Teaching the next generation about its Baptist heritage and Alabama Baptist life is not always easy. But the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission continues to discover ways to do just that.
The commission’s latest effort- an essay contest- focuses on students in grades 10 through 12 during the upcoming school year.
Students earning top slots for their essays about Alabama Baptist history will be awarded the Hosea Holcombe Award, named after Hosea Holcombe, a Birmingham area pastor, who, in 1840, wrote and published the first history of Alabama Baptists.
“He is known as the father of Alabama Baptist history,” said Frances Hamilton, executive director of the Historical Commission.
The winners will earn cash awards of $300 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 each for two honorable mentions. They also will be recognized at the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) in November.
“We hope this contest will stir an interest among high school students who may not have given much thought to their Baptist heritage,” Hamilton said. “This will promote the preservation of our history.”
Suggested topics include:
A church or association during a certain time period, e.g., World War I or the Civil Rights movement.
Events in a church’s first years after being established.
A biography of a minister or layperson (living or dead) in a church or association.
A biography of a leader (living or dead) in the ABSC.
Hamilton said entrants may also choose their own topics, as long as they focus on an aspect of Alabama Baptist history. She said students may want to look through church records for ideas.
“There are so many interesting stories,” Hamilton said. “Plenty to laugh and cry about.”
The essays must be five to eight pages typed in MLA style and double-spaced. Entrants must also have six sources, which should be submitted in an MLA-style bibliography page. All essays must be turned in or postmarked by Sept. 2.
Church records are allowed as sources for the essays, Hamilton noted. Other sources could include information from books, local newpapers, Web sites and interviews. Interviews used as a source should be taped, not transcribed, and should be turned in with the essay. Tapes will be returned after the judging.
For more information, contact Hamilton at 1-800-325-9863, or at fdhamilt@samford.edu.
(TAB)
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