ABCUSA Enewsletter - February 2024

A newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

Welcoming our New General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain

Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Stain was called as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA by the Board of General Ministries on November 4, 2023, and her service as General Secretary began on February 1, 2024. The American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary and Board of General Ministries look forward to many years of faithful service with Dr. Jacobs-Strain, working in partnership with all of American Baptist Churches USA. Learn more about Dr. Jacobs-Strain: Read an interview from The Christian Citizen first published on Feb. 1, "'When all of God’s gifts are being celebrated and used, there is a joy that is abundant': an interview with Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain, new ABCUSA general secretary" Read Dr. Jacobs-Strain's bio here.

You're invited! Join us tomorrow, Thursday, February 22 for the second of two United Mission Matters Zoom Events with Dr. Gary Comer

The second session of a special two-part United Mission Matters Zoom Event with Dr. Gary Comer, author of “Soul Whisperer: Why the Church must Change the Way it Views Evangelism” is tomorrow at 12 noon EST. Join us for this transformative experience as we explore innovative and effective ways to share our faith in today’s world. Get ready for Soul Whisperer’s insights to reshape your approach to evangelism and deepen your impact on others. The second session takes place on February 22nd, starting at 12 noon EST. Registration for this free session is required. Register here. View a recording of the first session, here. Use the Passcode: R7#G8G4L

Burma Advocacy Group Delegation Meets with Chief Minister of Mizoram, India

On Wednesday, February 14, a significant event took place as a delegation of the Burma Advocacy Group, led by the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary Emeritus of American Baptist Churches USA, held a crucial meeting with Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma, of the state of Mizoram, at his office in Aizawl, India. The Burma Advocacy Group (BAG) expressed gratitude for the warm reception and support provided to Burma refugees in Mizoram. This is especially important given that Mizoram, bordering Myanmar/Burma, is currently home to over 40,000 refugees from Myanmar/Burma across various parts of the state. Read more here.

Love. - A Lenten Reflection Written by Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley

LOVE. Beloved, “9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”  (Genesis 4:9)   God left the question that Cain spit out unanswered. Afterall, he had been caught - red-handed.  When we do harm to another, sometimes we are caught red-handed. Other times, that which we are trying to hide goes unobserved... except by God. God’s answer is an unsaid affirmative to Cain’s spiteful, defensive retort. Yes, we are our siblings keepers: sisters and brothers that share blood from the same parents’ blood, and sisters and brothers with whom we share the blood of our common humanity. The call to all of us is to LOVE. To love is to remember we are all related – all of us have sprung from the heart of God. All of us are beloved by God, and beloved by others, even when we ourselves don’t feel the love. Questions for reflection today:     How do you find the strength to love when you feel outraged or envious?        How do you tap down unexpected or unleashed rag when it surfaces?    Sometimes our enemies are not over there, but as close as our next breath.    Breathe on me breath of God. Fill me with life anew.  That I may love what Thou dost love and do what Thou wouldst do.”  (From the hymn “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” by Edwin Hatch.)   Breathe. Release. Breathe. LOVE. Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley Regional Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York

A Generosity Project Reflection – Gathering Up the Fragments The Generosity Project is a collaborative effort between ABCUSA, regions, and local congregations. The Generosity Project aims to help pastors re-frame the conversation around stewardship and generosity in their congregations. Bi-monthly blogs help support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship. The reflection below was provided by Rev. Stacy Emerson. Read the full reflection here. In the sixth chapter of the gospel of John, the author recounts the time Jesus and the disciples faced a moment of scarcity. They were up on a mountain surrounded by a crowd of people, and there was nothing to eat. Andrew points out a young boy with five barley loaves and two fish which clearly was not enough. “But what are they among so many people?”, they wonder out loud. Jesus knows the answer. He takes the loaves and fishes and blesses them and distributes the food among the people. It was enough and more than enough. Then Jesus says to his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” Jesus always shows great concern about lost things. They need to be found and rejoiced over. They need to be welcomed home and brought to him. When we live in a mindset of scarcity, there are a lot of fragments that get left behind and lost. We lose hope. We lose perspective. We even lose faith. We get so inner-focused, we can’t see the five thousand waiting for a blessing. Read the full reflection here.

United Mission Matters - Sign Up Today to Receive the 2nd Edition Next Week "United Mission Matters" is a new enewsletter that aims 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 be released on a quarterly basis and 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. The second "United Mission Matters" newsletter will be sent next week. Don't miss it - sign up now by clicking the button below:

Sign Up for United Mission Matters Here

The Way of Discipleship | Giving

Watch our latest video below:

America For Christ Offering 2024: Grace Upon Grace Thanks to a history of generous donations to the America for Christ (AFC) Offering, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has provided financial support to American Baptist churches and affiliated organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico year over year. Learn more or download AFC Resources here.

MMBB Conference Aims to Transform Lives Are you looking for a way to boost your financial knowledge and confidence? Do you want to learn from some of the best experts and speakers in the field of personal and church finances? Do you want to connect with other like-minded people who share your passion and vision for ministry? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’ll want to attend the MMBB RE:THINK RE:INVEST Financial Conference, happening from March 10 to 13, 2024 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown.

Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference 2024 is Rapidly Approaching. Join Us in Person or Online for this Unique Hybrid Event April 9-11! American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) invites you to attend Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference 2024, our signature biennial national gathering of faith leaders seeking inspiration, education and conversation with other disciples of Jesus. In keeping with ABHMS tradition, the schedule brims with worship, learning and networking, all taking place in inclusive, gracious spaces that foster meaningful dialog, collaboration and fellowship.   This year’s theme, “Engaging Intergenerational Faith,” will inspire renowned keynote speakers and powerful preachers. It also undergirds a wide array of workshops and panel discussions, among them: ·        Being Church Across Generations ·        Teens These Days ·        ACT: Steps to Implement an Intergenerational Vision ·        Intergenerational Voices in the Same Pulpit ·        Crisis Counseling Interventions Across Generations   Other features of Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference 2024 include a writers’ workshop sponsored by Judson Press—which will be celebrating its 200th anniversary—and a Spiritual Caregivers Conference learning track for chaplains, pastoral counselors and spiritual directors.   We hope to see you in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, or online beginning April 9 for this three-day hybrid event!   To Learn More! To Register!

ABCOPAD Calls New Executive Pastor

The American Baptist Churches of PA and DE (ABCOPAD) Board of Directors met Tuesday, February 13, 2024, to unanimously affirm the Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith as the next Executive Minister for the region, effective immediately.Search team Chairperson and ABCOPAD Board President, Bryon Luke, said the search team, after a 10-month process, prayerfully reviewed and interviewed candidates from a nationwide search and fully recommended Reverend Mark Mahserjian-Smith to the region’s Executive Board. The Executive Board met on January 30, 2024, and voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Search Committee and to make a full recommendation to the ABCOPAD Board of Directors, who unanimously affirmed that recommendation on February 13, 2024. “The ABCOPAD Region was blessed to have 9 candidates from both inside and outside of ABCOPAD apply in response to our call for applications of Regional Executive Pastor,” said Luke. “Our Search Committee prayerfully considered and reviewed each application. We conducted first and second round interviews and are honored to recommend Reverend Mark Mahserjian-Smith as the next Regional Executive Pastor. Knowledge and relationships within the Region and its church families, recognition and forward thinking of the theological challenges we are facing both as a region and denomination and a leadership plan for creative staffing and training up the next leaders, fully aligns with the vision of the ABCOPAD Board, and makes him an excellent choice for the Region.” Read the full news release here.

Tax Guides NOW AVAILABLE from MMBB Financial Services

The invaluable tax tools by Richard R. Hammer, J.D., LL.M., CPA are here: 2024 Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches Guide 2024 Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide for 2023 Returns To learn more about federal tax reporting for churches, clergy payroll taxes, and clergy tax returns, click on the guides.  Or to request a printed copy click here. Please provide the name of the requested guide(s) in the subject line and your full contact and address information for mailing purposes.

Recent Highlights from the ABCUSA Website

Prayer Service and Protest to Mark the Anniversary of Myanmar’s Overthrown Election Welcome to Our New General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain ABHMS Announces Availability of Debt-Relief Grants for Eligible American Baptist clergy Former ABHMS Staff Member, Beloved Champion of Environmental Causes and Social Justice the Rev. Dr. Owen Owens Dies Legacy Sunday February 18, 2024 ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning Issues Call for Baptist Theology Webinar Proposals

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