The Journey to Ordination During Sunday School on the morning of my ordination, I had the opportunity to share with the youth class about my own journey towards ordination. We had just finished reading about Abram and Sarai's promise from God that they would have a son. We read that they waited, at times more patiently than others, for that promise. It was 25 years before their son Isaac was born. We wondered together what this story could be telling us today. I began to share about what this story was saying for me. I have always felt called to ministry, especially with children. When I was a young girl I would play church with my friend. We would line up our stuffed animals on the stairs to my family home, she would lead the music, and I would preach to them. At the same time that I would play pretend, I never actually thought the opportunity would come for me, a female, to be in pastoral leadership. At the conservative church that I attended, I had never seen a woman in a ministry position. And yet, somewhere deep inside, the call was still lingering. As time went on I continued to serve in the church and felt led to ministry. I had served in ministry with Dave in other church contexts, and for one reason or another it did not feel right to go down the ordination route within those denominations. I started to put ordination out my head and explore ministry in others contexts, like in a hospital. As I worked on a residency program in a hospital, I felt in my gut that I missed the ongoing relationship that congregational ministry offers. It was around this time that I began dreaming of a life after residency, and through a Google search came upon the ministry position at First Baptist Church Halifax.
October 25, 2015
When I started my role as Minister of Faith Development at First Baptist, I wanted to explore the possibility of ordination again. For many years, I had pushed it away. But once again I felt that this is what God was calling me to. As I explained to the youth in the Sunday school class, ordination is not something that you decided to do one day. It is a recognition by a community of a lifelong calling to ministry. We talked about how some of the youth have made the decision to become baptized. The baptism itself did not change who they were, but it was a formal recognition of their decision to follow Christ. Ordination is similar to this. I have not changed, but October 25 was an outward recognition by FBCH and the CABF of my inward calling. Although, I did not wait 25 years for my call to ordination, like Abram and Sarai waited for their son, God was faithful. Indeed, God is faithful and God will continue to be faithful. Thank you all for joining me on this journey to ordination. I have appreciated your support and encouragement throughout my time at First Baptist. I am excited to see where God is calling us together and what promises are ahead.
An Instrument to Glorify God I recently hosted an RCCO Organ Technology workshop at FBC, with attendants from Halifax/ Dartmouth, Liverpool, Kingston, Wolfville, and PEI. James Chubb, our presenter, gave us the benefit of his experience in the Organ Manufacturing and Corporate business world. He is a 4th-generation organist, with both father and grandfather being Cathedral Organists in England, Vancouver, and Montreal. Our workshop participants discussed experiences ranging from Church amalgamation to Organ rescue, and the collective knowledge about the world of Pipe Organs was staggering. One thing was agreed upon by all, that the ultimate wish of every Organist was to have an excellent Pipe Organ for service playing. We at First Baptist Halifax are so very lucky to have a wonderful Casavant Pipe Organ, in such excellent condition. I am just one of many who stand in a long line of individuals, expressing gratitude for all those who have cared for and helped maintain our FBC Casavant Organ. Here is the FBC history that I know of so far, and I would be very happy to be able to fill in more pieces of information about our Casavant history, and also of the lineage of Music Directors. History of Casavant Organ (1950, 1967, 1984, 2011) Opus #1994, FBC Halifax In 1920, a new Organ was purchased for our former church on Spring Garden Road; a Miss Elsie Taylor was engaged as Organist. However, this Organ was destroyed in the 1942 fire. Thanks to the efforts of the Congregation at the Oxford location, a new Casavant Organ was obtained in 1968. The Organ Chimes were dedicated as a gift from the Colwell family, and the Organ Ranks were enlarged by gifts from the Barrow, Colwell, Dennis, Manning, and Thomas families. A major rebuild and restoration was completed in 1984 by J. Jean Girouard. The organ console was rebuilt in 2002 by Hugh Knapton for the cost of $50,000 which brought the Organ to it's present-day specifications. Our Casavant is presently maintained by Robert Hiller of Alan T. Jackson Co., from Toronto, who in 2011, completed a rebuild of moving parts in the Swell division, as well as reparation of the Swell motor. Our investment in maintaining and caring for this instrument has been appreciated by all who hear it's
dulcet tones. In honour of this effort, I am compiling is a list of our Musical leaders at FBC: William Ackhurst (Spring Garden Rd. Church) Elsie Taylor (Spring Garden Rd. Church) Vivienne Fowler Ethyl M.C. Hicks Marion Dewis Irving Balcom Eric Tennant Marion Stewart Peter Hawkins Leon Cole W. Percy Burgoyne Peter J. Hawkins David R. Howat Frances Tyrell Edward Norman Michael Prescesky Alan Fraser David MacDonald Brian Start Allen Wayte Lynette Wahlstrom What is the value of a Great Instrument? It inspires people to come to Church, to sing in the Congregation and the Choir. It provides value and inspiration in Worship, and allows everyone to experience, while walking amongst that ancient line of Composers and Musicians, music to glorify God. Join me in celebrating Music at FBC this Advent and Christmas season!
This Advent and Christmas, Lynette and the FBC Senior Choir will be joined by: Nov. 29th Songsters Dec. 6th Naomi Sney, soloist Dec. 13th Duo Tranquillo: Katherine Fitch-Loza, harp, Kimberly North, flute Dec. 20th Carols by Candlelight: Men Without Jackets, Maritime Brass Quintet, Shawn Whynot Dec. 24th: 4 pm Songsters and Megan Henderson, guitar 11 pm Natasha Sider, soloist Submitted by Lynette Wahlstrom, FBC Music Director November, 2015
Looking Back 50 YEARS Ago To . . . Working with the community.
1965
Church use included pre-school classes for deaf children, Sunday afternoon classes for mentally challenged children, Saturday morning Dutch language classes, and the Halifax Ladies Musical Club.
The Social Services Committee, guided by L.T. Hancock, raised $2250 for Cornwallis Baptist Church to hire an assistant minister to help Rev. Charles Coleman with the work among the coloured people of the city. They hosted a Christmas party for 70 children from Africville and helped run the Vacation Bible School. They raised money for the Student Christian Movement in Beechville, Hammonds Plains, and North Preston. The name was changed to the Committee on Social Concern with revised terms of reference. The Churches for New Communities Project raised $1000 for Calvary Baptist Church in Spryfield; $500 for the St. Margaret's Bay parsonage; $250 for Beechville Church; $500 for the Jeddore parsonage. Missionary and Extension Work raised $13,000. A donation to Acadia University of $1436. An Acadian theology student was awarded $400 in financial assistance. Dr. R. M. Fielding, Chair of the Diaconate, was appointed to the Bench of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. First Baptist joined with West End Baptist Church for their 75th anniversary celebrations. West End Baptist had been founded by First Baptist as the Quinpool Mission in 1890. Under the leadership of Miss Mary Freeman, a record-breaking donation was made to the Canadian Bible Society. WMS had 126 members who raised $3036 for various projects. Mrs. Blanche Baker reported on her trip to Peru as the Dominion Red Cross rep. Miss Bessie Lockhart told of her work in India and stressed the need for unmarried women missionaries. Miss Lois Duffy presented "Christ in the Art of Africa". Miss Maxine Morse hosted the summer picnic at Indian Harbour. Life membership certificates were awarded
to Mrs. P. Prentice, Miss Mary Myers, and Miss M. Morse. Women's Auxiliary organized the Tea and Sale, the Pantry Sale and the Rummage Sale. They catered the Men's Institute Suppers and the Mother and daughter Banquet. They purchased a new stove and sink for the parsonage and renovated the bathroom. They sent birthday cards to veterans at Camp Hill, and supported Grenfell Mission, Basin View Home, Victoria General Hospital, NS Temperance Foundation, NS Home for Coloured Children, Maritime Home for Girls, Africville Social Services and the Brunswick-Cornwallis pre-school. The Men's Brotherhood had 60 men, including C. Illsley, Don Myers and George Earle. Rev. Donald Skeir, moderator of the African Baptist Convention, spoke about "Personal Observations of the Past and Future". Rev. David Kennedy spoke about "Experiences as a Hospital Chaplain". Rev Carey Harvey, Dr. Reid and Lloyd Shaw led a panel entitled "The Acadia Controversy". Fred Joyce, a member of the Naval Medical Team, spoke about the "Easter Island Medical Expedition." At Ladies' Night, Eileen Foran sang a solo. Elsewhere in the world: Rogers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music premieres in New York. Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov makes the first spacewalk. Mariner 4 sends first photos of Mars back to Earth. Gemini 6 and 7 become the first manned spacecraft to rendezvous in orbit. President Johnson authorizes the use of ground troops in combat in Vietnam. Civil war breaks out in Dominican Republic and 23,000 US troops invade to prevent Communist takeover. The United Nations votes to refuse membership to China. The Merry Pranksters host an LSD psychedelic party in San Francisco and become the first concert in history to include a light show.
BRUNSWICK STREET MISSION BREAKFAST PROGRAM The Outreach Committee invites members of the congregation to help, prepare and serve breakfast for the Brunswick Street Mission on Saturday, December 12th at 5:30 AM. Although a busy time of year for everyone, we are hoping that we will have lots of volunteers sign up for this very rewarding outreach project. Sign-up sheets can be found on the bulletin board outside the Parlour.
We Remember . . . On November 8th we will gather at First Baptist for our regular worship service however our focus will not only be upon God but also of the Men and Women who served our country - and our allies - in times of great wartime distress, along with the joys and sorrows of peacekeeping endeavours around the world. We will be joined by Guest Speaker, Vice Admiral Glenn Davidson, CMM, CD (retired) a Halifax son who will speak to his Personal Reflections on Syria. Vice Admiral Davidson is a graduate of the University of Kings College and a distinguished Naval Officer. Also he was appointed Ambassador to Syria for 31/2 years beginning September 2008 until the Embassy closed in 2012 and as Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from May 2012 until July 2013. All Veterans and currently serving members of the Armed Forces (in uniform or not) are invited to this Service of Remembrance. As our very special guests, we would be pleased, if you are able, to process with the Choir at the beginning of the service and to be part of the recessional at the end of the service. You can join the processional by being in the narthex 10 minutes before the beginning of the service. As we join in Remembrance let us keep alive the memories of those who did not return from the causes for which they fought, and also for the women and men who did. Let us pray and give thanks for the peacemakers and all national leaders who are choosing the way of peace and reconciliation. Grant them wisdom and courage to do what is right for all women, men and children; and for the many who are working to improve international relationships, help them to find the true way of reconciliation. May their hearts be turned to you and know the source of all peace. On November 8th and again on November 11th let us remember, that still . . . In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row . . .
Men Without Jackets Calling all tenor and bass voices as we prepare our Advent selections. Rehearsal Schedule Sat Nov 28 Rehearsal and decorate sanctuary Sun Dec 13 Caritas 2:00 pm (arrive 1:15 pm) Sun Dec 20 Carol service 7:00 pm (arrive for 6 pm photo) Remember, we call ourselves "Men Without Jackets" because God never said we needed to dress up to sing his praises. For further information, contact our Director of Music, Lynette Wahlstrom. Men Without Jackets: Peter Fillmore, Anthony Zadeh, Bryan Darrell, Mac Philips, Ian McKee, Jim Stanley, David Bourque, Alan Manchester, Erick Lee, Joe O’Brien, Brian Ashton, Ken Margeson, Nelson Metcalfe, David Dexter, Paul Henderson, John Dalton, David Gibson, Garnet Colwell, Tom Crowell, Alan North, Jeremy Dutcher, Tony Marshall, Kim Davison, Ed Tummers, Dahrl Whitney, Richard MacMichael, Allen Cruess, Benjamin Shaw. Guest organists, Patrick Salah, Shawn Whynot, Andrea Dickinson.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study at 10am: Topic: The Songs (or Canticles) that we find in the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. These are The Song of Mary (The “Magnificat”) - Luke 1:46-55; The Song of Zechariah (The “Benedictus”) - Luke 1:59-79; The Song of the Angels (The “Gloria in Excelsis”) - Luke 2:14 and The Song of Simeon (The “Nunc Dimittis”) - Luke 2:29-32. We’ll explore the origins and backgrounds of these well-known songs and their place in our worship in the Christmas season. We meet in the Parlour, coffee will be on by 9:45am. Everyone is welcome. Class Leader, Dr. Pauline Allsop. In case you missed the first class, the handout can be found on the church website. Please also read Luke 1 and 2.
Tuesday Morning s
Intergenerational Family Fellowship: Sat., Nov. 14, 5:30pm, Hazelton’s home. Please bring a nut-free salad, main course or dessert to share. Everyone is welcome to join in for fellowship followed by a group discussion. Please RSVP to Bob Hazelton (bob_hazelton@hotmail.com).
Our curriculum offers at home resources for continuous conversations of faith formation for the whole family. Check out the church website for each weeks take-home sheet.
Mark Your Calendar!:
The intergenerational advent potluck is scheduled for November 29th following worship. Everyone is invited to the assembly room, please bring a food item to share. We'll brainstorm together and make advent calendars that will draw us towards the coming of Christ!
Take Sun day School Ho me
Meet our Newest Members Darcy (Elliot) Gillis was born in Windsor, NS in 1983 and attended Windsor Baptist until she was about 10 years old when her family moved to Dartmouth and joined First B a p ti s t D a rtm o u th . A f te r completing a BA at Mount Saint Vincent University, she moved to Fredericton for a couple years where she completed a Masters of History and met her husband, Roger Gillis. When she moved back to Halifax she started working in group homes for people with intellectual disabilities, and did so for five years before answer a call to ministry as a chaplain. She was attending Saint Andrew's United Church during this time, but through her education at Acadia Divinity College, she felt called back to her Baptist roots. Luckily, she has found a home in First Baptist Church Halifax where important Baptist traditions and beliefs are celebrated in an inclusive way. Darcy is very excited to see what God has in store for her as a member of FBCH and is looking forward to getting to know more people in the congregation.
Daniel Cheverie is thrilled to be a new member of the First Baptist community. The people, the church service, and the church's unique legacy of inclusivity and community engagement fulfill Daniel's personal spiritual needs and align with his understanding of Jesus' teachings. Daniel's faith has played a important role in making him the healthy person he is today. Daniel looks forward to getting to know each member of the First Baptist Church family. Daniel was born and raised in Elliot Lake, Ontario. True to his Northern Ontario roots, Daniel loves being outdoors. He enjoys fishing and driving his four-wheeler. Daniel joined the military when he was 18 and served in the Army for three years. Daniel is an entrepreneur at heart. After leaving the military, he started his own residential painting company in Ottawa, Ontario. The business was successful and Daniel expanded into doing painting, tiling, small-scale residential renovations and other home improvements. He is truly passionate about his work After ten years in Ottawa, Daniel followed his heart to Nova Scotia. He married a native Haligonian, Tiffany Cheverie. Daniel has grown to love the east coast and the ocean. When not at work, Daniel can be found spending time with his family. He is a proud father of Elliot Cheverie. Daniel enjoys camping, cooking and reading historical adventure novels.
REMEMBER OUR FOOD TRUNK The third Sunday of each month has been designated as Food Bank Sunday, with donations going to local food banks, such as Feed Nova Scotia, Ward 5 Food Bank, and the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank to help feed those in need, especially now as we begin the winter season.
Outreach Committee - WHITE GIFT This is the time of year when we plan our White Gift Program which will take place on December 13th. Here’s a great way for you to get involved! Last year, members of the congregation generously donated $9,600.25 to the program. For many years, we have allowed for $60.00 to be spent on a gift for each person we support. This year the committee has increased this amount to $75.00 per person. We are hoping to provide gifts for at least 80 people and donate a minimum of $1,500.00 for Christmas dinners as well as support a few other worthy organizations this holiday season. Volunteers are needed to:
help pack the food boxes on December 18th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Ward 5 Neighbourhood Centre; and deliver the food boxes, as well as the gifts, to the recipients on December 19th at 9:00 AM.
We’re counting on your support to make our White Gift Program a success again this year – a wonderful way to bring Christmas to families in need!
This year, Christ the King Sunday will be celebrated on November 22nd, the last Sunday of Ordinary time. Advent I, November 29th, will mark the beginning of the new Church Year, during which we'll focus on the Gospel of Luke.
Jervis Mcentee’s Autumn Landscape
Leaves How silently they tumble down And come to rest upon the ground To lay a carpet, rich and rare, Beneath the trees without a care, Content to sleep, their work well done, Colors gleaming in the sun. At other times, they wildly fly Until they nearly reach the sky. Twisting, turning through the air Till all the trees stand stark and bare. Exhausted, drop to earth below To wait, like children, for the snow." - Elsie N. Brady,
Being the last Sunday of the Christian Church year, Christ the King Sunday is the climax and conclusion of the our journey through the life of Christ and the Gospel message. Its purpose is to celebrate the coming reign of Christ as King of the Earth and his completion of the renewed creation that marks the fullness of the Kingdom of God. That hope is born from the entire life of Christ and his teachings that have been celebrated in the seasons of the Church Year during the past twelve months. In celebrating the Reign of Christ the King, this Sunday also provides an appropriate bridge to the new Church year that begins the following first Sunday of Advent (which is next Sunday) with an emphasis on hope and expectation, the longing for the coming of the Kingdom of God amid the darkness of a world in turmoil. (From the Biblical and Theological Resources for Growing Churches website www.crivoice.org/christtheking.html).
Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op People and the Planet Before Profits Buy a bag of coffee to support projects of the Community Outreach Committee, as well as to support the Fair Trade partnership between producers, traders or buyers, and consumers. Colombian Mexican Morning Breaking the Silence French Roast Decaf
$11.00 $11.00 $11.00 $12.00
French Roast Italian Mocha Java
$11.00 $11.00 $11.00
Proceeds from the sale of coffee are being used to buy food items for the Brunswick Street Breakfast Program (i.e. pancakes, sausages, home fries, juice, fruit and sandwiches). When you purchase a bag of coffee, you are supporting the Fair Trade partnership between producers, traders or buyers, and consumers. Buy a box (6 bags) of Fair Trade Coffee for your office!
The Ordination of Lic. Jenny Csinos October 25, 2015
First Baptist Church Halifax
A Reception for Rev. Jenny Csinos
A Celebration of Love and Commitment