interns. The two young ladies had an excellent summer, organizing backyard bible clubs, after-school soccer meetings, home visits to Awana children, nursing home visits and helping the church prepare for Daily Vacation Bible School.

Quarterly congregational meetings became the pulse-beat of First Baptist operations, but the third meeting of 2001 had to be canceled for a very serious reason. It was scheduled for Tuesday evening, September 11, but everyone was glued to their television sets at home, watching the aftermath ofterrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC. Thoughts and prayers were with the families of the over 3,000 people lost in the tragedy. It would not have been a good evening to discuss church business. The few who did show up at the church for the meeting collectively spent some time in prayer for their own families and for those whose lives were touched by that time of terror.

Serious illness was taking a toll on First Baptist administration. Clerk Diane Carr became ill during her second year in office, and former clerk Myrna Babineau stepped into the position just a few months before Diane passed away. In March, office secretary Brenda Howatt was diagnosed with cancer and forced to resign. Her important job of keeping staff and board chairmen organized fell to energetic member Marie Kenny. There were concerns also when Youth Minister Mike MacDonald resigned in August to pursue new interests, putting responsibility back into the hands of the dedicated youth leaders. The volunteer leaders were most capable, but all had either full time occupations or were in the midst of responsible studies and were unable to devote the necessary time to leadership. The youth pastor’s resignation had extenuating circumstances, once again creating a membership rift that eventually reached the pastor’s office and caused the departure of a few members. in a positive environment there always seemed to be a negative or two and Jim Ives, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, summed it up

this way:

We have had a problem or two lately but consider this, many churches are empty and dark Monday through Saturday. Then a few lights flicker for a few hours or so on Sunday as people come to worship. At First Baptist you better have called ahead for reservations if you want to find a spot for a rehearsal or practice, because this is one busy church.

Sunday parking concerns were alleviated when the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) built their third large multi-level parking garage in the city. Fortunately for the church, it was located on the old Eatons’ property across Fitzroy Street, and CADC agreed to an

Three Baptist Music Men

Jim Ives, Wayne Proude, Bob Acorn arrangement where the church (mamMengcmm;

had use of it on Sundays, at no cost. It was the answer to the parking problem,

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