Scott Hiemstra
Scott's care and concern is the "walking of life"--the Halakhah--for all he meets and especially himself;
the deliberately conscious awareness of who we are, what we are about, and how we get along.
God is teaching him to relate to and work with people by noticing them for who they are.
There are many things that bring Scott joy. He likes to be a problem solver--especially when the solution
is both clever and subsequently obvious; spending time with his wife, Aveline; reading, and more reading;
and absorption in meditation and prayer. He also finds joy in the relation of things and the thoughtful
exposition of fidelity. Scott is blown away by FPC's quality of service and preaching, the intentional
and thoughtful presentation of the substance of the Faith, and the up-scale professionalism of its leadership.
Scott says, "I have been associated with three churches over the course of my life that have held me in
nurturing embrace. After 15 years of exile in the backside of West Texas, I have found the fourth."
He has found joy in the pew again!
Kevin Jones
Kevin cares about being a man of action and stepping outside of his comfort zone. Although it is easy to be complacent,
he wants to put into action the things that are important. He cares about his faith and grief work and being Christ-like.
He wants to help those experiencing homelessness in his neighborhood by helping at The Stewpot; not just feeding people
but hearing their stories. He wants to be a bit more embedded in the community… to be a bit more uncomfortable. Kevin finds
joy in bringing joy to others. He likes to see others being welcomed, feeling supported, and experiencing the love of a stranger.
He wants God to teach him patience and to make space where he can hear God more, listening to what He wants him to be.
He feels FPC Dallas, though big, is small - a place where he can feel the warmth and welcome of community. He feels he is not
a stranger here and it is where he belongs, making connections and being a part of a family. He wants to be a hospitality partner
and greet others, making them feel comfortable and welcome too.
Cal Findeiss
Cal believes no one needs to go at it alone. He cares about helping others and being available for them by being a part of a
community with them, and caring for each other. He believes in taking care of the environment, making sure we are good stewards
of the resources we have, not using to excess but what we need. God is teaching Cal to be happy with what he has, to have
patience in what he doesn’t, and to enjoy listening instead of talking and doing. In his current job, he doesn’t need to be the
one who sets directions, but knowing that, in listening, the path will be set. He chose to join FPC Dallas because it was a church
of action and doing rather than just speaking and platitudes.
Lillian Carter
Lilly finds joy in community, the church, her family, and the relationships that she has. Because she is in medical school,
and subsequently in a hospital setting, what she cares about coincides with what brings her joy: loving people and making them
feel included. She has always helped those with disabilities and those on the outskirts of society and is thinking about going into
child psychiatry. She feels God is teaching her to evaluate her biases. You can’t love well if you are subconsciously judging others
or treating people differently because of prejudice. It’s an extension of loving people for who they are and where they are.
After considering different churches she chose FPC Dallas because it is “so welcoming. You feel accepted as you are.
You don’t have to put on an extra layer when you walk in the door.”
Boo Shields
Boo cares about her community, her neighbors, her church, her dog pack group, and her volunteer work (she is a foster grandmother
and fosters kittens as well). Boo finds joy in simple things: walking her dog by the lake, reading a book outside by the fire pit,
coffee with a friend, kayaking and anytime the cowboys win! Boo feels God is knocking on her door about being more forgiving.
God is teaching her about volunteering and helping others in a more merciful way. She doesn’t want to just go through the motions
but desires to show others mercy without judgment. At FPC Dallas she loves doing the Lord’s Prayer every week, the peace in the air,
the friendliness of everyone, and the free coffee. She feels the welcome - she experiences everyone as glad she is here and she feels remembered.
Susan Thornton
Susan cares about people’s hearts, kindness, and making a different kind of world for people to live in. She feels listening is really important and hard to do these days. She cares about the world around us, people’s healing and wholeness, building community, and bridging disconnection. She loves to draw people out, hear their stories and engage with them. Susan loves being in nature, especially hiking and camping. She loves to listen to songs and stories of the Civil Rights Movement, remembering through Soul and Gospel music. She loves being active and dancing. Susan is on a path of forgiveness. She also is struggling with her relationship with God. She came with her family to FPC Dallas in the 6th grade and found it a place where she was nurtured and challenged to develop herself in a Christian community. She met people who were loving and helpful and set her on a trajectory of racial justice and beloved community. FPC supported her call to seminary. Moving back to Dallas last year, she believes there is still much work for the church to do and looks forward to engaging with others and working toward racial justice.