c o n n e c t i o n s
t h e a l l i a n c e o f b a p t i s t s
n e w s l e t t e r
April 7, 2020
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Two Opportunities to Gather
By Alliance Staff
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Over the next few weeks, we are thrilled to have two opportunities to gather Alliance folks around our common table.
First, the Annual Business Meeting will be held this Saturday, April 10 from 2-5p ET. This meeting, which typically takes place within the programming of the Annual Gathering, has been pulled out and set aside on its own weekend so we might take care of the business of the Alliance. If you’d like to have a voice about the future of the Alliance, you’ll want to be sure to make plans to join us on April 10! To learn more, click here.
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"What I loved most about this particular cemetery were not the gravestones but the wildflowers—the most vivid blanket of natural color I have ever seen. The juxtaposition of graves and new life had always felt sacred every time I visited there in spring, but this year the contrast felt especially poignant. I usually sit on the wildflower side of the cemetery. This year I sat on the other end, where the flowers were sparse and the graves abundant."
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"A scattering of acorns over the years in the Alliance are beginning to produce a crop of oaks, growing stronger every year. Our revised covenant reflects our commitment to racial justice and wider welcome. The Alliance Board established a racial justice task force, led by Malu Fairley-Collins and April Baker, in which we did difficult and courageous work to envision ways we can and will live into our antiracist commitments. Aspects of that vision were given to implementation planning groups, and through the long months of the pandemic these many groups have done their work to further elaborate how we can live into our commitments to racial justice: in our board, in our committees, in our partnerships, in our Annual Gatherings. Small groups are continuing this work, drafting the policies that will shape our life together, as we hold ourselves accountable for racial justice."
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"Both Earth and Christ are forsaken when oppression of others who are different than us seems to rule the day; when we contribute either mindlessly or with lack of any concern to systems of racial, social, economic, and environmental injustice - privileging some while excluding others. Not everyone may fit the purposes of a mono-crop planting scheme prescribed by Empire and Industry but everyone, regardless of species, gender, sexual, racial, or ethnic identity contributes in their own ways to the resiliency of Earth as a Beloved Commun(ion)ity."
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"There are those periods of history when prayers are lifted up to God, but the answers are accompanied by fear, frustration and uncertainty. The present reality that we are living has a great deal of uncertainty. Today I dare to think like never before. Covid-19 has locked us in our homes, has distanced us and has made us wait for a vaccine that “solves everything,” and this phenomenon applies to the entire world. However, it is not the only problem. Our country has embarked on an economic restructuring that makes the situation even more distressing."
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Co-Director Search Update
By the Search Committee
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The search for a new co-director of the Alliance is underway! Currently the Search Committee is working with our consulting team to finalize an announcement for the position and begin soliciting résumés. Do you have networks through which we might circulate the announcement? If so, send them to [email protected]. The committee is grateful for your prayers as we seek the guidance of the Holy in this search for our next co-director.
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By Carol Blythe and Rick Goodman
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"The time is ripe for the Alliance, other progressive faith groups and others in civil society, to push. We must push for healthcare for everyone, for voting rights legislation that overcomes racist voter suppression, for care for creation, for just, humane and comprehensive immigration reform, for economic justice in housing, food security, living wages, and for a change in what Dr. King referred to as the evil of militarism."
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Stay up to date on what's happening around the Alliance:
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Berkeley School of Theology is offering a Zoom course called White Supremacy and the Bible. This course will meet once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 PM starting June 22. Learn more here.
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The Alliance of Baptists is proud to be a founding member of the national volunteer COVID-19 Community Corps! Click here today to learn more and join us in the fight to protect America’s health.
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On April 14 at 5:00 PM, join the BJC for the 2021 Shurden Lectures. The lecture, entitled Religious Liberty Has Been White Too Long: Voices of Black Scholars, will feature Dr. Nicole Turner, Dr. David Goatley, Dr. Teresa Smallwood, Dr. Anthony Pinn.
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The Candler Foundry, a program at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, is offering an Antiracism for Youth course on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm April 14-May 19. Designed for high-school-aged youth, this course explores how racism and white supremacy have impacted the church and considers what a faith-based response could be to racial injustice. For information on how to register, click here.
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Creation Justice “Earth Month” resources are available from Creation Justice Ministries at A New Heaven and a New Earth.
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2021 is focusing on Climate Justice and will be led by people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Click here for more info on virtual EAD set for April 18-21. At EAD you can learn to strengthen your voice and mobilize for advocacy.
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Do you have a prayer request you want to share with the wider Alliance community? Submit it here.
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Calendar
April 10, 2021
Board Meeting
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
April 10, 2021
3:00 - 5:00 PM EST
April 23-24, 2021
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The Alliance of Baptists is a vibrant movement of people, faith communities and ministry partners who are deeply passionate about ecumenism, partnership in mission, relentless hospitality and racial and social justice. |
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