December 2023

ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

A newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

A Christmas Letter from

General Secretary C. Jeff Woods and

General Secretary-Elect Gina Jacobs-Strain

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

In the season of Advent we are more intensely focused on Christ’s return. We are also reminded that everyday we are persistently and intentionally sharing the gospel while awaiting the glorious return of our SAVIOR. Many of us are enjoying weekly Advent services, shopping, planning and attending holiday parties. And yet for some, it is also a time where loss and depression are heightened. Therefore, let us be intentional about praying for families, communities, and our country. Together let us pray for peace in places of war and strife, hope for the weary, joy for those that are sad and evidence of Christ’s love for all.

We celebrate our ABCUSA family and the many ways that God continues to smile on us. We are grateful for each of you and the ways you use your gifts to build God’s kingdom. In the new year we look forward to new ministry opportunities and new ways to deepen our relationships within our denomination and with our ecumenical partners.

We pray that the promises of Advent bring each of you and your families great joy. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you,” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024,

Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain

General Secretary General Secretary-Elect

(For a shareable link, click here.)

A Christmas message from Woods was also shared at the start of the season of Advent - read it here.

Celebrate ABCUSA Sunday in February

Dear ABCUSA Family,

Get ready for an inspiring and mission-focused Sunday as we celebrate ABCUSA Sunday in February! We believe that mission is at the heart of what we do, and this special occasion is an opportunity for us to come together in unity and purpose, celebrating our history and future together. Please choose either the Sunday before Valentine’s Day (Feb. 11) or the Sunday after (Feb. 18) to celebrate. All tools you need will be available during the first week of January on the ABCUSA website.

Learn important details about ABCUSA Sunday here.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries Congratulates Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain on her Historic Election as General Secretary of ABCUSA

American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM), on behalf of the national board and staff, congratulates Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain for being elected as the new General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA).

Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain has served as the Executive Director of ABWM since 2018. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in developing professional development opportunities for staff, building relationships with boards, and elevating ABWM’s profile within the denomination and with ecumenical and not-for-profit partners.

Read the full news release here.

A Generosity Project Reflection: The Work of Christmas Begins…

The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations which aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. The Generosity Project reflection below was provided by Rev. Stacy Emerson.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, that grand season of gratitude, and in the church, we immediately turn to Advent and Christmas, a continued time of great generosity in the church with special offerings and projects to help our neighbors. We ride this tide of goodwill throughout the season and with resolution hope to carry it all into a New Year. This December I am praying with Howard Thurman’s classic words about “The Work of Christmas,” as a reminder that the season does not end on Christmas Day or even on Epiphany. The work of Christmas, the generosity inspired by the season, is to become a way of life all year round if Christmas is to truly mean anything.

And that generosity goes beyond donating money or food or essential items. Thurman’s definition of generosity implied in his poem is about so much more. Generosity finds the lost; generosity heals the broken; generosity feeds the hungry; generosity releases prisoners; generosity rebuilds nations; generosity brings peace…singing a hope that the world desperately needs.

So when the time comes and we put away the manger and move on into the New Year, let us carry with us the broadest definition of generosity that knows how to dwell in a way of life, not just a particular act of giving.

“The Work of Christmas”

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.

~Howard Thurman, The Mood of Christmas

Hopevale Commemoration Sunday

American Baptist Churches USA joined with the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC) in 2019 to approve a resolution to designate the Sundays nearest to December 20 as Hopevale Commemoration Sunday. This day serves as a time to remember the Hopevale martyrdom in the Philippines in which missionaries of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (now International Ministries), on December 20, died heroically for their faith.

Recognizing that December 20 is just before Christmas and thus many churches may not be able to dedicate a portion of the Sunday service closest to that date for Hopevale, churches are encouraged to commemorate Hopevale at whatever event or service fits their schedule best in December or January.

Learn more and view resources for Hopevale Commemoration Sunday here.

American Baptist Leaders Release New Storybook Video

American Baptist Churches USA is pleased to offer a new children’s storybook video to the American Baptist family based upon the book, “I am God’s Dream” by Matthew Paul Turner. Members of the National Executive Council provided the narration for the story and director Jeremy Fackenthal produced the video.“I am God’s Dream” is a celebration of children and their unique traits, and encourages children to be proud of who they are. The National Executive Council is comprised of the leaders of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist International Ministries, American Baptist Women’s Ministries, and MMBB Financial Services, along with the General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. We invite you to view the video below.

“Least of These” Grants

Following Giving Tuesday, the "Least of These" grant initiative announced in November continues to be available as an option for giving through the American Baptist Churches USA website giving page.

The “Least of These” Grant is aimed at providing support to the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods. Read the story in Matthew 25:31-46.

This year for Giving Tuesday, we asked for gifts toward the "Least of These" grant. As we did not reach our goal, we are extending the opportunity to support the grants and for us to come together to amplify our impact by providing financial support where it is needed most.

Make a Gift

United Mission Matters!

Check out the first edition of “United Mission Matters” newsletter, a new enewsletter that will be released on a quarterly basis, aiming to share the valuable insights of our Regional Executive Ministers, local churches, national partners, and others on matters related to Discipleship. United Mission Matters will include a wealth of resources, inspiring stories, and insights into how churches throughout the United States are dedicated to instructing and engaging with their communities to align with Jesus’ mission in our neighborhoods.

View the first edition of United Mission Matters here.

We are United in Christ, Together in Mission

View the above video in Spanish, here.

RMMO2023: Good will come.

As an ABCUSA leader your voice helps elevate ABCUSA Churches annual offerings, including the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO).

RMMO is always about celebrating, thanking and lifting up our servant leaders.

The theme for RMMO 2023 is: Good will come.

Learn more and download RMMO2023 resources here.

Edna Martin Included on New Indianapolis Mural

Edna Martin (1897-1974), a civic leader in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood and youth and teen advocate, is included in a new mural in the Bicentennial Legends series features 43 portraits of "Hoosier legends" on east wall of the Steak 'n Shake building overlooking the new Bicentennial Unity Plaza in Indianapolis, Ind. Martin is included in the lower left corner of the mural.

Edna Martin worked to meet the needs of Martindale-Brightwood, and began what was first the Eastside Christian Center and then was named after her when she died in 1974. The Edna Martin Christian Center has served the city of Indianapolis over the last 82 years and counting.

See the full list of recognized persons here.

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Cleveland Baptist Association Calls the Rev. Dr. TaNikka Sheppard as Regional Executive Minister

On November 13, 2023, the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Baptist Association enthusiastically and unanimously called the Rev. Dr. TaNikka Sheppard as its new regional executive minister. She will begin on January 5, 2024.

Board president Rev. Dr. James P. Quincy, III said, “Rev. Dr. Sheppard brings a unique mix of international Baptist experience, with faith-based work and congregational engagement, built on a foundation of work with women and youth that is essential to the growth of our region in this post-pandemic season. We are fortunate to have found these gifts in one person, which makes her uniquely qualified to be our next Regional executive minister.”

ABCUSA General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods said, “Dr. Sheppard possesses the skills that have become essential in regional ministry for this post-pandemic era. Her problem solving abilities, grant writing skills, experience working with pastors, and global perspective will serve her well as she serves the congregations of the Cleveland Baptist Association. I am excited for CBA and I am excited for the American Baptist family.”

MMBB Financial Conference March 10-13, 2024 - Register Now

Mark your calendars and join MMBB at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown for the MMBB Re-think Re-invest Financial Conference this March. This engaging, inspirational and transformational event will help you take charge of your finances so you can focus on what matters most -- your ministry. Participants will look at your financial wellness holistically, providing resources you can use right now to feed your mind and your spirit.

You'll walk away with the following:

• financial insights from keynote speaker, Ms. Jill Schlesinger, Emmy-winning CBS News business analyst

• guidance on becoming debt-free from keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., founder of the dfree® Financial Freedom Movement

• tips for negotiating clergy compensation

• clergy tax guidance, including the housing allowance

• ways to meet your investment goals in the current market

• wellness and career development workshops

• an opportunity for a financial planning session with one of MMBB's financial planning specialists

• an opportunity to hear about career coaching and counseling sessions with MMBB's wellness partners

• fellowship and networking opportunities with clergy and church lay leaders

• inspiration for your journey to financial wellness

• and more!