Excerpts From January Focus
First Baptist Church of West Hartford
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| Dedicated to bringing Christian Faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education and a Caring Community |
| First Baptist Church of West Hartford 90 North Main Street West Hartford CT 06107 |
Hands-On Mission Opportunity
In March, 2007, a group of teen and adults from Westminster Presbyterian
Church in West Hartford went to the Gulf Coast to rebuild homes destroyed
by Hurricane Katrina. They had such a great time; they decided to invite
other congregations to join them on April 13-19, 2008 (W.H.'s school
vacation). Volunteers will leave Bradley on April 12th and arrive in New
Orleans around Noon, where they'll do limited work. On Sunday, April
13th, they'll worship, sight-see in New Orleans, the travel to D'Iberville,
Mississippi (roughly ninety miles away). April 14 - 18 will be devoted to
homebuilding in D'Iberville, with time off on the 16th. On Saturday, the
19th, the group returns to New Orleans and flies home.
The estimated cost of the week is $525.00 per-person. Details regarding
funding are yet to be worked out. Our General Board has endorsed the
project as part of our church's 150th anniversary celebration. I can say
that each volunteer will be asked to raise some money for him/herself. Our
church will defray the costs and the BYF will do some fund-raising. This
event is for youth in grades 9 through 12, and adults. All volunteers must
attend one of two training events in CT before leaving home. Dave
Colletta is our team leader. If you are interested in this trip, please let
Dave Roones, Chair of Missions know as soon as possible.
In March, 2007, a group of teen and adults from Westminster Presbyterian
Church in West Hartford went to the Gulf Coast to rebuild homes destroyed
by Hurricane Katrina. They had such a great time; they decided to invite
other congregations to join them on April 13-19, 2008 (W.H.'s school
vacation). Volunteers will leave Bradley on April 12th and arrive in New
Orleans around Noon, where they'll do limited work. On Sunday, April
13th, they'll worship, sight-see in New Orleans, the travel to D'Iberville,
Mississippi (roughly ninety miles away). April 14 - 18 will be devoted to
homebuilding in D'Iberville, with time off on the 16th. On Saturday, the
19th, the group returns to New Orleans and flies home.
The estimated cost of the week is $525.00 per-person. Details regarding
funding are yet to be worked out. Our General Board has endorsed the
project as part of our church's 150th anniversary celebration. I can say
that each volunteer will be asked to raise some money for him/herself. Our
church will defray the costs and the BYF will do some fund-raising. This
event is for youth in grades 9 through 12, and adults. All volunteers must
attend one of two training events in CT before leaving home. Dave
Colletta is our team leader. If you are interested in this trip, please let
Dave Roones, Chair of Missions know as soon as possible.
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
NEW BUILDING DEDICATED
70 YEARS AGO
In the spring of 1937, the First Baptist meetinghouse at the corner of Farmington
Avenue and North Main Street was being torn down. It had been in use for 78
years, and an offer of $70,000 for the property had convinced the church of the
wisdom of moving. The property at 90 North Main Street was purchased from Mr.
Charles Griswold, a senior member of the church, and the present building was
built during that year. The cornerstone was laid on Thursday, September 16,
1937, but the construction was well along by then and dedication of the new
meetinghouse took place on October 31 of that year. Incorporated in the new
building were several parts of the old building: the pillars and pilasters, the stone
steps in front, the bell, the 1858 cornerstone, and the weather vane.
A local newspaper (unnamed in our scrapbook) wrote concerning the October
31st service: “A new church will open its doors for Christian worship and service
on Sunday. The First Baptist Church of West Hartford, which has been holding its
services in the Old Town Hall since the demolition of its former structure, will
again worship in its own building on Sunday for the first time. The Colonial church
on [North] Main Street near Fern Street is an attractive addition to the many fine
buildings already constructed in West Hartford.” Rev. Ellis Gilbert, pastor from
1926 to 1943, was the spiritual leader during this time of growth.
Join us on Saturday, January 12th as we host a
thought provoking Mid Winter Movie. "The Next
Industrial Revolution" has been called informative,
brilliant and hopeful", a film about the trasformation of
industry using natural systems as a guide, shaped by
practical visionary Architect Bill McDonough and
chemist, Michael Braungart.
Soup and bread will be served at 6:30 pm followed by
the film at 7:00 pm in the Gilbert Hall. Discussion will
follow led by Paul Popinchalk, Engineer.
thought provoking Mid Winter Movie. "The Next
Industrial Revolution" has been called informative,
brilliant and hopeful", a film about the trasformation of
industry using natural systems as a guide, shaped by
practical visionary Architect Bill McDonough and
chemist, Michael Braungart.
Soup and bread will be served at 6:30 pm followed by
the film at 7:00 pm in the Gilbert Hall. Discussion will
follow led by Paul Popinchalk, Engineer.
LUNCH BUNCH
Wednesday, January 9th @ 11:30 am in the Kitchen
Several Projects including the following:
Wednesday, January 9th @ 11:30 am in the Kitchen
Several Projects including the following:
- clipping and packaging "Labels for Education" for the Cameron
Community Ministries in Rochester. - Packing school kits for Church World Service
- roll bandages for hospitals in the Congo
| ABW MidWinter Celebration Sunday, February 10th @ 3:00 p.m. Come and take a tour of the Far East with Linda the Explorer Shiloh Baptist Church Linda Lea Snyder journeyed to Myanmar (Burma) this past summer and will share her adventures. |