who are so precious to me. Every time we got together there was a memory made. The children and youth of this Congregation are truly exceptional. Getting to spend so much time with them—and getting paid to do it—what a blessing! Now—here’s the deal! We’re still here and are going to be for the rest of our lives. We will continue to count on FCC for its love and support. And after a few months of getting my feet wet in a new job I’ll look forward to finding new ways to be active in my Church. All I ask of you is this—when someone from the Christian Education Committee or the Youth Ministry Steering Team calls and asks you to help fill in—please say yes! I know that if you do you will be as blessed as I was"!
November 10, 2008 – Helen Clothier - "At the time Ted and I retired and moved to Harrison, from Houston, Texas our Lord was with us. We had been Christians, for 40 years, since we married in 1940. The fact that First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was in Harrison, plus that Dr. Lloyd Taylor was the Minister was a blessing. As a student at Phillips in Enid, OK, he rode the “Doodle Bug” to the small town of Burlington, OK where Ted and his parents had moved in Ted’s senior year in High School (which is where Ted and I met). Lloyd Taylor served as the Student Minister on weekends. He was shown great hospitality in the Clothier home. Some years later Ted and I moved his Dad to Harrison where he lived for five years. Dr. Taylor conducted his memorial service in 1985. We had transferred our membership to Harrison on Easter Sunday in 1980. We were pleased that we were asked to go home with Ruth & Russell Irvin for dinner. What a banquet! They have gone to their home in Heaven, but others continued to fill their place. Through the 28 years we were there we tried to do what had been done for us. Ted continued to teach Sunday School. I loved being a member of CWF (now Disciples Women) and a member of the night group for years and more recently the Friday 1PM group. We both sang in the Choir for years. All of God’s children, and I could name and name, but you know who they are, were a great help to me in times of need; and I needed you all recently. God knows best and I love him with all my heart, mind and soul".
October 27, 2008 – Tommy & Jane Reed – “After spending much time without a Church family, it became apparent we were not looking in the right way. So we began to pray for the right direction in finding a Church home - one that would give us a chance to be what God has meant for our lives.
One day it seemed I felt the need to go to lunch at a favorite eating place in Harrison. When we walked in I saw Patty Methvin, Associate Minister at First Christian. I took the opportunity to tell her we had been searching for a Church home. The rest of the story seems to take flight like an angel's wings. We became members of First Christian Church after visiting regularly for about one month.
We had a significant family crisis during this year and continue to marvel at the love and support we have experienced. Many times feeling we receive more than we have given. For instance, from Dr. D visiting our family member, who isn't a Church member, to another Church member's willingness to share a life experience hoping to help heal our family member's spiritual and emotional problems. We are certain we would not have had that kind of Christian love everywhere.
We have seen many examples of this kind of Christian outreach to others. Beyond reflecting God's love to others, FCC is a place to feel connected to other people. From the Lunch Bunch's monthly events to the Youth and Children's programs, there is always a great reason to get in the car and head to First Christian, a place to call home.
Tommy and I have been filled with spiritual food we have only dreamed about. We just had to take this way of saying to others what this Church has meant to us. In Christ’s love, Tommy and Jane Reed”
October 11, 2008 - Ed Warabow - "I have been an on and off (mostly off) Christian for my entire life – the past 7 years of which I have spent as a member of this Congregation. However, it has only been during the last year that I have truly begun to experience Spiritual Growth. The reasons for that are the efforts of our Pastor, Dr. David Artman, his great partner Amy, and the path laid out by “Dr. D” in his “the9ways”. Looking back, one of the most significant free-will decisions I have ever made was to accept Dr. D’s challenge to read and reflect upon the “Life Application Study Bible”, on a daily basis. That regimen, alone, has made an astounding, transformational difference in both my personal and spiritual lives. I fully understand that I still have a LONG way to go up the Spiritual Growth path, but at least I have finally begun the exciting journey and I have a plan which is guiding my every step toward my next Spiritual Growth goal".