First Christian Church, Flora, Indiana

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!

October 10 – 11, 2008 at the Purdue Memorial Union

In October the Christian Church in Indiana will meet for its Regional Assembly under the theme “Nothing is Impossible with God.” The region meets every other year for fellowship, education, business, training, worship and inspiration. The 2008 assembly will be held close by at Purdue’s Memorial Union, October 10 – 11.

Numerous workshops will be held for local church leadership on Saturday, October 11. It is our hope that we can have a good delegation from Flora First Christian attending the workshops. Desire to attend? Need more information? Please see Pastor Sam.

This web page has more details on the assembly.

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.

Worship Committee: Chairman Kathie Helvie.
LaDonna Allen, Marsha Eckert, Autumn Filbrun, Sherry Hoffman, Deb Jones, Sarah Orem, Jerry Reinke, Barry Wheeler.

Education/Youth Commitee: Chairman Dale Orem.
Dawn Clawson, Rhonda Hicks, Nick Hoffman, Gene Knight, Teri Larimore, Lisa McIlrath, Samantha Pickens, Camille Rosinski, Mike Rosinski, Margie Spray, Bill Stoddard, Kimberly Stoddard.

Membership/Evangelism Committee: Chairman Miriam Robeson.
Chris Bridge, Dennis Bridge, Dick Curts, Maralee Hardt, Pat Helvie, Pat Meade, Pam Miller, Janalie Robeson.

Stewardship Committee: Chairman Richard Hicks.
Pete Jackson, Teresa McGill, Betty Mills, Sandy Simpson, Jack Smith.

World Outreach Committee: Chairman Cindy Kenworthy.
Bonnie Allen, Tom Allen, Lynda Durham, Gary Overholser, Phyllis Reinke, Maurice Robeson, Joretta Tinsman, Vicki Winger.

Property Committee: Chairman Merritt Hardt.
Annette Black, Kim Black, Bill Helvie, Tom Helvie, Mike Hicks, Greg Hoffman, Jeff McIlrath, Matt McIntosh, Dick Oilar, Don Spray, Tom Weirick.

If you would like to serve on a committee, please contact the church office or the chairman of that committee. This initial list, posted in January, consists of those who volunteered. Please let us know if you would like to serve also.

(E-mail Church Secretary Phyllis) Christian.Church (at) ffni (dot) com

Chair of Deacons – Rhonda Hicks

January – May – September

Chair – Mike Hicks

Carissa Hicks, Owen Hicks, Rhonda Hicks, Lonnie Kenworthy, Cindy Kenworthy, Linda Durham, Dick Oilar, Gary Overholser, Jerry Reinke, Teresa McGill.

February – June – October

Chair – Barry Wheeler

D. C. Davis, Greg Hoffman, Sherry Hoffman, Angie Kelly, Kyle Kelly, Bill Stoddard, Autumn Filbrun, Michelle Simmons, Jarvis Simmons, Pat Meade, Jessica Wells.

March – July – November

Chair – Tom Helvie

Kollette Gillam, Thomas Gillam, Martha Gillam, Gene Knight, Rebecca Knight, Dude Hardt, Don Spray, Margie spray, Shelby Spray, Jack Smith, Chandler Keown.

April – August – December

Chair – Jeff McIlrath

Lisa McIlrath, Tom Allen, Randy Larimore, Seth Larimore, Don Myer, Sheila Myer, Cheri Proffitt, Dale Orem, Joyce Orem, Samantha Pickens.