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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.
artist: James Loveless
Education
Report of the Christian Education Board
Kerri Woods, Superintendent
Board members: Barb Rebuck, Kim Powrie, Denise Upton, Joanne Broekhuizen
January 2007 marked the beginning of the second half of the Sunday School year. The
classes continued the same as in the fall of 2007 with 4 classes (elementary, middle school,
high school, adult). Elementary teachers
Carolyn Todd, Heather Jaquay, and Denise Upton taught from the curriculum entitled “One Room
Sunday School.” The middle school class studied from David C. Cook’s “Bible-in-Life” (American Baptist)
curriculum under the direction of David and Barb
Rebuck. The high school curriculum was chosen by teachers Rob Schutt and Reverend Joe Glaze.
Members of the adult class chose their discussion materials.
In February 2007, our annual Valentine Project continued. The Junior Church children made valentines that were delivered to shut-ins.
The Sunday School year ended on June 10, 2007 with a Youth Sunday service led by the children and youth. A Bible was presented to 3rd grader, Kayla Rebuck. Graduating seniors Paul Glaze, Matthew Martin, Kristin Smith (nursery), and Chloe Todd were recognized.
First Baptist Church hosted the Hamilton Village Vacation Bible School the week of July 9th – 13th. Preschool and elementary kids attended, with middle and high schoolers and adults serving as volunteer helpers. Reverend Joe Glaze led an adult bible study. The program was “Take the Plunge,” featuring water-based Bible stories.
The new Sunday School year began in September 2007 with new curriculum. The elementary teachers, Heather Jaquay and Carolyn Todd, taught from David C. Cook’s “Bible-in-Life” (American Baptist) curriculum. The middle school class, taught by David and Barb Rebuck, began a new series, “Faith in Motion,” with seven-week topical lessons in living a Christian life amidst peer pressure, negative pop cultural influences, etc. The high school class began a video-based discussion series with teachers Rob Schutt and Joanne Broekhuizen. The adult class chose the book, It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado to discuss.
The children and youth presented the annual Christmas program on December 16, 2007. During the service, the children and youth “built a manger” and taught us how we could remember the first Christmas as we decorate our trees.
Initial plans were made to begin a new Sunday School class for our preschoolers. This class, led by Nicole Newman and Kerri Woods, is projected to begin by February 2008.
Thanks to all the teachers who made these programs possible.
The Board of Christian Education at First Baptist Church meets regularly to plan church school programs for all ages and to organize special events for our church community. This group is also responsible for recruiting teachers and choosing the curriculum for church school classes. To learn more about education programs at First Baptist, use the links below.
First Baptist Church
27 Broad Street
PO Box 73
Hamilton, New York 13346
315-824-2780