The past two months, First Baptist has celebrated two years of hard work coming to fruition. In October, we learned of the trustees’ work to bring new life to our facility through efforts to attract area non-profit organizations as tenants to otherwise underutilized space within our church building. While the revenue of building rental helps First Baptist, this initiative also fulfills our congregation’s desire to become known again in the community as a downtown congregation engaged in local mission.

               It was a delight to hear the words of greetings from Family Time and the Bennington Free Clinic. Family Time is an organization related to the Project Against Violent Encounters (PAVE) that provides supervised visitation to families as well as educational programming and skill training. Their organization is renting three rooms upstairs to conduct their work with our community. The Bennington Free Clinic is the dream of local retired physician Dr. Richard Dundas that Bennington area residents with little or no health insurance have access to healthcare. With the Interfaith Council, Dr. Dundas and community supporters are fast-tracking the Free Health Clinic from “dream” to “reality”. This clinic will be at First Baptist, where one night per week (initially) area physicians will provide medical care to those in need. More than two dozen doctors have agreed to begin the certification process to assist at this clinic.

              In November, we celebrated the ministry of the congregation on stewardship Sunday. I shared of the remarkable ministry of the Rev. Frank Richard Morris, a talented young adult clergyperson who served from 1901-1908 and created with the congregation a fruitful era of cooperation and ministry. A century hence, the congregation of 2008 celebrated the installation of a new lift, making both levels of our facility accessible to all persons. While we were in the midst of the dedication service, I found myself feeling a little overcome with the joy of seeing the lift ready for its service to our congregation and community.

             Photographer Tim Hunt provided pictures of the grand event, including an effort to pack the lift with many of our eldest congregants. (Note: The lift capacity is 750 lbs., however, we thought it would be great to get a few folks packed in for the big picture.) Morgan Flynn, one of our youngest, held the door for these fine folks, and then we snapped a picture that I think is an archive keeper! It was a fine reminder of this year’s stewardship theme: “Together, We Live by Words of Hope!”

Two years ago when I started, the parish calendar was fairly empty. Now the office staff tries to keep up with getting all of the activity noted on the master calendar. The mission giving for 2008 is set to surpass its benchmarks for the second year in a row. And we look forward to finishing out 2008 with a hearty AMEN of thanksgiving for the year just about to conclude.

            In this December and January issue of the newsletter, we cover many upcoming events in the life of the Church: this year’s Advent season features a variety of activities and times for congregational gathering. I hope that you will encourage your families and neighbors to join us during this journey towards Christmas Eve, where we conclude our time of watching, waiting, and praying with carols in praise of the Christ child.

            Also, during these next two months, the congregation will receive its 2008 annual report in anticipation of the 2009 annual meeting in late January. I am hopeful that all boards and church officers will provide their reports due for the annual report by the end of December, so that we can give an extra special present to our hardworking office staff: an annual report that goes smoothly! Your help and attention as lay leadership to this report will help First Baptist review its 2008 year and prepare to set the tone (and yes, the budget) for the 2009 year.

            Along the way this fall, I have had the joy of having some writings published in denomination-wide publications. (If you are interested in reading these articles, please contact the church office.) One magazine features a variety of articles on Missional church work and how American Baptist congregations are celebrating renewed ministry and Missional vitality. One of the featured congregations is First Baptist, Bennington! I am glad to share the stories of First Baptist with our denominational family. While we are in a time of financial woes nationally with a downturn in the stock market, grow concerned about our personal finances, and deal with a degree of anxiety about what the future holds, I find telling the congregation’s story is a good exercise to build up faith and hope. As I look at the far distant past of the congregation and the recent events of the past year, I would say that we are in the midst of a pretty good story, one of faithfulness to the gospel, love of one another, and a desire to see what God is doing anew in our midst.

            Join us for the Advent journey. Join us for the journey year-round called “Life at First Baptist!”. Together, we are living by words of hope!

             Thanks be to God!

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, coordinating minister