August 2021

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.

2021 Biennial Mission Summit Offerings

Attendees of the 2021 online Biennial Mission Summit had the opportunity to give to three offerings. These offerings centered on the worship service theme for each evening, as follows:

• Thursday's worship service "Imagine—Unity" – dedicated to humanitarian aide for the people of Myanmar which will be distributed by the ABCUSA Burma Refugee Commission.
• Friday's worship service "Imagine--Healing" – to support anti-racism work at the individual, congregational, and institutional levels of ABCUSA.
• Saturday worship service "Imagine--Hope" – to support scholarships for the upcoming 2022 ABCUSA Women in Ministry conference "Celebrating Ministering Women: Radical. Redeemed. Ready."

You can participate in the offerings here. The offering portal will remain open through September 24, 2021.

Are you wondering what the pandemic will mean financially for your church going forward?

Margaret Marcuson has been a pastor who has faced some dicey years in the local church (though not as dicey as a pandemic year). She knows what it’s like to wonder how this year–and even this month–will turn out financially. Learn how you can:

• Become more thoughtful about the financial challenges you and your church face at this time;
• See money–and your own leadership in this area–from a different perspective;
• Bring more calm and creativity to the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic;
• Focus on yourself and what you can impact directly rather than worrying about what others might do;
• Reduce your overall stress about the financial future of your congregation; and
• Step into the need to ask for money in a time of uncertainty.

And, perhaps even enjoy the work of stewardship at this time.

ABC Anti-Racism Task Force August 2021 Article: "Ain't We All God's Children?"

Over the next couple of months, the ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force will create space that encourages contemplative momentum. Contemplative momentum is commitment to balancing both inward and outward engagement. This movement of exploration informs the way in which we show up in the world. When Jesus sends us, his brothers and sisters, into the world to preach the good news, he is calling us to engage in counterintuitive practices that transform. The Apostle Paul speaks from the same perspective in his letter to the Romans. He says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Read the full August 2021 article here and explore the resources the Task Force has created for the denomination 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 more information and registration details as they become available.

We congratulate those who were recognized at the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit for being Top-Giving United Mission churches in various categories for 2020. Click here to see the video presentation.

Are you exploring a call to chaplaincy in healthcare, prisons, military or higher education? Are you already providing support as a chaplain, pastor, deacon or missionary in another context?

Then “Chaplaincy Skills for Community Ministry” is right for you.

Taught by board-certified and endorsed chaplains, this practical course in chaplaincy skills is for community contexts, where a ministry of nonsectarian spiritual care is needed. 

Learn how to offer a ministry of presence that does the following:

• honors ecumenical and interfaith engagement; 
• demonstrates cultural humility; 
• practices refined listening skills; and
• responds to trauma with sensitivity and accountability.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies will present “Chaplaincy Skills for Community Ministry” 6-8 p.m. ET Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1 and 8 online via its Center for Continuous Learning. A cohort celebration will be held 6-7 p.m. ET Nov. 15. Cost is $249.

Find more information and enroll here.

IM to Host 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 opens Wednesday, July 21 online.

REGION NEWS

Grant Writing Workshop

The DC Baptist Convention (DCBC) is offering an Intensive 8-week Grant Proposal Writing Course! Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Compose a grant of contract proposal that has a high probability of being funded.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the funding landscape within public and private domains.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize knowledge of program development, including use of logic modeling, forecasting, asset mapping and environmental scans. 

Learn more here.

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