In the glow of the first quarter moon,
we’re right in the middle-
light and dark,
known and unknown,
beginning and end.
An in-between space.
We can start to see everything now,
but be careful.
Don’t get comfortable
and stop seeking.
In-between spaces
demand open eyes and open hearts.
-The Advent Project @theadventproject
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All those who have COVID-19 and are struggling with its implications. Here are some among the Alliance family we know who have been or are sick with the virus: Charlie and Jana Johnson, Fort Worth, Tex.; Courtney Jones, associate pastor at congregational partner Circle of Faith, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clinton Bennett, Kingston, N.Y., who represents the Alliance at the Interfaith Relations Convening Table of the National Council of Churches.
We pray alongside chaplains as they minister to those in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice settings, and assisted living facilities as the number of COVID cases continues to increase. We are mindful of the serious stress and strain of this pandemic that has been borne by our Alliance chaplains.
Amy Jacks Dean, Charlotte, N.C., as she continues to recover from surgery resulting from a surprising diagnosis of lung cancer. Over a month ago she underwent a lobectomy and has learned recently that further treatment is not required. “I've heard people talk about cancer being such a defining moment in one's life,” writes Amy in her Caring Bridge blog. “There's life before cancer and then life after you hear the word cancer. Even if it's one of the best cancers you can have, even if it seems at the moment that they got it all, even if there's no further treatment at this time - it just still is what it is and all of that I'm still processing and assimilating into my life.” The former Alliance board member and pastor is scheduled to return to the pulpit at congregational partner Park Road Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C., on Christmas Eve.
Lisa Darak-Druck, Portland, Maine, whose recovery from total knee replacement surgery on Dec. 2 got off to a rocky start. Lisa served on the Alliance’s board of directors from 2014-2018 and is a member of congregational partner Williston-Immanuel United Church in Portland.
Kathy Manis Findley, Macon, Ga., for her ongoing adjustment to a new kidney. She has had two rejection episodes in the past few weeks but got past them quickly. The former Alliance board member, author, and artist is also a regular blogger, and you can read her blog here.
The family of Doris Joan (Larsen) Haynes, St. John’s, Fla., who passed from this life to the next Dec. 5. She was the mother of Paul Hayes, pastor of congregational partner Noank Baptist Church, Groton, Conn.
Middle Collegiate Church, New York City, N.Y., whose sanctuary was destroyed by a fire on Saturday, Dec. 6. Jacqui Lewis, speaker at the Alliance’s 2019 annual gathering, serves the historic church in Manhattan’s East Village as Senior Minister for Public Theology and Transformation. The church also serves as home to the Revolutionary Love Conference where prophets, artists, educators, and activists come together to imagine a loving and just future.
The family of Grover Francis Tyner, Culloden, Ga., who died Nov. 26. The father of endorsed chaplain Tere Tyne Canzoneri, Decatur, Ga., was an ordained minister serving as a pastor as well as seminary president in theological schools in the Philippines and Asia for 27 years.
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Tara Gibbs, Charlotte, N.C., who has been called to serve congregational partner Myers Park Baptist Church as minister of youth and college. The North Carolina native has earned degrees at Shaw University and Princeton Theological Seminary. She comes to this position from having served as Director of Christian Education at Reeder Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte since 2017.
Darrell Hamilton, Jamaica Plain, Mass., who has accepted a call to serve Middle Collegiate Church, New York City, N.Y., as part of the executive ministry team beginning Feb. 2021. The Wake Divinity School alumnus currently serves on the staff of congregational partner First Baptist Church, Jamaica Plain, Mass., and City Mission Boston. We celebrate this move with Darrell who is also an active member of the board of directors of the Alliance.
Kathryn House, Boston, Mass., who has been appointed a Louisville Institute postdoctoral fellow at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Kathryn completed her Ph.D. in Practical Theology at Boston University School of Theology with her dissertation titled: "The Afterlife of White Evangelical Purity Culture: Wounds, Legacies, and Impacts." She has also served congregational partner First Baptist Church, Jamaica Plain as minister of Christian formation.
Hyunwoo Koo, Jamaica Plain, Mass., who was ordained to ministry by congregational partner First Baptist Church, Jamaica Plain, Mass. on Nov. 22. Hyunwoo (he/him/his) is a minister who believes in queer Jesus and the queer gospel and is a dear friend and ally to the queer community. He leads Krepas Project, the first and only Korean church in Boston and one of few Korean-speaking congregations in America that publicly affirms and celebrates the queerness in our bodies and souls. Hyunwoo is also a student of theology and pursuing his Ph.D. in practical theology at Boston University after studying at Boston University (M.Div) and Harvard (MTS).
Maricela Muñiz Lamelas and Douglas Calvo Gainza, Havana, Cuba, who welcomed baby Lucien into their family on Nov. 28. We celebrate this good news with Maricela, who serves as minister on the staff of Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer de Marianao, a founding church of the Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba.
Liz Harris-Lamkin, Mableton, Ga., who has retired after 23 years of service as chaplain at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. The Alliance-endorsed chaplain also served in the Air Force and the Georgia Air National Guard in the reserves as chaplain for 23 years fulfilling three deployments. We join others in sending Liz a hearty “thank you” for her ministry and service!
Rick Mixon, Palo Alto, Calif., who began interim ministry at Fairview Community Church, Costa Mesa, Calif., Nov. 16, 2020. He will continue part-time as pastor of First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, Calif., until that congregation closes at the end of the year. Rick Mixon is a former board member of the Alliance of Baptists.
Cody Sanders, Cambridge, Mass., who was recognized with the Discover Award at the annual gathering of alumni from the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. This award recognizes an alumnus/alumna who exhibits a commitment to life-long learning and exploration of truth, teaching, and learning in ways that bring about new discoveries for students, churches, and/or communities. Cody serves as pastor of congregational partner Old Cambridge Baptist Church, Cambridge, Mass.
Stan Yancey, Raleigh, N.C., who begins his new job as Certified ACPE Educator at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C. on Jan. 4, 2021. The Alliance-endorsed chaplain previously served as Chaplain and Community Connector with Urban Ministries of Wake County.
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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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