ABCUSA Monthly Enewsletter - March 2022

March 2022 ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA Early Registration Deadline Extended for “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” Register Today! We are excited to announce that the early registration deadline for “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” has been extended until the last day of Women’s History Month, March 31, 2022. “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.,” a conference celebrating ministering women, will be held Wednesday-Saturday, June 15-18, 2022 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wis. The registration fee for all attendee registrants now through March 31, 2022, will remain $139. After the Early Registration date of March 31, the conference attendance registration fee will be $170. Learn more about grant and scholarship opportunities here. We invite you to visit the conference website to learn more and to register: Visit www.radicalredeemedready.com 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 Don't Miss "Financial Stewardship in Times Like These: What You Can Do" Webinar Join us for a Generosity Project webinar, "Financial Stewardship in Times Like These: What You Can Do" on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Led by Margaret Marcuson, learn how you can: Become more thoughtful about the financial challenges you and your church face at this time; See money–and your own leadership in this area–from a different perspective; Bring more calm and creativity to the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic; Focus on yourself and what you can impact directly rather than worrying about what others might do; Reduce your overall stress about the financial future of your congregation; Step into the need to ask for money—and think creatively—in a time of uncertainty; And perhaps even enjoy the work of encouraging generosity at this time. Click here to register for this free webinar. Student Loan Forgiveness for Ministry Leaders Thursday, March 17 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. EDT American Public Service Loan Forgiveness is available for student loan borrowers employed in nonprofit and government settings, including clergy! On Oct. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Limited Waiver Opportunity. For a limited time, restrictive requirements regarding loan type and repayment plan have been waived. Attend to learn about the changing regulations governing PSLF and Income-Driven Repayment. New rules will be finalized and implemented by the summer of 2023. Join Heather Jarvis, attorney and student loan expert for this briefing and dedicated Q&A for borrowers. Sponsored by the American Baptist Home Mission Societies and the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary. Funding for this program has been provided by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., partnering with ABHMS since 2016 to provide financial education and debt relief to American Baptist pastors. Register Now Take Part in the Burma Act Bill Signature Campaign American Baptists and friends are invited to participate in a signature campaign promoted by the Burma Advocacy Group, a coalition convened by the American Baptist Churches Burma Refugee Commission. The goal of the campaign is to gather and submit as many signatures as possible to our US Senators and Representatives to request them to pass the (revised) Burma Bill that is under consideration. The signature campaign will run through March 31, 2022. The Burma Advocacy Group believes the Burma Bill is our greatest opportunity to achieve: an end to the human tragedy and crimes against humanity in Burma, an end the brutal military dictatorship in Burma, and an opportunity to achieve a federal democracy in Burma for which the people of Burma have been giving their lives. View a letter containing promotional materials for sharing and details of how to gather signatures. View a webinar recording that provides information about the signature campaign that American Baptists are promoting for the Burma Act Bill. $15,000 in OGHS Emergency Relief Funds to Ukraine, More Help Urgently Needed In response to immediate needs resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022, International Ministries, on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA, has sent an initial grant of $15,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) emergency relief to the European Baptist Federation to provide humanitarian aid for Ukrainian Baptists. This grant joins a larger, global Baptist response to this evolving situation. While our financial support will provide for physical needs, the need for prayer is paramount. View a statement calling American Baptists to Prayer from General Secretary C. Jeff Woods here. IM Area Director for Europe, the Middle East and Liberia Rev. Charles Jones shares, “We ask American Baptists to join in prayer for our Baptist sisters and brothers, and all the people of Ukraine: for protection and provision for those who suffer, and for peace to be restored. And for our Baptist sisters and brothers and all peace-loving people in Russia, that God will give them courage to pursue peace.” Immediate as well as sustained support is needed. Persons wishing to give to support Ukraine Relief can find more information here Interpreting the Impact of COVID-19 on Congregations The Task Force on “Interpreting the Impact of COVID-19 on Congregations” has been selected and contains the following participants: Rev. Dr. Roger Alber, Rev. Laura Ayala, Rev. Thomas Beers, Rev. Dr. Daniel Cash, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley, Rev. Frank Frischkorn (convener), Rev. Lisa Harris Lee, Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula, Rev. Dr. Mary Day Miller and Rev. Alan Rudnick. The team will meet together virtually for their first meeting toward the end of March, and all are anxious to begin the conversation and discover how God will guide them moving forward. Everyday ABC Conversations Recording and Next Quarterly Conversation We hope you were able to attend "Creation Justice and International Women’s Day" on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 with presenters Dr. Alan R. Wedgewood and Rev. Rebecca Driscoll, ABC Creation Justice Network. In case you missed it, click the image below to view a recording of the event presentations: Join us for our next Everyday ABC Conversation: Homelessness and the Housing Crisis Monday, June 6, 2022, 2:00 p.m. EDT Blog Post: Tips to Stretch Your Dollars this Spring None of us wants to pay full price, especially on “big-ticket” items. With inflation at historic highs, saving money on shopping is even more on the brain. Savvy shoppers know the best time to purchase certain products. With spring upon us, many of us are thinking of sprucing up our homes and gardens.   Read more. Webinar – Making the Most of Your MMBB Benefits April 21, 2022 2:00 PM – 3:00 p.m. EDT MMBB understands how important it is for members to feel financially secure so they can put their full effort into the ministry. This session will introduce members to their MMBB benefits, investment options and planning services available to them. Register here Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website Worship Weaver Karen Hetrick Reflects Ahead of “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” Conference American Baptist Churches USA Celebrates Life and Ministry of Yosh Nakagawa ABHMS Offers Training in Asian Immigration Experience, Impact of Racism Grant and Scholarship Opportunities for June 2022 Radical. Redeemed. Ready. Conference Rev. Delfin Cardinal Jr. Dies; was Founder of Filipino American Christian Church in Long Beach, Calif. ABHMS Shares ICCR’s Proxy Voting Guide for Socially Responsible Investing Rainbow Acres Announces Search for Chief Executive Officer Visit the websites below for happenings around the American Baptist denomination. To view a full list of ABC ministry partners, click here. Visit our Website 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.

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