Monday
December 5th Saturday RCCO Carolfest October 1st
Dear Friends
Cathedral Church of All Intergenerational Saints Family Fellowship Yip-Ashton Tuesday Home 5:30 PM December 6th
It is hard to believe 11 months have passed since I’ve been at First Baptist. At times it feels like I arrived yesterday and yet it also feels as though I have known all of you for years. I am both excited and grateful for what we have been able to accomplish together.
9:05 am Sunday
Halifax’s Great October 2nd Explosion 3:00 to 6:00 pm Commemorated FBC Parlour College/University Saturday Students December 10th Potluck & Games Breakfast Program Brunswick Street Friday Mission 14th October 5:30Supper am FBC Harvest Assembly Room— Sunday 5:30 pm December 11th Memorial Flowers Sunday (closing date) October 16th St Luke Service White Gift Sunday FBC 10:30 am Congregational Friday ~ Sunday Meeting21-23 October A Weekend Sunday with God December 18thNB Tatamagouche, Carols by Candlelight Saturday 7:00 pm
October 29th
HRUBA Fall Meeting Saturday Faith Baptist 24th Church December Lower Sackville, Family Service NS Registration 8:30 am
4:00 pm
Saturday
Saturday 5th November December 24th Christmas Holy Tea Communion & Sale 11:00 pm FBC 2:00 - 4:30 pm Sunday
January 1st
guest speaker James Hazelton 10:30 am
Thank you for participating in our transition process, I believe we have come to a place of clarity about the present and hoped for future of the congregation and the type of leader needed for that to unfold.
. . . I am both excited and grateful for what we have been able to accomplish together . . .
Thank you for worship that has continued to be inviting and inspiring. So many are offering their gifts of music, reading, prayer development, creative intergenerational engagement and thoughtprovoking sermons. I believe liturgy here has truly been the work of the people it is intended to be. I am grateful for the slow but steady stream of newcomers and of their diversity. The stories and customs they bring from other lands and from other parts of our country is enriching us all. Thank you for the genuine welcome and inclusion you have offered to all newcomers. Thank you for the gatherings we have had: home discussion groups, weekly coffee and conversation, lunches that accompanied meetings, the Harvest Supper, and, of course, the Tea, Plant, and Yard Sales. Your generosity of time, talent and financial support has meant that we have been able to continue hosting Sparks, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers. They, in turn, have enriched our dinners and teas with practical help and joyful presence. This same generosity allowed for several community groups to have space to meet, practice music, form young lives, build relationships and effect world change in small but important ways. Thank you for touching lives through your additional continued on page 2
Rev. Lynn Uzans—continued from page 1
gifts of money and/or time to Brunswick St Breakfasts, Ark Dinners, Hope Blooms, Citadel High Breakfast Program, Phoenix House, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, Ward Five Outreach and other local outreach initiatives. Thank you for reaching out with financial support to Acadia University and to other Baptist churches and associations. Your commitment to regular offering means we can glorify God in worship all year in a warm, safe, clean environment. It means we can offer faith formation to all ages. It means we can gather to encourage one another. It means we can celebrate what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others, that we may be ever more faithful to the God we can never out-give. Your welcome and inclusion, your steadfastness, generosity and hopefulness are all beautiful to behold. I so appreciate the willingness to give and serve that people here hold as a core value. A special offering Christmas envelope is enclosed with the print versions of this months Voices (more are available at the church) for those who wish and are able to make a thank offering. May this season of new beginnings be a time of blessing for you and yours. Your Sister-in-Christ; Lynn
Rev Jenny
. . . This time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of the Christ child is here . . .
I know for myself more than usual this year, Christmas snuck up on me. It seemed to just creep up, and suddenly we are already at Advent 1. I’m not sure if it was the extended fall weather we’ve been having or if the busyness of the year pushed Christmas thoughts to the back of my mind. Never the less, it is here. The season of Advent is upon us. This time of preparation and anticipation for the coming of the Christ child is here. And sometimes, like this year for me, the Christ child sneaks up on us. The shepherds in Luke 2 were going about their normal activities of watching their sheep in the fields, and the Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The inn keeper was minding to a busier than normal season when Mary and Joseph appeared on the doorstep. The Magi in Matthew 2 were doing some star gazing when their travel plans suddenly changed before them. The Christ child came in the midst of the normal and disrupted the flow of activity. But what about for us now? Is Christ still sneaking in? Is Christ turning our regular plans on their head when we are suddenly confronted with The Divine? Christ came to this world not to tow-the-line of the mundane. Christ came to open our eyes, to show love and compassion the way that God has for all of us. The Spirit of Christ has not left this world, but shows up when you least expect it. Shows up in the neighbour, the friend and the stranger. When Christ shows up, will you be prepared to shift gears and go where you are called? Will you listen to the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, voice to move in love and compassion? Christ sneaks in. During this season of anticipation, may we prepare our hearts for Christ’s call in our lives so we are not caught off guard by a sneak surprise.
"Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas"
. . . rest in God’s presence, letting the Spirit fill your soul and sustain you . . .
Do you sense the gap between the way things are and the way they should be? This Advent, I’ve been singing O Holy Night with new fervor: Long lay the world in sin and error pining ‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! This song names the tension I feel on a regular basis. Yes, there is hope, but the reality of that hope is only slowly unfolding. And unfortunately, I often sense this gap most within the church. The themes of Advent—waiting, yearning for Christ to reign fully, hungering for heaven—resonate with me in mighty ways. It’s a hard season because it reminds me anew how wide the gap is between the way things are and the way they should be. This gives me two options: get angry, complain, and wallow in disgust—or actively be part of the solution. As people who love the church and see its potential, we must choose to be part of the solution. Even when it’s hard. Even when each step forward takes us three steps back. Even when it’s nearly impossible to imagine real change taking root. That means standing up for the people in our ministries, fighting for the person who feels marginalized, speaking out when we mistreat one another, and, most of all, digging deep into our own patterns of unrighteousness. Thankfully, we don’t do this in our own strength or wisdom. This choice to be part of the solution means choosing to lean into God and God’s grace, to depend on God in ways that don’t come naturally, and to cry out with new understanding, “O Come O Come Emmanuel!” The best part of the Christmas season is that it doesn’t end with Advent. In Advent, we spend time reflecting on the way things are, and we mourn just how far we are from the people, the church, and the world God envisions. As we approach Christmas Day, though, these lines of O Holy Night become our cry: “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices / For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” As we move from the waiting of Advent to the realization of Christmas, there is much reason to celebrate. God, too, sees how far things are from the way they should be, and God actively chose to be the solution, sending Jesus into the world, not just to fix things, but to be with us, to give us vision and hope, and to empower us to live out kingdom values in the power of the Spirit. It’s precisely because we’re aware of the gap that we can celebrate Christmas so heartily. Because we have felt the tension, we can better understand just how great a gift it is that God is with us. As we realize the full value of this gift, we can’t help ourselves from crying out, “Joy to the World!” Finally, rest in God’s presence, letting the Spirit fill your soul and sustain you for another season of ministry. Let your soul feel its worth, as O Holy Night says, and be reminded again that God’s power works best in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God is working, and it’s an honor to be part of that work. ”God bless us, everyone!” - Rev. Nelson Metcalfe
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL FLOWERS Members and friends of First Baptist church are invited to place memorial Flowers, beautiful Poinsettias, in the church this Christmas Season. To make a donation toward the flowers, mark your offering envelope, or one from the pew, “Flowers”. Please contact the Church Office, before December 11th with the wording for your memorial. The acknowledgments will be placed in the bulletin Sunday, December 18th.
Advent 1, November 27th Ben and Rhoda Lemphers Advent 2, December 4th Paola Rodriguez and Andre Gaudet Advent 3, December 11th Monika and Steve Bigelow Advent 4, December 18th Kate, Mark, Julia and Benjamin Melvin 4:00 pm December 24th Family Service Rita, Jaaziel, Jesimiel and Jeiel Ugbebor 11:00 pm December 24th Communion Service Julian Summers and Bogda Swiatoniowski
Julian Summers in Concert originally scheduled for November 25th at First Baptist Church was postponed b ec a use of sc hed u l ing difficulties. Julian’s Concert of Classic Country and Gospel music, a fundraiser for Divinity studies, will be rescheduled for a later date. This date will be announced in News Notes and Voices when known. Sorry for any incontinence.
The season of Advent is an exciting time for music at FBC! We will be hearing music from the Senior Choir by Palestrina, Sirett, Todd, Stanford, Gruber and more. Organ music will include requested selections from the beloved "Noels" by Daquin, and beloved arrangements of Christmas Carols. For more Organ music, join in RCCO's Carolfest at Cathedral Church of All Saints on Mon. Dec. 5th at 7 pm. Both Lynette and our FBC Senior Choir have been instrumental in supporting this event. Our Men Without Jackets will be singing for Caritas service on Dec. 4th at 2:30, as well as in Carols by Candlelight on Dec. 18th at 7 pm. We look forward to their rendition of "What Child is This" with harpist Katherine Fitch-Loza. Songsters is teaming up with Marshmallow Choir to delight us with "Away in a Manger" with actions, as well as joining our talented FBC Youth in a Christmas Band, playing "Silent Night" at Christmas Eve 4 pm service. Many of you have heard them diligently practicing in the Sanctuary already! Grace Notes, our newest FBC Choir, will be practicing after service Dec. 4, 11, 18 in preparation to sing at our Christmas Eve Family service. All female voices welcome to join. A special musical gift will be heard at our Dec. 18th morning service, you have to come to find out what's in store! And of course, come and Worship at our Carols by Candlelight, Dec. 18th 7:00 pm, featuring our Choirs and Duo Tranquillo: Katherine Fitch-Loza, Harp, Kimberly North, Flute, and Shawn Whynot, Organ. Christmas Eve 11 pm service welcomes Kimberly North, flute, Soloists Natasha Sider and Amanda Zadeh, and a special double melody version of Silent Night by the Senior Choir. New Year's Day service celebrates our Youth, with sermon by James Hazelton, and solos by Patrick Simms, who is home from Toronto for the holidays. Blessings and God's love to all for the Advent and Christmas season! Lynette Whalstrom, Director of Music
Isaiah 11-6
Here are three different ways to form your faith over this Advent season, no matter what your age is! Reverse Ad v e n t Calendar: Each household is encouraged to take an empty box from Feed Nova Scotia and add one canned or boxed food item each day of Advent. As you add your item, say a short prayer for the person (s) who will eat it. Bring your box back to FBCH during Epiphany (the season after Christmas). If you were not able to get your reverse advent calendar box, there more boxes are available in the church parlour. Pick yours up today. Church Colouring Posters: During coffee time each Sunday of Advent everybody is invited to colour together on the advent posters. There are 5 posters in total (one for each week of Advent, and one for Epiphany) that form a wall mural of the nativity scene. Colouring is an easy way to take time to pause, contemplate, pray and connect. Pick up a marker and fill in a few spots, and if you go over the lines, no worries! Reflection During Children's Story: During our Sunday services as a congregation we'll have a moment to pause and reflect. Each reflection will be based on the themes of Advent (hope, peace, joy, and love). As the children are encouraged to write their prayers in the sand, take time to pray and contemplate for yourself. The sand/prayer table will be available before and after the service for anyone who would like to pray more tangibly.
First Baptist Church will prepare and serve breakfast at the Brunswick Street Mission, December 10th (5:30 am). Being Christmas, this is an especially meaningful time to serve breakfast at the Mission. As well as serving a beautiful breakfast, our volunteers will sing Christmas carols with the guests, and we will give out Tim Horton gift cards. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the Church Parlour. Elna Siebring, who coordinates the Brunswick Street Breakfast Program, last April, sent the following email about the involvement of First Baptist Church at the breakfasts: “I was thinking of the blessing of when a church serves a month of Saturday breakfasts – it enables the volunteers to connect with the guests from week to week. Here are a few comments from some of the people who come for breakfast: One guy two weeks ago said, "I am so happy. This coffee is worth a million bucks!" When I asked him "why?", he replied that it had real cream and that he would not have to go looking for a real cup of coffee that morning. Another guy this morning told me that he had called the cops on the kitchen crew. When I asked "Why?", he said because "they stole my heart! That breakfast was amazing!". Then, another guest, who may have been a child soldier and suffers from mental illness, and I have never heard speak before, asked "Please may I have a sandwich?". That was a miracle to hear his voice! Another comment was "They are all angels in there (referring to the help in the kitchen), beautiful angels!" I loved it when I overheard one of your volunteers say "presentation is important"! The small details of flowers on the table, napkins, food placed with care on the plates, eggs scrambled with love, potato casserole made with love...it makes a difference for our guests. Jean Vanier says, "Food made with love always tastes better!"
Thanks for all the love you have poured into these Saturday breakfasts, volunteers, guests and menus! It is a big job for First Baptist Church and you do it well.... always with a smile and with laughter!” - Elna Siebring. Heart warming, it makes the 5:30 am start time and the fundraising a joy! With your continued volunteer and financial support, we will be able to bring hope, faith and love into these lives for a long time to come. Gwendolyn MacLean, Chair Outreach Committee
The focus for our transition time together has now turned to the search process for discerning who will be our new Senior Minister. At our October 30th Congregational Meeting, the Congregation considered and accepted the conclusions arising from the Transition Leadership Team’s consultations with us. Those conclusions will now inform the search process for our next ministry team leader. Based on recommendations from the Diaconate and feedback at the meeting, the Search Committee structure was approved on October 30th. The Search Committee members comprise a diverse group that is broadly representative of our Congregation and bring a wide range of gifts and experience to the work ahead. Your Search Committee members: Sheila Stanley, Chair; Donna Darrell, David Dexter, Emma Hazelton, Hugh Kirkegaard, Marilyn Peers, Kathy Schwartzentruber, and David Thomson. Sheila will be providing regular updates to the Congregation at key junctures as the search process continues. The Search Committee has already met three times. Early work has focused on the preparation of a detailed position description that has now been approved, with minor adjustments, by the Diaconate and will be presented for consideration to the Congregation at its meeting on December 11th immediately following the worship service. Please plan to attend this important meeting! We continue to be blessed with the leadership of Rev. Lynn Uzans, our Transition Minister, who continues a very active ministry among us together with all members of our worship leadership team Rev. Jenny Csinos, Rev. Nelson Metcalfe and Lynette Walstrom. Please remember all of our leaders in your prayers as we continue with them together, ever seeking the Spirit’s guidance in responding in faith to the work God is calling us to do. Sheila Stanley, Chair Senior Minister Search Committee
CHRISTMAS CHURCH AND OFFICE HOURS The Church will be closed on December 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2016 and January 2nd, 2017.
Congregational Life October 1 - November 30, 2016 In Memory of Members and Adherents Doreen M. Thorne d. October 18, 2016 Dedication - November 11, 2016 Daniel Seajul Lee b. August. 1,2016 Parents: Jonathan Lee and Joy Shim Grandparents: Min Jae and Sunny Lee Baby Blessing - October 24, 2016 Christopher Ulalia, Parents Ulanda and Anthony Ulalia Birth Kroi Barberi Tummers, b. October 16,2016 Parents: Kevin and Bella Tummers Grandparents: Sandi and Ed Tummers Of Special Note Marjorie Lindsay was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Mount Saint Vincent University on November 6, 2016 Dave Csinos successfully defended his PhD dissertation in practical theology from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto on November 16th.
Prayer in the Transept : During Advent there will be someone in the north transept (where the piano is kept) available for 1:1 prayer following Sunday worship. You may want to have prayers for a variety of reasons: thanksgiving, petition for self, intercession for another etc. All prayer will be confidential.
Upcoming Services December 4: Advent 2; Holy Communion Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 Do-Over Opp – Rev. Lynn Uzans Music: Todd,Vivaldi and Schubert December 11: Advent 3 Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Improv Pageant – Rev. Jenny Csinos Music: Songsters and Marshmallow Choir December 18: Advent 4 Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Santa, Scrooge, George Bailey and Jesus – Pastor John Dalton Music: Stanford’s Magnificat December 18: Carols By Candlelight 7:00 pm Service of Lessons and Carols Featuring Music From: FBC Senior Choir, Men Without Jackets, Duo Tranquillo: Katherine Fitch-Loza and Kimberly North, Shawn Whynot, Organ. Under the Direction of Music Director: Lynette Wahlstrom December 24: Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Family Service Fear Knot – Rev. Jenny Csinos Music: FBC Youth Christmas Band, Songsters and Marshmallow Choir, and Grace Notes December 24: Christmas Eve 11:00 pm Holy Communion The Whisper of God – Rev. Lynn Uzans Music: Schubert and FBC Choir Soloists Natasha Sider and Amanda Zadeh, Flutist Kimberly North December 25: Christmas Day The Face of Hope – Rev. Lynn Uzans Music: Spoken Service January 1: Christmas 2 Ecclesiastics 3:1-13; Psalm 8 Revelation 21:1-6a; Matthew 25:31-46 Renewal – James Hazelton Music: Daquin and Handel
Throughout Advent the sanctuary will be open for quiet reflection from 4-6pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Feel free to drop into the space, bring your devotions from home or come for quiet prayer. A Minister will be available if you would like to talk. All are welcome. Sanctuary Hosts Welcome: Throughout the past Advent and Lenten seasons the Sanctuary was open selected hours for quiet reflection. Some members of our congregation, as well as the greater community, found solace in a place of quiet rest. Given the response received, we’d like to open our doors again, but need some help. To show greater hospitality, we are looking for “hosts” that could welcome any guests that would come during this time. Perhaps they have a question about the windows, or services or just need to see a friendly face. At these times either Rev. Lynn or Rev. Jenny will be available should a guest wish to speak to a minister If you are available to host, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board across from the parlour. The sanctuary will be open from Tues.-Thurs. from 46pm throughout Advent (November 29th — December 22nd).
On Wednesday, November 16th, Dave Csinos successfully defended his PhD dissertation in practical theology from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto. His dissertation, titled An Exploration of Children and Culture in the United Church of Canada, explores how children make theological meaning in different cultural contexts. For over a year, Dave engaged in qualitative research at four United Church congregations, each of which was a unique cultural context for this study. The knowledge his research generates has significant implications for the academic field of childhood studies and religion, the United Church’s vision for becoming intercultural, and congregational ministry with children. For more information about Dave’s work, please go to www.davecsinos.com or www.astheology.ns.ca/faculty
Wednesday, December 21st at 7:00 pm
Longest Night Service St. Andrew's United Church 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax A joint service of reflection and contemplation with First Baptist Church Halifax, St. John's United Church, The Presbyterian Church of St. David and St. Andrew's United Church. Christmas is sometimes difficult. This service will focus on the grief and loss during this time of year. The service is slow paced and contemplative with short readings, ritual and song. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served following the service.
All Donations for the 2016 calendar year must be received at the office, or post marked, December 31, 2016. All expenses for reimbursement to staff, Boards or Committees, must be received by the church office by January 3, 2016. All staff, Board or Committee reports for inclusion in the 2016 Annual Report Book are to be received by the church office no later than January 18, 2016.
December 11, 2016 There will be a short Congregational Meeting following the Worship Service on Sun., Dec. 11, (no lunch) to consider a recommendation from the Diaconate on the Visitation Ministry and a report from the Senior Minister Selection Committee on the position description for the new Senior Minister. January 29, 2017 Advance notice of the Budget and Mission Offering Budget for 2017 will be the focus of the Congregational Meeting on January 29, 2017
The Editorial Staff of VOICES extend to all a joyous Advent and Christmas
The FBC Auxiliary is collecting personal hygiene items, new hats, gloves, scarves, socks, pajamas and underwear for Coverdale this Christmas to be given to inmates of the Nova Centre for Women and the regional correction centre over the season. A box has been placed in the Narthex to receive your donations. Deadline is December 11th.
Announcements for the December 24 and 25 and January 1 bulletins should be into the church office by Friday, December 16 if at all possible.
Halifax’s Great Explosion to be Recognized On Tuesday, December 6th at 9:05am, First Baptist Church, along with other participating churches in Halifax with bells or chimes, will sound a lively celebratory ring for 60 seconds immediately after the sounding of the cannon at the Citadel. The sounding of the bells and chimes will give positive recognition to the lives of those who suffered and the work of those locally and from Boston who contributed to relief efforts during the aftermath with great generosity and compassion.
Have you ever wondered what Christmas would be like without gifts and a festive dinner with your family and friends? We are reminded every day that there are families and children in our community who go without the many things that we take for granted. At First Baptist we are fortunate enough that we can share our riches with others. White Gift Sunday is a special service during Advent when we give our gifts to support special needs and causes within our community. While in the historical past these gifts were of a tangible nature wrapped in white paper, today we partner with the Ward 5 Community Centre and are given the names of families in our community who are in need so gifts and food for a Christmas Dinner can be bought for them. We do this through our "White Gift Offering" providing the money for our gift shoppers, and for the bulk buying of the food for Christmas dinners. As the years progress, the families and the organizations we donate to change, but the heart behind White Gift Sunday remains the same. Our program has been a great success due to the generosity of our church families. We exhibit Jesus’ example of giving to and helping those who are in need and have been proud to be part of such a worthwhile appeal. It is not too late to contribute to this tremendous program! Thank you for your donations to the White Gift Program, for shopping for presents as well as wrapping them, and for volunteering to help with the packing and delivering of the food boxes and gifts on December 16 th and 17th. Our gifts of understanding, hope, and faith in others will keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our church and our community. May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love. Christmas is a time of giving and sharing and that is what we at First Baptist Church are doing through our White Gift Program. Gwendolyn MacLean, Chair Outreach Committee
1300 Oxford Street Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Phone: 902-422-5203 Email: office@fbchalifax.ca Facebook.com/FirstBaptistHalifax Twitter: twitter.com/FBCHfx
. . .was founded in 1827 as the Granville Street Baptist Church (renamed First Baptist Church in 1886) and is a member of the Halifax Region United Baptist Association as well as the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms (formerly the Atlantic Baptist Fellowship). We are intentionally ecumenical and inclusive in our services (Sundays at 10:30 a.m.) and programs. We are an affirming church. Photo by Warren Hoeg - June 2016
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