On Saturday morning Cynthia Strouse, Peter Ingoglia and I walked through our neighborhood distributing fliers for next week's "Because We Care Day." We passed out 120 fliers up and down Pearl, Coit, Anne, Fairmount, Maple and Asylum Streets. We are inviting our neighbors to come to the Martin Luther King Center next Saturday morning to receive the goodies we've been collecting this winter.
This is part of our missional church emphasis to get out and meet and greet our neighbors. If you would like to join us, come by the church next Saturday after 9:00 a.m. We'll be loading up and taking everything up to the King Center for distribution at 10:00 a.m. It was a lot of fun last year and it promises to be the same this time around.
Cal
Sunday, February 14, 2010
At the Trustees meeting
The Trustees met with our financial adviser on Thursday night. We didn't have a quorum but we didn't need to vote on anything. Steve updated us on our funds and reminded us of our investment strategy. We asked him about socially conscious funds and he said he could suggest some to look at. We also reviewed what we had and they look pretty good in that regard.
We also briefly talked about the heating system and the kitchen. Hopefully next month we will have a bid proposal to look over for our heating system. We will also start considering what we can do to refurbish the kitchen.
Cal
We also briefly talked about the heating system and the kitchen. Hopefully next month we will have a bid proposal to look over for our heating system. We will also start considering what we can do to refurbish the kitchen.
Cal
Property Committee notes
On Thursday night our Property Committee met. Chairman Mark Rogers, Jamie Todd, Randy Sargent and I were present. We began by talking about the heating system. Ray Deptulski has been working with Brayman Heating to get some suggestions. Jamie is going to talk to one of his engineers and see if he can get him to design a system for our church that we can put out to bid.
We also did a walk through of the upstairs. We began putting together a list of jobs that need to be done. We noted the ceiling in the chapel and talked about ways to secure the plaster that looks like it is ready to fall over the entrance to the sanctuary. It will not be a quick fix. We talked about putting in a suspended ceiling but noted that this may involve a sprinkler system to bring it up to code. We also talked about covering the bad section with some wainscoting or sheet rock. We decided that we'd need to come back to this. It hasn't changed appreciably over a number of years.
We went into the sanctuary and Jamie talked about fixing the cracks in the front wall. He hopes to tackle that job this spring. It will involve digging into the wall, replastering and then painting it again.
We also talked about installing a motorized screen that could be used for video projection. That would involve adding a molding around the arch. We put it on the list.
We noted that the front hall had numerous areas that needed painting and touch up where it was peeling. The leaks that have been noticed are probably due to some flashing issues outside around the peaks of the front porch area. We will look at that this spring.
We also decided we will change the back door lock. It has been compromised and it is getting harder and harder to lock. The only problem is that there are so many keys out that we will have to reissue them to everyone and every group. The plus side is that it is probably a good thing to do for security reasons. We have no idea who has keys at the moment.
We finished our meeting by suggesting that every other meeting be a time of work. This might encourage the other team members to join us. Work is far more fun than meeting.
Cal
We also did a walk through of the upstairs. We began putting together a list of jobs that need to be done. We noted the ceiling in the chapel and talked about ways to secure the plaster that looks like it is ready to fall over the entrance to the sanctuary. It will not be a quick fix. We talked about putting in a suspended ceiling but noted that this may involve a sprinkler system to bring it up to code. We also talked about covering the bad section with some wainscoting or sheet rock. We decided that we'd need to come back to this. It hasn't changed appreciably over a number of years.
We went into the sanctuary and Jamie talked about fixing the cracks in the front wall. He hopes to tackle that job this spring. It will involve digging into the wall, replastering and then painting it again.
We also talked about installing a motorized screen that could be used for video projection. That would involve adding a molding around the arch. We put it on the list.
We noted that the front hall had numerous areas that needed painting and touch up where it was peeling. The leaks that have been noticed are probably due to some flashing issues outside around the peaks of the front porch area. We will look at that this spring.
We also decided we will change the back door lock. It has been compromised and it is getting harder and harder to lock. The only problem is that there are so many keys out that we will have to reissue them to everyone and every group. The plus side is that it is probably a good thing to do for security reasons. We have no idea who has keys at the moment.
We finished our meeting by suggesting that every other meeting be a time of work. This might encourage the other team members to join us. Work is far more fun than meeting.
Cal
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The blessing and virtue of singing in the choir
We have two new choir members. Amy Rezendes and Rosie Rakowicz joined the group last week. I think it was a good move. As they become active members of the church this will allow them to get acclimated to FBC life.
Choir is one of those entry points into church. It is a small group. It is that place where you immediately get to meet people and friendships are formed. You also will hear the real scoop on what is happening at church. The choir members are among the most active and involved people at church. Think about it. They invest an extra couple of hours every week into the life of the congregation. They talk about what is happening and often have strong opinions because they care.
Here's another thing about the choir: these people like to sing. We have people of various abilities. The common denominator is the fact that they like what they are doing. Just ask Oliver Bray. He began singing with us after a participating in a cantata one holiday season. He liked it and joined full time. Before long he was also singing with the Rose City Barbershoppers. Now he is even competing with them.
Shawn Rucker is well known in community theater. She happened to hear me talking about our choir one day and she inquired about joining. She loves to sing and Tuesdays work for her schedule. I don't know what I would do without her now. She sings tenor in our choir.
Patricia Ohlund always felt that her singing was a gift from God. You would too if you heard her. Singing with our choir allows her to express herself and share the gift of God's love through her voice.
You want to know what I think the best part of being in the choir is? It is the fact that you are leading worship and helping people lift their arms in praise to God. When you lead the singing, as our choir does, and when you punctuate the Word with song, as our choir does... you bring God right into the house. That becomes a mystical experience.
King David wasn't kidding when he called on us to come into his courts with singing. God loves to hear us sing. So what are you doing on Tuesday nights? Come join us and be blessed.
Cal
Choir is one of those entry points into church. It is a small group. It is that place where you immediately get to meet people and friendships are formed. You also will hear the real scoop on what is happening at church. The choir members are among the most active and involved people at church. Think about it. They invest an extra couple of hours every week into the life of the congregation. They talk about what is happening and often have strong opinions because they care.
Here's another thing about the choir: these people like to sing. We have people of various abilities. The common denominator is the fact that they like what they are doing. Just ask Oliver Bray. He began singing with us after a participating in a cantata one holiday season. He liked it and joined full time. Before long he was also singing with the Rose City Barbershoppers. Now he is even competing with them.
Shawn Rucker is well known in community theater. She happened to hear me talking about our choir one day and she inquired about joining. She loves to sing and Tuesdays work for her schedule. I don't know what I would do without her now. She sings tenor in our choir.
Patricia Ohlund always felt that her singing was a gift from God. You would too if you heard her. Singing with our choir allows her to express herself and share the gift of God's love through her voice.
You want to know what I think the best part of being in the choir is? It is the fact that you are leading worship and helping people lift their arms in praise to God. When you lead the singing, as our choir does, and when you punctuate the Word with song, as our choir does... you bring God right into the house. That becomes a mystical experience.
King David wasn't kidding when he called on us to come into his courts with singing. God loves to hear us sing. So what are you doing on Tuesday nights? Come join us and be blessed.
Cal
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Getting ready for the big day of caring
On Monday night the "Because We Care" Team met to talk about our upcoming giveaway day on February 20th. We'll be heading up to the Martin Luther King Center to meet our neighbors and distribute tooth paste, tooth brushes, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent and other assorted goodies. We have been making the "no sew" blankets and also collecting socks, hats, mittens and used coats to bring along.
This coming Saturday, February 13 we will gather at 9:00 a.m. to distribute fliers in the neighborhood. We are looking for volunteers to join us as we walk up and down the streets around the church giving notice to our neighbors.
On February 20th we'll get to church at 9:00 a.m. and transport our things up the street and set them up. If you would like to help, come along. From 10:00 a.m. to noon we will be greeting and meeting the folks who come by. We'll have popcorn, cold drink and coffee to share with them. Last year we had a lot of fun and we expect more of the same.
If you would like to know more about the "Because We Care" team, talk to chairperson Cynthia Strouse, or team members Curt Brockway, Erica Corbett, Amanda Duntz, Judy Dupont, Sue Ferguson, Pete Ingoglia, and Lisa Lapointe.
This coming Saturday, February 13 we will gather at 9:00 a.m. to distribute fliers in the neighborhood. We are looking for volunteers to join us as we walk up and down the streets around the church giving notice to our neighbors.
On February 20th we'll get to church at 9:00 a.m. and transport our things up the street and set them up. If you would like to help, come along. From 10:00 a.m. to noon we will be greeting and meeting the folks who come by. We'll have popcorn, cold drink and coffee to share with them. Last year we had a lot of fun and we expect more of the same.
If you would like to know more about the "Because We Care" team, talk to chairperson Cynthia Strouse, or team members Curt Brockway, Erica Corbett, Amanda Duntz, Judy Dupont, Sue Ferguson, Pete Ingoglia, and Lisa Lapointe.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A celebration for Adele
On Sunday we recognized the ministry of our "Minister of Music" Adele DiBiagio. Adele began her service with us in January of 1980 as a temporary substitute organist. She wasn't sure if she wanted to take the job permanently and we weren't sure if she was the one for us. By the Fall she settled into the job and the pastor, Rev. Douglas Howell, and the music committee saw the real gem they had stumbled upon.Adele doesn't see her ministry here as a job. It has been a labor of love, part of her Christian calling. This is they way she expresses her love of God and service to the church. Yes, she gets paid, but she would probably do it even without the pay.
Over the years she has inspired many in the choir to stretch and reach beyond what they might normally give. She always pushes to give 100% and the choir has responded. She also has afforded us opportunities to try new things and develop quite a range of musical choices. We truly have been blessed b y her leadership.
On Sunday we paused to give her the "props" she deserves. We gave her flowers and a gift certificate. Alan McNeeley stopped in and gave her an award too. Alan is a fellow organist and a world renown organ builder as well. He was the one who built our current organ as part of our 200th Anniversary celebration in 2000. Adele chose the hymns and the anthem for the day and she also opened the service with her own Call to Worship and Prayer. We closed the service with a small reception in the chapel. It was a great day.After the service the Pastor reminded her that she only had 17 years and a few months to go before she passed Annie Cowen as our longest serving organist here at First Baptist. She just smiled and said "We'll see."
Cal
The ministry of the hall
On Saturday we hosted a big birthday party for the Kane family. Mark and the kids organized it for Pam's 50th birthday. They had loads of family and friends in for the occasion. It was a great time. I even got to take a few pictures. It wasn't a church event, but it was. You see that's part of the beauty of belonging to the church.
Mark needed a place to host the party and we were able to accommodate him and the family. They attend worship here. The kids went to Sunday School here. They contribute regularly to the ministry with their offerings and their time. This is their church and there are benefits to active membership that go beyond the spiritual ones.
Mark and Pam are quick to talk about the love and support they have received over the years. They talk about how their faith has grown. But the church is also there when they needed a couple of extra tables for a family dinner and a hall for that special birthday. We don't charge membership fees like the Elks Club or the Moose Lodge but we do take the offerings that are given to pay for the building, the services, the support of staff like me and to make the building available for members like Mark.
Over the years many of our members have asked to use the hall for weddings, funeral receptions, birthday parties, wedding and baby showers and the like. We are always glad to oblige if its available. It is part of our overall ministry.
Cal
Mark needed a place to host the party and we were able to accommodate him and the family. They attend worship here. The kids went to Sunday School here. They contribute regularly to the ministry with their offerings and their time. This is their church and there are benefits to active membership that go beyond the spiritual ones.
Mark and Pam are quick to talk about the love and support they have received over the years. They talk about how their faith has grown. But the church is also there when they needed a couple of extra tables for a family dinner and a hall for that special birthday. We don't charge membership fees like the Elks Club or the Moose Lodge but we do take the offerings that are given to pay for the building, the services, the support of staff like me and to make the building available for members like Mark.
Over the years many of our members have asked to use the hall for weddings, funeral receptions, birthday parties, wedding and baby showers and the like. We are always glad to oblige if its available. It is part of our overall ministry.
Cal
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