I thought things would settle down after Easter but it has been an extremely busy two weeks. Not only have we been very busy at church, but I have had several obligations in my roles outside the immediate church setting.

For example I have been part of the Missionary Partnership Team to assist Rick and Mercy Barnes in getting the word out about their ministry as missionaries in Baja Mexico. Mercy was visiting the state as part of the effort and I worked with the team to set up appointments and gatherings across the state so that people could meet and talk with her.

She began with a dinner in Massachusetts and continued with meetings here in Norwich, Quaker Hill, West Hartford, Bridgeport, Brooklyn, Danielson, Waterbury and Meriden. She was also a featured speaker at two state wide meeting. Both of them fell into her lap as the key note speaker got sick on route and we took advantage of her being here and pressed her into service. Talk about exposure. So anyway I spent some time as a chauffeur and assistant at a couple of the meetings.


I also served as the Chairman of the ABCCONN Annual Program committee. On April 25 representatives from churches across the state gathered in Waterbury at Grace Baptist Church. This year we decided to be the church and go out into the city to do some ministry. My committee threw out this idea early in the planning stages. It fit right in with the "missional church" emphasis that several of our churches, including ours, have adopted this year. As a result we offered several mission opportunities for people to choose from in a two hour period during the morning. Rev. J P Morgan from Montowese Baptist Church got things rolling by charging the group to go out and serve as if they were doing it for Jesus. Rev. Michelle Madsen Bibeau then commissioned the group to go out on a mission for God.

The folks then went to serve in soup kitchens, food pantries, furniture and clothing banks, convalescent homes, senior residences and at a Habitat for Humanity project. We came back for lunch and then celebrated our accomplishments. We also recognize four chrches celebrating anniversaries and welcomed a new church into the family. That new church happened to be our very own Buenas Nuevas congregation from Norwich. Pastor Jorge Morales and 29 members of the church were present to mark the occasion. Rev. Joe Delahunt from Silliman Memorial Baptist Church was elected President of ABCCONN and we were sent home singing.

Two other groups I am working with also had meetings this week. I am part of the group organizing the Worship Celebration for the 350th Anniversary of Norwich. Rev. Greg Perry is the convener of the group and we have a great event planned for June 24th on the Norwichtown Green. You will be hearing more about it in the coming weeks. I am also the convener for the group that is organizing the National Day of Prayer next Thursday. We will be having an observance in font of City Hall on May 7th at Noon. It's funny but it seems like everything is coming together at the same time.

Tomorrow I head to North Haven with our missional church team to check in with Rev. Glynis Labarre from National Ministries of the ABCUSA. It is an all day event. Cynthia Strouse, Amanda Duntz, Curt Brockway,Sue Ferguson and I will be representing our congregation.
On Sunday every can hear Glynis speak at the SUNL meeting 3:00 p.m. at Old Mystic Baptist Church. If you are free, you should take the opportunity to go.

We also began our 23rd season in the church softball league. I have recruited three coaches (Ken Kreger, Brian Goldin & Chip Chaffee) to help me manage the team this season. It's a good thing because the schedule called for five games in the first two weeks. So far we are 2-1 and off to a decent start. I think we will do much better this year than last year.

Today we finished up the May newsletter and put it in the mail. I am so lucky to have Harry & Dot Calkins, Bob Walker, Sharon Fishkin and Carol Calkins coming in to help prepare it for the post office. Believe it or not, we have a good time, folding and addressing it for mailing. Hopefully you will get your copy tomorrow. If not, you can check it out online in full color at www.fbcnorwich.org.

Things settle down next week just in time for the memorial service for Bob Booth at our church. We will celebrate Bob's life on Saturday, May 9th, his birthday.

All this is just to give you a glimpse into my week and to let you know why I haven't made any posts. hopefully this will bring you up to speed.

Cal