program, as well as others who participated because of the growing success of church youth activities. The Venturers’ leader in the church was Nigel Armstrong, and in June of 1995 he was the honored recipient of the Brigadier W.W. Reid Award, given annually to an outstanding leader in the scouting movement, on Prince Edward Island.

The women’s missionary society groups at First Baptist were still meeting on a regular monthly basis but their numbers continued to decline, due to attrition and the difficulty of persuading younger ladies to participate. Despite this, the Ferne Levy WMS Group was celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in June hosted a large evening get-together, with many former members in attendance. The special guest of the evening was the wife of former pastor Judson Levy, Dr. Fernetta Levy, whom the group was named for when it was started in 1945. Also in attendance at the group’s 50th anniversary in 1995 was its first president, Grace (Crosby) Mutch. Since leaving Charlottetown a half century ago, Ferne Levy had served on many Baptist boards and committees, notably as the president of the North American Baptist Women's Union, and as the first female president of the Canadian Bible Society. For her church leadership, Acadia University honored her as the first woman to receive a Doctor of Divinity degree. Ferne Levy was further honored, in this regard, as the first woman and lay person asked to give the Baccalaureate Address.

Another First Baptist WMS group changed its name. The Vera Patch WMS, named for the wife of former pastor Gordon Patch, decided to better reflect their missionary identity by changing their name to honor the missionary they were supporting in Brazil. From this time forward they were called the Joyce Hancock WMS. Margaret Kennedy was the inspirational leader of the Dorcas Group in the church, and the gradually declining group deserved a medal for their endurance. Attrition reduced their numbers down to five faithful members, but they still continued to serve and met six times throughout the year, providing service and financial contributions to their church.

Director Sylvia Howard had a great choir in 1995, and organist Gloria Atkinson saw an opportunity to organize and direct a separate men’s chorus to compliment it. Between the two music leaders, the First Baptist choir earned the

we. Ferne levy WMS Bade. Margaret Kennedy, Ruth Roberts, Patsy Davis, Grace Mutrh,

Front: Hilda lewis, Alice Larabee, Dr. Fernetta Levy, MargaretAfflerk Hilda Lewis Collection

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