This morning I put the finishing touches on the August Newsletter and wrapped it up for the crew to come in and get it ready for mailing. This morning Carol Calkins and Sybil Hall worked with Sandy to do so. Most months we are joined by Harry and Dot Calkins and Bob Walker too but they were busy this time around.
After we send the newsletter off to the Post Office, I turn it into a PDF form at church and link it to the First Baptist Web site. This way all of our members can get the full color version right on their desktop or print it out to keep. It is also available for anyone who is checking us out as they look for a new church.
The newsletter is my baby. Many of you will remember that my doctoral project was a church newsletter handbook that was eventually published by Judson Press. I suggested in the book that the newsletter can be something to promote and build up the ministry of the church. It can be something more than a flyer or poster for upcoming events.
That's why we have the Witness page and the Family page. That's why we add things like photographs and cartoons and news-like stories. It is to get people to read and be inspired. Anyway, most people at church like it and they've allowed me to expand it and be creative over the years.
If you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see or if you would like to get involved in reporting, taking photos or doing layout and design, let me know. For now, enjoy the August newsletter. You can find it off the First Baptist Home page at www.fbcnorwich.org.
Cal
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Wrap on the 2008 season
Our softball team pulled off another upset this week. We beat the heavily favored team from Norwich Worship Center 8 -7. Actually for a while it looked like we were going to drop the game the way we lost some of them in the past. We had a 7 run lead going into the sixth inning. Then they scored six runs on hit after hit. It was so frustrating to watch the whole game unravel in front of our eyes. But this time the bleeding stopped before the game got out of control.What made this game especially difficult is the fact that we had an 11-2 lead on them the last time we played and they ended up beating us with a couple of big innings by the score of 26-11. That has been the story of this season.
Our final record is 6 -15. I know it sounds horrible and it is. (But here comes the excuses.) We played pretty tough all year long. We just couldn't quite get a handle on the games and ended up losing several by a few runs after giving up one big inning. I know that we had a lot of losses but because we played well in so many games, most of
us would be hard pressed to give you our exact record. It seemed like we played better than that. I think there may even be a sermon in there somewhere, but you will have to come on August 24, Sports Recognition Sunday, to hear it.Anyway, tonight we begin the play-offs and there were a couple of anxious teams jumping at the bit to play us because they are hoping for the Dr. Jekyll's team to show up. Well when everyone is there we have a decent team and we may just surprise somebody. Mr. Hyde is a pretty tough character and he took care of both Worship Center and St. Marks in the last week and he also surprised the boys from Central Baptist two weeks ago.
I'll let you know how we made out tomorrow. So check us out same time tomorrow.
Cal
PS The newsletter went out today and I will have it up on the web page shortly.
Monday, July 28, 2008
A busy Sunday morning
On Sunday morning we continued our series of sermons based on the book of Romans. The Praise team led us in singing "Awesome God" and "Put Your Hand in the Hand." Casey, Timothy and Karin Rezendes were in church after coming home to celebrate their dad's birthday. We also saw a slide show from Vacation Bible School as worship began.
After church 18 people stayed for the Quarterly meeting. We heard reports from many of the officers and committee chairs. The Pastor noted that we will exploring Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life" this fall in worship and in Bible study. We will also hold a Homecoming Sunday in October. He announced that he was going to be away for eight days in September to go and visit his daughter, Sarah, in Australia.
We looked at the financials and it appears everything is proceeding on course. We are slightly behind in our pledge giving but not enough to make a difference. Our Clerk, Betsey Adams, reported that we have welcomed four new members this year and lost two by death. Sandy Stone sent along a report on a successful Children's Day program and picnic.
It was noted that the flower committee had done a nice job of landscaping again this year in preparation for the Norwich in Bloom contest. Pete Adams noted that the property committee had been very busy. The scholarship committee reported that Melissa Ingoglia was this year's recipient.
The Pastor brought us up to speed with a number of things going on in ABCCONN including some personnel changes. Carole Freehan, the face of ABCCONN for nearly forty years is retiring this summer. Kevin Butler, our Minister of Camps and Conferencing has also tendered his resignation. It was also noted that we have four members on the Pierce Home Board of Trustees, Bob Sullivan, June Deptulski, Bob Booth and the Pastor. George Rezendes is now on the Camp Wightman Committee for ABCCONN and Curt Brockway is on the Department of Business and Finance.
Under old business we distributed some sketches of the proposed kitchen and discussed what has been done and the plan for what happens next. The project is going out to bid right now. We will hire someone to come in and gut the kitchen and rewire and repipe the space. Then they will install new sheetrock walls and put in a new floor and subfloor. There were some questions concerning the dishwasher and the extent of use of the old men's bathroom. It was also noted that some other projects could be wrapped into a capital campaign this fall. We are looking at feasibility of changing over to heating by natural gas and buying new furnaces. We also are looking to upgrade the sound and video in the sanctuary. More information will be forthcoming.
We also spoke about the letter we receive from Central Baptist this spring concerning the merger talks. They voted to put them on hold until at least two years after a settled pastor has been called. We agreed this was wise. There was a question about worship this coming winter. Now that the pressure of a merger was off, we were asked if we would still consider joint worship in an effort to save on heating oil? The pastor will speak with Pastor Michelle and raise that question. We will put it on the agenda for the September meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Cal
After church 18 people stayed for the Quarterly meeting. We heard reports from many of the officers and committee chairs. The Pastor noted that we will exploring Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life" this fall in worship and in Bible study. We will also hold a Homecoming Sunday in October. He announced that he was going to be away for eight days in September to go and visit his daughter, Sarah, in Australia.
We looked at the financials and it appears everything is proceeding on course. We are slightly behind in our pledge giving but not enough to make a difference. Our Clerk, Betsey Adams, reported that we have welcomed four new members this year and lost two by death. Sandy Stone sent along a report on a successful Children's Day program and picnic.
It was noted that the flower committee had done a nice job of landscaping again this year in preparation for the Norwich in Bloom contest. Pete Adams noted that the property committee had been very busy. The scholarship committee reported that Melissa Ingoglia was this year's recipient.
The Pastor brought us up to speed with a number of things going on in ABCCONN including some personnel changes. Carole Freehan, the face of ABCCONN for nearly forty years is retiring this summer. Kevin Butler, our Minister of Camps and Conferencing has also tendered his resignation. It was also noted that we have four members on the Pierce Home Board of Trustees, Bob Sullivan, June Deptulski, Bob Booth and the Pastor. George Rezendes is now on the Camp Wightman Committee for ABCCONN and Curt Brockway is on the Department of Business and Finance.
Under old business we distributed some sketches of the proposed kitchen and discussed what has been done and the plan for what happens next. The project is going out to bid right now. We will hire someone to come in and gut the kitchen and rewire and repipe the space. Then they will install new sheetrock walls and put in a new floor and subfloor. There were some questions concerning the dishwasher and the extent of use of the old men's bathroom. It was also noted that some other projects could be wrapped into a capital campaign this fall. We are looking at feasibility of changing over to heating by natural gas and buying new furnaces. We also are looking to upgrade the sound and video in the sanctuary. More information will be forthcoming.
We also spoke about the letter we receive from Central Baptist this spring concerning the merger talks. They voted to put them on hold until at least two years after a settled pastor has been called. We agreed this was wise. There was a question about worship this coming winter. Now that the pressure of a merger was off, we were asked if we would still consider joint worship in an effort to save on heating oil? The pastor will speak with Pastor Michelle and raise that question. We will put it on the agenda for the September meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
Cal
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Happy Birthday to you!
George Rezendes celebrates his BIG birthday on Monday night but his daughter April surprised him by coming down from Boston and having a few people over for a birthday get together on Friday night. Timothy and his wife Karin drove up from Pennsylvania for the weekend for the event. George is one of fourteen of our members and friends at church turning 50 this year. Congratulations George!Cal
Softball team wins on Friday night
Our FBC Softball team won it's fifth game of the season last night. Hitting stars included Eric Larsen who went for for four and Dave Poore who went two for three. Mike Staron had two more hits and Mike young knocked in three runs. The final score was 13- 5.It has been nice having Eric and Dave Poore back with us this season. They have been joined by a second generation as Eric's son, Sean, has joined the team as well. Eric and Dave played back in the late 80's and early 90's and along with their brother Corey, helped form the nucleus of a young team. Eric earned MVP honors for the team in 1989 and was elected into our Sports Ministry Hall of Fame a few years back.
It was officially announced last night that Mike Staron will be our Softball ministry inductee into the Sports Ministry Hall of Fame this year. He'll join Nancy Girardin and Jeremiah Lee as the class of 2008. We will also be inducting James Brown and Brian Goldin into the Hall for their contributions to our Sports Ministries as coaches and program co-ordinators. The date is August 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Cal
A final celebration in the big backyard
We finished off our week long celebration in God's Big Backyard last night. Special thanks to all who helped make it happen. From First Baptist we had Fred , Gwyn and Cheryl doing music, Fran, Sharon, Sandy, Sybil and Beth helping with classes and crafts, George and Mark leading the games. From Central we had David, Karen, Mark, Dorren and Roger cooking dinners with a little help from their friends. Barbara, Deborah, Anne, Merlynda, Jack and Ellie helped with classes, crafts and games. Did I miss anyone? Thanks to Pastor Michelle for the set up and the co-ordination of our worship experiences.
We also thank Sandy Beachy, Cheryl LaMothe, Greg Allard and American Ambulance, and Barbara Trocki for giving us our ministry moments during the week as we learned about serving family, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus in God's big, big, big, big backyard!
Here is the last set of photos from the week.
Cal
We also thank Sandy Beachy, Cheryl LaMothe, Greg Allard and American Ambulance, and Barbara Trocki for giving us our ministry moments during the week as we learned about serving family, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus in God's big, big, big, big backyard!
Here is the last set of photos from the week.
Cal
Friday, July 25, 2008
Anticipating a new arrival
I just received the most beautiful pictures and I want to pass them on. Mark and Fran Rogers got these photos of their daughter Julia. Julia is Priscilla's full sister and she is in Korea now awaiting the finalization of the adoption papers. Our prayers are with them as we wait the day the family will be together for the first time.
Cal
Cal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
