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
october 7, 2020
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In partnership with the Alliance of Baptists, Dr. James Forbes is leveraging the opportunity of gathering virtually to beam into pulpits across America for a timely message on Sunday, October 25, 2020, Reformation Sunday. This is an opportunity for YOUR congregation to hear a word from this prophetic preacher of our time at such a crucial moment in our nation's history.
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"As progressive white Christians, we cannot rest on yard-sign activism and social media screeds. To do so is to insulate ourselves in the privilege that race and class afford. Even marching in solidarity has its limits. As Christians, knowing what we know about our institutions, will we rest on our laurels or fight to substantively change the material circumstances, the lives, of those whom American institutions, including our own, are killing?"
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"My experience in Charlottesville on August 12, 2017 counter-protesting the Unite the Right Rally was one of the most formative experiences I’ve ever had. I begin the book with that, and I’m sad to say that it took an event like that to really shift my thinking from a reconciliation model to a reparations one and to really understand the role white Christianity has played in supporting and spreading white supremacy."
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"When I study my ballot, I carry with me the pleas of the immigrant community who live in fear of deportation and the 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. without proper paperwork. I carry with me the voices of countless thousands of people who have taken to the streets demanding that Black Lives Matter and decrying all laws and practices that reject this fundamental truth."
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"We take a lesson from NYC, a lesson that grew out of their desire to come together and show unity around their hope to end racism and hope to live life to its fullest as a result of the tragedies. We can all experience togetherness by joining around a unifying common cause. Togetherness also relieves our stress when there is no opposition. We could help each other by binding the wounds caused by divisions and help each other heal by utilizing the power of diversity."
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"On September 25 and 26, the Alliance Board of Directors participated in a two-day meeting via Zoom. Each day began with worship facilitated by Board members, John Paul Rohde and Mica Togami. On the first day, the Board and director Paula Clayton Dempsey participated in an engaging antiracism training led by Crossroads focused on understanding systemic racism, assessing the Alliance, and assisting the Board in understanding the process of the Alliance becoming an anti-racist organization. This the second workshop the Board has experienced with Crossroads, the first being in the Fall 2018 Meeting."
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Stay up to date on what's happening around the Alliance:
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The 2020 Stewardship Report listing financial donors who made a financial gift between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 is coming out soon. Make a gift today and keep the Alliance strong and resilient! Contact Jason Smith if you have any questions about your donor status.
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The Insurance Board has released a new COVID-19 Video Training, Re-opening during COVID-19: Considerations for Church Leadership and Clergy, to help ministries with their decision making process regarding re-opening during the pandemic. Learn more here.
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The Alliance is co-sponsoring a webinar entitled The Impact of the Trump Administration on the Churches in Cuba on October 15 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Congregational engagement specialist Jason Smith will be translating. Learn more or register here.
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At a time when everyone has something to say and no one seems to be heard, a unique gathering of 17 diverse faith leaders from across the U.S. offers a wide-ranging and deeply felt blessing about what is at stake this election. This blessing, May You Vote, a blessing, which features Board President Michael-Ray Mathews, will hopefully resonate across divides and help motivate turnout.
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Faithful Democracy invites you to participate in a multi-faith voter action campaign from now through the election. Each week, the Faithful Democracy Campaign will prepare a simple toolkit that can be found here.
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Stay up to date with our ministry partners around the world by reading "Field Notes." Greg Jarrell at QC familytree writes, 'At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shut downs related to it, QC Family Tree adapted our work to look like a mutual aid project. As federal stimulus checks went out, we appealed to friends and supporters to send unneeded funds from wealthier households, and we would redistribute them into the hands of essential workers and high-risk households.'"
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The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy will present the Thomas E. Stricklin Lectures in Church History via YouTube, October 9-11 at congregational partner Northminster Church in Monroe, LA. Register here.
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Active Hope Partner AMOS Health and Hope is celebrating their co-founders, Laura and David Parajón, via zoom Saturday, October 17 at 4PM ET/1PM PT. Register here.
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Did you hear the news that our mailbox moved? Please update your records with our new address: 1801 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27605-1697.
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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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All chaplains are invited to join in the sounding rooms taking place every other Friday. This is a space for chaplains to have an open conversation about their unique role during this uncommon time. Register here.
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Calendar
October 10
12p EDT/11a CDT
October 16
12p EDT/11a CDT
October 25
At your church service!
October 30
12p EDT/11a CDT
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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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