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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
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Don't Miss the Mission Summit Conversations at June's Biennial Mission Summit
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The Mission Summit Conversations are the heart of the Mission Summit! The conversations present an open opportunity for anyone attending the Biennial Mission Summit to engage in meaningful dialogue about a topic of interest by self-selecting into a small group. Two rounds of Mission Summit Conversations will be held at the 2015 Biennial Mission Summit, coming up June 26-28 in Overland Park, Kansas. 
In addition to receiving suggestions of topics from the last round of Mission Summit Conversation evaluation forms, American Baptist organizations such as local churches, regions, national agencies, and seminaries were invited to suggest topics for discussion. These topics were posted in an online survey for all American Baptists to indicate their interests and preferences. Topics receiving the highest ratings were chosen for the 2015 Mission Summit. A special survey for 18-24 year-olds was also created and distributed to that target audience to surface topics of interest to youth.
Visit www.americanbaptists2015.com to see all 2015 topics. Click on "Schedule," "Mission Summit Conversations."
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Did You Know?!
(Mission Summit Conversations, continued...)
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The American Baptist Computer Center has developed an online bulletin board for posting learnings and insights from conversation groups, as well as other learnings from similar regional and national conversational teams. All American Baptists are welcomed and encouraged to create an account and join in current discussions. The goal is to share the learnings from existing groups and new groups with others who may be struggling with or perhaps making progress with the same issues that others are dealing with. 
This site is being used to encourage conversation before and after the Mission Summit on the topics that will be dealt with at that event, and
If you are tech savvy, you probably do not need any instructions!
Visit the bulletin board forum today, here:
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Taizé in 2015 - with Brad Berglund
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A group is leaving this week for the Taizé Community, located in France. Learn more through a reflection written by Brad Berglund, who is leading this group of American Baptists and friends on a Pilgrimage to Taizé.
Please keep this group in prayer, as they experience the community and spend time in reflection, growing in faith.
"My pilgrimage to the Taizé Community began in an unusual place..."
Read the full reflection, here.
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| ABCUSA Awards Spring Matthew 25 Grants |
American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) announces the spring awards for its Matthew 25 Grant. A total of 34 applicants received funding ranging from $500 to $4,250, with a total of $78,318 awarded. The Matthew 25 Grant, sponsored by ABCUSA and the Board of General Ministries, is funded by a generous donor whose goal is to help meet the needs of "housing, feeding, education and health with regard to the less fortunate."
Learn More.
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American Baptist Churches Immigration Taskforce Releases New Resource in English and Spanish
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American Baptist Churches is pleased to announce that a new resource, "Pastoral, Prophetic, Practical, and Personal," is now available in both English and Spanish.
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| Board of General Ministries Executive Committee Members pray at the wall in Tijuana
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This resource includes four sessions grounded in Scripture, with discussion questions and activities; alsoincluded are personal stories of persons in the U.S. and in Central America, stories that help users of the resource to better understand the impact of violence, poverty, and legislative policies on real people. There is an additional resource listing for further study.
Read the full news story.
View the Resource in English.
View the Resource in Spanish.
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Submissions Invited: New June 15 Deadline for Ministry Story Opportunity
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 We want YOU to share your ministry story with us! We are excited to hear all the great things you are doing across the country, and
American Baptist Churches are invited to share their ministry stories with American Baptists across the country and around the world through the "Ministry Story Opportunity." We have extended the deadline to include even MORE stories telling about the great things American Baptists are doing! All submissions should be received by June 15, 2015. Grants totaling $5,000 will be given to the top stories, and the funding received will go right back in to the church ministry. Submissions of stories in either video or written (with photos) formats are invited. Click here to view the current Ministry Story Opportunity submissions.
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Don't Miss the Hampton University Ministers' Conference, ABC Reception - June 10, 2015
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American Baptists attending the Hampton University Ministers' Conference next month are invited to attend an annual ABC Reception on Wednesday, June 10 at 9:30 pm. This ABC Reception will occur during the 101st Hampton University Ministers' Conference, June 7-12, 2015, in Hampton, Virginia.
Attendees will gather for a time of fellowship, networking, and sharing resources around American Baptist life.
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| Christian Community Credit Union...Serving the American Baptist Family for over 58 Years |
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At Christian Community Credit Union  our focus is on people, not profits. We help build God's kingdom by partnering with individuals and ministries to help them manage their money in a God-honoring way. Since 1957, we've served the financial needs of the American Baptist family.
Learn More about Christian Community Credit Union's better rates and lower fees.
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Prayer Time: Rainbow Acres
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Rainbow Acres is the newest American Baptist Churches Associated Ministry Organization. It is a Christian community that empowers persons with developmental disabilities to live to their fullest potential with dignity and purpose. Rainbow Acres serves adults with developmental disabilities caused by a variety of different conditions. 
These include Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Tuberous Sclerosis, Prader-Willi syndrome, Autism and milder forms of traumatic brain injury. Please keep Rainbow Acres and the adults that they serve, called "Ranchers," in your prayers.
Want to learn more? Follow Rainbow Acres on facebook.
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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.
  General Secretary Medley traveled to the Middle East in April, with a joint Church of the Brethren/ABC group, continuing to build relationships and bonds of friendship in countries around the world and with our partners in ministry. Upon his return to the United States, he spoke at the National Council of Churches 2015 Christian Unity Gathering in the Washington, DC, area. He also preached at the Central Baptist Theological Seminary commencement on Saturday, May 16.
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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