First Bapt Church of Granville

Information may not be reliable

First Baptist Church of Granville is celebrating its recent dual affiliation with the United Church of Christ by joining the denomination’s “God is Still Speaking” Initiative. To celebrate the UCC’s stated message of welcome, First Baptist will celebrate a “Bring a Friend to Church” Sunday on November 7th. All are welcome. In the words of the initiative, “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”

Events for November 7th will include a festival service at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at 11 a.m. with food and activities celebrating the initiative’s sense of extravagant welcome. During the reception, a large human comma will be formed on the lawn with a photo taken from above. The comma is one of the initiative’s symbols, referring to the Gracie Allen quote, “Never place a period where God has put a comma.” These two aspects of the program reflect values already deeply held by First Baptist Church, that all are welcome and that God’s message in the world continues to be revealed. In one expression of hospitality, the church created a program called Lunches on the Square, where 250 lunches are packed and delivered to the courthouse square in downtown Newark on the 4th Sunday of each month. The lunches are given away, no questions asked, to help support people during the last week of the month when food and money resources are often limited. Another act of hospitality is the Granville Farm and Craft market, held in the church’s annex at 119 W. Broadway on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. – noon through the fall and winter months. This ministry was created to help build community support for local sustainable agriculture and local artists while providing a festive Saturday morning gathering place for the community. There are always free pancakes and often musicians performing.

First Baptist Church of Granville remains associated with the American Baptist Church/USA, but has chosen to also be affiliated with the United Church of Christ, making it the only UCC church in Granville. “Since our name hasn’t changed, we’re looking for ways to get the word out”, according to church member Patti Burkett. The event on November 7th aims to do this and celebrate the connection. The celebration will begin on Friday, November 5th at 9 a.m. when a new UCC video, “Uniquely UCC” will be released. Members will share the video through social media as one way of getting the word out and inviting friends to worship. The church has also just hired Mary Kay Beall Carter, a well known church musician and UCC interim pastor to lead them while they complete their search for a permanent pastor.