First Christian Church, Flora, Indiana

The annual meeting of the congregation was held on Sunday, December 7, 2009 following the worship service.

• The proposed budget was accepted;
• A constitutional amendment separating the Evangelism and Membership committee into two separate committees was approved;
• A constitutional amendment regarding disbursement of designated bequests and undesignated bequest was approved;
• The proposed slate of officers were elected.

Elders for 2010

Richard Hicks, Nick Hoffman, Paul Redmon, Maurice Robeson, Teri Larimore, Sarah Orem, Jorretta Tinsman, Barry Wheeler, Debbie Jones, Gene Knight, Phyllis Reinke, Doug Winger.

Board of Directors for 2010

Merritt Hardt, Mike Hicks, Greg Hoffman, Pete Jackson, Debbie Jones, Gene Knight, Sheila Myer, Mike Rosinski, Richard Curts, Tom Helvie, Teresa McGill, Jeff McIlrath, Pam Neidlinger, Dick Oilar, Dale Orem, Miriam Robeson

The first issue of our E-zine (electronic magazine) was e-mailed to subscribers on October 15th! The E-zine is a way for you to receive updates on upcoming church activities around the middle of each month. We will continue to publish The Tidings monthly newsletter, and our E-zine is an additional way to keep connected with the church.

If you would like to subscribe, please (e-mail Pastor Woody) pastorwoody (at) ffni (dot) com.

We will officially install Pastor Woody during our worship service starting at 9:30 am. on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Come join us for this special occasion, which includes a reception in the fellowship hall following the service!

Pastor Woody Slade will preach his first sermon at the 9:30 a.m. service August 2, 2009. We will have a carry-in dinner to welcome Woody and Barbara.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada will be meeting July 29 - August 2 in Indianapolis for its General Assembly. The General Assembly meets every other year. 1989 was the last time the assembly was held in Indianapolis. This year’s theme is “For the healing of the Nations” as those attending the assembly examine the mission we share together in Christ.

Those attending as delegates from Flora First Christian are Miriam Robeson and Gene Knight. Pastor Sam will be attending as a general delegate with standing as an ordained pastor.

Here is a link to more information about the General Assembly.

At the congregational meeting Sunday, May 31, 2009 which started at 4:00 p.m., Flora First Christian Church called Herbert “Woody” Slade to serve as pastor. The meeting included a time of introduction, presentation and comments by Pastor Woody, a time of questions and answers, and a fellowship dinner. Following dinner, an official vote was made.

78 members voted, with 75 voting “yes”, 2 voting “no”, and one abstention, for a 96% affirmation. Pastor Slade, known to most as  Woody, accepted the call and expressed his excitement to begin ministry in Flora.

Woody is currently the pastor of First Christian Church in Rochester, Indiana. He is married to Barbara who is a fourth grade teacher in the Rensselaer school system. They have a son, mark, who is married and the father of 2 children residing in Chesterton, Indiana. Woody is a graduate of Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky and Lexington Theological Seminary. He has also served Bethany Christian Church, Evansville and First Christian Church in Rensselaer.

Pastor Woody previously shared “The mission of the church today begins in worship and continues through all aspects of being a living expression of God’s love. The church needs to be a place of love, forgiveness and service. We are to reach out to those in need and at the same time, challenge ourselves to grow and to learn.” Pastor Woody’s first Sunday in the pulpit will be August 2nd.

We  welcome Pastor Woody and Barbara, and look forward to joining with them in ministry here at Flora First Christian Church!

At the September 22 Board of Directors meeting, Doug Winger, Gene Knight, and Samantha Pickens names ere submitted and approved as our delegates to the Regional assembly. Also attending from our church will be Miriam Robeson, Pastor Sam, Nick Hoffman, Jessica Wells, Josh Spray, Shelby Spray, and Caitlin Pickens.

This year’s Regional Assembly will be held on October 10 - 11 at Purdue University’s Memorial Union in West Lafayette. The 2008 assembly theme, “Nothing is Impossible with God” will explore the transformation that God makes in our lives to carry out the Good News of Jesus Christ. Forum and workshop theme focus this year is evangelism, stewardship and diversity in worship.