May 2017

 
ABCUSA NEWS UPDATE
A monthly newsletter to keep you informed about ABCUSA
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer Called as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA

Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer was elected by the Board of General Ministries on May 8, in a special meeting of the Board at the Springhill Suites in Chicago. Dr. Spitzer's name was brought forward to the Board of General Ministries by the General Secretary Search Committee, who identified him as the candidate best suited to lead American Baptists forward.

Read the full news release and learn more about Dr. Spitzer here.

National Executive Council Members Welcome American Baptist Churches General Secretary Elect
Individual Registration Closes Soon - Register TODAY!

Individual registration  for the Biennial Mission Summit, June 30-July 2, 2017, to be held in Portland, Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center, will close on June 15, 2017.  Individuals may register online here.

The theme of the 2017 Biennial Mission Summit is "Connect!" The Biennial Mission Summit begins with worship Friday night, June 30, 2017, but events occur beforehand so be sure to check the Detailed Schedule and the Schedule at a Glance for a full event listing.

When individuals register for the Biennial Mission Summit, they will be asked to select a Mission Summit Conversations Topic, Learning Opportunities, Bible Study, Meal Events, and more.  Complete details can be found on the event website at www.americanbaptists2017.com.

Up to Camp: A Summer Reading Series

Over the summer months, Acting Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development Dr. Al Fletcher has invited leaders to share their recommended "Summer Reading Material" for an Up to Camp series. As you pack for camp this summer, grab one of these books to take along!

The first recommendation comes from Fletcher, who also serves as the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Maine.

Watch the ABCUSA website and Enewsletter for upcoming Summer Reading Material in the Up to Camp series!
$2,500 Matthew 25 Grant Funds Lansing, Mich., New Clothing Center for Children and Youth in Need


A $2,500 Matthew 25 Grant from American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) is supporting the Judson Love Clothing Center in Lansing, Mich., to donate new clothing to children and youth in need. The grant was awarded last October.

Learn More.
LOVE GIFT IS 85!

Love Gift, an initiative of women across American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) to help support t he full range of American Baptist Mission, turns 85 this year. In 1932, American Baptist Churches faced a $500,000 deficit, and it was feared the financial crisis would limit God's work in the denomination. American Baptist Churches asked individuals to give financial contributions in excess of their tithes and pledges. Women, specifically, were challenged to raise $150,000 to help meet the crisis. Receiving the challenge, women began the over-and-above contribution called Love Gift.

A new silver Love Gift box has been produced this spring, modeled after the original "Silver Boxes," which later became the Love Gift boxes. To order free Love Gift materials and additional Love Gift boxes visit: www.abwministries.org/store.

Click here to read the full story and learn more ways you can support Love Gift.
Transformation Stories Invited from Local American Baptist Churches

Do you have a story of transformation in your local church or community? Tell us about it! The deadline for Transformation Stories invited for submission has been extended to June 15, 2017. By sharing Transformation Stories, local churches can learn from one another as they watch/read about stories that may generate ministry ideas for outreach in their local church communities.
Registration Open for Hear the Call Weekend Retreat

The Hear the Call weekend retreat is a high intensity three-day experience hosted by International Ministries (IM) for anyone considering a call to global mission. In the past six years, dozens of people have participated and 11 so far have gone on to global mission service. The retreat will be held on August 18-20, 2017, at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. 

Registration is now open.
Totten to Receive Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award

Rev. Dr. June Totten, chair of the American Baptist Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations, is the 2017 recipient of the Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award. The award will be presented at the Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations Dinner on Friday, June 30, 2017, during the American Baptist Churches Biennial Mission Summit at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

The Luke Mowbray Ecumenical Award was established in 1974 at the request of Edna Mowbray, in memory of her late husband to recognize their commitment to achieve Christian unity. Its purpose is to give recognition to a member of an American Baptist church who has made an outstanding contribution in ecumenical work at the local, state, national or international level as either a volunteer or paid professional.

Learn More.
ABHMS Announces Ministry Award Recipients

Selected by American Baptist Home Mission Societies' (ABHMS) board of directors from nominations submitted by clergy and laypersons across the United States and Puerto Rico, a number of American Baptist clergy and lay leaders will receive awards for significant faith-based work. Presentation times and dates will be announced as they become available.

  Learn More.
Join Us! Rhythms of the Spirit - August 14-18 in Exeter, Rhode Island
Do you struggle for balance between prayer and activity? Do you long for more silence and solitude in your life and ministry? More energy for compassion, peace and justice? The Rhythms of the Spirit conference, offered in a retreat style, provides a unique opportunity to explore the transformed life and discover contemplative practices that invite us into deeper engagement with the needs of the world. 

Prayer Highlight: Biennial Mission Summit Speakers

Please be in prayer for the speakers of the Biennial Mission Summit, who will each be addressing American Baptists at a Biennial for the first time in their current positions during the Worship Experiences at the event, June 30-July 2, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. They include: Rev. Sharon T. Koh, executive director/CEO of American Baptist International Ministries, who will speak on the theme "Connected to Christ" on Friday evening, June 30; Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies, who will speak on the theme "Connected to Each Other" on Saturday evening, July 1; and Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, General Secretary elect of American Baptist Churches USA, who will speak on the theme "Connected to the World" on Sunday morning, July 2.


American Baptist Churches USA
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American Baptists serving as the hands and feet of Christ.