Zeke Wallis, Chairperson
The Board of Deacons met at the end of May to plan the programs for the upcoming year. It is our desire to inform the congregation as much as possible concerning our activities and this will be done through the Beacon and the Church web site, www.fbcmarietta.org. We are open to suggestions, comments and ideas for programs that should be addressed by our Board and look forward to you input as we do the work of the Lord.
The World Out Reach Commission will be working on the several special offerings that we have throughout the year to address various needs throughout the world. They also will be making a presentation during the July 6 service, about the mission work of the Book Depository in Cincinnati. In addition, they are working with Bunk Hall on possible mission trips to Charlotte, NC to help with the Christmas Shoebox Ministry and a mission trip for adults to Nicaragua some time next year. They also hope to develop a relationship with a Missionary so that we can be helping a particular area of the world and will enhance that partnership with a bulletin board to allow news in relation to the project to be posted for the congregation to review.
The Membership Commission continues to work on the Church directory to identify areas that need updating and to make arrangements for pictures of new members to be added. They are also looking in to the possibility of developing a Congregational Wellness program for our members, in cooperation with the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Ministry Council. They also will be working with the Rise Up and Build Team on small Neighborhood Discussion groups. Other possible programs still being discussed are a 190 th birthday celebration (September 5,1818) for our church and a resource bulletin board for members to use in seeking out organizations that they may serve as volunteers for during the year.
The Community Outreach Commission will maintain many of it?s previous activities but also is introducing several new programs intending to open the doors of the Church. Among these will be the First Baptist Church Habitat for Humanity Day scheduled for July 26. We hope to have many participants work on the building of two new homes for Habitat, here in Marietta. We are anxious to include the entire congregation in Make A Difference day in October and Community Service day in April 2009. This Commission is interested in any suggestions from the congregation for other programs that will enhance the Lord?s and First Baptist's visibility in the community.
The Worship Commission will continue to work on enhancing the worship services in cooperation with Pastor David, working on Holy Week and Christmas Services as well as Special Services. They will continue to work with the Pastor to locate a Worship Arts Leader for our Adult and Children's choirs as well as working with the Contemporary Service programs.
Remembering that all our work is for His glory, we encourage you to be an active participant in the activities of the church and encourage you to offer suggestions and ideas for the Board?s consideration for other programs that will develop our growth spiritually, both as individuals and as a church.