parking always seemed to conflict with the general satisfaction with the current location. There was a perceived possibility of adding 4,000 square feet on the east side, but even meetings with Chapelstone Developments |nc., noted Canadian and USA church redevelopers, failed to come up with an acceptable solution.

There was no conflict in expansion plans when it came to Camp Segunakadeck. The First Baptist committee, led by Dale Johnson and working with the Island Baptist Camp Association, had a large new lodge already under construction, which was scheduled to open in May of 2000. They also installed a new septic system, and enthusiastic volunteer work crews were at Rice Point on a daily basis, working on the lodge.

As the Zist century approached, there was international concern about potential disasters that might occur. People thought that computer timing systems worldwide might fail to recognize the turn of the century, from 1999 to 2000. It was known as Y2K, and even though it had been a concern for a decade, experts envisioned majorcities plunged into darkness and airlinersfalling from the sky,when systems failed to function. It was taken seriously enough that power companies issued warnings and some major airlines canceled flights through the turnover period. As it turned out, enough correction had been made and problems that developed were only minor; however the world was glad to know that it wouldn’t have to face that crisis again for 1,000 years! December 31 was fittingly on the Lord’s Day, and at First Baptist it ended with a ’Watch Night’ service and Communion. As the midnight hour passed into a new millenium, there was a sigh of relief when the power in the sanctuary remained on.

Richard Coffin was beginning his sixth year as senior pastor at First Baptist and his much loved recreational outlet happened every Friday evening, when a large group from the church took to the ice for an hour of high spirited hockey. Pastor Coffin had led the enthusiasm for this activity since his arrival, and he soon became the natural brunt of humor at the group’s annual spring banquet. All was not fun for him early in the new millennium, when he took an errant puck in the mouth and lost a few teeth. It was a serious

injury, but in very short order he was back on the ice, by his _ - .--i-/ own admission much quicker than he was able to return to Rithardfoffin the pulpit! Prayers for Richard and Jeannie Coffin increased APwionforHMkey

with the serious illness of their daughter Margaret, in Halifax; prayers that were thankfully answered with renewed health.

Approved job descriptions for all staff members assisted greatly in solving concerns about overlapping responsibilities. Popular Guatamalan immigrant Raphael Cierra Sr. was doing an excellent job as caretaker. In March of 2000, fOUr church members: Dr. Don Neily, Adaluz Cierra, Becky Wright and Marie Kenny, went on a 10 day team mission trip to Guatamala, to assist Raphael’s countrymen find a better and more prosperous lifestyle. The annual church picnic at Camp Seggie was held in late June and the big camp continued to be an ideal place for families to enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun, games, outdoor food and worshipping God. The large new lodge, opened in May, could provide rain shelter for the entire congregation if necessary, but its prime function was to service the now sold-out

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