Meet the FBC Softball team

The FBC softball team has gotten off to a slow start but there are signs that it will turn around. We played the first two games shorthanded. We lost to St. Peter & Paul 13 -10 and were right in it until the end when we gave up three runs in the top of the seventh and couldn't recover.

In our second game we played with only eight players and gave up an out every time the ninth spot in the line-up came up. It was a rally killer. We lost to a powerful St. Mary's team 6 -1. The call went out to stock up the roster and last night we had fifteen people present. The result was not very good but the team from St. Marks slammed the ball all over the field. We made some errors but there were a lot of big hits we couldn't over come. We also were a little rusty at the plate. Eight of our newcomers hadn't played softball in a while. That will change though.

Newcomer Mike Young has been our best hitter so far and he is a positive influence on the team. He is batting .700 with three runs scored. Chip Chaffee, our returning MVP is also on fire. HE is batting .667 with a homer and 5 RBI. He is capable of carrying this team when he gets hot. We have a small sample size but other hitters batting .500 or better include Jeff Brockway, Cal Lord. George Rezendes, Dan Dutrumble, Chris Vaillancourt, Chris Adams, Dave Poore, Eric Poore and Tim McCullough.

You will notice a few familiar names on the list as well as a couple of veterans who are returning this season. Eric and Dave Poore played with us in the 1980's and early 90's when they were kids. Now Eric is back and his son, Sean Wilding is also joining us. Jeff Brockway played with us for a few years and now he is back and roaming the outfield again.

Other members of this year's team include Ken Kreger, Steve Moon, Eric Larsen, Armin Harris, Fred Stone, Jay Mandeville, Jake Shanks, and Kayla McCullough. Our next game in May 30.

Tieing the knot with God's blessing

Andrew Higgins and Erika Davis were married at church yesterday afternoon. Sundays are normally pretty busy but this week we added this special ceremony to the schedule. Andrew began attending services here a few years ago. When he found us, he invited Erika to come along and they love it here. He was baptized on Palm Sunday this year and Erika will be joining the church at some point this summer. 2008 will definitely be a year to remember for them.

I think one of the special blessings of belonging to a church is the fact that you have a place where you can mark those special moments in life. You have a church to be married in. You have a group of people who care for you and celebrate life's precious moments with you. You have a place where you are accepted and welcomed as you try to find the purpose and meaning for your life.

On Sunday we not only noted Andrew and Erika's special day, but we rejoiced with Mark and Bonnie Ambruso over the birth of their newborn daughter, Trinity Kathleen, during worship and congratulated Lindsey Adams on her graduation from UCONN and lifted up Frank Roderick in prayer after his recent stay in the hospital.

Sometimes I think we define church a being all about hearing a sermon. The truth is that it is so much more than that. It is an affirmation that God wants to be a part of our daily lives and all that happens. We act out that wonderful news whenever we get together, whether it be in worship or in a special service in the afternoon.

So if you haven't done so yet, why not make the move and officially join the church? Come talk to me about it and we can make it official. It's kind of like getting married. It's wonderful.

Cal

Fun at the Annual Church Picnic

After church on Sunday we picked up and went to Fort Shantock for our annual All Church Picnic. Mark Rogers and Joel Fishkin went to work cooking up the hot dogs on the grill and everyone else came along with salads and desserts. We had quite a spread to choose from. Sixty-five people made the trek across town for the picnic.

Fort Shantock turned out to be a good choice for the event. The playground allowed the kids to have fun while we were waiting for the food. It also had a great open field for our games. Brian Goldin got the kids jumping in sack races and egg relays as well as swinging at the pinata. They had a great time. The games even involved some other kids who were just spending the afternoon at the park. Now that is outreach at its best.

Here are a few photos taken at the picnic. Enjoy!

Cal

Children's Day 2008

We celebrated Children's Day at Church yesterday. Our young people took over the service and we watched as they presented a couple of short dramas and did some readings. The kids also sang three songs including "the Bible Song," "Our God is so Mighty" and "Halleluia." The theme for the day was "God's Power!"

About fifteen minutes into the service the power went out and we finished up like they did a hundred years ago. We continued without the sound system and without lights or audio visual. The Praise team came out from the Junior Choir loft and led us in singing a couple of real cute songs. IT didn't hurt them. We had given Adele the day off so Cynthia Strouse and Lori Lord had already planned to use the piano instead of the organ so we didn't miss a beat there either.

The only class to really lose out was the Junior High class. Their presentation wasn't able to take advantage of the music and video that was going to support it. They ended up reading the passages the old fashioned way and had to let the words paint images in the hearers imagination instead.

Madalyn and Conner Fishkin received awards for perfect attendance and about 18 others received excellent attendance awards.

Paige Briggs received a Bible as part of her promotion from second grade to third grade and Jared LaFlamme, Amy Ketcher and Rachel Lord received Bibles in recognition of their eight grade graduation.

Special thanks to Sandy Stone, Lori Lord and Fran Rogers who helped lead the service.

Here are some more photos for you to enjoy.

Cal

A birthday in the family

Tonight a few of us were on hand to celebrate Patricia Ohlund's birthday at a surprise party thrown by her husband, Steve. Family and friends gathered to wish her well. I was struck by the fact that sometimes the church family really does become family. Steve and Patricia came to the church a few of years ago and got involved right away. I think that is what makes the difference. They invited us to become a part of their lives.

If you ask anyone who has been around a while what it was that kept them coming, they will probably say it started with them making it a point to find some way to connect and get involved. You see, it is always a two way street. The church is a welcoming community. But you will never feel at home until you step out in faith and get to know people. Once you do that, then nights like tonight will become more frequent. Your family will grow because you have many new people who care for you and are a part of your life.

Cal

Leaving a mark

This afternoon I have a grave side service for Mary Tourtellotte. Mary grew up in our congregation and she and her husband Cyril were married here. They always kept in touch even though they went away to school and eventually settled in Walpole, Massachusetts. At our 200th Anniversary service I got a chance to talk with them. They shared what an influence this church had on them in their formative years. The carried the love and acceptance they received here with them wherever God led them.

A number of years ago I talked about this aspect of our church life when it seemed that some of our good families had moved away. It bears saying again. God calls us to remain faithful and to worship and serve him every day. Sometimes he sends people our way so we can share God's love and encourage them for the next step in their journey.

I readily think of the Eisan family, the Jones family, the Rogoffs, and Joanne and Gabriel Paulsen. We were blessed when they were here. They gave us so much. But we gave them something too. We need to remember that church is not all about us. Sometimes we think that we better hear a good sermon or the choir better sing my type of music or else it isn't worth going. The truth is it is never about us and its always about us. God wants to bless us and sometimes he does that by using us to bless others. When we smile and accept the children in our church family, it assures them that God loves them. It leaves its mark on them. When we embrace a new family and welcome them into the church. We affirm God's call in their lives.

I think we forget this. As I conduct the funeral today, I will be sharing how the love of our church family 80 years ago shaped a woman's life. Now that is a powerful testimony. Thanks be to God it is still happening here today as we worship and serve God at FBC.

Cal

Looking back and celebrating our mission trip

About forty peopled gathered for strawberry shortcake dessert at Central Baptist Church on Wednesday night. Of course that was only the dessert. The main course was the opportunity to witness a slide presentation and hear remarks from those who had traveled to Mexico on the mission trip last month.

George Rezendes prepared the presentation complete with inspirational music. I was able to share a running commentary, with help from a few team members, that helped explained some of the things we did during the week. After the show was over, each of the team members got a chance to share a memorable story to comment from their experience. Connie Jensen closed off the sharing giving silly, but very meaningful, gifts to each of the team members.

Pastor Michelle also had a gift for each of the team members. She presented us with a card with photos and the words that were shared about that person by the other team members. hen we made everyone present an honorary team member by giving them a friendship bracelet that was put together by members of the Kane family.

It was a very good night.

Cal