First Baptist Manlius

The Christian Carrier thought for the New Year was: If at first you don’t recede, diet, diet again. The Trustees, on January 27, 1976, authorized the Kitchen Committee to start remodeling the kitchen. The women had already earned $2,000.00 toward the project. The consensus of the Trustees was that the work should progress as far and as fast as the funds would permit. On February 15, 1976, Ethel Lyon reported to the Trustee Board (she was a member) that about $1,500.00 more was required. The Trustees voted to guarantee the payment for the work, anticipating reimbursement from the congregation and/or the BWF. Chuck and David Skinner did the work. On its completion the kitchen was called a “beautiful and functional room.”

The men of the church were meeting for breakfast each Wednesday morning at 6:30 (15 men were present the 2nd weekend in March). The cooks were said to be “the best.”

The Trustees were working on purchasing a Fire and Smoke Alarm system for the church and were given $1,000.00 from the Hillside Playschool to help defray the cost. (The alarm system was required for the school to become accredited.)

The Trustees were still negotiating for the purchase of a small piece of land now owned by the ABC Board. The eight member Organ Committee, with the Choir Director and Organist as ex-officio members and chaired by Erman Ferris, was looking for a replacement for the 18 year old Conn organ which was showing its age and requiring an unusual amount of service to be kept functioning. The Choirs were re-organized. Sandra Walton, Choir Director, led the Sanctuary and Chapel (grades 6-12) Choirs, Shirley Mapstone, the Junior Choir (grades 2-5).

On April 15, 1976, Maundy Thursday, the Family Night Supper was a celebration by the church family in remembrance of the bi-centennial of our nation (and the 179th anniversary of the church) and in thankfulness for God’s love which made it all possible. The meal was to include foods found on the tables of our forefathers at the beginning of our nation.

Work was already in motion for the 2nd annual Bountiful Barrel Boutique (Nov. 13, 1976). Ethel Lyon was the general chairman. Weekly work nights to prepare items for the sale started in April 1976.

In the May Christian Carrier, Reverend Clayton announced that he had completed all the requirements for his Doctor of Ministry degree with the acceptance of his Project Paper by the Drew Theological Seminary. He graduated on May 29, 1976. Reverend Clayton expressed his thanks to the congregation for the permission to pursue his Doctorate and to all who helped in his professional project. On Sunday, June 27, 1976, Darrel Walton presented Dr. Clayton with a check from the church family to be used to buy a new robe and hood.

In the mid-May Christian Carrier, the BWF reported on their White Cross Work, a vital part of the mission of the American Baptist Women. In early 1976 the National and International Ministries made their wants known and quotas were given to the churches. In 1976 the Manlius women sent overseas five blankets, rolled bandages and money for medical supplies. In the USA and Puerto Rico, they furnished baby layettes, dresses, tee shirts, material, 8 hand puppets, 11 boxes of clothing and money for two blankets.

On June 12, 1976, the Village sponsored a Bicentennial Historic Walking Tour. Our church and its historical artifacts were part of the tour, and the Women’s Fellowship was to serve lunch for whoever would require it. The ladies served chicken salad, a hot roll and a drink for $1.00, pies at 75 cents/slice, or a hot dog, chips and punch for 60 cents. The women served over 300 people and made $327.00 for their projects.

The Diaconate planned a very special service for Sunday, July 4, 1976. The service was patterned after those of the early days of the church. Men and women sat separately. The hymns were sung without music. The words were read one line at a time by Darrel Walton, and the congregation sang one line at a time. The congregation stood for prayer, and an appropriate sermon was followed by “A Bicentennial Proclamation.” Pictures were taken on the steps after the service of those who attended in appropriate 1776 costumes. At two o’clock in the afternoon our church bell was rung, joining others around the nation to let the sound of freedom ring and signify our nations unity.

The New York State Legislature appointed a New York State American Revolution Bicentennial Commission to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the American Revolution. One of the Commission’s concerns was the preservation of historically significant records from New York’s Colonial, Revolutionary and early Statehood years. As part of its work, it sponsored a program to microfilm all significant historical records. Barbara Rivette, Manlius Town Historian, brought the program to the attention of Leah Stark, Church Historian. As a result, many of our old records were microfilmed and the film is on file at the New York State Library in Albany. An attractive feature of the program was that the filming was done on the premises and the old documents didn’t have to be sent away.

In the fall of 1976 the women again met for weekly workshops to prepare items for the Bountiful Barrel Boutique. They earned $1,072.94. Half of the proceeds went to complete the payments for the new kitchen and the other half went to an Agricultural Project in Thailand.

The Hillside Play School was in its 6th year with 82 children enrolled (62 in five morning sessions, 20 in three afternoon sessions). Julia Tien was in her third year as director.

In the fall, Reverend Clayton started an eight week course study for the congregation on Theology and Christian Experience. There was to be a formal presentation each week, after which small groups would discuss, question and evaluate their theology, followed by a whole group summation. In addition, there was to be an afternoon Women’s Bible Study Group, a morning Women’s Prayer Fellowship Group, and on Thursday afternoon, a Bible Study and Prayer Group for men and women.

The Board of Christian Education sponsored Single Parent Group Meetings two times a month in 1976. There was a Summer Sunday School Program in 1976 and the 21st annual Vacation Church School. The theme was “Save a Sheep” and the offerings were to be used to send a sheep overseas through the Heifer Project International.

The Financial Campaign in the fall was headed by Ken Bex. He and his committee were said to have had “a good degree of success.” The church was continuing to meet its mortgage obligations for the new educational annex. At the end of 1976 the church still owed $62,666.19, but the end was in sight. The final payment was to be made October 1, 1981.

Christmas was celebrated with a Plum Pudding Festival at 7:00 p.m. on December 5, 1976, with all choirs participating. The Sunday School also celebrated Christmas with a party for all members and families with a short play, refreshments and presents for the children.

On January 23, 1977, Reverend Baker and wife Lucy left for a one month mission tour of South India with stopovers in Greece and Egypt. They shared their experiences with the congregation on Mission Emphasis Sunday, March 27, 1977.

At the Annual Meeting on January 20, 1977, the Diaconate recommended a change in the time of worship from 10:45 to 11:00 to give more time between church and Sunday School. It was decided to try the change on a trial basis through Easter. The vote was a close 22 for, 21 against. In the March 6, 1977, Bulletin, the congregation was invited to a fellowship time in the library for a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa between church and Sunday School. On April 21, 1977, the church voted to change back to the normal 10:45 starting time.

In the February 2, 1977, meeting of the Diaconate, the women were concerned with the communion service. They did not ask to help serve communion but wanted to share in the practical arrangements, before and after the service. It was not too long before the women were doing most of the arranging and helping to serve as well.

For a brief time in 1977, when Dorothy Griffin was secretary for the Board of Trustees, the Trustees became gender neutral. Charles Skinner became the Trustee’s Chairperson and Larry Schemmerhorn Vice-Chairperson. The change was apparently a difficult one to make and within a very short time the Chairperson became a Chairman again.

In May 22, 1977, Dr. and Mrs. Abdiel Lorente were back for a visit. They told of their experiences in Bangladesh and Japan at a Sunday Evening dessert meeting.

The Trustees needed help in painting the trim of the church and had the following notice printed in the Bulletin: The Good Book does not say “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the freshly painted house of the Lord.” But the Board of Trustees would like to think it would be more inviting to newcomers if it were touched up a bit. The Trustees made paint and brushes available to anyone who would like to “buddy up” with one or two others to do some outside trim painting on their own time.

The June 5, 1977, Bulletin included a Psalm of Summer:

Forget not thy church in the days of summer, when the road doth beckon and miles flit by, and new vistas all pleasant before thee; when the sun and the light, the moon and the stars shine with brilliance, and the clouds pass over thy picnic witholding their rain. Let thy heart cheer thee in these days and remember that thy God doth provide all that maketh thee feel glad. Remember also thy covenant with the church not only to be faithful in divine worship but with joy and regularity to make thy contributions to its good work all seasons, yea, even in summer.

Selah.

On June 19, 1977, the Music Committee brought the organ that they were recommending for purchase to the church so that the congregation could see and hear the new instrument, an Allen 301 Digital Computer Organ. After the morning service the congregation met and voted, 72 yes, 4 no, to purchase the new organ at a cost of $10,500.00 with the trade in of the old Conn organ. Raising the money was no problem. It was reported that several large gifts were made for the purpose as well as a matching funds gift for moneys raised from within the congregation. In fact, the organ fund was over- subscribed and the excess funds were used to buy a two octave set of Schulmerich Bells. They arrived in time to be played at the Christmas Eve service.

Also in the June 19, 1977, Bulletin, the congregation received an invitation from the United Church of Ellsworth, Maine, to attend a reception on July 1, 1971, to celebrate Reverend Hammond’s 40th year in the ministry and the Hammonds’ 40th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Marjorie Guckert visited from California from July 2 -15, and on Sunday afternoon on July 10, 1977, the Slentzes invited the church to an open house in her honor at their camp on DeRuyter Lake.

On August 14, 1977, Enos Heisey, an ordained minister in the Church of the Brotherhood and a member of our church and Diaconate Board, preached the sermon. On October 2, 1977, there was a “walk for money” drive, one of the first “walks” our church was involved in. The “Walk with the Hungry” was an “opportunity to share our plenty with 1/2 billion hungry people,” a predecessor to today’s CROP Walk.

While Reverend Clayton in 1974 advised the congregation to “loosen up a bit” the worship service, and to talk quietly and reverently with neighbors and visitors before the service, the congregation may have gone too far. In September 1977, the Diaconate was making suggestions to stress quiet in the sanctuary before services.

On October 16, 1977, Ed Doubleday completed 11-1/2 years as Church Treasurer and he was honored at a dinner in Loomis Hall. On February 27, 1977, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chuck Skinner, reported that the piece of land that the church had been trying to buy for several years, first from Mrs. Ryan, then from the ABC Board, finally belonged to the church. The cost was $1,000.00.

Reverend Clayton reported having made 157 home calls, 274 counseling sessions and 185 hospital calls among his activities for 1977. He also had completed a three year term as director for the Fairport Home (Baptist) and was elected to serve another three years. He was also Chairman of the Evangelical Committee for the New York State Baptist Church. The Trustees and the Church Treasurer were pleased that 1977 was the sixth straight year in which the church had ended in the black with all its bills paid.

There were changes in the Music Department in 1977. In October, Sandra Walton resigned as Director of Music, and later Millie Becker resigned as Organist. Charles Struwing was hired as Director of Music and Charles, wife Arlene and daughter Katrina were welcomed at a reception on November 17, 1977. On December 18, 1977, another Plum Pudding Festival was the Christmas program. All choirs participated and plum pudding was served.

By January 15, 1978, the organ had been installed and was ready to be dedicated. At 3:30 in the afternoon, Theodore J. Purchla demonstrated what the organ could do, and afterward Geoffry S. Waite, organist and Choir Director for the Redeemer Covenant Church in Liverpool, New York, gave a concert. The organ was paid for by June 1978. Beginning February 9, 1978, nine different Lenten Bible Study Groups met in the homes for a five-week study, sponsored by the Diaconate Board.

On February 19, 1978, the church welcomed Kyle Denzer as the new church organist. Kyle was a student at LeMoyne College, majoring in Political Science. He had studied piano for 11 years. During the past year he had served as substitute organist for five area churches. The Music Committee, in their introduction of the new organist to the church wrote: “You will find Kyle to be a very personable young man who will work hard at developing his skill at the organ.”

On February 24-26, 1978, the highly promoted Young Adult Weekend called Christ Jesus 1978 took place. Friday night at 8:00 there was a volleyball game, on Saturday from 2:00 - 5:00 the First Annual Snow Sculpture Contest (also for the children). At 6:00 in the gym there was a pot luck supper for the Young Adults and the children. And at 8:00 in the library (the children went home to babysitters) the theme was Christ Jesus of 1978. A fire in the fireplace was promised and participants were asked to bring favorite records, tapes and musical instruments.

Sunday morning was Breakfast Time, 9:30 Sunday School, 10:45 Church with young adults participating and at 6:00 Dinner again, this time with the members of the Gordon College Choir who presented a concert at 8:00 p.m. Leah Stark was chosen to be the mother and the hostess for the dinner. The Young Adult Committee was Jill Davis (now Mrs. Robert Doss). Nancy Verro, David Skinner, Robin Schermerhorn and Carol Bellefeuille.

The trips to the Mission Fields continued and on March 14, 1978, Elmina and Russ Raker talked to the Family Night Supper sponsored by the Women’s Fellowship about their trip to Haiti. The women were supposed to wear peasant type dresses.

On Sunday, March 5, 1978, the guest speaker was Reverend Bill Brown, who brought with him a musical group called “The Now Dimension.” Reverend Brown stayed all day and had a “rap session” with the youth at 2:00 and an adult session at 4:00. All participants were asked to bring an uncooked casserole, which would be cooked in the church kitchen for a covered dish supper at 6:00. At 7:30 the “Now Dimensions” gave a concert in the sanctuary.

In March part of the old church ceiling was insulated and eight people helped. The committee noted that “There are many awards for doing work for the Lord.” (The work was completed on December 30, 1978.)

In April and May of 1978, the Salt City Playhouse was featuring Bob Brown as the lead in their presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar. This was mentioned in the church bulletin because Bob Brown grew up in this church and sang or played for many special programs in our sanctuary.

At the May 16, 1978, Diaconate meeting, plans were discussed for two wheelchair ramps for the handicapped, disabled and elderly of our congregation and community.

Many feelings were expressed pro and con on the clapping of hands during the service. Other channels for expressing thanks and gratitude were mentioned, such as saying Amen, Praise the Lord, Alleluia, etc. It was agreed that no single plan would make everyone comfortable and it was decided to give the matter more thought and much prayer.

The Trustees were conscious of the need to save energy and having added insulation above the sanctuary and old Sunday School Rooms were now desirous of supplying storm windows for all of the windows of the old church (except for the large sanctuary windows). They asked for donations and received $945.00 by May 14, 1978. The windows were installed by Bob Siegenthaler.

The Board of Education had been interested in a Christian Education Director for years. In the May 14, 1978, bulletin there was a large “legal sized” copy of an interview with Joe Nichols who had apparently been hired to work with the youth of the church, for three months in the summer of 1978.

In May 1978 it was announced that John Baker had retired again, this time as Interim Executive Minister for the New York State American Baptist Churches. On June 11, 1978, Reverend John Baker accepted a position as Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Syracuse, effective June 20, 1978. The Manlius Church offered “our love and best wishes to Reverend Baker and Mrs. Baker as they begin this new stage of their lives.”

On June 11, 1978, the Carol and Cherub Choirs, directed by Shirley Mapstone, presented a musical for the celebration of Children’s Day called Jonah’s Tale. Helen Fardig created the whale and the boat. The women were making plans (and things for sale) for the fourth annual Bountiful Barrel Boutique scheduled for November 4, 1978.

The Baptist Women’s Fellowship had been, during the last two years, babysitting for the Fayetteville-Manlius Welcome Wagon Club, not only to raise money for their projects but to possibly interest some of the newcomers in our church. The Welcome Wagon Club leaders expressed their delight in the quality of care given the children.

In June the Board of Trustees hired David Skinner to be the new custodian. This was the beginning of a long period of dedicated and conscientious service to the church by one of its younger members. Also in June, 1978, the Diaconate was making preliminary plans to install wheel chair ramps for two entrances of the church for the handicapped, disabled and elderly of our community.

In the July 1978 Christian Carrier, Reverend Clayton announced a plan to organize the congregation into a Caring, Ministering, Congregation Model. Reverend Clayton’s role was to be preacher, teacher, trainer and equipper of lay persons for this ministry.

Reverend Clayton, assisted by three lay leaders, Ray Heller, Enos Heisey, and Bob Vermilya, would have twelve lay persons reporting to him. They were to be well trained in twelve sessions and a weekend retreat. Each lay person was to be in charge of 3-4 communicators, each communicator to be responsible for four church families. The lay assistants were to be the contact persons for those families assigned to them and to be responsible for helping them to receive ministry. When the plan was first announced from the pulpit, the 12 lay persons mentioned were exclusively male. One of our active, outspoken and very capable younger members, Doris Dudley rose from her seat in the congregation and voiced her displeasure with the exclusion of women from the list of 12. Reverend Clayton heard the message and in the Christian Carrier announcement listed 5 men and 5 women as lay leaders, later increased to 6 men and 6 women. Each lay leader was to have four lay assistants and each lay assistant was to be responsible for four church families. The lay assistants were to be the contact persons for those families assigned to them and to be responsible for them to receive ministry. It was hoped that every family of the congregation would be in personal touch with the church in some way. This was similar to previous plans (The Parish Zone Plan and the Shepherding Plan) which were of very short duration, probably because there were too many layers between the families and the pastor (licensed lay leaders, lay leaders and assistant lay leaders). In most cases of need, families want a direct contact with the pastor. (This brings to mind a favorite game of those years when pieces of information were sent verbally but quietly from one person to another around a circle. The message is usually garbled in a hilarious fashion when the last circle member repeats it vocally.) From this plan did come the telephone prayer chain where news of our members (misfortunes usually) would be disseminated by telephone to interested members. Even this chain was not totally effective because people involved in the chain were not always home to receive the calls and pass the information to others. Now, with the computerized system devised by Dave and Sandy Haase, and the proliferation of message recorders in the homes, the system works very well.

Reverend Clayton set up a School of the Bible to provided training for Christian Leaders in the fall of 1978. It was an ambitious program with 52 sessions (two 55 minute sessions each Sunday evening) for the fall, winter and spring terms. There were to be courses in Bible and Doctrine, Practical Christian work, Systematic Theology, Biblical Language, and more. Examinations would be given and certain combinations of courses would be required to earn a Certificate of Learning. It sounded like college but there was no tuition. There was no mention of the number of students involved. The school was apparently not resumed in September 1979.

Lucia Ernst took a trip to Pakistan in the summer of 1978 to visit her daughter’s family (she had married a Pakistani). Lucia came back to tell of her adventures as “a pampered American in Pakistan” to the BWF meeting on September 12, 1978.

The old boiler failed and, in September 1978, Lloyd Slentz and his crew broke it up into manageable pieces so that it could be taken out on the street for disposal. A new boiler was promised in time for cold weather. Finishing touches were done on a Saturday, and that night, Lloyd Slentz and Ray Heller kept watch all night to be sure the church would be warm for Sunday morning services. Since the cost of the new boiler had not been budgeted, prayerful contributions to a boiler fund would be “most appreciated” by the Trustees.

On September 17, 1978, the Diaconate discussed the use of wafers for the Communion Service instead of bread. Reverend Clayton brought some samples of wafers to the meeting (cost $8.50/1000). In their October 17, 1978, meeting the Diaconate voted unanimously against using wafers.

In October the women were warned not to let Jack Frost “get” the plants they were raising for the Bountiful Barrel Boutique. In the Diaconate meeting of October 17, 1978, it was reported that Evangelist Larry Taylor from Texas was to conduct a campaign in our church from Sunday morning, September 16 to Friday night, September 21, 1979.

The congregation responded to the call of the Trustees for help, and by October 22, 1978, $3,023.25 had been donated to the Boiler Fund. (The congregation was very generous in 1978. The organ, the storm windows, and the boiler, all special projects, were paid for by extra giving.)

Friends from the First Baptist Church painted the home of Mrs. Rena Sutliff on November 11, 1978. She was grateful to know that there are those who still care for their fellow man and who show their love for God through their love for others. She wrote that she “would never forget your concerns and actions.”

On Sunday, November 18, 1978, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Board of Christian Education extended an invitation to the parents of Middle School and Senior High Sunday School students to lock themselves in with their children for

• A Happening
• A Family Sharing
• A Family Experience
• An Experience of Love.

It was to be an opportunity for families to “Lock IN” their hearts, actions and thoughts together with Christ Jesus for a day of commitment, reflection and love.

In their November 21, 1978, meeting, Reverend Clayton introduced “Ritual of Fellowship” pads to the Diaconate. “What Ritual of Fellowship” had to do with people registering their attendance was not explained. The Diaconate voted to give them a trial. They have been used at different times since then, but considered a nuisance and ignored by many of the congregation.

The women’s Bountiful Barrel Boutique was another success. They reported a profit of over $1,200.00. Their report for 1978 did not mention how the money was to be used.

In the 1978 Annual Report the Board of Christian Education reported on a ministry to a group of retarded boys. Linda MacLennan was employed as house-mother for these boys living in a neighborhood home. Linda, with the assistance of Caroline Wenck, brought the boys to part of several church services and introduced them to the Sunday School atmosphere. The Board of Christian Education felt that this was a good experience for the boys and helped make them feel wanted again.

The church started the New Year with a Family Fun Night Supper on January 10, 1979. Families brought chili for the pot and a salad to pass. For entertainment the families had a choice of volleyball in the gym or a fire-side song fest in the library.

The wooden frame for the bell was broken and our church bell could not be rung for a time. Lynn Mapstone repaired it and the bell was ringing again on Sunday mornings.

Reverend William Carlsen and his wife Gail and sons Mark and Andy joined the church. Reverend Carlsen was in the Field Counselor Division, World Mission Support, Syracuse office, ABC, USA.

On March 4, 1979, the Sunshine Award was given to Don Ebersol. In the citation written in the March newsletter quotes from seventeen different unnamed people testified concerning his character. He was “gentle,” “giving,” “quiet and compassionate,” “there when needed,” “a Christian at work,” has an “interest and concern for other,” “he radiates God’s love around him” and “he does things quietly” were several of the reasons people felt strongly that Don Ebersol was a deserving recipient of the award.

It was announced that Marjorie Guckert had been accepted for missionary service with the Mission Aviation Fellowship at the home office in Fullerton, California, as Manager of General Services. MAF provided air transportation for missionaries serving in remote parts of the world.

Sunday, May 12, 1979, was designated Blanket Sunday. Four dollars would provide a blanket for people in need overseas. (Blanket Sunday has been observed ever since.)

In June, 1979, the church received notice that it would be receiving $20,000.00 from the Lucretia Davis Jephson Estate. $15,000.00 was set aside for church projects and $5,000.00 given to the Mission Board for use in support of mission.

The 23rd annual Vacation Church School was held August 13-17 with the Christ Episcopal, United Methodist, First Baptist and St. Ann’s churches participating. Shirley Mapstone and Pat Connor were co-directors. The mission project was to send 10 rabbits to Central America (Heifer Project, Int.) The children, with their contributions, had over the years sent sheep, bees, heifers, rabbits and goats overseas.

The Every Member Canvass Committee for 1979 was chaired by Carol Bellefeuille, with Ray Heller, Robin Schermerhorn and Charles Skinner on the Committee. The level of pledges obtained was the highest in the history of the church.

At some time during Reverend Clayton’s ministry (the minutes available have not yet revealed the exact year), he sent all of the members a round TUIT, a wooden disk the size of a silver dollar with TUIT printed on one side and First Baptist Church of Manlius, NY on the other. Reverend Clayton explained what it was for:

[TUIT Piece here] TODO

Reverend Clayton defined “revival” as a stirring up of religious faith among those who have become indifferent. The Diaconate Board provided the church with an opportunity for having its faith revitalized during the week of September 16-21, 1979. The church was to hold a Crusade For Christ with Reverend Larry Taylor of San Antonio, Texas, as guest preacher. To prepare for the revival, the church was open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. every day for prayer in the Sanctuary from August 27, 1979, until the time of the revival. Cottage prayer groups were also set up two weeks before the Crusade and there was to be a 24 hour prayer vigil starting on September 14th at 6:00 p.m.

Reverend Taylor spoke at the morning service on September 16 on “The Road to Revival” and every evening from Sunday to Friday at 7:30. By Thursday night 30 first-time decisions for Christ had been made, and 22 people came forward for assurance of salvation and rededication.

In 1979, a fire alarm system with a direct line to the Police Department was installed. The Hillside Play School contributed $1,500.00 and $3,000.00 was used from the Jephson Estate. On November 4, 1979, a Certificate of Recognition was awarded to Lloyd Slentz at the annual meeting of the Iroquois Association for 25 years of faithful service. On Saturday, November 10, 1979, the lid came off the Bountiful Barrel Boutique and it was a success again with $1,051.97 profit to be used for missions, local needs and the Bacone College Rehabilitation Fund. (Bacone is the Baptist Indian School in Muskegee, Oklahoma.)

In the 70’s and 80’s, the church lost many of its retired members to the South because of better weather and lower taxes. Among those leaving were Bob and Jean Davies, Chet and Dorothy Griffin, Bob and Ethel Lyon, Charles and Sara Beams, Bill and Betty Croshaw, Enos and Jane Heisey (south to Pennsylvania), Stan and Lydia Olsen, and John and Lucy Baker. They were all very active members and were missed.

Christmas in 1979 was celebrated with all of the church choirs participating in the traditional Plum Pudding Festival. This was to be the last in a series that started in 1976.

On January 27, 1980, the First Baptist Church of Manlius celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Dr. Frank Clayton. The sermon for Sunday morning was delivered by Reverend Dr. Arthur L. Whitaker, Executive Minister for the American Baptist Churches of New York State. After a reception in the Chapel, Loomis Hall was filled to overflowing for the dinner and program. Dr. Clayton was presented with a “Memory Book” of letters of congratulations, a “wishing well” offering from the Sunday School children, and a purse from the church families. Member of Reverend Clayton’s family were here, including brothers, sisters and his father. According to the January newsletter: “It was a day of joy, pride, fellowship and sharing.” Carol Bellefeuille, chairman of the committee wrote a poem commemorating the occasion.

[POEM HERE] TODO

Carol also wrote a “Portrait of a Pastor” for the occasion which gave a little more personal information about Frank Clayton than was given in his resume presented to the congregation by the Pulpit Committee in 1972. She reported that Reverend Clayton had ten brothers and sisters: Minnie Jane, Marie, William J., Martha, Mary Louise, Charles, Ethel, John, Robert and Henry L., a twin to Reverend Clayton. Carol also wrote that some of Reverend Clayton’s favorite past-times were golfing, oil painting, woodworking, scuba diving, canoeing and camping.

Congressman James Hanley was responsible for the insertion of a tribute to the First Baptist Church of Manlius and its Pastor, Frank Clayton into the Congressional Record. There is a copy of his remarks in the Historical Collection of the church. This was on the occasion of celebrating Reverend Clayton’s 25 years in the pastorate. Congressman Hanley made the interesting observation that it was in 1927 that the cornerstone of the new Baptist Church in Manlius was laid, and that in 1927 Frank Clayton was born. Congressman Hanley remarked that while this could be called a mere coincidence, an examination of the love and admiration which the church flock and pastor have for one another today, it seems they were made for each other. (It was this kind of attention to the interests of his constituents that made the Democratic Congressman Hanley invincible in this usually Republican Congressional District.)

In his People to People column in the February 1980 Christian Carrier, Reverend Clayton reminded us of his 5 P’s of church membership and suggested 5 F’s of “Christian Maturity” for helps in this decade of the 80’s.

They were:

• Faith
• Family
• Fortitude
• Friendship
• Fruitfulness

Hillside was taking steps to have its legal name changed from Hillside Play School Center, Inc., to Hillside Nursery School, Inc., a name which more correctly described the Hillside program. According to Millie Skinner, a Christian Day Care Center was in its formation stages and the congregation was asked to fill out information sheets.

In March, the BWF provided the food service for the annual Manlius Historical Society Antique Show of March 29-30, 1980. This was a fund-raising project for the BWF. Women were already preparing items for sale at the 1980 Bountiful Barrel Boutique. Edith Laning recaned some of the church’s old caned chairs. Catherine Sperry celebrated her 97th birthday. Peter Seibel, former custodian, was found dead in his home early in March. Sara Beams (Church Secretary) wrote that “Peter went to work at the age of 12, knew hard times and worked hard all his life. He saved his money by doing plumbing, electrical work and carpentry. His values and standards were high.” She learned to admire and feel very close to this “sometimes gruff, critical but kindly old gentleman.” “After retiring Peter seemed to withdraw - would not come back - several of us kept in touch. He lived alone many years but I do not feel he was lonely. I sensed contentment and a biding of time. I feel the loss of a good friend.”

In the spring of 1980 window boxes for the front of the church were made and installed by David Skinner. They were a memorial given by the Unity Fellowship for Comstock Lincoln who died in May of 1979.

In June 1980 it was announced that the United Methodist Church and the Baptists would share Sunday School as well as ten worship services during the summer. The 24th annual Ecumenical Vacation Bible School was held for two weeks in August 1980, with Shirley Mapstone as the director and 181 students and teachers participating.

The church was still concerned about its early history and it was noted in the Christian Carrier that Mr. Stillwell was nominated and elected unanimously Superintendent of the Sabbath School The first time Sunday school was mentioned in the church minutes was on August 5, 1848, 132 years ago.

The Trustees came forward with plans to replace the floor in the gym, install new lighting fixtures and paint the walls and ceiling. The projects were to be paid for from their $15,000.00 share of the Lucretia Davis Jephson legacy that was received in 1979.

For several months preceding the Diaconate meeting of November 10, 1980, the Diaconate Board and Pastor Frank Clayton had been in agreement about the value of having some directional signs erected in the village to let visitors know just where the church was located. By November 10, 1980, the Village Board had not yet responded to the request of the church for permission to erect the signs. Reverend Clayton was upset with the lack of response and indicated to the Diaconate that he would advise the Mayor that the church intended to put the signs in place in the absence of an official denial. In December the Diaconate Board decided to go ahead with the procurement and erection of two signs at the corner of Pleasant Street and Route 92.

In December Reverend Frank Clayton received the Silver Beaver award from the Hiawatha Council of Boy Scouts. This is the highest award a local Council gives. He also received a pin the same week from the Red Cross for donating a total of 9 gallons of blood.

Douglas Cunningham, a student at Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, was voted by the church a Certificate to Preach the Gospel at the October Business Meeting. He was to deliver the sermon on January 11, 1981, while Reverend Clayton was away on vacation.

By February of 1981, Reverend Clayton had received a letter from the Mayor of Manlius, “Arkie” Albanese, denying the church permission to erect a sign (more than a year after the request was made). Reverend Clayton reported to the Diaconate on February 9, 1981, that he had written a reply to the Mayor, informing him that the church had already ordered a signs and when they came the church would put them up and if the Village took them down the church would bring suit against the Village for discrimination and an unlawful interpretation of Department of Transportation regulations.

On March 9, 1981, it was reported that the signs had arrived. Lloyd Slentz was to put them up on a post already in place at the corner of Pleasant and Fayette Streets. The last report was that the signs were not yet in place on June 8, 1981. This is a story that we don’t have an ending for, although the signs were likely put up and at some time rusted away and were removed.

On Boy Scout Sunday, February 8, 1981, the Charters for Troop and Pack 215 were presented to the church and then Mr. James Dopp, Commissioner for the Limestone

District, called on Mr. David Wendel, Executive Director of the Hiawatha District, Mr. David Tessler, Cub Master of Pack 215, and Elwin Richardson, member-at-large of the Limestone District of the Hiawatha Council, to assist him in presenting the Good Shepherd Award (given to Baptist clergy or lay-persons for distinguished service and leadership in physical, spiritual and moral programs of Scouting) to Reverend Frank Clayton. (Reverend Clayton was an earlier recipient of the Silver Beaver Award and had been active in Scouting since 1939.) He was described as “a man who cares, who is concerned, who is sharing, and truly evident of all the principles of Scouting.”

In February 1981 the Rescue Mission held its annual Pie Festival. Over 100 men and women enjoyed homemade pie after their prayer service. Women from the First Baptist Church of Manlius contributed 22 homemade pies.

A Macedonian Ministry weekend was held March 6,7, & 8, with the theme (borrowed from the Telephone Company) “Reach Out and Touch Someone.” Coordinators for the weekend were Ruth and Ward Bailey of Schenectady, New York. General Chairpersons were Garry Roorda and Bill Lyon. Dr. Laura C. Harris was honored on April 24, 1981, by the award of an honorary degree from her alma mater, Dennison University in Granville, Ohio, on the occasion of Dennison’s 150th anniversary.

In April of 1981, after 12-1/2 years of service, Sara Beams decided she would like freedom from the commitment of a working week and resigned as Church Secretary. (This was a long time. While she was secretary she worked with two ministers, an interim pastor, three choir directors, four organists and seven custodians.) Sara wrote that the church had been a very special part of her life and that there was no way she could tell us how much the church meant to her. She wrote movingly about the special place that is the church on weekdays when it is alone.

”If you really want to know your church, drop in some bright, sunny morning - walk into the Sanctuary and listen - it talks to you - tells of memories of those who worshipped long ago - it breaths - it sighs, creaks and groans. I love sounds - and know most of them in the building - like listening to the water fill the baptistry in preparation for a service, hearing the muffled sounds of the pastor counseling with a bride and groom, the sound of the floor polisher, the basket ball bouncing, the organist practicing, Hillside children singing, the aroma of good food from the kitchen - this is part of the church to me - it’s the feeling that God lives here and so do I. It’s the people - it’s my home. I have given you my talents and my love - but have received so much more - so much more. It is part of my life that I will always cherish.”

Sarah Poff was hired as Church Secretary. Like Sara Beams, the new Sarah was from the south and also retained a bit of Southern accent in her speech.

On Sunday, May 24, 1981, Reverend Clayton announced his resignation as pastor to become the Minister of Evangelism and Churchmanship for the American Baptist Churches of Maine. According to Carol Bellefeuille, Reverend Clayton, in a voice broken with emotion, said simply to the congregation: “On September 1st I leave you to follow His will in my life. I love each one of you and because of this love it will be hard to leave you.” He followed up his verbal resignation with a letter in the Christian Carrier:

[first letter here.] TODO

He followed that letter with a message in the August Christian Carrier in which he told about some of the strengths of growth in the last 9-1/2 years.

[2nd letter here] TODO

Reverend Clayton preached a farewell sermon on August 9, 1981, on “Objectives in Christian Living.” The church programs continued during the summer. Combined services were held with the Methodists during July and August, an ecumenical Vacation Church School, the 25th annual, was held for one week. Shirley Mapstone was again the director. The project was to send pigs to Central and South America.

The August 1981 Christian Carrier noted that a Christian Day Care Center was to open in the Community Covenant Church beginning on September 1, 1981. The seed for this school was said to have been planted by Millie Skinner and she worked and prayed for its establishment.

On August 13, 1981, the congregation gathered for a Clayton Recognition Dinner. The Claytons were given an original oil painting of the church as a farewell gift.