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.

Members of the Diaconate (2011) include: Fred Cazer, Paul Kogut, Margaret Miller, Marilyn Upton, Jane Todd, and Don Townsend

Report of the Diaconate 2010

Sandra Carter, Chair, Margaret Miller, Carolyn Todd, Jane Todd, Don Townsend, and Marilyn Upton

 "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 

          Again this year, the efforts of the diaconate were focused on (1) routines that facilitate worship and (2) opportunities for Christian fellowship, prayerful support and appreciation.

Routines and Items to Facilitate Worship: 
The deacons sought to enhance worship services through

• Serving Communion each month,
• Coordinating Ushers & greeters, yet again this year under Don Townsend's capable leadership,
• Providing Readers for Sunday Worship, smoothly coordinated by Margaret Miller, and
• Soliciting Hosts for Coffee Hour, deftly handled by Jane Todd.
• In addition, this year we provided new communion cup buffers for the pews, replaced damaged communion cup holders (thanks to the deft carpentry of Vernon Ross), purchased candle holders for Christmas time (thanks to help from Jody Kogut) and purchased additional hymnals, all efficiently overseen by Marilyn Upton.

Christian Fellowship, Prayerful Support & Appreciation:

• Hosting Colgate Students:   For the Sunday morning service of February 28th we were treated to a program arranged by John Carter's students who had returned from a study abroad where they followed in the footsteps of nineteenth century missionaries from Colgate to North East India.  Following the worship service, deacons coordinated one of those fabulous First Baptist potluck luncheons which was enjoyed by students and others as well. 
• Guests from India: We were delighted to receive four Christians from Tura, Meghalaya (where young men from Colgate who worshiped in our church in the 1800s established churches) for an evening of inspiring testimony and warm fellowship. 
• Easter Observance: We appreciated meeting with the folks at Park United Methodist Church for the Maundy Thursday observance. Deacons helped to host the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday which began again this year at our church and we also hosted the Easter Sunrise breakfast for about thirty cold and hungry worshipers after the service on the village green that morning. 
• Farewell/Welcome Gathering:  On April 11th the fellowship after worship hour focused on a grateful thank-you to John Morris (our interim minister for the better part of a year) and his wife Enid and a joyful welcome of our new minister Wesley Smith, his wife Joyce, and her mother Gerry.  It was a catered affair, thanks to David Craine, for which the deacons provided one of Jo Fenner's luscious cakes.
• 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.
• Inauguration of New Minister: The summer months were filled with plans for this celebratory occasion held at 3:00p.m., Sunday, September 26th.  Participants included local officials and clergy as well as regional & state Baptist representatives, and the President of Colgate University.  The sanctuary was filled with well-wishers who heard a thoughtful sermon by the Reverend Donald Rasmussen and greetings from the Reverend Donnel O'Flynn, President Jeffrey Herbst, Mayor Susanna McVaugh, and the Representative of ABC of NYS the Reverend Casler.  A reception followed, hosted by the deacons with help from some wonderful cookie and sandwich makers in the Christian Women's Fellowship.
• Christmas Celebration: For Advent and Christmas again this year deacons festooned the balcony with garlands and wreaths and the window ledges, with wreathes and candles.  Debbie Kliman, again, graciously provided fresh wreathes for the outside doors and the front of the sanctuary and, thanks to our generous membership, the sanctuary and fellowship hall were filled with poinsettias, thirteen of which the deacons delivered to shut-ins during the days before Christmas. 
• Gastro-Evangelism: Again this year, Carolyn Todd coordinated fellowship dinners.  We are grateful to the people who volunteered to host these fellowship gatherings; kudos to Fred and Linda Cazer, Cindy Harper, Christian and Nicole Newman, and Vernon and Eleanor Ross.
• 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 seventy-seven such cards were sent out.  In addition, seventeen valentines went out, Easter flowers were delivered to shut-ins, and Christmas greetings accompanied the annual poinsettia deliveries.  On four occasions covered-dish meals were prepared and delivered.  Deacons also coordinated funds specifically designated by the donors as a thank-you to our hard-working staff.
• A Helping Hand: As in previous years, we have tried to respond prayerfully to the varied needs in our community and in our church family.  In the accompanying chart and the treasurer’s report we have attempted to show how your generous gifts were used.   We are indebted to you, the church family, for continuing to give to the Deacons' Fund in order to help us all "bear one another's burdens."  

Annual Report of the 2010 Diaconate
Sandra Carter, Chair

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