The officers and members of the historic First African Baptist Church join me in expressing our sincere thanks for those who attended and other supporters of our sesquicentennial kick-off program at Mitchelville Freedom Park on Jan. 29.

We are especially grateful to The Island Packet for the two shining articles: Tom Barton's "Faith and Freedom" in your Jan. 27 issue and Allison Stice's "Finding Freedom in Their Faith" in your Jan. 30 issue, both of which were tremendously effective in conveying our kick-off program's plans and the kick-off.

I proudly repeat a line from the town of Hilton Head Island's proclamation that our esteemed Mayor Drew A. Laughlin eloquently read at the Jan 29 program: "First African Baptist Church continues to be a beacon for religious worship on the island and has made significant contributions to its rich culture and history."

We look forward to continued public support of our planned events that culminate the third Sunday in August at our special worship service.

May God bless us all as we celebrate his blessings.

The Rev. Alvin L. Petty Hilton Head Island