ABCUSA Monthly Enewsletter - August 2022

August 2022

ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

Four Keynote Speakers Announced for 2023 Biennial Mission Summit We are excited to announce the keynote speakers for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit, to be held June 23-25, 2023 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico! These engaging, dynamic American Baptist speakers will share a message during the four worship services scheduled: Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, Friday Evening Worship, June 23; Rev. Miriam Méndez, Saturday Evening Worship, June 24; Rev. Laura I. Ayala-Álvarez, Sunday Morning Worship, June 25; and Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall, Sunday Evening Worship, June 25.

Save the date and begin making plans now to attend! Registration for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit will open in November 2022. Please note that the Biennial Mission Summit will open with the Welcome Session on Friday afternoon, June 23, but events will occur throughout the week. Be sure to check the schedule when it becomes available, as a number of events will occur on Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23 prior to the ceremonial opening of the event on Friday evening. The 2023 Biennial Mission Summit is less than 10 months away! Learn more about our Biennial Mission Summit keynote speakers here. Aquí podrá conocer más sobre nuestros ponentes claves para la Bienal. *Interested in Childcare/Youth programs? Please take our Survey here*

Join us for our next Everyday ABC Conversation: Multicultural Ministry in Your Congregation/Community Join us for an Everyday ABC Conversation on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 3:00pm EDT with presenters Rev. Kathryn Ray and Rev. Michael Ware. Multi-cultural ministry can mean many things. It may mean pastoring a diverse congregation that gathers each Sunday. For others, multi-cultural ministry may mean serving those outside of your church in the local community. This workshop will offer reflection on identifying different cultures within your community, ministering with people from cultures other than your own, and facilitating community-building that bridges multiple cultures, whether in the church or beyond.

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Nominations Invited for Mowbray Ecumenical Award American Baptist Churches USA seeks nominations for the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award, which recognizes an individual for outstanding ecumenical work at the local, state, national or international level, either as a volunteer or paid professional. This award will be presented at the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) 2023 Biennial Mission Summit in San Juan PR, June 23-25, 2023. The deadline for nominations is October 14, 2022. Learn more or view the nomination form here.

Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops to Serve in Special Assignment with Mission Resource Development We are pleased to announce that the Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops has accepted an invitation to engage in a Special Assignment for the American Baptist Churches USA. Stoops will leave his region responsibilities as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska and come to ABCUSA to engage in the work of Mission Resource Development. He brings unique skills and denominational experience to emphasize mission giving in new ways that bring energy to our existing partnerships with donors and local churches to accelerate engagement in regional, national and international ministry and mission. Dr. Stoops will officially assume the role of Interim Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development on October 15, 2022. The emphasis of this Special Assignment will be on exploring new ways of giving that match the refined focus of the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary upon gathering the denomination, supporting regions and national organizations, and creating space for local and global dialogue. The interim nature of the role is in keeping with the current search for a new General Secretary. “Robin’s energy is contagious and his experience with American Baptist Churches runs deep and wide. We are grateful that Robin has accepted this new assignment,” said General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods. Learn More.

American Baptists Advocate for Myanmar at International Religious Freedom Summit American Baptist Churches USA recently co-sponsored a booth at the International Religious Freedom Summit (IRFS), along with MMBB Financial Services, International Ministries (IM), and the Regional Executive Ministers Council. The goal of the IRFS was to bring together a broad coalition that passionately supports religious freedom around the globe to address the issue of international religious freedom that touches every culture, nation, religion, and political system. At present, almost 80 percent of the world’s inhabitants live in countries where there are high levels of governmental or societal restrictions on religion, and restrictions have been steadily increasing for several years. American Baptists attending the event advocated for Myanmar and helped to share about the current plight faced by the people of Myanmar.The three-day event was held in Washington D.C., June 28 – June 30. The Summit connected resources and advocates interested in religious freedom and highlighted the personal testimonies of survivors of religious persecutions and restrictions on religious freedom. The American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) also helped to sponsor a table in the display area, working with the Chin Association of Maryland. ABCUSA will continue sharing the dilemma of the people of Myanmar during a workshop that will be held at the World Council of Churches (WCC) meeting in Germany, September 1, 2022. The goal of the workshop is to expose human rights abuses, attacks on Christians and Muslims/Rohyingas and advocate and build a network to support federal democracy in Myanmar and the National Unity Government. Read More.

View our 2021 Annual Summary We invite you to view our newly published 2021 Annual Summary. This publication provides a glimpse into the work of the American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary during the previous year. We are excited to share a look at the ministries and role of the Office of the General Secretary. Learn more about how we serve our congregations and partners through gathering the denomination, supporting congregations, regions and national organizations, and creating spaces for local and global issues.

Embracing Stewardship: Looking Through the Lens of Love

View a recording of the Generosity Project Webinar, "Embracing Stewardship: Looking Through the Lens of Love," held Thursday, July 7, 2022. Hear a powerful story from Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter and to be inspired to learn how to embrace stewardship through the lens of love in your congregation. Click here to view the webinar.

Save the Date for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

The 2023 Biennial Mission Summit is less than one year away! Save the Date now for this event, coming June 2023 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Biennial dates are June 23-25, but make sure you save extra time as events will be held before, during and after the larger Biennial Mission Summit event. To learn more about the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit as information becomes available, please continue to visit www.americanbaptists2023.com.

Embracing Stewardship: Looking Through the Lens of Love

View a recording of the Generosity Project Webinar, "Embracing Stewardship: Looking Through the Lens of Love," held Thursday, July 7, 2022. View the recording of the webinar to hear a powerful story from Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter and to be inspired to learn how to embrace stewardship through the lens of love in your congregation. Click here to view the webinar.

The MMBB RE:THINK RE:INVEST Financial Conference Early-Bird Has Been Extended

Great news! Early-bird registration for the MMBB Re:Think Re:Invest Conference has been extended through August 31st! If you haven’t already registered, take advantage of the discounted rate. To register, visit https://cvent.me/e2zKGb

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Join American Baptist Home Mission Societies at Space for Grace

The 2022 Space for Grace theme—Testify!—speaks to the need in these times for diverse voices sharing genuine, honest dialogue about issues of Christian leadership, discipleship and justice. Testify! will offer a place and space for telling God’s good news … and hearing it too. When we testify to each other in God’s love, our testimonies become gifts of grace that strengthen and affirm the faith we carry into facing the challenges of daily life. Just like previous Space for Grace gatherings, “Testify!”—at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center—will provide opportunities to connect with passionate speakers and network with workshop leaders and fellow participants.

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Guidance for Smart Investing

In this Remote Roundtable Discussion from MMBB Financial Services, pastors and church leaders discuss smart investing strategies with the pros, offering their best advice whether you’re just starting out in your career, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between. Learn more.

Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website

The American Baptist Foundation Announces Its New Executive Director American Baptist Churches of Greater Indianapolis Executive Minister to Retire Cleveland Baptist Association Announces Interim Executive Minister ABHMS Fills Key Intercultural Ministries Leadership Position ABHMS Calls for One Great Hour of Sharing Contributions to Aid Victims of Eastern Kentucky floods

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-related 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.