and its debt reduction; Capt. Carl Burke, George Lewis, Nelson Good and Charles Hamm.

There was interesting activity at First Baptist in 1975. During the March Break, the Youth Fellowship organized and conducted another Vacation Bible School. They invited Rev. Robert Green and his puppets to perform daily, making it spiritually memorable for the children attending. The Dr. Zella Clark Women’s Missionary Society was celebrating its 25th anniversary and the Explorer Group, for lack of interest, was forced to disband. At Camp Segunakadeck, the Prince Edward Island Baptist Camp Association, now sharing operations, reported, llWhole churches have been revitalized by young campers who have returned home with a real zeal for Christ.” The purpose of those who originally had a vision for the camp was being fulfilled, and all in all, it was a good summer for Baptist youth.

New security measures were implemented when the church endured a number of break-ins. The first ’No-Parking’ sign was placed for the minister’s use, new choir gowns were ordered and Gloria Atkinson was hired as pianist to play preludes and special music with the organist during services. The only problems heard in relation to the music were a few complaints that the background organ music played for Communion services was a bit too loud. A week of nightly evangelistic services were held in October, with Rev. Ernest Sperring as the guest evangelist. Supporting speakers were also out of province visitors, Dr. Murray Armstrong and Rev. Richard Coffin.

The sanctuary and choir loft were upgraded early in 1976, and throughout the winter, for the first time, two camps were held at Segunakadeck. Many of the early campers who had attended the big Rice Point Camp a decade earlier were now adult leaders, and it was they who first started to fondly refer to the camp as ”Seggie”. The nickname caught on quickly and soon there was little or no reference to ”the Baptist Church Camp” or "Segunakadeck”. When taking about the facility, it was now just referred to as ”Seggie”. As camping interests grew, participation in national outdoor groups waned. Church youth attendance at Scouts, Cubs and Girl Guides was decreasing annually and another group, the Canadian Girls In Training (CGIT), disbanded at the end of the season.

Rev. Gordon Patch and his family left First Baptist in June of 1976, to return home to British Columbia and their family and friends. Although he had only been in Charlottetown for three years, Gordon Patch had done a wonderful job for the church. The Patch name would remain at First Baptist for many years to come, when

Dorcas Group - Closing lunchen 1976 Bark.- Hazel Affleck, Agnes Simmons, Eulah Saunders, Floss Bell, Hazel MacNeil, Winnie Proud, Pearl Dingwell Front: Margaret Yeo, Nora Irvine, Elaine MarNeiI, Edith Gates, Vera Patch, Hazel Mayott, Ireta Sutherland Photo, Margaret Kennedy

128