Jean, established in 1720. Dr. Wallace Jorden arrived in August 1989, from Bayer’s Road Baptist Church in Halifax, and with wife Sandra and their three children welcomed the opportunity to come back to his home province.

The parsonage was 30 years old and annual upkeep was causing trustees some concerns. They were giving consideration to putting ‘ the parsonage up for sale, with the provision that the dollars gained, and the interest on it, would go to senior pastors as a housing allowance. One other interesting question being asked was if the church should appoint a lady deacon. This question raised some really interesting opinions. A questionnaire was circulated on the matter and the majority felt that perhaps it was time to take a giant step into the future. Some speculated on what the founding fathers and early builders of First Baptist might have thought about a female deacon. ln debate, the pro side might have argued that Biblical laws did not dictate Debbie (Atkinson) Myers that there should only be male deacons. It was another “V“Fema'e Deacon hot issue on Prince Street, that was settled positively when Debbie Myers, with a long and dedicated record of youth work, was appointed the first female deacon in the 166 year history of the Charlottetown Baptist Church. It was a milestone decision, indicating the church’s new understanding of the role of women in the church.

On Canada Day, 1990, the church adopted a new constitution. The major change was in the formation of a new operational structure. First Baptist would now be managed by seven independent Boards which would encompass all of the former committees: Evangelism, Finance, Missions, Christian Education, Deacons, Trustees and Worship. All of the new Boards would report to, and ultimately be responsible to, the general membership. It was a streamlining of organization to better control the various new directions the church was moving in.

Cornerstone Baptist Church was four years old and growing. Their pastor, Rev. Doug Green, had just been ordained. Cornerstone owned four acres of land in a prime spot in North River, and the small congregation was gearing up to build a chapel of their own. Sylvia Howard was now directing the First Baptist choir and in June, Christian Education MinisterJeff Carter resigned to resume his education.The

’1 A? ~ 2» a Haywagon Stage for Sunday Evening in the Park

Hilda Lewis Collection

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