September 2021

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ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE

A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA

Save the Date: Join Us for the

"Everyday ABC Conversations" Series

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We are excited to announce the "Everyday ABC Conversations" series. Plan now to join us online for the upcoming conversation, "Higher Education, the Global Pandemic, and Caring for the Needs of Students" on Wednesday, October 13, at 2:00pm EDT. Presenters for the session will include Dr. James “Tim” Barry, president of Alderson Broaddus University, and Karen Podsiadly, president of American Baptist Churches USA and Director of Community Development at The College at Brockport (State University of New York).


Due to the popularity of the recent Mission Summit Conversations in which over 650 American Baptists simultaneously participated in dialogue during the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit, the American Baptist Churches USA is launching this series of dialogues, entitled, “Everyday ABC Conversations.”


Each Everyday ABC Conversation will begin with a brief introduction of the topic by one or two leaders associated with the subject area, followed by 30-40 minutes of small group conversation in randomly assigned breakout rooms of 10 persons each. The entire conversation, including presentation, will last approximately one hour.

Check www.abc-usa.org for more information in the coming weeks!

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Savvy Student Loan Management


Mark your calendars with this upcoming Webinar

 

A high-impact program for today’s borrowers

 

This engaging and practical presentation offered for American Baptist clergy and seminarians will help you get a grip on your student loans by clearly explaining:

·      The big picture: student debt as part of your total financial picture

·      How COVID 19 and the CARES Act impacts student loan borrowers

·      Understanding the eligibility requirements of the various repayment plans

·      Loan forgiveness from A to Z

·      Tax issues specific to student loan borrowers

·      Pros and cons of private student loan refinancing

 

Bring your toughest questions because the expert is in the house!

 

Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 1pm-2:15pm ET

Full registration details coming soon and will be posted at https://ccl.ministrelife.org/.The webinar will be hosted by ABHMS' Center for Continuous Learning.

 

Don’t miss attorney and nationally recognized expert Heather Jarvis:


Heather Jarvis is widely known for her depth of knowledge and accessible teaching style. She has provided student loan education and consultation for universities, associations, and professional advisors since 2005. Heather graduated cum laude from Duke University School of Law in 1998 and dedicates her professional efforts advocating on behalf of high-debt student loan borrowers. Heather contributes to student debt relief policy for the House Education Committee and others in Congress and recently completed service on the American Bar Association Task Force on Financing Legal Education.

  

Sponsored by ABHMS and ABCUSA, with funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

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Anti-Racism Symposium


Save the Date! On Saturday, October 30, the ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force will host a virtual Anti-Racism Symposium. Mark your calendar. The focus of this symposium is: The Prophetic Rhythm of Anti-Racism. More information will be published in the coming weeks.

Final Days of Post Event Registration and Access to

2021 Biennial Mission Summit - Closes September 24

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If you missed the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit in June, don't worry! You can still get access!


If you would like to view the recordings of any main sessions and access the rich resources in the On-Demand Library and those that Exhibitors provided, you can register as a Post-Event Participant for only $40 by going to www.americanbaptists2021.com and clicking on the REGISTER button. You will have access through September 24, 2021! Details can be found at www.abc-usa.org/imagine2021.


All event registrants continue to have access to recordings of the main sessions and the resources in the On-Demand Library and Exhibit Booths through September 24.


Read more about the event here.

Click Here for Post-Event Registration
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Hurricane Ida Leaves Great Need in its Wake; Give Now to One Great Hour of Sharing to Help


From Louisiana to New York and into the New England region, Hurricane Ida stormed across the United States this week leaving a trail of lost electrical power, flooded towns and transit systems, and rooftop rescues. Dozens of people were killed by the massive weather system, which landed on the Gulf Coast in Port Fourchon, La., on Sunday, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.


American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)—on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA—is launching a One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) emergency appeal seeking support for families, churches and communities who will need help in the coming weeks and months as they recover and rebuild from the storm’s destruction.


Learn more.

ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force September 2021 Article: "We Press On"


A Spiritual Love Letter

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NIV


In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul writes words filled with warmth and gratitude. It is a love letter of sorts. Paul is thankful for the Philippian church and for their kindness. He writes this letter acknowledging their generosity and encouraging them to press on.


We, the ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force, pen these words in this same spirit of acknowledgement and encouragement with warmth and gratitude. We are grateful for the historical involvement of the ABCUSA in addressing inequities, biases, hatred, and indifference. We are grateful for the commitment of the denomination to proclaim the “good news of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ” in real and tangible ways. We acknowledge the courage of the ABCUSA to lead with love as abolitionists and spokespersons for the gift of diversity. We are grateful that ABCUSA has, in so many ways, led with love in response to the pressing needs and inequities of the past and of our present day. We are grateful. We must press on.


Read the full article, "We Press On", here.

Save the Date!

Join Us June 15-18, 2022 for "Celebrating

Ministering Women: Radical. Redeemed. Ready."

The "Celebrating Ministering Women: Radical. Redeemed. Ready." conference will meet at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wis., from Wednesday, June 15 to Saturday, June 18, 2022. The conference will include engaging keynote speakers, diverse workshops, innovative worship services, and opportunities for fellowship.


Visit www.radicalredeemedready.com for new information added.

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MMBB Makes Disaster Recovery Emergency Grants Available to Members

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MMBB is offering emergency assistance to its members devastated by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Northeast — where many have lost homes, automobiles, personal belongings and have seen their livelihoods disrupted.



Due to the disastrous effects of Hurricane Ida, MMBB will make one $3,500 ministry support grant per member available to those eligible. This is part of MMBB’s outreach to members in times of distress. MMBB provides financial assistance through its non-contractual benefits program. On a case-by-case basis, MMBB gives limited tax-free emergency financial relief to ordained members and active lay members based on need.


Learn more.

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Is God Calling You to Serve?


American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) calls for applications for national officer positions for its national board. ABWM has a long heritage of being at the forefront of mission and ministry with women and girls. From its roots to today, ABWM has addressed critical issues such as sex trafficking, poverty, equal voice, safety and security, access to clean water and other natural resources, leadership development, and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. The national board of ABWM provides a key role in empowering women and girls to live into the fullness of who God creates them to be. The national board is an essential resource enabling ABWM to fulfill its mission, vision, and core values.


There are three positions open on the ABWM’s board for the 2022-2025 term: AB GIRLS Coordinator, Coordinator of Mission with Women and Girls, and Coordinator of the Midwestern Section. The Nominating Committee is accepting applications until October 1, 2021.

 

Learn more.

Join IM for "Hear the Call" Online Mission Conference

Are you or someone you know being called to global mission? "Hear the Call" is an online, discernment experience for adults exploring if God is calling them to career and/or short-term mission. During 3 two-hour sessions on Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9, 2021 participants will interact with global servants on the mission field. They will hear about mission opportunities, be able to ask questions, pray together and see God’s heart for mission. Registration for Hear the Call is available online, here.

Judson Press Book Encourages Evangelicals to Work for Justice and Peace

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God’s Invitation to Peace and Justice: Sermons and Essays on Shalom,” published by Judson Press on September 15, focuses on fighting injustice as a way of life for evangelical Christians.


Challenging corporations, individuals, and believers to seek peace and justice, the book features more than 40 compelling sermons and essays written throughout author Ronald J. Sider’s career. His challenge to followers of Jesus to embrace and live out the twin biblical mandates of evangelism and social action has been endorsed by multiple noted theologians and justice advocates, including Shane Claiborne, Tony Campolo and Scot McKnight.


“In ‘God’s Invitation to Peace and Justice,’ Ron Sider discerningly leads us into his life’s work and writings.


Read more.

REGION NEWS

DC Baptist Convention Installs Executive Director/Minister


We congratulate the District of Columbia Baptist Convention and Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, who was installed as the region’s Executive Director/Minister on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at St. Mary’s Baptist Church, Washington D.C.

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The Rev. Dr. Marion Criddle, Pastor of Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church, District Heights, MD, leads the installation prayer for Rev. Dr. Miler Manarin.


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Help in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ida


Churches in the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ), along with many others across the country, have dealt with difficult recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.


"On Thursday, September 2, 2021, the morning after the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida fell upon New Jersey, the ABCNJ ministry team contacted all our churches and pastors. We have heard back from 6 of our churches who have suffered damage, ranging from minor (some water damage or one or two trees down) to major (roof or water damage)."


Read the full region update here.

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