This week I want to say “thank you” to some of the multitude of people who make our church the splendid fellowship it is. This is not an exclusive list – I could go on for days – but these have come to mind this week.

First, to Gerald Wrye, who has spent days pressure washing around the building. It looks GREAT. Thanks, Gerald, for your patience and steadfastness in improving the appearance of our campus.

Second, to our Grief Committee. These folks serve families in the hardest of times. Just this Sunday Larry and Linda Winegar and Frank and Phyllis Johnson served refreshments during the memorial gathering for Rod Walsh. They, and all the members of that team do a FANTASTIC job!

Third, to our Celebrate Recovery committee and leadership team. This group of people, composed entirely of lay people right now, is working to re-build Celebrate Recovery on the foundations upon which it was originally built. I hope you will be praying for them as they work to bless those who have “hurts, hang-ups and habits.”

Finally, to all those who work in our Preschool, led by Brooke Robinette and Candee McGuire. This Sunday we will see some of the joys of their work in our 11 A. M. service. Our Preschool is doing great and I could not be more thrilled!

I look forward to sharing more gratitude with you soon and to sharing worship with you on Sunday,

Marvin Cameron

This Sunday we will continue our trip to the ancient church in a place called Colossae. Those folks may have never met Paul face-to-face but they are his “family” in Christ. This week we will consider what it is to be with someone “in spirit.” Today’s technology allows us to talk with people on phones and see them even if they are thousands of miles away. We can almost touch a loved one who is in another city, state or nation. Paul’s day was different. To be with someone “in spirit” meant that your heart, mind, and soul reached beyond the miles to be enriched by another’s presence. We will take a look at Paul’s desire to be with the Christians in Colossae in that joyous spirit on Sunday.

I was blessed to be able to give the opening devotional on the first day of tutoring a few days ago. Marjorie Sink and Pam Davis and an excellent group of tutors help young people learn math, but they also provide a warm, caring environment where these young people learn about God and our world. To all who are involved in our Tutoring Ministry, THANKS for a job well done.

That same spirit of gratitude is mine when I see the way our lay leadership is stepping up in our Celebrate Recovery ministry. CR’s lay leaders are re-building the foundation of that vital ministry. I hope you will be praying for them in their very important work as we seek to be a place of refuge and hope for those who are hurting.

I hope to see you on Sunday as we remember what it is to be with someone “in spirit,”

Marvin Cameron

This week I am excited to let you know about a new form of ministry at our 441 Clay Street building. Our Administrative Committee has studied and agreed to allow a group called Families Free to use some space at Clay Street. Families Free is a program which provides Intensive Outpatient Therapy to women who struggle with addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. Families Free has been operating in Washington County for a decade. They reach out to women who are incarcerated, those who have given birth to babies who are addicted and other women who are struggling.

Families Free has a long and positive relationship with Bellafina Chocolates, run by our own Brenda Barnicki. The participants in the Families Free program at Clay Street will be in two rooms in the building on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 3-4 hours each day of Intensive Outpatient Therapy. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, some of the women will attend other gatherings focused on family development, nutrition, and job skills.

I was able to let our Deacons and our Wednesday night group know about Families Free last week. You may want to check out their website at Familiesfree.com. The person who will be leading the program at Clay Street is Rachel Adams. Rachel is a good friend of some of our members and will be a fine leader for Families Free at Clay Street.

As you might expect, we consulted with each of our existing Clay Street ministries: Providence Medical Clinic, Covenant Counseling Center and Celebrate Recovery prior to this agreement. It is our hope that Families Free will be an asset to each of these ministries, but particularly to Celebrate Recovery as we re-build that ministry on the foundation of personal contact and making connections with people in our community.

I am excited about what God continues to do through our Clay Street building and its ministries. This new chapter in our history can help bring others to know our Lord and the healing that comes through him.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we continue our journey through Paul’s letter we know as Colossians.

Marvin Cameron

We had a splendid Sunday today as we celebrated the anniversary of our Celebrate Recovery ministry by hearing from Dr. Ron Davis. Ron did an outstanding job in preaching and reminding us of our need, indeed our Lord’s command, that we love all God’s children. Thanks, Ron for a profound and meaningful word from the scriptures. Ron’s work continues to make an impact in our community. Your warm affirmation of Ron was a good reminder of that.

Celebrate Recovery is undergoing changes this month. This week Jack Carpenter will conclude his tenure as our CR director. Jack has accepted a position as Pastor of Morrison Chapel United Methodist Church in our area. We wish Jack well as he assumes this new responsibility.

Our Celebrate Recovery ministry will be led in the next few months by a committee of First Baptist members led by Gerald Meredith. The committee had a very productive meeting last week upon hearing of Jack’s transition. Things are in place for a smooth transition this week and through the end of the year. I hope you will join me in praying for this vital ministry of our church. We need your support, your words of encouragement to those in need of such a ministry, and most of all, your prayers as CR moves into a new era. The most important thing we can do is use “word of mouth” to help others find hope at CR.

I also want to thank all our staff members and our Activities Committee members who worked so hard to present an outstanding church picnic on Sunday. The food and fellowship were superb! Thanks to all for a job well done.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we visit Colossae with Paul and consider this theme: “The emperor from a cross.”

This Sunday will be a red-letter day in our fellowship. Ron Davis, our long-time Associate Pastor, will be speaking in both services as we celebrate 14 years of our Celebrate Recovery ministry. Ron’s ministry in our church continues to have a positive impact in our church and in our region. He led in the beginning and growth of Celebrate Recovery. Our Covenant Counseling Center is one of Ron’s dreams come true. His quiet and steadfast work and leadership continue to bless this congregation. I know you will want to hear a word from the Lord through Ron this Sunday in both services.

Our Celebrate Recovery ministry continues to bless people in need. We have a new Celebrate Recovery committee which is designed to enhance this valuable ministry. Dr. Gerald Meredith will lead this team as we seek to expand the reach and scope of CR. I know you will join me in praying for CR, it’s leader, Jack Carpenter and all our loyal CR volunteers.

Sunday afternoon brings a great First Baptist tradition as we have our annual church picnic. We will gather this year at Warrior’s Path State Park for a time of inter-generational fellowship, food, and fun. I hope to see you twice on Sunday as we have a great day of worship and fellowship!

Marvin Cameron