Our warm heartfelt congratulations to Edward L. Sallie and Joseph Thomas who on Sunday, December 30th, began walking with our Deacon's Ministry as candidates for that high biblical office of Deacon.  Those same congratulations to Evelin Potts and Maxine Olidge who also began walking with our Deaconess Ministry as consecrated women of faith.  We ask their immediate families and the church family to pray and work respectfully with all of our candidates for Deacon and Deaconess.

Upon the completion of their period of learning and stewardship the Deacons will be ordained and the Deaconesses will be consecrated.

www.ariseinfo.org

In order to fulfill our mission in a manner that maintains the tradition of excellence in people-oriented ministry, First Baptist Church of Madison, NJ has expanded its outreach through the establishment of the Arthur D. Brown Enrichment Center. Its’ focus is on ‘research-based practical ministry’ with an emphasis on empowering African-American Church and Community leaders who share the same mission and goals for the spiritual and cultural enrichment of their people. Leaders are aware of problems facing their communities, which have been identified. Root causes trace from racial discrimination in education, geographic isolation, public policies affecting the urban poor, classism and

unequal treatment in the administration of justice.

The Center is dedicated to enriching the lives of persons and communities suffering by initiating an effective process for improving the lives of those beyond our church walls. Therefore, we shall identify our target group and devise tools with programs and goals. These goals will deign to promote appropriate behavior by providing information and choices, which results in accountability.

The Center will build a network of able, informed leaders of all races who will rely on research, fact-finding, and policy analysis to assist community-based-institutions by infusing practical applications in search of solutions.

The Center is dedicated to furthering and supporting interracial cooperation with public, private, and community sectors on an agenda for lasting, economic result-oriented change that will improve the quality of life for minorities and others suffering in similar manner.

The Center’s foundational belief is:  The Black Church has both a spiritual and social mandate to respond to the emerging issues that threaten the well being of the African American community and society as a whole.

The Center therefore will insist on moving from research findings and rhetoric to concrete application. To achieve these goals, The Arthur D. Brown Enrichment

Center has established under its umbrella a Not-For-Profit (501-C-3) entity

known as:

‘The Applied Research Institute for Social Equality, Incorporated’

ARISE proposes to become known for developing resources and providing training

for practitioners to use as they face the many complex challenges and problems

facing Africa American youth. Problems among youth in New Jersey were recently

listed in a front page article in The Daily Record on November 28, 2007 entitled ‘Poor

Kids in N.J. Not Faring Well.’

We’ve been cooped up all winter but finally the days are getting longer and there’s a hint of spring in the air. Back in December we had a very successful Fun Night to distract us from the cold dark days so we’ve decided to celebrate the coming of spring in the same way.  Come to FBC and bring friends, family, and co-workers to have another fun-filled evening of Bingo. 

First Baptist Church of Madison is hosting a "Fun Night" featuring Bingo on Saturday, March 29th, at 5:00 PM at the church located at 34 Cook Avenue, Madison. While there will be no cash prizes there will be some wonderful prize giveaways ... some good stuff. Even if you don't win a prize you are guaranteed to have a good time fellowshipping. Chicken and pasta dinners, prepared by the fantastic FBC cooks, will be available for $7.00.

Fun Night is sponsored by A.R.I.S.E., Inc. (www.ariseinfo.org) and all proceeds will benefit Carol's Garden.

First Baptist Church Women’s Ministry invites you to experience a “Spiritual Afternoon Tea” on April 19, 2008, at 12:30pm, Madison Community House, 28 Cook Avenue, Madison NJ.  Come Dressed in Your Sunday Best … Hats & Gloves. 

In Honor of Carol J. Baxter, First Baptist Church of Madison envisions a Public Flower Garden on the East side of the Church’s Great Lawn behind the Arthur D. Brown Center. The Master Plan will include a professionally designed flower garden with a fountain, surrounded by flowers, benches, stone paths, a Skip Tree, and outdoor cooking areas, and well-lighted paths.  This garden will open with security for public to use - meditation and reflection. Carol Baxter’s life is a metaphor for unselfish ‘Service’. Others can honor their heroes and heroines in bricks and stones. This garden honors the living spirit of service.  Arrangements will be made so that others may honor their heores and heroines in flowers, bricks and stones.  The garden will be under the supervision of the FBC Deaconess Board.

Contributions may be made to:  First Baptist Church, Carol's Garden, 36 Cook Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.  For further information please contact Rev. Charles H. Smith at 973-839-4882 or Deaconess Lottie E. Burroughs at 973-377-2211.