January 1, 1999, was the beginning of the tenth full year of Reverend Bailey’s ministry to the First Baptist Church of Manlius. Only two pastors had served longer times, i.e. Reverend Nathan Baker 1797-1820, although some of those years were partially spent in the Mission Fields, and Reverend John Baker 1945 - 1956. The Church’s overall theme for 1999 was “The Year of the Bible.” It seemed an appropr iate time to replace our old pew Bibles with new large print NIV Bibles. They became a memorial gift from the family and friends in remembrance of Ray Heller. Fortunately, Bob Mapstone, who spearheaded the effort for the Diaconate, was able to find a home for the used Bibles in a Pentecostal Church in Syracuse. The Bulletins contained weekly schedules of books, chapters and verses which, if followed, would get the readers through the entire Bible in one year.
The Diaconate also reported on its participation in the Adopt-A- Highway Sponsor Program developed and implemented in the town of Manlius by David Bates, a Diaconate Board member. Keeping the roadside clean improves the scenery. A sign which identifies the group as being from the First Baptist Church of Manlius tells the Community that ours is an active American Baptist Church and that the Church is a responsible corporate member of the community. The Deacons entered cyberspace and the internet world with the www. First Baptist .com website. They updated the website weekly with information concerning the Church and its activities. Sandy Haase continued maintaining the important Prayer Chain. The Scholarship Fund awarded five students grants of $250.00 each to help them continue their educations.
The Board of Missions, by action of the Congregation in 1998, was given ten percent of the unpledged giving for the first three quarters of 1999, totaling $1,524.00. (This policy was continued for the years that followed.) Mary Schwarz, chairperson of the Mission Board in 1999, commented, ‘What a wonderful year in Missions. We are thankful for the partnership we share in the mission of Jesus Christ in our community, nation and world. We count your prayers, active involvement and financial support..”
Pastor Paul’s tenth anniversary was properly celebrated. The Church presented him with a robe, a stole, a Certificate of Appreciation, his favorite pie (blueberry) and an enthusiastic round of applause. A reception was held in the Chapel.
It was another year marked by staff changes. Our Church Secretary, Hannah Whittaker, retired after nearly six years of excellent service (especially appreciated was her help with the 200th anniversary celebration). The Whittaker family was moving to Indiana. Elaine LaFollette, once a member of our Church, became our new Church Secretary. She was welcomed with a reception on October 24, 1999, after the Church Service. John Day completed this 5th year as Custodian, but was forced to take time off for heart surgery in November. George Caldwell filled in as interim custodian. In December of 1999, John Spradling resigned as Music Director and Organist to be able to spend more time on Sundays with his family. Joyce McCartney was welcomed back as organist.
In 1999 the Church adopted a Misconduct Policy. It was to ensure a safe environment in the Church, especially for our children, youth and vulnerable populations.
A Church sponsored Community Resource Center was being established where people with needs could get free food. Sister Monica from St. Ann’s Church was spearheading the effort. Our Church and others were asked to help by providing volunteers to run the Resource Center and to distribute food.
The Board of Trustees was, as always, fully occupied with the upkeep of the building and concerns for the Church’s financial stability. Although the year began with a projected operating fund deficit of $22,907.00, the year ended instead with a healthy balance of $10, 675.00. The Trustees attributed the remarkable difference to conservative spending, good financial support from the members and God’s help, for which they were thankful. The Church was in excellent condition financially: $30,000 held in the American Baptist Credit Union was transferred to the Fidelity Mutual Fund for an anticipated 4.5% return. A nine month Certificate of Deposit containing $100,000.00 was paying 6%, money from both parsonage and elevator funds. The Mission Board funds ($10,000) were also invested in the Fidelity Mutual Fund.
In 1999 the conversion of the first floor women’s restroom to a unisex handicapped restroom was completed. The Women’s Fellowship was raising the project cost of $5075.00. The outside of the church building, except for the steeple which we painted earlier, was painted in September for $8,610. The gym floor was sanded and refinished in September for $3,267.00. Dan Clements replaced the roof and ice guard over the King’s Kids’ entrance in “record time.” The dream of installing an elevator in the church was coming to fruition. Plans to install one to provide access for everyone to all floors of the church were overwhelming accepted by the Congregation by a vote of 67 to 9.
The Board of Christian Education sponsored an active and effective program for the year with many special events to keep interest and participation levels of the children and adults growing. Among the year’s special events were a Family Retreat in Highland Forest, a special Easter Program, Teacher Appreciation Day, Camp Sunday, Children’s Day Sunday, Bible School directed by Shirley Mapstone with an attendance of over 100 children, Rally Day, and Christmas activities concluding an active year.
The Baptist Youth Fellowship described their year as exciting and productive as led by a team of adults and youth: Ellen Everly, Chair; Kathleen Baier, Secretary; Hannah Whittaker, Treasurer; Kathie Shevchuk, Betsy Burt, Mary Shephard, Christine Whittaker, Colleen Guynup, Jillian Everly, Damon and Angie Gagnier ( Sunday School Teachers). The Youth Group decided to promote, participate in and raise funds for missions this year.
Vacation Bible School for 1999 was an Old English Faire Adventure called Son Castle Faire. The boys and girls discovered their God-given talents with which to serve the King of Kings. The key verse was 1 Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” The enrollment was 97 boys and girls (32 from First Baptist.) It was hoped that each one was blessed and experienced God’s love through the teachers and helpers that week. Over $510.00 was collected to give to the Cameron Community Ministries in Rochester for needed supplies and to schools in India. The food collection (202 cans, 52 boxes and packages of food) was delivered to Westside Ministries at the Delaware Street Baptist Church.
Ten people from the First Baptist Church of Manlius attended the annual Rescue Mission Dinner in 1999. The head of Wheels for the World, Joni Eareckson Toda, spoke. She has collected wheel chairs from all over the United States, had them repaired, and sent them to needy people around the world. The effort to collect unneeded used wheelchairs in the area surrounding Manlius was started by Robert Vermilya and continued in his memory by Ken Bex after Bob’s death in 1996. At the dinner, Margaret Vermilya, presented Joni with the good news that the Church had collected 22 more wheelchairs for her important charity and would be continuing the effort.
In 1999, a lady whom we would get to know very well in 2005, Rosemary Oaks-Lee from Auburn, spoke in a worship service concerning her experiences doing hurricane relief work in the Dominican Republic. In 1999 the Unity Fellowship met eleven times for food and fellowship. The average attendance was 26. The prison ministry of Bob Reed was a concern of the group, the Church and Rev. Bailey. Unity Fellowship donated money to his work. The Church continued to sponsor a Cub Scout Pack, Hiawatha Seaway Council Pack 215.Membership was 21 Cub Scouts, who achieved a remarkable success in raising money for the Pack in 1999. Selling popcorn brought in $5,162.00, of which, $1,553.00 was earned by the pack. This was the last year of our association with Manlius Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Apparently they had found a more convenient location for their meetings.
The Unity Fellowship is the last of several groups that over the years existed for the members of a Sunday School Class of the Church to meet , usually once a month, to eat together, to enjoy each other’s company which is hard to do in Church Services, to enjoy educational, inspirational and/or entertaining programs together. Now the Unity Fellowship has no real connection with a Sunday School class. The Library Group that used to provide many members has only five or six participants. The Unity Fellowship has had as its function for several years to provide monthly Christian Fellowship for some of the older members of the Church, which is a worthy purpose. However, younger members were always welcomed.
