February 2026
The Messenger
Sunday, March 8 was a special and meaningful day in the life of our church as we gathered for one combined worship service at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the ordination of new deacons. In the Baptist tradition, deacons are not elevated above the church but called to serve as spiritual leaders. The word deacon comes from the Greek word diakonos, which means servant. Deacons help the church live out the love of Christ in practical and spiritual ways—caring for people, strengthening the ministry of the church, and helping ensure that the needs of the community are seen and addressed.
Members of the congregation came forward to pray over our newly ordained deacons—children, parents, and longtime members alike. Seeing children step forward alongside adults to offer prayers and blessings was a beautiful sign of the generations of faith that make up our church family and want make the church so unique in the world. Through those prayers, embraces, and moments of quiet reflection, we witnessed the true heart of deacon ministry: a community gathered around servants who are committing themselves to care, leadership, and love in the life of the church.
Ordination is the church’s way of recognizing God’s calling in the lives of these servants and blessing them as they step into this role. It is both a celebration and a commitment—celebrating those who have been called and committing ourselves as a church to support them in their ministry.
We celebrate and give thanks for those ordained: Cecilia Bain, Perry Boster, Tina Boster, Lindsay Call, Todd Call, Gail Perry, and Kacie Starck. Each of them has already demonstrated a heart for service, and we are grateful for their willingness to answer God’s call.
The service itself was a powerful reminder of what it means to be the church together. Our sanctuary was filled with energy, gratitude, and a deep sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence. One of the most meaningful moments came during the laying on of hands.
It was a joyful day for our church—one that reminded us that ministry is never carried by one person alone. It is shared by a community committed to loving God and loving one another. We look forward with thanksgiving and hope as these new deacons begin their service among us.
Adults in our church and community are invited to a mini retreat at Fredericksburg Baptist Church: Staying at the Table: Love Outpoured When We Don’t Agree. Youth in 6th grade and up are also welcome to attend. Led by Meg Rooney and Beth Bailey, this retreat—based on Learning to Disagree by John Inazu—will feature engaging discussions, teaching, and interactive activities. Cost is $20 per person ($50 family max) and includes Friday dinner plus Saturday breakfast and lunch. We encourage you to purchase the book in advance for helpful context. Sign up by March 24th by scanning the QR code.