We have asked some of our members to share their feelings about Fairmount and why they joined.
Fairmount Church and its members are my spiritual family. They celebrate with me in times of joy and happiness; they support me in times of loss, pain and problems. They give me insight and wisdom as I learn about God, life and death. They give me nurturing, love and comfort. My brothers, sisters and parents are there for me.
As a family we have our ups and downs – things are constantly changing, but love is always there. Surely God is in this place.
~ Dorothy Aelmore
When we decided to start a family, we knew we needed to look for a church that shared our beliefs. This was not an easy task in a new area, let alone Wichita. We had tried a couple of the area churches and couldn’t get comfortable. Then we read a letter from Mike Poage in the Opinion section of the Wichita Eagle that caught our eye. We decided to try out Fairmount Church. On our first visit, we bypassed the greeter by coming in the wrong doors, sat down at the last pew, and expected to be ignored. Luckily, Pearl immediately introduced herself, and we began chatting. After the service, there was a potluck meal, and we were invited to stick around. On our way home, Mel and I talked quite a bit about our experience, and we knew we would return the following Sunday.
~ Luke Bell
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39)
When we were looking for a new church home last year, Rev. Mike Poage and the members of Fairmount United Church of Christ opened their hearts to welcome us. The church truly embodies the teachings of Jesus who instructs us to love God with heart, soul and mind. The people of Fairmount welcome everyone, living by the instruction to love neighbor as self. At Fairmount we are encouraged to grow in faith in the company of others through word, thought and deed. We are very proud to be members of this open-minded and open-hearted church.
~ Leigh Carlson-Cox and Corinne Cox
The people of this community of faith are, in my opinion, “restless”. They rest not! And have been doing so for nearly 115 years, give or take a week! No rest as they, as a congregation, decided to build here on the “Hill”. No rest as they began to emphasize higher education for women and men. As they proved to be leaders in the development of Fairmount College and throughout its evolution, and no rest during the turbulent times of the sixties and the civil rights movements!!!
The church and its people, embody all that I thought, and think, a “community” church is all about. In my humble opinion, a community church is responsive to the needs of the community it serves. Just read the history of actions taken by the church and its people over the years. Most notably, for me, is the hands-on development of the Fairmount Neighborhood Association. Together with what I call its “sister church”, the Unitarian Universalist church, the organization was developed particularly to address the concerns of the residents of Fairmount during a time when a demographic dynamic had polarized the Fairmount neighborhood.
~ Darryl Carrington
I belong to Fairmount because of the fellowship and spiritual growth. Every member is caring and an inspiration of faith!
Our church is very special to me for the music, the sermons and Sunday worship services AND all the other activities I participate in with Women’s Fellowship, Social Action Board, choir and, in the past, being on the Board of Trustees and Moderator for more than one term. Fairmount Church is important to me on a personal basis and because of its service to the neighborhood and Wichita. Also, we truly do matter to the world.
As I look out from the choir loft, I see the people sitting there now, but I also see many angels hovering above who have shaped and influenced my life who were devoted to Fairmount Church, and because of them I honor the past and look forward to the future.
~ Sally Hayes
“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Fairmount Church is dedicated to seeking social and economic justice in the local community as well as the world at large. In doing so, we follow the examples of other United Church Christ leaders and activists, including William Sloane Coffin, Andrew Young, Bill Moyers, and Barack Obama. I am proud to be a part of that heritage: demonstrating our love of God by loving and caring for His children.
~ Michael Kelting
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