On June 2, 1971, the Church Moderator, Sidney Mawson, the Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Robert Vermilya, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Elwin Richardson, sent a letter to the members of the Advisory Council asking them to convene after the Church Business Meeting on June 6, 1971, for a short meeting. On Thursday evening, June 10, 1971, at 8:30, the Advisory Council met again to appoint a Pulpit Committee. Those appointed were:
The Moderator, Sidney Mawson, then called another Church Business Meeting for June 20, 1971, after the church service to elect the Pulpit Committee. On the same day Peter Seibel, custodian since 1960 or 1961 (the records are not clear), announced his resignation in the Sunday Bulletin:
Dear Friends: My sincere thanks and deepest appreciation for all the kindness and thoughtfulness you’ve shown me during the years I have served as your custodian. I especially wish to thank Reverend Hammond and the Board of Trustees for their help and understanding. It is my desire to continue to worship with you each Sunday. You’ve become very much a part of my life. Very Sincerely, Peter Seibel
Peter Seibel was a very special custodian. He helped build the new church in 1927 as an electrician and therefore knew all about the electrical system. This was very helpful at times. He attended church services and sang in the choir, and was very much a part of church life. (You have already read about his work far beyond his custodial duties in remodeling the old Sunday School Rooms.) The new addition and its daily use by the new Hillside Play School added greatly to his work load and Peter found this a good time to retire. He was missed.
In 1971, Margaret Vermilya came up with a plan in which women of the church were to cooperate in sharing, in some way, their time one day each month with one of their favorite senior members, Foster Mudge. She called it the “Foster Plan.” (It was similar to a plan devised for William Nightingale. For him the plan was to give him a Sunday Dinner and an automobile ride around town, and preferably, past a farm he once owned south of Manlius.)
In 1971 there must have been stories going around about alcoholic beverages being allowed in the Keuka College dormitory (a Baptist College). The Advisory Council voted to send a resolution to the Baptist State Office stating the church’s disapproval.
On June 23, 1971, the Moderator called the first meeting of the Pulpit Committee to order and they elected Ray Heller Chairman and Cathy Lyon Secretary.
Reverend Robert Williams attended the meeting representing the State Office (Baptist) to give advice and counsel to the Committee. The group mailed a questionnaire to each family of the congregation on Friday, June 25, 1971, to determine what the church was looking for in a Pastor. The Committee asked for the continued prayers of the congregation so that they might have Divine guidance and direction.
On Sunday, June 27, 1971, Reverend John Baker preached the sermon. It was announced that for the present Reverend Baker would make pastoral calls, and if Reverend Baker was not available, Reverend Raker would take his place.
In the summer of 1971 we closed our Sunday School and again held church services with the Methodists for 10 Sundays in July, August and September with Reverend Buskey preaching for the Methodists and a variety of preachers for the Baptists. Vacation Bible School was to be ecumenical again in 1971, with the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal and Catholic churches participating. Sister Stephanie of St. Ann’s Church was director. Sessions were held in all four churches. The dates were August 16-19 and 23-26, 1971.
In the July Trustee’s meeting a motion was made for Lloyd Slentz to make an informal offer for a small piece of property on our south border which would straighten out our south property line. The motion was seconded and passed. Mr. Slentz found that Mrs. Ryan would sell the land for $1,000.00. The land was eventually purchased but not from Mrs. Ryan. A survey of the property involved is reproduced in the appendix.
The church family in 1971 made a three year pledge of $2,879.00 to the Home Mission Board project to provide funds for Camping, Conferences, and Church Extension (CCC). Robert Lyon was the Chairman for the church.
On July 25, 1971, Mrs. Robert Mapstone, Director of the Cherub Choir and the Youth Choir, was in Green Lakes, Wisconsin, attending the American Baptist Music Conference. On August 8, 1971, the Pulpit Committee engaged Reverend Clarence B. Gilbert, a former Executive Minister of the New York State Baptist Convention, to start as the Interim Pastor on Sunday, September 12, 1971.
The Hillside Play School Day Care Center, Inc. was opened in September 1971 in the educational wing of the church. There were forty 3 & 4 year olds enrolled (full enrollment) and the school was directed by Mrs. Elizabeth Squires, with two full-time teachers and one full-time teacher’s aid assisting. The Incorporation papers were filed in Albany on October 4, 1971.
On October 17, 1971, the Trustees launched the Every Member Canvas Campaign for 1972 with Mr. George Davenport as the leader of a team of 15 men and women. As in the 1970 campaign, money had to be raised for the Building Fund Mortgage as well as for the regular programs and upkeep of the church.
In the Bulletin for October 24, 1971, the Pulpit Committee announced that they had found a candidate for Pastor of the church. “He will lead in the morning worship (October 31, 1971) and preach the sermon. Following the worship service, a special meeting of the church will be held to vote on issuing a call to the candidate.” The Pulpit Committee sent to the members of the congregation a very long resume which included facts concerning Reverend Clayton’s education, his service, his attributes, his attitudes and a summary of appraisals of Reverend Clayton by others. The resume is reproduced in the appendix.
The Board of Deacons arranged for a 24-hour prayer vigil from Friday, October 29, 1971, thru Saturday, October 30, 1971. They asked the congregation to “please sign up for the time of your choice and pray for guidance as we prepare for and decide upon a new pastor of our church.” This was to precede a get-acquainted informal reception on Saturday evening, October 30, 1971, for the congregation to meet Reverend Frank Clayton, his wife, Jean, and daughter, Lori. (Son Philip was in college and not available that weekend.)
On Sunday morning, October 31, 1971, Reverend Clayton visited with the Sunday School and then preached on “Called to Relationships” as his candidating sermon. After the service the congregation met and voted to extend Reverend Clayton a call. Reverend Clayton was “duly elected to the Pulpit” (134 voted yes, 5 no) and was to begin his pastorate in Manlius on January 30, 1972. (January 30 was a special day for Reverend Clayton. It was his birthday as well as the anniversary of his ordination.)
A vote of thanks was extended to the Pulpit Committee for their many hours of service and for bringing Reverend Clayton to us. (In order for the ladies who would ordinarily be working in the nursery or with the younger children during the service to hear Reverend Clayton, women came from Eastern Hills, Christ Church and the Music Department of the Fayetteville-Manlius Elementary School to take their places.)
Reverend Gilbert became hospitalized in late November or early December, 1971, and was no longer able to act as Interim Pastor. A “beautiful” nativity set was given to the church by the Davison family and has been enjoyed every Christmas since. At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on December 5, 1971, it was announced that the church had received a purchase offer of $17,500 for the Seneca Street property. The Trustees voted to accept the offer. On December 12, 1971, a Special Meeting of the church was called by the Moderator, Sid Mawson, to ratify the decision of the Trustees. There is no record of the meeting but the house was sold. The church retained the playground area and the garden house. The garden house had to be moved several feet to the north to remain on church property.
In the January 16, 1972, Bulletin, the women of the church announced that they were sponsoring a pantry shower for the Claytons. “Please bring non-perishable items to the church by Thursday, January 20.” The Mid-January Christian Carrier reported that the parsonage was ready for the new pastor and family to move in. “The Trustees have been busy putting it in good shape.” The outside was repainted in the fall. Inside, all the hardwood floors were sanded and varnished, and all rooms painted. Members of the Unity Class painted the cellar walls and new tile was laid on the kitchen and bathroom floors.
Reverend John Baker, Dr. Calvin Thompson, former pastor of the Delaware Baptist Church, and Reverend Harrison Williams, Executive Minister of the New York State Baptist Convention, filled the pulpit until Reverend Clayton arrived to preach his first sermon on January 30, 1972, on “Responsible Membership.”
Since January 30 was also Reverend Clayton’s 44th birthday, a Birthday Dinner was served for the congregation after the church service. Mrs. Robert Lyon and helpers prepared the meal and Mrs. Bud Hapeman provided the table decorations. (Mrs. Hapeman had a special talent for making decorations and they were appreciated on many occasions.)
Reverend Clayton’s Installation Service was scheduled for February 13, 1972, at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Thorwald Bender, Dean of the Faculty of the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (and Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Theology) delivered the Charge to the Ministers. (He also preached the sermon at the morning service.) Others attending the Installation were Keith Morgan, Mayor of Manlius, Holland Maughn, representing the Iroquois Association, Robert Williams representing the New York State Convention, and Reverend J.R. Buskey representing the local clergy. A reception in the Chapel followed the Service of Installation.
Reverend Clayton introduced himself to the congregation in his Pastor to People Column which would be a feature of every Christian Carrier published during his stay in Manlius. His first introductory column was sub-titled “I Am a Person” and answered some questions typically asked a new pastor.
“ I Am A Person”
Usually the arrival of a new pastor to a church brings a little uneasiness on the part of some members. “Am I going to like him?” “Will he recognize me or will he cater to a special few?” “What shall I call him?” “Can I confide in him?” On and on go the questions in our minds.
Let me set you at ease in regards to some of your questions. First of all whatever makes you the most comfortable in addressing me will be accepted. But I am a person and I do have a name. So please do not just refer to me as Reverend. If you want to use this at least attach Frank or Clayton on to it to identify me as a person. My preference would be to address me just as Frank.
Secondly, you can be assured that whatever is spoken to me in confidence shall remain in confidence by me. I have been trained as a counselor and will be happy to counsel with anyone at anytime about any personal problems.
Thirdly, I am different than any previous pastor of this church. I am a different person. So please do not expect me to be like your previous ministers. There will be things that I do differently. I will make changes from time to time. But I will seek out the counsel and guidance of all church boards in any changes that are made.
Fourthly, I am open to any suggestions, comments, or criticism from anyone at anytime. Please feel free to come to me with your feelings and express them openly. Together we can work them out and be closer because of them.
Fifthly, I will try my best to be impartial in my relationships to each person. But remember that I also am human and just as you become more closely attached to a special friend even so I may become a little more closely attached to a few members.
I seek your prayers as I begin my pastorate with you. You can be assured that my prayers will also be with you and I will try to give my best effort on your behalf.
Frank E. Clayton
In the same newsletter, Reverend Clayton introduced his Five Sweet P’s which describe a good church member. They were:
The School of Missions followed on Sunday nights from February 27, 1972, to March 19, 1972. Computers were making their mark in modern civilization and the topic of discussion for the School was “Missions in the Computer Age.” Among the leaders were Dr. Abe Lorente, who spoke on the Biological Revolution, and Reverend Clayton, who spoke on “Technology in the New Age.”
In February of 1972, the Board of Deacons and the Board of Deaconesses, separated since 1958, were combined into a single Diaconate Board as recommended by Reverend Clayton and supported by both Boards. For the first year Robert Vermilya and Anna Slentz were elected co-chairmen but for the second and ensuing years, only a chairman (later to be known as a chairperson) was elected.
In the Bulletin of March 19, 1972, the Trustees announced plans for the complete redecoration of the Sanctuary to take place shortly after Easter. It was to be a “do it ourselves” project and the Trustees asked for the help and cooperation of the whole congregation. They wanted the church to look its best for the 175th anniversary.
The project started on May 8, 1972. The walls and ceiling and the woodwork were painted, carpeting was installed, the oak pews stripped and re-finished (a major undertaking led by Frances Davison and Mrs. Charles Whittington), the pulpit furniture was upholstered and the chancel was given a brand new look with draperies, blue velvet, and a cross made of white ash by Lynn Mapstone. In the rest of the church, the “old” Sunday School Rooms, hallways, parlor, the church office, and the Pastor’s study were painted by the custodian.
It was “Show and Tell Time” on April 23, 1972, for the Mother and Daughter Banquet. Margaret Vermilya asked the women to bring handmade items for a Fashion Show, and desserts, also homemade, for a Bakery Window Display. (The desserts were to be eaten at the dinner.)
In the summer of 1972, the Baptists and Methodists met together for 9 Sundays. The Baptists held Summer Sunday School all summer long for all ages in the “air conditioned” chapel at 9:00 a.m. (Church at 10:00 a.m.). Vacation Bible School was held for one week only in 1972, sponsored by the Baptists and Methodists with very little fanfare.
The Church was to be 175 years old in December 1972. It was disappointing that other anniversaries (100, 150, 160) came and went with little notice. For the 175th things were to be different. A 175th Anniversary Committee was chosen by the Advisory Council:
They met first on June 7, 1972, to elect a Chairman (Raymond Laning) and Secretary (Leah Stark). Program, Publicity, Hospitality and Transportation Committees were also appointed.
In his Pastor to People column for the Mid-June 1972 Christian Carrier, Reverend Clayton made sure that the church knew it was not just celebrating a birthday but an anniversary. “A birthday comes about because a person has been able to live that long, but an anniversary comes about because people have learned to live together in mutual respect and trust - loving and being loved - forgiving and being forgiven; sharing our sorrows and joys - our failures and successes; and, fulfilling each other as we mature in Christ’s likeness.”
The immediate task of the Committee was to compile the data for a Pictorial Directory. This was a first for the church. 20th Century Publications, Inc., took pictures of the church members. They made money by selling enlargements to those who wanted them. The church received a ten page letter size directory with several pages devoted to church history, complete with pictures, and a pictorial directory of all the members who had pictures taken.
The Committee also decided to have commemorative tiles made with a picture of the church to sell to all who wanted one. The profits would be used to defray expenses of the Celebration. Eighteen dozen (216) were ordered.
In the summer of 1972, the First Baptist Church, The United Methodist Church and Eastern Hills Bible Church arranged for a series of six Sunday evening ecumenical “Community Campfires for Christ.” The services were directed toward the youth and designed for family participation. The programs featured special musical groups, personal testimonies from prominent people as well as local people, and group singing. According to the Deacons, the services “served to foster a spirit of fellowship with other Christians in our community and to bring Christ to the attention of those who may not have met Him.” Rain was at times a problem but the estimated total attendance for six nights was 2,800 people.
Everybody was invited to the Baptist Sunday School, starting July 2, at 9:00 Sunday mornings, to be held in the air-conditioned Baptist Chapel. (“Big ones, small ones, everybody come to the Baptist Sunday School. We’ll have lots of fun.”)
The Lorente Funds obtained from gifts of church members and friends of the Lorentes were used at their request to start a Scholarship Fund and the Deacons were to establish guidelines for its use. (The Fund is still in existence in 1999.)
On August 27, 1972, at the morning worship service Ann Mapstone was commissioned by the First Baptist Church of Manlius as an Ambassador for Christ in Haiti. In September, Ann flew to Haiti to spend a year serving as a practical nurse for the Good Samaritan Hospital in Limbe, Haiti. The Board of Missions set up a fund to aid in her support ($75.00 a month was needed.)
On September 15 and 16, 1972, Reverend Clayton, Norma Dougherty, Robert Vermilya and Charles Beams attended the Key ‘73 Planning Retreat in Marcy, New York. (Key ‘73 was an Evangelical endeavor led by the American Baptist Churches to bring the gospel of Christ to the attention of every person in North America in 1973.)
After the inside redecoration was completed the Trustees turned to the outside of the church. Gordon Noble was hired to paint the steeple, and the east half of the roof on the gymnasium was reshingled. On September 24, 1972, it was reported in the Bulletin that the parking lot had been resurfaced and that Art and Bob Mapstone had removed most of our dead Elm trees. The Trustees moved the garden shed and finished roofing the Parsonage.
On September 29 and 30, 1972, the Board of Christian Education sponsored a retreat for members, Sunday School Teachers and any other interested persons at Vanderkamp on Lake Oneida. Nineteen persons attended this “significant” event. The attendees considered their concerns for the church and Christian Education and explored ways in which they could be more creative in their planning and teaching.
The opening event for the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the founding of the church in 1797 was scheduled for Sunday, October 15, 1972. The Committee started at the top in New York State with their invitations and invited Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, Congressman James M. Hanley, and County Executive John Mulroy to participate. The invitations were sent rather late for busy people like the Governor and Reverend Peale, and both sent their regrets because of previous commitments. Fortunately, Congressman Hanley was able to accept. All of our living former pastors were invited. Reverend James MacPherson (Pastor 1923-1928), who was instrumental in building this present church, could not attend, nor could he send a vocal message because he had lost his voice. His grandson, Ronald MacPherson came and read a message from his grandfather. This event, and many other happenings in the church, were well publicized, thanks to Mrs. Ramona Bowden, neighbor of our Secretary Sara Beams and Religion Editor for the Post Standard and its Sunday Empire Magazine.
The 175th anniversary celebration continued on Thursday, October 19, 1972, at the Anniversary Family Night Supper. The program was “In This Our Church,” a play and picture presentation. Mr. Britton Van Auken, Town Supervisor, was a special guest. On Sunday, October 22, 1972, former Pastor and Mrs. Reverend Lawrence A. Wheaton (1938-1945) were guests of the church and Reverend Wheaton spoke on “Joy in Religion.” The Hammonds sent regrets that they could not be part of the celebration on Sunday, November 5, 1972, as planned, but sent best wishes and love to everyone and flowers to the Church Family for the Sunday Service.
On November 19, 1972, a “Thanksgiving For Our Heritage” dinner was served to the church family following the morning service at which Reverend Russell Raker spoke of his association with our church as Interim Pastor and member. Reverend Robert Williams, Area V Minister of the New York State Baptist Convention preached the morning sermon.
The new hymnbooks were in the pews and the Church Family expressed its thanks to the family and friends of the late Charles Cathers for “the lovely new hymnals.” “They will long be a source of joy and inspiration as was the one whose memory we are commemorating.” The hymnals were the New Baptist Hymnal, published in 1972. The Deacons revised the Covenant and it was added to the Hymn Book. The new covenant did not contain the admonition against tattling and gossiping and use and sale of alcoholic beverages.
The year 1972 was a time to reflect on our long history and the members of the church enjoyed looking back at our past and marveling that our church’s ancestors had endured and accomplished such great things. Pastor Clayton’s message in the report for 1973 referred to Paul’s message to the Christian Church in Phillipi, “I leave this part behind and with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, I go straight for the goal - my reward, the honor of being called by God in Christ.” Reverend Clayton wrote that “It is very easy to become tied down to the past with its memories. It is necessary that we accept the advice of Paul and meet the demands and challenges of today and look forward to new victories tomorrow.” And so the church moved on.
There was one more Sunday of “looking back” on January 28, 1973. It was the last of the planned events for the 175th anniversary Celebration and Reverend John Baker tied it all together in his sermon “By Hook or by Crook.” (This was to have taken place in December, 1971, but because of the illness of Reverend Baker’s wife, Lucy, it was postponed.)
At the January 18, 1973, annual meeting, Robert Vermilya, representing the Diaconate, asked that the arrangement for one Diaconate Board be continued even though the constitution had not yet been revised to accommodate the reunion. The congregation approved. There was no record of the church being asked for its approval or disapproval but on one of the Communion Sundays in 1973 the women joined the men in serving communion, for the first time in 176 years. There had also been an experimental reduction of the Advisory Council (from a possible 45 members) to a much smaller group which included the Chairman and Vice-chairman and representatives to the Iroquois Association from the four Boards (Trustees, Deacons, Christian Education and Missions), the Moderator, the Church Clerk, and the Pastor (a 15 member Advisory Council). The idea was to make the Advisory Council more efficient and to give more importance to the Iroquois Association, but some members were reluctant to have membership representation vested in a group of 15 which did not include youth and women’s groups. The congregation voted for the Advisory Council to revert to its former configuration.
Another motion was made, seconded, and carried, at the Annual Meeting, that was to reactivate the Constitution Committee. The original Committee members were:
They had made some recommendations at the Annual Meeting in January 1963, but there was no action at that time. The Committee regrouped with Al Fowler and Irene Whittington replacing Reverend Hammond and providing a fifth member. Ray Heller was retained as Chairman.
In the January newsletter the women of the church were told that the Fayetteville Manlius Directory was ready for delivery. Each woman was to be asked to deliver books to a street or block. Delivery dates were to be on two weekends, January 12-14 and 19-21, 1973.
In the same January, 1973, Newsletter, Reverend Clayton used his Pastor to People column to expand the meaning of his 5 Sweet P’s:
At the beginning of a new year it would be helpful for us to be reminded of our responsibilities as members of 1st Baptist Church. I call these responsibilities the 5 sweet P’s of church membership.
- We expect that you will be praying members. Prayer is the life & strength of every Christian. Therefore it is necessary for us to cultivate our prayer life. Pray for your needs & needs of others. Pray for your church.
- We expect that you will be present members. Your presence is needed at every worship service & activity of our church. We need you & you need what we have to offer.
- We expect that you will be participating members. Each of us has some talent to offer in the service of Christ. We can serve on a Board; or just call on newcomers & shut-ins.
- We expect that you will be paying members. The sharing of our income in the work of the church is vitally important to the kinds of programs & activities we can offer. Every Christian ought to accept, as the minimum standard of giving, 10% of all income. If we all gave a tithe, or 10%, there would never be any financial problems in the church.
- We expect that you will be peaceful members. That you will work at maintaining the unity of our fellowship. Under no circumstances will you stir up trouble in order to divide or fragment our church into friction. But will always be forgiving & patient looking to Christ for strength and guidance. If we all would strive to adopt these five P’s of church membership - what a great church we would be!
While some of the best words to describe a good church member begin with the letter P, it is equally true for words describing bad behavior, and some of the people’s imagination went so far as to make a list of sour P’s. Some examples were:
There is one kind of member we should all strive to be, but of course won’t succeed in being, and that is a Perfect member.
On February 11, 1973, the Coffee Hour was invented in our church and the members and visitors were advised that starting on February 18, 1973, coffee would be served in the church kitchen from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Sundays for all who would drop in. Weren’t the people supposed to be in Sunday School classes?
Ann Mapstone sent many interesting letters describing her work and life in Haiti and these were published frequently in the Christian Carrier. With her letter for February she sent a poem:
When you get to Heaven
You will likely view
Many folks whose presence there
Will be a shock to you.
But be very quiet
Don’t even stare
Doubtless there will be many folks
Surprised to see you there.
On March 4, 1973, the School of Missions began its 4 week study of “India, One Sixth of All the World’s Peoples.” March 11, 1973, was Youth Sunday with 24 of our BYF presenting the program “Praise the Lord.”
Many people, at various times in 1973, continued to be active in the Lay Witness Program and groups from our church went to the Central United Methodist Church of Utica, New York, to the First Baptist Church of Kingston, New York, the United Methodist Church in Greenville, New York, and the United Methodist Church in Verona, New York. Among the participants were Robert Vermilya, Norma Dougherty, Sue Mapstone, Abe and Pam Lorente, Barbara Forringer, Ray Heller, Fred and Roger Strauss, Erman Ferris, Betsy Siegenthaler, Bill Billet, Bill Burt, Helen Fardig and Ann Mapstone.
On April 22, 1973, an offering was taken in the morning service to provide an electric generator for Haiti. The generator was to be dedicated at a service in Hinche, Haiti, and Bob and Shirley Mapstone, visiting their daughter, Ann, were to deliver the money as our representatives.
On May 13, 1973, it was announced that Mrs. Frank Clayton had been named as Chairman of Special Interest Missionaries for the American Baptist Women of New York State. On June 17, 1973, sixteen of our young people graduated from high school.
The Constitution Committee met several times in the Spring of 1963. They divided the Constitution and By-Laws into separate sections and each Board and Committee of the church was asked to review and revise, if desired, the part that came under its jurisdiction. Questionnaires were also sent to interested members of the congregation. From the information gathered, a rough draft was assembled, which was reviewed by legal counsel and executive members of the State Convention.
A final draft was prepared and made available to the membership. The revised Constitution and By-Laws were presented on June 21, 1973, to fifty members at a special 4-hour Business Meeting. This was an unusual meeting with Kenneth Phelps as Moderator and Reverend Clayton as Parliamentarian. There was much discussion and further amending. Many votes were taken and some amendments passed and others were discarded. In the end the congregation approved a revised constitution which with the Trustees’ approval was printed and mailed to all church families.
Several of the major changes (already suggested by the 1963 Committee) were:
1. Separation of the Constitution and By-Laws. New rules made it easy to amend the By-Laws but difficult to amend the Constitution.
2. Associate members were no longer described as such. He or she could now serve on the Diaconate Board but could not serve on a Pulpit Committee or vote on matters pertaining to the church’s relationship with the denomination.
Apparently Article 5 on membership created the most discussion. There were some in favor of excluding the classification of associate membership and others in favor of leaving it. Several amendments were proposed and voted on with almost a 50-50 division on each amendment. It appeared that a stalemate had occurred and the constitution might not be passed. The Pastor asked for a little compromise on both sides so that harmony and unity could prevail. A substitute amendment was proposed and after discussion it passed by the necessary 2/3 vote, and then the revised By-Laws and Constitution, as amended, also passed.
The amendment read:
By letter a person who is in substantial accord with the faith and principles of this church as taught in the pastor’s Class, may be received by letter from any Christian Church; it being understood that any person not being baptized by immersion shall be so noted on the official membership records of the church and he/she shall be ineligible to serve on a pulpit committee to call a new pastor, or vote on matters pertaining to the church’s relationship to its denomination.
Reverend Clayton felt that this was a worthy compromise and to those not satisfied he made assurances that he would faithfully present our Baptist views and principles (especially believer’s baptism by immersion) to every person desiring membership in the church. He also promised to challenge those who have not been immersed to seriously consider immersion before bringing their letter from another Christian church. At least they would understand our Baptist beliefs and practices.
Reverend Clayton asked the congregation to now lay aside its differences and to fully cooperate and work together for the cause of Christ in this community. (One member, Lou H. “Bill” Billet, whose wife was apparently an associate member, felt that she had somehow been insulted by some of the comments made. The Billets left the church and we lost a devout, hard-working family.)
The Baptists and Methodists got together again for ten Sundays of joint worship with Reverend Buskey preaching in the Baptist Church and Reverend Clayton in the Methodist Church. There was a Cooperative Vacation Church School for one week held in the Baptist Church from August 20-24, 1973. There were 160 students, plus 30 teachers and helpers. Shirley Mapstone was the director. The school raised $95.00 to send 380 baby chicks to Haiti for the Heifer Project International.
The First Baptist Church of Manlius cooperated again with the Methodists, the Eastern Hills Bible Church and the United Church of Fayetteville for special outdoor services (near the former American Legion Hall Building back of the Fire House) from 7:45 - 9:00 p.m. on July 22, 29 and August 5 and 12, 1973. A choir sang and a special band played music for each night of activity.
“Foster Care” wasn’t enough to take full care of Foster Mudge and he left Manlius on August 22, 1973, for the Fairport Home. Forty friends gave him a farewell dinner before he left. He was to celebrate his 84th birthday on September 11, 1973.
Limestone Gardens was called “a dream about to come true.” It was announced in the Bulletin for August 22, 1973, that there was to be a ground breaking for Limestone Gardens on July 31, 1973, at 10:00 a.m. near the Manlius Fire Barn. Limestone Gardens was to be a non-profit housing complex for the well-elderly. (Several of our church members in 1999 live in Limestone Gardens.)
On October 1, 1973, Ann Mapstone spoke to the congregation regarding her work at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Limbe, Haiti. In the Fall, new Pew Bibles were purchased and placed in the Sanctuary. They were purchased with Tom Clute Memorial Funds and dedicated to his memory. There was no Every Member Canvass in the Fall of 1973, in that none of the members were canvassed, but were instead mailed their pledge cards. The members were expected to fill them out generously and send them back to the church without being cajoled or prodded, and for the most part they cooperated.
In October of 1973, the Diaconate instituted a program of communication and fellowship involving every family of the church called The Undershepherd Program (very similar to the Parish Zone plan set up in 1957 for the same purpose). The basic unit was a group of eight families with one family as group leader (called the undershepherds). A group of 5-6 undershepherds would report to a shepherd who would report to Robert Vermilya, the Coordinator. (The Shepherds were usually designated are couples.) We did not have a prayer chain at the time. Any concerns or announcements could be sent up and down through the system. The undershepherd groups were encouraged to meet together at times for a covered dish supper or a picnic or for Bible Study. The program was dropped in the spring of 1974 with no reason given.
Early in 1974 Pastor Clayton, in his People to People article in the mid-February Christian Carrier, wrote about “loosening up” the worship service “a bit.” He felt the Baptists had gone through an evolution from a very informal type of worship experience to a very formal-structural type of worship. He thought we needed a blending of the two. It seemed to him to be necessary for an opportunity to be allowed for spontaneous expressions of joy and concern as well as an opportunity for formal expressions of love and devotion. As a starter, he suggested that we use the time before the service begins to quietly and reverently talk with our neighbor or to go to someone whom we know is a visitor and welcome him and introduce ourselves to him (before the organ prelude).
In 1974, for the first time in many years, there was no School of Missions. A long-standing tradition and by all accounts, a highly successful one, came to an end. The Mission Board intended to extend their efforts at educating the congregation throughout the year. They brought Reverend and Mrs. Harold Heneise to the church on March 3, 1974, to talk to the Sunday School and to lead the morning service. They were given a reception in the church. The Heneises had given 22 years of dedicated service as Missionaries in Limbe, Haiti.
In the mid-April 1974 newsletter, the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering was taken for the first time. It was described as a “special” offering taken by all Christian Churches to alleviate hunger around the world, and became the fourth of the major American Baptist Quarterly Offerings (America for Christ, The World Mission Offering and the M & M Offering).
During the weekend of April 26, 27, 28, 1974, the church was privileged to have Mr. Galo Viteri, a student at the Baptist Judson College in Elgin, Illinois, with us to present three concerts. On April 26 he presented to the congregation a concert of sacred music, on April 27 he sang to the combined Unity and Achean Fellowship, and on April 27 he sang during the worship service and gave a personal testimony.
April 28, 1974, was Bertha Strauss’s last day as church organist. She had served faithfully since 1967. Andrea Knapp was hired as the new organist to begin on Sunday, May 5, 1974.
In May Bob and Margaret Vermilya invited the whole church to attend their daughter Lois’ wedding on Sunday, June 9, 1974, at 2:00 p.m. in the Merril House on the Colgate University Campus in Hamilton, New York, and to the buffet picnic on the lawn after the ceremony. Also in May word reached the Manlius Church that Reverend James MacPherson, pastor of the First Baptist Church from 1923-1928, died on May 7, 1974, in Denver, Colorado.
May was declared Upstate Home Month and church members were asked to donate to the Upstate Home Capital Funds Drive. They were asking for $500,000.00 for a new facility to house and educate retarded children at the home. A May 19, 1974, family night supper was scheduled as an informational meeting. Church members were to receive materials in the mail and were asked to pledge “as the Lord leads you.”
In the mid-May 1974 Christian Carrier the church was introduced to a new neighbor, the ABC (A Better Chance) House at 411 E. Seneca Street (formerly Jo Ryan’s home). The ABC offered ten students, economically disadvantaged but academically motivated, an opportunity to attend the Fayetteville-Manlius High School. ABC was a national program with a 10 year history of giving more than 1300 boys and girls the stimulation of learning in highly motivated environments not normally available to them. (The church has supported the ABC House since its beginnings through the Mission Funds.)
Mrs. Squires resigned as Director of the Hillside Play School effective July 1, 1974. In the mid-June Christian Carrier the new Hillside Play School Director was introduced. Mrs. Julia Tien was born in Shanghai, China, coming to the USA in 1958. She received her BS and MS in Elementary Education with concentration in Early Childhood from Eastern Michigan University. She had been head teacher at the First Presbyterian (Syracuse) Nursery School and a Sunday School Teacher for five years at the University Methodist Church. Her husband was Dr. Chi Tien, Chairman and Professor of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Syracuse University. Their two daughters, Anita 12 and Ellen 9, attended Manlius Pebble Hill School. Mrs. Tien was interested in reading, music, sports, politics, science, arts and crafts, but “above all, children.”
During May Reverend Frank Clayton was in Atlanta, Georgia, attending a Basic Skills Training Conference (Lay Witness Program). The Vietnam War was over but the wounds were not healed. The F-M Churches sponsored a Week of Reconciliation, Amnesty and Returned Veterans’ Programs. On May 17, 1974, at the United Church in Fayetteville, there was to be a film, “Amnesty in Exile.”
On Children’s Day, June 6, 1974, the Carol Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Robert Mapstone, sang the musical “It’s Cool in the Furnace.” On June 16,1974, to celebrate the beginning of the Summer Season, the church families enjoyed a Chicken Barbecue on the lawn after the church service.
It was noted in the June 16, 1974, Christian Carrier that Foster Mudge, now a resident of the Fairport Home, had written a book, The Rocking Chair Ramblings of an Octogenarian. Copies could be bought from the Church office for $3.00 each. On several occasions excerpts from his writings were published in the Christian Carrier.
On June 30, 1974, the church said goodby to the now Major Abe Lorente, wife Pam and their two children, Miguel and Christine. Abe was serving in the Air Force Hospital in Honshi, Japan, for two years. Abe and Pam were commissioned by Reverend Clayton as missionaries from our congregation to the Japanese. That evening, at 7:30, Leah Stark gave a reception at her home for the Lorentes (and the Andersons, another church family moving away at that time).
From August 5-9, 1974, there was another Ecumenical Vacation Church School sponsored by the Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran and Baptist Churches, led by Mrs. Shirley Mapstone, and with all of the classes at the Baptist Church. The theme was “Market Time” with a Palestinian market place featured as the center of student activities. There was a special program in the evening for the older children in the 8-12 grades led by Father Armani of St. Ann’s and Reverend Silbauh of the Christ Episcopal Church.
On September 8, 1974, the worship service was definitely out of the ordinary and would involve quite a bit of moving around. At 10:45 the congregation met at the church for communion, then moved to Beard park in Fayetteville for an Ecumenical outdoor worship service. After the service, the Baptists gathered at Pratts’ Falls for an all-church picnic.
A Meal-on-Wheels program was established in 1974 for the Fayetteville-Dewitt area. The program was to be supported by the Fayetteville, Manlius and Dewitt churches. It was a program designed to feed people in their homes (lunches and dinners) who were unable to prepare meals by themselves and would either suffer from poor nutrition or would have to leave their homes for a nursing facility.
The meals were to be prepared in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church by volunteers under the direction of a paid supervisor and delivered to the homes daily by volunteer drivers. The recipients of the food paid a modest fee for the service. Comstock and Marge Lincoln represented our church at the formation meetings, with many of our church volunteering time once the program was underway in the fall of 1974. Some of the early helpers were Margaret Vermilya, Beth Greene, Katherine Jackson and Doris Dudley.
In the September 1974 newsletter, Reverend Clayton announced to the congregation that September 8, 1974, marked his 20th year in the pastorate. He said that one of the priorities he had set for himself was that he would keep his mind alert to the advances of knowledge and had tried to do that through continuing education, reading and listening. He announced that he felt a need to take another step in sharpening his mind and accumulating a little more knowledge and was entering a program of study leading to a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Drew Theological Seminary. It was to be done mostly in addition to his duties as minister, but at times would require extra time away from his duties. The schedule was:
Fall & Winter 1974-1975 Weekly 4 Hour Seminars/30 Weeks
January 1975 & February 1975 1 Week each Month at Drew Theological Seminary
in Madison, New Jersey
Summer 1975 6 Weeks at Drew Theological Seminary in
Madison, New Jersey
The degree would take 2 years minimum. After the class work, he would have to write a professional project paper of 125 pages in length.. He hoped the church would bear with him the next two years “as I strive to further equip myself for a more effective ministry.” The Diaconate Board and the Advisory Council supported Reverend Clayton in this endeavor.
On October 9, 1974, the Sunday School Teachers were honored at an all-church Breakfast. The teachers were all given apple pies to take home after the church service.
The Financial Campaign for the 1975 Budget began in earnest on October 10, 1974. The theme was “Getting the Message Through,” devised and carefully thought out by our Circuit Riding Preacher Frank Clayton. The dinner and collection of pledge cards centered around the techniques used in 1860 to get the mail delivered between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, via the Pony Express. Chester Griffin, who owned and raised horses, rode up to the church (but not in) on Sunday morning on his favorite horse, dressed as a cowboy. His saddle bags were full of messages (pledge cards) for the congregation. Of course, the children (and even the adults) loved to see the cowboy and the horse.
Mr. Griffin delivered the “mail” to eight Circuit Riders (Myrna Benedict, Irene Whittington, James Dopp, Gordon Jackson, Douglas Greene, John Bock, Glen Schmidt and Bill Croshaw, who successfully dropped the mail through their two circuits. Those who got the “mail” were supposed to fill out their card and send the “mail” on to the next people on the list within one hour. Theoretically, the whole church should have been covered before the afternoon was over (if everyone had stayed at home to receive the mail).
In 1974, Dr. Harris gave a fire-proof file cabinet to the church in which to keep its priceless old records, some dating back to the early 1800s. Also in 1974, the Unity Class announced that it had adopted a “son,” K. Jonathon, who lived in the ABC orphanage in Kavail, India. They sent $12.00/month for his support and various members wrote him letters monthly.
In January and February 1975, Reverend Clayton began his new educational experiences by studying one week in January and one in February at the Drew Theological Seminary in New Jersey as requirements for his Doctor of Ministry Degree.
In the Spring of 1975, small groups were being emphasized by the Diaconate for the Lenten Season. Evangelistic Life Style was the Denomination’s 3 year program and the Diaconate organized three study groups. These were:
1. Monday Sermon Study (This must have been Reverend Clayton’s favorite group.)
2. Wednesday Bible Study
3. Sunday Prayer Group
For Holy Week the Diaconate planned a Festival of Life with special programs every weekday evening, Monday through Friday.
Monday - Work and Leisure Fair - Members would provide displays showing what they do at work or at home with their hobbies.
Tuesday - Fun and recreation with games for all ages.
Wednesday - Music Night - all who had musical talents were asked to perform (an earlier version of the Coffee House)
Thursday - A night for the congregation to eat together (although the theme “Eat Less, Enjoy It More” didn’t sound like it was to be like a normal church supper). Communion followed the supper.
In March the Youth For Christ organization (our custodian, Frank Bishop, was the Area Supervisor) requested the use of one of our rooms for office space from the Trustees. Permission was granted. In the Quarterly Report for the church it was noted that the church facilities have had an increase in use and seem to be performing a Christian service for our community.
The BWF women were planning a Bazaar for the fall. It would be called “The Bountiful Barrel Boutique” featuring handmade items. In April the women were already working on items to be sold. Each Thursday evening they met for a workshop to do sewing and patchwork. For the summer, the women were asked to make a few extra jars every time they made preserves or pickles. They were also asked to start small house plants so they would be ready in the fall. (The last Harvest Supper, or Turkey on the Table Supper, as a fund raiser for the BWF was served in 1966.
In May the Diaconate discussed how to provide substitutes for Reverend Clayton during his absence while attending the Drew Theological Seminary for 6 weeks in the summer and during his regular vacation. Erman Ferris reminded the Diaconate that pastors improving their skills and knowledge spending time in school should not have to use their vacation for that purpose.
The Trustees arranged for a covered entry way for the southwest entrance to the Educational Wing of the church (Dick Forringer and Chuck Skinner did most of the work). Frank Bishop resigned as custodian.
One of the major events of 1975 was the ordination of Kenneth Earl Phelps as an American Baptist Minister on June 15, 1975. He was born on July 24, 1950, in Syracuse to Kenneth and Ada Phelps. He was dedicated in the First Baptist Church of Manlius, was baptized and became a member in 1960. Ken was educated in the Fayetteville-Manlius Schools, Eastern Baptist College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He was to graduate from Seminary in May 1975 and asked to be ordained in his home church. Mr. Phelps met on Saturday, April 5, 1975, with the Iroquois Baptist Association Ordination Committee, and on Sunday, May 17, 1975, with the Ordination Council of the Iroquois Association. (After the Council meets with a candidate it deliberates and votes. While the public is invited to the meeting, only the Pastor and one lay representative from each church can vote. Reverend Clayton and Robert Vermilya represented First Baptist Church of Manlius.) After deliberating and voting the Council unanimously recommend Mr. Phelps to the church for ordination. A Service of Ordination was scheduled for Sunday, June 15, 1975, at 3:00 p.m. Mrs. Robert Davies, Church Clerk, read the Statement of the Council on Ordination, Reverend Clayton preached on the subject “A Genuine Ordination,” Reverend Paul Thompson, Area V Executive Minister, gave the Charge to the Candidate, and Reverend Jerry Miller, Moderator of the Iroquois Association welcomed Reverend Kenneth E. Phelps to the Ministry. Reverend Phelps closed the meeting with the Benediction. A reception followed.
Although the church had ordained at least two other ministers (Charles C. Morton in 1827 and G.W. Devoll in 1854) Kenneth Phelps was the first to have been born to church members and to have been a part of the Manlius church since birth.
In the summer, because of Reverend Clayton’s absence, we reverted to a full 8 weeks of union services with the Methodists. The Vacation Bible School, again ecumenical with the Catholic Church participating, was held from August 4-8, 1975. Mrs. Robert Mapstone was again the Director. The sessions were split again with younger children coming in the morning and Junior and Senior High young people coming in the evening. The theme was “Jesus and His Followers.”
In the summer of 1975 the Trustees received an evaluation statement from the Town Assessor’s Office. The value of the church, including the educational wing, was set at $493,920.00 and the parsonage at $34,125.00.
In September Sandra Walton began her duties as Director of Music. The Music Committee reported that the organist, Millie Becker, was having problems with the organ. (In their yearly report for 1975 the Music Committee informed the congregation of the debilitated state of the Sanctuary Organ and warned them of the upcoming need for a replacement.)
In the fall, the Unity Class became the Unity Fellowship. Since members enjoying the “Fellowship” meetings were coming from more than one adult Sunday School class, to call the group a class was no longer appropriate.
The American Baptist State Convention was attempting to raise $7,500,000.00
from New York State Baptist Churches to be used for the education of minority groups. Because of the Mortgage Reduction Program, the church decided not to make a commitment but would send a letter to the congregation explaining the program and those who felt able to give extra were urged to participate.
Preparations were underway for the “Faith Alive” weekend scheduled for September 17-19, 1975. Erman Ferris had to be away and Ken Bex was added as a third co-chairman along with Leah Stark. A brochure was prepared and people invited from other churches far and near to participate.
There were at least 25 of our church members who were responsible for parts of the program and the brochure, Faith Alive listed 25 adults and 2 youth who came from Kerhonkson, Greenville, Perry, Greene, Schenectady, Oakdale, Mass., Carlisle, Pa. and from the Methodist Churches in Manlius and Fayetteville to lead and participate in the three day program. The themes were:
Friday - Getting to Know You - Family Night Covered Dish Supper
Saturday - We Really Do Need Each Other - Coffee Hour, Men & Women’s Luncheon, Visitation to Shut-ins, Family Night Supper
Sunday - We Need Jesus Christ - Sunday School, Church, Evening Evaluation.
The Church Clerk, Gene Davies, judged the weekend to be a “real success.”
On Sunday, November 16, 1975, in the morning service, Rhoda Edwards was honored for her 18 years of service as Director of the Sanctuary Choir. There was a reception for her in the Fellowship Room for the congregation and friends after church.
The women of the church brought their handiwork and plants and baked goods to the church for sale to the public late in the fall of 1975. The Bountiful Barrel Boutique was a resounding success. The women raised $1,172.66 for the Upstate Children’s Home Building Fund. (The profit from the sale of food went to the Kitchen Fund.)
Foster Mudge died in 1975. His personal creed was published in the 1975 Annual Report of the Church.
My Desire Perfection
My Regret Human Frailty
My Fault Fear
My Realization Others Love Me
My Peace Acceptance
Reverend Clayton gave some illuminating statistics in his annual report to the congregation, which was unusual for a pastor but a good idea. Most members of the congregation (except for his wife) have no idea of the number of calls, the number of meetings and activities that a conscientious pastor is involved in.
1975: Hospital Calls 142
Counseling Sessions 136
Home Visits (Members) 120
(Visitors) 35
Bible Study Groups 38
Sermons 43
Baptisms 14
New Members Received 18
New Members Attending 18
Weddings 7
Funerals 7
Church Meetings Attended 98
Outside Meetings Attended 78
Hours in Office-Study 830
Reverend Frank Clayton designed the cover of the Annual Report for 1975. He used the symbol of a butterfly, once a lowly caterpillar, now beautiful, now free to fly wherever it wanted. Looking at the butterfly from a Christian perspective he saw it “as a live symbol of the Christian life. Birth from captivity to sin and self. Here is symbolized the change, the miracle of new birth, that the Christian experiences in Christ.” He asked that these symbols of the Butterfly, ie.,
Freedom
New life
Love
Growth
Witness
Peace
Liberty
Joy and
Service
be our experience as we celebrate the bicentennial of our nation and the one hundred and seventy-ninth anniversary of our church.
