January 1, 1998 was the beginning of the ninth full year of Reverend Bailey’s ministry in Manlius. The Church had almost concluded a remarkable 200th year celebration of its stewardship in Manlius, but there was one more special part of the Celebration to be heard. It was a song written by one of our talented Church musicians, Erman Ferris, and called “Faithful People.” It was given its first public performance on February 8, 1998, by the Baptist Church Choir.
A normal year for the Church requires 33 members to serve on the four major Boards - Trustees: 9; Diaconate: 12; Missions: 6; Christian Education: 6; plus 6 more members to fill the offices of Moderator, Clerk , Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Head Usher and Sunday School Superintendent. In addition we have added twenty-one other groups and committees which require approximately one hundred more members to function properly. Our membership on January 1, 1998, was 240- several of whom lived outside of the Manlius area. Many of our active members agreed to serve on a Board and several committees and as a result the Church was able to enjoy a full and successful program for 1998.
Some highlights of the year were:
In January 1998 the Diaconate accepted regretfully the transfer of membership of former Assistant Pastor Gary Baker and his wife Jeanne to the Westvale Community Baptist Church where Gary was serving as minister as well as continuing with his work for the American Baptist Churches of NYS in Syracuse as an Associate Baptist Minister. (In 2006 we still feel that the Bakers are part of our fellowship and welcome them on visits to our church at any time their busy schedule allows.)
The year 1998 was a busy one for most of the Boards and Committees of the Church. While Pastor Bailey hoped for the time when his State of the Church Report on the Staff would be blank concerning changes, this was not the year. The Director of Music, Cathi Payne-Ferris, resigned to take a position with the Faith Lutheran Church in Cicero. John Spradling, recently hired as organist, became the new Director of Music, and Joyce McCartney returned as organist. John Day continued as Custodian. Hannah Whittaker completed her fifth year as Church Secretary. She wrote, “I continue to appreciate the willing spirit and support of this busy congregation.” She found the growing staff in Playschool activities, the home schoolers and the music lessons being added to the regular programs, such as Vacation Bible School and Kings’ Kids, were impacting on the Church Office, each in its own way.
The Trustees were predicting a $22,907.00 deficit for the Operating Fund Budget for 1998. Members were making yearly contributions to the Capital Fund which was proving useful in providing money in advance for major projects relating to the building and equipment needs. During 1998 major work was done to upgrade the Church Parlors (the basement rooms under the Sanctuary). Susan Toole organized a work crew and the area was stripped of its wall board and ceiling tiles. Ed Siegenthaler was contracted to do the electrical wiring, install new lighting fixtures and new windows. With the assistance of members (Wendy and Peter Mapstone were leaders in the cause), the area now has new walls, ceiling tiles, windows, lighting, floors and has been painted. The area has been transformed into an attractive and useful area for different activities of the Church and Sunday School.
The Rest Rooms for the Handicapped Project was initiated. Michael Stasiw provided information on building codes and plumbing fixture requirements. The women’s rest room on the main floor was transformed to accommodate people in wheel chairs. The Women’s Fellowship provided financial support for the undertaking.
The Diaconate, as always, was very much involved in the work of the Church during 1998 as it pertained to worship, and support for members in need. They considered establishing a healing ministry (two healing services scheduled), supported a video ministry, administered the Scholarship Fund (six scholarships of $250 each were awarded to help young Baptists with their education expenses), supported the Home Prayer ministry and the Caregivers in Action (CIA) ministry for shut-ins. They prepared and served Communion, helped Church families in need, provided nursery care during worship services, arranged for sanctuary flowers and interviewed prospective new members and candidates for Baptism. The work of the Diaconate in assisting the Pastor in guiding the spiritual life of the Church is a basic part of our Christian purpose as written in our Church Covenant: “walking together as Christians, we will exercise sincere care and watchfulness over each other, rejoice with those who rejoice, and demonstrate loving concern for those who are distressed.”
The Mission Board, with Mary Schwarz as chair, kept the Congregation informed of mission projects, promoted financial support for both the American Baptist Churches USA, and several local missions like Habitat for Humanity, Westside Ministries, Crop Walk and Wheels for the World. Missionaries - the Coats of Cambodia and the Cranes of the Dominican Republic- received our financial support as well as our prayers and monthly correspondence.
The Board of Christian Education in 1998 reported adopting a new Sunday School curriculum, planning for a special Easter Program, arranging a lunch for Teacher Appreciation Sunday, planning for Vacation Bible School (a big success with over 100 children participating), Rally Day, Christmas caroling and presentation of “The Weaver’s Story,” family craft night with about 80 children and parents, a soup and sandwich supper following the Children’s Christmas Program. Jill Doss, Sunday School Superintendent, reported a slight decrease in attendance from last year. The average was 85 students each Sunday. The Vacation Bible School theme was A Tropical Island Adventure. Marge Shephard was the director. The average attendance was 90 boys and girls, 21 from First Baptist. It was the prayer of the Director that all were blessed and found God’s unexpected love through the leaders and helpers that week. She asked other to prayerfully consider being one of God’s tools and help with the program. It is something you will never forget and years later you might find out how the fruits of you spirit are growing.”
In January of 1998 the Youth Leader Team accepted with regret the resignation of Andy and Jen Carlsen as our paid youth staff. The Youth Program, including Sunday School classes and special activities in worship, fellowship, stewardship and education, was led by a committee chaired by Ellen Everly. Kathleen Baier was secretary; Hannah Whittaker was treasurer. Other committee members were Marge and Dave Shephard, Beth and Bob Carr, Dean and Judy Morningstar, Betsy Burt and Pete and Kathie Shevchuk. Youth leaders were Jillian Everly, Colleen Guynup, Dan Burt and Rebecca Baier.
Activities in the winter of 1998 included Wednesday night Bible Study at the home of Marge and Dave Shephard, Wednesday Night Live for the Church Youth led by Dean and Judy Morningstar and Tuesday night basketball with Mark Mapstone.
The Committees of Ministry Support, Audit, Music and Growth and Development were active during the year. The Elevator Task Force, led by Jeffrey W. Loope, was considering financing for the elevator and a different location inside the educational wing, which would be less costly than building an elevator addition. Jeff hoped to be able to get going soon.
Kings’ Kids had a good year. Linda MacLennan retired after serving faithfully for seven years, the last two as chairman. The staff remained unchanged. Kings’ Kids is an independent, non-profit Christian organization started by members of the First Baptist Church of Manlius as “a mission of love.” The mission is to meet the needs of children during the time their parents work in a latch key program, before and after school. Marge Edwards and Kay Walrath continued as Co-Directors of the program, backed by a number of care-givers and a Church Committee of nine members.
The Playschool Nursery School was reported by Pastor Paul as having taken a giant step forward by adding staff and enrolling over twenty children. The school formally came under the Church Bylaws as the Stay and Play Committee. Wendy Mapstone continued as Director of the Playschool.
Shirley Mapstone was again elected president of the American Baptist Women’s Fellowship in 1998. An Executive Committee met monthly for planning. Among the monthly speakers were Gail Carlsen, Damon Gagnier, the Baier Family (their trip to Mexico). The Women’s Fellowship collected White Cross items for Puerto Rico, sponsored Blanket Sunday, collecting $650.35 for blankets for disaster victims, and organized fund raising for installing a handicapped restroom on the first floor in the Educational Annex.
The Unity Fellowship enjoyed an activity and food-filled year with meetings once a month, usually on the fourth Saturday night with a pot-luck dinner. The variety of interesting programs included Chocolate and Bingo, candle -making by Helschers, Mayor Albanese, video shows of past memories, Ammann’s video of their Austrian trip, art program for men in the penitentiary and a New Year’s Eve Party. Cub Scout Pack 215, sponsored by our Church, had a good year. The Pack meets in our Church facilities. The membership in 1998 was 44 Cub Scouts. Pastor Paul Bailey was the Sponsoring Institution Representative to the Cub Pack.
The “Vision” program was still in existence and on October 128, 1998, the Church met to decide which visions to pursue in 1999. Areas of discussion were:
Planning for the year ahead is an important function of the Church and its Pastor and Boards. In 1999 Pastor Paul hoped that a decision would be made on the elevator project, that the changes in the by-laws would be completed and the revision published, that the upgrading of the sound system would be started, that the ground would be broken for a memorial garden, that misconduct guidelines and procedures would be developed and that the future of the Advisory Council of the Church be decided. Pastor Paul ended his planning ahead list with the statement: “Finally there is our undying belief that God working among the believers will led us in adventures we have yet to imagine. May God bless us in the New Year.”
The Church Membership on December 31, 1998, was 241. The assessed valuation of the church property was $1,164,700.00, approximately $5,000.00 per member.
