Interim Pastor

**Reverend Dr. Pat Parvin**
    Pat is a native of North Carolina but has lived in the Montgomery, Alabama area since 1984. He graduated from Barton College (then Atlantic Christian College) in Wilson, NC. He pursued seminary studies at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY graduating with the degree Doctor of Ministry (D. Min) in 1978.
    He has served pastorates in Kentucky, North Carolina and Alabama and retired in 2021 after serving the Disciples congregation in Auburn, AL for six years.
    Pat and his wife Cynthia established and operated a printing and mailing business in Montgomery for almost 30 years prior to selling it in 2008.
    Pat and Cynthia were married for 50 and ½ years prior to Cynthia’s death in 2021. He has two daughters, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all living in the Montgomery area.

Chris Thomas ~ Choir Director / Accompanist

Chris Thomas, a Shoals native, began playing with First Christian Church in July of 2022. He has a long history of playing piano. As a young child, playing at his home Methodist church in Colbert County.

In 1989, Chris toured England and Wales with the Methodist Youth Chorale, then began studying music at Northwest-Shoals, earning the Associate of Arts in Music degree. Chris went on to earn the Bachelor of Science in Music degree (UNA) and the Master of Music degree in piano performance (Montevallo). He did post-graduate studies in musicology and piano (University of Alabama) and educational leadership (UAB). In his almost 40-year career, his talents included: Singing (bass-baritone) with the Atlanta Opera Chorus and accompanying church youth choirs on tours. He served at UNA, Montevallo, Alabama, and UAB. From 2013-2020, he served as organist at North Wood United Methodist Church, Florence.

Chris is also very passionate about his pets, Jack, a yellow lab, and feline friends, Piper, Poco, Leo, Theo, Lizzy, and Izzy. He strongly aspires to be an advocate for animal rights.

Chris is an “eclectic Christian”, following Christ spiritually and drawing upon other ideologies and religions. He is very delighted to be on board at First Christian.

Tammy Hendrix — Administrative Assistant

Tammy has lived in Florence most of her life, moving here from Newport News Virginia in 1975. She graduated from Coffee High School. Tammy has been the Administrative Assistant at First Christian Church since 2014.

Tammy is married to Trace, and they have three daughters, Christy (Jon), Heather (Jeremy) and Taylor (Sam). Tammy also has ten grandchildren!

Before coming to First Christian church, she spent 18 years in the dental field and received her Dental Hygiene License from UAB Dental Hygiene Program.

Tammy is very involved in Community Outreach through the church. She became a member of First Christian Church in 2017. She enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs as well as photography, scrapbooking and sewing. Tammy is also on the board at United Way and an officer with VOAD of NW Alabama.