By the time September rolls around, we will complete a busy summer at First Baptist. Writing this column in late June, I ponder a bit how to get it all done, but I know that it will happen, thanks to the work of the many hands and willing hearts of the congregation. Your helpful congregational spirit helps many things happen here in our fellowship. Let me share a few of the things still to come in the summer of 2008:

The “Fun Fridays” events continue, thanks to the work of the deacon board. The idea of “Fun Fridays” is to create ways for the congregation to get together (and even invite friends and family along for the fun). In June, we had a variety of events (ice cream social, game nights, potlucks, and even an evening of gospel music) that have provided something easy going for our church family to enjoy. In July, we continue the series with opportunities to get together and have some outings to congregant homes. We hope that you will participate in these events as we create more opportunities for fellowship.

Vacation Bible School will happen in a new format: a one-weekend event. Held over the weekend of August 8-10, 2008, this format will allow children to participate in the great adventure of VBS while allowing families more flexibility with the ever-shortening summertime available. Rhonda Harmon and Dawn Bushey will be co-chairing this event, so please help them in creating the “Beach Party” VBS for our kids!

First Baptist’s community calendar has been busy as well. In June, we hosted two well-attended events for other organizations (PAVE and the Bennington County Choral Society). On Sunday evening, August 17, a.k.a. same day as the annual “Battle Day” parade), Rabbi Bob Alper, a stand-up comedian well-known in this area, and a young Muslim comedian join together to perform their stand-up routines. You can see a bit of the fun online via a story reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) a year ago. See the streaming video online via: http://www.cbc.ca/sunday/2007/09/091607_4.html

In web-related news, First Baptist continues on with its website, which launched two years ago. Keep visiting our website as we continue to develop it! Right now, we are in the process of upload video clips to help visitors learn more about our congregation. In the future, we hope to have portions of our worship service uploaded on a regular basis. If you have interest in helping develop our website, please get in touch! You can find First Baptist also on Youtube.com! Look for “First Baptist” “Bennington”, on the Youtube search engine, and you will find a few videos helping folks learn about our congregation’s ministry. Visit www.fbcbennington.org often!

The two-story lift proposed by the trustees and approved by the congregation is moving apace. We hope to have this lift operational by late summer with a dedicatory blessing for the lift as well as our recently installed handicap accessible bathroom. We are hopeful that the rest of 2008 will bring some good things for 2009 around First Baptist with the hope of renting part of the underutilized second floor to non-profit organizations. Keep Cindy Watson, our building coordinator, and the trustees in prayer as they work on these “big picture” issues. The additional revenue will be quite helpful to First Baptist, especially as we anticipate rising fuel costs.

The trustees are also working on a personnel manual, a “first” for First Baptist. This manual will help with personnel policies, evaluation, and management. Grace Becker-Wilson has given time in compiling the initial draft, and the trustees are now in the process of reviewing the documents and checking out the necessary revisions. While not something readily apparent as the installation of a new lift, this manual represents part of the “behind the scenes” work that has been ongoing these past two years to help strengthen the ministry of First Baptist.

The board of mission has some exciting opportunities coming up to celebrate and empower the mission work of our congregation. A school supply drive similar to last year will be undertaken in the coming weeks. Look in upcoming bulletins for the wish list or contact the church office. “Back to school” sales will be starting soon where you can buy all manner of school supplies quite inexpensively but make a huge investment in our area school children!

One reminder: Later in July, I will be out of town from July 19 through July 31, 2008. The first half of the trip will be attending the Baptist World Alliance meetings in Prague (July 21-25) on behalf of our denomination. These meetings gather together a variety of Baptists from around the world to build cooperation, mission, theological reflection, and advocacy for human rights and religious freedom. The other half of the time will be spent traveling around for a few days of sightseeing with Kerry. I note this personal leave at the end of this sharing of “things to do this summer” as I am becoming more aware (thanks especially to the encouragement by congregants, the pastoral relations committee, and my spouse holding a 2X4) that I need to remember that “sabbath” needs to be practiced, especially by the minister!

Grace and peace, the Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, intentional interim minister