July/August 2026
The Messenger
Unplugged, Connected, and Energized: Passport 2026 Tailored Experiences: I loved seeing
Great Accommodations: We were
our campers customize their week
spoiled by the fantastic facilities at
From July 12–17th, I had the absolute
by choosing tracks that aligned with
Converse.
Having
privilege of serving as one of four adult
their unique gifts. Some did hands-
bedrooms
and
By: Jim Mcglone
chaperones
accompanying
21
of
our
incredible youth to Spartanburg, South Carolina.
We
week
Passport’s
at
hosted
on
spent
the
an
unforgettable
Choices
beautiful
Camp,
Converse
University campus. It was a week filled with
profound
spiritual
growth,
on
missions
large
work—assisting
Salvation
running
a
day
children—while
at
Army
store
camp
for
others
a
and
young
explored
accommodations
individual suite-style gave
our
campers (and us chaperones!) the perfect space to rest and recharge after long, high-energy days.
Christian arts, music, drama, mindful motion, photography, and sports.
deep
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our entire church family. Your prayers,
community, and plenty of fun!
encouragement, and support made this
Watching our youth navigate the week
trip a reality. Our youth returned home
gave me a front-row seat to how God is
energized,
closer
working in their lives and how some of
equipped
to
them
chaperone,
I
are
emerging
as
leaders.
Throughout our time there, a few key
Unplugged
&
youth
embraced
a
setting
aside
fully
sabbath"
by
Connected:
Our
"digital their
phones for the entire week to focus entirely
on
Christ,
worship,
and
each other. It was amazing to watch
Championship
Finish!
We
capped
off the week with high energy during
them connect without screens. On
the
our
camp-wide
volleyball
of
tournament. It was thrilling to cheer
and
on our Bravo Team as they clinched
truly transformative it was to unplug
a hard-fought victory with a service
and
ace
last
them
night
shared
simply
moment.
at how
be
camp,
many
refreshing
present
in
the
on
the
very
final
game
The energy was infectious.
point!
God,
and
serve—and came
inspired by them.
moments really stood out to me:
to
home
as
fully a
deeply
Over the past six weeks, our church
I saw it in our partnership with
More often, it grows quietly through
has journeyed together through our
Micah as we continue to stand
ordinary
series,
beside
Beloved
Community.
opened
doors,
took
planted
gardens,
gathered
around
discovered,
week
Jesus
is
always
We
road
trips,
tended
fields,
tables,
and
after
week,
inviting
us
that
into
a
deeper way of loving God and loving one another.
As I reflected on this series, I realized something much
that
has
longer
than
Fredericksburg been
been six
Baptist
growing
true
weeks.
Church
into
for
has
Beloved
some
the
most
vulnerable members of our city, believing that every person bears
I
saw
it
in
compassion over
over
scarcity,
cynicism.
who fear,
and
That
choose generosity
hope
is
what
over
I
have
witnessed among you.
the image of God. Potter's
Preschool,
where
surrounded
by
House
children
Beloved
Community
something
we
have
is
not
achieved.
It
is
something we continue becoming. It
remind them every day that they
is a journey rather than a destination.
are
Every act of welcome, every shared
loved,
teachers
are who
valued,
and
wonderfully made. I saw it in Sunday School classes that
have
faithfully
prayed
together for years, in youth and children
Community for a long time.
of
people
leaders
who
give
up
meal,
every
child
encouraged,
carried
prayer
together,
extended
to
a
offered, every
and
every burden
every
neighbor
is
hand
another
glimpse of God's kingdom breaking into our world.
vacation time to walk alongside That
doesn't
mean
we
are
perfect.
students,
As we conclude this series, my hope
In the choir and musicians who
is that we do not simply remember
offer beauty through worship.
the
transformed by the Holy Spirit. We
In deacons who quietly care for
who God is calling us to be.
don't always get everything right. We
others, in volunteers who serve
still have room to grow. But I have
without seeking recognition, and
come to see that beneath all of that
in members who faithfully show
Like
every
learning,
is
a
church,
still
we
growing,
congregation
are still
whose
still being
deepest
desire is to love well.
up
week
after
week
simply
because they believe Christ calls us to belong to one another.
more
at
the
people
sitting
in
our
pews:
moments
may
never
make
May we continue making room at the
May
we
continue
the
Holy
comfort
is
grieving
brought families
to and
friends. I
saw
it
in
our
Thursday
night
Jesus
often
described
kingdom
as
something
mustard
seed,
yeast
God's small—a
hidden
pearl
neighbors
rarely arrives with great fanfare.
become friends.
neighbors
in
dough, treasure buried in a field, a
dinners, where strangers become and
tending
the
soil,
Spirit
is
still
at
work
among us.
when
when
that
remember
table.
Because
the Kingdom of God grows.
that
we
headlines, but they are exactly how
I saw Beloved Community in the food
hope
May we continue opening our doors.
that These
I
growing what gives life, and trusting
Throughout this series, I found myself looking less at the biblical stories and
sermons.
of
great
value.
The
Kingdom
we
live
justice,
this
way—
compassion,
generosity, and love become ordinary habits—we something
offer our
our
community
world
desperately
longs for. We offer them a glimpse of heaven on earth.
MEMORIALS / HONORS Month of June
July Stewardship Update
In Memory Of Ministry Almeda
Memorial S.
Margaret
Fund
Clements;
Ingram;
–for
Rusty
Karen
Duggins;
July. This has been a typical year financially, meaning
John
&
that gifts tend to slack off during the summer months,
behind on your giving, perhaps you will make a special
Stone;
Kurt
effort to catch up. If you have the ability to increase your
Dianne
Watson;
Linda
Wersching;
Cowan
Realty;
Joyce
Ventura
and
Mona
Berry
Spade,
Tripp;
Merica;
by
and this year has been no exception. If you have gotten
Community…for
Susan
given
Karen
Debbie
&
Jones,
Nastelli; Patsy Phelps; Vicki & Jerry Silver; William & Jackie &
Ralph
&
Please find below a report on our Stewardship through
Johnny
Keith
&
John
Jeannine
Doyle The
&
&
Wampler;
Kathy
Wilson;
Mansfield
given
by
Club
Clyde
&
giving, perhaps you will do that as well. There has been much
happening
this
summer,
and
your
gifts
allow
through
July
total
those ministries to happen.
Patricia McCord
Benevolence Fund – for Johnny Jones, given by Steve &
Ministry Budget
Sherri Gallahan; Gail Hylton; Phyllis Marcom; Jane Sthreshley;
Gifts
Bill & Nancy Young
$668,020, which is $55,140 less than the same period last
to
year
the
Ministry
while
our
Budget
budget
expenses
increased
by
In Honor Of
$37,000 over last year. In order to meet the budget and
CBF Global Missions for Jimmy & Susan Hilldrup, on
cover all of our expenses for this year, we need to
the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary, given
receive $920,787 by the end of December. There are
by Bill & Nancy Young
22 weeks remaining this year, so to meet the budget
Benevolence Fund – for John Durham, given by Phyllis
we need to receive an average of $41,800 each week.
Marcom
You
probably
know
that
we
don't
often
receive
that
much on any given week, so we have a bit of work ahead of us.
Watering the Roots Capital Fund Gifts to the fund so far this year total $21,444. The balance of the fund is $377,013. While there have been expenditures from the fund thus far this year, you will want to remember that the list of capital needs likely needing to be addressed in the next several years totals almost a million dollars.
Benevolence Fund There
are
a
number
of
folks
within
our
faith
family
experiencing difficulties in meeting their basic housing, medical, food, clothing, and transportation needs who have
received
help
through
the
Benevolence
Fund.
Currently the fund is in deficit by $65,394. This fund is making
a
significant
difference
in
the
lives
of
these
folks, and your gifts to the fund are greatly appreciated.
Remember
that
unless
specified
otherwise,
all
gifts
received are applied to the Ministry Budget. If you wish Join us in Market Square on August 30th for a 5th Sunday outdoor
worship
service.
We
will
gather
together
to
to make a gift to the Watering the Roots Capital Fund
enjoy
or the Benevolence Fund, please note on your check or
some simple brunch items and coffee provided by Anita’s Cafe
online transaction how you wish your gift to be applied.
from 10am-10:15pm and then begin our worship service. You
Should
you
are encouraged to participate in your Sunday School class
report,
please
beforehand and then walk together to worship. Please bring a
Sacrey
lawn chair and invite a friend or neighbor to join us for worship!
have
any
contact
questions the
about
church
this
treasurer,
financial Dennis
Upcoming Events Promotion Sunday & Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 16th We will promote our children and youth Sunday School classes and have a blessing over our students and teachers during both services. If you are a student or teacher, bring your backpack to worship!
Backyard Theology on Tap th
Tuesday, August 18 , 7-8:30 pm Theology on Tap is back for the summer, but with a twist! We are meeting monthly during the summer for Backyard Theology on Tap from 7-8:30 pm where will fellowship & have dialogue on different topics that surround the theme of "Liberating Lenses." Our last summer meeting is on August 18
th
and will be led by Erin Silver at the Stewarts' house. Bring your own beverages (spirited or
not) and a lawn chair and come ready to participate in engaging conversation! Reach out to Beth Bailey at beth@fxbgbaptist.org for more details.
FXBG Baptist Walking Group Thursday, August 20, 7 pm Walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to join together at Pratt park for walking that promotes connection and health. We will meet in the parking lot of Pratt park at 7pm and begin walking by 7:05pm. If you have small children, feel free to bring bikes or scooters or even just come to spend time with other parents on the playground. If you have dogs, feel free to bring them on a leash. We will walk until 8pm but feel free to do as little or as much as you would like. No sign up necessary, just join as you can! Contact Erin Silver with any questions.
Fred Nats Game Friday, August 21st, 6:35 pm Join your church family for a fun night at the ballpark as we cheer on the Fredericksburg Nationals! We have reserved a hospitality area near the scoreboard, and each ticket includes access to an all-you-can-eat buffet during the game. The game begins at 6:35 pm on Friday, August 21st. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 12 and under. Space is limited, so sign up and pay by scanning the QR code by August 21st to reserve your spot! Contact Beth Bailey at beth@fxbgbaptist.org for more details or if you need help signing up.
Mom’s Meet-Up Wednesday, August 26th, 6:30 pm Moms are invited to meet-up for dinner and conversation! This gathering is meant to be a time of fellowship and support for moms with children birth-college so that we might support each other in the joys and challenges that come with parenthood. We will meet at Agave at 6:30. If you are interested in joining the fun, please email Erin.
Fun at Braehead Farm Saturday, September 12th, 4-6 pm Bring the whole family on Saturday, September 12th from 4-6pm for a fun evening at Braehead Farm! We'll gather around the fire to roast marshmallows, enjoy time together, and let the kids explore the farm's wonderful play areas. From swings and slides to farm animals and open space to play, there's something for everyone. Pack a lawn chair if you'd like, invite a friend, and join us for a relaxing evening of fun and fellowship. We hope to see you there!
Church-wide Game Night Sunday, September 27th 5-7 pm Join us for a game night for all ages. We will enjoy a simple dinner of pizza and salad and then spend time in fellowship playing board games, card games, and music Bingo. There will be something available for all ages so bring the whole family and invite some friends! We will provide a number of games but feel free to bring a favorite game to share. Look for a sign up link in to come!
1019 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 fxbgbaptist.org | (540) 373-4402