Written by Michelle Thompson
In 2023, the Fayette SDA Church held its first New Members Day in celebration of the dozens of new members who joined the church either though baptism, membership transfer or profession of faith. This year was no exception as New Members Day was held on December 21, 2024. The day’s program can be described as a blend of the old and the new, as our newer members shadowed the older members in their various roles and offices, from greeting everyone as they entered to delivering the sermon. During Sabbath School, new members Marilyn Dailey and Stacy Harvey assisted in teaching the adult lesson study. While that was happening, another pair of new members, Samuel Edwards and Naomi Santos greeted everyone as they entered and took the relevant contact information.
It was now time for the Praise and Worship segment of the program. Six of our new members answered the call to do their part for the master. As Fred Bucknor led out in a rousing song service, he was joined by Icylin Bucknor, Marilyn Daley, Janet Francis, Everton Darby, and Delores Kirlew. The platform party then entered during the singing of the introit, O the Glory. This team led by Tory St. Cyr, consisted of Merlin Darby, Fiona LaBeach, Samuel Edwards, and Sherine Santana. As Merlin welcomed the visitors she shared her experience of being a new member of Fayette Seventh Day Adventist Church. In no uncertain terms, she proudly stated: “I do not feel like a new member because the Fayette church family has welcomed me, embraced me and brought me into their fellowship and for that I am really, really grateful.” She then emphasized to those seeking a new church home that “Fayette is it.” The program then continued with the announcements, opening song, collection of offering, prayer, and song of meditation.
“I do not feel like a new member because the Fayette church family has welcomed me, embraced me and brought me into their fellowship and for that I am really, really grateful.”
The sermon was delivered by Elder Tory St. Cyr, a rising star among our new members. Even though Elder St. Cyr became a member of Fayette SDA in 2022, he integrated well in all areas of church life as he has served in various roles from Assistant AY Leader to Board Member.
Elder St. Cyr began his opening remarks with humor as he usually does whenever he makes a presentation, but within the humor there is always a serious message which requires some soul searching. His sermon entitled "Seventh-Day Adventism: The Good, The Bad, the Ugly and the Beautiful" was no exception. The sermon was short but it had long quotes from Ellen G. White pointing out the both the ugly and the beautiful aspects of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The key takeaway was “just because you are in the remnant does not mean you are of the remnant. However, despite all our defects, God bestows his supreme regard upon the Seventh Day Adventist Church.”
