assistance in both the pulpit and in church operations. It would be an annual 11 week effort during the tourist season, and with an average attendance of over 100 each week, it provided a substantial contribution to Baptist Convention mission efforts. Along with the Sunday evening outdoor services at Victoria Park, the alliance with Cavendish Baptist would be yet another positive note in First Baptist’s summer outreach.

A Pastoral Search Committee was aggressively seeking a new youth minister to ﬁll the void and coordinate the hard working volunteers, whose efforts to maintain the Solid Rock Youth could not be questioned. In the spring of 2004, they successfully recruited someone, who when itwas announced, elated youth, leaders and members of the congregation : Ch rIs Pastor Marie Kenny Austin was coming back to First Baptist. He, Michele AnnMa(Nei||Phom and their girls did not arrive in Charlottetown until June, when the church was suddenly facing another major challenge. There was great need for Chris Austin’s Christian compassion, knowledge of the people at First Baptist and his ability to face any situation head on.

Bob Rhead and Dr. David MacKenzie had for many years provided quality acoustical assistance to the sanctuary, and now a modern information feature was added. A large screen was installed to compliment the new Power Point software, operated by Stephen and Karen Howard. It was a new feature added to Sunday services, providing visible support to Scripture readings, music, announcements and sermons, giving more impact and greater meaning to all presentations. All of these electronics were evidence of modern technology in action, and although it was appreciated by most it was not accepted by all. There were still a few members who had negative thoughts, technical or otherwise, related to change.

In February 2004, Pastor Richard Cofﬁn indicated an intention to retire to enjoy a well earned retirement with his wife, Jeannie. His dedicated leadership continued, but on the last week in May Pastor Cofﬁn was diagnosed with lung cancer. The impact really hadn’t hit the congregation, when one week later Organist Gloria Atkinson was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Pastor Kathy Neily began to work hours on end to keep church operations moving until Chris Austin arrived. It was then in June, unbelievably, that she too was diagnosed with a very serious cancer. First Baptist was in shock, and for the next few weeks it was the providential presence of Pastor Chris Austin and the compassionate efforts of Marie Kenny, that kept prayerful support centered on the church and their two pastors and organist. Moderator Dan Jenkins did a wonderful job throughout the crisis, keeping church membership informed and programs active and on an even keel. To provide additional assistance, Sharon MacKenzie was hired as part time Worship Director.

Sudden serious illness to three Baptist church leaders was major news in Charlottetown and throughout Atlantic Canada, leading to concerns about just what might have caused three responsible leaders in one church to be stricken with cancer at the same time. Mary Lynn Kane headed an urgently formed Environmental Assessment Committee and the Board of Trustees immediately hired an environmental technology ﬁrm to do a complete assessment of the building. It

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