2011 Annual Reports
Annual Meeting
January 30, 2011
The 2010 Annual meeting of the First Baptist Church South New Berlin was called to order by our moderator Don Galarneau. Pastor Barry opened with prayer and reading of the church covenant. There were 30 in attendance.
The 2009 minutes were read and approved. The reports had been read by members at their convenience.
Pastor Barry thanked members for the acceptance to go for the Nehemiah Leadership. He will be going to PA tomorrow and is looking forward to it.
Volunteers to coordinate our scheduled dinner are:
Milk Coop Dinner – March 16th - Maysie and Yeska
Easter Breakfast – April 24th – Diaconate
Mother and Daughter – May 7th – led by Tom Merrill and men of the church
Memorial Day – voted to take a leave this year as it is getting to be non profitable.
Father’s Day – June 18th – Sharyn and Kay
Quilt Show – September 16th and 17th – Crafters
Harvest Dinner – November 5th – Jeannine and Nancy
Church Sunday dinners:
February 27th – Kay and Ed
March 27th – Bonnie and Linda
September – Fawn and Sharyn
October 30th – Burlington
Discussed Memorial Fund – there is now $10,000 in a savings account. Make sure any donations for Memorial Fund must go in Memorial Fund, otherwise goes into General Fund.
Mission goals will remain the same:
$550 for Mission
$500 for M&M
The 2011 budget was discussed and accepted liked 85-100-101 is Food Pantry and Food Sense. Linda Huntley thanked everyone for their food pantry donations. 1,000 meals were sent out last month. There was a discussion on moving the food pantry to a room that could be locked to meet state requirements. We decided a room downstairs would be more convenient than using the old library upstairs.
Nominations for new board members were accepted. We are in need of 1 more trustee. Linda Martin will be replacing Jean Brooks on board of Christian Education.
Nominating committee for 2010: Bonnie Galarneau, Fawn Dix and Linda Martin.
Auditing Committee: Jeannine Dixson and Mary Lee Meyers.
We were thanked for all we do. Karyl Turner gave a special thank you for the flower committee and is still in need of perennials.
We discussed the need for getting new people involved in our church and the activities.
John Robinson adjourned the meeting at 3:35. Rev. Bill Lang offered the closing prayer.
Church Clerk Report
Membership December 31, 2010
Resident 76
Non-resident 90
Total 166
Gains in membership:
Baptism 7
Baptisms: Suzanne Wightman, Ira Wheeler, Connor Pope, Cameron Osborne, Kyle Abrams, Jasmynn Abrams, Crystalyn Reinhardt
Loss in membership by death: 4
Joyce Barnes
Rena McCarthy
Maysie Wells
John Samuels – non-resident
Adjusted membership December 31, 2011
Resident 80
Non-resident 93
Total 173
Funerals: 4
Average church attendance:
2008 52
2009 46
2010 46
2011 42
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Tompkins
Church Clerk
Pastor’s Report
What an awesome year we have had! We have seen God show His marvelous love for us in this past year. We are truly blessed to be a part of His kingdom. 2011 was a great year to serve Christ in South New Berlin. I have looked forward to the many home visits, hospital and nursing home visits this year. Getting to know the members and friends in their own setting has given me a greater understanding of the dedication and commitment that the people of South New Berlin have for Christ and the work that they have done over the years. As the older members leave this earth and are welcomed into God’s eternal home, we feel the void in ministries that have had long traditions in the church. We seek God’s leading in new ministries and new opportunities to serve Him
I have welcomed the opportunity to join the Nehemiah Leadership Network this past year and have pursued plans for the three year program. Each participant makes a plan that addresses the needs of their church situation and helps others in their needs at their particular locations. This year we visited the American Baptist headquarters in Valley Forge, PA and also churches in Upper Merion, Wayne, and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where other team members currently serve.
I was able to join a group of 23 from New York State in a mission trip to Grand Goave, Haiti in February. What an awesome opportunity to be in on the ground floor of rebuilding this earthquake damaged country by building rubble homes. The simplicity of using the debris from buildings to build new homes is recycling at its best. The people of Haiti are so appreciative of our efforts in restoring hope to a desperate country in need. The opportunity to serve others in a third world country is an eye opening experience that shows mission work where it is needed most, and is something everyone should experience.
On Palm Sunday in April, we were privileged to have seven people join the church in a beautiful Baptism Service. The youth and adults experienced firsthand the washing away of the old self and the cleansing power of believing in Jesus.
In June, 13 youth and leaders attended the week long Reach program in New Oxford, PA.
The adults and youth helped rebuild homes, paint and build relationships among the home owners and other youth from other churches. This program has provided outreach to the community and life lessons for each involved. Thank you Fawn and Cathy for your dedication to the youth.
The spring winds and rain proved to be more than the roof on the sanctuary could handle and after many repeated rain storms it was evident that the roof needed to be replaced soon. We received two estimates and it was determined to replace the roof. The congregation was informed of the need and folks responded with enough funds to pay for the replacement. Thank you for responding! Special fundraisers were also held and enough money came in by the end of the year to repay the Memorial Funds, some of which were used to cover the costs of replacing the roof. Thanks to the committee that coordinated & ran the Chinese Auction & Luncheon; thanks to Susan for coordinating the new cookbook project and thanks to Brenda Wheeler for returning cans and bottles that has raised over $200.00 so far. You all should be commended for your overwhelming response.
In August, the Reeds were here to help with Vacation Bible School and we had contact with American Baptist missionary Deliris Carrion in Haiti thru Skype. It was a great opportunity for the youth to ask questions with a missionary helping to build an orphanage in Port au Prince, Haiti. The youth raised $300.00 and sent to assist in this ministry. What a great way to teach giving to our young people and be able to see the results of their mission efforts.
This summer the food pantry at the historic preservation in New Berlin closed and for a few months we were overwhelmed with requests. Our original five mile radius of the SNB church grew to include New Berlin. Our meals per month went from 90-100 to well over 500 per month. The St. Andrews Food Pantry in New Berlin stepped up and expanded their services and have now taken over many of those from the New Berlin Area. In December we still served over 300 meals. Many thanks to Carol Lawson, Linda Huntley, Bill Lang and Suzanne Wightman for your many hours of service to the food pantry. Many thanks to the people in the congregation and the community that so willingly bring food in so that others can be fed. This is an important outreach ministry and we are fortunate to be a part of the Central New York Food Bank as they have given us needed grants and equipment to help us keep this ministry going.
I have enjoyed working alongside the members and friends of the church in ministry each week, through suppers and dinner preparations and serving, food pantry, youth events, senior activities and soup and sandwich. I have enjoyed working at the Milk Co-op dinner, the Memorial Day Dinner and the Harvest Dinner. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ministry in South New Berlin.
As 2011 draws to a close, we look with anticipation to 2012 and ways that Christ will draw closer to us as we draw closer to Him. We plan to use the book, The Story as a guide to studying the Bible, to help each one of us grasp God’s plan for our lives as well as a clearer understanding of how we can serve Him as a church in 2012.
Respectfully Submitted
Rev. Barry S. Davis
Diaconate Report
The Diaconate board for 2011 consisted of the following members:
Karen Wright, Donna Jones, Sharyn McInerney, Carol Lawson, Susan Davis,
Nancy Tompkins, Karyl Turner, Harold Funke
Donna Jones & Karen Wright were elected as co-chair persons with Karyl Turner as secretary.
Meetings were held the first Tuesday in the month through April. In May, meeting nights were changed to the second Wednesday. At each meeting, someone was selected to represent the Diaconate Board at the Advisory Board Meetings.
Pastor started his participation in the Nehemiah Leadership Program. He will share his thoughts and progress with the Pastoral Relations Committee as he becomes more involved with the program.
Although Yeska Dibble is no longer on the Diaconate Board, she will continue to send cards of greetings to visiting and new worshippers.
The committee once again stressed to the congregation the importance of quiet time while the prelude is being played at the beginning of the worship services, making it a time of preparation for those coming to worship.
Meetings were held Sunday nights with the baptismal candidates prior to the baptism on Sunday, April 17, 2011 with Diaconate Members acting as mentors. Pastor provided a study guide that was used. Members also helped with the baptismal service itself and provided refreshments for the coffee hour following the service. The right hand of fellowship was offered to new members on May 1, 2011:
Ira Wheeler, Suzanne Wightman, Conor Pope, Cameron Osborne, Jasmyn Abrams, Kyle Abrams, Crystalyn Reinhardt
On April 21, 2011, the Maundy Thursday Service was held in Burlington with the host church providing the food for the service.
The Diaconate Board provided the breakfast for the Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, with Donna Jones as chairperson. The service was held in the pavilion with breakfast in the fellowship hall. Breakfast casseroles were served with fruits and beverages. The service was held at 6:30 AM.
Two ministries the church provides for the Community are the Food Pantry and the Soup & Sandwich Suppers. The suppers are hosted and prepared by different individuals from the church and community.
Susan Davis (and several other women from the church) attended the ABW Conference at Auburn, NY on May 1, 2011.
On May 15, 2011 at 3 PM, the Fransego Board of Missions Spring Rally was held at our church. Jay & Terry Henderson and members of the Burlington Flats Baptist Church provided the music. A slide presentation was done on the mission trip to Haiti in February. A covered dish supper followed with the Diaconate hosting and providing desserts and beverages.
There was no combined service with Burlington in May.
Pastor gave the invocation at the Burlington and South New Berlin Memorial Day Services. Susan sang in South New Berlin.
The order of the worship service was discussed throughout the year and slight changes were made.
It was also decided that Certificates of Membership would be made available to anyone who requested them.
Graduates were presented with Sweatshirts from schools they planned to attend. They were presented to: Emily Hutchinson, Lindsay Avolio, Henry Brooks, Ryan Voorhis
Our speaker for the Women’s Sunday Service was Susan Davis, with various ladies from the church family participating in the worship service. Robert Decker provided the message at the July 3, 2011 service while the Pastor was away. Susan and Bob also provided the messages for the Sundays in February while the Pastor was away on the Haiti Mission Trip.
The “Church Away from Church” Summer Service with Burlington was once again held at Millbrook in New Berlin with a covered dish meal following.
Karen Wright moved to North Carolina in the fall. It was decided to not replace her on the board until the Annual Meeting in 2012. She is missed by this committee.
College Care gift cards were sent during the school year.
On October 9, 2011, Jane Lang filled the pulpit while Pastor and Susan were away.
Food baskets were once again filled and distributed throughout the community at Thanksgiving and Christmas time.
Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) boxes were collected from the Burlington congregation and our congregation and sent from here on November 19, 2011.
Advent Readings were done by various families during the Advent Season. The Hanging of the Greens Service was held on December 4, 2011.
It was decided, due to low attendance, to no longer have a Christmas Eve Service. In its place, a Christmas Candlelight Service was held the Wednesday evening prior to Christmas. It was well attended.
In preparation for a Sunday Morning Worship Series of studies called “The Story”, the Pastor purchased books for the congregations use. They in turn may be purchased or used for the services. Postcards were also mailed to families in the South New Berlin postal district telling of the upcoming study.
As another fundraising effort for the church, Susan Davis compiled a church family cookbook and they are available for purchasing.
We pray God’s blessing on this church and this committee as we seek to serve Him in this Community.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karyl Turner, Secretary
Seniors’ Report
Seniors at First Baptist are sill meeting on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. We haven’t been very active – as especially in the winter months we don’t have many people attending. We always enjoy getting together – we are still hoping more people will attend – we always have a real good time of fellowship.
Respectfully submitted,
Yeska Dibble
Missionettes/Leona Bagg Circle Report
Our local mission circle continues to be active, even though our numbers of attendees is lower. The White Cross requests get met each year, and we also try to complete several of each of the Church World Service kits for school, baby and health.
The theme for the first part of 2011 was “Women … Destined for God’s Purpose”. Then we moved on to the theme of “In the Potter’s Hands”. Both of these have been meaningful, especially if one had the opportunity to hear presentations on state and national levels.
We continue to keep many of those who are homebound, ill or bereaved in our prayers and with thoughtful cards at each of our meetings.
Love Gift offerings are a vital part of each of our lives and though we have not reached the goal we set they continue to be over $350 in support for our denomination through ABW Ministries.
The April ABW/NYS gathering was attended by Susan, Kathie, Pat and Beulah, and Kathie, Pat and Beulah were also in attendance at the Green Lake, WI national gathering in July.
Please keep our circle and the needs for our White Cross requests in mind and remember that you can be a part of this project with your donations. This year money is more helpful than purchased items.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday at 7 p.m. the months of March-June and September-December. ALL women of the church are welcome to join us.
Beulah Burch
SNB Church Choir Report
We had a wonderful year with the choir singing most every Sunday, except in the summer months, (June, July, and August). We have been working on music that will help to enhance worship and add meaning each week to what we hear & see. The choir presently has 8 faithful members. This year we decided not to do a Christmas Cantata, but instead presented a “Gaither” style concert in June, with members from the Burlington Church Choir. A fun time was had by all, as we all enjoy Gaither music. The choir members are very faithful in coming to rehearsals each week and they work hard learning music, no matter the style or content. I praise God they are so willing to sing whatever is picked out! We hope to find some music that will go along with the sermons for “The Story” that will also enhance & add meaning to the worship services for 2012. We are still seeking new members if anyone would like to join. Congregational input continues to be favorable and we again give God all the Glory.
Susan Davis
Card Report
This has been a busy year this year. I have sent many cards. Quite a few of them were thank you notes for donations to the Food Pantry.
Get Well 29
Sympathy 23
Thinking of you 25
Thank you 40
Birthday 2
Total cards sent 119
I can use cards if any one has any extras. Please let me know if you know of someone who needs a card.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda D. Huntley
Flower Committee Report
The following people served on the flower committee for this year:
MJ Brunschmid
Carol Lawson
Linda Huntley
Karyl Turner
Nancy Tompkins (also helped)
As usual, cards were sent to those in our church family on various occasions as well as floral arrangements.
The sanctuary was adorned with flowers throughout the year as different people shared. As has become a tradition, plants were shared at Easter and Christmas memorializing or honoring family and friends. Flowers were also provided for the Harlan Harris Memorial Garden for the same reasons during the summer.
Our thanks to all who participate with us in beautifying our church home.
Respectfully submitted,
Karyl Turner
Crafters Report
The crafters have been busy this year working on the Quilt Show. We spent all year on the show. We meet on Mondays at 1 p.m. We worked hard to make the Quilt Show a success, and it was.
In December, we took our leftover crafts and other items from the Quilt Show and Mini-Bazaar to Burlington Church and sold more. We had a great time of fellowship with them. They have invited us back next year, and we said we would go.
We will be starting up again in January for next year.
If anyone has ideas or would like to come help us on Mondays, all are welcome.
Quilt Show
The Quilt Show was held this year in September. We had a very successful show. The attendance was down a little, but still did very well. On Thursday, we made 68 apple pies. We could have sold more. We had to stop selling them on Friday night so we could have some for Saturday.
We had 65 people attend the show on Friday night and 67 on Saturday plus those helping.
We took in 2991.00.
Our expenses were: Advertising: 125.50
Crafters: 300.00
Donated to church: 2566.00
The money donated to the church was used for the Food Pantry, including Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets.
We had 297 door prizes, and were able to give out 4 door prizes every 10 minutes. (Leftover door prizes were put in a basket for the Chinese Auction to benefit the Roof Fund.)
250 letters were sent out in March for door prizes. Crafters paid the postage.
Food Pantry Report
The Food Pantry has been busy this year.
In February, we moved the Food Pantry downstairs. This was a very helpful change, and made receiving and distributing food much easier. We also received shelving at no cost from Food Bank of Central New York, and grants for $700.00 worth of free food.
Pastor Barry, Carol and Linda go to Hunger Coalition meetings every other month and attend 3 meetings from the Food Bank of CNY. After three meetings, we receive $500.00 in free food.
We received some food from the Postal Drive and UVCS.
In October, the Food Pantry in New Berlin, the one associated with the Food Bank of CNY, closed, so we began servicing that area as well. We received the refrigerator and freezer from there, and the Food Bank sent us $500.00 free food to help with them. After taking on New Berlin, we were providing over 600 meals a month, when, prior to that time, we were only providing 50-75 meals a month. St. Andrews Episcopal Church has since taken over serving their community with their food pantry.
At Thanksgiving we provided 15 families with baskets and at Christmas we provided 10 food baskets for people in our church and community. Everyone was very thankful for them.
The Food Pantry is open on Mondays from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. or we are on call by calling the church, Pastor Barry, or Linda. If you would like to volunteer for some Mondays, let us know. Some Mondays we are busy, and some Mondays we don’t have anyone coming in for food.
Thank you to everyone who has donated food and time or both to the Food Pantry. You are the ones who have made our Food Pantry a big success.
Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda D. Huntley
Carol A. Lawson
Pastor Barry
Food Sense Program Report
This program is doing pretty well. We are keeping up with our 30 Basic orders almost every month. A few months we have been short, but we have had enough specials, so we were okay.
We have about 15 families who use it every month and they depend on it.
We have begun distributing Food Sense order forms and information to the people who come to the Food Pantry and some of them are taking advantage of it because they can use their food stamps.
This program is for everyone, no matter your income. So if you haven’t tried it, we encourage you to do so. It has some good deals, and the church does make a little money from it: $.50 on each Basic and $.25 on each special.
We can always use help on the Saturday that it comes in.
Thank you all who have helped.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda D. Huntley
Carol A. Lawson
First Baptist Church of South New Berlin Launching Groundbreaking Bible Reading Campaign & Joining Thousands Nationwide Participating in “The Story”
“The Bible is central to our faith,” said Pastor Barry Davis of First Baptist Church of South New Berlin. “Many people are intimidated by its scope and size. The Story gives us a way to journey from Genesis to Revelation in 31 weeks so everyone understands God’s story and how their story intersects with it.”
South New Berlin, NY Nov 26, 2011– The Bible is the best-selling book in history, but how many people in South New Berlin are actually reading it? A Gallup survey reports the average American household has four Bibles. However, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible every day.
The First Baptist Church is hoping to reverse this trend, starting with its own congregation. Pastor Barry Davis believes that The Story, a Zondervan best-seller, is the right tool to increase Biblical literacy, helping readers understand God’s story from Genesis to Revelation and how their own stories intersect with God’s. Consisting of 31 chapters of carefully-selected scriptures sequenced in chronological order, The Story presents the word of God in an engaging format, reading like a novel.
“I want the people in my congregation, as well as the Town of South New Berlin, to realize the incredible love God has for them and how their story is found in His story,” said Pastor Barry Davis.
The First Baptist Church of South New Berlin plans to begin the experience on January 8, 2012. Books will be available on December 20 2011 and a donation for $10.00 for the book is appreciated.
With thousands of participating churches nationwide, The Story is becoming a movement that is bringing wide-ranging benefits to local churches. Many have reported increased community outreach, increased Biblical literacy, congregational growth and a greater understanding of how God’s story reveals the reasons for the things that happen in man’s story.
The First Baptist Church of South New Berlin would like to invite you to experience The Story. Sunday services start at 11:00 AM. For more information, visit fbcsnb.org or call 607-859-2240. Come and join us and be part of The Story!
For more information, visit www.thestory.com.
Zondervan is the world's leading Christian publisher of books whose authors are noted for their excellence in the craft of writing as well as their worthy contribution to the ongoing global evangelical conversation. The works published by Zondervan not only confirm readers’ faith and understanding, they also challenge and stretch readers’ thinking. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general, ministry and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan publishes bestselling books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products in such categories as biblical languages and studies, biography, business, contemporary issues, counseling, cultural, devotional, evangelism, family, fiction, history, inspiration, leadership, ministry, pastoral, personal development, prayer, philosophy, reference, relationships, textbooks, theology, youth and more. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan Books on the Internet at www.zondervan.com/books.
