First Baptist Church
of Hamilton, New York

Founded in 1796, First Baptist is an American Baptist church with an ecumenical congregation. First is the "Mother Church" of Colgate University.

Report of the Diaconate (2009)

Sandra Carter, Chair

"When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? . . . . When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?" . . . . "Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." --Matthew 25:37-40

Deacons:  Ben Barrett,* Pat Blocklin,* Sandra Carter, Bruce Lamb,* Carolyn Todd, Jane Todd, Don Townsend, and Marilyn Upton

As in past years, the efforts of the diaconate were focused on  (1) routines that facilitate worship, (2) opportunities for Christian fellowship, prayerful support and appreciation, and (3) outreach.

Routines to Facilitate Worship:  The deacons continued to facilitate

• Communion, by sharing responsibilities each month,
• Sunday Ushering, again this year under Don Townsend’s capable leadership,
• Readers for Sunday Worship coordinated by the chair, and
• Hosts for Coffee Hour, thanks again to Ben Barrett.

Christian Fellowship, Prayerful Support & Appreciation:

• Easter Observance: Deacons hosted Maundy Thursday, participated in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and participated in the Easter Sunrise service in the Park.  There was also the pleasure of Easter Sunday morning breakfast at Park Methodist Church after the sunrise service in the park.
• Guests from Abroad:  Thanks to John Carter's initiative we were visited by four representatives from Eastern Theological College in Assam, India, an institution established in part by efforts of Colgate graduates in the 1800s.  Deacons, with John, arranged for hospitality for these guests who led us in two worship services.
• Farewell/Welcome Gathering:  To bid farewell to out-going minister, Joe Glaze, and to welcome our interim minister, John Morris, the deacons hosted a gala event after church on Sunday, May 17th.  Deacons procured, at cost, a lovely going-away gift -- a "Chapin" basket, woven by Jean Chapin and having an image of First Baptist Church carved in the base by Dick.
• Christmas Celebration: Decorations went up in the sanctuary for advent and Christmas; garlands and wreathes along the balcony with wreathes and candles on the window ledges. Again this year we are indebted to Debbie Kliman for the fresh wreathes on the outside doors and at the front of the sanctuary as we are indebted to our membership for the bountiful poinsettias throughout the church building.  We also arranged for the readers for the Christmas Eve service.
• Gastro-Evangelism: Throughout the year we practiced gastro-evangelism.  On Maundy Thursday the deacons served homemade bread, soup, and honey at the prayerful supper for which members of Park Methodist Church joined us.  There was a grand potluck luncheon while the ETC guests were with us.  Yet another potluck enhanced the farewell/welcome gathering, this one graced by a Saulsgiver ham!  The deacons also hosted an Advent potluck, providing turkey, trimmings, and an assortment of veggies and salads while the congregation added their specialty dishes making it a warm and festive gathering on that very snowy day.
• Prayerful Support & Appreciation: Some time was set aside at each of our monthly meetings to write cards of encouragement or thanks or just to keep in touch; this year forty-three such cards were sent out.  In addition, twelve valentines went out and eight Christmas greetings with the annual poinsettia deliveries.  Meals for members who needed a helping hand went out in March and July.  The Christmas thank-you bonuses to our minister and staff came from funds specifically designated by the donors for that purpose; the regular diaconate funds were not touched for these expressions of thanks.

Outreach:

• Packets to Service Personnel:  As the young people we knew began returning home from military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, our overseas mailings diminished.  We sent the last packets on February 17th, using the remainder of the funds so generously contributed by the church family.
• Fourth of July Celebrations: The changing station, for parents with small children, was setup in Fellowship Hall again and deacons provided the usual cookies and lemonade on the porch.
• A Helping Hand: The Community Action Partnership (CAP) and the local food cupboard have been invaluable allies again this year in our efforts to help families in need as can be seen from the disbursement of the deacons' fund.  In addition there were a few individual families whom we felt need additional help with food costs; these show up on the account to Wayne's Market.  If we exclude the Christmas thank-you donations (which were not a part of the regular deacons’ fund) and group expenditures according to the categories of  (1) supplies and postage, (2) church fellowship, and (3) community needs, the stewardship of your gifts can be seen in the graph shown here.

Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Carter

Deacons' Financial Report 2009

First Baptist Church
27 Broad Street
PO Box 73
Hamilton, New York 13346
315-824-2780