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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
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| Giving Thanks This Holiday Season |
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As we celebrate this Thanksgiving day, may we all be thankful for what we often take for granted-friends & family, food, water, electricity, a warm home, a bed to sleep in, health, modern conveniences.
Remember that no matter what our concerns and worries, thanksgiving must come from our heart, not our circumstances. Thank you, God, for the gifts you have provided to us!
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Historic ABC Mission Table Meets in Green Lake, Wisconsin
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The first ever ABC Mission Table met November 11-13 at the Green Lake Conference Center/American  Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wisconsin. The Mission Table brought together representatives from American Baptist regions, affiliated ministry organizations, national staff, executives and officers, to join in conversation with one another to discern, listen and learn from one another.
"The historic gathering of the first Mission Table was an experiment that exceeded our expectations," said Ruth Clark, president of American Baptist Churches USA. "The enthusiasm and energy of the participants was palpable as we met in Green Lake to delve deeper into the conversations begun at the Mission Summit/Biennial this past June. The ability to hear voices from all parts of our family was both challenging and rewarding."
See more quotes from Mission Table attendees here
Coming in the December Newsletter: an update on learnings from the Mission Table!
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Did you Register? Come to EMERGE, January 6-9, 2014!
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Registration is still open for EMERGE: Baptist Witness in the 21st Century! American Baptist Ministers are invited to come to EMERGE to 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.
Workshop and speaker information is online at www.abcemerge.com - visit the website today to learn more and to register!
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Bethel Neighborhood Center Supports Local Community
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It is amazing how God works in our lives and multiplies resources that are made available to ministry. God used the Matthew 25 Grant award to Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City as a catalyst to inspire us and to help local churches become involved more in our ministry with children in our community. After hearing of our plan to supply backpacks and school supplies to our children at Bethel, some local churches decided to participate in it, and we received 2/3 of the backpacks and 1/2 of the school supplies through them.
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Baptists Engage, Serve and Contribute at WCC Assembly, Larger Ecumenical Movement
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Over 3,000 participants representing 345 member churches, as well as observers from non-member churches from more than 100 different countries gathered in Busan, South Korea for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, meeting from October 30 - November 8, 2013. The assembly theme, "God of Life: Lead us to Justice and Peace," framed the common work of prayer, worship and deliberation at the assembly. A number of American Baptist leaders were in attendance for the event.
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Conference Celebrates 200 Years of Baptist Missions
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On November 14-16, 2013, McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University partnered with the American Baptist Historical Society, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist History and Heritage Society, Baptist Women in Ministry and the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board to produce a three-day event featuring missions experts and practitioners from across  Baptist life, entitled The Judsons: Celebrating 200 Years of Baptist Missions, Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future.
Conference speakers provided historical perspective on the contributions of Adoniram Judson, Ann Judson, Sarah Boardman Judson and Emily Chubbuck Judson to Baptist mission work, including education, women's work and congregational involvement in missions. Workshops, led by mission practitioners, focused on missional engagement within their own congregations.
A number of American Baptist leaders took part in the celebration. Click here to learn more
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Where in the World is General Secretary Medley?
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 General Secretary A. Roy Medley travels and represents American Baptist Churches USA wherever he goes. The photo above was taken during the ABCUSA Board of General Ministries meeting, November 14-16, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Following a message given by Dr. Medley, the Board gathered around him to offer prayers in a time of dedication for his continuing service. Learn more about the meeting and Medley's message here. 
In addition to the Board meeting, Medley has been very busy over the past month. From October 29-November 9, he traveled to Busan, South Korea, to represent American Baptists at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches. Two days after returning, Medley traveled to Green Lake, Wisconsin, to take part in the American Baptist Churches Mission Table, November 11-13. Following the Board of General Ministries meetings, Medley traveled to Chicago, where he was installed as Chair of the National Council of Churches (NCC) Governing Board on Monday, November 18, during a service at the Lutheran Center.
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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More Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website |
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PO Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 Phone: 610-768-2000 800-ABC-3USA
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