Maxine Bates Circle gives back to community

Maxine Bates Circle is an American Baptist Women’s Mission organization at Fairfield First Baptist Church. This year, ABW Missions celebrated its 70th year in service.

“Even though we are a small group, we have many projects,” said Maxine Bates Circle member Sue Carr. “Our big on-going project is making quilts. These are given to church family members who are hospitalized, to families in the community victimized by fires, and to a local women’s shelter.”

Throughout the year, the group provides bingo prizes and assemble holiday tray favors for local care facilities. Members of the congregation join in making birthing kits that are mailed to the Congo each spring.

Notes of appreciation are written to FBC missionaries each year. Birthday cards are personalized and sent to all ages in the church’s family. The group helps prepare materials for Vacation Bible School and other children’s activities. The monthly Love Gift offering supports ministries throughout the world.

At present, the group is sponsoring a collection for the Lord’s Cupboard, the local food pantry. It’s also scheduled to pack food for the Carry On Bags program.

“We love the variety of projects and are always looking for new ways to assist our community,” Carr said. “Along with working on projects, our gatherings each month include sharing fellowship, delicious snacks, a message from God’s word, prayer time, and learning a little bit more about each other as sisters in Christ.”