Bill’s Bestowals:
“125th Anniversary Edition!”
“You are the light of the world …
let your light shine before (people),
that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:14-16)
125 years of being a light in the heart of Mena. What a milestone!
THANKSGIVING: It is no accident that our 125th Anniversary is being celebrated throughout the month that is best known for having a thankful heart! Historically speaking:
© On November 29, 1623 – three years after the Mayflower pilgrims settled in what was to become the state of Massachusetts (and exactly 400 years prior to THIS celebration!) – Governor William Bradford made a proclamation that everyone “… render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all his blessings.”
© In 1789, President George Washington made a proclamation for our newly formed nation, this one to establish “… a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God ….”
© Then, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving.
The choice of November underscores the thanksgiving we feel for 125 years of fellowship, worship, discipleship, ministry and mission together here in Mena!
ALL SAINTS’ DAY: Having said that, there happens to be another holiday we celebrate in November whose timing is perhaps even more significant: “All Saints’ Day.” This day appropriately launches our month of celebration. All Saints’ Day was instituted in 609 A. D. as a day to celebrate the nameless martyrs who had gone before us in the faith. It later evolved into celebrating all who have lived in a way that would draw people to know the love of God, whether their name is remembered or not.
The fact our anniversary celebration begins on All Saints’ Day is significant because, sadly, sometime during the past 50 years, many of FPC Mena’s church records disappeared. We have been left with very little early historical information, including the names of so many of the saints who passed along our local heritage!
In light of our missing history, the 125th Anniversary Committee has decided to do what we can to spotlight who we are today so that future members will know how we came to be “A Light in the Heart of Mena, Arkansas.” You will see part of our contribution in the form of a booklet that will make its first appearance sometime in November.
è What we still need from YOU to complete the booklet: Pictures of each individual or family. Judy Thompson will be taking pictures this upcoming Sunday (Nov. 6), but you are welcome to send preferred pictures to us as well! Judy is able to change the background to such pictures so that we will all have the same one.
News regarding Sunday, November 6:
“I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
(Psalm 145:1-7)
LET’S CELEBRATE!!! Pastor Bill
A “PUBLIC PROCLAMATION,” signed by Mayor Seth Smith, involves FPC this month, as we celebrate our 125th. Read on for the proclamation!
WHEREAS, the First Presbyterian Church of Mena, Arkansas was organized by Reverend H. A. Tucker of the Presbyterial of the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, on February 2, 1897;
WHEREAS, with a property gift from the Mena Townsite Corporation, the Presbyterians chose the corner of what was then known as Amsterdam and Zwolle (which later became Church Avenue and Ninth Street) to build a small frame church;
WHEREAS, by 1906, the Presbyterians were worshipping in a new concrete block building with beautiful Gothic windows at the same location as the membership continued to grow;
WHEREAS, on October 10, 1982, the first service was held in a new sanctuary built in the same exact location as the first and the original stained glass windows continued to be a part;
WHEREAS, the congregation continued to thrive and be a part of the community under the leadership of 30 pastors over the 125 years;
WHEREAS, the First Presbyterian congregation strives to fulfill the mission statement of the church “To make the Kingdom of God real for the hungry, thirsty, stranger, poor, sick and prisoner”;
WHEREAS, through its community outreach Helping Hands initiative, members meet outside the church on Helping Hands Sunday (fifth Sunday) to assist the community in assorted ways, serve lunch to children and any others each Tuesday of the summer through Lunches of Love, and continues to serve those in our area in an assorted loving manner;
WHEREAS, those at First Presbyterian strive to follow what Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you…”
WHEREAS, Pastor Bill Seitz continues to promote First Presbyterian Church in being a light in the heart of Mena, Arkansas,
LET IT BE PROCLAIMED that the City of Mena, Arkansas recognize First Presbyterian Church as they celebrate their 125th anniversary in the month of November, 2022.
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November 2022 Calendar:
Sunday: Worship at 11 a.m.
Thursday: Grief Share at 10 a.m. in the parlor.
November 1: Mission Meeting 5 p.m.
November 3: Fellowship Meeting 8 a.m.
November 5: PW Meeting in Fellowship Hall 10 a.m.
November 6: Dinner on the Grounds & Worship in Janssen Park
November 8: Membership & Evangelism Meeting 6 p.m.
November 13: Message brought by General Presbyter, Stewart Smith.
Also words of wisdom from Rev. Marci Ward & Rev. Lance Jones
November 14: Stewardship & Finance Committee Meeting 1 p.m.
November 16: Session Meeting 5:30 p.m.
November 19: Holiday Bazaar 9a.m. – 2 p.m.
November 20: “A Thankful look at the Past” in Worship
November 20: Community Thanksgiving Celebration; Assembly of God, 5-6 p.m.
November 22: Building & Grounds Meeting 10 a.m.
November 24: Thanksgiving Day
November 27: “A Grateful Look to the Future” in Woship
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
10 – Judy Weir 23 – Linda Murphy
11 – Karen & Tony Mosier 27 – John Forsyth
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Bill & Annette Hays
Communion Preparers: Linda Spurgin
Communion Servers: Judy Thompson, Dora Venable
William Edwards, Wes Stiefer
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
November 6: Personal Care Collection
November 27: Goodland Academy
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Meet the Members of First Presbyterian Church, Mena
Hello from Mary Dixon! Mary is a native of Arkansas, spending her youth in Magnet Cove. After graduation she attended Ouachita Baptist University, with aspirations of being an elementary school counselor. While still a college student, Mary worked for an Arkadelphia attorney. He came in one day and said, “Have you ever thought about joining the Army?” Mary said he invited her to UALR the next day where she signed up. She was 22 at the time and it was a two-year commitment. Mary thought to herself, “I can do anything for two years!” Mary ended up serving her country in the U.S. Army for 33 years, as a member of JAG and assisting in the Inspector General’s office. It was during that time she completed court reporter training at a Naval justice school in Rhode Island.
After leaving the Army, Mary would ultimately land in Mena in 1991 to serve as 18th West Judicial Circuit Court and Polk County Circuit Court’s official Court Reporter, ultimately serving the State of Arkansas for an additional 27 years before retiring at the end of 2017. During her tenure, she served three judges. Mary says one of the highlights of her career was watching the progress of the graduates from the drug court program in overcoming their addictions and making life-changing decisions because of the support and incentive the program provides.
Mary is the owner of eleven thoroughbreds, one Arabian and four Welsh ponies. She hopes to be able to offer English riding lessons and hunter jumping lessons. She also hopes to use one or two of her horses for therapy. People with cognitive, psycho-motor, and behavioral disabilities have shown positive results when equestrian therapy is taught correctly by certified equine therapists. Just like other therapies, people with disabilities are being helped or assisted by certified equine therapists to cope with their disability. Equine therapy combines physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy in such as way that the patients or students do not feel that they are actually under therapy.
Mary has served as the president of the PCDC Board of Directors. “If you ever feel like things just aren’t going your way…go spend a day at PCDC,” she said glowingly. “Those kids will just make your life so joyful! They just love their lives. There is so much to be learned from them.” She celebrates much of their accomplishments and their integration as productive citizens, living and giving back to their community.
Mary is the founder of the Ouachita Strings. She first picked up a violin in 1980 through a program provided by the Ross Foundation. The Foundation provides instruments and the student is only responsible for the cost of the lesson. A concept she duplicated when relocating to Mena. The program now boasts 43 students, of which, many are quite accomplished, winning superior ratings in state-wide competitions.
Mary is a very active member of First Presbyterian Church. She joined the church in 1991 when she moved to Mena. She is an elder and has served as chairman of Membership and Evangelism, Christian Education, and Stewardship and Finance Committees. Mary became the church pianist about a year ago when Effie Dantiaq retired. Mary helped host Valentine’s and Halloween parties for the clients at PCDC at our church each year. She holds game days at her home each week. Mary’s favorite thing about First Presbyterian is worshipping together. Her hope for the future of the church is that we can grow in spreading the good news of God’s love.
(direct quotes and paraphrasing from an article written by Leann Dilbeck, published in The Pulse newspaper on page 20, printed 1/24/2018)
