October 7, 2024
Dear Members and Friends of the First Baptist Church of Malden and Maplewood Baptist Church,
Yesterday during the Worship Service, moderators from both churches, Dr. Phil Conti from Maplewood and Michael Huddy from First Baptist shared an important Milestone Moment from the Transitional Task Force in our journey to formally bind together to become a new church with a new name.
It was announced during the Milestone Moment that our new name will be Malden Community Church.
Here are Phil and Michael’s comments.
Phil shared, “Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we reveal the new name of the Better Together church. However, it is only a name that we, not the leadership, but all of us have chosen, after a very lengthy process, spearheaded by our very capable Matt Houk.
Remember it is not our official, legal name, yet. We cannot use it on any official documents, correspondence, or even as a formal reference. The leadership must complete the new bylaws, Maplewood Baptist must be dissolved and brought into the membership with First Baptist. Then the new church combined must vote to accept the new bylaws. After that we can file for incorporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Michael shared, “As a reminder, the new name does not change in any way our current denominational affiliations. We will continue to be an American Baptist church, remaining a part of the Judson Association of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.”
We encourage you to read and pray over the powerful and moving prayer that was shared at the close of their remarks.
Leader 1: Almighty God, be with us as we remember and celebrate our past,
Leader 2: including our separate and shared histories. Give us understanding hearts,
All: that we may be open to hear your voice.
Leader 1: For the First Baptist Church of Malden, we give you thanks
Leader 2: For the Maplewood Baptist Church, we give you thanks
All: For the Malden Community Church, we now give you thanks.
Leader 1: We have many tasks before us, along with uncertainty and perhaps anxiety,
Leader 2: But in you we trust, to you we hand over all fear,
All: and to you we re-dedicate our whole selves and our fellowship of believers.
Leader 1: God of love, you are with us in every transition and change,
Leader 2: As we enter into this new era with excitement, perhaps tempered by fear,
All: we recall your deep compassion, presence, and steadfast love.
Leader 1: We thank you for the experiences that have brought us to this moment.
Leader 2: We thank you for the gifts, talents and skills with which you have blessed us.
All: We thank you for the work in progress to bring our fellowships together in Christian unity. Be with us as we move forward, rejoicing with you and supporting one another.
We ask this in your Holy Name. Amen. Adapted from “For Times of Transition”, a prayer by Joseph P. Shadle.
As Pastor Gary said in the initial request for suggestions for names for our new church, “our goal, in our new work, will be to build bridges folks can easily cross on their way to the Savior – and the removal of any walls they might struggle to climb over.”
The Transitional Task Force’s goal is to complete the new bylaws and complete the steps outlined in Phil’s remarks. Please continue to pray for us and Pastor’s Gary’s continued health journey. Feel free to reach out should you have any questions or need any further clarification on what’s been presented.
Blessings,
The Transitional Task Force
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelations 21:5