Church-wide fellowship is an important part of First Church. Throughout the year, members have an opportunity to gather as a church family and meet new members, catch up with old friends, relax and enjoy good food and fellowship!

“One of the greatest gifts we can have is to see God revealed through a strong and active community of faith- exactly the type of fellowship we experience at First Church!”
Dean Greer

The next fellowship event is the annual Church Picnic, Sunday, September 19, at noon at Allsopp Park.

Mark your calendar now for all the Church Wide Fellowships in 2010

Annual Halloween Carnival
A “spookalicious” time was had by everyone who attended the Halloween Carnival on October 25! Scary creatures, funny characters, and even our very own Pope made an appearance adding to the fun and festivities of the evening. Pictures can describe the evening much better than words, so visit the photo gallery to view this fun-filled night. Special thanks to the Genesis Sunday school class for planning and coordinating the carnival; to the Church Life Committee for the wonderful baked potato bar; to the First Youth Group for the Haunted House; and to all the volunteers who operated the games and booths.   Many thanks to all of you for getting into the spirit with such creative costumes! 

Annual Church Picnic
We were blessed with pretty weather for First Church’s annual church picnic. Our church family enjoyed delicious BBQ, pizza, and sweet treats on Sunday, September 20, 2009.  Youth of all ages enjoyed a lively and competitive game of kickball. Congratulations to the Senior High Team who won the kickball game. We express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Church Picnic Planning Team of the Church Life Committee for their hard work.  The team, under the leadership of Gary and Inez Stone, really made the 2009 picnic fun for everyone. 

Annual Ice Cream Social

First Church’s annual Ice Cream Social was full of energy and music on Thursday, July 1, 2010. Picnic blankets were spread on the floor and large ants (plastic) covered the tables at each end of the gym as the fun night began at 5 p.m. Under the direction of John Churchwell, associate director of music and fine arts, 23 children delivered an outstanding performance of Rock Solid. Families enjoyed the inspiring program as well as hotdogs, chips, homemade ice cream, healthy alternative frozen treats, and fellowship.

First Church Block Party 2010-Fire in the Streets
The Pentecost sparks of enthusiasm were definitely ignited during the First Church “Fire in the Streets” Block Party 2010 on May 23.  Approximately 200 church family and friends celebrated Pentecost by enjoying fellowship, a great catfish meal, and fabulous musical entertainment.  Kids of all ages enjoyed singing, dancing, sidewalk chalk art and fellowship with one another.

Many thanks to the First Word Band, the Youth Band, Brian and Terry Kinder and Mr. Chuck Ault for sharing their musical gifts and talents.  A special thanks also to Mr. Ault and to Jimmy Tucker Trucking for the use of their trailer that served as the stage and to Gary and Inez Stone for introducing them to our church family. We also thank the Church Life Committee for helping with the food arrangements and set-up.  View pictures from Block Party 2010

Annual Easter Egg Hunt
A long-standing tradition of our church has been the Easter Egg Hunt for our children. On Sunday, March 28, 2010, families gathered at the Lakewood Property Owners Pavilion to participate in our annual Easter Egg Hunt. It was cold and a bit windy, but scattered throughout the playground and pavilion were dozens of young people, all with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. They had gathered for the annual Easter Egg hunt and were not the least bit deterred by the chilly afternoon. The thrill of hunt and the delight of discovery were foremost on their minds. Thanks to everyone who made the event a wonderful day for families.
(view photographs from the egg hunt)

African Drum and Dance Festival
The African Drum and Dance Festival has endured tornados and snowstorms, but this year we were blessed with a perfect spring evening, enhanced by an indoor-outdoor venue. Steering committee member Nicki Spencer (from Hoover UMC, one of our three partner churches) commented afterward, “It just felt like a wonderful community picnic.”

The Kendall Center on the Philander Smith campus proved to be an ideal site for the expanded event. Attendees entering the atrium were greeted by the stunning site of hand-painted banners featuring African motifs hanging from the balcony. Flags of African nations, hand-painted by youth from the four partner churches, were suspended above the silent auction area. On the south patio, guests enjoyed African food and sprawled out on picnic tables and on the lawn.

The silent auction had an inviting mix of African jewelry, fabrics, and artifacts, along with art, dinners, parties, and services donated by many of you. Around the corner, the Nugent Conference room hosted the program, drumming, and dancing. One of the many highlights of the evening was an impromptu dance performance by a group of Rwandan students attending the event.

Most importantly, we reached our financial goal of $8,000, which will enable the Arkansas Conference to build its nineteenth well in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bishop Ntambo of the North Katanga (DRC) Conference will be presented with the check when he speaks at our annual conference in June.

Thanks to all who helped with the event this year, notably the Unity, Choate, and Koinonia classes—as well as all First Church members who supported the event in its first year on the Philander Smith campus by donating, attending, and participating in the event.

View pictures from the 2010 event.

Annual Round-The-Table Carol Sing
It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. W.T. Ellis

This statement rang true for those who attended the First Church
“Round the Table Carol Sing” event on December 6, 2009 where the heartfelt spirit of Christmas love and joy filled the air. A jolly good time was had by all as our church family and friends shared wonderful homemade food, the gift of song, and a lot of laughter together. View pictures