May 2022

This week, American Baptist leaders have responded to the recent shootings in California, New York and Wisconsin.

American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods released a statement saying, "The recent shootings in Orange County, California at the Geneva Presbyterian Church, in Buffalo, New York, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin remind us of the deep and destructive hate that exists in so many people today. These shootings are a reminder that we are losing too many human lives to gun violence. We pray for the families and friends of the victims and for all those affected by these shootings. We also pray for discernment and fortitude to be about gospel work that opens our own eyes and hearts to the deep rooted causes of violence and transforms our learned ways of interpreting and responding to acts of hate and violence." Read the full statement here.

The American Baptist Churches of New York State sent a letter of prayer and support to its churches and community on Monday morning following Saturday shooting in Buffalo, New York. Read the statement here.

On behalf of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray released a statement noting that "[ABHMS] expresses heartfelt condolences to the victims and family members of those slain during [the] brazen act of racially motivated violence on May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. We stand in solidarity with the people of Buffalo, while praying for comfort on the part of all those stricken by grief due to this massacre." Read the full statement here.

Join us on May 24, 9:30am-3:30pm EDT, for this hybrid event cosponsored by the ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning, Philadelphia Baptist Association, and ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary.

Join us for an Everyday ABC Conversation: Homelessness and the

Housing Crisis, on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 2:00pm EDT

with presenters Jill Scalise and Josh Sabo.

Stories about the housing crisis in the USA are regularly in the news. Since the pandemic, home prices and housing costs have skyrocketed in many communities. Do you know folks trying to find an apartment they can afford? Have you juggled bills so that you can pay the rent, keep the electricity on, and buy groceries? Perhaps you know the pain of homelessness. Do you wonder how the church can be God’s hands and feet in our communities? This Everyday Conversation will explore homelessness, the current housing crisis, and our Christian response.

Questions:

• What is your experience with homelessness?
• What approaches to addressing homelessness do you see in your community? How are they working?
• Do you know anyone struggling to find housing right now or who is housing cost-burdened? (Housing cost-burdened=paying over 30% of income on housing costs)
• How can you and your church address housing needs in your community?

Learn more at:

www.abc-usa.org/how-we-serve/events/everyday-abc-conversations

Rev. Soozi Whitten Ford Role Begins as

Interim Associate General Secretary

for Regional Ministries

May is time for...One Great Hour of Sharing

One Great Hour of Sharing (“OGHS”) is one of four annual offerings received by American Baptist churches. OGHS makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer the effects of disaster, conflict, poverty or severe economic hardship, and for those who find themselves refugees or displaced within their home country.

Learn more.

Prayer Invited for American Baptist Leaders

Please keep in prayer American Baptist national and regional leaders who have been meeting this week for the National Leadership Council (NLC) at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wis.

The National Leadership Council is a staff council of the denomination that meets once a year. Its purposes include:

  (A) Building and fostering authentic relationships within the NLC

  (B) Participating in continuing education related to respective executive roles

  (C) Facilitating implementation of Denominational priorities

  (D) Demonstrating progress on those priorities in their respective boards

  (E) Conducting trend analysis

  (F) Suggesting means of improving the functioning of the Denomination

  (G) Participating in theological reflection

Don't Miss the MMBB RE:THINK RE:INVEST

Financial Conference

The MMBB RE:THINK RE:INVEST Financial Conference will take place November 13-15, 2022 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown. This will be a hybrid conference for clergy and church lay leaders from across the Northeast and neighboring regions.

Click here to learn more.

MMBB Gets Social

We're excited to announce that #MMBB is now on Facebook and Instagram! Follow us across social media to discover regular insights from friendly experts who understand the unique priorities and financial planning needs of clergy, church staff and faith-based organizations. We look forward to connecting with you and sharing resources that enhance your financial wellness. #PartnersinFinance #PartnersinFaith

Facebook: https://lnkd.in/dgmJSvR4

Instagram: https://lnkd.in/djRizJUf

Join us for our Next Everyday ABC Conversation: Homelessness and the Housing Crisis

“Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” Conference Registration Deadline is Friday, May 13

General Secretary Search Committee Update

Second Cohort of ABHMS Chaplaincy Certificate Program Celebrates Graduation

Engaged in Ministry Together at Panther Lake Community Church

A Future with Hope: Resilient Responses in COVID-era Ministry

Visit the websites below

for happenings around the American Baptist denomination.

To view a full list of ABC ministry partners, click here.

ABC-affiliated organizations who would like to submit upcoming news for a denomination-wide audience to this mid-month enewsletter may send submissions by the 10^th of the month to communications@abc-usa.org.