ABCUSA Monthly Enewsletter - March 2023

ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

You're Invited: Register Now for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit! Registration is open for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit! American Baptists Churches USA invites you and your congregation to the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit, June 23-25, 2023, at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Register before March 31, 2023, and save! A discounted registration rate of $199 is available for both participants and delegates. Register by March 31, 2023 to receive $30 off the regular registration rate. Price increases to $229 on April 1. #abcusa2023 #ABCMissionSummit Learn more about the:

Schedule Speakers Fees Venue

Hotels Travel Sponsors FAQs

Child Care and Youth program information will be out later this week - watch our website! Read our latest Biennial newsletters with the most up-to-date event information here and here. Register now at www.americanbaptists2023.com!

Join Us on May 18 for Our Next Everyday ABC Conversation: Congregational Innovations

You’re invited to join us for our next Everyday ABC Conversation event, “Congregational Innovations” on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 3:00 PM ET, with presenters Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula and Rev. Travis Norvell. Mamula and Norvell will also be leading workshops at the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit. Congregational Innovation happens in many ways across American Baptist Churches USA. We invited two American Baptist leaders to share about how they are innovating in their own ministry. Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula will share about Congregational Innovations around the Table, noting: “We are hard-wired to flourish within the context of community. Innovative opportunities like Table life are a holistic approach to faith and life while fostering thriving community connections.” Rev. Travis Norvell will share about Congregational Innovations while riding a bike, taking the bus, and walking on a sidewalk as a way to connect with your neighborhood and discover God already at work in the world around you. Learn more.

Register Now

General Secretary Woods Reflects on Three Years of the Global Pandemic It has now been three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Do you remember where you were when you first heard about COVID-19? Do you recall the first meeting or event that was cancelled in response to the pandemic? What emotions did you experience during the month of March 2020? What losses have you experienced as a result of the pandemic? As we continue to grieve the losses of the pandemic, I am reminded that grieving is a long-term process and that recalling, retelling, and remembering are activities that help us grieve. As we reflect, it is also important to surface our learnings. What lessons have you learned from the pandemic? Read more from Dr. Woods here.

A Generosity Project Reflection – Stewardship and Adaptive Challenges

The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations, aiming to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Read a blog from Rev. Stacy Emerson, below: In his book Tempered Resilience, Tod Bolsinger writes, “What makes leadership so daunting, in the final analysis, is the burden of responsibility for the flourishing or faltering, the success or failure of an organization, community, or movement that has been entrusted to your stewardship. When the challenge of the moment moves from maintaining and preserving to changing and thriving, the stakes are raised and the heat is turned up.” Church leaders recognize that the days of maintenance and preservation of the church are long gone, and we are living in the furnace of change with the very future of the church at risk. And for many of us, the stewardship of our resources—financial, volunteer, and church buildings—are at the top of the list of concerns. Read more.

Be a Biennial Boosters in Prayer or in Giving We need boosters for our Biennial Mission Summit 2023. Whether you are attending the Biennial Mission Summit in Puerto Rico or not you can be a Booster by praying for those who attend, speak, lead and plan. We want every component of this Biennial Mission Summit to be covered by prayer as we meet and share. Pray for our churches in Puerto Rico as they continue to be generous hosts. Pray for our times of worship and our times of work. Pray for safe travels and safety as we gather. You can also be a Booster by making a financial gift to support the important ministry taking place as we gather in Puerto Rico. Churches and individuals can contribute for this special event. We are gathering in person for the first time since 2019, costs are high and the need is great. Many lives will be touched by the gathering of God’s people as we worship, study, learn and celebrate, all God has given to us. Prayerfully consider joining as a Booster to make this a pivotal event in the story of God’s work in our churches and communities. Yes, I will be a Biennial Booster through prayer! Learn more about the event here. Yes, I would like to contribute financially. Select "Biennial Support" from the Fund options here.

General Secretary Search Committee Shares Update American Baptist Churches USA President and Chair of the General Secretary Search Committee Rev. Dr. James O. Wolfe shared an update on March 24 about the work of the Search Committee: The General Secretary Search Committee met and began the process of reviewing candidate materials. The committee will continue its confidential work. We are grateful for your prayers as we discern God’s direction in this process. View past updates from the General Secretary Search Committee here.

Dr. Luis N. Rivera-Pagán to Receive Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award The American Baptist Churches USA Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations received nominations for the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award in fall 2022. The Committee voted to recognize Dr. Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, Henry Winters Luce Professor of Ecumenics and Mission Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. The Award is given to an individual for “sustained performance or special achievement” in “the cause of ecumenism.” The award will be presented during the Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations dinner at the 2023 American Baptist Churches Biennial Mission Summit on Friday evening, June 23, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Learn more.

You're Invited to the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit:

Visit www.americanbaptists2023.com to learn more!

Invitation to Domestic Violence Workshop and Certification

Domestic violence is a serious issue that impacts many women and families in our communities and congregations. As pastors and church leaders, we have a responsibility to help those who are affected by domestic violence. In partnership with Safe Haven Ministries, American Baptist Women’s Ministries is pleased to invite you to our Domestic Violence Workshop & Certification on Saturday, April 29, 2023, virtually or at the First Baptist Church of Detroit, 21200 Southfield Rd, Southfield, MI 48075. This event will provide you with critical information and tools that you need to effectively address domestic violence in your church and community. The workshop will cover the following topics:  Biblical Exploration of Violence Domestic violence behaviors Supporting victims & survivors Issues of faith & domestic violence Safety planning for victims & the church Referring & issues of confidentiality Responding to & supporting abusers For more information, please visit www.abwomensministries.org/events or contact info@abwomensministries.org.

ReSource Leadership Conference to be held in May

A ReSource Leadership Conference will be held May 18-19, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Champaign in Savoy, Ill. This conference is open to any/all American Baptist regions. Learn more below:

Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website

Latest Judson Press Release Empowers Preachers for the “Sunday After” American Baptist Women in Ministry Celebrates International Women’s Day, Women's History Month American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) Alumnae Launches Fundraising Campaign ABHMS Launches America for Christ 2023; Resources Available Online A Generosity Project Reflection – The Life of the Church Former ABCUSA President Frank Christine, Jr., Dies Applications Invited for American Baptist Churches of Greater Indianapolis Executive Minister Position ABHMS Ecclesiastical Endorser Elected to Chair Two Key Groups MMBB Remembers Muriel Penn Jerigan, 50-Year Employee at MMBB and ABCUSA

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.