Acts of Faith
AUG
2021
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH We are a family of faith, sharing God’s love in a spirit of hope.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son." Matthew 22:2 There's not a king or a wedding, but that banquet part sounds good! Come celebrate the kingdom of heaven with us at the Fall Kickoff Party on Wednesday, August 25, starting at 5:30 p.m. outside by the playground. The goals of this gathering are three-fold: 1) learn about opportunities to learn and share life together this fall; 2) eat; 3) have no-pressure fun with each other. Our feast will be a cookout potluck; hamburgers, hot dogs, and chips will be provided and we’d love for you to bring a side or dessert to share if you can. No banquet is complete without entertainment, so we'll have yard games and our third annual Faith Baptist Trivia Tournament. That's right, there's food, fun, AND a trophy! Let's party!
The CDC and Kentucky Department of Health recently updated mask guidance in light of the rapid increase of COVID cases. The recommendations are for everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear masks indoors. We encourage you to follow that recommendation in an effort to protect those who are most vulnerable at this time, including children and individuals who are immunocompromised. Remember that during worship the front pews by the organ are reserved for people who still need to wear masks and practice physical distancing. Please be kind and respect the concerns of all those gathering for worship or any church activity. We will be conducting another vaccination survey this month to get an updated congregational vaccination rate, allowing us to continue making informed decisions moving forward. Updates on regathering are available at familyoffaith.net/covid-19-response.
An updated church directory will be distributed this month. Paper copies will be available in the foyer or by calling the church office. A password-protected digital version will be sent to everyone on the Faith File list.
While we found creative and meaningful ways to be together this past year, it was so difficult to not be able to gather as a family of faith and eat! There is so much joy in sharing a meal in a space where you can be vulnerable and relaxed, and you know the people around the table love you. We are excited to announce that Wednesday Night Dinners are back this fall! We will meet outside by the playground (just like we do for our Fall Kickoff) while COVID numbers remain elevated. The intention of Wednesday Nights is to practice shared life, one of our six core practices. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30. A few discussion questions will be provided at each table to encourage conversation, with the hope that this hour will be a time for people to connect over food as they share their joys and concerns with one another. After dinner, from 6:30 to 7, we'll have a program or activity that further enriches connection by providing a chance for people to share their passions, learn, and enjoy the beauty of play. The activity will be different each week, but will be something like TedTalk-style presentations from a fellow congregant, trivia nights, important topic conversations, game nights, and other opportunities to share life together. We hope you will make Wednesday Nights a regular part of your routine this fall. It won't be family dinner time without you!
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In the beginning there was nothing, but a great BIG smile. Then God said, “Let there be LIGHT!” And then there was, and God’s Beautiful Wonderful Colorful World was created. God was the very first and greatest artist. Inside each and everyone of us is an artist that reflects our divine Creator. And so we are having our very own Faith Baptist Church Art Camp where we will celebrate ALL the colors God gave us. All children 4 years through 5th grade are invited for a fun week of exploring Bible stories, playing together, learning about famous artists who changed the world, and creating their own masterpieces. The children will be presenting their art before and during the worship service on Sunday, August 8, and we hope you’ll join us! Please be in prayer for our week together, praying for the children and families who will be a part of the camp, for our own children that they will encounter God in new and different ways, and for the volunteers who will be helping. As children grow, so does their vocabulary, including their language of faith. Godly Play is designed to nurture children’s fluency in stories of the Bible and their own journey in a way that will serve them for a lifetime. Cynthia Insko and Pastor Amanda are excited to share NEW Godly Play stories and wondering together with our older children during Sunday School this fall. As our children and teachers prepare to go back to school, we will pray for them on Sunday, August 22, during the worship service. We will pray for a smooth entry back into school and for their health and safety. We want to let them all know that their church family loves them and will be praying for them. All children are welcome to bring their backpack to lay at the altar for a blessing that morning.
We have really enjoyed reconnecting with our youth, children, and their families this summer! Our family campout at the Kentucky Horse Park was fun and relaxing. We got to see lots of animals on our trip to the Cincinnati Zoo. We even got to pet giant turtles and feed giraffes!
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I can’t believe August is here and school is just around the corner! We’ve had a great summer of reconnecting and building community. Our youth have been working on mission endeavors and look forward to sharing what they’ve come up with in the next few weeks!
JOY is having a great summer getting back together and going on outings. Our trip to Spark Community Café in Versailles was a success and we all recommend it to you for your next outing.
We are also getting back in the swing of things with Sunday mornings! The middle school class will be led by Jared Wilcox and will continue to meet in the large youth room so they can spread out. High schoolers will be meeting across the gym in a new “coffee house” room designed just for them! We’ll have drinks and food and great conversations from 10-10:45 every Sunday morning beginning August 22! I hope you will encourage your teenagers to be present on Sunday mornings!
Our July meeting gave us an opportunity to express our hopes for the future and we have several ideas for the coming fall season. Please be in prayer for our Minister to Seniors search team as they make decisions in the coming days.
There will be a parent meeting right after worship on Sunday, August 22. Please make every effort to attend as we will go over the fall calendar and have sign-ups!
The next JOY lunch is Monday, August 16, at 11 a.m. The Senior Committee will provide BBQ, slaw, and hashbrown casserole. We hope you will join us. Bring your favorite potluck dish if you are able.
Our students are off to school and we pray everyone has a great year! If you’re interested in connecting with one of our college students by sending them cards or care packages, please let Sharon know ASAP! Georgetown College students are also back on campus this month! We are looking forward to meeting new students and reconnecting with old friends! We will be hosting a monthly lunch and Bible study for college students. If you are interested in helping with this ministry to GC students and other young adults, please contact Sharon. • We camped out at the Horse Park and had a beautiful weekend of camping, swimming, s’mores and cards! • We helped feed students at the Directions retreat for the Georgetown College Christian Scholars program! • We kayaked and canoed down the Elkhorn with about 30 people from Faith families and friends! • We took youth to the zoo and had so much fun hanging out with the animals! It’s been a great summer and we’re looking forward to what’s in store for the fall!
We’ve had so much fun playing volleyball this summer with our friends at Wesley United Methodist Church! We have one more play date scheduled and we’d love to see you there. We’ll be at the sand volleyball pits in Marshall Park on Monday, August 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. In case of rain, we’ll play in the gym at Faith. All skill levels are welcome!
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Words from William When I came to Faith there was an outstanding question of how we as a church would welcome and treat people in the LGBTQ community. Will we be willing to host and allow our ministers to officiate same-sex weddings? Will people in the LGBTQ community be welcome to become full members of our church family or will we withhold certain membership rights such as leadership roles? Behind these administrative questions are theological ones. What does it look like to love our neighbors? Is homosexuality a sin? If so, what is the balance between grace and righteousness? These are all big, meaningful questions that are part of a larger conversation happening in our church, community, and nation right now. We began this conversation in the fall of 2019 but suspended it during the pandemic. Now that we are resuming regular, in-person activities, it is time for us to resume this conversation as we consider the practical application of our church being a family of faith, sharing God's love in a spirit of hope with our LGBTQ neighbors and friends. At our August business meeting, I will present the process by which we will go about having this conversation regarding both church practice and theology. I know this is a big conversation, but this isn't the first time this church has successfully navigated hard topics. From racial inclusion, women in ministry, to divorce and remarriage, we have a rich history of tough conversations ending in respect while pursuing our understanding of the will of God no matter the risk. Like before, it is important for us to have a clear understanding of how we will operate as a church so that we can honestly represent how welcoming we are for prospective members of the LGBTQ community. Even just having this conversation is an important witness for our society right now. It seems that we have lost the ability to have hard conversations, yet God calls us to unity even amidst our diversity. We know that not everyone is going to agree, that big emotions and beliefs are involved, and that lots of nuance and grace are necessary, but we also know that church should be the one place left where those kinds of conversations can happen. Ultimately, this conversation will end with an administrative decision on how our church will function, but I hope that no matter what is decided, there is always room for a diversity of thought and belief at Faith Baptist Church. As Anne Rose once told me, "We (Faith) might not always agree, but we never let that break us apart. Even when the church does something we don't agree with, that doesn't stop us from loving our family of faith." We are united in a love of God, love of neighbor, and love of each other. That love will guide us as we seek the will of God for our family of faith. As we prepare to restart this conversation please spend some time in personal prayer and study. Pray for discernment, our church, and for God's will to be done. Have conversations with those around you about their experiences and understanding. Learn more about different perspectives and interpretations via the blogs, books, articles, and podcasts resources at familyoffaith.net/further-study.
July’s book was The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Contact Amanda@familyoffaith.net to find out the book for August. We’ll have our monthly discussion on Thursday, August 26, on Zoom. All are welcome to join us!
The choir will meet on Sunday, August 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary to rehearse. We'll sing for worship on August 22 and August 29. All are welcome to join us!
All are welcome to join us on Tuesday, August 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the church basement for dinner and to help with Prayers and Squares! Many jobs are available; you do not need to know how to quilt. Contact Kathy Fraley with questions.
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We've got a lot of newcomers who have started (or restarted) attending Faith since the pandemic began. We want to make sure you are able to fully connect with the church so we will be offering a two-week class during Sunday School on August 8 and 15 in the College Sunday School room to explore topics such as our church's history, what it means to be Baptist, our core practices, how our church operates, and ways people can get involved. This class is open to anyone though it is specifically designed for new members or people who are thinking about joining our family of faith. To participate, meet William in the gym at 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 8.
We have a couple more opportunities to share life together and grow in community as the summer comes to a close. We hope you’ll join us! Go fish! No, not the card game—the real thing! We’ll meet at the church at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, and then head out for a morning of fishing together. Bring your own poles and tackle boxes, though there may be a couple extras for those who need them. Our last Faith Story Hour is on Saturday, August 14, and our theme is beginnings. Meet at 7 p.m. in the RA to hear and share five-minute stories.
Have you ever found yourself reading the Bible and asking yourself, "What am I even supposed to do with this?" Ever wonder where it even came from and why we care so much about it? How it is that people can read the same book and come to completely different conclusions? This fall, William will lead a class that explores where the Bible came from, what's in it, how it's been treated over time, and what we're supposed to do with it. This five-week class will take place on Tuesday nights from August 31 to September 28 at church in the RA. No questions are off-limits as we explore this book we spend so much time talking about.
Last month we had a lot of fun at the 4th of July Parade in the McEuens’ front yard, as well as a meaningful outdoor worship, with dinner and communion, on the Hadaways’ lawn.
Nominating Committee has begun its work of finding church members to serve on each of our committees for the 2021/2022 year. We will present our report at the quarterly business meeting on Sunday, August 15, where it will be discussed and voted on. If there is something you would like to do at the church or a committee you would like to serve on, please let any member of the committee know. We’d love to hear from you! We also ask for your prayerful support as we make these decisions. Committee members are Jason Baird, Carrie Cook, Betty Covington, Linda Humphrey, Lynn Mayo, and Elaine Ward.
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Charlotte McFarland Lee Ann Napier
Tate McConnaughhay Aidan Stone
Colby Abner Jeff Stone
Eric Shaffer Kathy Wood
Pallie Gullett Philip Hatch
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Patsy Davila Paul Redditt
Charlie Perkins Lisa Pollock
Alyssa KarsnerMcFarland
Wallace Williams
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Darla Botkin Robert Cruse
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Ruth Bryant
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Suada Derakovic
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Roberta Dodd Jawanna Herd Rick Leigh
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Simon Hatch J.W. Humphrey
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Whitey Johnston
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Will Rose
Lauren Taylor
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Shirley Snodgrass
Mary Craycraft Jodi Hadaway Taylor Thompson
Jimmy Wilson
Ann Leigh Mark Long
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Rosalie Calloway Jarred Hutchison
AUGUST 2021
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Amid pandemics on a global scale and in our nation, in the midst of exhaustion and uncertainty, and preparing to face new seasons in our congregations and in our mission – there’s hope found in Christ Jesus. This fall, you’re invited to come and find hope and renewal at the 2021 CBF General Assembly. The CBF Global General Assembly event is virtual. And new this year, in-person General Assembly experiences are being held in partnership with CBF state and regional organizations and local congregations. We’ll worship and learn together, equipping each other as we go, in service to our calling and to the One who truly calls us, equips us and is the source of the renewal we seek.
Through meaningful worship experiences, compelling workshops, a virtual exhibit hall and opportunities to join with partner organizations and CBF ministry networks, we’ll connect in new ways, open to service as vessels of transformation even as we have been transformed.
FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF William Reilly william@familyoffaith.net
Sharon Felton sharon@familyoffaith.net
Amanda Langlands amanda@familyoffaith.net
Natalie Tilford-Kopp natalie@familyoffaith.net Join Cooperative Baptists from your area for a regional in-person gathering at St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville. We invite all others to join us online for a virtual experience. Those who attend the in-person gathering will have full access to all virtual resources and workshops. Register at cbf.net/general-assembly. This meeting is for everyone—lay or clergy, long-time CBF or just CBF curious. Register now and bring a friend! Call the CBFKY office at 502-426-1931 or email office@cbfky.org with questions. Save the date for CBFKY’s Autumnal Celebration at Third Baptist Church in Owensboro on October 8 and 9. The guest speaker will be Robert Jones, author of White Too Long.
Aug. 1—Linda Humphrey, Joyce Baird Aug. 8—Mary Hutton, Pat Blackburn Aug. 15—Lee Ann & Randy Napier Aug. 22—Darla Botkin, Fred Meek Aug. 29—Linda Arehart, Becky Collins
Angela Earwood angela@familyoffaith.net
Linda Johnston
Charlotte McFarland
Suada Derakovic Melisa Custard
Church Office M-F, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (502) 863-1537
116 Pocahontas Trail Georgetown, KY 40324 502.863.1537 www.familyoffaith.net
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