August 18, 2010

The sanctuary is a sacred space, and two families have helped add to our sanctuary’s sense of the Holy. These families have provided powerful worship furnishings that remind us of the ways God is present with us in times of worship. The furniture is given by Rosemary Shrum in honor of the ministers of Oakland Baptist Church: Robert D. Shrum, H. Shelden Timmerman, Christy McMillin-Goodwin and David M. Brown and by the family of Rad King in his memory.

The pulpit, Communion table, chairs, tables, music stand and box were handcrafted by Rev. Erich Thompson from Greensboro, NC. Our sanctuary has three focal points of theological significance: 1) the Communion table for sharing God’s meal, 2) the Pulpit for the revelation of the scriptures, and 3) the Baptistery for the baptism of believers. These handcrafted pieces provide beautiful symbolism for two of three focal points.

April 27, 2010

On the third week of April, our church hosted homeless families in the FAMILY PROMISE program (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network). There are 14 churches in York County who take turns housing homeless families for a week at a time. This means that Oakland hosts them approximately once a quarter or 4 times a year.

The families arrive at the church at 6:00 pm each night, beginning on Sunday. One of our coordinators is at the church to greet them and stay through supper until the overnight hosts arrive. A different Sunday School class each night furnishes the meal for the families and hosts. Each night we have two overnight hosts - a man and a woman (sometimes a couple, sometimes not), who spend the night at the church with our families. The families leave the church by 7 a.m. in the morning and return to the Family Promise center downtown for the day; coming to the church again at 6 p.m. the next night.

Family Promise is a comprehensive program that assists the families in many ways.

At its regular monthly meeting on March 16, the Fellowship of Deacons reviewed a proposed contract for the development of a strategic plan for the ministry of the church. The proposal was submitted by the Center for Congregational Health, which is affiliated with the Baptist Hospital of North Carolina in Winston-Salem. The contract describes in detail a 6- to 9-month process through which the congregation would determine our priorities for ministry. After having reviewed the proposal before their meeting and spending considerable time discussing the proposal, the Fellowship unanimously endorsed the contract. At present, the deacons are developing a process to fully inform the church of the details of the plan. Hard copies are available on the hallway tables outside the church office, and an electronic copy can be viewed by using the link below. Stay tuned to the Outlook each week for further information. Eventually the church will be asked to approve the contract. If approved, the strategic planning process would be fully funded by a generous gift from a family in the church.

View a copy of the OBC Strategic Plan Contract

Oakland Baptist Church is a theologically moderate Baptist Church located in Rock Hill, SC, one block from Winthrop University. We offer two distinct weekly worship experiences, an expansive music program, a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, and focused ministries for children, youth, college students, and adults. Oakland is actively involved in being the hands and feet of Christ in our community and around the world through many mission and ministry projects.

We welcome you to our fellowship and invite you to join us in being "the presence of Christ at the crossroads of life."