First Baptist Church
of Hamilton, New York

Founded in 1796, First Baptist is an American Baptist church with an ecumenical congregation. First is the "Mother Church" of Colgate University.

Christian Women's Fellowship

Meetings are open to anyone interested.  Please join us and bring a friend!

Christian Women's Fellowship Report for 2010

Jean Chapin, Chair

2010 was a commemorative year for our Christian Women's Fellowship meetings with speakers presenting topics as follows:

• Pandas in China (Jeanne King)…
• Ins and Outs of Collecting Antiques including an informal appraisal of antiques or treasured items some of us brought in were given by Bob and Deborah Tyksinski…
• Darothy D’Angelo and Susan Greenhagen gave us a special presentation with a vivid visit from Rhoda Loomis, of the infamous Loomis Gang, and Sheriff Bonney…
• Liz Brackett (her second visit as a CWF speaker) swept us out of our comfort zone so-to-speak with her powerful presentation about the struggles of women in Burma, actually worldwide…
• Barb Hipsley dropped down from her B&B on Hill Road her arms loaded with quilts of all sizes and a story behind each quilt, so much listening fun…
• Ellen Kraly’s visual staging of her quest to raise monies for cancer research by climbing mountains [in more ways then one] was awesome, let alone heartwarming.  Ellen is a 16 year cancer survivor.  Certainly an uplifting way to end our year of phenomenal speakers!

Holly Bisselle led us over hill and vale for our annual luncheon on June 3rd to the spectacular village of Skaneateles where we ate at a restaurant located on Skaneateles Lake.  After lunch, we had some time to kill before taking a cruise on the lake; some ventured off to window shop, while others just sat lakeside soaking up the view. 

From July 5 through August 28, Margaret Miller led members and friends in the preparation for the only fund raiser CWF held during the year…the paramount of yard sales in the Hamilton area.  If you remember, Margaret wrote an in depth article on this annual event for the November/December 2010 Announcer.  See CWF treasurer’s report [that was prepared by Marilyn Upton] for the final amount earned…this amount will sustain the CWF 2011 budget.

We also hosted receptions held in the church's fellowship hall throughout the year from a reception after Betty Lamb’s memorial service in January, Joyce Halliday Smith's introduction to her breathtaking style of painting in July, the July 4th coffee hour, helping the Diaconate with Pastor Wes' installation reception in September, Glenn Kime's organ recital in October, and Voices of Tabernacle in December.  The latter two were funded from the FBC Organ Fund and catered by Price Chopper.

CWF also supported two other endeavors this year:  "Knit for Kids" and CWF Basketmakers.  We sent two shipments of sweaters that were hand knitted especially for the "Knit for Kids" ministry in partnership with World Vision (located in Sewickley, PA).  We are going into our 10th year of weaving baskets of all sorts for another gathering for the sole purpose of fellowship and getting together. 

The 2011 CWF officers voted on, and accepted at the December 9th meeting are:  Co-chairs Jane Todd and Debbie Kliman; Secretary Carolyn Todd; Treasurer Marilyn Upton; Yard Sale Margaret Miller; White Cross Jean Chapin; Sunshine Lillian Townsend; Receptions Linda Cazer; Annual Luncheon Holly Bisselle; Speakers Jean Chapin, Debbie Kliman and Jane Todd.

First Baptist Church
27 Broad Street
PO Box 73
Hamilton, New York 13346
315-824-2780