I can hardly believe we are in our Anniversary year already.  It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the things we were going to do as though they were forever away.  But last week-end we began in Gala style with our All Church Banquet at the Norwich Ramada.  114 people came together to wish our "ministry" a very happy birthday and to recognize the faithfulness of those who have gone before.   As part of the festivities we recognized the long-standing members of the congregation.  The members, all who have served fifty years or more, were presented with framed certificates and as they came forward they received a standing ovation from the crowd.  I was also pleased to announce that a tree would be planted in their honor in front of the church.  The group was then presented a gold framed certificate listing the names of all eighteen of our 50 year members which will hang in the Narthex in perpetuity.

    We opened the evening with a historical sketch.  Rev. John Sterry (Bob Duntz) came out to welcome us and shared with us the story of how our forebears celebrated the 100th anniversary.  It was centered around the worship services and featured several other ministers and long meetings.  While everyone enjoyed the three course meal, I quizzed everyone on our mutual history and then used our quizzes to introduce the fifty year members who were present.

    After dinner, Carol Maillhot share her gift of song with us and entertained the crowd with some familiar show tunes.  Carol was great!  She brought us back to the early days of Broadway and worked through a repertoire that even included some of the more memorable songs of today.

    George Strouse took the floor after that and shared good news about our Access 2000 Building Project and the associated capital campaign.  He announced that we had exceeded our original goal of $123,500 and had collected pledges and cash contributions which equaled $127,000 to date.  His words met with an instant applause and ovation.  In the newsletter a few days later, George shared the fact that this was good and that there was still a need to raise more funds because of some cost overuns and added features that will push the cost of the project up to around $147, 500.  He ended his letter by praising the faithfulness of all here at First Baptist.

    Today, I echo George's words.  You people have been great.  This anniversary year we will be looking back at the faithfulness of those who have gone before us, but we will also be celebrating the great ministry we have today.  A ministry that is reaching out to our neighbors, making a difference in the lives of our children, shedding light on social ills and offering solutions to overcome them.  But more than that, our ministry is about people who care about people.

    If you are a member of this church and are reading this letter today I say, "God bless you!"  If you are a travelor on the net and just stopping by, I hope you will take the opportunity to pray for us and ask God to continue to bless us as he has in the past.  And if you are in the area, stop in and worship with us.
 

 God Bless!

Cal.
 
 

 
Our Pastor Is A Judson Press Author
  On December 20, 1997 Judson Press released The Church Newsletter Handbook making our Pastor Norwich's newest author.  The book provides a how to guide for newsletter writers and editors.  "It is set up like a cookbook for newsletter writers," emphasizes the Pastor.  Short chapters enable a variety of readers at different skill levels to access the topics in which they are most interested.
 
    The book came out of the Pastor's own interest in putting together a good newsletter for our church. Although it is written with churches in mind, it is especially useful for anyone wanting to put together a newsletter for their group.  He shares his experience with others and offers numerous suggestions. There are chapters on using fonts and graphics.  There are tips for those doing the writing and those responsible for design and layout.  There are ideas for content and chapters that talk about including photographs and interviews.
 
    A lot of the newsletter examples come from local churches and the photographs are of our people.  The book sells for $14.00 and can be ordered through Judson Press or by calling the Pastor.  The proceeds from the sales of books ordered through the Pastor will go to the 200th Anniversary Committee.
 
    The book is dedicated to  Rev. Dr. John Brooks, who got our Pastor interested in computers and showed him how valuable an asset a newsletter could be in building interest and support for the church's ministry. "In a sense, Rev. Brook's ministry to the wider church will continue in everyone who reads and uses this book," says Lord. More than anything, Lord hopes the book will encourage others to take up the task of producing  newsletters that people in the pews will read and enjoy.
 
 

    Rev. Dr. Clayton (Cal) Lord Jr. came to our church in June of 1985.  He grew up in nearby Colchester, CT and attended the First Baptist Church of Lebanon, CT as a boy.  He was deeply influenced by the Pastor of the church and as a teen-ager decided to follow Christ's call to the Pastoral ministry.  He attended the University of Connecticut and upon graduation , he enrolled at Andover Newton Theological School.  Cal graduated from Andover Newton in December of 1984, was ordained in April of 1985 and accepted the call to First Baptist in June of that year.

    Under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. John Brooks in Lebanon, Cal learned a great deal about ministry and serving a local church. When he was in seminary, he used that experience to pastor the Cross Mills Baptist Church in Charlestown, RI.  With the guidance of Rev. Dr. Richard Bowser, Pastor of Wakefield Baptist Church and Dr. Brooks continuing encouragement, he prospered and so did the church.  During his two year tenure at Cross Mills he and the church grew a lot.

    Dr. Lord and his wife, Lori have come to call Norwich their home.  They have three lovely daughters and are active members of church and community.

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