The sermon on Mars Hill is one of the few recorded messages given by the Apostle Paul. I preached on that text on Sunday morning and shared the fact that we still have something wonderful to say to people. Just as Paul pointed out that the unknown God was one who wanted to have a personal relationship with them, we can share the good news that it is still true today. I told a story about a friend of mine who needed to know that God cared about his situation and how this happened in an unexpected way. Then I marveled at what a wonderful, loving friend we had in Jesus.
It was a good day to be in church. Rachel Lord reminded us all that next week we will walk for hunger in the Annual CROP Walk and I noted that we would honor or moms at the annual Mother Daughter banquet on Saturday night. Our special guest will be Miss Connecticut, Dana Daunis. We also will open the 2008 softball season on Friday night at the rear field at Taftville reservoir at 6:00 p.m.
Cal
Monday, April 28, 2008
Mission efforts will build on past experiences
On Sunday morning the Mission Mexico team was on the go again. Well at least a few of our members were. Pastor Michelle asked if anyone would be willing to attend services at Central baptist to share a few words about the experience. Mark Kane, Connie Jensen, Nancy Janco and Amanda Duntz went along to join Michelle and Merlynda.
Before worship began I got into the act by setting up our slide show for the Adult Sunday School class at CBC. They got a chance to talk to Michelle and ask her questions. Michelle and I talked about it during the week and we wanted to make sure that the whole congregation in both churches got a chance to celebrate what God was doing through us. This experience was not something for the team members alone to rejoice in. It was a ministry of both congregations.
The week before we got a chance to talk about the experience in worship at FBC. I preached and used several illustrations from or time in Mexico and Amanda Duntz offered the Children's moment. We also recognized the members of the team who were present in worship.
On Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. we are going to have a strawberry shortcake social at Central Baptist and a slide show will offered to members of both congregations and members of the team will be on hand to share their experiences. The truth is that we are laying the ground work for the future right now. Talk has already begun in preparation for next year's trip.
In June or July we will begin preliminary plans for next year's trip and discuss everything from the timing of the trip, the number of participants we are looking for and how it will be financed. For the first two years we simply went on faith and raised the money without a real plan. Due to the generosity of the two congregations and some enthusiastic supporters we raised close to $9,000 each year. In the future we want to start earlier.
There has also been talk about doing even more. Some have suggested adding a mission trip to some place in the US. Suggested destinations have included the Murrow Indian Reservation to work with the tribe, or to travel to Biloxi, Mississippi for a Habitat for Humanity build. Of course these efforts will require funding. Some of the discussion over the next few months may center on a fundraiser to help defray expenses. In Wallingford they have an annual music and variety show. At Manchester, Southington and other churches they come up with other unique and interesting ways to fund their mission trips.
The best thing about this whole effort is that it allows members of our two congregations to work together to make a difference in the world. One thing is for certain. Whatever we do together in mission work will glorify God and bring his love to his people in need.
Before worship began I got into the act by setting up our slide show for the Adult Sunday School class at CBC. They got a chance to talk to Michelle and ask her questions. Michelle and I talked about it during the week and we wanted to make sure that the whole congregation in both churches got a chance to celebrate what God was doing through us. This experience was not something for the team members alone to rejoice in. It was a ministry of both congregations.
The week before we got a chance to talk about the experience in worship at FBC. I preached and used several illustrations from or time in Mexico and Amanda Duntz offered the Children's moment. We also recognized the members of the team who were present in worship.
On Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. we are going to have a strawberry shortcake social at Central Baptist and a slide show will offered to members of both congregations and members of the team will be on hand to share their experiences. The truth is that we are laying the ground work for the future right now. Talk has already begun in preparation for next year's trip.
In June or July we will begin preliminary plans for next year's trip and discuss everything from the timing of the trip, the number of participants we are looking for and how it will be financed. For the first two years we simply went on faith and raised the money without a real plan. Due to the generosity of the two congregations and some enthusiastic supporters we raised close to $9,000 each year. In the future we want to start earlier.
There has also been talk about doing even more. Some have suggested adding a mission trip to some place in the US. Suggested destinations have included the Murrow Indian Reservation to work with the tribe, or to travel to Biloxi, Mississippi for a Habitat for Humanity build. Of course these efforts will require funding. Some of the discussion over the next few months may center on a fundraiser to help defray expenses. In Wallingford they have an annual music and variety show. At Manchester, Southington and other churches they come up with other unique and interesting ways to fund their mission trips.
The best thing about this whole effort is that it allows members of our two congregations to work together to make a difference in the world. One thing is for certain. Whatever we do together in mission work will glorify God and bring his love to his people in need.
Connecting with the ABCCONN family
On Saturday Baptist from across the state got together to celebrate what God is doing in our communities. That is how I look at our Annual Gathering (Meeting) each year. Representatives from our 120 American Baptist Churches in Connecticut got together at the Central Baptist Church of Hartford to worship, conduct business and hear reports on the ministry that is happening across the state.
Dr. Molly Marshall of Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas was our key note speaker and she spoke about claiming our mission in these difficult times. She said we can complain about how tough it is to do ministry or we can look for ways to make this time matter.
Bill Smith, our own Wendy Henry's dad, was applauded for the job he did as President of the convention for the last year. Joyce Blandon was installed as the new President of ABCCONN and I was set free for the next year from any official duties for the state. Our Executive Minister Judy Allbee did say she wanted to talk to me about some things she thought I might want to explore.
The day also featured a welcome to new pastors and the recognition of a new church. We also recognized four congregations who were celebrating their anniversaries. There were also several workshops presented on various aspects of church life that many of the delegates attended.
In the afternoon we came together for worship. David Warfield pulled together a convention choir and I joined that. It was fun. David did a good job of teaching us a new anthem in just an hour. He also had a group play bells during the worship service.
In the room where all the exhibitors set up, there were photos from our recent mission trip to Mexico. ABCCONN is gearing up to host the International Mission Conference in September. Nine missionaries will b present to share some of the exciting things that are happening around the world through our ABCUSA mission efforts. We have been asked to staff a booth that tells about mission efforts springing out of Connecticut. The dates are September 19-21 in Suffield, CT. I am hoping we can get a group to go.
Finally, I got the videos from the session that Cynthia Strouse, Curt Brockway and Sue Ferguson attended commissioning us a participant in the missional church project. I'll be watching them this week and you will be hearing from our team soon.
I hope next year we can get a few people to attend the ABCCONN Annual Meeting. It is always an informative and often inspirational day.
Cal
Dr. Molly Marshall of Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas was our key note speaker and she spoke about claiming our mission in these difficult times. She said we can complain about how tough it is to do ministry or we can look for ways to make this time matter.
Bill Smith, our own Wendy Henry's dad, was applauded for the job he did as President of the convention for the last year. Joyce Blandon was installed as the new President of ABCCONN and I was set free for the next year from any official duties for the state. Our Executive Minister Judy Allbee did say she wanted to talk to me about some things she thought I might want to explore.
The day also featured a welcome to new pastors and the recognition of a new church. We also recognized four congregations who were celebrating their anniversaries. There were also several workshops presented on various aspects of church life that many of the delegates attended.
In the afternoon we came together for worship. David Warfield pulled together a convention choir and I joined that. It was fun. David did a good job of teaching us a new anthem in just an hour. He also had a group play bells during the worship service.
In the room where all the exhibitors set up, there were photos from our recent mission trip to Mexico. ABCCONN is gearing up to host the International Mission Conference in September. Nine missionaries will b present to share some of the exciting things that are happening around the world through our ABCUSA mission efforts. We have been asked to staff a booth that tells about mission efforts springing out of Connecticut. The dates are September 19-21 in Suffield, CT. I am hoping we can get a group to go.
Finally, I got the videos from the session that Cynthia Strouse, Curt Brockway and Sue Ferguson attended commissioning us a participant in the missional church project. I'll be watching them this week and you will be hearing from our team soon.
I hope next year we can get a few people to attend the ABCCONN Annual Meeting. It is always an informative and often inspirational day.
Cal
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Here is how it happens
Something is always being planned at church. Some of us think that when we show up on Sunday that things just fall into place. Nothing could be further from the truth. Today provided the perfect backdrop to talk about it.
This morning Sandy and I talked about our plans for Children's Day on Sunday, May 18. We called a meeting for the Sunday School teachers and staff for this coming Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. We have the date and place for both worship and the picnic, but now we have to lay out who does what and decided exactly what needs to happen to make the day special.
I also sent o letters to members of our softball team letting them know about an upcoming scrimmage game. Last night I attended the league meeting and picked up our schedule for the coming year. A week from tonight the season will begin. I ordered new shirts for the team and am getting together all the materials for the players.
I talked with Lori from the Norwich en Pin this morning and she told me what to expect this summer at the alley. We finalized the price and talked about when we will start and what time we will bowl. When the gang shows up on June 1st, everything will be in place and it will appear as if nothing had to be done.
Church life happens because people volunteer to give their time and energy to making things happen. God designed it that way. He calls us together and gives us the gifts and skills needed to do the ministry that is needed at a given time and place.
So what are you waiting for? Have you felt called to get involved? Then talk to me and tell me about the vision God has put in your heart and let's make something happen.
Cal
This morning Sandy and I talked about our plans for Children's Day on Sunday, May 18. We called a meeting for the Sunday School teachers and staff for this coming Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. We have the date and place for both worship and the picnic, but now we have to lay out who does what and decided exactly what needs to happen to make the day special.
I also sent o letters to members of our softball team letting them know about an upcoming scrimmage game. Last night I attended the league meeting and picked up our schedule for the coming year. A week from tonight the season will begin. I ordered new shirts for the team and am getting together all the materials for the players.
I talked with Lori from the Norwich en Pin this morning and she told me what to expect this summer at the alley. We finalized the price and talked about when we will start and what time we will bowl. When the gang shows up on June 1st, everything will be in place and it will appear as if nothing had to be done.
Church life happens because people volunteer to give their time and energy to making things happen. God designed it that way. He calls us together and gives us the gifts and skills needed to do the ministry that is needed at a given time and place.
So what are you waiting for? Have you felt called to get involved? Then talk to me and tell me about the vision God has put in your heart and let's make something happen.
Cal
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A new kitchen in the works
Last night our kitchen committee met with a designer from UBS to talk about our new kitchen. The ladies of the church have been asking us to consider this project for years. We started to get serious about it four or five years ago. Rodney Green helped us get some seed money by giving us a roast beef dinner as a fund raiser in honor of former Trustee Ed Regets. That put over $3,000 in the pot. We have also received a few other memorial gifts to build the fund.We put our plans aside for the last three years while we explored the possibilities of a more permanent relationship with Central Baptist that included a suggestion of merging the two congregations. When Pastor Sheldon Keller left the talks broke down. We have mutually decided to find ways to work together while pursuing our own mission in the city. That opened the door for this project to move to the front burner.
We hope that we will have some plans to look at in the next few months. The plans can be modified and changed to suit our purposes. Once we have a good set of plans, we will then begin the fund raising in earnest. The Trustees will determine how much money we need to raise and also whether there are other projects that should be wrapped into the campaign.
Sometime next fall we may be going to the congregation asking for your help. We will be looking for the money needed to make the dream a reality. I hope if you are reading this you will think about what part you can play in the campaign. God has blessed us and we can pass on that blessing. If you have been through the old kitchen, you will know how nice a new one will be and how it will add to the ministry of the church.
Cal
Sunday, April 20, 2008
How We Spent The Lord's Day at FBC
It was so nice to be back at church with our congregation after a week away. As much as I enjoyed worshiping with the people in Mexicali, there is no place like home. Bob Walker was the worship assistant and although I had laryngitis on
Friday and Saturday morning, my voice was almost back to normal.
Amanda Duntz spoke to the children about "friendship bracelets" and how they serve as reminder of friends far and near. She noted how Merlynda made them and gave them to all our new friends in Mexico. Then she told them that there are things that remind us about God all around us. I preached on our commission to share God's love and bring hope to the world and used the story of Stephen's martyrdom to reflect the depth of faith we sometime need to have.
This is the third Sunday so after worship we hosted the Interfaith luncheon. Cynthia Strouse put her sister, Bonnie Koch, to work today since she was visiting from Michigan. Gary and Nancy Schuster, Laura Kreger and the boys and Rachel Lord helped set up and serve today. The lunch was great. It included barbecue chicken, spaghetti and salad.
I left early so I could get to softball practice. Attendance was sparse but it was our first practice of the year. Chip Chaffee is back and he brought a friend of his, Mike Young. Chris Vaillancourt, George Rezendes and Ken Kreger were also on hand. Next week we will meet again and have a scrimmage game at 2:00 p.m. at Kelly.
At the Bowling League meeting we decided to begin the season on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. The cost will be the same as last year and we will go 10 11 weeks, depending on the number of teams we have. We didn't elect officers but George Rezendes is going to check out the software that is being used to keep the records. He volunteered to be Secretary/Treasurer if we decide to do our own stats.
I stopped in at church at 6:30 p.m. and Buenas Nuevas was still going strong. Pastor Jorge and the church now welcome an average of eighty people each week. Let's keep them in our prayers. God is really working in their midst.
We want to also note that Pastor Daniel and the Korean Congregation are doing well too. They started slow but are growing now. You should stop in and pray with them some Sunday. It is quite an experience.
Well, it has been a long day so I'll sign off now. Good night.
Cal
Friday and Saturday morning, my voice was almost back to normal.Amanda Duntz spoke to the children about "friendship bracelets" and how they serve as reminder of friends far and near. She noted how Merlynda made them and gave them to all our new friends in Mexico. Then she told them that there are things that remind us about God all around us. I preached on our commission to share God's love and bring hope to the world and used the story of Stephen's martyrdom to reflect the depth of faith we sometime need to have.
This is the third Sunday so after worship we hosted the Interfaith luncheon. Cynthia Strouse put her sister, Bonnie Koch, to work today since she was visiting from Michigan. Gary and Nancy Schuster, Laura Kreger and the boys and Rachel Lord helped set up and serve today. The lunch was great. It included barbecue chicken, spaghetti and salad.
I left early so I could get to softball practice. Attendance was sparse but it was our first practice of the year. Chip Chaffee is back and he brought a friend of his, Mike Young. Chris Vaillancourt, George Rezendes and Ken Kreger were also on hand. Next week we will meet again and have a scrimmage game at 2:00 p.m. at Kelly.
At the Bowling League meeting we decided to begin the season on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. The cost will be the same as last year and we will go 10 11 weeks, depending on the number of teams we have. We didn't elect officers but George Rezendes is going to check out the software that is being used to keep the records. He volunteered to be Secretary/Treasurer if we decide to do our own stats.
I stopped in at church at 6:30 p.m. and Buenas Nuevas was still going strong. Pastor Jorge and the church now welcome an average of eighty people each week. Let's keep them in our prayers. God is really working in their midst.
We want to also note that Pastor Daniel and the Korean Congregation are doing well too. They started slow but are growing now. You should stop in and pray with them some Sunday. It is quite an experience.
Well, it has been a long day so I'll sign off now. Good night.
Cal
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A big family
We hosted the memorial service for Bill Rossoll at church this afternoon. Bill and Bunny were married by Rev. Walter Schoepfer here in August of 1963. They raised their two daughters, Evelyn and Nancy, in our Sunday School and have been a part of our wider church family for a long time.
Having served as Pastor for twenty three years here at FBC, I have had the good fortune to be involved in significant moments in the lives of several families. Bill was raised in East Great Plains and his family was acquainted with the church. He and Bunny were married here. Bunny's family was also part of the mix here. Bunny's dad was Bob Buchowiecki. She and her sisters Evelyn, Jesse and brother George would all become part of the church family.
Actually, my first involvement with this family came before I even started at the church. I had just accepted the call when Doris Royce told me that there was a family looking to have a wedding here in August of 2005. The couple was Angel Chenette and David Bartlett. Angel was Bunny's niece. In September of 1985 we welcomed Angel and her mom, Evelyn Rogers and her step dad, Fran, into membership of the church. Evelyn had grown up here but transferred her membership at some point and was now interested in coming home again. It was a happy day.
Over the years I married both of Bill and Bunny's girls and all three of Evelyn's kids. That was the good part. I have also ministered to the family during the sad times. I buried George, Jesse and their dad, Bob and have visited various members in the hospital when illness struck.
I guess that is what ministry is all about. It is walking with families through life. I've been lucky. I've been able to see generations born and generations move on to be with the Lord. I've gotten to know some nice guys like Bill, and been blessed by them. Today's service was just another reminder of how we minister in God's name.
Cal
Having served as Pastor for twenty three years here at FBC, I have had the good fortune to be involved in significant moments in the lives of several families. Bill was raised in East Great Plains and his family was acquainted with the church. He and Bunny were married here. Bunny's family was also part of the mix here. Bunny's dad was Bob Buchowiecki. She and her sisters Evelyn, Jesse and brother George would all become part of the church family.
Actually, my first involvement with this family came before I even started at the church. I had just accepted the call when Doris Royce told me that there was a family looking to have a wedding here in August of 2005. The couple was Angel Chenette and David Bartlett. Angel was Bunny's niece. In September of 1985 we welcomed Angel and her mom, Evelyn Rogers and her step dad, Fran, into membership of the church. Evelyn had grown up here but transferred her membership at some point and was now interested in coming home again. It was a happy day.
Over the years I married both of Bill and Bunny's girls and all three of Evelyn's kids. That was the good part. I have also ministered to the family during the sad times. I buried George, Jesse and their dad, Bob and have visited various members in the hospital when illness struck.
I guess that is what ministry is all about. It is walking with families through life. I've been lucky. I've been able to see generations born and generations move on to be with the Lord. I've gotten to know some nice guys like Bill, and been blessed by them. Today's service was just another reminder of how we minister in God's name.
Cal
Friday, April 18, 2008
A few last thoughts
This will be the last slide show on Mexico to make the blogs. I want to include a few pictures from our last day on the trip. We left the seminary at 8:30 a.m. and were led to the border by Rick and Mercy. Then we made the two hour trek back to San Diego. We stayed at the same Howard Johnson Hotel we stayed at last year. It was close to the trolley line and only ten minutes from the airport.
The group checked into the hotel and then split up into three groups. George, Michelle, Carol W., Amanda and Merlynda went to Balboa Park and then up to La Jolla Beach to have dinner and watch the sunset. Carol C., Sharon, Nancy and Connie went to Old Town to go shopping and have dinner. Mark, Mark, June Lisa and I went back across the border to Tijuana to see if we could get some cheap souvenirs.
After everyone got back we compared notes around the hot tub and enjoyed the last night together. I don't think anyone wanted the trip to end. Only time will tell what effect this trip will have on the members of the group. We saw a different side of life. We saw poverty and neglect, love and happiness. We saw a number of people who have far less but managed to find a deeper contentment than we experience with our abundance. There are lessons to be learned. There are memories to be enjoyed. That process continues and I am sure you will read more about it in the coming months and years.
For now, enjoy this last entry from our Mission Trip to Mexico.
Cal
The group checked into the hotel and then split up into three groups. George, Michelle, Carol W., Amanda and Merlynda went to Balboa Park and then up to La Jolla Beach to have dinner and watch the sunset. Carol C., Sharon, Nancy and Connie went to Old Town to go shopping and have dinner. Mark, Mark, June Lisa and I went back across the border to Tijuana to see if we could get some cheap souvenirs.
After everyone got back we compared notes around the hot tub and enjoyed the last night together. I don't think anyone wanted the trip to end. Only time will tell what effect this trip will have on the members of the group. We saw a different side of life. We saw poverty and neglect, love and happiness. We saw a number of people who have far less but managed to find a deeper contentment than we experience with our abundance. There are lessons to be learned. There are memories to be enjoyed. That process continues and I am sure you will read more about it in the coming months and years.
For now, enjoy this last entry from our Mission Trip to Mexico.
Cal
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The last day in Mexicali
Monday was the hardest day of the whole trip. It began early as we raced against the clock to finish applying the first coat of cement to the exterior walls. The group worked diligently in 105 degree heat and successfully completed the job. Everyone had a hand in making sure the work got done and that even included both Pastors (Although some suggested that the photo of me on the staging might have been, well, staged.)
After lunch the girls decided to go into Mexicali to do some shopping. I was drafted to drive since I stayed home when they drove up the mountain earlier in our week. The other guys warned me that they would let me make up for it before the week was over. It was real interesting to see the shops and get a taste for what life on the streets of this city might be like. Everyone found a trinket or two, a hammock, a shirt or some souvenir to bring back home.
I have to confess that most of our shopping this year was done at Walmart and Proconsa (A hardware store). We traveled to the Super Ley grocery store a few times but we didn't really get the chance to check out the local shopping experience.
At 5:30 p.m. we headed back to El Buen Samaritano for the last time. Vacation Bible School began and after the kids left for class we set up the game for the night. There must have been sixty kids here for the final night of fun and games. It started well but soon rolled out of control as the kids ran around, pushed and shoved to get ahead. We had balloon races, hot potato games and sack races. In the end we had all we could do to keep up with them and the dust cloud that rose from our feet.
The kids had a great time though. They just wanted to keep playing. When Pastor Ramon brought out the Pinatas they all went wild. We had two featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse and then a third featuring Bob Spironja (Sponge Bob.) He was the hit of the night.
After the formal program ended, the people of the church had a pot-luck dinner and we sat around enjoying the cool breeze that had settled into the area. No one wanted to say good-bye. We took Pastor Alma and Ramon aside and presented them with a few gifts and as love offering we had collected and set aside for them. There were not too many dry eyes as we got ready to leave.
Ramon and Alma began with a house church and watched the dream materialize in front of them. They poured a lot of sweat equity into the church, often sacrificing what little they had for the good of the congregation. In a touching moment, Ramon asked us to join hands and we prayed together in a circle. I could not understand a word he said... but I understood every word he said. He praised God for all the blessings that we had received this week.
There is no doubt about it, these photos got harder to look at as the week went on. We came to Mexicali as strangers but left as friends. I put together a slide show each morning and this morning's was the hardest to watch. For we knew that today we would head home and life would return to normal for us.
But what a week it was. Thank you Lord.
Cal
After lunch the girls decided to go into Mexicali to do some shopping. I was drafted to drive since I stayed home when they drove up the mountain earlier in our week. The other guys warned me that they would let me make up for it before the week was over. It was real interesting to see the shops and get a taste for what life on the streets of this city might be like. Everyone found a trinket or two, a hammock, a shirt or some souvenir to bring back home.
I have to confess that most of our shopping this year was done at Walmart and Proconsa (A hardware store). We traveled to the Super Ley grocery store a few times but we didn't really get the chance to check out the local shopping experience.
At 5:30 p.m. we headed back to El Buen Samaritano for the last time. Vacation Bible School began and after the kids left for class we set up the game for the night. There must have been sixty kids here for the final night of fun and games. It started well but soon rolled out of control as the kids ran around, pushed and shoved to get ahead. We had balloon races, hot potato games and sack races. In the end we had all we could do to keep up with them and the dust cloud that rose from our feet.
The kids had a great time though. They just wanted to keep playing. When Pastor Ramon brought out the Pinatas they all went wild. We had two featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse and then a third featuring Bob Spironja (Sponge Bob.) He was the hit of the night.
After the formal program ended, the people of the church had a pot-luck dinner and we sat around enjoying the cool breeze that had settled into the area. No one wanted to say good-bye. We took Pastor Alma and Ramon aside and presented them with a few gifts and as love offering we had collected and set aside for them. There were not too many dry eyes as we got ready to leave.
Ramon and Alma began with a house church and watched the dream materialize in front of them. They poured a lot of sweat equity into the church, often sacrificing what little they had for the good of the congregation. In a touching moment, Ramon asked us to join hands and we prayed together in a circle. I could not understand a word he said... but I understood every word he said. He praised God for all the blessings that we had received this week.
There is no doubt about it, these photos got harder to look at as the week went on. We came to Mexicali as strangers but left as friends. I put together a slide show each morning and this morning's was the hardest to watch. For we knew that today we would head home and life would return to normal for us.
But what a week it was. Thank you Lord.
Cal
Monday, April 14, 2008
A new week from under the border
Hola! It is Monday in Mexico and our group is working hard to finish the siding on the church. Today is our last day of work. Tomorrow morning we pack up and head back to San Diego to relax and get acclimated to life in the good old United States.
This week our primary job at the church has involved applying he exterior to the church building. It involved putting a wire mesh on the wood and then applying a coat of cement. It has been a dangerous job in that the wire has very sharp edges and it bites. Pastor Michelle volunteered to be the medic before we left and little did she know that her job would be almost as important as mine. She has bandaged everyone on the team at least once and most people have needed to visit her several times. (My job, in case you were wondering, involved driving around Mexicali to get pastries for morning break and any other supplies the team needed. ) We didn't have any major casualties but it was comforting to know that Michelle was there.
Each night we did crafts and games for Vacation Bible School. Our folks enjoyed working with the kids. You will see a few photos in the slide show. On Saturday we worked in the morning ad took the afternoon off to go to the park. The park included a zoo with lions, tigers and bears (oh my!). It also had a crocodile and the fastest turtle we have ever seen.
On Sunday we went to church at Sion, where we worked last year. Mercy preached the message and Pastor Gregorio was given a photo album with pictures from last year's trip. It was nice to be there but the whole experience was in Spanish with just a little translation thrown in here and there. That was hard for most of the group. The lunch was great though. We went to an authentic Mexican Restaurant. It was a Chinese place. With a population of 2 million in Mexicali, the chines population ranks as the largest minority with over 100,000 people. They also have the best restaurants.
In the evening we went to Buen Samaritano where we have been working this year. I preached a message to the adult class and Michelle delivered a message to the children. Our whole group also got a chance to sing Por Tu Amor, a song we learned for the occasion.
IT has been a great week but I think everyone is looking forward to getting home. I'll make one more entry tomorrow from San Diego, but here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. They will give you a taste of our experience.
Cal
This week our primary job at the church has involved applying he exterior to the church building. It involved putting a wire mesh on the wood and then applying a coat of cement. It has been a dangerous job in that the wire has very sharp edges and it bites. Pastor Michelle volunteered to be the medic before we left and little did she know that her job would be almost as important as mine. She has bandaged everyone on the team at least once and most people have needed to visit her several times. (My job, in case you were wondering, involved driving around Mexicali to get pastries for morning break and any other supplies the team needed. ) We didn't have any major casualties but it was comforting to know that Michelle was there.
Each night we did crafts and games for Vacation Bible School. Our folks enjoyed working with the kids. You will see a few photos in the slide show. On Saturday we worked in the morning ad took the afternoon off to go to the park. The park included a zoo with lions, tigers and bears (oh my!). It also had a crocodile and the fastest turtle we have ever seen.
On Sunday we went to church at Sion, where we worked last year. Mercy preached the message and Pastor Gregorio was given a photo album with pictures from last year's trip. It was nice to be there but the whole experience was in Spanish with just a little translation thrown in here and there. That was hard for most of the group. The lunch was great though. We went to an authentic Mexican Restaurant. It was a Chinese place. With a population of 2 million in Mexicali, the chines population ranks as the largest minority with over 100,000 people. They also have the best restaurants.
In the evening we went to Buen Samaritano where we have been working this year. I preached a message to the adult class and Michelle delivered a message to the children. Our whole group also got a chance to sing Por Tu Amor, a song we learned for the occasion.
IT has been a great week but I think everyone is looking forward to getting home. I'll make one more entry tomorrow from San Diego, but here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. They will give you a taste of our experience.
Cal
Friday, April 11, 2008
Hello from Mexico
Hello from Mexico!
Our fourteen member team has been working in Mexico since Wednesday night and it has been a very emotional in inspirational time. We left home at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday and flew out of Bradley at 6;00 a.m. We landed in Washington D. C. and by 8:15 a.m. we were back in the air for the six hour flight to San Diego.
Everything went smoothly until we reached San Diego. We had our first test when we got to the rental car place. They had our reservation but National doesn't allow their cars to be driven into Mexico. :-( Fortunately we were right next to Hertz and we walked across and they were very accommodating. We ended up renting two vans and a car and after a one hour delay, we were back in business.
We reached Calexico, US, the border town, at 4:00 p.m. and met or missionary partners, Rick and Mercy Barnes. hey led us across the border and to the seminary. Once again we were greeted with the utter poverty that many of the residents face. The things we take for granted, housing, water, schools are all very limited.
We arrived at the seminary and quickly settled in and were given an orientation by Rick and Mercy. Then we went to the church to meet Pastors Ramon and Alma. The plan for Wednesday night was to walk around the neighborhood and distribute fliers to the families announcing Vacation Bible School for the kids. We got a chance to see the place where the church ministers and some of the people who we would be serving.
One of the most touching scenes was at the very moment we arrived. A whole group of children saw us pull up in our vans with California plates and they started following us and running behind us as we pulled up to the church. We were like celebrities to the children. They immediately surrounded us and embraced us with love.
We were tired by the time we got back to the seminary. Last year we were about 45 minutes from the church. This year we are working with the Good Samaritan Church and it is only five minutes from the seminary. That is good news. But we also found out we will be working longer hours here to make up for the longer ride.
We start each day at 7:00 a.m. and end about noon. Then we come back for 5:00 p.m. and work at the Vacation Bible School until 8:00 p.m. You know you have been busy by the time you hit bed. Since there isn't any television or Internet capability at the seminary, going to bed at 9:00 p.m. and getting up at 5:00 -5:30 a.m. is not very difficult.
We are working on the exterior of the church this year. It begins with putting chicken wire on the outside and then applying cement to it. It is demanding but fun.
On Sunday we will be worshiping at Sion Church where we worked last year with Pastor Gregorio in the morning and at Buen Samaritino in the evening. We will be going out to lunch with Rick & Mercy and their family and one or both of the pastors and their families in between services.
I could go on and on but for now I am going to send some pictures so you can get a taste of what life has been like for us here in Mexicali.
Cal
Our fourteen member team has been working in Mexico since Wednesday night and it has been a very emotional in inspirational time. We left home at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday and flew out of Bradley at 6;00 a.m. We landed in Washington D. C. and by 8:15 a.m. we were back in the air for the six hour flight to San Diego.
Everything went smoothly until we reached San Diego. We had our first test when we got to the rental car place. They had our reservation but National doesn't allow their cars to be driven into Mexico. :-( Fortunately we were right next to Hertz and we walked across and they were very accommodating. We ended up renting two vans and a car and after a one hour delay, we were back in business.
We reached Calexico, US, the border town, at 4:00 p.m. and met or missionary partners, Rick and Mercy Barnes. hey led us across the border and to the seminary. Once again we were greeted with the utter poverty that many of the residents face. The things we take for granted, housing, water, schools are all very limited.
We arrived at the seminary and quickly settled in and were given an orientation by Rick and Mercy. Then we went to the church to meet Pastors Ramon and Alma. The plan for Wednesday night was to walk around the neighborhood and distribute fliers to the families announcing Vacation Bible School for the kids. We got a chance to see the place where the church ministers and some of the people who we would be serving.
One of the most touching scenes was at the very moment we arrived. A whole group of children saw us pull up in our vans with California plates and they started following us and running behind us as we pulled up to the church. We were like celebrities to the children. They immediately surrounded us and embraced us with love.
We were tired by the time we got back to the seminary. Last year we were about 45 minutes from the church. This year we are working with the Good Samaritan Church and it is only five minutes from the seminary. That is good news. But we also found out we will be working longer hours here to make up for the longer ride.
We start each day at 7:00 a.m. and end about noon. Then we come back for 5:00 p.m. and work at the Vacation Bible School until 8:00 p.m. You know you have been busy by the time you hit bed. Since there isn't any television or Internet capability at the seminary, going to bed at 9:00 p.m. and getting up at 5:00 -5:30 a.m. is not very difficult.
We are working on the exterior of the church this year. It begins with putting chicken wire on the outside and then applying cement to it. It is demanding but fun.
On Sunday we will be worshiping at Sion Church where we worked last year with Pastor Gregorio in the morning and at Buen Samaritino in the evening. We will be going out to lunch with Rick & Mercy and their family and one or both of the pastors and their families in between services.
I could go on and on but for now I am going to send some pictures so you can get a taste of what life has been like for us here in Mexicali.
Cal
Monday, April 7, 2008
A new advocate for the hungry
My daughter, Rachel, is competing in Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen Pageant this summer as Miss Norwich's Outstanding Teen and her area of concern is feeding the hungry. So she came to me to ask if she can get involved in some of our efforts and take a leadership role.
She immediately took on the role of co-chair of our CROP Walk committee with George Strouse and she passed out sponsor forms to walkers. She is also working on a basket to receive food for our Pantry at church. She will be reminding us to bring in non-perishables on the third Sunday of each month and then sort them out and stock the shelves. Her third area of involvement at church will be at the Interfaith Luncheon. She will be serving and getting some of her friends to help as well.
So look for Rachel to keep you updated on what is needed at church in our efforts to feed the hungry.
Cal
She immediately took on the role of co-chair of our CROP Walk committee with George Strouse and she passed out sponsor forms to walkers. She is also working on a basket to receive food for our Pantry at church. She will be reminding us to bring in non-perishables on the third Sunday of each month and then sort them out and stock the shelves. Her third area of involvement at church will be at the Interfaith Luncheon. She will be serving and getting some of her friends to help as well.
So look for Rachel to keep you updated on what is needed at church in our efforts to feed the hungry.
Cal
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A faith filled worship service
You could feel the Holy Spirit moving through the sanctuary. As the music played, the people swayed and the Pastor spoke there was a sense that we were standing on hallowed ground. I wish more people from our congregation could have been there to experience it. Of course there weren't too many empty seats. With an Easter type crowd of over two hundred people on hand, Iglesia Buenas Nuevas celebrated their second anniversary.
The congregation began on April 1, 2006 with Pastor Daniel Martino of Primera Iglesia Hispana de New London blessing the church and claiming it as a sacred space for the new congregation. That was a great day with over sixty people present. In June of 2006 the congregation called Pastor Jorge Morales to lead them and he was installed in October of 2006. Last April the congregation celebrated their 1st anniersary and it was a nice day. In this last year the congregation has grown and now averages around eighty people each week.
A lot of us think of Buenas Nuevas as using space at the church and don't really make the connection as to what God is doing. During the service tonight they played a slide show showing some of the activities and events that took place over the last year and a half. I was moved to tears as I saw the photos of families, of an active youth ministry, of a pot-luck suppers and Christmas programs. This is church that is alive and bringing people to Christ week after week.
I thank God that he is allowing us to be a part of this ministry. This week a group from our congregation is traveling across the country to reach out to a community in Mexico with God's love. It struck me that week after week that same thing happens in our building through the members of Buenas Nuevas. This congregation is "good news" for Norwich.
Tonight the Pastor and Deacons of the congregation thanked me for allowing them to do ministry out of our building. I thank you for your generosity in making this building available for God to use in this way. Every single week there are now three languages spoken at 239 West West Main Street. A whole generation of young families are learning about the love of God and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ in English, Korean and Spanish. If you ever have the opportunity I hope you can stop in to worship with these two vital and growing congregations. And you don't need to know the language in order to feel the power of the Holy Spirit.
Here a few pictures from today's anniversary service.
Cal
The congregation began on April 1, 2006 with Pastor Daniel Martino of Primera Iglesia Hispana de New London blessing the church and claiming it as a sacred space for the new congregation. That was a great day with over sixty people present. In June of 2006 the congregation called Pastor Jorge Morales to lead them and he was installed in October of 2006. Last April the congregation celebrated their 1st anniersary and it was a nice day. In this last year the congregation has grown and now averages around eighty people each week.
A lot of us think of Buenas Nuevas as using space at the church and don't really make the connection as to what God is doing. During the service tonight they played a slide show showing some of the activities and events that took place over the last year and a half. I was moved to tears as I saw the photos of families, of an active youth ministry, of a pot-luck suppers and Christmas programs. This is church that is alive and bringing people to Christ week after week.
I thank God that he is allowing us to be a part of this ministry. This week a group from our congregation is traveling across the country to reach out to a community in Mexico with God's love. It struck me that week after week that same thing happens in our building through the members of Buenas Nuevas. This congregation is "good news" for Norwich.
Tonight the Pastor and Deacons of the congregation thanked me for allowing them to do ministry out of our building. I thank you for your generosity in making this building available for God to use in this way. Every single week there are now three languages spoken at 239 West West Main Street. A whole generation of young families are learning about the love of God and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ in English, Korean and Spanish. If you ever have the opportunity I hope you can stop in to worship with these two vital and growing congregations. And you don't need to know the language in order to feel the power of the Holy Spirit.
Here a few pictures from today's anniversary service.
Cal
Saturday, April 5, 2008
A night of hoop fun
I am sore today. Last night we wrapped up our 2007-08 Basketball Outreach ministry with a Coaches/Parents vs. Kids basketball game. Yes. I played. I even scored a basket. I am paying for it today. If you look at the first few photos you may see me. I am the one that is always a little (chubby) blurry because I am on the move.
We had a great time and I think although the kids wanted to win, they gained new respect for their coaches and dads. We met at Bishop School and played for about an hour and then came back to church for pizza and soda. I handed out booklets with a lot of photos of the kids and gave them a short devotion and led them in prayer.
I've included some pictures from last night's action. Enjoy.
Cal.
PS This song made me think of how God loves us and that is why we have this special ministry to kids.
Next year we will be looking for more involvement from the congregation. This year we had a number of people stop in to pray with the kids and share their testimonies. We will build on it next season. So stay tuned.
We had a great time and I think although the kids wanted to win, they gained new respect for their coaches and dads. We met at Bishop School and played for about an hour and then came back to church for pizza and soda. I handed out booklets with a lot of photos of the kids and gave them a short devotion and led them in prayer.
I've included some pictures from last night's action. Enjoy.
Cal.
PS This song made me think of how God loves us and that is why we have this special ministry to kids.
Next year we will be looking for more involvement from the congregation. This year we had a number of people stop in to pray with the kids and share their testimonies. We will build on it next season. So stay tuned.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Learning together
C. S. Lewis was a deep thinker. He really thought about his faith and what it meant to be a Christian. I don't think many of us do that nowadays. We go to church. We have a nominal understanding of Scripture and tradition and we are off. We let the culture tell us what to believe and often decide that what seems good is probably what God would want us to do.
At the Bible Study tonight we talked about forgiveness and what it means to love our neighbor as ourself. It was a great discussion. We also affirmed that we grow in faith when we are able to talk about it with people who are like minded. Everyone should be in a Bible study of some sort if they want to develop a vital faith.
This study of C S Lewis is good and newcomers are always welcome. The group meets at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday nights at the home of Steve and Patricia Ohlund.
Cal
At the Bible Study tonight we talked about forgiveness and what it means to love our neighbor as ourself. It was a great discussion. We also affirmed that we grow in faith when we are able to talk about it with people who are like minded. Everyone should be in a Bible study of some sort if they want to develop a vital faith.
This study of C S Lewis is good and newcomers are always welcome. The group meets at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday nights at the home of Steve and Patricia Ohlund.
Cal
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Next week we will be in Mexico
I can't believe that we are one week away from our mission trip. By this time next week there will be a plane heading to San Diego with fourteen of us aboard. The team includes the following people: Carol Calkins, June Deptulski, Amanda Duntz, Sharon Fishkin, Nancy Janco, Connie Jensen, Mark D. Kane, Mark A. Kane, Lisa Lapointe, Cal Lord, Michelle Madesen-Bibeau, George Rezendes, Merlynda Sol and Carol Wojcik. We will be working at the El Buen Samaritano Church with Alma and Ramon. It is a brand new church building with lots of work to do including painting and prep work. We will also be hosting Vacation Bible school for the kids each night.
We met Alma last year when they were still dreaming about the church building. they had purchased land and were hoping to get the building up this year. It appears that they did it. so it should be a lot of fun. I can't wait. It is also fairly close to the seminary so that will be very convenient. Think of us next week when we leave. I will be doing updates from the field but Internet access is hard to come by.
cal
We met Alma last year when they were still dreaming about the church building. they had purchased land and were hoping to get the building up this year. It appears that they did it. so it should be a lot of fun. I can't wait. It is also fairly close to the seminary so that will be very convenient. Think of us next week when we leave. I will be doing updates from the field but Internet access is hard to come by.
cal
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tuesday chatter and plans for the future
We had choir rehearsal tonight and began planning out the music from now until the end of the spring. It was exciting tonight because we always get to choose a couple of our favorites to do for the last two weeks in June. Most of us in the choir enjoy the music that Cynthia and Adel choose, but we all have our favorites. Sometimes our favorites become legendary. For example Fred Green always mentions "Shine, Jesus Shine" when we mention favorites. Of course some favorites attributed to people may not be their own choice. A good example of that is the fact that we used to kid Geri Diehl about "Wings of the Dawn" being her favorite. I think she finally accepted it but it definitely was NOT her favorite the first time we sang it.
This morning I also began planning out my sermons from now until the end of June. I will be using the lectionary so it means choosing my text and writing up a one paragraph synopsis that I can use to help pick the right anthems and hymns and special music to use in the services.
Tonight I got a couple of emails from Mercy and Rick Barnes in Mexico. It dawned on me as I was reading them that we leave a week from today. Yikes, it is almost here.
Cal
This morning I also began planning out my sermons from now until the end of June. I will be using the lectionary so it means choosing my text and writing up a one paragraph synopsis that I can use to help pick the right anthems and hymns and special music to use in the services.
Tonight I got a couple of emails from Mercy and Rick Barnes in Mexico. It dawned on me as I was reading them that we leave a week from today. Yikes, it is almost here.
Cal
Why not subscribe to the First Baptist Life Blog?
Did you know that you can subscribe to this blog and have it emailed to you every time there is a new entry? That's kind of cool.Once you subscribe, you don't need to remember the address and keep checking in to see if the lazy guy who makes the journal entries has written anything witty or not. You can just open up your email and find the latest.
When you subscribe it is just like getting a magazine or newspaper delivery. It just shows up for you to read or ignore. To do it all you need to do is highlight the R)) symbol in your location bar and it will give you instructions on what to do. So give it a try and if it works, you can e-mail me and tell me how you like it.
Cal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
