Thankful Baptist Church dedicated to renewal

ALBANY — Christmas has passed, and along with its passing come the chores of pulling down decorations and bargain-hunting at the mass clearance sales of retail outlets. The holly and jolly droops as holiday tempers sober with the return to work and routine.

Yet, despite the seasonal magic that many share with the arrival of December and the holiday season, it is a strange experience to watch life continue as we know it, as the stresses of a government shutdown, poverty and warfare persist through the time of caroling for peace on Earth.

Even if we are looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, it is impossible to deny that some individuals, families and communities were not fortunate to experience the lighthearted gleefulness that is commonly associated with holidays. Yet, there remains that gentle comfort of hope even in loss and despair.

On Dec. 23, Pastor Wadis Williams was awakened around 3 a.m. to a phone call informing him that Thankful Baptist Church was burning. The 150-year-old communal foundation — the oldest church in Newton — where he spent 21 years of service alongside his wife, Minster Alfreda Williams, and 300 congregation members was being consumed by flames, glowing like an orange star in the dark early morning.

The Newton Fire Department, Ichauway Volunteer Fire Department and several nearby fire stations fought to extinguish the blaze. But the damage was overwhelming. The years of payments for renovations and all the precious history contained within the building was turned into black and grey ash and rubble.

“It’s sort of like a death, a physical death,” Wadis Williams said of the destruction.

However, despite the unfortunate circumstances, Thankful Baptist continued of give joy through its annual Christmas toy drive. On Christmas Eve, the day after the fire, members met to distribute donated toys to area children, who believed most in the optimism of the season.

“[We’re] just remembering the reason for the season. Even though this has happened, we know God has a bigger plan,” Alfreda Williams said. “A lot of times children don’t understand like adults, and all they know is Christmas. I know their families will do what they’re supposed to do. But we always give a little.”

Currently, Thankful Baptist is temporarily relocating to the East Baker Historical Society building at 156 Roosevelt Ave. in Newton until the church is re-established. Services will resume on Jan. 6, and the congregation encourages all those who wish to show their support to attend the morning’s service from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“We cordially invite the community to help worship God in our time of delivery,” Wadis Williams said. “In times like these, we need to stand in solidarity, as one body in prayer.”

Those who wish to aid Thankful Baptist Church may donate to the “Rebuilding Thankful Baptist Church” gofundme page, headed by Williams at https://www.gofundme.com/rebuilding-thankful-baptist-church.

The investigation into the possible cause of the fire is ongoing.