ABCUSA Monthly Enewsletter - February 2022

ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

Creation Justice and International Women’s Day: Join us for an Everyday ABC Conversation

Join us on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. EST on Zoom with presenters Dr. Alan R. Wedgewood and Rev. Rebecca Driscoll, ABC Creation Justice Network. Every day we have the opportunity to be in prayerful conversation with God. What is God saying to each of us about how we have cared for God’s creation? Which of God’s children are bearing the greatest injustices caused by our failure to be good caretakers of our Earth? As we gather for this conversation on International Women’s Day, we will reflect on how environmental degradation has disproportionately impacted women, as well as the ways women have been a prophetic voice for creation justice and restoration. How has the cry of God’s creation moved you, your church, and/or your community to respond? Please join members of the Creation Justice Network in conversation as we ponder how we can work together to create a sustainable home for future generations and learn more about the ministry of the Creation Justice Congregations program.

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Registration Now Open for Radical. Redeemed. Ready.

We are excited to feature gifted Conference Leaders at the “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” conference, coming Wednesday-Saturday, June 15-18, 2022 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wis. Rev. Lauren Lisa Ng, Rev. Dr. Trinette V. McCray, Rev. Adalia Gutiérrez Lee, MD, Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque and Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles will speak at the full gatherings of attendees. Special leadership roles will be provided by Rev. Dr. Priscilla Eppinger as Conference Historian, Dr. Karen Hetrick as Worship Weaver and Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri as Poet Laureate. Several smaller group sessions will also be offered on various topics featuring dynamic presenters. The conference celebrates women ministerial leaders, their myriad journeys into ministry and their many ways of ministering. Registration is now open. We invite you to visit the conference website to learn more and to register at www.radicalredeemedready.com.

Board of General Ministries Invites General Secretary Survey Responses

The Board of General Ministries, the American Baptist Churches USA governing board, is currently in the process of seeking information regarding the priorities for the next General Secretary, whose term will begin in 2024. The board has released a survey which will remain open until March 5, 2022. All feedback received by this deadline will help the current General Secretary search committee develop a profile of a desired candidate.

Feedback Invited for 2023 Biennial Mission Summit Planning

Le agradecemos su opinión para la planificación de la Cumbre Misionera Bienal

The next American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Mission Summit will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 23-25, 2023. The 2023 Planning Team welcomes your feedback as they make plans for this upcoming event. The theme for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit is, “For Such a Time as This.” Respondents are asked when taking the survey to consider the theme and answer the question: “What is your ‘this’?” The survey will remain open until March 21, 2022.

La Cumbre Misionera Bienal de las Iglesias Bautistas Americanas 2023 se llevará a cabo en San Juan, Puerto Rico, del 23 al 25 de junio de 2023. El Equipo de Planificación del 2023 agradece su respuesta mientras el evento se va planificando. El tema para la Cumbre Misionera Bienal 2023 será “For Such a Time as This” o “Para un momento como este.” Mientras llena la encuesta, le invitamos a considerar el tema y responder a la siguiente pregunta: “¿Cuál es su ‘este’?” La encuesta permanecerá disponible hasta el 21 de marzo de 2022.

Take the survey now

Por favor, complete la siguiente encuesta

Recording Online: Watch a Special Prayer Service Held in Observance of One-Year Anniversary of Military Coup in Burma

American Baptist Churches USA and the American Baptist Churches Burma Refugee Commission in January issued a Call to Prayer for Burma (Myanmar) for a special prayer service held on Tuesday, February 1 to observe the anniversary of the military coup in Burma. Tuesday, February 1, 2022 marked the one-year anniversary of the military coup in Burma (Myanmar). Since February 1, 2021, because of the military takeover, nearly 1500 civilians and civil leaders have been killed, 9000 have been arrested or sentenced and 450,000 have become internally displaced persons. In addition to this, many churches from various religious backgrounds, including Baptist churches with deep mission ties to our American Baptist churches, were burned. As COVID raged during this time of turmoil, thousands of people have contracted COVID and needed humanitarian and medical aid. In the midst of this crisis in Myanmar, many groups, including the ABC Burma Refugee Commission, have worked together in advocacy for democracy and human rights. Interested persons may view the prayer service here. Learn more about the Burma Refugee Commission and Call to Prayer for Myanmar here.

2022-2023 ABC Directory and Planning Calendar Available for Download We invite you to use the 2022-2023 ABC Directory and Planning Calendar as a reference tool for weekly planning throughout the calendar year and into 2023. You may download a printable .pdf file, or an .ics file and add the calendar dates to your own calendar to keep you up to date throughout 2022 and 2023. Download the calendar in .pdf or .ics format, here.

Recognizing Black History Month

Check out the American Baptist Historical Society's Facebook page this month as ABHS Celebrates Black History Month. The first post is included below:

The Hidden Costs of Job Relocation

You’re excited to start a new position, or to accept a new call to a church or organization that you’ve been offered in another city or state. As you make the momentous decision, you’ll need to consider all the costs involved. Learn more here.

Chaplaincy Skills for Community Ministry: A 6-Week Certificate Course

Considering a call to chaplaincy in healthcare, prisons, military, higher education or already providing community support as a chaplain, pastor, deacon or missionary? Join American Baptist Home Mission Societies for this practical course in chaplaincy skills for community contexts where a ministry of nonsectarian spiritual care is needed. Learn how to offer a ministry of presence that: Honors ecumenical and interfaith engagement Demonstrates cultural humility Practices refined listening skills Responds to trauma with sensitivity and accountability Learners will attend 12 hours of synchronous class time (6 weeks, 2-hr classes) with board-certified and endorsed chaplains, as well as engage in asynchronous coursework of independent written and other assignments as determined by the instructors. Synchronous class meetings on Mondays, 6:00-8:00 pm ET / 3:00-5:00 pm PT Dates: Feb 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4 Cohort celebration: April 11, 6:00-7:00 pm ET / 3:00-4:00 pm PT Cost: $249 Learn more and register today! 

MMBB Tax Guides for 2022 are now available

To download or to request a printed copy click here.

NRSV Updated Edition Available Get started on your NRSV Updated Edition (NRSVue) eBible:    Download the Word@Hand app.    Create your account and sign in.    Tap the BUY icon (in the blue bar at the top) to purchase your NRSVue eBible.

REGION NEWS

ABC of New York State Offers Conference Resource The majority of American Baptist Churches of New York State (ABCNYS) churches are served by part-time pastors. Some churches have experienced this model of ministry for many years, and others are just discovering this way of calling a pastor. Common questions ABCNYS staff are asked about part-time pastors include: How does this really work for the church and the pastor? Is it part-time pay and full-time expectations? Can a pastor and a church work together well in this model of ministry? In October 2021, ABCNYS offered a conference on part-time ministry and how churches and pastors can THRIVE in this model of ministry. Now, we are pleased to offer the video from these sessions facilitated by Rev. Steve Reynolds (4T I40 Consulting) and shaped by the recent book "Part Time Is Plenty: Thriving Without Full-Time Clergy," a very helpful book written by part-time pastor G. Jeffrey MacDonald (Westminster/John Knox Press, 2021).  You can find these recordings on the region's webpage: Part Time Ministry in Upstate New York - American Baptist Churches of New York State (abc-nys.org) and YouTube channel: Part Time Ministry: Part Time is Plenty - YouTube. PowerPoint slides to accompany these sessions are available at the webpage link so you can follow along with the videos. This ministry is made possible by contributions to the 2022 ABCNYS Region Offering and a grant from the American Baptist Foundation.

Cleveland Baptist Association Executive Minister Rev. Yvonne Carter to Retire The retirement of Rev. Dr. Yvonne B. Carter, executive minister of the Cleveland Baptist Association (CBA), has been announced effective June 30, 2022. Carter has served as Executive Minister of CBA since 2014. "As a region, CBA has been tremendously blessed with the gifts, talents, and effective dedication of Rev. Dr. Yvonne B. Carter. She has been a humble servant while providing exemplary service to our region, the nation, and the kingdom….As much as we are sad to see her go, we celebrate her amazing tenure here as the first woman and second African American regional minister for CBA,” James P. Quincy, III, president of CBA, wrote in a letter announcing Carter’s upcoming retirement. General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA Dr. C. Jeff Woods said, “Dr. Carter has provided admirable leadership to the Cleveland Baptist Association. Her style and her initiatives consistently brought people together and inspired them to accomplish God’s mission as a region. Her contributions to the wider family are also greatly appreciated. We will miss her calm and insightful comments during our Regional Executive Ministers Council and National Leadership Council discussions.” Learn more.

Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website

ABHMS Calls for 2022 American Baptist Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Spiritual Directors and Specialized Ministers Award Nominations ABHMS Announces Speakers for Space for Grace, Spiritual Caregivers Conference Key Conference Leaders to Highlight Radical. Redeemed. Ready. Event Registration Opens for Radical. Redeemed. Ready. Ministers Council Calls The Rev. Michele R.C. Turek as Program Administrator Task Force Application Deadline is February 7; Interpreting the Impact of COVID-19 on Congregations ABHMS’ Online Chaplaincy Certificate Program Back by Popular Demand American Baptist Churches Encouraged to Observe February 6 as Pray and Act for Burma Sunday MMBB Launches the MMBB Financial Wellness Institute, Where Learning about Money is as Easy as 1,2,3 MMBB Remembers Long-time Member the Rev. Dr. Henry H. Mitchell

Visit the websites below for happenings around the American Baptist denomination.

To view a full list of ABC ministry partners, click here.

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ABC-affiliated organizations who would like to submit upcoming news for a denomination-wide audience to this mid-month enewsletter may send submissions by the 10th of the month to communications@abc-usa.org.