Thursday, February 18, 2021

ABCUSA Enewsletter February 2021


February 2021
 
ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

The American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary this Lenten Season highlights two Lenten Reflection Series available through our website at www.abc-usa.org.

To mark the 2021 Lenten Season, the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary will share an online devotional for prayer and contemplation entitled "2021 Lent: A Time to Get REady." 

We invite you to join us on our website as we get REady throughout the 2021 Lenten Season. Reflections will be posted for Ash Wednesday and for each Sunday throughout Lent, as well as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.


ABCUSA Board of General Ministries Releases Statement on Interim Proposal Timeline
 
The American Baptist Churches USA Board of General Ministries on Wednesday, February 17, released a statement on a recommended Interim Proposal timeline for the denomination.



The ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force: A Call to Just Action
 
The Call
 
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered in the streets of Minneapolis, Minn. His name was added to the already too long litany of saints: Trayvon Martin, Eric Gardner, Sandra Bland, Rayshard Brooks, Daniel Prude, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Stephon Clark, and the names go on and on and on.
 
For many the murder of Mr. Floyd was the Road to Damascus moment when they encountered the voice of Jesus in Mr. Floyd's final words, "I can't breathe." These three words connected us to the humanity of a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend...a child of God. Like the Apostle Paul, our ears were pierced with the words of Jesus, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."
 

American Baptists Called to be in Prayer for People of Myanmar
 
American Baptists were called to be in prayer at the start of February for the people of Myanmar in the midst of the recent political situation in the country.

On February 10, American Baptist Churches USA Interim General Secretary Jeff Woods shared, "American Baptists are encouraged to continue in prayer for the people of Myanmar and especially for the leaders and members of the Myanmar Baptist Convention, one of our historic partners in ministry. We ask that there be a stop to using violence, to look for and find peaceful ways and means to resolve conflict and to stop arbitrary detentions for the safety of the people participating in protests and Civil Disobedience movement, and for the survival of the country out of this crisis."

Updates from the Burma Refugee Commission will be shared on our website at www.abc-usa.org as they become available. Prayer resources will be provided for use by churches and regions on the website beginning on February 26, 2021.

American Baptists Prepare for 2021 Online Biennial Mission Summit

The 2021 Biennial Mission Summit will be an event like never before! We invite you to join us for our FIRST online Biennial Mission Summit event, June 24-26, 2021.

American Baptists from across the country and around the world are invited to be a part of this historic event as we Imagine Unity, Imagine Healing, Imagine Hope.

Registration will open later this month - visit our website at www.abc-usa.org or the event page at www.americanbaptists2021.com for updates in the coming weeks!
 

Two New Generosity Project Reflections
 
The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations. The Generosity Project aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Bi-monthly blogs help support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship.

Read the latest reflections:
"Abundancy or Sufficiency?" and
"Scarcity or Sufficiency?", both written by ABCUSA Stewardship Consultant Rev. Stacy Emerson.

2021-2022 ABC Directory/Planning Calendar; PDF and Downloadable Calendar Files Available
 
The 2021-2022 ABC Directory/Planning Calendar is now available for download. We invite you to print this calendar as a reference tool for use in weekly planning throughout the calendar year and into 2022. Or, you may download the .ics file and add the calendar dates to your own calendar to keep you up to date throughout 2021 and 2022.
 
Click here to download a PDF file (.pdf) of the 2021-2022 American Baptist Churches Directory/Planning Calendar.
 
Click here to download a calendar file (.ics) of the 2021-2022 American Baptist Churches Directory/Planning Calendar. This file can be uploaded and saved in Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar.



 
You are invited to a webinar by MMBB Financial Services, "Building Your Financial Plan," taking place tomorrow, February 18, 2021 at 2:00pm EST.

Unbiased, expert guidance is hard to find. Now, more than ever, planning is an essential step towards financial well-being. A good financial plan along with sound advice can lay the foundation for a financial future that is more manageable and more secure. Join MMBB Financial Services for an overview of the planning process and learn more about what financial planning can do for you.



 
American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABWM) is celebrating Black History Month all month long, and invites American Baptists to join together to celebrate, honor, and reflect on the many contributions African American women have made! Visit www.abwomensministries.org, to join ABWM in recognizing women.
 
View the women being recognized this month here


ABCUSA Together: We are American Baptists

ABCUSA Together

#abcusatogether


American Baptist Churches USA
PO Box 851  Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851  
800-ABC-3USA

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