The
Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba
, whose pastors are scheduled to be on retreat this week. As Hurricane Michael looms, we pray for their protection and safety.
Lauren Colwell
, Decatur, Ga., who is recovering from surgery repairing a severe break in her leg. She serves as minister of Christian education and community engagement at congregational partner Oakhurst Baptist Church.
Pini Kidulah
, ministry partner in West Pokot, Kenya, at the death of her mother Sept. 15. Pini's mother bravely battled breast cancer. Pini writes:
This was the saddest moment of my life. I feel deeply sad and quite worried about our family's ability to be strong without her presence, but I trust in God who now fellowships with my mom's spirit. He will take care of us and I comfort myself in the thoughts that my mom's spirit still lives with us. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers during this period of grief and as we learn to adjust to living without her physical presence. Cards or notes may be sent to Pini Kidulah, P.O. Box 260, Kapenguria, West Pokot, 030600, Rift Valley, Kenya, or to her email:
chepini@gmail.com
.
Walker Knight
, Decatur, Ga., who seeks our prayerful support as he describes his health as "marginal." Walker, 94, is experiencing side effects from medication, mobility issues, dental concerns and increasing macular degeneration. The Alliance founder and founding editor of
Baptists Today
is a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church.
Fran Langstaff
, Durham, N.C., who is preparing for knee replacement surgery Oct. 18. The Alliance supporter is a member of congregational partner Watts Street Baptist Church.
Gail R. O'Day
, dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity for nearly a decade, who died Sept. 22. A former student offers: "What she taught me was to really believe in the incarnation: the Gospel of John as an embodied response to the love of God known in the Word becoming flesh." The life and work of this friend, mentor, colleague, renowned biblical scholar and preacher was celebrated with a service at Wait Chapel Oct. 8.
DorilĂn Tito Sanjorge
, pastor of the William Carey Baptist Church, Havana, Cuba, who was treated at a neurological hospital for severe headaches. The William Carey Church is a member of ministry partner the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba.
Kathleen Wicker
, Cary, N.C., as she recovers from her second knee replacement in recent years. She is the mother of former Alliance president Brooks Wicker, and is a member of congregational partner Greenwood Forest Baptist Church.
Ruth Marie Ulmer Williams,
Allendale, Va., who died Sept. 19. Her son, Sammy Williams, whose last pastorate was at Northminster Church, Richmond, Va., celebrates her life as one woman who "served and touched so many in her careers as a nurse and a community volunteer. I was especially grateful for the family she nurtured and the character she instilled in us."
We celebrate alongside...
Kathy Berry
, Richmond, Va., who retired from full-time chaplaincy at Westminster Canterbury Richmond retirement community, with hopes to return as a PRN chaplain doing special projects for memory care. She also plans to spend time speaking about her book on dementia:
When Words Fail: Practical Ministry with People with Dementia and Their Caregivers
, published in 2016. Kathy served on the Alliance board of directors from 1998-2002. When speaking of ministry at Westminster Canterbury, she writes, "It has been a wonderful place to serve among the most amazing residents, staff and families!"
Dan and Sharon Buttry
as they retire from service as Global Consultants for Peace and Justice, American Baptist Churches International Ministries. Their work has taken them to countries on every continent to engage in mediation, mentoring and training in the art of nonviolent struggle for justice. In the past five years they had led intensive 10-day training events in conflict transformation theory and practice with 300 participants from 50 countries. Dan is the author of several books, including two volumes of
Interfaith Heroes,
a collection of brief profiles of peacemakers from various religious traditions.
Wanda Sauley Fennell
, who celebrated 30 years as minister of music at congregational partner Grace Baptist Church in Richmond, Va,. on Sept. 4. "I am thankful for the blessing of serving three decades with this community of faith that welcomes all God's children," offered Wanda.
Aretha Flucker
, who was ordained on Sept. 30 at The Luke Church, Humble, Texas, where she serves as minister of formation and assimilation. Previously she served as a licensed minister at First Corinthian Baptist Church in New York City, where she also received her M.Div. from New York Theological Seminary.
Abby Thornton Hailey and Victor Hailey
, Annapolis, Md., as they welcome Hannah Eleanor into the world. Abby is pastor at congregational partner Broadneck Baptist Church.
Kathryn Spangler Kimmel and Brett Harris
, who were installed as co-pastors of congregational partner University Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, Miss., in a service of worship on Sept. 16. Kat previously served almost five years as associate minister on staff of the church. Brett has served as director of the Osher Center for Lifelong Learning at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Stuart Lamkin
, who has been called as the pastor of First Baptist Church Weaverville, N.C. Previously he served as pastor of Hickory Rock Baptist Church, Louisburg, N.C.
Christy McMillion-Goodwin
, who was installed Sept. 9 as pastor of First Baptist Church, Front Royal, Va. Previously she served as associate minister at Oakland Baptist Church, Rock Hill, S.C. Christy also served on the board of directors of the Alliance from 1996-1999.
Courtney Pace and Michael Owen
, who were married Sept. 15 in Memphis, Tenn. Courtney is associate professor of church history at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Saxon
, who has been called to serve as executive minister of Mid-America Baptist Churches (American Baptist Churches of Iowa and Minnesota). Previously Jackie served Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary as vice president for student affairs and vocation. Originally from Rochester, N.Y., she was ordained at congregational partner University Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, and served the congregation as associate pastor. A member of the search committee remarked: "Her warmth and caring will shine through as she builds relationships with pastors and congregations and brings a fresh spirit to the region as well as maintaining and building upon the remarkable success of the Mid-ABC Region." Jackie has said she is delighted, humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve the Iowa and Minnesota ABCUSA family as the next executive minister for the Mid-American Region.
Rachel Sciretti
, who has been called to serve as associate pastor of outreach and discipleship at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. She has joined the church staff where her husband, Michael Sciretti, was called to serve as director of their Center for Christian Spirituality. Previously Rachel served as associate pastor for children and youth discipleship at Hampton Baptist Church in Hampton, Va.
Steve Shoemaker,
Charlotte, N.C., who has been called to serve as pastor of congregational partner Grace Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C. Previously Steve served the congregation as interim pastor. Prior to this Steve served as pastor of Myers Park Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C.; Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas; and Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.--all congregational partners of the Alliance. In addition, Steve served on the board of directors of the Alliance from 1987-1992.
Jonathan Spencer, Atlanta, Ga., who had successful heart surgery to plug a small hole in his heart. This hole is believed to be the reason Jonathan had a small stroke in April 2018. Jonathan thanks all for the prayers and support. Jonathan is an Alliance-endorsed hospice chaplain and pastor at Northeast Baptist Church.
