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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
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| Burma Diaspora Community Members Meet at ABC Mission Center |
 From Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2, 2014, American Baptist Churches hosted the Burma Diaspora Community meetings at the American Baptist Churches Mission Center in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Members of seven Burmese ethnic groups came together for the event, including Burmese, Chin, Falam Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, and Lisu. Read more about the event here and view photos here. Learn more about General Secretary Medley's recent advocacy for Burma and visit to Washington here.
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Connections Spring 2014 Issue Available!
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| Transformed by the Spirit: Building on our Mission Summit Conversations |
 The Mission Summit Conversations, which took place at Mission Summit 2013: An American Baptist Biennial Gathering in Overland Park, Kansas, provided a new and exciting opportunity for American Baptists from across the country to come together to discuss vital ministry challenges. This model is based around the Transformed by the Spirit initiative.
The American Baptist Churches of Connecticut (ABCCONN) is one of many regions who built on the model of the Mission Summit Conversations, and held their own Mission Conversations at the region's Annual Gathering on April 26, 2014. Two hundred people attended the event and became engaged in discussing 14 ministry challenges.
Read More.
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How to Lead in Stewardship: New Resource
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Stewardship does not have to be the hardest thing you do at church.
 Check out our recent Webinar, "How to Lead in Stewardship - Raise More Money with Less Stress," produced by Mission Resource Development, American Baptist Churches USA.
Presented by Rev. Margaret Marcuson, this Webinar includes an alternative to non-stop fundraising, convincing people to give more - or simply cutting the budget. It's what you bring to stewardship that you already have and not about learning the latest technique. Marcusen works with churches who want to create a ministry that lasts and clergy who want to have more impact on the people they serve best.
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Learn How Two American Baptist Churches Are Addressing Needs of Homeless
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American Baptist churches are addressing the problem of homelessness in the U.S. with creativity and with love. Rivergate Community Church in North Portland, Oregon, is working with other churches in the area to provide transitional housing to homeless mothers and children  through Community of Hope. American Baptist Church of Fort Collins, Colorado, is also working with other churches to address the needs of homelessness through Faith Family Hospitality. Read the full story.
Both churches are recepients of funding from the Matthew 25 Grant Program, sponsored by ABCUSA. Learn more about the Matthew 25 Grant.
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2014 Stewardship Emphasis Materials Available
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 "Fearless Generosity" is a four-week stewardship emphasis that invites your congregation to consider fearless living, service, sowing and giving. It encourages you to learn and grow together by inviting persons to share their testimonies and by engaging in congregational challenges that can strengthen your ministry throughout the year. "Fearless Generosity" resources are now available to order online through Judson Press.
Click here to view resources and order today.
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ABC Encourages Faith Leaders to Sign Letter in Support of Sentencing Reform
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American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) and American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) join other members of the Faith in Action Criminal Justice Reform Working Group and the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church in encouraging clergy and faith leaders to sign an interfaith letter to support sentencing reform through the Smarter Sentencing Act.
Read 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. In late April, Dr. Medley traveled to Rhode Island and preached for the 175th anniversary of the First Baptist Church of East Greenwich, RI, and visited with executives and members of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island. He then went to a meeting of the American Baptist Churches of Maine, and following that meeting visited Andover Newton Theological School for a planning meeting of the third Baptist Muslim dialogue. He also traveled to Portland, Oregon, and then Indianapolis, attending regional events centered around the ABCUSA sponsored Transformed by the Spirit initiative.
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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