8A Transitional house for families (continued from page 1A)


unsuccessful attempts to buy the house, and it was not until the church was contacted by Seven Hills with the need for a place to house homeless families that the home’s owner decided to sell to First UMC Springdale. “We’ve been trying to buy that


house for years with no luck,” said the Rev. Stephen Coburn, the church’s senior pastor. “But once we had a purpose for it that would glorify God, all the roadblocks were gone.”


T e transitional home is named


ABOVE: Stacy Waller and her children, Stafford, Reese and Miller, stand on the front porch at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Christopher’s House, the ministry named in memory of their husband and father.


BELOW: Members of First UMC Springdale tour Christopher’s House. PHOTOS BY DAVID GODWIN


aſt er Chris Waller, a church member who lost his life in a tragic accident on Dec. 3, 2010. Just 33 years old at the time of his death, Waller leſt behind his wife, Stacy, and three small children. T e church chose to name the house aſt er Chris because he was a devoted father and husband who put his family before everything. Clergy who worked with Waller’s family and friends aſt er his death heard countless stories of how he went above and beyond his duties as a father. Stacy Waller headed the


steering committee and says the work comforted her and others who were dealing with loss, because there


is no greater giſt to a family than the safety and security of a home. “I felt like this was something


that I needed myself,” she said, “and I wanted my kids to be a part of it so they could see their daddy’s legacy continue on.” Church members donated


building materials, furniture, clothes and toys. Carpenters, electricians and plumbers from the congregation stepped forward to help, as well as countless volunteers who painted, cleaned the house and landscaped the yard, all in time for the fi rst family to move in a week before Christmas. “When asked to help with


Christopher’s House, my wife and I were so excited to be a part of it,” said Patrick Kelley, a friend of Chris Waller’s who considered him a role model. “Being part of continuing the


legacy of Chris Waller and sharing with families about how he lived his life is something really special, and we look forward to opening additional houses in Springdale.” Volunteer Sarah Lanning feels


the project is special because it allows families to stay together. “So oſt en, when people are


dealing with an eviction or foreclosure, their children are sent to stay with relatives or friends, while the parents end up homeless or in shelters,” she said. “T is transitional housing concept provides a space for families to stay together while they get back on their feet, and provides services through Seven Hills to teach them how to be a working family unit.”


T e project has been a healing


experience for Stacy Waller. “Looking back at how our life


was turned upside down a year ago, and seeing how many positive things have come from his life, I could defi nitely see that Chris is still here,” she said.


Smith is a member of First UMC Springdale.


STAINED GLASS


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COUNSELING COUNSELING (Member of Clergy Counseling Network) Rev. Garry D. Teeter, MS, LPC, NCC, CBIST Offices in Benton, Hot Springs, Little Rock, & Dardanelle


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Arkansas United Methodist


January 6, 2012


Small church stays faithful, finds new life


Bud Horne of First UMC Clarksville helps with a painting project at Spadra UMC. A group of workers from First UMC helped its neighbor church by making repairs to the building.


COURTESY PHOTO Four years ago, Spadra UMC


had an average attendance of four people. T en, with the illness of one member, it sank to three. But the trio of women believed the congregation still had a future. T e three started a Wednesday night Bible study, inviting people from the area. Average attendance at Sunday worship soon grew from four to 12. Help continued to come from


outside the congregation. Since 2009, they have had a volunteer pianist from First UMC Clarksville providing accompaniment for the hymns they sing during worship. And a group of men from the same church recently provided free labor to make repairs to the Spadra UMC building. “T ey spent two Saturdays of


their time, during Razorback football games, to serve the Lord,” said the Rev. Regina Turner, pastor of Spadra UMC. “Wow! What saints of the Lord!” Now with an average attendance


CHARTERED BUS


of 15, new Sunday school for children and youth, and a helper from another church providing a children’s message each week during worship, Spadra UMC is seeing new life. T e willingness of the congregation, combined with the giving spirit of individuals from other churches, has awakened new possibilities for ministry. “We as United Methodists can


change God’s churches, one church at a time,” said Turner.


www.arumc.org


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