| A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA |
National Executive Council Encourages Spiritual Practices Ahead of Lent
The National Executive Council encourages all American Baptists to embrace the upcoming Lenten Season in  order to draw close to our Lord, and to pray for our neighbors near and far. Members of the council have committed themselves to a day of prayer and fasting each week during the Lenten Season.
The six-week long season of Lent comes from a word meaning the lengthening of days and has long been highlighted as a season of repentance, reflection, and rekindling our relationship with Jesus. God strengthens as the days lengthen.
See the words of encouragement from members of the National Executive Council
here.
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Registration Now Open for "Celebrating Ministering Women: Radical. Redeemed. Ready."
As
previously announced, the conference will be highlighted by Keynote Speakers Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque, Rev. Yamina Apolinaris-Concepcion, Dr. Susan Gillies, and Rev. Dr. Trinette V. McCray. Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri will serve as the conference Poet Laureate. Each ministerial leader brings an exciting perspective to the celebratory event.
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Burma Refugee Commission Recommends Plan of Action After New Expanded Travel Ban Announced
On January 31, 2020, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation that expands Travel Ban 3.0 to certain nationals from six NEW countries: Myanmar (also known as Burma), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. There is no expiration date.
The new expanded travel ban will take effect at midnight on February 21, 2020.
"We are saddened by the consequences of the recent expanded travel ban upon our brothers and sisters among the Burma diaspora. We are putting together an advocacy delegation that will seek to raise the consciousness and call for a more humanitarian response to the current set of circumstances," said Acting General Secretary C. Jeff Woods.
Learn more.
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2020 Faith Over Fear Trainings
Our partners at Shoulder to Shoulder will be bringing their
Faith Over Fear training
to communities across the United States in 2020.
These trainings share research, tools & effective strategies
for the work of faith & community leaders who wish
to counter anti-Muslim bias, discrimination & violence
in the United States.
Below is the lineup of where they'll be over the next several months (along with links to more information & registration). We encourage you to please consider joining, and help spread the word to those who may be interested:
Nashville, TN
- February 28-29, 2020
Escondido, CA
- March 28, 2020
Sioux Falls, SD
- April 17-18, 2020
Los Angeles, CA
- Summer 2020
Learn more.
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This new 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.
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Golden Rule 2020: Join the Movement!
As we enter this election year, many Americans are nervous and fearful about the upcoming political campaign. There is a deep concern that the months ahead will be filled with hostility and hatred which will further tear our country apart. For those who wonder how to act in this difficult political climate, there is an effort called Golden Rule 2020 that began a few months ago and encourages people to apply Christian teachings to our political discussions.
The purpose of Golden Rule 2020 is to promote the application of the Golden Rule in interactions during the upcoming election year.
ABCUSA is one of more than a dozen denominations and national organizations cooperating with the National Institute for Civil Discourse to promote Golden Rule 2020. We urge you to
learn more about this initiative on our website and look for ways it can be helpful to you and your congregation.
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2020-2021 ABC Directory/Planning Calendar available for download
The 2020-2021 ABC Directory/Planning Calendar is available for download. We invite you to print this calendar as a reference tool for use in weekly planning throughout the calendar year and into 2021.
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National Insurance Program Created to Benefit ABCUSA Churches
Church Mutual and Sovereign Insurance Group have created a national insurance program to benefit ABCUSA churches.
Announced in a letter written by Acting General Secretary C. Jeff Woods, this voluntary program is available to interested churches to provide additional value to them through group purchasing.
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