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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
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Promoting Religious Liberty Around the World:
A Letter from Roy Medley |
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Dear American Baptists,
Greetings in this New Year as I enter my 14th and final year as General Secretary.
When I began serving in this position, I never imagined how large a role ABC would be called to play in the defense and promotion of religious liberty. Through world circumstances, it has become a major role for me as I voice our concerns for the right of conscience in faith.
 While in India just before Christmas, Christians were voicing to me their concerns for the increasing attacks by radical Hindus against Christians and Muslims. Even in the brief two weeks I was there, a church was burned in Delhi and there were reports in the news of an attack upon Banjara Baptists for singing Christmas carols. Read Medley's full letter here. Or, view photos of the trip here. |
| Don't Miss this Opportunity: A Pilgrimage to Taizé |
We invite you to participate in a pilgrimage to Taizé, led by experienced guide Brad Berglund. Geared towards young persons 17-29, the trip is open to all. Scholarships are available! We also invite you to consider a young person you might encourage to take advantage of this life-changing opportunity.
"As a young pastor hungering for a deeper relationship with Christ, I visited Taizé. My week there answered my quest for a spirituality that spoke deeply to the heart and the call to justice and peacemaking. Part of the richness of the experience was worshipping and studying with folks from all over the world. We offer this pilgrimage for those who wish to explore new depths of Christ's love for them and all creation," said Roy Medley, General Secretary of American Baptist Churches.
Learn More.
View photos from the June 2014 trip.
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Grant Opportunity - Tell your Ministry Story!
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You are invited to share your Ministry Story with the American Baptist Family and with the world! Entry Deadline is March 1, 2015 - don't wait until it is too late!
"We want to develop a learning community where churches share their innovation, experiences, and experiments in ministry (particularly ones which connect us to the communities outside the church itself). This stems from churches that have been
 involved with 'Transformed by the Spirit,' but also will include entities, regions and partnerships in our overall ABCUSA family that are doing innovative work and have addressed adaptive challenges," said Scott Arnold, ABCUSA Journey Team member and Pastor of First Baptist Church of Bedford, MA. Grants totaling $5,000 will be given to the top stories, and these will be celebrated at the Biennial Mission Summit in Kansas City in June 2015. Learn how YOU can enter.
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| Project Restoration, DCBC Reach out to Local Community |
Project Restoration is a recent recipient of the Matthew 25 Grant, sponsored by ABCUSA.
 Project Restoration is a ministry of the Older Adults Ministries of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. This new effort began in 2012 to help senior adults dwelling in distressed living conditions. Many senior adults own their own homes, but no longer have the income or physical ability to maintain them. Over the past year, volunteers from 16 churches have assessed the needs of these homes and repaired 17 of them. Project Restoration has another 25 homes awaiting repairs through the efforts of volunteers. With help from the ABCUSA Matthew 25 Grant, along with funding from the Edes Home Foundation and the DC Baptist Convention Foundation, materials have been purchased to accomplish the needed repairs. Volunteers provide the labor to accomplish the repairs, while other church members provide meals for those working on the projects. Learn More. |
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Has your church signed up for Biennial Mission Summit Church Sponsorship?
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 For the Biennial Mission Summit, June 26-28, 2015, in Overland Park, Kansas, churches are invited to register as sponsors. If a church registers as a sponsor for the Mission Summit, church members get a discount. The church will also be listed on the event website and in the event program book. Learn more by clicking on "Register," "Church Sponsorship," at www.americanbaptists2015.com.
Individual registration will open in February 2015!
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| Transformed by the Spirit: A Special Memory from Camp Lake Louise |
 Read about a young person's experience growing up attending one of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan's camps, Camp Lake Louise. Years later, Rev. David Nichols tells how a difference was made by one women acting as a mentor, along with a simple glass of chocolate mile. Full story. |
| New in 2015: Change in United Mission Designations |
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On December 20, 2014, churches were sent a letter about a change in United Mission Designations (UMD) as found on the current mission support receipt. The United Mission Designations category is being eliminated, effective with the January 2015 receipts.
Learn more about this change.
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Prayer Time: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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 You may have seen the American Baptist News Service release coming from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies on Thursday, January 15, encouraging American Baptists to be in prayer on Monday, Jan. 19. On that day, the nation observes "Martin Luther King Jr. Day" in honor of slain Civil Rights leader and American Baptist the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Readers are encouraged to "take time to reflect upon how far we've come, and pray earnestly regarding the strides we have yet to make."
Read the full release, which incudes additional ideas for prayer and reflection.
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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.
 Following the holiday vacation, Medley began his final year serving as ABCUSA General Secretary by preaching at the Community Church of Tellico Village in Loudon, Tennessee, on January 4. Later that week, Medley attended a first meeting of the National Executive Council along with the board presidents and vice presidents from ABCUSA, the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Women's Ministries, International Ministries, and the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board. He also participated in an immigration task force meeting at the ABC Mission Center.
Please continue to hold Dr. Medley in your prayers as he travels nationally and internationally, representing American Baptists wherever he goes.
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More Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website |
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