Rev Karol Eubanks Vellines

Vol. XXXVIII • No. 22 • November 7, 2008

“Among Friends” By the time you receive this edition of The Outlook Election Day will have come and gone. But today, as I write this column, a new U.S. President has not yet been elected so I continue to pray for both candidates and for our country. I confess that I’ve been fairly exhausted by this seemingly endless campaign season. One of the wonderful things about being the Church together is that at the end of the day we put all of our chips on God (and these chips are neither red nor blue!). We are in an election season of our own at FBC Decatur, though considerably quieter than the national hoopla. For the past eight weeks we have been in the process of calling out new deacon leadership for our church. Some of you who are new to First Decatur might be interested in knowing how our deacons are “tapped” for service. This year’s process was the same as in years past: 1. 2.

3. 4.

• In addition to ministry involvement, you will be asked to participate in monthly deacons’ gatherings and occasional leadership training events during the next three years. Because one important ministry that First Decatur’s deacons undertake is that of group discernment, it is extremely important that deacons be present at all meetings. Are you able at this moment in your life to make the time and energy commitments that deacon ministry will require? Will you take the time to read the biographical sketches of each of the deacon candidates and to pray for these brothers and sisters, and for all of our deacons? And be sure to participate in the congregational vote this Sunday. The stakes have indeed been high in this national election. But at the end of the day the Church is still God’s best hope for the world. Never doubt it, friends. Blessings,

The congregation nominates men and women for a 3-year term of service. The Deacon Nominating Team meets to pray and to consider together which of the nominees to ask to move forward in the process. (This year 10 deacons are rotating off and there were 41 people nominated. Part of the DNT’s task is to present to the congregation a slate of deacon candidates as broadly representative of the FBC body as possible.) The Deacon Nominating Team members contact the nominees. The Congregation votes by ballot on the slate of candidates presented by the DNT.

This year (and last year) we added a step in the process. Each deacon candidate was asked to participate in a “candidate conversation” with members of the nominating team. The purpose of these 30-minute gatherings was to give each candidate the chance to share his or her faith story and to talk candidly about the nature and responsibilities of deacon service at FBC. I thought it would inspire you to read the questions that each candidate was given ahead of time for prayer and consideration: • Please talk about your faith journey and about your relationship now with Christ. • What do you perceive to be your areas of giftedness? • Part of deacon ministry involves serving people and coming alongside them in their need. Are you willing to be a servant in your areas of giftedness? • Part of deacon ministry involves leading people; helping to mobilize the congregation to fulfill its mission. Are you willing to be a leader in your areas of giftedness? • An important aspect of deacon ministry involves engaging the whole congregation in ministry; helping others to discover and use their gifts. Are you prepared to be involved at a significant level in this endeavor during your three-year term of service? • One area in which the deacons serve as leaders and encouragers in the congregation is in the area of stewardship. Are you willing to commit to lead in the Christian discipline of stewardship by giving sacrificially of your financial resources?

November: Trusting God with "Wild Abandon" Last Sunday we began a month-long season of declaring together with “Wild Abandon” our commitment and gratitude to God, specifically with our financial resources. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to offer your commitment card for the mission and ministries of FBC in 2009, you may do it at any time during the month of November. November 23rd is “Gratitude Sunday.” On that day we are asking every family or individual to bring a “gratitude gift” to God—a gift over and above your regular tithe or offering. These gifts together will help us to “catch up” with our 2008 giving goal and enable us to end this year strong and ready for all that God has in store for 2009.

Congregational Life Congregation to Vote on Deacon Candidates This Sunday At First Baptist Church deacons give spiritual leadership in a variety of ways. This Sunday, November 9, the First Baptist family will vote by ballot on ten deacon candidates. The Deacon Nominating Committee (Shannon Carter, Molly Fowlie, Betty Gresham, John Johnson, Bill Neal & Tom Seim [John Hamrick & Julie Pennington-Russell, ex officio]) recommends the following men and woman to serve as deacons: Dottie Aiken, Merlene Benson (1-year term), Mark Carter, Fred Cavalli, Zeno Douglas, Karen Hill, Priscilla Meek, Roger Ozaki, Molly Turner and Bob Woodson. Pictures and biographical information about these candidates are appearing in the email version of this Outlook. If you receive print version at home you may view the candidates’ pictures and bios in the poster frames on the first and second floors of the Sanctuary building.

Prayer Concerns as of November 4, 2008 Sympathy To: ▪The family of Clem Sansone. ▪The family of George Stark, brother-in-law of Molly Fowlie and former minister of music. ▪The family of Dr. Bruce Ott, son-in-law of Ruth Connell.

Women on Mission—November 11 The next meeting of Women on Mission will be November 11 in the 3rd Floor Conference Room. Leadership meeting at 10, Group Meetings at 10:30 and a program at 11. Rev. Karol Eubanks Vellines, Executive Director of the Andrew P. Stewart Center, will be our guest speaker. All are welcome to join us! Two “Guest” Preachers on November 16 FBC Members David Gushee and Peter Rhea Jones will preach on Sunday, November 16, while Pastor Julie is away. David will bring the message in the Fresh Start service at 9:00 in Carreker Hall and Peter Rhea, at the 11:00 service in the sanctuary. Pray for Peter Rhea and David as they prepare to lead us. Labyrinth Prayer Walk November 20 and 21 Some people find that walking while they pray helps to focus their praying. For centuries, Christians have walked a circuitous path called a “labyrinth” while seeking to center themselves in the presence of God. During the Wednesday night study period on November 19 we’ll learn about this type of prayer. Then all day the following Thursday and Friday, we will have an opportunity to walk a labyrinth in Carreker Hall. We will be borrowing the portable labyrinth that belongs to Piedmont Hospital, thanks to Larry Connelly. Plan to attend the study session and to take time out between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday or Friday to try this form of prayer for yourself. No Wednesday Night Activities Nov. 26 New Community, our Wednesday night meal and ministries, will not take place on November 26, the night before Thanksgiving. We'll be back in full swing the following week, December 3rd, with dinner from 5:15 to 6:30, followed by all of our ongoing Wednesday night ministries for all ages including a December Global Missions Emphasis for adults at 6:30 in Carreker Hall. “Spirituality for Real Life” - Led by Sharyn Dowd November 12 “In all things give thanks.” (Who is God kidding?) November 19 Walking with God (through a prayer labyrinth). Global Missions Emphasis December 3, 10 and 17

Go…Be…Do! Missions Corner Visitors from Thailand November 16 On November 16, Rick Burnette and two of the workers with the Upland Holistic Development Project, Tui and Jamlong, will bring a brief report during Fresh Start worship in Carreker Hall and in the Verdery Class. Between now and then, let’s complete our gifts to the scholarship fund for continuing education for UDHP staff. We have given $2,000 but we need $7,000 more. Just mark your check or envelope for “Thailand Scholarships.”

Tithes & Offerings

A Generous People 2008 Ministry Action Plan Weekly Need: .....................$ 27,361 Received on Oct. 26............$ 19,874 Received on Nov. 5 ............$ 34,291 Y-T-D Need:..................$ 1,203,898 Y-T-D Received: ...........$ 1,016,100 Surplus/(shortfall):............ (187,797) “Years of Opportunity 2007-09” Campaign Given to Date:...................$ 335,456 Bank Loan Balance:..........$ 246,993 Owed to FBC Fdn.:...........$ 180,000 Missions Offering YTD ....$ 17,560

Wednesday Dinner Menus November 12 Pick one of the following menus: Traditional Menu Mexican Bar, Taco/Taco Salad Fixings, Black and Refried beans, Rice, Nachos, Cookies “Lighter Side” Menu Tomato Soup, Baked Potato/Salad Bar, Chicken Salad, Cheese Pizza, Cookies November 19 Pick one of the following menus: Traditional Menu Fried Chicken Tenders, Potato Salad, Green Beans, Salad Bar, Biscuits, Strawberry Cake “Lighter Side” Menu Vegetable Soup, Baked Potato/Salad Bar, Pepperoni Pizza, Mixed Berry Yogurt

Youth Sp•t

Kid’s Zone Fall Festival… what a blast! Thank you to all our volunteers. I saw kids eating sno cones and cotton candy, never ending lines to the pony rides and hay ride. The cake walk was very popular and 450 cupcakes were decorated & consumed. I hope you made some connections with our guests. Well friends, our preschool welcome desk arrived last week. I am so excited! The Children’s Leadership Team is working diligently on preschool policies and procedures enabling us to bring our ministry to preschoolers to the next level. Child Check-in procedures will change, we will be ramping up our Sunday morning security procedures, and in the near future, all folks working with children and preschoolers will have background checks on file. Our goal is to phase in our new policies and procedures by January 1, 2009. Please be on the lookout for further updates.

In other news... There will be a youth/parent yard sale work day on Sunday evening, December 7, from 6:00 to 8:00. The youth will take part in their normal Sunday evening schedule with ensemble at 6:00 and Rotisserie at 6:30. The youth and parents will gather together for dinner at 7:30 before heading home. The annual youth ski retreat will take place at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia from January 1 through 4. This will be a great time for our youth with great accommodations on the top of the mountain! The cost is only $200.00 per person. This is a greatly reduced price because of our annual yard sale. Sign up will begin November 9, 2008.

The Outlook, a publication of the First Baptist Church of Decatur, Georgia, is mailed to members and friends of the First Baptist family. Main Office......................................404-373-1653 Finance.............................................404-370-7694 First School ......................................404-370-7688 Activities ..........................................404-373-2442 FAX ..................................................404-370-7692 Debbie Britt .....................................404-373-1653 Sharyn Dowd....................................404-373-1653 Ryan Forbes.....................................404-370-7690 Julie Pennington-Russell.................404-370-7684 Kurt Varney......................................404-373-1653 Bob Williamson ...............................404-370-7687 Computer Connections: Website—www.fbcdecatur.com E-Mail—[email protected]

The Outlook, USPS 600-320, is published bi-weekly, except Christmas week, by First Baptist Church Decatur, GA Postmaster: Please send address changes to First Baptist Church, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030

Mark your calendars: Children’s Fall Retreat (3rd-5th grade) —Nov. 21-23 The Children’s fall retreat will be at Dogwood Lodge in Chattanooga, TN. We will leave at 4PM on Nov. 21 and return on Nov. 23. Cost is $65 and the kids will need $5 for a meal on the way up. Sign up with Debbie in the church office, 404-373-1653. Parents Night Out December 12th, 2008 and this year we plan to include special needs children. Children’s Christmas Craft Day December 20th from 10-2.

Nov. 9 Bigbie Kennedy Palmer Milton

Extended Session List Nov. 16 Nov. 23 Turk Anand Smith Fisher Mwangura Parker Edmonds Madden

Nov. 30 Verdery Sunday School Class