Donning gloves, the ladies of the Joyous Belles of First Assembly of God Church, Pea Ridge, prepare to practice playing familiar hymns and gospel songs with chimes.
Previously, the ladies played tunes on children's bells. They found the chimes at a much lower cost than a set of handbells.
"We got them in June last year," Jeanie Fletcher said, adding that the group plans to play at Freedom Fest this summer. The ladies of the church raised the money for the purchase and sponsored several fundraisers.
The six ladies play on the three octave set ringing their notes at the appointed time. Occasionally there is a miscue, then an embarrassed giggle and apology and then they continue with "As the Deer Panteth" and other hymns.
The tables are first set with pads to cushion the chimes, then a table cloth is laid over that. After a chime is rung, it is held against the shoulder to quiet the resonance.
"It's easier on the chimes if we wear gloves," Fletcher explained, adding that the gloves protect the aluminum alloy from the oils on the hands.
Members of the Belles are Jeanie Fletcher, Sandra Bennett, Linda Mather, Freida Crabtree, Delma Chapman and Judy Majors. Fletcher arranges all the tunes putting numbers to notes to aid the ladies in knowing when to play.
Fletcher, who has been playing the piano since she was 9 years of age, said her first piano teacher played at the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City. Crabtree said she played the piano and flute in high school.
"These are wonderful ladies," Chapman said. "I just love to spend time with these ladies."
Majors laughs when asked how she became one of the Belles: "They forced me -- it's fun, I just really enjoy it."
"I like the music and it's just a style of worship that I like," Crabtree said.
Bennett, director of women's worship, said: "It brings us together; it brings the women together in another level or aspect of worship."
"I enjoy the fellowship," Fletcher smiled. "We just have a wonderful time. They're like my sisters and I know that if I have any kind of need that I have prayer for they'll pray for me. This is a tight knit group. It's not a clique. We'd like more women to come in.
"We feel so comfortable ... it's sisterly love. I look forward to coming every Thursday night," Fletcher concluded.
"I just enjoy it and I enjoy being with everybody here," Mather said.
"We're taking the show on the road," the Belles said in unison.
Community on 03/08/2017