POPS 2006 - Ministry in Motion!

Ringers in Action!

The title of the benefit may have been “Bells in Motion”, but more than ringing took place on the evening of Saturday, May 6! It was fellowship  . . . it was music . . . . it was dancing . . . and it was ministry that took place that night. Our Handbell Division’s 2006 POPS event was held to assist the family of First Church member, Peggy Wheeler, who lost her fight with bone cancer last fall. Husband Wyatt cannot work because of disability and son Max is in the 5th grade. Father and son are having financial difficulties.

"Sound of Joy" and friends wowed the audience!

Those in attendance at Pops 2006 entered a Family Life Center decked out in elegance as we were “puttin’ on the Ritz” and bringing back thoughts of dancers of yesteryear. Handbell teams rang original compositions for bells as well as familiar sacred and secular classics such as “Simple Gifts”, “Russian Sailors’ Dance”, “Hava Nageela” and “Lord of the Dance”. And between all the ringing, audience members enjoyed movie clips of the elegant Fred Astaire, the graceful Mikhail Baryshnikov, the charismatic Elvis, and the Disco King, John Travolta. We were amazed at the showmanship and dexterity of our Sound of Joy bell duet as they brought down the house with “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Ring!” All this motion was about dancing and the motion of ringing. And it was about our motion as Christians.

Carol aka the Russian sailor, Vladmir

Kudos to all involved in POPS 2006.  The ringers spent countless hours of rehearsal preparing their selections. The technical crew and support cast were stellar. So many people worked together to make this event a success!

Lastly, thanks to all who attended this labor of love. Together, our efforts greatly benefited the Wheeler family. On behalf of the First Church Handbell Ministry, allow me to express our appreciation of our church family’s continued support of our efforts to make a difference. Thanks for joining us in this special dance! 

Carla David

Producer of POPS 2006