Tonight June 2nd, Patrick Simms and Friends in Concert; FBC 7:30pm Lynette Wahlstrom will accompanying him on piano. This is a Graduate School Fundraiser Concert. June 3rd, Friday, Congregational Supper 5:30pm for Meeting 6:00pm (Transition) June 4th, Saturday, Rushton Lectures Port William Baptist Registration 10:00am June 5th, Sunday, 12:15pm FBC Youth Concert June 6th, Monday, 7:00pm, in the Church Parlour to discuss "Please Pass the Faith" by Elsie Rempel with Rev. Jenny June 7th, Tuesday, Fierce Females St. Andrew’s United 6 to 7:30 pm June 12th, Sunday, 7 pm Jeremy Dutcher In Concert : Room 406 of the Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Ave by June 15th, Sunday, Sign-up for Connections, Church Parlour June 26th, Sunday after Worship (rain or shine) CE Closing BBQ Church Parking Lot August 15-19; 9am to 4 pm Vacation Bible School
...July 3rd and 10th, with
St. John's United Church where the Congregation of St. John’s United meet for worship at the Maritime Conservatory of Music 6199 Chebucto Road, Halifax Worship Service begins at 10:30 am
...July 17th and 24th, with
The Presbyterian Church of St. David 1544 Grafton Street, Halifax, NS Worship Service begins at 10:30 am
...July 31st and August 7th, with
St. Andrew's United Church 6036 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS Worship Service begins at 10:30 am
...August 14th, 21st and 28th, with
First Baptist Church Halifax 1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS Worship Service begins at 10:30 am
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. . . we’re lucky to have dedicated parents and teachers in the Sunday School, a very dynamic and creative Minister of Faith Formation, and great role models in our congregation . . .
As the new Chair of the Board of Christian Education at FBC I’m excited to be helping support the organization of Christian Education within the church I’ve now been attending for 20 years! I must thank outgoing Chair Janet Margeson for her hard work and ongoing support with this committee even as her own children have grown and moved on to pursue their education outside of Halifax. Her continued efforts with the Board of CE speaks volumes about her dedication to our youth and our congregation. Working on this committee is a good compliment to the teaching roles I’ve played within the Sunday School Program over the years where I’ve watched many of our children grow and mature. I also realize that school, kids, and the learning process aren't what I remember them being like when I was a kid (spoken as an old-timer in training). Today there are more activities and interests competing for our children’s attention than ever. Sunday School represents a very small fraction of time in our kid’s week. The challenge is to make the most of what we can while we
can to educate our youth, but also to ensure they feel welcome, cared for and engaged in the activities being planned. Doing so requires an approach that not only focuses on the children in the Sunday school program but also the parents, grandparents, greatgrandparents and other family members to reflect and reinforce the messages being shared each Sunday. In this way, the Board of Christian Education is also about adults and supporting educational opportunities for all members of the FBC community. Fortunately, we’re lucky to have dedicated parents and teachers in the Sunday School, a very dynamic and creative Minister of Faith Formation, and great role models in our congregation. We look forward to supporting opportunities to explore and learn for all ages and building on the great work that has and is occurring. I'm confident that we will all come through this period of transition with new ideas and approaches and renewed energy in our shared approach to Christian education. Jason Naug, Chair Christian Education
VOICES will not be published in July. Please forward any articles for the August publication to Rev. Jenny (jennycsinos@fbchalifax.ca) or Frank McGill (fmcgill@ns.sympatico.ca)
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Transition – The Journey since January
I hope my stories of mentors will trigger memories of people who guided and shaped your journey. And I hope that, as we travel together over the next several months, you will share those memories and use them to help define not only the past but the present and future, for yourself and the congregation of this
Church we call ‘home’
Here we are, after five months of work on this Stage 2 of Transition at First Baptist. Perhaps it would be helpful to have a quick look at what we’ve done so we all can more fully ponder our learning. We began with a ‘getting to know you’ process which included conversations, and questions. For 8 weeks, we talked, and answered the weekly questions in our bulletin. These questions focused on what might help deepen prayer and spiritual life, the level of our outreach, dreams of mission, and reality of our vision statement. We looked at the usefulness of our communication tools we use and asked about your activities and interests beyond this congregation.. In February, we began to have facilitated home discussion groups, asking about your spiritual life and the role First Baptist played/plays in that. We discussed what we, as a church do well and faithfully and how we might improve. To date, we have had 82 people participate in a total of 11 groups. In each group the discussion has been deep and lively. Please – if you have not yet had an opportunity to participate in a home discussion and are eager to do that soon – email or call the office so that you can be included asap. In April, we began having focused interviews with various committees/Church groups. To date, we have had discussions with 5 committees. We are asking
about what excites and fills you with hope, what concerns you, and how your ministry might be improved. In each case, the conversations were thoughtful and insightful. On May 6, we held the first of three congregational meetings and looked at “Who We Have Been”. Using a timeline, 1827 – 2016, we worked as a group to name and discuss various points in the history of FBC, intertwining this with events and developments in Halifax and beyond. The chart was left on the wall with the invitation that others add to it (information, comments etc). Although those of us working closely with the process are gathering some thoughts about what is being discovered, we are hesitant to say too much in case this skews the way we ask questions in the next little while. Certainly, some things come as no surprise. For example it is not surprising that the decision to be intentionally inclusive is cited regularly as “good news”, or that the Baptist Four Fragile Freedoms are highly valued, even when that requires sacrifice. The latter goes back to our 1827 roots. At the first congregational meeting, one member put it this way, “When I look at the timeline it tells me that First Baptist is a rebel – in all the best sense of the word. We are prepared to think outside the box and
act on it”. The timeline also showed the presence of resiliency and grounding. As moves became necessary and the world shifted and swayed with events, this congregation adapted and grew. Of course there are areas being named that need attention and improvement. Some of these are: How do we find a language to talk about the faith that guides us personally and corporately? How do we live in to our desire to be genuinely welcoming and truly inclusive? How do we make good choices around our resources (finances, building, people)? How do we govern ourselves so that all have a say without becoming bogged down in process? How do we pass on our faith in ways younger generations can hear. How can this structure be maintained in coming years and should it? More definite findings will be gleaned as we analyze paperwork from the questions, discussions and congregational meetings. Thank you for investing your time, energy and prayer into this journey of discovery and discernment. Please continue to participate and hold the whole process in prayer. Next month, I will submit a shorter article on the second and third congregational meetings, which focus on who we are now and what we believe God is calling us to do in the next few years. Rev. Lynn
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“
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Graduates: Each year we like to acknowledge our high school - college - university graduates. Please contact the office if you have, or know of, a graduate with their name and the details of where they are graduating from, and what their future plans are.
. . . is an inner city Halifax based organization that pairs young people with the pleasures of gardening. The youth grow vegetables, herbs and spices and produce salad dressing, energy drinks and baby food from the produce. On June 12th Jessie Jollymore the founder of the project will be coming to First Baptist Church to tell you about the latest project this group has undertaken. Please plan to attend on June 12th you will not be disappointed.
Congregational Life Dedications: June 5: Pentecost 4; Communion; Baptism 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146 Galatians 1:11-24; Luke 7:11-17 Health Check – Rev. Lynn Uzans Music: Lange, Vasiliauskaite June 12: Pentecost 5 1 Kings 21:1-21a; Psalm 5:1-8 Galations 2:15-21; Luke 7:36-8:3 Hope Blooms - Jessie Jollymore Music: Songsters, Wesley
April 24, 2016 Julia Katherine Melvin (b. Nov. 11, 2012) Benjamin Mark Joseph Melvin (b. Aug. 18, 2015) Parents: Kate and Mark Melvin Grandparents: Ben and Sandra Popwell Great-Grandparents: Bruce and June Sterns
Of Special Note:
June 19: Pentecost 6 1 Kings 19:1-15a; Psalm 42 and 43 Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39 Running With Fear – Rev. Jenny Csinos Music: FBC Women’s Choir, Palestrina
Marjorie Lindsay and her husband, the late John Lindsay, were presented the Lifetime Achievement Award in Philanthropy on June 1, by the Maritime Philanthropy Association.
June 26: Pentecost 7 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62 The Sound of Silence – Rev. Lynn Uzans Music: Rutter, Haydn
Kalab Workye, son of Nigat and Bekele Alemayehu, for being awarded the Dalhousie Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Marjorie Lindsay who will receive an honorary degree from Dalhousie University at their Spring Convocation ceremonies.
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Fierce Females: A New Slant on Women in the Bible: Tuesdays in June, 6 -7:30 PM at St Andrews United Church. The series is being co-led with other churches. Jenny is leading a discussion on Rahab (June 7) and Lynn is leading a discussion on Jael (June 21). Other sessions are still in the planning stage. All are most welcome - come and discover new ways of looking at these important figures.
Fierce Females
Parenting/Grandparenting Book Study: On Monday evenings in June beginning on the 6th at 7:00pm, meet in the parlour to discuss "Please Pass the Faith" by Elsie Rempel. Rev. Jenny has 12 copies of this book available, if you would like to be part of the group, please pick up your copy from her. We'll discuss one or two chapters each session and share based on our own experience. This class is open to anyone, parents, grandparents, or any who want to pass their faith onto others. Summer
Homework: This summer, while you're out and about, if you happen to be close to sand, take a small handful of it with you in a jar or bag. It could be from your cottage, a stroll along the beach or off on vacation. The beginning of September, we'll gather all the sand together for a project we'll use later in the year.
Plan to stay following worship, Sunday, June 5th (light snacks will be provided during coffee time from the board of CE). The concert features musical performances from six of our children and youth as well as two numbers from the Songsters. A freewill offering will benefit CE. Everyone is welcome.
Jeremy Dutcher, former FBC Tenor Soloist and Section Lead, will be presenting a concert of Classical and Maliseet songs on Sunday, June 12th, 7 pm in Room 406 of the Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Ave. Admission: donations at the door.
Reserve June 26th following worship (rain or shine) for the CE closing BBQ. Stay and enjoy a hot dog lunch in the church parking lot. There will be face painting, a photo booth and a bouncy castle. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! Everyone is welcome.
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‘We Can See Clearly Now’ A Transition Message The following is an excerpt from an article by Dr. John Wimberly. John served congregations for 38 years, thirty of those years at Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. John’s quest for continuing personal, spiritual and professional growth led him to complete a PhD in systematic theology and an Executive MBA program. He is an author, lecturer, and congregational consultant.
--------------------------------------------------------------‘As a consultant, when I first meet with the leadership of a congregation, I ask them a straightforward question: “What is your congregation’s primary purpose, your driving reason for being?” Usually, the response is halting, filled with qualified statements, and includes a laundry list of things the congregation does. The exchange leaves me and the leaders with one clear conclusion: they aren’t sure what their primary purpose is. They have purposes. But not one, clear, driving purpose. ‘I can receive this response even in congregations that have recently gone through a strategic planning process. They emerge from the planning exercise with goals and strategies. But a clear, passionate sense of purpose? Too often, it is missing. ‘As a consultant, my biggest surprise continues to be the lack of clarity of purpose that I find among many congregations. Even some growing congregations are doing a little of this and a little of that successfully but without a clear, big picture intentionality to guide their decision-making. Despite having no well-defined sense of purpose, congregations still manage to do wondrous things for their members and community. But their impact could be taken to an exponentially higher level if they would focus their energy and resources with a laser-like intensity. ‘Patrick
Lencioni,
a
great
synthesizer
of
organizational insights, offers the following keys to achieving clarity of purpose in an organization: Create Clarity of Purpose Create a Cohesive Leadership Team (Staff and Lay) Over Communicate Clarity Reinforce Clarity ‘Given the changes around and within us, we need a clear plan for moving into the future. I am convinced that Moses, Paul, the Reform movement in Judaism and the other great builders of religious communities had strategic plans. Obviously, they didn’t call them strategic plans. However, they had the core elements of a strategic plan: a vision of where they were headed, broad goals to get there, and specific strategies to realize the goals. ‘At the heart of any effective strategic planning process is an energizing clarity of purpose about a congregation’s life for a three year period. If the purpose has engaged the imaginations and hearts of congregants, a member should be able to say, “This is what we are about. This is our purpose for the next few years.” The defined purpose will then shape the congregation’s decisions about its programs, staffing and finances going forward. ‘Clarity of purpose embodied in a strategic plan creates an internal discipline that is sorely lacking in many congregations. So, for example, if a member approaches the governing board with an idea for a program, the board no longer starts a debate about the value of the program. Instead, the board begins by asking itself, “Does this program contribute to our primary purpose? Or, is it a tangent that will divert energy and money away from our primary purpose?” ‘When a congregation and its leadership are very clear about their primary purpose, they will not allow themselves to get pulled into projects that don’t further the primary agenda. To members and committees with great but side-tracking ideas, their response will be, “Thank you for your enthusiasm and creativity. (continued on page 7)
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(continued from page 6)
This is a great idea. But it is not a great idea for us right now because here is the purpose we have all agreed to pursue. This project doesn’t currently mesh with our primary purpose.” Will such a response satisfy all those whose ideas are rejected in the name of clarity of purpose? No. But it will satisfy reasonable people. And frankly, those are the only people we can satisfy. ‘As a pastor, I found this aspect of clarity of purpose to be the most helpful. It is very difficult to say “no” to a congregational member or committee when they have developed enthusiasm for a particular idea or project. Indeed, we hope people will come to us filled with passion for some new ministry. But what if the new ministry will pull the congregation away from what it does best and its defined primary purpose?’ -------------------------------------------------------------------Clarity of purpose can help to accomplish cohesiveness among the membership, enhance the sense of belonging, encourage the desire to
find a role when our purpose is easily understood. Clarity of purpose keeps a focus on priorities and helps to guide decisions for the allocation of time, talent, and treasure in the church’s mission. Does First Baptist Church Halifax have clarity of purpose? Can we articulate the mission and vision we have in a few words? Are we a Gospel-driven community convinced of God’s vision of human dignity, well-being, and wholeness? Do we care about our vulnerable sisters and brothers and the gift of the earth we all share? Well, of course we answer, yes! And we do deliver on our convictions in many important ways. Can we do more? Can we be clearer? Can we invite others to join us? Can we joyfully come together bringing a laser-like focus to our mission? What might that look like? These are some of the questions we are addressing now in our transition journey. Join us in our up-coming gatherings this spring and fall and be a part of shaping the future of First Baptist Church Halifax!
Questions? Ideas? Speak to Rev. Lynn Uzans about our transition work, or to any member of the Transition Leadership Team at any time. David Dexter, Chair; Hugh Kirkegaard, Anne Marie Kruger-Naug, Dianne Kokesh, Clyde Evans, Lee Nicholas-Pattillo, Joe O’Brien.
This will not take a lot of time, and you do not need to be physically close together, just the intention of being together in spirit. How will it work?
We will all be pretty scattered over the summer; how can we still stay in touch with each other? Let’s partner up and connect once a week by phone, email or in person, with different questions.
1. Everyone willing to be part of "summer connections" please sign up in the parlour or email Rev. Jenny (jennycsinos@fbchalif ax.ca). This is for all ages, no restrictions; even if you are not physically able to be at First Baptist
Church, you can still be part of “Summer Connections.” This is a congregation wide activity. Please sign up by June 15th. 2. June 15th, all names will go into a hat and will be partnered. Rev. Jenny will advise the partnerships drawn and who they are. 3. Each week focus questions will be sent out for all participating. Something like, "Where did you see
God this week?" or "What was your biggest challenge this week?". This summer, let’s get to know each other on a deeper level and bring you closer to some one in the church. (Kind of like a spiritual reading buddy, or prayer partner.) Questions? Please contact Rev. Jenny Csinos
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First Baptist Church is excited to partner with St. John’s United this summer to host the Children’s GO Project at First Baptist Church. This social justicebased day camp is an action-packed week for children. Trained staff and vo l u n t e e r s wi l l lead programming inspired by The GO Project along with traditional camp experiences like games, crafts, and lots of fun! Children's Adventure Campers will do their part to make our world a better place. Ecological clean-ups, volunteerism at local nonprofit organizations, teambuilding activities, growing and sharing food, and other
1300 Oxford Street Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8 Phone: 902-422-5203 Fax:
902-422-8665
Email: office@fbchalifax.ca
We’re on the web at www.fbchalifax.ca
projects will spark their imaginations and give campers the confidence to change the world one small step at a time. Come join us for an action packed week as children in grades 2-7 explore together what peace and justice looks like through the experience of The GO Project. Registration (limited to 30) is $100 (financial aid available if needed), lunch and snacks are included.
To register, visit fbchalifax.ca/vacation-bible-school or speak to Rev. Jenny Csinos.
Billets are required for two leaders from August 13-20 You can donate peanut-free snack foods or drinking boxes You can offer to help transport children and youth for a field trip in the city Kitchen volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve snacks and lunches You can volunteer as a counselor for the week if you are 15 years or older (a small honorarium is provided) Please pray for the planning, preparation, volunteers, and the children that will be attending Tell your friends! Share the news about the camp and invite others to join!
. . .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.
connect