October 2013
ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
Being Renewed and Transformed by the Spirit
The excerpt below comes from a blog written by A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.

 

Right now as I write, I am situated 30,000 feet above the U.S. flying through Denver to Sioux Falls. I have spent a lot of time this fall in planes, cars and trains visiting our churches and mission partners.

 

Actually, these moments often serve as time for reflection and prayerful musing. Much of my focus right now is on our Transformed by the Spirit initiative and the renewal of the church. One doesn't have to be a prophet to see that the church is in the midst of huge shifts and a period of re-formation. I know how real the challenges are in every aspect of the life of the Church in our country.  But we are not without hope!


Read the full blog posting

Technology and Your Ministry
Over the next twelve months, the American Baptist Computer Center (ABCC) will be engaged in a strategic planning process. Currently, the ABCC offers resources, infrastructure, and support for organizations at the ABC Mission Center in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

 

We are exploring the possibility that, in the future, we may be able

to provide affordable information technology services and support to American Baptist regions, congregations, and other non-profit organizations.  Your response to the questions in this survey will help us in planning for the future of the American Baptist Computer Center as we explore the possibility of expanding the scope of our service over the next few years.

 

You can access the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCCStrategicSurvey

It takes approximately seven minutes to complete this survey, which will close on Friday, November 15, 2013.
Are you planning to attend EMERGE?
REGISTER TODAY! Visit the website: www.abcemerge.com

 

"Emerge: Baptist Witness in the 21st Century" combines a Ministers Conference and Orientation to American Baptist Life, where conferees will explore emergent themes in Baptist theology of the Holy Spirit, postmodern witness and third millennium mission, in this 200th anniversary year of the historic Judson mission to Burma. The conference meets in Orlando, Florida, January 6-9, 2014. Bible study teachers, worship experiences, workshops and speakers will find their themes in Acts 1:8.  The 2014 conference marks the third time that the orientation conference (for seminarians and new-to-ABC ministers) and the Ministers Conference, sponsored by ABCUSA, will be integrated into one event.

 

www.abcemerge.com

New Stewardship Sunday Resource Available!
Pentecost
Most Americans associate the month of November with Thanksgiving. In American Baptist Churches, we also think of November as a time to express our thankfulness to God for the many gifts given to us. We do this as generous disciples by promising to return a portion of our financial resources to God through the ministry of our local churches.

American Baptist Churches USA has produced a new Stewardship Sunday bulletin insert, available for use by churches.
American Baptists Continue Immigration Reform Advocacy Efforts
American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) and American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) were represented at Church World Service's Oct. 8 Global Summit on Immigration Reform in Washington, D.C.
  

The Rev. Aundreia Alexander, ABHMS national coordinator of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services, marched and attended a press conference at the event. ABCUSA General Secretary A. Roy Medley recited the following prayer: "We pray for legislators whose intransigence is breaking the backs of the poor and the immigrant. Raise up within their ranks those with an uncommon heart for the common good, with vision that sees past the next election and moral courage that isn't subservient to the next poll. Fill their hearts with compassion, and give them a belly full of courage that freedom's bell might ring in welcome in every corner."

 

 Learn More 
The Mission Table: What is it?

 

The Mission Table is an event that will be held November 11-13, 2013, at the Green Lake Conference Center/American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Learn more about what will occur at the Mission Table below.

 

 Click here to read the full Mission Table Q&A

Upcoming Conferences

In addition to the 2014 EMERGE Ministers Conference, January 6-9, 2014, other upcoming events of interest are:  
Where in the World is General Secretary Medley?
General Secretary A. Roy Medley travels and represents American Baptist Churches USA wherever he goes. In September, Medley was in San Francisco for a Board of General Ministries Executive Committee meeting, attended National Council of Churches meetings and met with Chin and Karen leaders in Chicago, and then travelled to St. Louis and later Kansas City. So far in October, he has travelled to Washington, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington, D.C., and has plans to visit at least two more states before the month is over! Please continue to hold Dr. Medley in your prayers as he travels nationally and internationally, representing American Baptists at events in the coming months.
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