First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut Midsummer 2015

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1 Dedicated to bringing Christian faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education, and A Caring Community First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut Midsummer 2015 Summer is a great time to immerse yourself in moments of personal Sabbath. I am including here some of my summertime reading list, because I know many of you will also be reading these books, or may be interested in the subjects: Two books on Justice: This summer many of us are reading The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander; The New Press Michelle Alexander is a lawyer and she seeks to shed light on the open secret of defacto Jim Crow for some populations in the United States. Meaning, there simply isn t a way for people born in some situations, living in some areas, to have meaningful opportunities that the rest of us think of as being bedrock American values. My limited experience with these issues has been as a Pastor shocked to find how difficult it is to counsel and help felons returning to the community who genuinely want to work and live a clean and sober life. This is a problem we all need to think about together. The implications of giving these people jobs, housing, education and opportunity to turn their lives around. Another book which deals with many of the same themes, also written by a lawyer: this one is about his experience working to identify and assist innocent people on death row. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, Spiegel and Grau Mr. Stevenson began the Equal Justice Initiative and has won a MacArthur grant for his work. I agree with the New York Times reviewer who said that this book will make you mad and make you hopeful. The book is a sweeping look at some of the worst injustices in our justice system: one in 10 people exonerated of crimes in recent years had pleaded guilty at trial. The justice system had them over a log, and copping a plea had been their only hope. Bryan Stevenson invites us to see it from his perspective informed, effective, and provoking. What s Inside Look for the beautiful FBC quilt. Page 3 Young adults have a chance to enter an essay contest. Page 4 A summer book group. Page 5 Ways to help others Page 6 and 9 Come and deepen your prayer life. Page 7 As many of you know, FBC spent the weekend of July 11 and 12 meeting with a candidate for the senior pastor. All went well, and we are delighted to say that we have a new settled pastor. There will be a special edition of the Focus later in August with more details 1 Continued on page 4

2 Dear Members of First Baptist Church, Our prayers and sympathy to the children and grandchildren of Cleve Denton who died peacefully on June 23. A service was held at the church on July 18. Thank you for honoring me with the title of Minister Emerita in recognition of my eleven years with you as Associate Pastor. I treasure those years and am grateful for your generously remembering our ministry together. Julie Fewster- Our prayers are with Lynn Borsa and her brothers on the death of Their mother, Margaret Borsa, on July 9. August Anniversaries Jason & Mary Apicella 08/03/ years Jason & Jennifer Sherrange 08/11/ years Felix Mathieu & Thyde Dumont-Mathieu 08/14/ years Mark & Gwen Testerman 08/14/ years Charlotte Massie & Bob Przyblski 08/14/ years Richard & Sherry Seeley 08/15/ years Wade & Hazel Hiltabidel 08/16/ years Brad & Carol Wylie 08/22/ years John & Marje Eickel 08/22/ years Ismael & Rose Santiago 08/23/ years Paul & Elsie Petersen 08/27/ years Richard & Jean Pierce 08/29/ years August Birthdays Barbara Deak August 4 Laura Castagno-Dueck August 4 Rachel Deren August 5 Sarah Carr August 15 Martha Taylor August 16 Jacob McCartney August 16 Fay Trowbridge August 17 Adelaide Markham August 17 Janet Fothergill August 18 Jonathan Albertelly August 22 Neal Testerman August 26 April Deren August 28 Mary Williams August 29 Scott MacGregor August 29 The First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut An American Baptist Church Interim Minister Director of Christian Ed. Music Director The Rev Erica Avena Jaimie D. Crumley Mindy Shilansky 90 North Main Street West Hartford, CT Summer Church Office Hours Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Secretary Kris Hanko Facilities Manager William Albert (Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:00-12:00) Phone whfbc@yahoo.com www. The Focus is a monthly newsletter of First Baptist Church Editor Faith Geist 2

3 Rev. Julie Fewster served as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church West Hartford from and on Sunday, June 28th, we gave her the designation of Minister Emerita. Here are Julie s thoughts on her years at FBC: I deeply appreciate my time with you at First Baptist. I am grateful for your friendships and our significant relationships formed through shared ministry. I am also grateful for eleven years working with Tom Carr and Bruce Hector, two outstanding faithful professional colleagues who made ministry alive, life giving and fun. Among my greatest satisfactions in ministry have been pastoral care and helping create community through small groups. They include The Journaling Group, a parents and children's group, Dine with Nine, retreats, and Women in the Workplace. Two of my most meaningful ministries in retirement: A stunning quilt depicting many aspects of FBC now adorns the wall in the south staircase. Thanks to Sherri Seeley and Kris Hanko for their hard work and awesome skill The Job Transition Group, a church based support group for unemployed people that served over 150 individuals following the recent economic downturn. A church based group formed after Sandy Hook tragedy called Step Up Step Out: End the Culture of Violence. It focuses on education, outreach and advocacy in Hartford. It inspired me to tutor reading weekly to two first graders and one second grader in an excellent program in a Hartford school. 3

4 Two books on Healing: If you haven t read Atul Gawande s 2014 book Being Mortal yet, you should. I have written about it and quoted it in sermons several times. The New York Times reviewer calls it a personal meditation on how we can better live with age-related frailty, serious illness and approaching death. I think this is very important. When people are dying and they want to talk with their Pastor, their concerns are usually about just these issues. If we can give them better options, we will ease suffering and allow for greater end of life peace and blessing. Tracy Kidder s 2004 book Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World. Dr Farmer is also a recipient of a MacArthur grant, and a champion of societal change through giving people access to health care particularly in relationship to infectious disease. He and Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy, above) have much in common although they work in different fields. Ministry, of course: Finally, one of my favorite authors, Marilyn Robinson has just published a third book in her trilogy: Lila. Her books Gilead 2005, and Home 2008, are among the best new fiction I have read. Her subject is two Pastors who have remained friends in a small Iowa town for the length of their careers. I was flat out shocked to read things in Gilead and then in Home that I had only ever thought to myself like the way ministers think about their own sermons after they are over. It was like she had been writing down my thoughts, only more so! Her writing is often described as luminous which I think is about right. Peace, Erica An Essay Contest for Young Adult Women Judson Press and AB Women s Ministries is hosting an essay contest based on Sisters of Scripture: Mentors of Womanhood by Billie Montgomery/Cook. Young adult American Baptist women, ages 17-35, are invited to submit an essay of 200 words of a mentor in their lives by September 15, For more information and an online essay submission form, please visit sistersofscripturemnw.wordpress.com/. You may also download the informational flyer from resourcedetails.aspx?resourcedetailid=277. 4

5 Summer Book Group The New Jim Crow Sarah Nunes, Facilitator CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2015 RECIPIENTS OF FBC SCHOLARSHIPS! WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP SCHOLARSHIP Gabriela Santiago THE LOU AND STU MASSIE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND Gabriela Santiago BROWN-BOWERS SCHOLARSHIP Academic: Dan Nunes and Gabriela Santiago The 2nd in a series of a three-part book study on The New Jim Crow will continue on Monday, July 20, 7:30-9:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. We explore topics of mass incarceration in an age of colorblindess and the history behind our study on The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. We will explore topics of mass incarceration in an age of colorblindness and the history behind the present manifestations of racism and class-based oppression. The study is open to the community. All perspectives are welcome and encouraged! Camp: Noelle, Rob and Sydney Avena Best wishes from all of us! Additional copies of The New Jim Crow are no longer available. If you are interested in reading the book, you may find it in your local library or you might consider purchasing it.. Future date: August 24-7:30-9:00 pm. July 26 2 Samuel 11:1 15 Psalm 14 Ephesians 3:14 21 John 6:1 21 August 2 2 Samuel 11:26 12:13a Psalm 51:1 12 Ephesians 4:1 16 John 6:24 35 August 9 2 Samuel 18:5 9, 15, Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:25 5:2 John 6:35, August 16 1 Kings 2:10 12; 3:3 14 Psalm 111 Ephesians 5:15 20 John 6:51 58 August 23 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10 11) 22 30, Psalm 84 Ephesians 6:10 20 John 6:56 69 August 30 Song of Solomon 2:8 13 Psalm 45:1 2, 6 9 James 1:17 27 Mark 7:1 8, 14 15, Check out Alexander's 2011 Op-ed about prison reform here: opinion/15alexander.html. You can also watch her talk about the topics of the book in this video clip: 5

6 Equipment Sale (Hopeworks Items) As many of you know, Hopeworks recently closed its doors. They have left much of their equipment to FBC. Much of the equipment, such as copiers, computers, and keyboards, will be used in various church offices. However, FBC now has some equipment and furniture available for sale. The Trustees would like to make these items available for purchase. Items include computer speakers, keyboards, file cabinets, bookshelves, side chairs, microwave, blender, and more! Prices vary, but many are priced inexpensively (priced to sell!) There is a list in the church office for your perusal. Anyone who is interested in purchasing items should contact Bill Albert (Facilities Manager), John Eickel (chairman of Trustees), or Duane Adams, (chairman of General Board ). Duane Adams is are collecting plastic bags for Loaves & Fishes. They can be grocery bags or newspaper bags. The bags can be left on the dishwasher shelf in the church kitchen. Is there an empty seat in your car? Members of the Caring Committee are currently seeking to arrange a ride to church for several people who cannot drive. If you have space, and if you are coming to church, please let Shirley Kostelny, chair of the Caring Committee, know. GENERAL BOARD HIGHLIGHTS The Board met on May 12, 2015 with fourteen people present. The treasurer s report showed expenses through April 30 of $146,111 and income of $129,870. Our deficit for the year so far is about $35,000. There has been no rent from #10 Hawthorne, as the tenants have moved. Renovations at #10 and legal expenses regarding #9 Hawthorne have inflated our deficit. The old lease on #9 is null and void; a new short-term lease was authorized through August 31. The financial secretary reported $2,000 received for the Easter offering and $620 for One Great Hour of Sharing s Nepal Earthquake relief. Pastor Erica Avena reemphasized that there is a large number of people on our caring list and more who do not want their names shared. She asked people to visit and otherwise reach out to individuals whom they know. She also suggested dialogue about our extensive facilities and how they affect us, pro and con. She displayed a chart of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats/challenges. Giving three dots to each board members, she asked them to place dots on the areas they felt were most important. Of all the dots, 43% saw opportunities, 29% found strengths, 12% found weaknesses, and only 5% saw threats. The Board agreed to recognize Jaime Crumley s upcoming ordination by buying her a liturgical robe, to be presented to her at her ordination on May 19. This summer Jaime will be doing Clinical Pastoral Education at St. Francis Hospital and St. Mary s Home, so her office hours at FBC will be different. Sheila MacGregor showed the plaque to be given to Rev. Richard Hardy as Minister Emeritus. It was voted to name the Rev. Julie Fewster as Minister Emerita. Summer potlucks will be held on July 22 and 29, and August 5 and 12. Les Martin reported that our church entered the competition for the George D. Younger Award for Excellence in Local or Regional Baptist History. He submitted materials pertaining to FBC members in World Wars I and II. 6

7 About Our Library Does it seem to you that, with all that is happening here at FBC, our personal spiritual lives might not be growing as we would like them to? This month we will highlight one of the church library s largest and most heavily used categories, Spiritual Life. If you are feeling a need to jump-start your spiritual life, change your attitudes and strengthen your faith, if you are seeking to take charge of your mind and emotions, I would urge you to come in and browse through this section. A good book to start with might be a little volume by Charles R. Swindoll titled Great Attitudes for Graduates; but this is really written for any Christian desiring to live above the level of mediocrity and seeking the fellowship of the Spirit. A few other titles you might want to check out include Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris, Fearless by Max Lucado, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott, Power Thoughts by Joyce Meyer, and Keep In Step With the Spirit by J. I. Packer. Because of fire regulations due to the OCC day care s rental of two rooms next to the church library, the library doors must be kept closed when the library is not occupied. Please just Walk In anytime and browse through our shelves. You will find comfortable seating, good lighting, a quiet atmosphere, and a great selection of Christian, as well as secular, books to choose from. If you have any questions, please contact Faith Geist or Jean Pierce, librarians. Keep Calm and Read On! July 19 Adult Education Sundays at 11 During Second Hour we will explore with Phil Yancey "How to Pray". "Prayer", Phil reminds us, "is a way of relating to God, not a skill set like double-entry bookkeeping." Fortunately, people have been praying for a very long time, so we have many mentors to instruct, guide, and encourage us! Meeting will be in Fellowship Hall at 11 am. July 26 How has unanswered prayers affected you and people you love? In what ways have unanswered prayer affected your relationship with and expectations of God? These are among the issues Phil Yancey addresses in "Prayer Problems". Join us at 11 am in Fellowship Hall to continue our discussion on various aspects of prayer. August 2 In the final session of this series, Phil Yancey asks "Does Prayer Change Anything?" In what ways might our perspective on praying for God's will to be done change when we actually become partners with God in accomplishing it? Your input is welcomed in this wrap up of our shared journey! Meeting is again at 11 am in Fellowship Hall. 7

8 July / August / September Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat New Jim Crow 7:30 9:30 pm Book Group 21 7:00 pm Trustees Mtg. 7:00 Deacons Meeting 6:30 Potluck :30 Cedar Mountain Commons 6:30 Potluck 7:30 Chancel Choir :30 am Loaves & Fishes 6:30 Potluck :00 pm General Board Meeting 6:30 Potluck :00 pm Trustees Mtg. 7:00 Deacons Meeting 1:00 pm Knitting New Jim Crow 7:30 9:30 pm Book Group :30 Cedar Mountain Commons 1:00 pm Knitting :30 am Loaves & Fishes 7:30 Chancel Choir LABOR DAY HOLIDAY 8 7:00 pm General Board Meeting 9 7:30 Chancel Choir HOMECOMING :00 pm Trustees Mtg. 7:00 Deacons Meeting 16 7:30 Chancel Choir

9 Women of the church spent many hours assembling and packing health care, school, and layette kits for Church World Service. This summer the Geist family, and truck got them delivered to the depot in Meriden. CAMP WIGHTMAN Thinking about a camp program for your child this summer? There's still room in some programs. Attending camp can be a powerful life-changing experience that your child will remember for years. For additional information, give us a call at or write to us at wightman@abcconn.org. Have you heard that Camp Wightman's summer mission project is a shoe drive? We're collecting gently worn shoes for people in countries affected by natural disasters who need shoes, and to help people in developing countries help themselves through a microenterprise program. We're looking for shoes of all kinds - work boots, sneakers, dress shoes, snow boots, sandals, etc. - in pairs. Can you help by collecting shoes in your church or neighborhood? Once you have the shoe donations, bag or box them and bring them to camp, or send them with a camper on check-in day. Want more information? Call us at or write to us at wightman@abcconn.org. 9

10 PICNIC POTLUCKS Back by popular demand, the Potlucks will be held by the Memorial Garden, or, in case of rain, in Fellowship Hall. As always they will be at 6:30 pm on Wednesdays - July 22, July 29, August 5, and August 12. Families and friends are welcome. Bring lawn chairs, if possible, and games for the kids. Please bring a dish to share salad, side, dessert, or a main dish. Drinks will be provided. If you have any questions, please call the church office; someone will return your call. We hope to see you for this fun time of fellowship (and good food)! 10