Published: August 30, 2009 09:29 pm      

Interfaith honors new round of Floyd County Giants

STARLIGHT — Community, fellowship, and faith filled the Country Picnic building at Joe Huber’s Restaurant on Sunday as the Interfaith Community Council honored their “Giants in the Faith,” recognizing 32 people who serve as role models for those around them.

The Giants, whose ages ranged from 20s to 90s, were nominated by friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and others.

The honorees received a plaque inscribed with “If I have seen further, it by standing on the shoulders of giants,” a quote from Sir Isaac Newton above a passage from Romans 1:8, “I thank my God, for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”

Each person who nominated a Giant shared their reasoning in the program, resulting in stories filled with inspiration, encouragement, and of course, faith.

Once selected, the Giants were interviewed, and upon their introduction at the celebration, funny anecdotes, personal stories, and accomplishments were shared with the audience by Interfaith Community Council Executive Director Christine Harbeson.

The stories included that of Ron Hartman of Sellersburg, who credited his great-grandmother for her faith that resulted in the pair hitch-hiking to attend church. Another Giant, Tim Hartlage of Georgetown, felt his calling after a bump in the head from someone carrying a cross resulted in stitches.

This is the third year for the faith-filled event, and this year’s program featured special guests jazz musicians Jamey Aebersold and Todd Hildreth who played a short selection of songs on saxophone and keyboard, respectively.

Interfaith Community Council Executive Director Christine Harbeson said her favorite part of the celebration was that “it brings Christians together.”

Harbeson also introduced each Giant while other board members and volunteers helped present awards and took part in the program.

The Interfaith Community Council, a nonprofit organization, serves the local area through a number of services, including providing food, clothing and supplies for families, backpacks filled with supplies for children headed to school, volunteer work with the homebound, and a variety of youth services.