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A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
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| Matthew 25 Grant Helps FBC of Butte Provide New Clothing, Supplies to Local Students |
The First Baptist Church of Butte, Montana, a member of the  American Baptist Churches of the Northwest, has touched its community through outreach to local students. The church is a recent recipient of the Matthew 25 Grant, sponsored by ABCUSA. On August 20, 2015, the church joined with local partner organizations to help provide 150 children with clothing, and 182 backpacks with school supplies were also provided for students going back to school, ranging in age from elementary school all the way up through high school.
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| ABC Ministry Story Opportunity Update |
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This spring's Ministry Story Opportunity, which came out of the Transformed by the Spirit initiative, invited churches to share their ministry stories with the larger American Baptist family. These stories were posted on the ABCUSA website, and also highlighted at the 2015 Biennial Mission Summit in Overland Park, Kansas, June 26-28, 2015.
This fall, we will be highlighting these ministry stories online. We invite local American Baptist churches to submit their own ministry stories by emailing americanbaptist@gmail.com. We hope you will share your ministry experiments/experiences with our ABCUSA family. |
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Space for Grace - November 4-7, 2015
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Amidst the recent spate of racially-motivated violence-including tragedies in Ferguson, Mo., and Charleston, S.C.-American Baptist Home Mission Societies invites individuals of all faith traditions to participate in its national "Space for Grace" gathering to be held Nov. 4-7, 2015, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport hotel. The event will foster healing conversations about the great divides-race, religion, culture and class-that separate individuals, neighborhoods and communities today, too often resulting in violence and loss of life.
Theologian, author, speaker and activist Brian D. McLaren will lead daily Bible study. Other presenters include the Rev. Dr. Raphael Gamaliel Warnock, social activist and senior pastor of Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, which was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s parish; the Rev. Susan Sparks, a professional comedian as well as pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church, New York City; and the Rev. Dr. Eric Law, executive director, Kaleidoscope Institute, Los Angeles. In addition to morning worship and small group discussion, more than a dozen afternoon learning experiences will be offered, such as "Consensus Building in the Midst of Diversity and Divergence," "Extending Grace to Others in Tension-filled Moments" and "Ministering to Communities in Crisis." Registration for the Space for Grace gathering closes Oct. 30. To register, click here or click on the logo above.
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| Kachin Baptist Convention Delegation Visits Mission Center |
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On September 2, 2015, a delegation of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Burma, led by General Secretary Dr. Samson Hkalam, visited the Mission Center. The visit focused on relationship building, as the delegation made its way to attend an annual youth conference in Jacksonville, Florida, organized by the newly established Kachin Baptist Churches USA in the United States.
Learn More.
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| Transformed by the Spirit: Mission and Ministry in the Midst of Change |
 The Transformed by the Spirit initiative has been a major focus of American Baptist Churches USA since its introduction in June 2011. Rev. Jeffery Savage, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, Ore., reflects on his experiences and the need to be open to dream in a time of hope and change.
"Transformed by the Spirit is about ministry and mission in the midst of change. Our global, national, and local contexts are undergoing profound shifts..."
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| Webinar Announcement: Generosity & Stewardship Trends with Marcia Shetler, Executive Director/CEO of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center |
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Join us for a webinar on Oct 20, 2015 at 1:00 PM EDT.
 Join us for a one-hour webinar and conversation with Marcia Shetler, Executive Director and CEO of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center (ESC).
In this webinar, Marcia will talk about current stewardship trends, year round stewardship programs, generosity, as well as share information about the resources available from ESC. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue around congregational stewardship ministry. American Baptist Churches USA is a denominational partner with ESC and we are excited to share this webinar with you! |
Prayer Highlight - Church Planters UnConference
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Please keep this upcoming event in your prayers:
The Church Planter's UnConference. An UnConference is a loosely organized, but highly  participatory kind of conference that is gaining popularity in churches across the country. October 15-17, 2015, church planters, pastors who are re-starting troubled congregations, and traditional pastors who want new ideas will gather in Rochester, N.Y. They will share stories, talk about best practices, and network. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Rev. Katie Jo Suddaby at katiejosuddaby@gmail.com.
Please keep this UnConference in your prayers in the weeks leading up to the event.
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New 2015 Stewardship Emphasis Materials Now Available
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"Live Free" is a four-week stewardship emphasis produced by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center that invites your congregation to "take hold of the life that really is life." "Live Free" includes four sub-themes: "Free From the Money Trap," "Free to Be Rich," "Free From the Uncertainty of Riches," and "Free to Take Hold of Life." 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.
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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 received an award at the 52nd Annual Islamic Society of North America Convention, which met in Chicago September 4-7, 2015. Medley was recognized for his Interfaith work. He then traveled to Charleston, W.V. for the Board of General Ministries Executive Committee, September 10-12, 2015, before spending the past week with staff at the ABC Mission Center in Valley Forge, Pa.
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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And the winning submissions are....(click here to view the stories!)
