First Baptist hosts forum on Basic Human Needs

First Baptist Hosts Forum on Basic Human Needs

The First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont, announces a new adult learning series throughout the Sundays of October 2010.  The church’s Adult Forum welcomes speakers from the local social service agencies and area non-profits to share about the critical needs of the Bennington community.  On Sunday, October 3, 2010, at 11 AM, the Adult Forum welcomes Mr. Charles “Charlie” Gingo, Field Director for the Agency of Human Services.  Mr. Gingo has served in the Bennington area for the past thirty years, coordinating state, federal, and local resources.  He will share reflections on the past, present, and future of the community’s needs.

Future guest speakers include Sue Andrews, Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services, Inc. (October 10), William Herzog, New Testament scholar (October 17), and Bert Marshall, Church World Service (October 24).  Held in the church’s Colgate Hall, all adult forum sessions are free and open to the public.

The First Baptist Church of Bennington, VT, is located at 601 Main Street in downtown Bennington.  Worship services are held Sundays at 9:30 AM.  The church offers this series as part of its mission to be “a place for healing, community involvement, and spiritual grounding”.  Working collaboratively with local non-profits, First Baptist endeavors to meet the basic human needs of our community.  To learn more, visit www.fbcbennington.org, follow updates on FACEBOOK, or contact the church office via 802/442-2105 or fboffice@sover.net.   The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot serves as coordinating minister.

Fall Tag Sale--October 1 and 2, 2010

FIRST BAPTIST ANNOUNCES FALL TAG SALE OCTOBER 1 AND 2, 2010

The First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont, announces a Fall Tag Sale on Friday and Saturday, October 1-2, 2010.  The tag sale features a wide variety of items (fall and winter clothing, household goods, children’s toys, books, etc.).  The tag sale will be held on Friday, October 1 from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Saturday, October 2, from 10 AM to 1 PM.   All proceeds benefit the work of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries.  

Donations of clean, useable clothing and items are welcome. Drop-offs will be received weekdays (9 AM to 3 PM) at First Baptist until Monday, September 27.  For more information, please contact the church office at 802/442-2105 or fboffice@sover.net.

First Baptist is located at 601 Main Street in downtown Bennington, VT.  To learn more about First Baptist and its mission to be “A place for healing, community involvement, and spiritual grounding”, visit www.fbcbennington.org.  Worship services are held Sundays at 9:30 A.M.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

First Baptist, Bennington, will offer an Ash Wednesday service on February 17, at 7 PM.  To be held in the church’s lounge, the service is a time for quiet contemplation, brief prayer and song, and remembering ourselves before God. The service concludes with persons receiving the ancient mark of ashes.  All persons are welcome to attend the service, led by Rev. Jerrod Hugenot and Scott Smedinghoff, director of music.

First Baptist is located at 601 Main Street in downtown Bennington, Vermont.  Worshiping at 9:30 AM Sundays, the congregation serves the area as “a place for healing, community involvement, and spiritual grounding.” To learn more, visit www.fbcbennington.org, join the congregation’s FACEBOOK page, or call 802/442-2105.  The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot serves as coordinating minister.

Interfaith Potluck--November 17 @ 6 PM FBC hosts!

The Interfaith Council invites you to an “interfaith potluck” at First Baptist, Bennington, on Tuesday, November 17, at 6 PM.  Bring friends, family, and food to share. (Table service and drinks will be provided).  Sit together and eat around the table with other persons from the many faiths of our community.  In your food preparation, please consider labeling foods to help persons with dietary considerations (food allergies, vegetarian/vegan, or religious dietary practices). 

The potluck will welcome students from Southern Vermont College enrolled in the Comparative Religion course being co-sponsored by Interfaith Council this semester.  Opportunities to visit the Bennington Free Clinic, also located at First Baptist, will be offered. 

For more information, contact First Baptist 802/442-2105 or follow event updates via www.twitter.com/fbcbennington.

Community Safe Halloween Event coverage in local paper

BENNINGTON -- Trick-or-treaters and the adults accompanying them are welcome on Saturday to stop in at First Baptist Church for Halloween games, food and hospitality.

The event will be offered from 4 to 8 p.m. in Colgate Hall of First Baptist, which is located at 601 Main St.

"It’s kind of a hospitality opportunity," said Jerrod Hugeont, minister at the church, during an interview Wednesday. "It’s not an alternative to Halloween, it’s just a way of being friendly to the families in town."

On Elm Street where he lives, Hugenot said, "We see 300 families, and it’s great, you see a cross-section of town, and at the same time there’s the concern that a lot of parents have about safety."

Among other things, the event at First Baptist will provide trick-or-treaters a place to warm up and will emphasize safety.

"We’re going to do a safety quiz about safe trick-or-treating and also give out reflectors," said Alycia Post, director of the board of Christian Education, who came up with the idea with safety in mind. "We’re always looking to find different things to do; we look for the community’s needs."

Her daughter, Ivy Post, 2, interjected that she was going to dress as a cat for Halloween. Last year she dressed as Elmo.

Alycia Post said there will be contests, snacks, prizes and crafts -- and some candy, too. Several adults will supervise the event. Restrooms will be available.

Hugenot said the event, open to those of any faith or none, is part of the church’s wider effort to help the community and build capacity. This includes providing space in its facility for non-profits such as the Bennington Free Clinic.

"This is just a one-night-only initiative, it’s a way of providing welcome and hospitality," he said. "But it fits in to the overall of what we do here."

For more information, call the church at 802-442-2105.