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Historical Perspectives...(Cont. page 4)Dr. David H. Graham, former senior minister, began a program of volunteer ministry in 1981. He sent three from the congregation to a seminar on volunteering. They outlined a program upon their return that was publicly announced in September, 1981, and has been evolving and growing since. Two advantages could accrue from greater volunteering. The first would be enhancement of the work of the church and its role in the community, as well as improvement of the material upkeep of the church's facilities. The second would be greater awareness of the contribution of time, talent and effort by individual members of the congregation. In doing so, volunteers would understand their importance to the church. Examples of volunteer work for the church and its programs include the young people who participate in the church rituals, lay liturgists, greeters and ushers, audio technicians, Church School teaching/shepherding and activities, child care, kitchen resource and welcome center people, distribution of flowers after service, visitation to homebound members and those in hospitals, prayer circles, church music including the choirs, office help with mailings and similar chores, painting and yard work, landscape details and flower boxes, youth advisors, outreach missions, Women's Fellowship work, and many more. An important part of the work is to stimulate volunteering by new members of the church, and bring them into church participation so they become part of the whole effort. By 1985, the church's bylaws had undergone a complete update. These spelled out responsibilities of staff members and committees.Over the years, many renovations, expansions and re-decorations have taken place, with the approval and support of the congregation and its various clubs. But the most significant and recent renovation occurred from the summer of 1997 to March, 1999. All interior spaces of the building, except the Miller Chapel, underwent complete demolition beginning in September, 1997. The Sanctuary Organ was entirely rebuilt. A Columbarium, for ashes only, was included in the new interior space located between the Sanctuary and Courtyard. T he Columbarium is a sequestered garden within the walls of the church, and can be viewed through glass walls on three sides. The names of those persons whose ashes are interred within it are engraved upon a leaf of the Tree of Remembrance. During the church reconstruction, worship services were held at the Burnham Brook Center, 200 W. Michigan. The radio ministry continued during that time. One major feature of the renovation was updating the building to meet state codes for safety and accessibility to persons of varying abilities. There are two wheelchair ramps, and an elevator. All rooms, including restrooms, are accessible to persons with special needs. As a result of the collaborative effort of the members and staff of the church, architects, contractors, volunteers and workers, the church received prestigious recognition. The Faith & Form: Millennium Religious Art and Architecture Design Awards; co-sponsored by the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA); a professional interest area of the American Institute of Architects; in accordance with the judgement of the Religious Art and Architecture Awards Jury; presented the Faith & Form Religious Architecture Design Award RENOVATION to the First Congregational Church, Battle Creek, Michigan; For Excellence in Religious Architecture. The staff has also recently received training in using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and other resuscitation methods. Several times during church activity persons have needed and obtained assistance due to illness/health issues. The staff and members are dedicated to responding to all the needs of all people. Recently, development was begun to offer education geared specifically for persons with special needs. In 2000 a new Rotation Model Church Education program was launched for first through seventh grades. Rather than each grade having its own classroom, these grades rotate to different rooms that use varying teaching styles around a cohesive unit theme. KICS (Kids in Christ's Service), a service based youth group for children in grades third - fifth, was started in 2005. The Confirmation class for eighth grade youngsters has a year-long process, with special community service opportunities, and visits to other local worship services, including Temple Bethel. Each confirmand has a sponsor to help guide them through the confirmation process. The church has retained over the years a cooperative relationship with other local churches, including the Presbyterian. Joint worship services are held at special times yearly; each congregation taking a turn hosting the service in their church. The pastors and choirs blend for these occasions. In 2005 a community effort to pull together resources to address local concerns of injustice was begun under the acronym JONAH. The Church's gathering for congregational worship is its most obvious activity. Its programs of music worship are a source of pride. But the murmur of study groups, the social activity of church circles, concern with the Bible, and outreach activity, all attest to the faith and work in the church as part of the larger body of Christ active in the world. This congregation of worshipers has an ongoing connection to the world around it. It began that spring in 1836 when four pioneering families formed the church in the log schoolhouse. We embrace the present and future challenges, as we discern the will of Christ in our lives. |
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