Tiny Prayer (for those who are definitely not looking forward to another period of sheltering in place)
By Micah Bucey
Published on Monday, November 16

May you remember that, even though this feels interminable, this is not forever, may you give gratitude for all the alternate ways that we have to hold one another, even as their powers pale in comparison to in-person pleasures, may you reshape your fear of a current lack of freedom into a looking forward to future freedom, may you send hopes for strength and safety to those whose vocations afford them no option to stay inside, may you feel the potential of what we can do together if we will all cooperate, commiserate, and commit to protecting the most vulnerable among us, and may we all simply work from the place we are to get to the place we so desperately want to be.

Amen
We pray for Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico and all who are suffering the effects of Hurricanes Eta and Iota.

We continue to pray for those medical workers on the frontlines dealing with the impacts of COVID-19. We pray for strength and resilience in the face of fatigue, apathy, and disinformation about the virus.

The family of Jack Brymer, Birmingham, Ala. who died Oct. 28. A Baptist writer for most of his professional life, he was editor of The Alabama Baptist and The Florida Baptist Witness before retiring from Samford University as director of communications in 2003. He was active in many organizations, including the Baptist Press Association and the Public Relations Society of America. He was the inaugural winner of the Religious Freedom Award given by Associated Baptist Press (now Baptist News Global). The Alliance supporter and his wife Shirley have been members of congregational partner Baptist Church of the Covenant in Birmingham.

Ann Charlescraft and housemate Liz Lambert, Abingdon, Va. who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus and are resting at home. Ann is retired from serving as an Alliance-endorsed chaplain and has served in various roles within the Alliance including on the board of directors from 2002-2008.

Amy Jacks Dean, Charlotte, N.C., as she recovers from surgery. Amy and Russ Dean have served as co-pastors of congregational partner Park Road Baptist Church in Charlotte for 20 years.

Amelia Fulbright, Austin, Tex., who has been diagnosed with a rare schwannoma tumor growing around the vagus nerve on the right side of her neck. The tumor is not malignant. There is no need for treatment in the short term, but in the long term we pray with Amelia as she weighs possible treatment options. Amelia is the designated senior pastor of congregational partner University Baptist Church, Austin, Tex. 

Melinda Greathouse, Dunbar, W. Va., who needs our prayers for wholeness and healing physically, spiritually and emotionally. She is the daughter of Max and Debbie Hill. Her father Max was active early in the Alliance’s history and continued to support the partnership with the Fraternidad de Iglesías Bautistas de Cuba after moving to work for the West Virginia (American) Baptist Convention. 

The family of Bettie Baldwin Hastey, who passed from this life to the next Nov. 5 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Stan was released from the hospital Sunday, Nov. 8 and reports feeling good physically. He asks for prayers for his children, Lisa and Stephen, who both are employed in settings that put them in contact with a large swath of the public. The family is planning a memorial service for Bettie at their church, Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the Sea, Palm Beach, Fla. at a future date.

Joel Henderson, Norwalk, Ohio, who has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The eleven year old is the son of Brian Henderson who is the national coordinator of AWAB and pastor of First Baptist Church, Denver, Colo.

Betty Hodges, Savannah, Ga., who is recovering from a broken foot requiring two plates and four screws to repair and cannot put any weight on that foot until the end of December. Will Hodges continues palliative treatment for bladder cancer. The Alliance supporters are members of congregational partner First Baptist Church, Savannah, Ga.

Erica Lea-Simka, Albuquerque, N.M., who is recovering from successful surgery for thyroid cancer. We hold her in prayer as she continues to heal and to prepare for radio-iodine ablation therapy. Erica serves as pastor of Albuquerque Mennonite Church and was nurtured as a student and pastoral resident at congregational partners Lake Shore Baptist Church, Waco, Texas and Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

John Roberts, Baltimore, Md., who has returned home recovering from a stroke that occurred mid-October. The Alliance founder is pastor emeritus of congregational partner Woodbrook Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md. 

Grayson Stepp, Houston, Tex. who had a successful second-stage palate repair surgery on Nov. 10th. Grayson is doing very well, and we pray for him as he continues to heal from his surgery. Grayson is the 7 year-old son of Laura Mayo, pastor of congregational partner Covenant Church in Houston, Tex.

Dorothy  and Joseph True, Fort Thomas, Ky., who are the grandparents of Stephanie True Cooper, communications specialist for the Alliance of Baptists.  Dorothy was diagnosed and hospitalized with COVID-19 on Nov. 15 and remains in the hospital. She is 93 years old. Joe tested positive on Nov. 18 and will remain in isolation at home. He is 94 years old.

The family of Raymond Vickrey, Richardson, Tex. who died Sept. 17. He served as senior pastor of congregational partner Royal Lane Baptist Church from 1981-2008 enhancing the depth and breadth of the worshiping community. As an undergraduate student at Baylor University, Ray was a Hall of Fame athlete. He graduated from Southwestern Theological Seminary and earned a doctorate from the Graduate Foundation of Notre Dame. He served as a mentor to many, including his son Garrett Vickrey, who serves as pastor of congregational partner Woodside Baptist Church, San Antonio, Texas. An online celebration of life was held Nov. 1 at Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.
Cristina Garcia-Alfonso, Atlanta, Ga., who celebrates a new position as CPE Educator at UNC Rex in Raleigh. NC. She will be moving there on Dec. 14 and starting her new job on Dec. 28. Cristina is an endorsed chaplain with the Alliance. She served on the Alliance board in 2003 and is involved in various Alliance task groups. She is a member of congregational partner Oakhurst Baptist Church, a community she will miss dearly and hopes to stay connected to through Zoom. She asks for prayers for a smooth transition from Atlanta to Raleigh and a quick sell of her Atlanta condo! 

Russ Dean, Charlotte, N.C., whose book, Finding a New Way Home: The Unlikely Path of a Reluctant Baptist Renegade, has been published by Good Faith Media. Russ is co-pastor of congregational partner Park Road Baptist Church.

Jenny Perkins Kiser, San Antonio, Tex. who began serving as pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in Garden Ridge, San Antonio, Oct. 1. Jenny is a graduate of Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Ky., and recently completed a year-long CPE residency at Baptist Health System, San Antonio where she also serves as a PRN chaplain. Welcome, Jenny!

Lynn Spencer, Fort Worth, Tex. was ordained by congregational partner Broadway Baptist Church in a virtual service Sunday, Nov. 15. Lynn is chaplain in the Pastoral Care Department at Texas Health Resources in Fort Worth.

Anna Strickland, Austin, Tex., who was ordained by congregational partner University Baptist Church, Austin, Tex. on Nov. 1. Anna recently graduated from Iliff School of Theology and is the director of Labyrinth Student Ministries in Austin, Tex. 

Olive Tiller, Cranberry Township, Pa. who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Dec. 13th of this year! A life-long activist for peace and justice, Olive has been an Alliance supporter since its founding. She and her late husband Carl were co-recipients of ABCUSA’s Dahlberg Peace Award in 1991, and they also co-authored a history of Alliance congregational partner Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Olive marched with Dr. King in Selma and was a founding board member of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Her son Bob reports that her health is OK but not great and that she lives in the skilled nursing portion of a retirement community. The limitations imposed by the virus shutdown have been hard for her, but she is mostly in good spirits. If you would like to send a birthday greeting to Olive, the best way is via snail mail, at this address: Olive Tiller, 100 Norman Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

Torie Zeiner who was ordained by congregational partner Knollwood Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. on Nov 1. She is a graduate of Wake Forest Divinity School.
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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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