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We are an "every member in ministry" congregation.
Our staff is here to help you live out your ministry... (Ephesians 4:11-13)
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Reverend Sara Bainbridge
Senior Pastor
Phone: (479) 855-1158
E-mail: fumc@cox-internet.com
Pastor Bainbridge, the first woman senior pastor at First United Methodist Church, is a native of Bentonville returning home after working the last four years as Superintendent of the Northwest District within the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. As an Elder in Full Connection in the Arkansas Conference, Pastor Bainbridge brings with her the passion for the people shown in her pastoral experience during her theological career and her dramatic flair from her previous career as a Master of Theater Arts teacher.
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Brenda Jorgensen
Secretary
Phone: 479-855-1158
Brenda Jorgensen joins the office staff as a secretary with more than 10 years experience.
You may recognize Brenda because she is already known as an active member at First United Methodist Church. Her entire family was baptized and became members in September 2007. Her favorite song is “Sanctuary”.
In her spare time, Brenda enjoys reading. Her favorite books are the Twilight series. She also creates memory pages by scrapbooking. Her favorite television shows are “The Office” and “House Hunters.”
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Ina Laura James
Director of Youth Ministy
Phone: 479-855-1158
Ina Laura James (she goes by Ina Laura) is our new Director of Youth Ministries. Ina Laura, her husband Tom, and 12 year old son, Austin have lived in Bella Vista for just over two years. They have also lived in Oregon and Virginia.
Ina Laura has worked with young people, from preschoolers through college age, for nearly twenty years in schools, libraries, and as a drama teacher and storyteller.
“I am excited and blessed to be working with the youth at this church,” Ina Laura said. “I have just met the youth this week, but they are all in my heart already!”
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Carrie Drish
Director of Children's Ministry
Phone: 479-855-1158
You’ve probably seen our new director of Children’s Ministry, Carrie Drish, on Sunday mornings, herding her charges to one of the four Sunday school classes they attend.
Carrie’s found memories for her own Sunday school experiences and her desire to “grow up to be just like her mother” and help form young Christians have made her the ideal person to lead our Children’s Ministry. It is her goal to continue to build our Children’s Ministry programs upon the strong foundations that have been laid by those who have worked so hard in the past. She wants to have the “best Children’s Ministry program in Bella Vista!”
Carrie moved to Bella Vista from Michigan four years ago with her husband, Ken, and their children, son Owen now 5 years old and daughter, Morgan 14. They have been active at FUMCBV for just over a year.
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Jan Lowe
Assistant to Senior Pastor & Director of Lay Ministries
Phone: (479) 855-1158
E-mail: jlowefumcbv@cox-internet.com
Jan Lowe began her service with us as our church Secretary in September of 2005. In June, 2006, she took on the new duties of Director of Lay Ministries. In that capacity, she helps new members and guests find a place to become active in our congregation, as well as helping every member to be in ministry.
Jan utilizes her background in Human Resources and Training and Development to help enhance current ministries or build new ones that help our members to find their niche in our church.
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Dr. Larry Zehring
Director of Music Ministries
Dr. Larry Zehring is pleased to serve as our Director of Music Ministries. A native of Oklahoma, Larry holds degrees in Choral and Vocal Music Performance and Conducting from the University of the Ozarks, Tulsa University and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC.) He has done additional post-graduate work at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY, at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and the Julliard School in New York City.
Larry has been involved in church music since junior high school; 2006 marks his eleventh year of service to First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista.
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Dawn Thompson
Handbell Director
Dawn Thompson was born and raised in Iowa and has been involved in music in some way since the age of four, when she began taking piano lessons from her mother. Dawn majored in Music Education at Cornell College of Iowa and taught music to elementary students in public schools. She has been involved with handbells for over twenty-five years: playing in handbell choirs, directing, performing solo handbells, participating in small handbell ensembles and arranging music. She has been the Handbell Director at First United Methodist Church since 2001.
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Roiselle Grim
Pianist / Organist
Phone: (479) 855-1158
E-mail: fumcbv@cox-internet.com
Roiselle Grim joined our music staff in July of 2008. Proficient on both piano and organ, she provides music for our sanctuary services as well as accompanying our choirs and ensembles. Roiselle grew up in Ozark, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of The Ozarks in Clarksville. She started taking piano lessons when she was five, and by the age of seven was performing at church. She became acquainted with the organ during her senior year in college when ther was no organist for the chapel. She responded to the call, took lessons and has been playing organ ever since.
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Al Yanik
Treasurer
Al Yanik has served as Treasurer since November of 2000. His extensive experience in comptrollership, the antique business and that most noble of all careers, selling cars, has allowed him to gain the skills needed to be the church’s “bean counter.”
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Marge Smith
Financial Secretary
Marge Smith came to First United Methodist to “fill in until they find a permanent person”. That was in 1990 and Marge is still serving the church as Financial Secretary. She keeps the membership rolls current, records financial giving, and tracks congregational visits.
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