The Hudson church’s social committee, led by Bob and Dolly LaForest, were seeking an activity that all church members might participate in, so on September 29 they decided to take a “trip to the past” and visit Joseph Bates’ home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Joseph Bates (July 8, 1792-March 19, 1872), was an American seaman and revivalist minister. He was co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is credited with convincing James and Ellen G. White of the validity of the seventh-day Sabbath (bit.ly/2PSb9nZ).
A retired pastoral couple welcomed the group at the Bates site and brought them into a refurbished barn for an introductory meeting. Each room had a different setting, with one of them designed to be a room on a ship. The couple was extremely knowledgeable about Joseph Bates, the times in which he lived, church history, and how Bates contributed to the start-up of the Adventist movement.
Members left the Bates home with a better knowledge regarding Joseph Bates, and also with a desire to find out more about him. A small gift shop with many books on church and church-founder history is located at the Bates home.
At lunchtime, the members decided to have lunch under covered picnic tables about 40 yards from the ocean. The kids and some adults collected shells and ocean-smooth stones. This portion of the day allowed everyone to get better acquainted.
The day culminated with prayer, thanking God for a safe trip to the Bates home, for beautiful weather, for the fellowship and ministry they participated in, and for safe travel home. God delivered on all.
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Bob LaForest, social committee member, and Cheryl McMaster, communication leader, Hudson church
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