|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
|
The letter below was written by ABCUSA General Secretary A. Roy Medley:
 Dear American Baptists,
I just returned from St. Louis and Ferguson, Missouri, where we held the governing board meeting of the National Council of Churches on Monday and Tuesday, November 17-18.
Just driving down the main street of Ferguson mid-day as we did, you would not recognize it as a tension-filled community. Yet the declaration of a state of emergency by the state's governor while we were there was a vivid reminder of the conflict that has swirled there since the killing of Michael Brown.
We met to connect with our churches - most of the member communions have congregations in that area. Several ABC pastors from the area attended our Monday evening worship service and sought me out to express their thanks for our being there.
|
View it Now! Inspired, Transformed...American Baptist Churches
|
 We are excited for the release of our new film! It is being shown in churches across the country and Puerto Rico. Haven't seen it yet? Watch it online now! We invite you to share this film with friends in your local community and in your social networks. Invite other American Baptists to join in the celebration! Learn more here. |
|
New Issue of ABCUSA Connections: Fall 2014
|
 The Fall issue of ABCUSA Connections was sent to churches in late October. Learn about the latest on Transformed by the Spirit, read about our NEW prayer focus in Connections and in THIS Enewsletter, find out about upcoming events, and more. |
Webinar Now Online: "Uncommon Cents: A Christian Approach to Modern Stewardship and Giving"
|
On October 23, we sponsored a webinar titled "UNCOMMON CENTS: A Christian Approach to Modern Stewardship & Giving." Presented by Reverend Bill Keane, Senior Minister of the First Baptist Church of Branford, Connecticut, the webinar looked at specific approaches to enhance sacrificial giving in the local church. In this webinar, we considered the need for an emphasis in stewardship in our churches.
Watch the webinar, here.
|
| Women In Ministry: Action Learning Team Leads the Way |
|
This story was originally published in our fall issue of ABCUSA Connections.
Over the past year and a half, the Women In Ministry Action Learning Team (WIM ALT) has prayerfully considered adaptive challenges for ABC churches concerning calling women senior/solo pastors.
The team settled upon the following:
Focus: To break down barriers that hinder clergy women from gaining access to paid senior/solo/lead pastorates.
Adaptive Challenge: How can we change the hearts and minds of barrier keepers? How can we change or influence structures that maintain barriers?
Learn more.
|
|
Register your Church as a Sponsor TODAY!
|
 For 2015, we are inviting churches to register as sponsors for the Mission Summit. If a church registers as a sponsor, church members get a discount! Members can register as the discounted rate of $40 per person. If your church is not a sponsor, church members will pay an individual registration fee of $165
Sponsoring churches will help to support the Mission Summit and make it a success.
Church Registration is open at: www.americanbaptists2015.com. Check out our Mission Summit video!
|
|
RMMO 2014 - Materials Online Now
|
|
Since 1935, American Baptists have contributed to  special offerings taken up in their churches for retired ABC ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. In 1977, Ameri can Baptist Churches USA launched the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) to become intentional about this long tradition of expressing thankfulness.
Today, RMMO is a tangible way the American Baptist family demonstrates their appreciation for the commitment, service and spiritual guidance of retired ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. This year we have selected a new theme and redesigned the look of the offering materials. The focus is on Inspiration + Community as we acknowledge that those who have served in ministry have inspired our faith walk and helped to foster a strong sense of Christian community.
Visit www.abc-usa.org/rmmo to learn more.
|
|
Prayer Time: ABC Rochester/Genesee Churches Offer Support to Coffee Connection
|
|
American Baptist Churches of the Rochester/Genesee Region stands for Respect, Godly Justice and Reconciliation. Several of the churches in this region support the nonprofit business, Coffee Connection and it's parent nonprofit organization Life Listening Resources. Rev. Joy Bergfalk, the executive director of the Coffee Connection  (www.ourcoffeeconnection.org), is co-director of Life Listening Resources with her husband, Rev. Jimmy Reader. They are both American Baptist Clergy and have served churches here in the Rochester/Genesee Region. Coffee Connection is a non profit business selling fair trade, organic coffee (wholesale and retail), its mission is to empower women on their journey to sustainable recovery from addiction. The women learn life practices to change how they respond to people and circumstances as part of their employment training in the three coffee shops. Job creation for some of the women is being supported in part through a $15,000 grand from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies and World Relief funds. Pray for the 30 women being served by this program and nonprofit business and for all people seeking a sustainable recovery from addiction.
|
|
Deadline: November 30! Take our Survey to Help Plan for Mission Summit 2015
|
|
Dear American Baptist,
 If you have an interest in attending the next Mission Summit to be held in Overland Park, Kansas, June 26-28, 2015, then we invite you to share your ideas and opinions with us regarding the next round of Mission Summit Conversations. Help us make the next round of Mission Summit Conversations even better by clicking on the link below and spending about 5 minutes to take the brief ten-question survey. Your responses by Nov. 30, 2014, will help shape Mission Summit 2015! Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCMSC2015 We are also asking all young adults to take our survey focused at 16-23 year olds, here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCMSC16-23 Susan Gillies
Chair of the 2015 Mission Summit/Biennial Planning Committee |
|
|
Where in the World is General Secretary Medley?
|
General Secretary A. Roy Medley travels and represents American Baptist Churches USA wherever he goes.
 In late November, Medley traveled to Overland Park, Kansas, to meet with the Biennial Mission Summit Planning Team. The team is working hard to plan an exciting event for 2015! In early November, Medley attended the Rhythms of the Spirit retreat at the Redwood Glen Conference Center in Loma Mar, California. He joined in the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Baptist Church in Warren, Rhode Island, on November 9, before returning to Valley Forge for Board of General Ministries meetings. From there, he traveled to Missouri to serve as Chair at the NCC Governing Board meetings.
Please continue to hold Dr. Medley in your prayers as he travels nationally and internationally, representing American Baptists at events in the coming months.
|
|
More Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website |
|
|
|
PO Box 851 Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 Phone: 610-768-2000 800-ABC-3USA
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
