A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA | |
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2021 Biennial Mission Summit:
Still Time to Register
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Watch and share the invitational video above, and join us!
Registration is open for the American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Mission Summit, meeting online Thursday, June 24 to Saturday, June 26, 2021. Plan now to experience the vitality of our American Baptist family together with other American Baptists from all corners of the United States and the world during our first ever denomination-wide online Biennial Mission Summit! See an article below about scholarships available to offset registration fees.
Promotional materials to use in your congregations and networks, the scholarship application, and important information for registered participants can be found at www.abc-usa.org/imagine2021.
Don't forget to use our event hashtags: #ABCImagine2021 #ABCMissionSummit
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ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary Offers Biennial Scholarships | |
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The ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary announces scholarship opportunities for attendees of the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit – An Online Experience.
Scholarships for the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit—An Online Experience will be awarded based on expressed need and are offered on a limited basis. This opportunity is available for individuals who register for the event as a Participant. Individuals who register as a voting Delegate for their congregation are not eligible. Only one application per family will be considered. The application deadline is Sunday, May 30.
If you still are undecided about coming the Biennial Mission Summit, view this video as a personal invitation to come and be a part of the Body of Christ that is the American Baptist family.
To apply, please fill out an application here.
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Biennial Mission Summit Promotional Video: Now Available with Spanish Subtitles | |
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American Baptist Churches USA released two videos last month that congregations and ministry partners can use to promote the 2021 online Biennial Mission Summit to be held June 24-26, 2021. The full length video is now available with Spanish-subtitles for all speakers: youth participants Shileah Huggins and Sage Kushner, preacher Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain, and Biennial Mission Summit featured guest, Rev. Susan Sparks.
You can find all promotional videos and other materials here.
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ABCUSA Connections - 2021, Issue 1 | |
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This month, The Generosity Project is publishing two blogs from the Rev. Stacy Emerson. These two blogs entitled "Gratitude" and "The Many Faces of Stewardship" will be available on the ABCUSA website to assist and support new growth and understanding as we deepen our ministry and discipleship.
The Generosity Project examines the challenge of stewardship in the 21st century and looks at learning how to re-frame the conversation. It looks at how we can create experiments to nurture generosity in ourselves, our families, and our congregations.
Read the latest blog on gratitude here.
With questions, please contact Rev. Stacy Emerson, ABCUSA Stewardship Facilitator: 800-ABC-3USA x2010, or stacy.emerson@abc-usa.org.
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New Ministers and Seminarians: There is still time to join us. Please consider the following invitation to Orientation to American Baptist Life! | |
View an invitation from Rev. Laura Harris-Adams, above, and and a note from the OTABL Co-Coordinators below:
Dear Friends,
Please join us as we plan our fifth in a series of six Orientation to American Baptist Life (OATBL) sessions. You can learn about each session, and view prior sessions, by going to www.abc-usa.org/otabl. We hope you will join us for sessions five and six by registering here. We look forward to welcoming you as your schedule allows.
Blessings,
Rev. Judy Fackenthal
Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque
For more information please email otabl@abc-usa.org. A recording of previous sessions can be found here.
No matter when, it’s never too late...
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Conference Historian Announced for June 2022 Celebrating Ministering Women Conference | |
The Planning Team of the “Celebrating Ministering Women: Radical. Redeemed. Ready.” Conference is excited to announce that the Rev. Dr. Priscilla E. Eppinger, executive director of the American Baptist Historical Society (ABHS), will serve in the role of Conference Historian for the event. On June 15-18, 2022, Eppinger will join event speakers in a new role that helps to celebrate and highlight the role of women in ministry throughout American Baptist history. You can learn more here. | |
American Baptist Churches USA Announces Renewed Focus on Spiritual Direction
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As a continuation of its 10-year emphasis on spiritual transformation and formation in the life of American Baptists, the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary is excited to announce a renewed focus on the practice of spiritual direction. In recognition that the demand for spiritual direction is greater than ever due to this unprecedented time in which we live, an ABC Spiritual Direction Team has been called to aid those American Baptists who desire to explore the practice of spiritual direction as well as those who express their call to ministry as spiritual directors. Rev. Betty Wright-Riggins, Rev. Judy Fackenthal, and Rev. Brad Berglund, all certified spiritual directors, will serve together as our ABC Spiritual Direction Team. Read more here. | |
ABHMS to Host "Starting the Money Conversation" Event | |
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“Starting the Money Conversation”—a virtual financial literacy program—will be held noon-1:30 p.m. EST on Tuesdays, May 18 and 25. The program is co-sponsored by American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Money can be a source of stress or delight, both materially and spiritually. We can all benefit from resources for financial well-being—for ourselves, our families, our congregations and our communities.
“Ministering in both a local congregation and at a seminary, I often met people who were experiencing financial stress. At the time, I felt limited to offering a listening ear,” says Jennifer Sanborn, director of ABHMS’ In Support of Excellence program. “Now, with the ‘Your Money, Your Goals’ booklets and online toolkit, I can truly start a conversation about money, providing practical support to someone seeking to assess and change their financial circumstances. The resources are accessible, easy to understand, and free.”
Please register here or preview an online booklet here.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Sanborn, director of ABHMS' In Support of Excellence Program at jennifer.sanborn@abhms.org.
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The ABCUSA Ministers Council Presents 'For Such a Time as This -- Pentecost Power and Practices in a Divided World' | |
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On Thursday, May 20, the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches USA will host a conversation with Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri and Rev. Chakravarthy Zadda-Ravindra, Ph.D. at 8pm EDT.
What does the Pentecost story mean for the multi-cultural and multi-national Body of Christ? Does it give fresh direction for this divisive and pain-filled time in the world we are called to serve and bless? How do we imagine the gifts of the Spirit for the speaking, listening and acting to which we are called today? What might we learn as leaders from the rhythms of the Spirit as we retell the birth of the Church? Join us for conversation with two colleagues whose ministries embody a multiplicity of experiences and lenses, including deep connections to the international family in India and Myanmar. Together, we'll explore our common call to empathic and empowering leadership. This event will be facilitated by ABCUSA Ministers Council Vice President Rev. Jacki Belile, CPC.
Find more information about the presenters and register for the event here.
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The American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin prayerfully pursues qualified candidates for the position of Executive Minister. The Executive Minister is considered the Region Pastor, Staff Ministry Team Leader, Chief Executive Officer, and a Regional Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. A full position description and application instructions can be found here.
The application deadline is Wednesday, June 30.
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The Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches USA is searching for a part-time Program Administrator to work in their West Chester, Pennsylvania office. A full position description and application instructions can be found here.
The application deadline is Monday, May 17.
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Baptist World Alliance Celebrates Global Impact Month | |
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Join the Baptist World Alliance throughout the month of May to celebrate BWA Global Impact Month. Formerly known as BWA Day, this strategic time of prayer, celebration, and action gives us the opportunity to focus our hearts and minds on how the Lord is working through our global Baptist family.
Each week throughout the month of May, we will share a brief email update centered on one of our five core ministry areas with resources you can share within your home, churches, ministries, unions, and conventions. In remembrance of how the Spirit moved at Pentecost, we invite you to set aside a time this month to focus on the mission and vision of the BWA. Whether during a worship service, Bible study, mission meeting, or other setting, we are inviting God to powerfully pour out his Spirit among us.
Share your Global Impact Month experiences with the global Baptist family. Email pictures or post on social media with the tag #BWAGlobalImpact. Thank you again for being a vital part of the Lord's global impact through the BWA!
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