Thursday Thoughts

Social Media Engagement

Good afternoon, church family! I just wanted to take a few moments to talk to you about social media. Now, before you swipe away this email, I hope you’ll read on for just a few seconds longer. I think we’d all agree that our church is involved in some pretty amazing things. Whether it is a powerful joint worship with our friends at Second Baptist, a ramp being built for someone in need, or perhaps a weekly Bible study taking place on campus, we often have something awesome happening here. If you are like me, you want other people to know how much you love this place, its people, and the mission that is undertaken here. One of the best ways to do this is by sharing our story on social media like Facebook and Instagram. That is what I want to talk about. When you see a post from the main church accounts, I would ask you to please hit the like button, drop a quick comment, or share it to your own page. When looking at the analytics of how far our posts reach, it is truly incredible the difference that is made when those simple actions have taken place. Engagement encourages engagement. If we can give a post a good jumpstart on these platforms, it essentially tells Facebook and Instagram that they are posts worth popping up on other people’s screens. Let’s work together to show others what an amazing place this is for worship, service, and community!

Peace,

Zach Derr

Below the Surface

On the weekend of October 13, I left with our youth for our annual fall retreat with one question in mind. What would it look like if instead of fighting or ignoring our emotions (as teens and so many of us often do), we acknowledged them for what they were? An integral part of who we are and what we need intertwined together to make us into full, authentic human beings. Our retreat this year was called “Below the Surface,” and our theme was focused on how we use and often misuse our emotions. Why our feelings are important, and how when we better understand them, we can better understand ourselves! If you’re not familiar with Inside Out, allow me. It takes place inside the mind of a twelve-year-old girl named Riley. In Riley’s mind, her five main emotions exist as beings that function as people living day to day just like you and me. Throughout the course of the film, we see Riley experience a range of emotions, I won’t spoil it for you, but I will heavily endorse it. Everyone should see Inside Out. Using the film as our jumping off point for the weekend, we built our sessions around our own personified emotions. Throughout our weekend we discussed anger, joy, and sadness, and the vulnerability that comes with feeling them freely. Most importantly, we talked about how all of our emotions are working together to make us whole, and we can’t have one without the other. In Ecclesiastes 7:14 Solomon wrote, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider God has made the one as well as the other, so that no one can discover anything that will come after him.” In one verse, Solomon cosigns the central premise of Inside Out—both joy and sadness, as well as all the other things that we feel serve a purpose in our lives. God wants us to commune with the fullness of who we are, and to share the fullness of who we are with each other. Our feelings matter, they are gifts. Feel them freely.

Sarah Laurence

For the last several months, the Deacons have discussed possible paths forward with respect to our stance toward those members who could appear on the sexual offender registry for our region.  Taking into consideration feedback received from church members at a town hall meeting in June, the Deacons have made substantive changes to the original document and now have a draft that reflects a policy of no on-campus interactions for individuals in this situation.  Before the Deacons vote on this new document, they will hold an additional town hall meeting to present the document and receive feedback from the congregation.

The town hall meeting will be held Sunday, November 12 at 3:30 pm in the fellowship hall.  The one-page document will be available at the fellowship hall beginning at 3:00 pm for those who would like to read the document beforehand.

A Quarterly Business Meeting will be held this Wednesday, November 1, at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Several important items will be discussed:

2024 Ministry Action Plan

Organizational Chart with Committee Assignments

Third Quarter Financial Report

A copy of these documents will be available for pick-up outside the sanctuary this Sunday, October 29. We encourage you to review the proposed budget and other documents and be present at this important business meeting.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Debra Haney

Dear Church Family,

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for Sunday! It is going to be a joy to worship with our brothers and sisters from Second Baptist Church and to enjoy a fellowship lunch afterwards. Also, I heard the joint choirs practicing together last night, and it was spectacular!!! As we prepare for this Sunday, I just wanted to share a few reminders about the day so that we can all be ready to welcome Second Baptist well.

If you are able, please park at one of our more distant parking locations for that day. We have our parking spots across York Street next to the African-American Museum. We have also secured permission to park across Barnwell at the Anderson & Anderson building. If you need to park closer, please park toward the Roberts Building side of our parking lot as we are seeking to reserve the York Street side of our parking lot for our guests that day. Additional handicap spots will be noted for the day, as well. And if all spots get full, you can park on the median of Barnwell by putting two tires on the grass and two on the street.

We will have security present for this day, and they will be wearing black polos and green khakis. It will be provided by a company our safety team has reached out to as we learn of what we need to implement long-term here at our own church. Second Baptist is accustomed to having a safety team in place, so we are doing this as an act of hospitality since our safety team is still in a research and formation phase and is not yet operational.

When you enter the sanctuary, do your best to spread out, welcome our guests from Second Baptist, and sit alongside them for worship. I know we all have our seats that we are accustomed to using every Sunday, but we will be flexible and hospitable this day as we would anytime we welcome guests.

Children’s opportunities will be provided as usual for our worship hour. There will be nursery for the youngest children during the entire service and children’s church will be provided for other older preschool and younger elementary kids following the children’s moment. If you only come for worship, it will be helpful if you arrive just a bit early and go by the children’s area to sign-in your children as we are implementing a new check-in system for the children’s area.

When worship ends and we begin making our way toward lunch, please offer to show our friends from Second Baptist the way to the gym and fellowship hall and then join them in line. We are accustomed to letting guests go first, but if we do that this time around we will accidentally end up separating ourselves from one another and not be able to share lunch around the same tables. So, let’s help folks find their way to lunch, join them in line, and then share tables, good food, and great fellowship together. By the way, lunch will be served via two lines in the gym and seating will be available in both the gym and the fellowship hall.

Finally, let me again offer a huge thank you to all the folks that have already put in great work to prepare us well for this Sunday. I know even more work by more folks will be offered over the course of the weekend; and I am grateful. It is going to be a wonderful day, and it will be so because of the good work and the good hearts of God’s people in this place.

Grace and Peace,

John

We Love our AFBC Ministry Team!

October is Minister Appreciation Month. We want to recognize and thank our Ministers and Directors who lead us so effectively and tirelessly. John, Debra, Zach, Sarah, and Matt – Thank You. And one more thanks to Ellen, who led our Children’s ministry so wonderfully the past five years.

Most of what these five do to lead our church and our programs is visible. Preaching, teaching, pastoral care, worship, music, children, youth, administration, families, planning, coordinating, and resourcing committees. But there is also much work and commitment behind the scenes. They work hard to be an effective team, supporting each other individually and each other’s programs. Sadly, this kind of teamwork is not the case in every church, but it is in ours and we are grateful. John gets much of the credit for building teamwork among our staff, but all five of them give their time and energy to make the staff a team. They genuinely care for each other in sacrificial ways.

For every hour our ministry staff spends delivering their programs, there is comparable time not visible to us. They minister to our families in private, minister in our community, visit in the hospital and care facilities, and counsel. We are reminded just how dedicated they are.

Also, a thank you to the families of our ministry staff for supporting them on our behalf. Although we do everything we can to enable a healthy work/family balance, we know our ministry staff makes sacrifices all the time to help our church thrive and to bless us.

Also, a thank you to Anna, our outstanding church musician. We appreciate your talent and your dedication to our music programs.

Finally, a thank you to our Support Staff (Gail, LeAnne, and Darin) for the vital contribution they make everyday to the administrative, financial, and maintenance operations of our church. We could not do church effectively without them.

From all of us in the congregation to our ministry staff, support staff, and their families – Thank You!

Bob McQuinn, Chair of Personnel Committee

Dear Church Family,  

I am so very excited about our upcoming joint worship opportunity with Second Baptist Church, and I hope you are, as well.  On Sunday, October 22 we will welcome our brothers and sisters from Second Baptist Church to our campus for worship at 11:00 am and a wonderful fellowship lunch afterwards.  

Here are some things that you can look forward to.  Members of Second Baptist’s choir will join our choir for a special anthem, “Days of Elijah,” and the Second Baptist praise team will also offer a special selection during the service.  Leaders from both congregations will guide us throughout the entire service, including communion served by deacons from both congregations.  Additionally, we will be blessed as Rev. Doug Slaughter brings the message that morning.  Then, we will all get to share wonderful barbeque and sides as we break bread together following worship.  

Here are some things to be aware of and some ways that you can help us welcome Second Baptist well that day.  

If you are able, please park at one of our more distant parking locations for that day.  We, of course, have our parking spots across York Street next to the African-American Museum.  We have also secured permission to park across Barnwell at the Anderson & Anderson building.  If you need to park closer, please park toward the Roberts Building side of our parking lot as we are seeking to reserve the York Street side of our parking lot for our guests that day.  Additional handicap spots will be noted for the day, as well.  We will need additional ushers to assist with parking and welcoming everyone that day, so if you are able to serve in this way, please contact David McGuire or the church office to let us know.  

We will have security present for this day.  It will be provided by a company our safety team has reached out to as we learn of what we need to implement long-term here at our own church.  Second Baptist is accustomed to having a safety team in place, so we are doing this as an act of hospitality since our safety team is still in a research and formation phase and is not yet operational.  

When you enter the sanctuary, do your best to spread out, welcome our guests from Second Baptist, and sit alongside them for worship.  I know we all have our seats that we are accustomed to using every Sunday, but we will be flexible and hospitable this day as we would anytime we welcome guests.  

When worship ends and we begin making our way toward lunch, please offer to show our friends from Second Baptist the way to the gym and fellowship hall and then join them in line.  We are accustomed to letting guests go first, but if we do that this time around we will accidentally end up separating ourselves from one another and not be able to share lunch around the same tables.  So, let’s help folks find their way to lunch, join them in line, and then share tables, good food, and great fellowship together.  By the way, lunch will be served via two lines in the gym and seating will be available in both the gym and the fellowship hall.  

Finally, let me close with a huge thank you to all the folks that have already put in great work to prepare us well for this Sunday.  I know even more work by more folks will be offered in the weeks to come; and I am grateful.  It is going to be a wonderful day, and it will be so because of the good work and the good hearts of God’s people in this place.  

Grace and Peace, 
 
John 

Blessing of the Pets 

9.28.2023  

If you have ever stopped by the church on a Thursday, chances are you have met my dog, August. She is the youth mascot, she knows the church backwards and forwards, and whether they like it or not, she will stop by everyone’s office multiple times a day. She loves to roll in wet grass, hates walking on a leash, and her favorite word is “ball.” I can’t even begin to count her quirks, but nevertheless she’s everything I could have ever asked for. If I had to guess, you would probably describe your pet the same way.   

Pets bring us joy, laughter, and life-lessons that help us live better lives. The author of Job writes, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you;…and the fish of the sea will declare to you. In God’s hand is the life of every living thing.” The trees, the animals, and land. We are called to care for all of it. Pets are just one important piece of that creation. Whether that pet is a dog, a cat, a lizard, a bird, a fish, or anything else, I sincerely hope you will join us for our second annual Blessing of the Pets service. May this be a time to honor not only our pets and companions whom we love so dearly, but to also remember the rest of creation that God so beautifully designed! Join us Sunday afternoon, October 8th at 4:00 P.M. Please bring your pets leashed or crated and meet in the parking lot near the portico. I look forward to seeing you all!   

Sarah Laurence 

As I continue to settle into my role as Minister to Children and Families at Aiken’s First Baptist, I am so thankful that God has led me to serve alongside this group of people. I have already experienced so much support and begun to form some powerful relationships. I have loved leading in worship, working with our staff, and most of all, ministering to our wonderful children and families alongside incredibly gifted and faithful volunteers. My list of “firsts” with this body of believers has only begun, and I am beyond excited to see how it continues to grow. One “first” that I have the privilege of helping put together is our Trunk-or-Treat, which will be here before we know it, so here are the details!   

Trunk-or-Treat will take place on Wednesday, October 25th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in our church’s parking lot. No matter if you are young or old, parents or not, or somewhere in between, we invite YOU to come out and join us! There will be a place for everyone to plug in and have fun, whether that means simply attending the event, volunteering, or even some of both. There will be food, games, and lots of sweets, but as you know, an event like this cannot happen on its own, so here are some ways YOU can help!  

Candy donations can be dropped off in the white cabinets by the church office. We will need lots of it to make sure our folks decorating trunks have a steady supply to hand out. Speaking of which, this year, we will be awarding prizes to the three participants who have the best trunk in one of the following categories: Trunk with the Best Costumes, Most Interactive Trunk, and Most Creative Trunk (one prize only per category). The more trunks we have, the better, so use this link to register your trunk and ensure your chance to win a prize! https://subspla.sh/kgfsw26/. You can also use that link to register to bake a cake for the cakewalk or to help supervise an activity like a carnival game. 

Lastly, you can help by telling those in your circle about this event and inviting them out to join us too! This will be a wonderful opportunity to practice joy through play, deepen relationships with those we know, and to make connections with those we do not. Let’s dig deep to help make this event all it can be and to show our community who we really are!    

In truth and love, 

Matt Waller 

mwaller@fbcaiken.org 

(704) 466-2321 

Women in Missions  

The Women in Missions (WIM) group at AFBC are women of all ages who are interested in assisting those in need.  These women give generously of their time and resources.  They have for many years given needed supplies to these local agencies: ACTS, Community Medical Center, Cumbee Center, Helping Hands, My Father’s House, Salvation Army and the Backpack food program for Aiken County students.   Other programs for which they have provided items are the FBC Preschool Library and laundry supplies for the Teen Center at Second Baptist Church.  Because of their generous contributions, WIM is able to provide emergency assistance of food and services for families in crisis.  Our ladies not only support financially these programs but many volunteer their time at the Community Medical Center, the GED program at Second Baptist Church, Salvation Army, My Father’s House, ACTS Rural Food Distribution, Aiken Senior Life Services, Great Oak Equine Assisted Program (Therapeutic riding) and preparing and serving lunches for the homeless population and the Women Build volunteers of Habitat for Humanity.  When Missions HERE was conducted, our women assisted on the job sites, in the craft area, providing lunches and serving wherever needed.  They serve with kindness and grace.  

If you would like to be part of this loving group, please join us in the Fellowship Hall on September 23 at 6:00 p.m. to hear of mission opportunities for the fall and winter.  You will be a blessing to someone and will receive a blessing too.  Thanks be to God for willing and faithful servants!  

Debbie Sessions 

Chili Cook-Off

I would like to invite you to a very important event that will be unlike any other Wednesday night. When you arrive for activities on Wednesday September 20th you will not be attending your regular Wednesday night meal and programming. You will be entering our annual Chili Cook-Off! The Fellowship Hall will be transformed into a festive college-themed extravaganza, and your nostrils will be met with the amazing aroma of countless chilis lined up for you to taste!

This year, funds from the Chili Cook-Off will benefit everyone! Our current bus has been faithful to us for many years, and we are so grateful for the miles and adventures it has shared with us! But with time it has become less reliable and safe for our children and youth. This fundraiser is to raise money for the necessary maintenance of our bus to insure safety, as well as purchase a second vehicle in the near future.

I hope you will be present on Wednesday September 20th to attend this exciting evening! Come enjoy the Chili Cook-Off, but please remember our goal for the evening is to raise funds for a new church vehicle. Invite your friends, your neighbors, and bring the whole family for a fun night!

At our Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser, you can expect to find great chili, tasty desserts and a whole lotta fun! While you are enjoying the event you can make donations in several ways. You can plan ahead and bring cash to vote for your favorite chili. You can write a check for your donations to put in the jar of your favorite chili. When you arrive, you can write a check for more than your dinner amount and receive cash back, or just make a donation. We will also have donation jars on all the tables to make a private donation of cash or check.

Also, I am still looking for individuals to donate chili! So, if you want to throw your hat in the ring for the best chili, PLEASE! We need it! 🙂 Sign up by clicking the link below or calling the main office.

https://forms.gle/S4Uc5xUTZSwUdsGT9

Sarah Laurence

This next week we will begin offering two support groups—one for those experiencing grief and one for those who find themselves in the role of caretaker right now.  I’ve been thinking about the name we give to such gatherings as these.  Whether a group gathers because of a common experience of grief, caretaking, depression, addiction, heart disease, or cancer, we most often call such a group a support group.  It is deeply accurate, but I can’t help but wonder if the name itself is a bit of a hurdle in our American culture. 

First, we don’t like to show any struggles or weakness or need.  We are supposed to be able to handle it all and handle it all on our own.  And, if we can’t handle it all, we are at least supposed to pretend like we can.  When it comes time to ask for prayer concerns, we are ready to lift up obstacles and hurts that others are facing, but often are reticent to name the hurts of our own lives.  When it comes to having people over to our homes, we are hesitant because our lives might not be put together as well as others.  When it comes to social media, we curate only the best moments to show for the likes of the world.  When it comes to asking for help, we simply don’t ask even though we desperately need it because we don’t want to be a bother.  So, in a culture like ours, it might be hard for us to claim we need support. 

Second, we are highly individualistic—except that is a bit of an understatement these.  I think we have gotten to the point where we are dangerously individualistic.  We are supposed to be self-made.  We are supposed to brave the wilderness of life on our own terms.  We are supposed to be able to have the world on a string while we do it our way.  So, in a culture like ours, it might be hard for us to claim we need a group. 

But here are some of the claims of the gospel that I find in Jesus.  We all need help from outside ourselves—we need help from God and from brothers and sisters.  Sometimes we need that help because of the mess we make, often we need that help because of the mess life throws at us.  We are never called to do anything alone—Jesus walked with 12 and shared intimately with 3, and any time he sent his followers out, he sent them in pairs of two.  And then there’s this—we find our life by losing it, and we discover God’s strength in our weakness. 

The truth of the gospel and the truth of life is that we all need support groups along the way—whether they are formally organized or just a gathering of true friends around a dinner table.  We need people with whom we can be honest about our struggles, our failures, our weaknesses, our deep needs.  We need a community that will hold space for the new things God does when we get honest about what we can’t do on our own.  We need people who know they are fellow travelers and strugglers and therefore walk graciously right by our side. 

I hope you will let go of the false claims of our culture that you have to be able to handle it all and you have to be able to handle it on your own.  I hope you will embrace the truth of the gospel that we need God and one another and that powerful things can be birthed out of weak places.  I hope you will find the support group you need—one of our officially named support groups, one of our Sunday School classes, or just a gathering of trusted brothers and sisters.  I know my life has been changed for the better because of the support I have gotten from folks willing to be fellow travelers on this journey of life.