June 2020

 
ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

American Baptist Churches USA Survey Assesses  
Impact of COVID-19

A survey regarding the impact of the global pandemic was sent to all of the American Baptist regions via each region's executive minister in May. On behalf of local churches, the person most knowledgeable was asked to complete the survey. Originally requested by the members of the National Executive Council and Regional Executive Ministers Council, the survey of American Baptist congregations was aimed at assessing the impact of COVID-19.

A total of 414 congregations responded to the survey. A summary of the quantitative results is shown below. The survey results summary looks at the overall impact of COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on worship and ministry, future outlook related to COVID-19, and areas impacted by the virus.


Acts of Racial Injustice - A Letter from American Baptist Churches Interim General Secretary
 
 
On May 29, 2020, Interim General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods published a letter to American Baptists with a message centered around justice and more specifically, racial justice. Read the letter in English here. Read the letter in Spanish here.

American Baptists Invited to "Imagine" at the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit
 
Planning is well underway for the American Baptist Churches USA 2021 Biennial Mission Summit to be held June 25-27, 2021, at the San Juan Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
 
In a new video, Interim General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods introduces and gives an update on planning for the event. We encourage you to watch the full video here or below to learn more about the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit. A version of the video is available in Spanish, here. 


2021 Biennial Mission Summit - June 25-27, 2021 in San Juan, Puerto Rico 
 

New Discoveries and Learnings Document, Resources Available
 
In recent months, the American Baptist Churches USA Office of the Gen er al Secretary has shared many resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic on the website at www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus.  
 
Most recently, a Discoveries and Learnings from the Global Pandemic document was shared, as well as a Discussion Guide for reopening church buildings (available in English and Spanish) and resources from an organization-sponsored webinar held by Church Mutual Insurance on Reopening Safely.  
 
Additional helpful resources have also been added, covering a variety of topics. We invite you to visit this resource page at www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus.

Manarin Called to Lead DCBC as Executive Director/Minister
 
The District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) announced on June 15 that Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin has been called to serve as its next Executive Director/Minister. DCBC's Board of Directors voted to approve the Search Committee's recommendation to hire Dr. Manarin during a regularly scheduled board meeting held last week. Dr. Manarin, who currently serves as Executive Coordinator with Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will be entering into her new position as the Executive Director/Minister of the DCBC on August 17, 2020.
 


This Ecumenical Stewardship Center resource is available at no cost to you.
 
ABCUSA has purchased licenses for American Baptist churches who would like to use this online subscription for the 2020 theme Faithful, Hopeful, Loving. This complimentary subscription based on 1 Corinthians 13:13 includes the Giving magazine and 9 categories of digital files to enhance your congregation's emphasis experience.
 
Every congregation in North America practices stewardship. The question is whether they do so well, or not so well.
 
Giving magazine vol 22 no 1 focuses on year-round stewardship and provides thoughtful, practical, and inspirational articles on all these topics and more. Request your subscription today and receive not only this issue, but three more on faithful generosity, hopeful generosity, and loving generosity-a great companion to the Faithful, Hopeful, Loving stewardship resource.
 
Email [email protected] to request your complimentary subscription today!


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American Baptist Churches USA
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