Selected items from the February 2004 Newsletter…

ABW MINISTRIES
    
Scholarship Aid for American Baptist Women/Girls - Applications for ABW Ministries/NYS Scholarships are in the office or you may call 682-8169.  These are due into the office by Monday, March 1st.  We currently have a scholarship woman, Colleen Guynup, who has applied and received aid for the past three years.  The applicant must be an active member of an American Baptist Church and intends to enroll in college as a regular, full-time student.
A White Cross work meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.  Ninety (90) bandages will be rolled for hospitals in the Congo.  Hostesses:  Margaret Vermilya and Elsie Bex.  Come and join the fun!

Kitchen Towel Shower - Our kitchen towel shower was a success - 35 towels were collected and several hot mats.  Thanks to all who participated. 


BLANKET SUNDAY
Will be held Sunday, February 8, 2004.


A NOTE FROM EDITH LANING
"Happy New Year!"  How I'd love to be in Manlius and see and greet my Church family.  I am happy here and have made friends, but there's nothing like my "old" ones.  God's blessings to everyone; God is Love, Edith"

THANK YOU
To all for the Christmas cards to Fairport Baptist Home; rec'vd one t-you letter already.  -Erma Bullard

Thank You - "I would like to thank my Church family for all of the prayers, concerns, cards, visits, food, etc. during my recent surgery.  Everything has really meant a lot to me as this has been a sore and very uncomfortable recovery, due to the fall and then one week later, the surgery.  I know in my heart that all of the prayers have gotten me to the point that I am at now.  I am getting better each day, and on Monday I start physical therapy.  "One day at a time."  Thank you for caring and praying for me.  Much love to all of you." ~ Pauline Cole ~

THANK YOU
I would like to thank all the people who took the time to offer Christmas presents and food to families who attend Seymour Elementary School.  Christmastime is very busy for most of us, and I really appreciate the extra effort people took to prepare, shop, wrap, and help deliver gifts to people who you don't know personally.  All the folks who received your gifts were born into and live in a bankrupt portion of our society.  Each and every one was very touched that somehow, out of the Spirit, Christmas was brought to their children.  They are very grateful and I thank you.
Sincerely,  Chris Flagg

ADDRESS CHANGES
Please note the following changes:

MISSIONS

By Eleanor Lundy, International Ministries ABC - January 12, 2004
     Lisa Rothenberger, associate executive director of International Ministries, has been appointed World Relief Officer effective immediately. The appointment was announced on January 9 by International Ministries' executive director, the Rev. Hector Cortez.  Rothenberger will assume the responsibilities of World Relief Officer Charles Sydnor, who has served in that position since 1988. Sydnor was reappointed by International Ministries for service in Nepal, effective January 1.

American Baptist Churches' World Relief office administers the promotion and distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Offering. For more than 50 years, OGHS has provided disaster relief, development aid, and refugee resettlement assistance. Through partnerships with American Baptist National Ministries, International Ministries, regional and congregational work groups, Church World Service, and Baptist World Aid, OGHS serves people in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and in over eighty countries around the world.  Rothenberger will promote awareness and education to help alleviate world hunger, and will also coordinate American Baptist Churches USA's AIDS education and prevention efforts with overseas partners. Rothenberger joined International Ministries' staff in 1999 and most recently served as team leader for Mission Education, Communication, and Development. She graduated from Ursinus College in 1994 with a B.A. in Economics and Business  Administration. "Dynamic, hard working and passionate are but some of the qualities Lisa Rothenberger brings to the ministry of the World Relief Office," Cortez said. "Her extensive knowledge and experience will continue to build and expand our transformative relief ministry and presence around the world."


A BIBLE TEACHER ASKED HER CHILDREN IN HER CLASS TO WRITE NOTES "TO GOD" 
HERE ARE SOME THEY HANDED IN:

Dear God:
I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset You made on Tuesday. That was cool.
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Dear God:
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't You keep the ones You already have?
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Dear God:
Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other if they had their own rooms. That's what my Mom did for me and my brother.
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Dear God:
If You watch me in church on Sunday, I'll show You my new shoes.
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Dear God:
I bet it is very hard to love everyone in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I'm having a hard time loving all of them.
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Dear God:
In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You are on vacation?
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Dear God:
Are You really invisible or is it just a trick?
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Dear God:
Is it true my father won't get into heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house?
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Dear God:
Did You mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
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Dear God:
Who draws the lines around the countries?
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Dear God:
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in the church. Is that OK?
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Dear God:
Did You really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? Because if You did, then I'm going to get my brother good.
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Dear God:
Thank You for the baby brother, but I think you got confused because what I prayed for was a puppy.
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Dear God:
Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
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Dear God:
I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.
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Dear God:
You don't have to worry about me; I always look both ways.
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Dear God:
I think about You sometimes, even when I'm not praying.
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Dear God:
Of all the people who worked for You, I like Noah and David the best.
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Dear God:
My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. They're just kidding, aren't they?
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Dear God:
I would like to live 900 years just like the guy in the Bible.
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Dear God:
We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said You did it. So, I bet he stole Your idea.
                      
--Email submitted to FBC by Joni Dominy     
 

From the Pastoral Search Committee

We continue to discuss and pray about potential candidates, make contacts, talk to references, and make decisions about moving forward with particular individuals. 

One of the encouraging things we've experienced throughout this search is that whenever we've come to an "end" God has given us a "beginning".  And not just any beginning, but one about which we can be excited.  He hears our prayers (and yours!) and is continually providing. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
-- Isaiah 41:10

Your ministry partners,
Ken Bex, Ross Binder, Betsy Burt, Ellen Everly, Mark Mapstone, Mary Schwarz, Myrna Stasiw