Meet Our Ringers
Steven and Carol EddingtonCarol and I began ringing handbells in 1990 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in OKC under the direction of Ann Thomas. When we moved to Owasso in 1998, the Presbyterian Church did not offer a handbell ministry. We started attending FUMC of Owasso in 2001 simply because we wished to ring handbells again. In October of 2003, our senior pastor, Chris Tiger, asked if I would be willing to lead the handbell ministry, just through Christmas, until a new full time Minister of Music could be hired. Obviously, I failed to ask, "Which Christmas?" To this day, I continue to lead the handbell ministry with great love and passion.
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James and Mary Beth SchragThe Schrag family is truly blessed with the gift of music. James and Marybeth joined the handbell ministry in 2005. Their girls, Nicole and Amy began ringing in 2012. James accepted the challenge of leading the Genesis Ringers in the fall of 2013.
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Paul and Becky Van HouseThe Van House family started ringing bells between 1996 to 1999 at Ashford UMC in Houston. First, the children, then Becky, and then finally Paul decided to stop missing out on all the fun. Becky and Paul continued to ring after they moved to Owasso in 2013.
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Jennifer EddingtonJennifer's music education began in the 4th grade when she was invited to be a member of a select All-girls vocal choir. Jennifer continued to sing all through school and in various church choirs. She started ringing in 2004 with the Believers Bell choir.
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Bradley HammonsBradley plays multiple instruments in the Owasso High School band program. He first experienced handbells at Camp Egan in 2014. Bradley quickly became a valuable member in the Ring of Fire and the Believers Bell choir at FUMC of Owasso.
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Garrett JacksonGarrett plays the clarinet and sax in the Owasso band. His music education started in church ringing as a founding member in the newly formed Genesis Ringers bell choir. He was in the 4th grade. Garrett is a valuable musician always willing to ring any position needed.
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Zach HarrisZach started piano lessons in the 4th grade. Today, he plays percussion in the Owasso band program and is a member of the youth Praise Team. He started ringing handbells in the 5th grade and is an outstanding member of the Handbell Ministry at FUMC of Owasso.
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Sarah EddingtonSarah plays clarinet in the Owasso band program starting in the 6th grade. In true ninja fashion, she hid her bell ringing talents until joining the handbell ministry - first with the Genesis Ringers and now with the Believers Bell choir.
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Audrey ReeveAfter singing for too many years to count in the Heavenbound choir, in 2012, Audrey took a leap-of-faith and joined the Believers Bell choir. The handbell ministry is blessed by her dedicated commitment to excellence in music.
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Karen AshKaren brings a certain flair to the handbell ministry! After ringing for many years in another state, she moved to Owasso. Sadly, her home church does not have a handbell choir. Karen "discovered" us in 2012 by attending a handbell concert by the students on tour with William Jewel College.
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Olivia LongOlivia joined the Believers Bell choir in 2013 after moving to Owasso from Atlanta, Georgia where she rang bells for many years.
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Amy SchragAs the youngest member of the Schrag family of ringers, Amy can really turn heads when she rings! Amy is an amazingly talented young lady. All you have to do is give her yet another bell to ring, and she will make it happen!
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Megan NolandMegan was a founding member of the Genesis Ringers when she was in the 5th grade. Today, Megan proudly and justly proclaims to be the #1 ringer in her family! Megan also plays flute with the Winds of the Spirit church choir orchestra.
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Hunter McConnellHunter is yet another founding member of the Genesis Ringers bell choir. After "graduating" and ringing in the Ring of Fire choir, today, she has grown and developed into a valued member of the Believers Bell choir.
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Emma E.Emma holds the honor of being the youngest person to start ringing handbells as a founding member in the Genesis Ringers bell choir. She was in the 2nd grade! Eventually, Emma could own the record for the most years of any ringer in our handbell ministry.
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Sam MackieSam is that special ringer that every choir has. You know - the one that always knows how to challenge the director! Sam started ringing bells as one of the original members of the Genesis Ringers. Today, he has grown into a super talented ringer with super energy!
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Sara LedfordSara is a lifetime musician raised by musician parents. While singing and playing multiple instruments all her life, she earned 3 music degrees between OBU and Eastman School of Music. Sara began conducting bells in 2009 and continues to ring today as The Director of Music Ministry at FUMC of Owasso.
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Holly CinoccaHolly leads the Praise Team at FUMC of Owasso. Among her many talents, Holly plays flute, piano and sings beautifully. As a multi-talented musician, Holly regularly rings as a sub with the Believers Bell choir.
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Allen NolandAllen started ringing handbells in (year?). In addition to handbells, Allen also plays the piano in worship, sings in two different choirs and plays saxophone with the Winds of the Spirit church choir orchestra.
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Rachel EddingtonCurrently, Rachel is the youngest member of the Eddington family ringing handbells. She started with the Genesis Ringers in 2015. Today, in addition to the Genesis Ringers, she substitute rings with the Believers Bell choir.
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Auburn LaneAuburn is a current member of the Genesis Ringers bell choir. She started ringing in 2013 when she was in the 3rd grade. Auburn also joined a music club in school where she was introduced to many instruments.
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Hall of Honor Ringers
Since November 1999, when the church received the first 3 octaves of handbells, the handbell ministry has been blessed with many ringers. The following "retired" ringers will always be a member of our handbell ministry. From time-to-time, usually during the summer, many of these ringers return for a special appearance to ring as the Reunion Ringers!
Founding ringers in the Handbell Ministry
1999-2010 Priscilla Tiger 1999-2012 Lou Brown 1999-2010 Karen Zink 1999-2010 Sandy Schnedler 1999-2006 Mary Beth Retherford 1999-2006 Georgia Pearcy 1999-2000 Amy Tiger 1999-2002 Cindy Goodloe Johnson 1999-2001 Darren Johnson Handbell Directors 1999-2001 Kent Kanauss 2001-2002 Creighton Wallis 2002-2003 Wade Thompson 2003-present Steven Eddington 2013-present James Schrag |
ADULT RINGERS
Linda Cooper * 2010-14 Karen Scheer * Joe Bill George * 2005-11 Jan George 2005-11 Nan Foore Bethany Wood * Kathy Webb Kevin Felts 2011-13 Leslie Magnauck Sharon Ball Jean Grady 2014-14 Laurie Hall 2015-15 Joseph Eddington 2013-14 Stacey Jagazinski Marge Garde Annette Loos |
YOUTH RINGERS
Nicole Schrag * 2012-15 Morgan Foshee 2011-15 Mitchell Wood 2011-14 Jessie Wolfe 2011-13 Grant Mackie 2011-13 Jami McKibbin 2011-12 Andrea Cinocca 2011-12 Seth Eddington 2013-14 Reece Thibodeau 2012-13 Tristin Hoefer 2011-12 Bishop Brummit 2011-12 |
* continues to ring as a sub