'A matter of misunderstanding'

PEA RIDGE — Hickory Hammock Baptist Church's holiday tradition of singing Christmas carols outside of the Pea Ridge Walmart temporarily came to an end Sunday when management asked the group to leave the store’s parking lot, according to pastor Carl Gallups.

The Milton church has kept up the tradition for 15 years. Over 70 people had gathered to sing when an employee in management told them they were not allowed to be there, Gallups said.

"We had called the administrative offices and made sure we got the OK to be there," Gallups said. "[A manager] said that he had no knowledge of this and that we would need to leave immediately."

The Walmart in Pea Ridge declined to comment on the incident. Tara Aston, public relations officer with Walmart Corporations, said that Gallups had since met with the Pea Ridge store manager Brian English and that the situation had been resolved.

"It was just a matter of misunderstanding," Aston said. "Mr. English has welcomed Pastor Gallups and his church back and we certainly recognize different religions and values."

Gallups has been the pastor of HHBC for 32 years. He said they have a strong mission outreach focus and these annual caroling festivities are just another way to do outreach. He said they never solicit while caroling and it is open to the public.

"Anyone can join us," He said. "The shoppers love it. We sing for about an hour. Some people listen to us for about an hour. People will drive by in their cars and roll the windows down and give us a thumbs-up and thank us."

 He said he is sorry it turned into a bigger thing than it had to and that he and his congregation prayed for the employee.

"This was not an earth-shattering ordeal," Gallups said. "I just feel like the situation was not handled properly and I wanted to address it."

After meeting with English, Gallups said he has signed the necessary paperwork to ensure that there should not be any problem for them to come and do the caroling next year.

"This was apparently a new corporate policy," he said. "I am happy we could get it resolved."

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'A matter of misunderstanding'