ABCUSA Monthly Enewsletter - April 2022

April 2022

ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

A Future with Hope: Resilient Responses in COVID-era Ministry

Join us on May 24, 9:30am-3:30pm EDT, for this hybrid event cosponsored by the ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning, Philadelphia Baptist Association, and ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary.

Register Now

SAVE THE DATE for our next Everyday ABC Conversation: Join us for an Everyday ABC Conversation: Homelessness and the Housing Crisis, on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 2:00pm EDT. More information to come soon! Learn more at: www.abc-usa.org/how-we-serve/events/everyday-abc-conversations Register Now

There's Still Time to Register! “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” Registration Closes on May 13, 2022

Register now for Radical. Redeemed. Ready., a conference celebrating ministering women, to be held June 15-18, 2022 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wis. Given the uncertainty about travel plans due to the pandemic, along with overall inflation costs, conference planners wish to keep the conference accessible to all who want to attend. The reduced conference registration fee of $139 will continue throughout the registration period, until registration closes on May 13, 2022. Latest News: Reduced Registration Fee for “Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” Conference to Continue Throughout Registration Period ABWIM to Welcome and Celebrate Notable Past Leadership at Radical. Redeemed. Ready. We invite you to visit the conference website to learn more and to register:

Visit www.radicalredeemedready.com

Student Loan Forgiveness for Ministry Leaders On March 17, the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary and American Baptist Home Mission Societies sponsored a webinar about American Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which is now available for student loan borrowers employed in nonprofit and government settings, including clergy! For a limited time, restrictive requirements regarding loan type and repayment plan have been waived. Watch the recorded session presented by Heather Jarvis, attorney and student loan expert, to learn about the changing regulations governing PSLF and Income-Driven Repayment. View the webinar here.

American Baptist Anti-Racism Work Continues Through Anti-Racism Convening Table An American Baptist Anti-Racism Convening Table has been formed as the next step following the American Baptist Churches USA Board of General Ministries decision at its November 2021 meeting to approve a proposal to form an Anti-Racism Commission, initiated by the 2020-2021 ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force. The Anti-Racism Convening Table will meet regularly to discern faithful ways to move forward with an ongoing denomination-wide commitment to anti-racism work. Karen Podsiadly, ABCUSA President for the 2020-2021 biennium, said about the Convening Table, “Informed by the framing and resources offered by the Anti-Racism Task Force, we are entering into the commission establishment phase paying attention to and probing the models and practices we have institutionalized over time, while also discerning how God is calling us to work toward transformation we have not yet seen as a result of previous efforts. Anti-racism work requires us to be intentional, alert, and open to different approaches.” Learn more here.

Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience

Each year, Creation Justice Ministries, a partner of the ABC Creation Justice Network, offers Christian education materials to equip faith communities to protect, restore, and share God's creation. The 2022 theme is "Weathering the Storm" and focuses on faithful climate resilience and action. Download the resource here. Join Creation Justice Ministries for an ecumenical Earth Day service on Friday, April 22, at 12:00pm EDT on Zoom. Register here. View additional Earth Day resources from Creation Justice Ministries here.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Now Includes Clergy

Full-time employees of religious not-for-profit organizations now may qualify, under some circumstances, to have their loans forgiven after 10 years. For a limited time only, you may receive credit for past student loan repayments that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. If you apply for a waiver by October 31, 2022, all payments towards Direct Loans made after October 1, 2007, may count towards PSLF. Learn more here.

Short Term Mission Opportunity Black Hills of South Dakota - August 6-13, 2022

The ABC Emergency Services Center Mission Project will be open August 6-13, 2022, during the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally in and around Sturgis, South Dakota. This event is sponsored jointly by the American Baptist Churches of the Dakotas and the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska. Volunteers from around the world spend all or part of the week helping, feeding, transporting, and counseling the dozens of individuals who come to the ABC Emergency Services Center for assistance. Throughout the week calls come in at all hours of the day and night from churches, police and rescue workers, and individuals wanting us to help men, women, and children in need. Interested persons may request more information or register using the registration form.

“Ukraine: War, Refugees, and the Baptist Response” Forum Presented by ABCOFLASH, Recording Available

The American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles, Southwest and Hawaii (ABCOFLASH) recently invited American Baptists across the United States and Puerto Rico to a Forum on March 23 on Ukraine. This 75-minute Zoom session informed participants about the history of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and how Baptists in Europe and American Baptist Global Servants are ministering to refugees. Participants were also given updates on how they can support the humanitarian response by giving to One Great Hour of Sharing. The session then closed with prayer. View the a recording of the Forum by clicking below:

Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website

Second Cohort of ABHMS Chaplaincy Certificate Program Celebrates Graduation A Maundy Thursday Reflection by Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain ABHMS Shares Video Labyrinths for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday How Did We Get Here? – An Easter Week Reflection by ABCUSA General Secretary Jeff Woods ABHMS’ Justice Dialogues Focuses on Environment, Creation Care American Baptist Home Mission Societies Engages Mission Liaison for Afghan Refugees American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island Calls Rev. Dr. Courtny B. Davis Olds as Executive Minister Rev. Soozi Whitten Ford to Serve as Interim Associate General Secretary for Regional Ministries

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.