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From the Executive Minister
Dear Friends,
I have been recommending the reading of "Weird Church" by Beth Ann Estock and Paul Nixon, with the hope that their reporting of the movement of the Spirit in 21st Century America might jolt a church or two to trade a preoccupation with institutional survival for life giving spiritual practices, which might reach the ever-growing masses of unchurched individuals in our communities.
The authors conclude their inspiring book with the following quote: "We believe that an unequivocal shift back toward the incarnational presence of the leader will do wonders in slowly healing the very bad reputation that Christianity currently has for billions of people."
What is that reputation you may ask? Read more.
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Prayer List 
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May 21
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Good Shepherd Community Church, Buffalo
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May 28
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FBC Moorestown, NJ
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June 4
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Kingdom Come Community Church, CA
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June 11
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Judson Memorial Church, MN
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June 18
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Fairport Baptist Home, CEO, Staff, Residents
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June 25
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First Baptist Church of Rochester
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Our Church Story
United Church of Granville
Our church was built in 1883, its sanctuary's intended use for both the church body and Denison University's chapel. Our congregants still worship in the same oak pews that famous church historian, Dr. Kenneth Scott Latourette (an early advocate of academic freedom) and Dr.
Kirtley Mather (witness of the historic Scopes trial) occupied.
One of the new things at UCG is Peace Village - a program that aims to equip kids aged 6 - 13 with tools to grow as peacemakers.
Our Director of Ministry to Children & Families, Ceciel Shaw, led a one-day camp for kids to kick off the new program. We rotated 20 young peace-makers through interactive sessions, such as Conflict Resolution and Collaborative Art.
Thanks to an ABC-USA Palmer Grant, our plan is to expand the program into a week-long camp, increasing enrollment, and adding sessions on interfaith understanding.
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Reverend Arnold
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Ordination Recognition
You are cordially invited to the
ordination recognition of Reverend Berta M. Arnold on Sunday, May 28th at 4:00 p.m.
The event will be held at the First Baptist Church of Penfield, 1862 Penfield Road, Penfield, NY. The guest speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Marvin McMickle, President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
Clergy should arrive 20 to 30 minutes early for robing.
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The Clover Center
for the Arts & Spirituality
1101 Clover Street, Brighton
Fridays at 6 p.m.
Free Concerts - Donations Appreciated*
Rain or Shine!
On the Lawn or in Lamb Hall
Picnic Food Concessions
| Featured Group |
Charities to Benefit |
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6/30- The Coupe De' Villes (Jazz)
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Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network
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7/7 - Brenda & Kevin Nitsch (Show Tunes)
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Cameron Community Ministries
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7/14 - Main Street East Band (Classic Rock)
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Fairport Baptist Home
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| 7/21 - Sam Nitsch (Indie, Up and Coming) |
Brighton Churches Coalition Habitat
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| 7/28 - Diane Habeeb (Dixieland) |
Brighton Food Cupboard
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* Donations are split 50/50 with the charities and the Clover Center.
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Benefit Breakfast
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Reminder
"I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink..." Matthew 25:35
It's that time of year to be mindful and generous in giving to
One Great Hour of Sharing. In times of loss or struggle, after a fire or flood, and when communities struggle to overcome chronic absence of water, food, or economic opportunity, the church is present through the work of this ministry. OGHS supports disaster relief, development projects, and refugee ministries of the American Baptist Churches and its partners.
To learn more, click
here.
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Even though you might be asking "why Mexico?" for our
summer conference location, I encourage you to turn that around and ask "why have we waited so long?"
BPFNA is centered not only in listening and engaging the voices that desire justice, but in being in the space of those we need to hear. Mexico, as one of our four-nation locations, is a place we need to BE in to truly listen to our Mexican sisters and brothers. We must go to support them and to show solidarity with those who are doing the work for peace and justice in this nation.
I know the cry for justice of the indigenous people of Mexico reflects the same pain as the indigenous cultures of Canada, Puerto Rico and the United States. I also understand the girls and women in this nation weeping for justice and struggling because lack of power makes them the targets of neglect and abuse. Read
more
of Michael Ware's article.
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Parish Paper
Ministry in the Midst of Tragedy
On Friday, August 7, 2015, Vermont state employees left work and made their way to the
parking lot together. There, a former client confronted and killed Lara Sobel, a social worker in the Department for Children and Families. Jody Herring shot her because Lara played a part in a custody battle involving Jody's nine-year-old daughter. One of the witnesses, the Washington County State's Attorney General, struggled with Ms. Herring to retrieve the gun and police apprehended her at the scene.
The killing shocked the residents of Barre, Vermont. Religious leaders and social work professionals began to coordinate a response and planned a vigil in memory of Lara. However, the community was unprepared for what came next.
To read more, click
here
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Torbet Prize
The American Baptist Historical Society announces t
he Torbet Prize
for the b
est essay
in any area of
Baptist history.
There is a
$500 award plus p
ublication in the
American Baptist Quarterly. The following rules apply:
- The author has not already published a major scholarly work
- Entries should be no more than 25 pages (excluding notes)
- Manuscript must be double-spaced in accordance with the Chicago Manual of Style
Entries should be sent to: American Baptist Historical Society,
Mercer University,
3001 Mercer University Drive,
Atlanta GA 30341.
Deadline for entries is September 1, 2017.
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2016 Annual Reports Due
| FBC Keystone |
Greystone Church |
Aenon Baptist |
| FBC East Rochester |
FBC Penfield |
Mt. Olivet Baptist |
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