Early in 1990 Pastor Paul listed additional goals for his first full year as Pastor in Manlius. He would be responsible for leading himself and the Church in their fulfillment. Some of the goals were as follows: He wanted the Church to host several events for married couples and/or families; to hire a part-time youth worker, to arrange short term mission trips and to revise the Church Constitution. He had let it be known early in his pastorate in Manlius that he wanted at some time to pursue a Doctor of Ministry program. In 1990 he asked to begin preparation for the program to be given at the Eastern Baptist Seminary in the Fall of 1991.
In 1990 Margaret Vermilya took on the task of sending sympathy cards to all bereaved people in the Manlius Community. She kept a record of all families contacted by pasting the obituaries in a notebook. She continued this mission until she was no longer able to do so in 2003.
Deaconesses began to aid the Deacons in serving Communion in February 1990. They have continued this practice monthly ever since.
The Music Committee strongly recommended a new sound system for the Sanctuary and at a March 6, 1990, Church Meeting, Howard Eckerlin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, described the new system which included an amplification system, microphones, and three auxiliary units for the hard of hearing. He estimated the cost at $6450 to be met from Legacy Funds ($2000), Memorial Funds ($1000) and by a Church-wide collection for the remainder. The Hillside Committee at that time had excess funds in its Treasury and contributed $3000 to the project. The Hillside Committee was thanked by the Church for their significant contribution toward the sound system as well as for the impact the School has had on the children and the community. (Pastor Paul Bailey at this time requested from the Hillside Board a written statement of purpose for the school!)
Interest in a major project was gaining and the Advisory Council informed the Board of Trustees that it was about to commission a task force to explore the possibility of installing an elevator in the church building. Although the funding for an elevator would be difficult, the project was felt to be too important to be dispensed summarily without exploring all of the possibilities. An estimate of $200,000 as the cost of the elevator was made (actual cost was $350,000). The Trustees reported that they were not ready to make recommendations at the moment because of budgetary limitations.
A much more affordable project that was also a topic of discussion at Church Meetings during the Spring was the need for pulpit scarves. Howard Eckerlin complained that the one in use had no emblems. The Women’s Fellowship was asked “if they would be interested in embroidering scarves appropriate for Advent, Lent, Easter, Summer and Communion. Karen Procopio volunteered to make the scarves and they were beautifully done. A new concern, however, was where to store the scarves when they were not in use.
In April, 1990, a new Committee was formed by Nina Lewis and Pastor Paul. The subject of their interest was Marriage and Family. Another Committee was formed by the Trustee Board to study the use of the church facilities by King’s Kids, Hillside, and the Church at large. The Committee was to equate costs and provide a better basis for rental charges to King’s Kids and Hillside. Sandy Haase and Ellen Everly were considering attending the Green Lakes Conference as Counselors. They were requesting $250 each from the Church to help cover expenses.
In the fall of 1990 the Trustees asked the Women’s Fellowship to redecorate the Library with new carpeting, window coverings and new furniture. The Trustees offered to do the painting. The women accepted the challenge. The church kitchen was judged to be in bad shape by the Trustees and needed to be brought up to health standard requirements.
In late 1990 State Inspectors were critical of the fire doors between the old and new parts of the church not being closed. Howard Eckerlin was to check into the feasibility of a magnetic door opener that would automatically release in the event of a fire.
Prayer Chains were just that in 1990. One person would be responsible to call several people with a list of prayer needs, and they in turn would each call several more people. Eventually, if the Chains were not broken at some point, the whole Congregation would hear the good/bad news. The problem was that the Chain was indeed often broken, with members being ill or out-of-town and not able to keep the news moving. In 1991 the system was reorganized to provide more callers resulting in fewer calls per person, but problems still persisted.
In late 1990 Pastor Bailey requested from the Church some time away from Church duties to pursue the Doctoral Program in Marriage and Family. Paul’s plans for continuing education had been made known to the Pulpit Committee and the Church Membership and agreed to, and therefore, permission was readily granted.
Early in his pastorate Pastor Paul became aware of the inadequacy of the Church Offices. Originally they were located in what is now the Historical Room. The room across the hall was used as a mimeograph room and storage. Then, when the Church built a new parsonage at 5063 Sherbrooke Rd., the old parsonage was used for Sunday School rooms and Church Offices. When the Educational Annex was built, the old parsonage had to be demolished and the offices returned to their old cramped location. However, on the south end of the upper floor of the gymnasium wing, there were two large airy well-lit rooms connected by two doors, which would make ideal separate offices for the Pastor and the Church Secretary. Because of the new construction they were not needed for Sunday School rooms. Approval was given by the Board of Trustees and in 1991 the move was made and the offices have been located there ever since. The installation of an elevator in 2001 solved the problem of access to the office.
Bernadine “Bud” Hapeman, a long time member of the Church, died on October 4, 1990. She left in her will $1000 to the Church to be used as a scholarship for a young man studying for the ministry in memory of her son Charles who had died at a very young age.
At the Annual Meeting on January 24, 1991, Julia Tien and leaders of the Hillside Preschool talked to the Church Members about Hillside and its programs of outreach to the education of young children and their families. She reported an enrollment of 108 students. She stated that the Hillside Program, based on Judeo-Christian Heritage teachings, was designed to help children develop socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Mrs. Tien also addressed Hillside recognition in the community. She mentioned the grants and scholarships available to those who could not afford the standard fee. She invited Church Members to an open house planned for January 29,1991. Mr. Gamble Huffaker, Chairman of the Hillside Committee presented the budget for 1991. Pastor Bailey moved, Ray Heller seconded, that the budget be accepted and the budget was accepted by vote.
In January, 1991 the Trustees repaired the handrail leading to the balcony. Apparently their first effort was a failure since they promised that the latest installed hand rail would never come off again. (It is still in place in 2009.)
Parents registered their children early in Hillside to insure a place for their children. By May 7, 1991, 89 children, a full enrollment, had been registered for the 1991-92 school year. At this time Carole Guynup was honored for her twenty years of faithful service. Obviously Hillside was doing very well in its purpose of educating and taking care of young Manlius children. However, an audit of the Hillside financial records by the First Baptist Audit Committee ( Linda MacLennan, Chair, Lori Kelson and Gary Lewis) found the School and the Hillside Board doing poorly in their keeping of financial records. This resulted in twenty-five recommendations to the Hillside Board for improving their record keeping.
At the Quarterly Business Meeting of the Church on October 23, 1991, the Audit Committee with Linda MacLennan as Chairman, proposed that a Hillside Task Force be appointed by the Advisory Council to implement the twenty-five recommendations, to attend all Hillside Board of Directors’ meetings and to be responsible to the Advisory Council for all future financial and legal decisions concerning the Hillside. Members were to be appointed for a two year term, renewable as necessary by the Advisory Council. The proposal was amended to remove all Hillside Board members from the Task Force and was ratified at the Quarterly Business Meeting on October 23, 1991. Members appointed were: Howard Eckerlin, Chair, Erich Heller, Lori Kelson, Linda MacLennan, Karen Chesebro ( Hillside Treasurer). The Task Force was directed by the Advisory Council to accomplish the following tasks:
The King’s Kids Latchkey Program was the name originally given and was now not consistent with the full day program offered in 1991. The name approved by the Advisory Council was to be King’s Kids Christian Child Care. On June 18, 1991, the Director Sue Crayton died suddenly and unexpectedly of an aneurysm while performing her duties at the Church. She was extremely well liked by all who had contact with her as Director of the School; i.e. parents, children, staff, King’s Kids Board members. Her early death at age 31 was a shock to all who knew her. A memorial service was held on June 20, 1991. A memorial fund was established for Sue to help her family with the funeral bills. A tree was planted at the church and benches were placed on
the churchyard in her memory.
The King’s Kids Board, having decided to hire co-directors instead of a single director, advertised for applicants. Marge Edwards, chosen from fifty applicants , and Kay Walrath, already an employee of King’s Kids, were made Co-Directors and were to start August 5, 1991.
The estimated cost for the library rejuvenation included $1800 for the carpet and $1279 for a sofa and chair. It was decided to raise money for the project with a special offering on Palm Sunday. The Congregation was asked to give $3500. On August 18, 1991, the remodeling was completed and the newly redecorated library was dedicated.
The Sunday School changed its opening time from 9:30 AM to 9:15 AM. All members, children and adults, were asked to meet in the Sanctuary at 9:15 for a time of fellowship and singing together. Classes would start at the usual 9:30 time. The record attendance for the Sunday School in the 1990-1991 year was 129. The Sunday School celebrated the year with its annual soup and sandwich dinner in the gymnasium with 160 men, women, and children in attendance.
On October 9 , 1991, Reverend Bailey sent a letter to the Congregation asking for their attendance at the October 23, 1991, Quarterly Business Meeting. Reverend Bailey was very much interested in one of the major topics, the hiring of a part-time Associate Pastor. He felt the need for some professional assistance, especially to help in times when he would be away completing his work and studies for a Doctorate Degree. The first item of business was to vote to create a Part-time Associate Pastor’s position and to decide on how the Associate Pastor would be paid and how much. Members were warned that a yes vote must also be a commitment to increase their financial support. The members present overwhelmingly supported Reverend Bailey in his request, voting 76 to 7 in favor. The Congregation also voted to make $5,000.00 available from the Parsonage Fund interest to pay the part-time Pastor, if the Congregation approved the balance of the funding.
As part of the Stewardship Campaign to raise money for the 1992 Church year and the For God’s Tomorrow campaign, October 27 was named Consecration Sunday. Church Members were urged to attend two important scheduled events:
Consecration Sunday was programmed to be a Biblical, spiritual, inspirational time, designed to enrich our understanding of Christian stewardship. Emphasis was to be on “the need of the giver to give, rather than on the need of the Church to receive.”
Susan Brown became our new Church Secretary , replacing Lorraine Hall, and was to start on December 11, 1991. She moved into the new Church office on December 31, 1991. Her comment was, “Nice, new, BIG office space with four windows that I love.”
In January 1992 Reverend Paul Bailey traveled to Philadelphia for a three week stay at the Eastern Baptist Seminary where he continued work toward a Doctorate of Ministry in Marriage and Family, learning with classmates from the experts. He explained again his need for the continuation of his education. He was of the belief that “the greatest avenues of the Church of Jesus Christ in this day and age, to reach others with the knowledge that God loves them and wants a relationship with them is through a ministry to marriages and families. He wanted to be able to offer, along with existing children’s programs, greater resources to the community, i.e. in marriage enrichment, singles resources, support groups and senior programs. Reverend Bailey wanted the Church to help make these plans available, but to lead us in that endeavor he felt he needed more training.
An Associate Pastor Search Committee was appointed at the Annual Meeting in January, 1992:
| Bill Lyon, Chairman | Kathleen Shevchuk |
| Gordon Noble, Secretary | Ann Lowry |
| Erman Ferris | Leah Stark |
| Murray Chesebro | Cary Martin |
| Millie Skinner |
They established a procedure for the search, surveyed the Congregation, developed a profile for the candidate, used recruiting sources including Hazel Roper, the state and local American Baptist Organizations and advertisements in the Syracuse and local newspapers. Six candidates were interviewed in September. Reverend William Garold (Gary) Baker was the unanimous choice of the committee and was introduced to the Congregation at the Quarterly Business Meeting in October, 1992, where he was unanimously voted to be our Associate Pastor. Reverend Bailey wrote in his 1992 Annual Report, “We embraced the ministry of Reverend Garold Baker as Part-time Associate Pastor. He and his wife Jean have became a beloved part of our Church Family.”
The Trustees arranged for $100,000 in the Parsonage Fund to be loaned to the American Baptist Churches of New York State to allow them with more funds from other Churches to purchase condominium office space in Dewitt. The mortgage-like agreement was for twenty years with a minimum interest rate of 6%. If we ever needed the money, we could request it to be returned with a nine month wait period. The end date is April 30, 2013.
In 1992 the New York State Baptists initiated a campaign to raise from local churches $1,500,000.00 for “renewal and camp development.” The Iroquois Association Churches made pledges amounting to $31,996.50. Pastor Paul served “in a limited way” as a campaign organizer. The drive was called “For God’s Tomorrow- a Renewal.” For some reason our Church acted as a collection agency for the Association drive and at the end of five years the First Baptist Church of Manlius had contributed $13,840.00, the other American Baptist Churches in the Iroquois Association $9047.50 and the ABC/NYS office $4500.00 for a total of $27,387.50.
In 1992 the Church celebrated several staff anniversaries and hoped for more years of their faithful services to the Church and their Lord:
The Carol Choir was founded in 1952 by Shirley Mapstone and she had continued as its Director for forty years. On Children’s Day, June 14, 1992, the Choir presented “100% Chance of Rain.” After Church a gala celebration was held in the Chapel with a beautiful birthday cake and a display of pictures of the original Choir and others during the forty year period.
In 1992 the music program of the Church was greatly enhanced by the gift of a Baldwin Grand piano from Beth Greene for the sanctuary as a memorial for her husband Kenneth Greene, a dedicated member of the Church for more than fifty years.
Reverend Paul Bailey made his usual report concerning the state of the Church for the 1993 Annual Report of the First Baptist Church of Manlius as he was about to enter his sixth year as Pastor. He wrote, “As we look back at the end of another year we see how God has worked with our dreams and His plans and it becomes evident how
much God is doing in our midst..... One of the most dramatic changes we made was the addition of a second service at 8:30 Sunday morning to create a better opportunity for reaching more people for Christ,” as recommended by the Growth and Development Committee and approved by the Diaconate. Unfortunately the Annual Report does not include any information on the attendance at the early service, but the total attendance for 1992 was 9211 with one service and for 1993 was 9226 with two services for four months. The Sunday School was doing well with an average attendance of 103 students.
Pastor Paul completed his work on the Doctor of Ministry program at the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary during three weeks in June and July and was scheduled to graduate in May, 1994. During the year 1993 in addition to his duties for the First Baptist Church of Manlius, he served as an intern at Crossway Counseling Center, shared in services at Eastside Manor, and conducted a monthly service at Limestone Apartments. The First Baptist Church had members living in each of these apartment buildings. He was also involved in the Fayetteville-Manlius Cooperative Ministries, the Iroquois Association Clergy Group and the Greater Syracuse Evangelical Association.
Our Associate Pastor Gary Baker felt that 1993 was “in so many ways, a great year for our Church.” He was inclined to let others look back and remember the good things that happened in 1992 but felt he should start working and dreaming “about all the great things that can be done in God’s kingdom in the coming months.” He asked the Congregation to join him in giving a little more of yourself, your time, your income, and more time in prayer and Bible study. “God will do his part if we will only do our part.”
As part of a series of biographies of several of the Church Staff (Hannah Whittaker, Joyce McCartney, Kenneth Burrows, Suzi Harriff), the Ministry Support Committee furnished the Church Members a full page biography of Rev. Gary Baker, sixteen months after he became our Associate Pastor. They were pleased with his work with our Church, stating that “his ministry in our midst has been an exciting experience for us. His ready wit, good humor, acting talent and his ability to relate to the Congregation and newcomers is most rewarding.”
Almost every year brings staff changes and the congregation is saddened by the loss of loyal workers who have become good friends. The congregation has been very fortunate, however, in finding worthy replacements. We lost some important members of our staff in 1993, paid and unpaid.
In the 1993 Annual Report of the First Baptist Church of Manlius, Jean Jurick, Church Clerk since 1985, wrote her last report. She and her husband were moving to a retirement home. She had thoroughly enjoyed her position, “a charge which records the
works, the celebrations, the enthusiasms, the revitalization, the growth, and yes, even the grief and losses, which we, as a Church, offer up to our Lord, - a charge which involves the recording of our past, our present, and our future. It is a position which makes one richly aware of our history, our dreams and the members of our Church family.”
Suzi Harriff became our new Director of Music. She was also sharing an internship with us as a student in the Colgate-Rochester Divinity School. Beth Carr, assisted by Marge Shephard, took responsibility for a new children’s choir, the Junior Choir. Hannah Whittaker replaced as Secretary Barbara Rouch, who earlier in the year had replaced Suzi Brown, who had moved to Texas with her family.
The Church membership increased by thirteen members from January 1, 1992, (195 members) to January 1, 1993 (208 members.) During 1992 seven prospective members were baptized and became members; twelve joined by the transfer of letter and one by a correction of an accounting error. Seven members were lost by the transfer of their letters to other Churches.
On June 13, 1993, Children’s Day, the Church celebrated the 41st anniversary of the Carol Choir and honored the Director for all forty-one years, Shirley Mapstone. The Choir presented “David and the Giants.” Doug Greene, a charter member of the Choir presented Shirley with a bouquet of 41 carnations. After the service a reception was held in the Chapel. On June 20, 1993, the much deserved recognition continued with local disc jockey and popular actor and singer Bob Brown paying tribute to his first Choir Director. After the service Shirley was honored at a reception and presented a stereo sound system.
The Trustees were extremely busy with repairs and general maintenance during 1993. Fortunately because of budgetary restraints much of the work could be done on a volunteer basis by the Trustees and many other willing Church members. The Chapel and vestibule were painted by the Lively Folks, a social group comprised of some of the young adult members of the Congregation. Church members on scheduled workdays washed windows, scrubbed the kitchen and bathrooms, painted the front door and entrance, outside windowsills, the wheelchair ramp and the ceiling and pillars on the side porch. In the Sanctuary the redecoration was completed with the installation of fire-retardant drapes and the reupholstering of the pulpit chairs. All of the partitions in the bathrooms were removed and professionally painted. The stairways from the first to the second floor of the educational annex were painted as was the Historical Room. Oak window sills in the educational annex were refinished, brass door plates were removed, polished, and re-installed. A new sink donated by Ken and Ada Phelps was installed in the main custodial room in the basement. Ray Heller, in an attempt to replace light bulbs in the Sanctuary, fell when his ladder collapsed. Ray suffered some painful bruises but was not seriously injured. The ladder was taken away and chopped up for firewood to insure that it would not be used again.
Not everything could be taken care of in 1993. The Trustees gave warning that in 1994 the Church would need to replace the heating system in the old part of the church. Jeff Loope faithfully mowed the lawn in the summer and shoveled snow in the winter. Some of the work required professional help, i.e., a new roof on the educational annex, eaves troughs on the King’s Kids entrance, and the replacement of the side porch pillars by Ed Siegenthaler. Ed donated his time and materials in memory of his father, Bob.
The Church continued to serve the community as a location for many activities. The Trustees approved requests by the Eastern Star, Young Life, the Methodist Church for volleyball, ABC/NYS Mission Board, Monday Evening Club, Newcomer’s Club, Brownies, Manlius Fire Department, Explorer Post, and several weddings and funerals.
In the spring and summer of 1993 the Church was saddened by the death of Lucy Baker (9/28/15- 4/20/93), John Baker’s beloved wife, who stood at his side and supported him during his fifty plus years of ministry. The Church also lost Bob Siegenthaler, an important leader and worker in the Church and a friend of all (7/19/20-6/18/93.) Bob and his wife Trudy had been honored less than a month earlier on May 16, 1993, for their selfless devotion to our Church, a well deserved and timely tribute.
The Diaconate Board made up of seven men and six women with Bob Mapstone as chairman, was also busy. The Board prepared and served Communion with the women joining the men in serving the Communion Elements. The Diaconate members assisted in the baptism ceremonies and administered the Scholarship Fund. The Diaconate sponsored special events to raise money for their Scholarship Fund, which provides money for young people entering college or vocational school and for adults pursuing continuing education. A concert was presented on July 3 as part of the Homecoming Weekend. “A Mad Breakfast,” a dinner theater presentation produced and acted by Church members, was presented in November. The Diaconate was also responsible for Sunday Nursery Care, the Prayer Chain, greeters for Sunday services, tracts in the narthex, bereavement cards, food for bereaved families, home prayer ministry and plants for shut-ins at Christmas and Easter. The Board administered Fellowship Funds for those members with emergency financial needs, provided food for families in trouble, and help for those in need of assistance. On October 6, 1993, the Executive Committee approved the request of the Diaconate to spend up to $400 to purchase materials to build a moveable stage to be used for Dinner Theater Productions which would raise money to benefit the Scholarship Fund.
The Special Events Committee, formed to provide activities to bring the Church members together socially, was active and planned several well-attended activities for 1993:
The Homecoming Weekend of July, 1993 was an especially big success as many former members, separated by new jobs or retirement, came back to Manlius to renew old ties with the Church and Church friends. Three former pastors and two pastor’s wives were also welcomed- Reverend Janice Green, Reverend Frank Clayton and wife Jean, Reverend George Hammond and wife Glenna.
The Mission Board, interested in keeping new members informed, introduced one Mission Project each month during the Mission Moments of the Church Services. The Refugee Fund, instituted mainly to help the Sin family who left for California and became able to support themselves financially, was designated to be used for other refugees. The Board recommended that $2000.00 be given to Habitat for Humanity and the Balance, $4,452.30 be given to Hazel Roper to be used for children from the Ukraine to be sent to camps in Poland for the summer, and also for Ukrainians in Syracuse.
Vacation Bible School was held as usual in the summer of 1993. However, an experiment was tried and what used to be a morning school was held in the evenings from 6:30 to 8:30. The enrollment was a very disappointing 37 children served by a staff of 20. Needless to say, in 1994, Vacation Bible School reverted to its usual daytime schedule.
The King’s Kids Christian Child Care was doing well financially but gave no indication in their report for 1993 of the number of children or staff involved in the program. The Hillside Pre-School sadly entered its last report in the 1993 Annual Report of the Church. Sally Lyon, Secretary of the Hillside Board, in her annual summary of the Hillside School activities, reported that the Hillside Board regretfully decided to close the School as of graduation in June, 1993. The future financial picture for the school was described as “not hopeful, despite a valiant effort by the Director, Janet McCann, the staff and the Hillside Board.” In October 1993, the Hillside Corporation was dissolved. Fortunately the legal complaint against Hillside by Julia Tien, former Director was dismissed because of lack of merit. The Hillside Corporation was in debt to the Church by $22,524.41, but was absolved from payment by the Trustees and the Church membership.
The Constitution of the Church in 1993 contained a provision for a Pastoral Relations Committee. On the calling of a new Pastor the Pulpit Committee was to serve as a Pastoral Relations Committee for at least six months at which time a new Pastoral Relations Committee would be appointed as stated in the Church By-Laws. This also applied to an Associate Pastor. Other employees of the Church, i.e., musicians, youth directors, secretary and custodian were not covered. The proposed change called for the replacement of the Pastoral Relations Committee with a Ministry Support Committee which would cover all employees (associates) of the Church. The Pulpit or Search Committee would serve as a support committee for a new Pastor or associate Pastor for six months, at which time the Ministry Support Committee would take responsibility. The proposal was accepted by a vote of the Congregation.
A Rally Day for the Church and Sunday School to bring the Congregation together again after a summer of vacations and travel was held on September 13, 1993, at Mill Run Park. Instead of having the members bring meat to cook and/or dishes to pass, a chicken dinner was served to 60 Church Members by Buzzy’s, a local restaurant.
On October 31, 1993, several Manlius Baptist Church Members and the Church Choir made the trip to Rome, N.Y. to witness and take part in the Installment of Reverend William Carlsen, a member of our Church, as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of New York State. Our Church presented Bill with a new pulpit robe in honor of his new position and in celebration of his twenty-five years of ministry.
In Pastor Paul’s Review of the 1994 Church Year (his fifth year with the Church), he compared the Church of today to a Chinese bamboo tree which takes five years of watering and fertilizing and care before it starts to grow. Only in the sixth year does the gardener begin to see and appreciate the results of his labor. Pastor Paul felt that the years from 1989-1994 had been a time of preparation for the Church and that in the coming year (his sixth) 1995 the Church should be in “full bloom.”
For 1994 the Church members were asked to make a special commitment to God to “give a little more of yourself and your time in prayer and Bible study, and a little more of your income. We can never doubt that God will do his part if we will only do ours.”
The second service was continued in 1994. The total attendance for the two services was 9270. (In 1992: 9211 and in 1993: 9226.)The usher’s report does not give separate figures for the early service, so the success of the early service if based on numbers alone could not be determined. The Church Clerk reported that the membership of the Church had increased with seven new members in 1994 and that we had lost three members. The end of the year membership was 211. Although there was some concern that the second service was not significantly increasing our total attendance, the hope was that we were still “planting seeds” and that differences in time and worship style would eventually increase the opportunities for witness and help the Church grow.
In the 1994 Annual Report for the Diaconate it was reported that David Haase had brought the Prayer Chain into the Computer Age. The computer was purchased with most of a gift of $1000.00 give to the Memorial Fund in memory of Charles and Winifred Schwarz, parents of Mary Schwarz. The need for a chain of people, which was often “broken” by the absence of chain members, was no longer necessary. Seriously, the computerized notification system was a tremendous improvement. The Haase’s received messages and sent them out to the Church members quickly and efficiently. The Church was gratified for their service for many years.
Pastor Paul Bailey graduated from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary as a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family in May 1994. Congratulations, Dr. Bailey.
In addition to his duties as Pastor he served as Field Education Supervisor for Suzi Harrif, led the services in the Limestone Apartments, shared in services at the Eastside Manor and began a Bible study class with Mary Schreiber of Christ Church at Limestone Commons. He continued to meet with the Fayetteville-Manlius Clergy, the Greater Syracuse Association of Evangelicals and a leadership study group. He was program director for the Fall Association Meeting and continued to work with the State Renewal Team. Locally he worked with the Tiger Cubs, part of the Church sponsored Cub Scout Pack.
Reverend Bailey wrote that his focus was on the Church’s Mission Statement whose key themes were hung on the wall of the Sanctuary: Worship, Education, Encouragement, and Mission. The Mission Statement, approved by the Congregation in October, 1994 stated: “In celebration of the Good News shown to us in Jesus Christ, we will invite others to unite with us as part of the family of God, sharing the Gospel through Worship, Education Encouragement of one another and the Support of Mission as we serve Manlius and our surrounding communities.” In his “Behind the Pulpit” column in the Christian Carrier for December 1994 to June 1995, Pastor Paul carefully and in depth explained the meaning of each part of the Mission Statement.
Our Associate Pastor, Reverend Gary Baker, reported on his second year with the Church. He was very up-beat and enthusiastic about his relationship with the Manlius Church and its people and the opportunities to serve that opened up to him. He closed his report with the statement. “God is so good- let us never cease to praise His name.” Reverend Baker soon had even more cause to praise the Lord. In the March 1994 newsletter he reported that he had been called to extend his ministry as half-time Minister of Stewardship and Mission Support for the American Baptist Churches of New York State and would be working out of the Syracuse Office. This would allow him to be “full time in Ministry for the Lord.”
The major effort, structurally and financially, of the Church for 1994 was the Reach Out, Reach Up Campaign, which was started in August 1994. The Fund Raising Committee for the Rise Up part of the Campaign informed the Congregation that “winter is just around the corner and our heating system is over the hill.” They were referring to the sixty-seven year old heating system in the old part of the church. The plan was to replace the now unsafe steam heating system with a hot water system including a new
boiler, new pipes, installation of baseboard heating in the offices and library, and a new Baptismal Pool heater. The total cost was estimated to be $28,000.00.
A problem equally worrisome to the Church leaders was the ministry to our youth. George Baier, for the Fund Raising Committee, felt that the Youth Ministry had worked with the youth for several years with a limited number of overworked volunteers and resources. The plan was to hire a Minister of Youth to work approximately fifteen hours weekly to administer and oversee youth programs for grades 5-12 for ten months of the year and “to develop in our youth a Biblical relationship with God through Jesus Christ and a Godly view of self and others.”
The pledges for the heating system were a disappointing $14,328.00, approximately half of what was thought to be needed. The pledges for the Youth Director were much better. The members pledged $7,337.00, very close to the $8,000.00 goal to cover a salary of $7000 plus $1000 to cover Workmen’s Comp. Insurance, FICA, etc.
The Trustees forged ahead with their plans, despite the shortfall in pledges. Volunteers, led by Gordon Noble and Ray Heller, removed the old radiators and piping and did other work involved in the renovation. By autumn the new system was in and warming the Church.
As part of the heating plant upgrade, the system was made more efficient by placing additional insulation in the ceiling of the entire church facility. Approximately sixty ceiling tiles in the educational annex that had been water stained because of a leaky roof were replaced and the roof repaired.
By December 31, 1994, $15,218.30 had been collected in the Heating System Account. The cost of the boiler and the installation was $17, 417.55 (less than expected), leaving a negative balance of -$2198.65, which was paid from the Capital Fund.
In 1994 Church Members interested in a strong Baptist Youth Program for the Manlius Church made a study of area Churches Youth Programs. Based on their findings and discussions with Pastor Paul and the Christian Education Board, a “Youth Leadership Team” was established by the Christian Education Board. Its job was to develop a Minister of Youth proposal and a program plan for the 1994-1995 activity year. The youth leader plan was approved by the Church. The committee consisted of:
During the search to find a leader, the youth activities continued. The Junior Highs, led by Pastor Paul and assisted by Joelle Zimmerman, met on Wednesday nights. The Senior Highs met every other Sunday night in the homes of the members for a
video/discussion series. Nine of the members attended the Youth Convention that year, made and sold hot pretzels on several Sundays to defray the cost, sold First Baptist
T-Shirts and continued to their Compassion Project Child Rafael.
The Vacation Bible School for 1994 was held during the first week of August and was directed by Joelle Zimmerman. The theme was based on Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience.” A total of 45 volunteers worked hard to make the VBS a success with over 80 children attending.
A major event of the year 1994 was Celebration Sunday on September 4, 1994, when Reverend John Baker came back to Manlius to honor all of our fifty year and up members. The honored fifty year members who were present at the celebration were:
Robert Mapstone Katherine Loope Elsie Bex Dorothy Benor
Marjorie Lincoln Lora Shanahan Jean Gaudio
Reva Burt Leah Stark Annette Andrusyszyn Those unable to attend were:
Donna VanTassel Foote John Everingham Willard Harter Anna Slentz
Bessie Todd Lynn Mapstone Susan Rowley
Kenneth Goodfellow Judith Phelps Deveau
Reverend Baker told the fifty year members present that there were several ingredients that go into making a good productive fifty year Church member. The most important is the ingredient of commitment. (It take commitment to make anything work.) The other ingredients are understanding (we are enriched because you have recognized
what each person represents,) and sacrifice (of our own opinions, our own ideas, our own desires) and love, which makes all of the other ingredients viable.
“God has enfolded you in that love, and now by His grace you are able to reflect on fifty happy years of ministry in the spirit and name of Jesus Christ.” - John Baker, Pastor Emeritus
In our Congregation there were several older people who would ordinarily be alone at home after Church. They found it a joy to “eat out” together after the Church Services on Sunday. They referred to themselves as the “Cane and Able.” They got together after Church, decided on a destination and carpooled. “Whether you are single or married, you are welcome to join us. Don’t wait for a personal invitation-- just ask, ‘Is anyone eating out today?’ The obvious answer is ‘yes!’” Margaret Vermilya, Erman and Laura Ferris, Lucia Ernst, Martha Trivelpiece and Olga Schmidt were some of the members.
For late October and early November, 1994 the First Baptist Church Gymnasium was the place to go for very reasonably priced food and entertainment. On October 29, 1994, the Church was advertising in the Christian Carrier a Harvest Festival. For $1.00 admission the guest could enjoy refreshments, food, fellowship, fun, square and line
dancing, games and a best pie contest. On November 11 to 13 , 1994, the Church was presenting its annual Dinner/Dessert Theater to support the Scholarship Fund. On the11th Dessert Theater in the Evening; on the12th Dinner Theater in the Evening; on the 13th Dessert Theater in the Afternoon. The play was “Any Body for Tea.”
Reverend Paul Bailey in his annual State of the Church Report gave a mixed report for his version of the Church year 1995. First he wrote, “1995 has been a wonderful year for the First Baptist Church. We continue to throw our energies into the themes of Work, Worship, Education, Mission and Encouragement....We have met, with God’s Grace, many challenges and continued to declare the good news of Jesus Christ in faith and practice.” However, while he was glad for the emphasis on the Mission Statement, he felt that it had not effected change.
The concept where the Church focuses on an annual theme (for the Manlius Baptists the theme in 1995 was “we’ve a story to tell,” followed by “restore unto me the joy of thy salvation”) he felt had not really helped attendance which decreased from 9270 in 1994 to 8774 in 1995. The membership increased by three from 211 in 1994 to 214 in 1995. Pastor Paul had good words for the staff, however, i.e., “a wonderful staff that is a joy.”
The Youth Leadership Team found that while funds were available for a salary, a more difficult task was to find someone to fill the position of Minister of Youth. After months of searching, Kevin Donoghue was found and agreed to serve. He began work on March 1, 1995. Kevin was active with Ross Binder’s Senior High Sunday School Class and assisted Pastor Paul with the Wednesday Night Live program for Grades 5 to 8. Kevin also initiated and led several special events including a trip to New York City, a Christian Rock Concert, and a work weekend at Camp Pathfinder. Apparently all was not well since in the October 8, 1995, Church Bulletin Kevin informed the Church that “I have come to a very difficult decision concerning my position as the Minister of Youth here at the First Baptist Church of Manlius. It is with sadness that I tender my resignation. I find myself unable to meet the requirements and expectations of this position. I have enjoyed working with all of you and plan to stay at our Church as I believe God has brought me here. I look forward to the fellowship without the responsibilities. Yours in Christ, Kevin.” Kevin was replaced by Andy Carlsen, who started on November 1, 1995. Andy was assisted by his wife Jenn. Andy grew up in our Church. He is a graduate of Houghton College and is in private business in Manlius.
The Church sponsored a series of Lenten Lunches on Fridays from March 10 to April 7, 1995. Five different ministers from area Churches were guests and spoke on “The Thorns,” “The Robe,” “The Nail,” “The Spear,” and “The Shroud.” The leader for “The Spear” was Reverend Leon Oaks-Lee from the Auburn United Church.
On April 29, 1995, at 6:30 P.M. in the gymnasium the tenth annual Coffee House was held. Sandy Haase invited everyone to join in the “wonderful fun and fellowship” found at the Coffee House, this year with a Hawaiian theme.
In May, 1995 John Day became Custodian replacing Ken Burrows, who was retiring. John was highly recommended by Myrna and Mike Stasiw as he had worked for Mike at Morgan Badgly for several years. John was skilled in plumbing and carpentry and was willing to tackle almost any problem that came along. He saved the Church a great deal of money with his expertise.
On June 25, 1995, the Church Service became a Reunion Sunday Service. Reverend Gary Johnson and his wife Nancy came from Maine where Gary was the Baptist Executive Minister for the Maine Baptists. Reverend John Baker and his wife Wanda came from Maryland, and Reverend Frank Clayton and his wife Jean came from Northville, New York. Reverend Johnson delivered the morning sermon “Renewal for Mission,: Reverend Clayton led the Congregation in the Morning Prayer and Reverend Baker was recognized for sixty years of Christian Ministry. As part of this service Aileen Chang was commissioned for a short term mission.
Pastor Paul, on July 1, 1995, was honored by the Congregation on the occasion of his fortieth birthday and completion of fifteen years in the ministry. He was given by the Church a monetary gift which he said he cherished and would bank for a future trip to Israel that he and his wife Phyllis hoped to take.
In 1995 the Manlius Baptist women, continuing their leadership of working on and financially supporting projects to improve the church facilities, and having completed their renovation of the basement kitchen, took on the task of installing a kitchenette in the class room next to the Chapel. This made it convenient for the women to hold receptions and small dinners in the chapel rather than in the gym. The main floor of the Education Wing was accessible to wheelchairs and the restroom on the main floor was also accessible. To facilitate the transfer of food from the kitchenette to the Chapel, an opening between the two rooms and the installation of a door was accomplished in a skillful manner by our new Custodian, John Day.
Other important projects completed were the basement kitchen renovations, the insulation of the educational wing, a complete renovation of the ladies’ restroom in the basement of the old part of the Church (humorously called the “old ladies” restroom, the “old” referring to the age of the bathroom itself and not to the age of the ladies using it), and a renovation of the hallway between the “parlors” and the gymnasium. Our new and talented Custodian also installed shelves in the library for children’s books. On the outside of the Church, the steps to the Pleasant St. entrance were rebuilt. The steps to the main entrance were partially caulked and outside window sills were scraped and painted.
At the July 25, 1995, Quarterly Business Meeting the Diaconate recommended that Suzi Harriff, director of Music, be licensed by the Church to preach as a step toward ordination. The Church agreed.
Vacation Bible School , August 14-18, was directed in 1995 by Lynn Dew. While 58 children enrolled at the beginning of the school, 88 were in attendance on the last day. The theme was the Sontown Family Celebration.
In September 1995 the Congregation received a Dear Friends letter from Gary Baker announcing with greatest mixed emotions his resignation as Associate Pastor,
effective September 30, 1995, to accept a call of the Westvale Baptist church to be their
Pastor. He expanded on his feelings in an article in the October 1995 Newsletter: “My coming as your Associate Pastor was a re-entry point for me in Pastoral Ministry. You helped in many ways that made my re-entry smooth, comfortable, and rewarding. Thank you. I well thank God all my days for bringing us together in 1992.” Westvale Community Baptist Church, October 1, 1995.
While Gary felt led by God to serve the Manlius Church three years before, he felt another call to re-enter full-time ministry at the Westvale Baptist Church. The Manlius Church honored Gary and Jeanne with a reception. The Church Members gave Gary a robe and a framed print of the Church as farewell gifts. Gary commented that it was his first very own robe and it would be an ever present reminder of our love and friendship. Flowers given to Jeanne were blooming cheerfully on the Baker’s front porch. He again thanked the Church for everything, including the memories. Their son Damon Gagnier remained as an active member in the Manlius Church (later joined by his wife Angela and daughter Megan). Gary and Jeanne Baker have remained our friends and were helpful during our long wait for an new Pastor after Paul Bailey left.
The Financial Drive for the 1996 Fiscal Year was called “Seasons for Sharing.”
Myrna Benedict as Chair, Bill Burt as planting steward, and Bob Doss as harvesting steward, were thanked for a successful campaign.
In the Fall of 1995 double services, as recommended by the Board of Deacons were continued. The early service as held in the Chapel. The Diaconate decided not to provide greeters for the early service.
In 1995 a new Caregivers in Action (CIA) Program was started, coordinated by Bill and Sally Lyon and Harry and Pauline Cole. Sixteen persons as couples agreed to provide caring and sharing for those in need.
The Church recognized the need for an Associate Pastor to replace Gary
Baker and appointed a new Committee to search for one: Murray Chesebro, Chair, Rev. Paul Bailey, Peter Shevchuk, Kathy Clements, Nancy Albanese, Joanne Mostar, Gordon MNoble, Kathy Shevchuk, Leah Stark. Gary Baker came back to appear in the Church Mice Players presentation of the Minister’s Aunt” on November 17, 18, and 19, 1995.
In other areas of Church life something was happening almost weekly. Not all of the Church sponsored activities involved worship or maintenance of the building or
hiring people to organize and supervise the activities. The Unity Fellowship was a group who met once monthly, usually on the fourth Saturday evening of the month for a pot-luck dinner at the Church with some kind of entertainment scheduled for the remainder of the evening. In 1995 a total of 368 people attended eleven meetings. Some of the 1995 highlights were an evening when Gamble Huffaker gave everyone rides in his newly restored 1931 Plymouth Sedan, Barbershop Choruses at the Fayetteville-Manlius High School, a turkey dinner at the Durhamville Church, a soup and slipper party at the Mapstone’s, a chicken barbecue at the Richardson’s home and the annual New Year’s Eve dinner party. Although people of any age were invited and welcomed, attendees were generally in the grandmother and grandfather stage of life.
For the younger and more active group an alternative to the Unity Fellowship was the Lively Folks. In 1995 one meeting featured a volleyball game in the Church gym- a lack of snow sent the group indoors. Other activities were a Fayetteville-Manlius musical production, “West Side Story,” the Balloon Festival as seen from the vantage point of Tom and Elaine Burt’s hilltop home, a swimming party at the Davison’s, a game night and a theater production of “The Ministers Aunt” at the Church and the Church Coffee House in April. The Coffee House was a musical event held in the gymnasium where members and friends of the Church sat around tables with food available and were entertained with musical numbers, comedy, and other assorted amateur routines.
The King’s Kids Program of Christian Child Care suffered through a difficult financial year in 1995. There was a marked decline in the summer program enrollment, probably due to the increasing number of public recreation programs being offered. The King’s Kids 1995 summer program earned approximately $14,000.00, about half of what was expected. A conservative budget, strong fall enrollment and the belt-tightening efforts of the co-directors, enabled the King’s Kids to reduce the expected deficit to a manageable $2,926.06. The King’s Kids report did not include information on the number of children enrolled. While the King’s Kids Program was designed to fill an important need in the community, not to make a lot of money for the Church, it was important that the Program received enough money to pay the staff and to cover the extra expenses that the Church incurred in hosting the program.
Another important Church organization had a full year in 1995. It was the American Baptist Women’s Ministries, often called the Baptist Women’s Fellowship. The elected Mission Board emphasized and had responsibility for informing the Congregation about the activities of our Baptist Missionaries, Baptist Colleges, and Baptist homes for children and the aged and their needs and for raising money for them in four major offerings: America for Christ, One Great Hour of Sharing, World mission Offering and the Retired Ministers and Missionaries. The ABW Ministries supported these offerings and also raised money for other projects, some involving the Church, others the community. While not an official part of the Church program listed in the Constitution, they have contributed greatly to t he benevolence program of the Church. They collected “love gifts” from their members, an “over and above” mission support offering. They were in charge of “blanket” Sunday, collecting funds to buy blankets for disaster victims. They met periodically to prepare ‘white cross” items for the Cameron Community Ministries in Rochester. They worked hard to raise money for the basement kitchen renovations with the annual garage sale at Ammann’s barn, the serving of lunches for the ABC/NYS Board of Missions and bake sales. In 1995 they were able to donate $2358.18 to various worthy causes.
Although the ABW Ministries is a relatively new name, our Church History tells stories of women’s contributions from the very early days of the Church when they (known as the Ladies Aid Societies) met in the Church to braid rugs for sale or sold extra produce from their gardens along the street by the old Church.
January 1, 1996, was the beginning of the seventh full year of Pastor Paul’s ministry in Manlius. In his report for 1996 he addressed a significant worship change, the Church’s decision to return to a single 10:45 A.M. Sunday Service in September 1996. Pastor Paul stated that the change was made not because of the exhaustion of the clergy (himself) and staff but for the reason that three seasons of double services had not increased attendance. Pastor Paul noted that by the end of 1995 with one service a full sanctuary was again a common occurrence.
Seven years of service in some professional circles earns the employee the right to a sabbatical leave (according to the dictionary a period of rest.) Pastor Paul, on June 6, 1996, wrote a letter to the Congregation asking the Ministry Support Committee, the Diaconate Board and the Board of Trustees for a leave of absence from his Pastoral Duties from June 20 to August 10, 1996 (three weeks vacation, four weeks unpaid leave.) He compared his life to a lamp whose oil is running out and whose wick is burned dry.
He felt that his more than sixteen years of ministry (seven with the First Baptist Church of Manlius) had reached a point where he was emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted. It would “restore unto me the joy of God’s salvation” as our 1996 theme declared and ensure that he would return refreshed and more clearly focused on our ministry together. The Congregation met on June 9, 1996, overwhelmingly agreed to Pastor Paul’s request and voted to give him a seven week leave with pay.
The leave of absence was apparently very helpful for Pastor Paul. He described the time away as his most remarkable personal event, “the summer that saved my soul. It allowed me to reconnect with God and my call to the ministry.”
There were changes in the Church Staff in 1996. Cathi Payne-Ferris became the Director of Music starting in September, 1996, replacing Suzi Harriff, who left to become an Associate Pastor at Andrews Memorial United Methodist Church. In December 1996 Andy Carlsen resigned as the Minister of Youth, but he and is wife Jen volunteered in the program as helpers when needed. Shirley Mapstone’s retirement, fortunately for the Church, was short-lived. In 1996 she started a new children’s choir called Joyful Sounds. Shirley and the children left the Sunday service before the Pastor’s sermon to rehearse. They sang for the Congregation monthly and on special occasions.
The Associate Pastor Search Committee wrote a job description which was presented to and approved by the Congregation. Their job then was to find a worthy replacement for Gary Baker, a hard act to follow. Their advertisements in newspapers resulted in responses from several interested persons. Four were selected for interviews by the Search Committee. However, the Committee felt that it had not been led by God to offer the position to any of the candidates. Because Pastor Bailey was taking a leave of absence and they would need his approval of a choice, the Committee decided to put the search on hold. No further action was taken in 1996 by the Search Committee: Murray Chesebro, Chair, Nancy Albanese, Pastor Bailey, Kathy Clements, JoAnn Mostar, Gordon Noble, Kathy Shevchuk, Leah Stark.
We lost two very special Church members in May 1996. Howard F. Eckerlin died on May 21, 1996. As his family and friends were gathered at his funeral at the Church to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, shocking and unexpected news was passed along that another well known and staunch supporter of the Church, Gamble Huffaker, had died while in the hospital for an operation. Howard was in the construction business and his expertise was instrumental in keeping the church in good repair. He directed the replacement of the deteriorating pillars in front of the church. He trained our treasurer in the use of the computer for keeping accounts. Gamble was a long time member of the Board of Deacons and assisted greatly with their programs. He, too, was a very “handy” person and was always willing to help in the upkeep of the church. He was a member of the Church Choir and Men’s Chorus when they were an important weekly part of our Church Services. Although Howard and Gamble could no longer champion the cause of church accessibility in person, gifts that were generously given in memoriam and part of the legacy of the Howard Eckerlin estate (10%) were the impressive beginnings of an Elevator Building Fund, which on December 31, 1996, contained $25,176.70.
The Trustees had a very busy year, in part because they wanted the Church to look its best for the 200th Year Celebration in 1997. The renovation of the kitchen was completed as was the insulation of the educational wing. The kitchen renovation was paid for by funds raised by the Women’s Fellowship. A carpet was laid in the hallway leading to the sanctuary and the gymnasium. A project to replace the carpet in the Sanctuary was initiated and people were asked to donate by pledging $25.00 per square yard. The carpet was installed in the Spring of 1997. The steeple was repaired, washed with water from a high pressure hose, and painted by the R. L. Gaut Corporation for $5020.00 with a “cherry picker” used to eliminate the need for scaffolding. Other maintenance included removing a tree felled in the Labor Day storm, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, filling ruts in the parking lot, fixing lights, adding railings to stairways, replacing rusted door frames, repairing crumbling sidewalks. The shed in the playground was repaired, painted and the roof reshingled. John Day, our custodian, helped in many of these projects. He also installed a 3 1/2” board on the balcony railing to prevent Bibles and hymnals from falling on people’s heads in the seats below. Two workdays were held, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The Trustees were grateful for the help in getting projects completed.
The Trustees were concerned that the expenses of the Church (salaries, heat, telephone bills, repairs, etc.) had exceeded the income for five months (January through May), They blamed higher expenses and lower contributions, “a deadly combination,” and wrote a letter to the Congregation asking for help in keeping expenses down, paying current pledges and considering the possibility of pledge increases. Somebody listened and acted as by the end of the year income had exceeded expenses by $9,357.37.
In 1996 the Growth and Development Committee took on the task of investigating the installation of an elevator in the church, but they felt that the financial problems of the Church warranted that the project be put on temporary hold. Jeff Loope, Chairman, Andy Dudley, Carol Shelby, Murray Chesebro, Rick Heller, Gordon Noble, Erman Ferris and Ron Radell were the Elevator Committee.
In 1996 the Mission Board reported that “through the initiative of Bob Vermilya we participated in Wheels for the World,” a program of SAF Ministries. In 1996 thirty wheel chairs were collected and sent for refurbishing and distribution. Many were sent overseas. A one time gift of $100.00 was also sent. Bob was very active in promoting this very worthy program. When his health would no longer permit his participation Ken Bex carried on.
The American Baptist Women’s Ministries was active as always with special programs for the monthly meetings highlighting home and foreign missions. Love gifts of over $600.00 were sent to our National Headquarters at Valley Forge. The ABW contributed White Cross items to the Dayton Christian Center in Dayton, Ohio and was in charge of promoting Blanket Sunday ($500.00 was raised). The women also raised money for the kitchenette.
The Baptist Youth Fellowship was extremely active in the early years of the Bailey Pastorate. According to the annual report of the group, 1996 was an exciting year of changes and growth with a remarkable number of youth and adults involved in an interesting and varied program, planned and led by the Youth Minister Andy Carlsen, assisted by his wife Jen. Andy averaged six to eight hours per week. He was assisted by a very supportive Youth Leadership Team : Joelle Zimmerman, Kathleen Baier, Faith Binder, Betsy Burt, Ellen Everly, Karry Fairbanks, Kathy Krzykowski, Bill Lyon, Damon Gagnier, Dave and Marge Shephard, Beth and Bob Carr, Suzanne Toole. Judy and Dean Morningstar led the Wednesday Night Live Program for grades five and six. Mark Mapstone was in charge of Thursday evening basketball.
In the Fall a kick-off ice cream social was held at the Zimmerman’s house which was attended by fifty enthusiastic youth and adults. In October a camping event at Beaver Camp in the Adirondacks was led by Andy and Jen Carlsen. In November the group met at the Church for a Harvest Party. The group worked had to raise money for their program and projects. A bake sale raised $300.00 to help support a Compassion International Child from the Dominican Republic, and babysitting for holiday shoppers and another bake sale raised $423.50. The Wednesday Night Group hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for widows and widowers with special help from Marge Shephard, Betsy Burt and Katherine Loope. Everyone had a wonderful time at what could have been for some of the older people a very lonely occasion.
King’s Kids had a good year in 1996. The King’s Kids Committee has always provided funds for scholarships for needy children. In 1996 they changed the name of the fund to the Sue Crayton Memorial Fund. In the summer the staff enlarged the opportunities for the children by allowing them to participate in parts of the Village Summer Recreation Program. The year was a better year financially than 1995. Losses in 1995 were replaced by a modest surplus in 1996.
Vacation Bible School, held from August 12-16 in 1996, was directed by Marge Shephard. The registration during the week was 94 boys and girls. We continued to welcome children with no church home and children from other denominations: First Baptist-23; other denominations- 36; no church- 35. To carry out the program for these children, Marge had 35 leaders and helpers. Boys and girls were asked to bring school supplies for the Christian Bible School in Haiti and pennies for the needed postage. $360.50 was donated by the children.
Unity Fellowship and Lively Folks both had active programs for their members in 1996. Cub Pack 215, sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Manlius reported a good year, working on projects to help others, like the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and having fun with a game show night, a carnival and a “Land of Make-Believe” night. The Music Committee sponsored “A Classical Evening with the St. James Trio” during the summer, refurbished the bells, and arranged for their use throughout the year.
As the busy Church year of 1996 was drawing to a close, attention was focusing on preparations for a very special event in 1997, the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Church in 1797. A Bicentennial Committee was appointed in the Fall of 1996 and its members began work planning special events for the 1997 celebration.
The planned schedule for 1997 was as follows:
| January 15 Opening Night | Pot Luck Supper at Church |
| February 11 | Valentine Dinner |
| March 2 | Old fashioned church service |
| April 13 | Walk through history including Seneca St. Church |
| May 17 | Coffee House with historical theme |
| July 4-6 | Homecoming Weekend |
| Friday |
|
| Sunday | Worship with Rev. William Carlsen, John Baker and Frank Clayton |
| September 27 | Pig Roast “sow”lebration at Clark’s Reservation |
| October 22 | Pot Luck Supper and Historical Program |
| November 22 | Old Fashioned turkey dinner |
| December 28 | Birthday Party and Reception after Church |
All of the activities were carried out as planned. The support of the Church members and guests was excellent.
In addition to the General Committee a Directory Committee was chosen to oversee the Olan Mills publication of a Member Directory with a brief history of the Church, a list of past Church Pastors , historical pictures of past members and events and up-to-date pictures of all current members. Barbara Richardson was designated Chair of the committee with Mindi Ackerman , Judy Morningstar, Nancy Sanders and Elwin Richardson assisting.
Rose Huffaker, Gertrude Mawson and Margaret Vermilya prepared a Time Line, a list of the important events of our Church History, the village of Manlius and the USA during the 200 year period from 1797 to 1997. Copies were presented to Church members as an attractive booklet with a large decorative colored logo on the cover, prepared by Ken Bex, who also prepared wall plaques featuring the logo. The time line illustrated the fact that the Church does not exist in a vacuum. We find changes and events in the outside world and its people are shaping our ideas, policies and priorities and causing us to make adjustments to meet new challenges.
Prudence Slentz, cousin of the Church member Lloyd Slentz, was commissioned to paint a picture of today’s church accompanied by smaller pictures of our church building on Seneca Street and the old schoolhouse on Seneca Street used by our earlier congregations for church services. The pictures, which are now hung in the church library, were used on the covers of the Directory.
The Women’s Fellowship compiled and anniversary cookbook, A Taste of Tradition, 200 Years of Pot Luck Suppers- First Baptist Church of Manlius, filled with recipes as furnished by men and women of the Church. The women also prepared an
anniversary quilt with blocks embroidered by women of the Church. It was hung in the corridor leading to the elevator at a later time. An exhibit of interesting and old church historical artifacts was displayed for a time in the Manlius Library display cases and also on a Church bulletin board reserved for the Church Bicentennial Celebration.
A history of the Church was written by Elwin Richardson. Monthly chapters were sent to all members of the Church. Rev. Paul Bailey did some invaluable research on the life and works of our first minister, Elder Nathan Baker. The Church is very fortunate in having in its records original minutes of most Church Meetings starting September 4, 1813. Another source of historical information was the Fayetteville Library’s microfilmed collection of early Fayetteville newspapers. The reporter for Manlius found our Church a fertile subject for many of his articles on Church life in Manlius. The availability of this source was not known when the histories of most of the early ministers were first published. New histories will be made available soon that will include the new information. We are indebted to Church Secretary Hannah Whittaker for her excellent work in typing the histories and making them available to our Church members.
An important part of the 200th Anniversary Celebration was Homecoming Weekend, July 4 to 6th, 1997. On July 4th Jim and Jesse Kerr-Whitt presented a concert of songs and worship in the Sanctuary. A free-will offering was taken to benefit the Church’s Scholarship Fund. A reception followed the concert. On July 5th the Congregation and guests met at 4:00 at the church for a chicken barbecue. The group participated in games at 4:00, ate at 6:00 and listened to conversations about the past at 7:30. On Sunday morning July 6th at 9:30 a worship celebration was held with Reverend William Carlsen (ABC/NYS), Reverend John Baker and Reverend Frank Clayton participating, followed by a reception.
The festivities continued as planned in the fall of 1997 with a “sow”lebration (a pig roast) at Clark’s Reservation in September, a pot-luck supper and historical program in October, an old-fashioned turkey dinner at the church in November and a 200th birthday party held at the close of the Church Service on December 28th, to mark the end of an extraordinary year for the Church and a thank you to the Bicentennial Committee for planning and carrying out an impressive program of events.
In his State of the Church report for 1997, Pastor Paul Bailey wrote “no Church has celebrated 200 years with more joy, enthusiasm and food and that the year 1997 will ever be remembered for its Bicentennial Events, i.e., dinners, talks, videos, programming, parades, guests from the past and a 200th birthday party.” He commended the Bicentennial Committee under the leadership of Ken Bex for doing a remarkable job. Reverend Bailey himself as Pastor deserved a large part of the credit for the successful celebrations. He spent much time and effort in working with the Committee, not only in the planning but in the execution of the plans.
While the Bicentennial Celebration was the major program of interest for the Church in 1997, other facets of Church life continued. On January 12th the Youth Leadership Team accepted with regret the resignation of Andrew Carlsen as Minister of Youth. Due to job changes Andy and his wife Jen could no longer devote the time necessary for youth leadership. The Youth Team agreed to incorporate the Carlsens’ work with their on-going responsibilities. Ellen Everly agreed to act as the Youth Team leader, and as a result all of the Youth Programs continued as before with adult leaders partnering with Youth to organize and implement the special monthly events.
Church projects of a more physical nature were completed as planned in 1997. One special project was the kitchenette, built on the main floor of the Education Wing so that food could conveniently be served to groups in the Chapel. According to Pastor Paul it was being “used like crazy,” including church members and guests confined to wheelchairs.
A decision was made to have Architects create designs for the future construction of a multi-level elevator to be installed on the parking lot side of the church. The original plan to build the elevator in the education wing of the church with parking on the north side of the church was rejected because of the limited space for parking.
One of our newer members, Wendy Mapstone, saw the need for a program designed for pre-school children to serve young parents in the area and worked with Pastor Paul to start a new Church program. Pastor Paul wrote in his 1996 Pastor’s Report that, “Wendy Mapstone is giving leadership to Playgroup Plus, a weekly preschool program.” In his 1997 report he wrote that a Play School Nursery School began its first year of operation under the direction of Wendy Mapstone, along with a Stay and Play Program. For the 1997-1998 school year the preschool program was to be in session two days a week from 10 A.M. until 1 P.M. The school grew slowly, but surely, and by the end of the year there were nine children in the program on Tuesdays and six on Thursdays.
There was an important change in our music staff in 1997. John Spradling joined us as Church organist in October. Joyce McCartney stepped down after many years of valued music ministry.
Kings Kids reported canceling its morning kindergarten program because of dwindling numbers. Financially the group had problems and because of losses with the summer program ended the year with a deficit, which was covered by retained earnings from previous years.
The Unity Fellowship (for older adult Church members) and the Lively Folks (younger adults) reported active programs for the year. The Unity Fellowship enjoyed a busy program with a breakfast in February, a visit to the Old Country Buffet, a Chicken Barbecue and corn roast, the Church pig roast, and a New Years Party postponed to January 4, 1998, because of a major snowstorm. The Lively Folks program included musicals, pool parties, a road rally, volleyball and progressive dinners.
The American Baptist Women’s Ministry enjoyed another active year with Shirley Mapstone serving again as President. Meetings included a program concerning the Cuban refugees resettlement program, a mother-daughter banquet with 120 present, and several others highlighting the group’s program priorities for the year. With love-gift offerings and several money raisers, the women were able to disburse $3108.03 for various Church funds including $1,648.00 towards the Kitchenette Fund. The Trustees were appreciative of the support of the ABW members for the installation of the kitchenette on the main floor of the educational wing of the church.
There was concern that our traditional worship services were no longer what many people wanted because of the amazing success of the Eastern Hills Church with their “contemporary” worship style, which in part consists of very loud music led by a Praise Team and a more evangelical style of preaching. Starting in the fall, the third Sunday of each month was designated to be held with a “contemporary” worship style led by a Praise Team. Cathy Payne-Ferris was the Music Director at that time.
Cub Scout Pack 215 enjoyed the use of the gym and other meeting rooms for its den and pack meetings. Vacation Bible School with “The Sonrise Balloon Adventures” as its program was held for two weeks in the summer of 1997 with Marge Shepherd as director aided by a staff of 35. It was attended by 107 boys and girls- 31 from our Church, 44 who did not know which church they were from, if any, and 38 from 13 different area churches. It was a big success and the Director was looking forward to the next summer’s VBS adventure.
While 1997 was devoted to the 200th year celebration and regular activities, the Church took some time out of the festivities to look ahead and to create visions of what it would like to accomplish in the future. Vision 98 was the name given to the programs and activities the members desired to be part of the life of the Church in 1998. A line item of $5,000.00 was added to the 1998 budget to be available to Boards, Committees and individuals for the purpose of making the visions come true. Reverend Bailey remarked, “I believe the combination of dreams and the availability of resources are a potentially powerful combination.” Some of the visions were: to establish more small group meetings in homes; provide an opportunity for contemporary worship and music; increase family programming; upgrade church facilities; complete the elevator project; improve the parking lot; establish a memorial garden; increase mission activities with mission awareness trips; provide outreach to the local poor and homeless, clothing drives and Habitat for Humanity; enhance the spiritual growth of youth; implement the long-term planning process; and promote Church growth with home visitation and a better assimilation of new Church members.
Although a Capital Fund had been in place in the Financial Reports for several years as a repository for special gifts assigned for the purpose of helping to fund special Church projects, mostly of a physical nature, the Trustees formally came up with an
official Capital Fund plan for which Church members were asked to make yearly contributions. A special Elevator Fund was created at the same time. The Capital Fund has been generously supported over the years by the Congregation and has been very useful in covering the costs of many moderately priced needed improvements. Large improvements like the elevator and the paving of the parking lot have still required special fund drives. A new carpet installed in the Sanctuary insured that the church would look its best for the year long celebration.
An aura of peace and quiet settled over the Church after the remarkable celebration of its 200 years in existence. It was a memorable year, one in which we learned of the struggles of our forefathers as they sought to worship God in the wilderness that was upstate New York in 1797, and how they kept the Church alive through bad times and good times.
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.
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.