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
February 3, 2020
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The Alliance Executive Committee invites you to join your Alliance family on February 13 from noon - 1:30 PM EST as we celebrate the 34th birthday of the Alliance. As the pandemic continues to keep us apart, this will be an opportunity for us to stay connected. In preparation for what is to come, these 90 minutes will be a time of prayer and song, for discussion, to learn about ways to engage with the proposed covenant and bylaws changes that will be acted on at the April 10 business meeting, and to learn about ways to engage with the bylaws and proposed covenant prior to the business meeting.
As the Alliance celebrates 34 years together, we ask for your presence that day as your present to the Alliance!
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Black History Month taught me that systemic racism is more American than baseball and apple pie. Black History Month showed me that gaps in wealth, education and housing were not indicative of any inherent deficit in black people but a result of policy and resource allocation. At this very moment Black History Month is teaching me that I actually do like history when I can locate myself in it and when it affirms my humanity. Instead of eliminating something that has consistently offered a strong witness against white supremacy, why not work to extend that witness?
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Board of Directors Executive Committee
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"It is a natural human instinct to be angry when something you perceive to be yours is taken without your permission – not borrowed or even temporarily appropriated, but actually stolen. Even the most gracious and compassionate among us is justifiably offended when this occurs.
Such were the initial reactions of your Alliance staff, executive committee and donors when it was discovered through considerable effort by Carole Collins that an employee of the business where our mail was received had stolen more than $20,000 from us."
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By Laura Mayo
This article first ran in the Houston Chronicle on Jan. 21, 2021.
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"At the church I serve, we do not have an American flag in our sanctuary. We do not have a Christian flag. At every summer gathering of camp community, our own version of vacation Bible school, we say no pledges. This does not mean we have no loyalties; this does not mean there is nothing we are following or giving our allegiance to. It does not mean that we are not patriotic. It means that patriotism to our country is not housed in the house of worship to the God of love who shows no favoritism to one country over another."
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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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We have two resources to share from our ministry partners at Seeds of Hope! Click here to access the Seeds of Hope packet for Lent/Eastertide and here for the latest issue of Hunger News and Hope.
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Alliance friends in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana & Texas - Save the date for our 2021 virtual MALT gathering on Monday, Feb. 8 from 2-3:30 pm CST! More info here.
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Your 2020 Charitable Giving Statement was sent by email on January 26. If you did not receive yours, or if you have questions about it, please contact [email protected].
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Are you interested in learning more about the Community for Justice in Palestine and Israel? Read their latest newsletter here!
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All clergy, seminarians, lay preachers, and retired clergy are invited to participate in a research survey being conducted by the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary. Your responses will help further research about preaching and ministry at this unique time in American history. This survey does not ask for names, so responses are anonymous. Estimated completion time is 15-20 minutes. The survey is open through February 15. You are also encouraged to share this with other clergy in your network. Here is the link. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Schade at [email protected].
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A resource for Lenten spiritual practices: Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery is an invitation to a journey toward deeper understanding of the enslavement of African peoples and how its evolution and legacy continues to harm African Americans in the U.S. Digital resources for leading small group discussion and for worship leadership are also available.
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If you missed the Jan. 31 update on Cuba and the Fraternity of Baptist Churches offered by Kim Christman and Stan Dotson, the recording is now available. Also, click here to access the documents that were shared during the update. And take time today to contact the Biden administration urging them to do executive orders quickly and comprehensively to overturn all the detrimental ones from the previous administration injuring the Cuban people.
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Sign up now to receive resources for observing Earth Day, April 22. “A New Heaven and New Earth,” will focus on health, environmental racism and eco-justice. Christian education materials, sermon starters, case studies, and actions to take are included. Sign up to receive the link to the resource as soon as it is available from Creation Justice Ministries, an ecumenical and advocacy partner of the Alliance.
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Want to learn more about being effective in lobbying your congressional representative and senator? There are two upcoming opportunities to learn more and join others advocating on Capitol Hill:
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The Friends Committee on National Legislation knows lobbying, and they are excited to share what they know with us! Spring Lobby Weekend is an opportunity to learn, advocate and share in community with others committed to shaping our world for justice. Click here to learn more and register for the virtual March 20-22 event.
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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.
- Choose one of these offerings to learn more so that, together, we can passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and beloved community we hold central!
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High school juniors and seniors can win up to $2,000 for college in the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty's Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest. The 2021 topic asks students if a religious leader, such as a minister, rabbi, imam, priest, or any other clergy in a religious tradition, have the right to run for public office? Essays must be between 800-1,200 words and received by March 26, 2021. For the full writing prompt and additional details, visit BJConline.org/contest.
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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
February 13, 2021
12:00 - 1:30 PM EST
April 10, 2021
Board Meeting
Annual Business Meeting
April 23-24, 2021
2021 Annual Gathering
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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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