BENNINGTON -- In the year after the first non-profit tenant moved into the Nichols Education Building at First Baptist Church in January 2009, three more tenants moved in, filling up the available space.

First, Project Against Violent Encounters' Family Time opened up on the second floor of the building, located downtown. Next, the Bennington Free Health Cilinic moved into the building, and the Vermont Center for Independent Living and Easter Seals later followed suit.

The offering of the previously unused building space is the result of a deliberate decision by the First Baptist congregation to reach out to the community as a form of mission.

"We’ve pretty much taken on as a missional church the goal of providing the missing components for basic human needs in the area here. We’re too small by ourselves to tackle any one of these things," said Wayne Kachmar, a member of the church board of trustees. "But this collaborative model of missional church has given us the opportunity to partner with many different groups and to use what we bring to the table: open space, visibility on Main Street -- accessibility, we’re flat, we’re level -- accessibility to transportation."

In addition to providing easy access for those in need, the use of the space by human services non-profit groups also frees up commercial space downtown for economic development, he said.

Tenants filled the available space faster than anticipated. "It’s sort of amazing when a plan comes together that quickly," Kachmar said. "We think that it was obviously (something) that was needed and the affirmation seems to be that our tenants are thriving, the activity levels are high."

Tracy L. Dorman, peer advocate and community outreach specialist with Vermont Center for Independent Living in Bennington, said that it promotes independent living for individuals with disabilities.

"Many VCIL peers are living on limited, fixed incomes and experience overwhelming financial, physical, mental, or emotional challenges," she said. "VCIL working as their partner helps to build their confidence to face those challenges through accessing services in the community, and to their developing and managing their well-being."

Being located in the building next to the Bennington Free Clinic allows VCIL a closer connection with Free Clinic executive director Sue Andrews and the free clinic on behalf of the people VCIL serves, Dorman said.

"In addition, VCIL endorses the Health Care Is A Human Right Campaign," she said. "VCIL’s location in the First Baptist Church allows the local organizing committee and campaign members a more visible presence."

Another advantage is accessibility. "Being located on the Green Mountain Express route going east on Main Street allows VCIL peers to utilize the bus to attend our events, meetings, and appointments," Dorman said. "Our peers enjoy the autonomy that the church location provides.

"It is a welcoming, friendly, supportive environment. This location provides VCIL the ability to accommodate large and small groups that include support groups, community meetings, trainings, and also one-on-one meetings," she said. "The kitchen space has allowed us to offer cooking classes to our peers without having to find alternative space."

First Baptist has helped offer healthy cooking and basic sewing classes and hopes to collaborate in presenting more such activities. "The idea here is it’s not necessarily the First Baptist folks completely doing it. We really seek out partnerships," said First Baptist coordinating minister Jerrod Hugenot, adding that one does not have to be a person of faith to participate. "Collaboration is key. So we work fairly fluidly with folks within the faith community and with others within the larger community."

The church has received a $6,000 grant from the Vermont Community Foundation. "What they were specifically interested in was the collaborative model we’ve put together and the governance structure we had to put around it," Kachmar said.

The grant was for basic support, and part of this is to update some of the infrastructure for common use, such as Internet access, a more energy-efficient heating program, and setting up a hall in the church for interactive conferences, he said.

Though the Nichols Building is full of permanent tenants, "We’re not done, Kachmar said. "We may be full for the time being. But we’re looking at the other options: people who need a temporary facility, people who may need an office for a month or two and being able to come in here and support an activity.

"Finding that in town is not very easy and at this point that’s perhaps the next step that we have to look at," he said.

Hugenot, who is originally from Kansas, said that in studying the history of Baptists in Vermont, he has found that First Baptist in Bennington a century and more ago was always prominent in mission work.

"There’s certainly precedent that mission is very much a strand of the DNA that has made this place tick and thrive and grow over the years," he said. "So in some ways we are reclaiming our roots while also casting out for a different day."

            Our “home mission” history is quite impressive.  National Ministries, our home mission society, started just a few years after First Baptist itself was founded.  In 1832, the American Baptist Home Mission Society began, expanding rapidly to serve our growing nation.  (Indeed, the Rev. Jeremiah Hall left his pastorate here in 1836 to help start a church in Michigan, sent as a home missionary by the ABHMS.  Rev. Hall later served as president of Denison University in Granville, OH.)

Without a doubt, American Baptists have enriched and transformed the lives of individuals and communities through our “home mission” work.  Neighborhood centers, evangelism outreach efforts, advocacy for social change, scholarship support for colleges and seminaries, and refugee resettlement are just a few “success” stories of our past and present.  American Baptists have a distinguished history, celebrating mission around the world and around the corner!

One reason I support the America for Christ offering is out of a sense of personal gratitude.  Over the years, I have benefited from educational programming supported by National Ministries (my education was supported in part by scholarship aid from our denomination, making possible my studies at Ottawa University and Central Baptist Theological Seminary).  My pastoral library has great resources for ministry and Baptist identity published by Judson Press, our denomination’s publishing house.  I know a number of people whose lives were changed for the better, thanks to home mission efforts.  When it’s March each year, I know it’s time to say “thank you!” through a financial gift to the America for Christ offering.

As a congregation, let us remember that First Baptist has experienced a great deal of “investment return” from our home mission support.  Over the past four years, we have had great consultation and support from Dr. Ronald Carlson, Missional Church Strategist, one of our commissioned home missionaries employed by National Ministries.  Our church has been enriched by Ron’s consultation, NM’s help assembling a great community-wide conference on community conflict transformation in 2008.  Our missional efforts have been empowered by a $1500 grant in 2009 to help fund short-term missional projects. To give to the America for Christ Offering is a great way to say “thank you!” to National Ministries.  Please consider giving generously to our 2010 AFC Offering!

***

One final note:

            We join with the ABC V/NH region, mourning the loss of the Rev. Rohn Peterson, acting executive minister, who died on February 17, 2010, after an extended battle with cancer.  Rohn came to our region staff during a time of controversy and transition.  He led us with grace and humor, providing his servant leadership faithfully in our midst.  Rohn was our guest last Pentecost when the General Secretary visited.  He valued the words of welcome and the prayers for his work and his health offered by our congregation.

May we honor his memory through our commitments to further American Baptist ministry and mission in our community, our region, our nation, and around the world.

One of the marvels of the digital age is Google’s ongoing project to scan books, journals, and other print materials for persons to view online. Recently, I came across Henry Crocker’s The History of the Baptists in Vermont, published the P.H. Gobie Press of Bellows Falls, VT.  Rev. Crocker was the president of the Vermont Baptist Historical Society, and he was tasked with the job of finishing what was considered a long overdue by the time the book appeared in 1913.  Crocker’s preface recounts the convoluted history of the book’s many setbacks in research and production since a history was first proposed in 1841.  Rev. Crocker worked through reams of source material to produce this book, now long out of print, and now enjoying another sort of preservation as part of the Google Books collection.

            Like anyone else, my first curiosity was to read the section about matters near to mind and heart.  The section on First Baptist, Bennington, (Crocker, p. 102-105) recounts a few familiar facts: a recounting of the church’s origins in 1827, though it was known as the Baptist church in “East Bennington, or Algiers”.  Interestingly, it would be a year later that the first minister, Henry Baldwin would become the minister.  By the time the Vermont Baptist history appeared, First Baptist had been served by twenty-two pastors, the longest serving being the eight year pastorate of Rev. Z. Martin (1885-1893).   Considering the rest of the 20^th-century’s pastoral tenures (including Dr. Towart’s thirty year tenure), when First Baptist had only six settled pastorates over a 75 year period, the thought of twenty-two pastorates over eight-six years seems quite remarkable.  

            The rest of Rev. Crocker’s entry about First Baptist details a variety of “milestones” about the church fellowship perhaps forgotten in our modern day congregation.  In 1832, a temperance movement began in Bennington with a church committee formed to address the excessive drinking of “cider brandy”.   In the 1840s, William Miller, a Vermont-born minister, was invited to address the congregation about his views on the Second Coming (in Miller’s opinion, to take place on October 22, 1844).  Apparently, Miller’s views held suasion, as Crocker reports his speech “wreaked havoc in the flock”, presumably causing some congregants to take up his views as well.  (After this date came to pass, and our Lord did not, the date became known as “the Great Disappointment”.)   The 1850s brought congregational “resolutions disapproving and discountenancing the amusement of dancing” declaring dancing inconsistent with “the Christian profession”.   If these stories are not amusing enough, Crocker recounts the long history of the church struggling to keep a decent church bell.  Apparently, First Baptist had the first church bell in Bennington installed in 1830, however, the original bell was “said to have been the poorest bell ever shipped into the State of Vermont.  The sound of it provoked the criticism of all who heard it” (Crocker, 105).

            To our ears, these stories of our distant past offer a glimpse of the life of First Baptist no longer in living memory.  The idea of temperance fervor and anti-dancing resolutions might strike us as a product of times gone by.  Certainly, William Miller’s predictions of the end of things in 1844 remind us that modern day Christians chasing after every half-baked “end times” prediction have their antecedents. 

            Studying our past, however, helps us understand our roots.  Given his task of accounting for a brief history of every Vermont Baptist congregation, Rev. Crocker’s account leaves out the congregation’s historic commitment to mission, providing funding for domestic and global efforts, and the commitment to religious education.   The spiritual DNA of First Baptist has a remarkable intertwining of passion for discipleship and the support of initiatives far and wide.

            As with every generation, it is our challenge to live with the best of our past and endeavor to make the future possible.  As we near a century since Henry Crocker’s account of First Baptist, may I suggest we revisit our roots this spring in our religious education?   Starting February 7, 2010, we will explore our Baptist roots, studying the historic distinctive beliefs and practices of our tradition:  Soul Freedom, Believer’s Baptism, the role of the Bible, the priesthood of all believers, local church autonomy, the ministry of the laity, discipleship, evangelism, worship and communion, speaking about issues of faith, diversity, and mission.  Each week, we ponder what makes us “tick” as Baptists.  In the 21^st-century, we American Baptists are part of the most racially diverse denominations in the United States.  We are a people known for having a “wide tent” when it comes to theological diversity, and some of our theological debates make arguments over cider brandy and dancing look pretty tame.

            When it comes time to recount our history, what story would you like to have told about our ministry and mission today?  I am most hopeful we will be recalled as faithful, earnest believers, working for the betterment of our community and growing in faith and love.   Indeed, Rev. Crocker has a good word about the goal of the Christian in search of a past, present, and future.  Near a century ago, Rev. Crocker observed,

It is a satisfaction to know that facts long concealed or known to but few can be known by many, and we may cherish the hope that the backward look will incite to more earnest efforts for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of Christ among the Green Mountains and the fertile valleys of Vermont. (Crocker, 5).

Annual Report for 2009

      The year 2009 began with the wonderings of what the year held for the world’s economy.  First Baptist began its 2009 year with lower than previous pledges. Around the meeting table, lay leaders wondered what the year held.

Wise decision making made 2009 a different story

      As 2009 draws to a close, let us recognize the local and global economy has been challenging, yet First Baptist has held our own, and even progressed!  Our pledges for local and mission were met by the end of the year.  Our financial year-end demonstrated faithful giving by congregants, wise management of our congregation’s endowment for customary ministry expenses and critical capital improvements, and a marked increase in building use revenue.  The latter revenue stream was made possible by our congregation’s affirmation to open the doors to non-profit organizations and expand the church’s identity as a hub for missional activity. 

We end 2009 on a strong fiscal and missional note thanks to the hard work of our congregation, the lay leadership, and the church staff.   Let 2009 be a good word to future generations that intentional governance and congregational strategic planning return great dividends:  revenue to make us less endowment dependent and an increased ability to stay focused on ministry and not maintenance!

First Baptist as a community leader and missional catalyst:

      In 2009, I offered a vision statement for First Baptist:  to be “a place for healing, community involvement, and spiritual grounding”.  First Baptist has grown exponentially in community presence, now well regarded as catalysts and partners for change in our local community. Since mid-2008, First Baptist has become home to four non-profit organizations.  We have continued to develop our facility as a place for short-term projects, meetings, and events, hosting more activity under this roof than in many, many years.

      The external evaluation of First Baptist is glowing.  Our church’s community presence has received excellent coverage in the local media, the nation-wide publications of the American Baptist Churches/USA, and even in reports to our denomination’s General Board.  In June 2009, the General Secretary, the Rev. A. Roy Medley hailed First Baptist as one of the growing number of smaller ABC/USA churches that “are not counting their faithfulness by the brick and mortar they possess but by the lives they help reshape and redeem.”  He offered us good words of affirmation when visiting a few weeks earlier as our speaker at our Pentecost celebration.  Likewise, the board of National Ministries awarded a $1500 grant in support of a cooking skills class, noting their affirmation of our continuing work.  Our missional efforts reflect the creativity of our congregants as well as our better engaged and attuned hearts and minds as we seek out ways to serve our community’s needs.  As our missional church consultant, the Rev. Dr. Ronald Carlson has stated, First Baptist is a “beacon” for the community.

      In 2009, I note I was involved in a variety of community and regional efforts in my capacity as minister.  I represented First Baptist as a member of the Bennington Interfaith Council and as a delegate to the annual meetings of the ABC Vermont/New Hampshire region and association. I continued service on the board of directors for the Better Bennington Corporation and completed a one year term on the CAT-TV board. In 2009, I completed two years serving as the organizing convener of the region’s Southwest Association clergy meetings.  During the fall 2009 semester, I served as one of the instructors for Southern Vermont College’s comparative religions course and assisted in interfaith council efforts to establish relationships with our local institutions of higher education.  This year, I published religious life columns for the Bennington Banner and a book review with Sharing the Practice, the journal for the Academy of Parish Clergy.  As noted above, I traveled to Amsterdam in July 2009 to participate in the Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) program of the Baptist World Alliance.

Moving forward into a new day for ministry

      Looking back at the near four years of ministry here, I note we have much to celebrate, and we have much work still to do.  In a recent sermon, I observed we are on the next leg of our journey, and we are realizing the way ahead looks decidedly less than what we have seen in the past.  Living in the least religiously inclined state in the United States and competing with many other claims on people’s time and energy, First Baptist has a few tools and resources from our history and heritage to carry with us, but we cannot forget that the journey ahead is also a bit less defined than we prefer it to be.  We have some work to do in moving ahead, continuing the story of a group of Baptists who started ministry in 1827 while moving faithfully and self-critically into a more challenging century than our 19^th or 20^th-century forebears knew.

As I look at 2009 and look ahead to 2010, I offer the following observations:

Emerging administrative changes--The trustees have designated clearer hiring practices for our staff, and I have been designated as the chief of staff with more oversight of staff performance and evaluation.  These efforts might come as a surprise, as one might have thought these policies and practices were already in place.  In a growing climate of oversight and compliance challenges for non-profit organizations, is important to realize the church has been functioning with no defined policy book or lines of authority.

As an employer with a number of staff, First Baptist needs policies and practices in place that meet legal requirements and ensure healthy and well-managed employer/employee relationships.  In addition to boards communicating more about efforts to fill vacant positions, we are now requiring background checks and increased attention to the hiring and interview process with all staff position vacancies.  To assist my growth in this area, I will be taking a human resource management course this spring term to expand my knowledge base and skills. 

Understanding the changing role of the minister—I note this past year has been an ongoing reminder of how the minister’s role is changing at First Baptist.  I spend more time managing staff, working with our financial process and managing First Baptist’s community relations than I have done before.  These functions are becoming part of the position’s duties, and I do not foresee the minister’s tasks becoming any less complex.  Throughout 2010, I will be working with a consultant to help me manage my growth and development in the changing ministry needs of First Baptist.

The traditional, and very valued, parts of ministry (preaching, teaching, and pastoral care) are carried out to the best of my abilities, however, I find myself often wishing for more organized lay assistance in the care of each other.  Many weeks, I am unable to take a full day off, if at all, as unanticipated care needs arise, and I have no organized back-up help even when on vacation leave, short of calling in a clergy colleague to cover emergencies. 

I also ask the lay leadership to continue with the development of a stronger governance structure, able to equip boards and committees to do their tasks well and be less dependent on the minister or church staff.  I note I was more involved in agenda preparation, administrative housekeeping, and even leading meetings than I feel a minister ought to be doing or is healthy for good and effective pastor/parish relationships and mutual accountability.  I recommend our lay leadership give due consideration to the development of a covenant for all lay leaders, helping better define the expectation, duties, and accountability of board members and officers. 

Wrestling with my self-care—This past summer, I attended the Summer Collegium, a Lilly-funded program of the Virginia Theological Seminary of Alexandria, Virginia.  The program was of especial interest, as this year’s Collegium focused on small church clergy and self-care skills.  A few months later, I look back with the continued awareness that I must I hold myself more accountable in structuring time away from duties to rest, exercise regularly, and maintain healthy relationships with my own household.  The pastoral relations committee is assisting me with making some progress in this area.  I appreciate your support as well!

Strengthening our discipleship—In 2009, Baptists marked the 400^th anniversary of our origins in the Reformation era.  I served as a panelist at the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Amsterdam as one “emerging young leader” reflecting on the present and future ministry of Baptists.  While sharing the story of First Baptist (and I note your story was well received by our global family), I heard a recurrent lament among even our younger global Baptist leadership.  There is a concern for churches to strengthen their discipleship efforts, helping persons know Christ and grow in faith.  

As part of our congregational work in 2010, we will explore our Baptist identity in February and March, giving these two months over to church-wide reflection on the hallmarks of our heritage.  It is my hope that our congregation will give appropriate focus on the strengths of our Baptist roots as a people who are diverse, dedicated to mission, and engaged in living in the world as intentional disciples of Jesus Christ.

Concluding Thoughts

First Baptist has an exciting journey ahead of us.  Keep encouraging one another as we travel together, all along the pilgrim journey.

Grace and peace,

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, coordinating minister

The Busy Summer

Dear congregation:

First Baptist is in the midst of a busy summer behind and in front of the scenes. I am providing you an overview to keep track of where various efforts are underway to help First Baptist in its ongoing and strategic planning:

Vacation Bible “Camp” 2009

This year, First Baptist marks its fourth consecutive Vacation Bible School program, evidencing change and growth alike. Using a “camp” theme this year, First Baptist joins together with Saint Peter’s Episcopal to enjoy two weekends of summer fun! Vacation Bible “Camp” planners hope to welcome upwards of three-dozen children, a significant growth in the vision and scope of what “VBS” means to First Baptist. In 2006, there was a tentative feeling, wondering if we would have the ability and interest to restart VBS. After the 2006 event, the adults confessed to having as much, if not more fun than the kids. Thanks to the CE Board and the VBCamp volunteers, First Baptist will be offering an ecumenical and expanded program this year. Tell your kids, grandkids, and neighborhood kids about the Vacation Bible Camp coming soon! (Please note: With growth comes paperwork: Please help us PRE-REGISTER kids via forms available in the office.)

Staff Transitions

On May 31, 2009, Teresa Stevens completed her time as our playroom supervisor. We thank Teresa for her kind and welcoming spirit. The children loved to spend time with her. The board of Christian education is in the process of searching for a new person to serve as the “lead” playroom supervisor and an additional person who can serve as an assistant. The CE board will be announcing a job description and search process in the coming weeks. If you know of a person (21 years or older), please refer their names to Alycia Post, our director of Christian education.

Since late April, we have been blessed by Charlotte Knighton’s service at the organ bench. The music committee (Byron Spafford, Josie Sheperd, and Sandy Williams) reviewed the results of the congregational worship survey conducted on May 17, 2009. Your responses are helpful to the committee as we look for a new “director of music” staff person. Please speak with committee members if you have additional questions or comments. Our hope is to staff this position by Fall 2009. In the meantime, we will enjoy Charlotte’s company and her accompaniment.

Community Involvement

One of the values of First Baptist is its community involvement. In July and August, the Mission Board invites you to get involved with buying school supplies for Molly Stark Elementary School. A list of needed items will be posted in the bulletins, and Jean Hoag will share weekly updates about “the best deals in town” to help you spend not much on a whole lot of school supplies!

Also this summer, Lisa Flynn is part of the leadership team bringing the “Empty Bowls” Dinner together to support the Interfaith Food and Fuel Fund. Mark “Sunday, October 11” on your calendar and ask Lisa how you can help with this exciting fundraiser.

This fall, I will be lecturing at Southern Vermont College. On Tuesdays this Fall, a course on “comparative religions” will be offered, and I will be part of the team of local instructors teaching on Tuesday evenings. SVC closed the class enrollment quite early on in their registration process, so it is already a popular class! I will share more later in the year about the experiences of teaching and interacting with local college students.

Also this autumn, our missional church projects will get underway. We learned in mid-June First Baptist will be receiving $1,500 of grant money from National Ministries to kick start our program helping persons learn skills for living healthy and economically alike. Want to get involved? Talk to Alycia Post about your interest.

Continuing Education for the Minister

From June 24-July 2, Kerry and I participated in the Summer Collegium, a Lilly-endowed program of the Virginia Theological Seminary of Alexandria, Virginia. The purpose of this event is to help small church clergy learn skills, particularly in the area of self-care and wholeness. I am grateful for the congregation’s support during this event, and I look forward to sharing my experiences on Sunday, July 12, 2009. When you see me, ask me what I learned!

Later in July, I travel to the 2009 Annual Gathering of the Baptist World Alliance in the Netherlands. I will be participating in the Emerging Leaders Network, a gathering of younger Baptists from around the world, and attending BWA meetings. This year, I am honored to be a panelist during the meeting of “The Church Health and Effectiveness Workgroup”. The panel discussion features six young church leaders from different global contexts to address the question “The Future of the Church through the eyes of emerging leaders”. We are asked to address the following questions: What is going to change about the Church? What do younger leaders think needs to change? What will need to happen around leadership and congregational life? Will Church look different from at present? What challenges will be made around our Baptist distinctive? Will there be any differences? What do we hope for in the future?

Baptists gather in Amsterdam this year to celebrate the big “4-0-0”. (I know, we only look like we’re 336, but I digress….). I look forward to sharing a hopeful word about the future of the Church, especially those of us in the Baptist tradition(s). I offer these words of hope thanks to the hopeful people called “First Baptist”. When I look around at things, I must say we have much to celebrate and a great story to tell!

Grace and peace,

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, Coordinating Minister

Later this month, Kerry and I will participate in a continuing education program conducted by the Virginia Theological Seminary (http://www.vts.edu/icfl/collegium). The program’s theme is “Body, Mind, and Soul: Celebrating, Strengthening, and Sustaining Clergy Wholeness in Small Congregations”. The event offers clergy the opportunity to focus on the areas of spiritual, financial, physical, vocational health, and conflict resolution. When I suggested applying for this event, lay leadership, particularly the pastoral relations committee, encouraged me to apply. In reading the materials and preparing the various pre-Collegium homework assignments, I am starting to see some of my habits and choices in a new light. With the training opportunities at the Summer Collegium program, I am most hopeful that I will learn new ways of being a more balanced and healthy clergyperson.

I ask you for your help:

(1) Keep me in prayer as I learn (and unlearn) habits;

(2) Help me keep a balanced work week. If I am on a designated day off, please allow me the time to be “off the clock” and if I need to hear it, help me say the words “time off” or “vacation”. Please note: I will be available for pastoral emergencies (i.e. sudden hospitalizations or deaths in your family). Please call the office staff or the parsonage;

(3) Ask “how did the Summer Collegium go? What did you learn?” when you see me after the program is over. Reflect with me what I have learned and how I will keep these issues at the forefront, rather than on the backburner, of my understanding of ministry. In committing to this program, First Baptist and I are asked to complete some follow-up assignments, integrating the program learning with the ministry work here at First Baptist. I hope the whole congregation will participate actively in the completion of this program.

On a personal note, this summer marks the fifth anniversary of my ordination to ministry. When I was ordained, a group of American Baptists in Kansas gathered to celebrate and affirm my call to ministry. At the end of the service, the people gathered around for the laying of hands. In true Baptist fashion, it was not just the denominational officials or assembled clergy who offered this blessing. The laying of hands was a communal event involving the congregation I was serving at the time, visiting clergy and laity, the regional executive, seminary faculty, and members of my family.

At that time, the gathered people called “Church” affirmed my ordination. I continue in ministry, needing the same network of support and care. First Baptist, Bennington, has allowed me much grace and love to serve here for the past three years, and the relationship continues now beyond my initial calling. I ask that you keep helping me become a better minister through your prayers and support. I will work on my areas of challenge (i.e. stress management, personal time away from duties, and balancing work and home life). I will do so with the awareness that you are with me as I am with you along the pilgrim journey.

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, coordinating minister

This month marks the beginning of my fourth year serving as the ordained minister of First Baptist. I note with gratitude the past three years and the opportunity to serve the congregation during a time of intentional transition, seeking a way forward and addressing the long-term health of the congregation’s ministry in Bennington. I appreciate the dedication of the lay leadership to move the church along some new pathways, and the prayers and earnest faith of the congregants as we have moved along this journey together.

As I look ahead to this next year of service, I want to stress again a value I hold and continue to encourage in service to First Baptist: ministry is meant to be shared! As Baptists, we value ordaining persons to ministry to recognize the needs for setting aside some of our members for ministry as a way of life and a calling from God to preach, teach, care, and serve. At the same time, we affirm that all baptized Christians minister in their own ways, and in fact, we Baptists support strong lay ministry. Envisioning less of a separation between ordained and lay persons, Baptist congregational life has been historically the work of all God’s gathered people. Ministry is not merely the ordained minister’s work to serve the needs of Christ’s church. It is a shared ministry, carried out with the premise that all of us, God’s diverse and different, are called to serve. May it be so: First Baptist affirms that discerning the ministry of the Church is not just up to one person or a handful. It is an “all church” effort, listening to God together and carrying out ministry and mission as the many called to be one in Christ.

As we work toward a shared ministry, here are some opportunities for helping us along the way:

On March 7-8, 2009, Dr. Ron Carlson will return for a weekend with our congregation to talk about the Missional way of being “church”. How can we work with one another and others in the community to meet critical needs and fulfill our gospel calling to tend our neighbors in need? Attending this weekend of events is helpful, as the more voices and hearts and minds we have together in the same room multiply the possibilities for what we can do. You have to admit Ron’s two visits in 2007 gave us the springboard for much good to take place over the past year and a half. Make time for this weekend of events! First Baptist will flourish with your willingness to take part.

First Baptist offers opportunities for lay members to get involved in ministry beyond the walls of our congregation. In the coming weeks, we are sending hopefully a number of congregants to New Orleans, Louisiana, to participate in the 2009 Baptist Building Blitz. You can go to New Orleans and help persons still living with the destructive aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, performing house repairs with other Baptists from across the United States. (Note: If you would like to do this closer to home, take note that the local Bennington County Habitat for Humanity chapter will be starting a new home construction project in North Bennington. Call the office if you would like to offer your volunteerism to these local and national projects, or send a check to help underwrite the expenses of sending congregants to New Orleans.)

As we move forward in the ministries of First Baptist, know that everyone is able to make the life of the church come alive! Together, we experience the joy of ministry, sharing together as God’s people.

Thanks be to God! Jerrod Hugenot

As we look ahead to the New Year, I suggest that First Baptist mark 2009 as a festive year. In 2009, Baptists celebrate a major anniversary: the 400^th anniversary of our religious tradition. In the late 16^th and early 17^th centuries, the Protestant Reformation was well underway, however, some religious groups still experienced persecution and harassment even by those who were reformers themselves. A group of English dissidents fled to Amsterdam, a safer place for religious tolerance. By 1609, English pastor John Smyth’s congregation began articulating religious views we now look back upon as the earliest evidence of a Baptist way of believing and practicing the faith.

Throughout 2009, you will receive notes about our Baptist history and heritage through special bulletin inserts, newsletter articles, and congregational events highlighting the spiritual hallmarks of our tradition. Keep an eye out for announcements of special opportunities via the congregation’s various ways of communication: email, website, newsletter, and bulletin. It is my hope that the congregation will see our tradition’s “big 400^th” as an opportunity to celebrate our past, reflect on our present day identity, and deepen our resolve to keep the Baptist tradition alive and well into the future.

This January, U.S. citizens recognize the only civic holiday named in honor of a religious leader: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The legacy of Dr. King takes on a particularly poignant note this year as the King holiday falls on the day before the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation’s first African American president. A number of organizations are encouraging communities to celebrate the King holiday and the new opportunities presented by the incoming White House administration by hosting local events or dedicating themselves anew to local grassroots initiatives.

By happy providence, First Baptist and other interfaith-minded religious communities are doing just that with the dedication and grand opening of the Bennington Free Clinic the week before. On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, from 5-7 PM, the community will celebrate the dedication with local and state leaders attending to help cut the ribbon. I encourage every congregant to attend the dedication so you can enjoy the words of thanks and recognition for your part in making this community initiative take flight.

This clinic will offer free healthcare to adults, especially the seventeen percent of Bennington County residents (ages 18 to 64) who are without health insurance. On Thursday, January 15, 2009, the Free Clinic will begin its weekly efforts to help our community members in need, utilizing space at First Baptist every Thursday evening and the skills of various area doctors and other medical professionals and community volunteers. To donate or volunteer, call 802/442-3700 and talk with Sue Andrews.

The Free Clinic is illustrative of First Baptist’s growing understanding that our congregation has a Missional calling. With the tutelage of Dr. Ron Carlson of ABC/USA National Ministries in the past (and the future—we’re hoping to have Ron back in early March 2009), First Baptist is considering what it means to be a Missional church. Dr. Carlson is crossing our nation working with congregations just like First Baptist, and I believe we are hearing his good word about the future of our faith (and the change necessitated to get there!). As part of his introduction to Missional church training, Dr. Carlson writes,

You have been chosen to live during the most accelerated rate of change in human history. Human knowledge is doubling every two years. Think for a moment of all the ways life has changed in the last fifty years: communication, technology, medicine, science, culture, global economy. How has all this change affected the church?

Just fifty years ago, eight out of ten Americans got up on Sunday morning and went to Christian worship. Today fewer than two out of ten Americans attend worship on any average Sunday. What changed? Everything!

As Christians, we believe that the gospel message of Jesus is good news for every era, and we know that the church has adjusted to every new challenge in each new generation. How will the church respond to today's challenge?

Missional church is a growing movement throughout America in response to this time of change. A missional church is "an authentic community of faith that primarily directs its ministry focus outward toward the context in which it is located and to the broader world beyond”.

Along these same lines, Dr. Troy Jackson, a minister and author of a new book on Dr. King, explores how the Missional church movement harmonizes with the thought of Dr. King. He writes, “King would challenge you to think first about the welfare of your community rather than the size of your congregation the next time someone asks how your church is doing”.

While we are not a congregation of considerable size, First Baptist seems to be coming to terms with being “smaller than we used to be” and reframing its identity and ministry around the new day at hand. Whether it is renting space to non-profits, cooperating with other religious communities on common ground efforts, or engaging in creative projects with our own congregants, First Baptist has much to offer. Let the year 2009 serve as a time to remember the past and go forward boldly into the future as the heirs of Smyth and King.

The Rev. Jerrod H. Hugenot, coordinating minister

               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