Pastor's Notes December 2008

 The past two months, First Baptist has celebrated two years of hard work coming to fruition. In October, we learned of the trustees’ work to bring new life to our facility through efforts to attract area non-profit organizations as tenants to otherwise underutilized space within our church building. While the revenue of building rental helps First Baptist, this initiative also fulfills our congregation’s desire to become known again in the community as a downtown congregation engaged in local mission.

               It was a delight to hear the words of greetings from Family Time and the Bennington Free Clinic. Family Time is an organization related to the Project Against Violent Encounters (PAVE) that provides supervised visitation to families as well as educational programming and skill training. Their organization is renting three rooms upstairs to conduct their work with our community. The Bennington Free Clinic is the dream of local retired physician Dr. Richard Dundas that Bennington area residents with little or no health insurance have access to healthcare. With the Interfaith Council, Dr. Dundas and community supporters are fast-tracking the Free Health Clinic from “dream” to “reality”. This clinic will be at First Baptist, where one night per week (initially) area physicians will provide medical care to those in need. More than two dozen doctors have agreed to begin the certification process to assist at this clinic.

              In November, we celebrated the ministry of the congregation on stewardship Sunday. I shared of the remarkable ministry of the Rev. Frank Richard Morris, a talented young adult clergyperson who served from 1901-1908 and created with the congregation a fruitful era of cooperation and ministry. A century hence, the congregation of 2008 celebrated the installation of a new lift, making both levels of our facility accessible to all persons. While we were in the midst of the dedication service, I found myself feeling a little overcome with the joy of seeing the lift ready for its service to our congregation and community.

             Photographer Tim Hunt provided pictures of the grand event, including an effort to pack the lift with many of our eldest congregants. (Note: The lift capacity is 750 lbs., however, we thought it would be great to get a few folks packed in for the big picture.) Morgan Flynn, one of our youngest, held the door for these fine folks, and then we snapped a picture that I think is an archive keeper! It was a fine reminder of this year’s stewardship theme: “Together, We Live by Words of Hope!”

Two years ago when I started, the parish calendar was fairly empty. Now the office staff tries to keep up with getting all of the activity noted on the master calendar. The mission giving for 2008 is set to surpass its benchmarks for the second year in a row. And we look forward to finishing out 2008 with a hearty AMEN of thanksgiving for the year just about to conclude.

            In this December and January issue of the newsletter, we cover many upcoming events in the life of the Church: this year’s Advent season features a variety of activities and times for congregational gathering. I hope that you will encourage your families and neighbors to join us during this journey towards Christmas Eve, where we conclude our time of watching, waiting, and praying with carols in praise of the Christ child.

            Also, during these next two months, the congregation will receive its 2008 annual report in anticipation of the 2009 annual meeting in late January. I am hopeful that all boards and church officers will provide their reports due for the annual report by the end of December, so that we can give an extra special present to our hardworking office staff: an annual report that goes smoothly! Your help and attention as lay leadership to this report will help First Baptist review its 2008 year and prepare to set the tone (and yes, the budget) for the 2009 year.

            Along the way this fall, I have had the joy of having some writings published in denomination-wide publications. (If you are interested in reading these articles, please contact the church office.) One magazine features a variety of articles on Missional church work and how American Baptist congregations are celebrating renewed ministry and Missional vitality. One of the featured congregations is First Baptist, Bennington! I am glad to share the stories of First Baptist with our denominational family. While we are in a time of financial woes nationally with a downturn in the stock market, grow concerned about our personal finances, and deal with a degree of anxiety about what the future holds, I find telling the congregation’s story is a good exercise to build up faith and hope. As I look at the far distant past of the congregation and the recent events of the past year, I would say that we are in the midst of a pretty good story, one of faithfulness to the gospel, love of one another, and a desire to see what God is doing anew in our midst.

            Join us for the Advent journey. Join us for the journey year-round called “Life at First Baptist!”. Together, we are living by words of hope!

             Thanks be to God!

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, coordinating minister

Pastor's Notes November 2008

MARKING THE MILESTONES 

This month, we observe a few milestones along our congregation’s journey. On Sunday, November 2, we recognize All Saints’ Day, remembering those who kept the faith well and now join in the cloud of witnesses above. It is an occasion to celebrate lives lived in faith and our own endeavors to follow in the footsteps of those saints, great and small, who deepen our faith in Christ.

On Sunday, November 9, we have an unique opportunity to explore congregational history: remembering our past while journeying into our future. The Sunday sermon will reflect on “the way things used to be” as I share with you the ministry of the Rev. Frank Richard Morris, who served as the congregation’s minister one hundred years ago (1901-1908). Rev. Morris preached his last sermon on November 15, 1908, and subsequently, the sermon was published by a local printer to commemorate the occasion. I was able to locate this sermon at the University of Vermont library’s special collections archive recently, and it is a treasure! Rev. Morris reflects on what ministry was like in the first decade of the 20th-century here in Bennington. In turn, I will share some thoughts on “how times have changed and perhaps not changed at all!”

Also that morning, we celebrate our journey into the future by having coffee hour upstairs. Yes, UPSTAIRS!!! First Baptist now has a lift (ie—smaller version of a conventional elevator)! Thanks to the hard work of our trustees, both floors of the Nichols wing will be accessible to all persons! It will be an exciting day as we “lift our spirits” and begin utilizing the upstairs again!

(If you are interested in contributing especially to the costs of the lift and/or the forthcoming fire alarm installation, please send your donation marked “Building Improvements” to the attention of the church office.)

INTERFAITH OPPORTUNITIES!

On Wednesday, November 14 at 6 PM, the church invites the other religious communities of Bennington to a potluck dinner. It is just an easygoing event to help build up relationships between the various local congregations around Bennington. Also, one of the grand realities of the world’s religions: everyone loves to eat!

We look forward to a very tangible sign of interfaith cooperation when a Free Clinic for local persons without medical insurance opens in the next few weeks here at First Baptist. The vision of Dr. Richard Dundas and the cooperative work of the Bennington Interfaith Council, this project will be a weekly reminder of the good that happens when the faiths work together! Thanks to First Baptist for being such a willing participant in interfaith work!

 PERSONAL NOTES

From November 21-25, Kerry and I will attend the annual meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature, held in Boston, MA. This event gathers together biblical scholars to explore issues in biblical interpretation, current issues in biblical studies, and yes, even how readings of the Bible shape faith and inform discipleship. It is an enriching opportunity to learn from leading scholars and discuss the ways that sacred text inspires and challenges today’s Church and world. The SBL meeting also boasts “one of the world’s largest exhibits of books and digital resources for biblical studies.” You cannot imagine why I would be going…. (Send in a search team if I am not back in a few days!)

FINALLY

Advent starts the last Sunday of November this year. While it seems the year has gone by, may we be prepared to welcome the Christ child into the world, letting the season of waiting and watching inform us anew of the glad tidings of the Prince of Peace.

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot

Coordinating Minister

Pastor's Notes--October 2008

Pastor’s Notes October 2008

“OCTOBER IS CHURCH STAFF APPRECIATION MONTH”

In some church traditions, October is the month for clergy appreciation. During the month, a given day is set aside to say thanks to the minister for his or her service in the life of a congregation. In such celebrations, the affirmation serves as nourishment of the relationship between clergy and congregant, offering a venue for a word of thanks to happen. Such occasions can be quite helpful to the minister when navigating the congregation through other times in the church year, when the schedule is hectic and stressful. That word of “thanks!” echoes year-round!

Given the unique nature of First Baptist’s time of transition, I am keenly aware that words of thanks should not be reserved for the “full-time” staff. We are in a process of changing the congregation, realigning its ministries, and bringing about a variety of new initiatives. Some of that work has been on my plate, alongside the traditional tasks of parish ministry, however, I do not want to slight for even a moment the work of First Baptist’s staff. We have a variety of persons employed by First Baptist who need likewise appreciation for their efforts, who bring the congregation’s programming to life and enable our physical plant to hum with activity! This month, will you join in saying “Thank you!” and offer other kind and affirming words to your church staff? On Sunday, October 21, we will spend part of our worship service recognizing the church staff as part of a celebration of the congregation’s ministry. In the meantime, can you help us prepare for this special day by saying “Thank you!” to our staff?

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We’re “Lifting” Our Spirits!

Speaking of celebrations, would you join us for a special Sunday celebration on November 2, 2008? On this Sunday, we will celebrate the installation of a new lift that brings fuller accessibility to the Nichols building. We will dedicate this new lift along with our recently installed handicapped bathroom as part of our continuing efforts to improve the building and make our faith community more accessible to all who enter our doors! We will “reacquaint” you with the upstairs part of our building and share some of the hopes and dreams for “both floors” of the church. (And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to be among the first to ride the new lift!)

This lift brings to life the second floor of the Nichols building, part of the church building that has been fallow and underutilized. I recollect my first visit to First Baptist back in January 2006, and I do not remember being given a tour of the second floor. The first time I visited the second floor, I found rooms with chipping paint, odds and ends piled in certain areas, and a general sense of disuse (save the wonderful Godly Play room set up at one end of the hall). One classroom still had some writing on the chalkboard that read: “Happy Easter!”

Looking back at these memories with the lift going in and some new and exciting initiatives in the wings, I remember that chalkboard message with a smile. It is the first time I think we can say we’re thankful for “reading the handwriting on the wall”! A congregation now enabled to use its building more fully--what a wonderful sign of God bringing new life in our midst!

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Words to Ponder

The adult Sunday school will be meeting throughout the fall and spring for two ten-week stretches, going through a curriculum called “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”. This educational material is written with congregations just like First Baptist firmly in mind: churches that have numerically declined in recent years and who are earnestly seeking ways to rejuvenate the ministry of their congregations. Quite honestly, there are books, videos, workshops, seminars, and websites galore out there with ideas about how to bring about congregational renewal. I selected this particular curriculum because I believe it is challenging. I believe that if the congregation works at this material for the next several months, we will experience some good conversation and some new life along the way!

These five “practices” of the church are addressed by United Methodist bishop Robert Schnase, a wise and thoughtful church leader who has some very encouraging stories to share about God at work in congregations just like First Baptist! Schnase believes that churches excel when they carry out five key practices of radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and renewal, and extravagant generosity. We are addressing the latter two first, given that we are in the fall, when thoughts turn to 2009 planning, the budgetary process, and stewardship efforts. We are in the middle of some great conversations about what makes First Baptist, a historically mission minded church, able to be “risk taking” in its mission and service.

One bit of Bishop Schnase’s writing is too provocative just to leave in the curriculum guidebook. I leave you with a few words to ponder. Schnase writes,

Churches that practice Risk-Taking Mission and Service are dissatisfied an offended (for Christ’s sake!) by the abuse of children; the suffering of the innocents; the oppression of the poor; and the recurring cycles of addiction, violence, and injustice around them. They hear in the human need of their neighbors the distinct call of God. Against all odds, they figure out a response and offer themselves faithfully and genuinely, even at some cost to themselves. God uses them to transform the world.

Does this sound like First Baptist? O Lord, may it be so!

Getting Ready for Summer (July August 2008)

By the time September rolls around, we will complete a busy summer at First Baptist. Writing this column in late June, I ponder a bit how to get it all done, but I know that it will happen, thanks to the work of the many hands and willing hearts of the congregation. Your helpful congregational spirit helps many things happen here in our fellowship. Let me share a few of the things still to come in the summer of 2008:

The “Fun Fridays” events continue, thanks to the work of the deacon board. The idea of “Fun Fridays” is to create ways for the congregation to get together (and even invite friends and family along for the fun). In June, we had a variety of events (ice cream social, game nights, potlucks, and even an evening of gospel music) that have provided something easy going for our church family to enjoy. In July, we continue the series with opportunities to get together and have some outings to congregant homes. We hope that you will participate in these events as we create more opportunities for fellowship.

Vacation Bible School will happen in a new format: a one-weekend event. Held over the weekend of August 8-10, 2008, this format will allow children to participate in the great adventure of VBS while allowing families more flexibility with the ever-shortening summertime available. Rhonda Harmon and Dawn Bushey will be co-chairing this event, so please help them in creating the “Beach Party” VBS for our kids!

First Baptist’s community calendar has been busy as well. In June, we hosted two well-attended events for other organizations (PAVE and the Bennington County Choral Society). On Sunday evening, August 17, a.k.a. same day as the annual “Battle Day” parade), Rabbi Bob Alper, a stand-up comedian well-known in this area, and a young Muslim comedian join together to perform their stand-up routines. You can see a bit of the fun online via a story reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) a year ago. See the streaming video online via: http://www.cbc.ca/sunday/2007/09/091607_4.html

In web-related news, First Baptist continues on with its website, which launched two years ago. Keep visiting our website as we continue to develop it! Right now, we are in the process of upload video clips to help visitors learn more about our congregation. In the future, we hope to have portions of our worship service uploaded on a regular basis. If you have interest in helping develop our website, please get in touch! You can find First Baptist also on Youtube.com! Look for “First Baptist” “Bennington”, on the Youtube search engine, and you will find a few videos helping folks learn about our congregation’s ministry. Visit www.fbcbennington.org often!

The two-story lift proposed by the trustees and approved by the congregation is moving apace. We hope to have this lift operational by late summer with a dedicatory blessing for the lift as well as our recently installed handicap accessible bathroom. We are hopeful that the rest of 2008 will bring some good things for 2009 around First Baptist with the hope of renting part of the underutilized second floor to non-profit organizations. Keep Cindy Watson, our building coordinator, and the trustees in prayer as they work on these “big picture” issues. The additional revenue will be quite helpful to First Baptist, especially as we anticipate rising fuel costs.

The trustees are also working on a personnel manual, a “first” for First Baptist. This manual will help with personnel policies, evaluation, and management. Grace Becker-Wilson has given time in compiling the initial draft, and the trustees are now in the process of reviewing the documents and checking out the necessary revisions. While not something readily apparent as the installation of a new lift, this manual represents part of the “behind the scenes” work that has been ongoing these past two years to help strengthen the ministry of First Baptist.

The board of mission has some exciting opportunities coming up to celebrate and empower the mission work of our congregation. A school supply drive similar to last year will be undertaken in the coming weeks. Look in upcoming bulletins for the wish list or contact the church office. “Back to school” sales will be starting soon where you can buy all manner of school supplies quite inexpensively but make a huge investment in our area school children!

One reminder: Later in July, I will be out of town from July 19 through July 31, 2008. The first half of the trip will be attending the Baptist World Alliance meetings in Prague (July 21-25) on behalf of our denomination. These meetings gather together a variety of Baptists from around the world to build cooperation, mission, theological reflection, and advocacy for human rights and religious freedom. The other half of the time will be spent traveling around for a few days of sightseeing with Kerry. I note this personal leave at the end of this sharing of “things to do this summer” as I am becoming more aware (thanks especially to the encouragement by congregants, the pastoral relations committee, and my spouse holding a 2X4) that I need to remember that “sabbath” needs to be practiced, especially by the minister!

Grace and peace, the Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, intentional interim minister

Pastor's Notes June 2008 "Building Ministry"

Pastor’s Notes

“Building Ministry”

When you think of First Baptist, rightfully you think of the people first. Each congregant brings something unique and diverse to our church and its ministries, and together we live out the faith as American Baptists, committed to the continuing story of the First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont. At the same time, when we think of “First Baptist”, we also bring to mind the physical edifice that sits on the corner of Valentine and Main Street. Indeed, we are graced with a beautiful building where our worship and spiritual life take place week to week.

As we think about the church in a time of transitional ministry, we should take note of the good things that have been happening with our building since the congregation entered into a three-year interim period. The trustees have brought about several improvements to the aesthetics of the building with new floor tile in the hallways, a beautifully renovated church lounge, new paint here and there, a handicap accessible bathroom, and a facelift for the church office area.

[On this latter count, let me extend gratitude for the redesign of the pastor’s office. The new ceiling, better lighting, a good size closet and storage space, and the reconfiguration of my workspace is quite helpful. The pastor’s desk no longer dwarfs the useable floor space, so it has been wonderful to welcome people into my office for conversations and meetings. I am working on making the pastor’s office more as the pastor’s study, less of a place geared toward an administrator’s office, and more a place where you can sit down and talk about the life of faith. I still have files and spreadsheets and committee notes piled here and there, but it is starting to feel more like a place where I can tend souls. I hope you will visit me in “the pastor’s study” and we’ll talk a spell.]

Another way that the building is changing can be noticed when you look at the “master calendar”. We have events, meetings, and other opportunities for the community to utilize our building, quite different from where we were a couple of years ago. First Baptist is becoming a great place for groups to meet, and Cindy Watson (in her role as building coordinator) is fielding phone calls to rent out space for events to community groups. This summer, we will be the site for three community events: June 7 is the annual Chocolate Festival and Play benefiting PAVE (The Project Against Violent Encounters). June 21 and 22 will be the Bennington County Chorale Society’s last concert of the season. We are working right now on arranging an evening in August featuring a rabbi and a Muslim who perform stand-up comedy that will be a riotous evening of interfaith mirth.

In May, the congregation voted affirmatively to install a lift to make our second floor accessible to all persons. The capital improvement (project cost: $32,000) will answer a long-standing problem with the Nichols Educational Wing, allowing everyone to access the great space we have upstairs. (Did you know that the second floor has more useable space and more bathrooms than downstairs?) While we are looking at this improvement as a necessary improvement to allow more use (and we hope more building rental income) for First Baptist’s space, I find the handicap accessibility that the lift and the new first floor bathroom symbolize as good theology at work. We are making “all persons” welcome, and when we complete the lift installation later this summer, we will take an opportunity to give thanks and bless these new and accessible additions to our physical space as sign and symbol of our increasing ministry of hospitality.

I also take joy in seeing how our space is allowing other groups to flourish. For the last several months, PAVE has offered a multi-week parenting course through its Family Time program. Families are encouraged to learn various skills to build healthy communication and relationships, and the program is growing as word of its helpfulness is getting around town. PAVE hopes to expand the program so they can keep up with the list of folks wanting to take this course. Your building is helping make these things possible!

Sometimes when we think of First Baptist, we think of the church building as the place we go Sunday to Sunday to receive the spiritual nourishment to get us through the week. Perhaps during the week, we might pop in for an event, a committee meeting, or something else that causes us to drop by the church. Know that as the congregation is rethinking its ministries and we are working together to bring about a new day, your building is also doing new things as well. Indeed, the tenets of faith are being lived out as we share our space and allow many good things to flourish through partnerships with community groups looking to improve the social, cultural, economic, and spiritual life of Bennington through time spent at that wonderful place we call “First Baptist”.

Keep our ongoing efforts in your prayers as well as the staff of the congregation as they help coordinate this work. Say a word of thanks to the hardworking trustee board, and give yourselves a pat on the back, too! Our desire to share the building is doing great things. It is indeed building ministry!