New Look for FOCUS!!! Why????? What s Inside. First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut 06107

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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 As a long time reader of the Focus Newsletter, I have appreciated Tom Carr s custom of sharing his summer reading list with his readers in this space. Summer is a great time to read things we don t ordinarily have time for the rest of the year; whether on the beach, on vacation or because it s too hot to sleep! I m reading a number of things for a number of reasons this summer: John Green s young adult novel The Fault in Our Stars is a great read. It is well written, funny, smart and directed at young people. (The title is taken from Shakespeare s Julius Caesar. Cassius says: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... ) John Green s young protagonists both have terminal cancer, but the author gives us a way into their lives and experiences without being pedantic or overwhelming. This book was released as a movie this summer, if you know a young person who needs a good book to complete their summer reading assignments, suggest it. I discovered that John Green spent time working as a chaplain at a children s hospital prior to his life as a bestselling author. In this book he makes good use of that experience. On my list of devotional reading: Barbara Brown Taylor s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, which is about living with loss and spiritual questions. I have also been dipping in and out of: Prayers of a Young Poet, by Rainer Maria Rilke and Flannery O Connor s A Prayer Journal. Both of these books of prayers have been published in 2013 posthumously; as a rule I am not a fan of posthumous publications yet I think these are exceptions in that they offer us a side of the author which is otherwise hidden to their readers. American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us by Putnam and Campbell is being talked about in churches and among religious scholars this year. Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible through Palestinian Eyes by Mitri Raheb, gives a Palestinian s point of view about the Palestinian problem. In preparation for our interim priority on becoming a listening community, I am reading the highly recommended Conversation Transformation by Ben Benjamin, Amy Yeager, and Anita Simon. Also on my list is Radiant Truths: Essential Dispatches, Reports, Confessions, & Other Essays on American Belief edited by Jeff Sharlet. As a parent and as a pastor I m interested in Growing Up Religious: Christians and Jews and their Journeys of Faith, by the well regarded sociologist Robert Wuthnow. However you are spending these summer months, I hope you can take some time to attend to your own spiritual needs. Sometimes a quiet moment and another point of view is all it takes to be restored. In Ministry with You, Erica 1 Midsummer 2014 What s Inside Pastoral Search Committee Selected Page 2 Caring Community Page 3 Backpacks for Covenant to Care Page 4 Education opportunities Page 5 Birthdays Page 6 Calendar Page 7 New Look for FOCUS!!! Why????? A couple of good reasons,.but the most important is that this is the first step in the transition to electronic distribution taking the place of mailing, for most people. If you are on the church weekly list watch for this month s edition which will have some great photos of activities around FBC. Watch in the following months for more details about this important change, and don t worry if you are not able to get an electronic version.

2 Pastoral Search Committee Selected At a special meeting on Tuesday July 8, 2014, the General Board formed a Pastoral Search Committee. Every effort was made to create a committee that would be representative of our diverse church family. The members of the Pastoral Search Committee are: Ismael Carreras Elaine Ciarcia Marjorie Eickel, Secretary Lois Elsesser Yvonne Lindo-Banks, Corresponding Secretary Sheila MacGregor, Co-Chair Richard Pierce, Co-Chair Rose Santiago (alternate member) In May, the General Board asked the congregation to recommend church members they felt would serve the congregation well on this search committee. When the cards and s were compiled, the General Board had fifty-two church members to consider. This is a truly amazing number that I believe points to the respect expressed for so many people in our congregation. While the church constitution calls for a seven member Pastoral Search Committee, the General Board following past practices chose an eighth member to serve as an alternate. The committee met on July 19 to select their leadership roles. They have scheduled a meeting with Rev. Judy Allbee, ABC- CONN Executive Minister, who will guide them through the process. May we keep these individuals and our church in our prayers as we begin the next phase of our faith journey. Duane Adams Chair, General Board The First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut An American Baptist Church Save the Date!!! Interim Minister Music Director Min. of Music Emeritus The Rev Erica Avena Mindy Shilansky Mr. Bruce Hector Homecoming is September 7! 90 North Main Street West Hartford, CT Church Office Hours Wednesday- Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Admin. Secretary Helen Michaels 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 The Church is currently searching for a part-time Director of Christian Education. Responsibilities include working with children, youth and young adults and supervising and coordinating the Christian Education program and related activities. A strong candidate will display creativity and initiative and has experience working with children and youth in a Christian setting. For a complete job description, please visit CEdirector Please send a resume and cover letter to: First Baptist Church of West Hartford 90 North Main Street, West Hartford Ct attn: Christian Education Committee 2

3 Pauline Hewitt-Parkes died of cancer on Wed. June 11. A funeral celebrating her life was held at the church on Friday, June 27. Sunny McCubrey's sister died in June. We keep Sunny and her family in our prayers If you have a loved one who is hospitalized, we encourage you to let the church office know so that Pastor Erica can visit them there. Injury and illness have spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical components to them, take good care of yourself or your loved one by attending to them in all areas. At your earliest convenience call the church office, or Erica's cell phone (860) and let us know: 1. Which hospital or other facility 2. Legal name of the person to be visited. (Patients are moved around all the time, I always double check the room number, however if your name is Jill but everyone at church knows you as Betsy...the volunteer at the information doesn't know that, and I may not find you.) Some people want the church to pray for them and to add their name to the prayer list, some do not; either way, we will honor your request. Just let us know! Sara Carr would like her mail sent to her parents' house. 680 North Street, Suffield, CT The following people from our congregation are attending (or have attended) Camp Wightman this summer. Camp Wightman is our statewide American Baptist Church Camp. Please pray for them while they are away: Noelle Avena Holiday Hoopla, June 30 - July 4 Rob Avena Holiday Hoopla, June 30 - July 4 Abi Baker Outrageous, July 27 - Aug. 1 Sam Baker Club Wightman, July 6-11 Juanita Collazo Adults with Special Challenges 1: June and 2: August Lauren Shilansky Outrageous August 3-8 Campers love to receive mail while they are at camp. Letters or postcards can be sent to: Camper name c/o Name of Camp Camp Wightman 207 Coal Pit Hill Rd. Griswold, CT Connecticut Baptist Homes is excited to announce A Walk to Remember, a walk and fundraiser to benefit memory care, dementia services, staff education and family support at Connecticut Baptist Homes. On Friday, August 15, the whole facility will be involved in A Walk to Remember. Residents, staff members and family members will participate in a walk around the Meriden campus, during the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The course will include interactive stops at tents representing particular decades, where walkers can play trivia, listen to music, and remember the era. The walk will go on rain or shine, moving indoors in inclement weather. Individuals and teams will ask for financial support through pledges and contributions. Support from First Baptist, West Hartford would be welcome. A church member could choose to Sponsor a resident (someone you know, or let CBH choose) Sponsor a staff member or team Get pledges and walk as a First Baptist church team! For more information or for pledge sheets, please contact Elizabeth McCaffrey or Christine Cardona at CBH, Your support is appreciated! HOPEWORKS FALL MUM SALE! Field grown hardy mums in 8-inch pots in four beautiful colors pink, white, yellow and burgundy. The price is $8.00 per pot. Advanced orders will be taken through Sunday, September 6 th. Plants will be available for pickup at FBC on Sunday, September 14 after worship service. All proceeds to benefit Hopeworks. They are an interfaith community organization providing hope and health to young people and their families for over 40 years through counseling, education and community outreach. If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please contact Yvonne Lindo-Banks at or bajan_49@sbcglobal.net. 3

4 About Our Library BACKPACKS for BACK TO SCHOOL TIME! Once again, we will be donating backpacks for children in Bloomfield's Covenant to Care program. Sign-ups will be on August 3, August 10, and, if necessary, August 17. We will give you a copy of this list with the name, age, and gender of your child. Please bring the backpacks to church on August 24; we will collect them during the service. BACKPACK IDEAS- Here are a few ideas. Also, talk to your children and grandchildren; they will know all the cool items for that age! ELEMENTARY: pens, pencils, non-permanent markers, erasers, colored pencils, crayons, tape, blunt scissors, pencil sharpener, pencil case, drawing pad, loose leaf notebooks, spiral notebooks, journal, key chain toy, book (s) (age- appropriate) Note- There are all kinds of glitzy, colorful pens and pencils that appeal to girls. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL pens, pencils (#2), non permanent markers, erasers, colored pencils, tape, glue sticks, scissors, 3 ring binder, dividers, notebook paper, colorful spiral notebooks, colorful file folders, small stapler and staples, ruler, drawing pad, journal, dictionary, thesaurus, 3x5 cards, post it notes, book(s) (age appropriate). Please attach a tag with the student's name to the backpack BACKPACKS WILL BE COLLECTED SUNDAY, AUGUST 18TH! If you have questions, please contact a member of the Social Action Committee- Marje Eickel- chair, Lois Elsesser, Charlotte Massie, Mindy Shilansky As we continue our emphasis on Categories of Books Found in the Church Library, we will focus this month on Fiction, one of our largest and most popular categories. The collection includes some old classics, such as Charles Sheldon s In His Steps, published in 1937 and still widely read today. The initials WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?), so popular with many teen Christians, come from this book as Sheldon mentions the phrase again and again. Jane Kirkpatrick is an award-winning author of historical fiction set in the 1800s in the Mid-west and West. She is also a licensed clinical social worker, inspirational retreat leader, and speaker. Kirkpatrick writes from a depth and richness of detailed research and from a genuine affection and respect for her characters. She gives us strong, admirable women with sensitive spirits, courage, and the capacity for unconditional love. Browse our shelves for titles. Beverly Lewis was born in Pennsylvania Amish country and weaves Amish culture and customs into her award-winning fiction. Library Journal says, Her well-drawn characters speak with authentic voices as they struggle to cope with grief and questions about their traditions and relationship with God. Many of her books are set in Lancaster County; her Heritage of Lancaster County Series includes The Shunning, The Confession, and The Reckoning. Look for more titles on our shelves. Karen Kingsbury has been dubbed by Time magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction. Her fiction has made her one of the country s favorite storytellers. Kingsbury often tackles contemporary issues and holds her readers attention until the very last page. A number of her novels can be found on our shelves. Many works of fiction are available in this category and the above listings are just a hint of hours of reading enjoyment and learning that can be found in our Fiction category of the Church Library. 4

5 Thursday Bible Study continues with our study on the book of Acts. We are currently meeting at the church in Hickmott Parlor. All are welcome Thursdays at 7pm, July 31, August 14 & 28 Come to August Art Classes The next art adventure with Susan D'Amico will take place here in the kitchen at First Baptist on Tuesdays, August 19 and 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more info contact Mary at The Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium" awakens future game changers to the need for, and opportunity of, bringing forth a new future - one that is sustainable, just and fulfilling. This interactive multi-media workshop draws on both science and native wisdom to leave you with grounded optimism for the future and in a state of "blessed unrest". Come to learn more. ( Free will offering ) Location: Center Church, 60 Gold Street, Hartford Friday, August 1 "Where Do We Go From Here?" Co- Facilitated by Susan Andrus Olson, Jim Pepitone, Judy Allen, Sue VanDerzee and Dr. Don Pet with assistance by Rachel Roones, Intern, Interreligious Eco-Justice Network Adult Education Sundays at 11 During Second Hour on Sunday, August 24 come to Fellowship Hall to meet John Waiculonis, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, who teaches blind individuals to travel independently around their home, neighborhood, and community. He has been teaching for thirty-four years. On August 24 he will define legal blindness and briefly describe the services that the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind provides. In addition, he will a describe various eye conditions that often lead to blindness with pictures and simulators that will help illustrate these conditions. Finally, there will be a demonstration of sighted-guide techniques used by a person who is blind when walking with a sighted companion. Child care will be provided during this talk so that all may attend. An Invitation to Dance: Remember how much fun it was to watch/participate in liturgical dance in the service immediately after the All Church Retreat two years ago? Kate and Laura, our fearless teachers, would love to help us select and learn an easy dance or two that would complement the themes of this year's Homecoming on Sept 7th. Would you like to know more? Please call or speak with Susan Olson in the next few weeks so a convenient time can be arranged to meet. Thanks!. Summer Jam Festival is a full weekend of bluegrass, traditional and gospel music at our favorite venue, Camp Wightman. The weekend offers a unique opportunity for seasoned and new musicians to listen, learn and play music in group settings throughout the beautiful sites of the Camp Wightman property. Workshops will be held throughout the weekend by Phil Rosenthal, Roger Sprung, Bill Jones, Steve Henion and more! The festival begins on Friday August 15 and will conclude on Sunday August 17, ticket prices ranging from $75 - $150 for weekend and day passes. Onsite lodging, camping and meals included. Tickets on sale at There are limited spaces available at Camp Wightman for programs beginning on July 27, August 3, and August 10. Please call the camp at or write to wightman@abcconn.org for more information. 5

6 Birthdays July Peg Carr 2 Jason Apicella 4 Karen Eddy 5 Gwen Testerman 8 Linda Greca 9 Orwell Tousley 11 Elaine Ciarcia 12 Peggy Scribner 14 Timothy Ellis Thomas Castagno 18 Carol Honeychurch 19 Earl Gross 20 Mary Kunz Janna Lee Testerman 22 Pamela McDonald Sunny Oyeniya 23 Carol Arrowsmith 25 Frank Amazeen Edith Castagno Grace Inkel 26 David Shilansky 28 Anne Coleman Melanie Dodd 30 Richard Pierce ANNIVERSARIES JULY yrs 07/05/2003 Thomas & Amy Greca 17 yrs 07/06/1997Neil & Mindy Shilansky 18 yrs 07/06/1996 Matt Burch & Jennifer Sanborn 40 yrs 07/14/1973 Earl & Elaine Gross 15 yrs 07/17/1999 Marcos & Lisa Carreras 39 yrs 07/19/1975 Bob & Sheila MacGregor 12 yrs 07/30/2002 William & Anne Coleman BIRTHDAYS August Barbara Deak Jeanne Logozzo Laura Castagno-Dueck 8 Daniel Pestretto 15 Sarah Carr 16 Martha Taylor Jacob McCartney 17 Fay Trowbridge 18 Janet Fothergill Tyler Arrowsmith 22 Georgia Cha Jonathan Albertelly 26 Dr. Neal Testerman 29 Scott McGregor Mary Williams ANNIVERSARIES August /03/2013 Jason & Mary Apicella 1 yr. 8/08/1992 Amy & Scott Hollis 22 yrs 8/11/2001 Jason & Jennifer Sherrange 13 yrs 8/14/1993 Thyde & Felix Mathieu 21 yrs 8/14/2011 Charlotte Massie & Bob Przybylski 3 yr 8/14/1993 Mark & Gwen Testerman 21 yrs 8/15/1959 Dr. Richard & Sherideth Seeley 55 yrs 8/16/1958 Wade & Hazel Hiltabidel 56 yrs 8/17/1996 Matthew & Kara Hart 18 yrs 8/22/1959 Brad & Carol Wylie 55 yrs 8/22/1970 John & Marje Eickel 44 yrs 8/23/1986 Ismael & Rose Santiago 28 yrs 8/27/1949 Paul & Elsie Petersen 65 yrs 8/29/1954 Richard & Jean Pierce 60 yrs July 27 Genesis 29:15 28 Psalm 105:1 11, 45b Romans 8:26 39 Matthew 13:31 33, August 3 Genesis 32:22 31 Psalm 17:1 7, 15 Romans 9:1 5 Matthew 14:13 21 August 10 Genesis 37:1 4, Psalm 105:1 6, 16 22, 45b Romans 10:5 15 Matthew 14:22 33 August 17 Genesis 45:1 15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1 2a, Matthew 15:[10 20] August 24 Exodus 1:8 2:10 Psalm 124 Romans 12:1 8 Matthew 16:13 20 August 31 Exodus 3:1 15 Psalm 105:1 6, 23 26, 45b Romans 12:9 21 Matthew 16:

7 August Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat :30 Potluck Picnic :30 Loaves & Fishes 6:30 Potluck Picnic :00 Trustees 12 7:00 General Bd 6:30 Potluck Picnic Memorial Garden Ice Cream Social Summer at Loaves and Fishes Three generations of the Geist family ready to serve lunch Yum!!! Brownies and applesauce for dessert 7

8 PICNIC POTLUCKS Picnic Potlucks are the updated, revised version of Porch Potlucks. 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 on Wednesdays - August 6, and August 13. 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 (and this is a change) a main dish. Drinks will be provided. Last Wednesday a great time was had on the lawn with good food and fellowship. Ice cream sundaes for all!!! 8

9 OUTDOOR WORSHIP AT FBC 9