Call to Worship
This is a call to worship
But first
This is a call to white people:
Right now our Black and Brown siblings
with whom we seek to create community
are in pain
For just this moment let those of us who are white
turn in our hearts to them
and let us offer no words
because too many words have already been spoken
and let us make no promises
because too many promises have already been broken
and let us not observe a moment of silence
because the time for silence is over
No
Let us each hold our hand up to the screen
and even though we cannot touch each other
even though we cannot hold each other
even though we cannot hug each other
Let us feel the Love of God
knitting our hearts together
And in that Love shared across time and space
Love that is not limited to time and place
may our hearts be assured that
we are not alone
that God is with us
and that we stand with each other
In shared vision, yes
but even more importantly
in Love
in Love
in Love
This is a call to worship
which is to say this is a call to
work
which is to say
this is a call
to action.
(Karen Bryant Shipp, Oakhurst Baptist Church)
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George Brummet Wudel, Durham, N.C., the daughter of Molly and James Brummet Wudel, who is back home after a successful heart catheter procedure in late September. The doctors were able to balloon her aortic valve and reduce the gradient pressure significantly. Because her valve is so unique, there’s still a big question mark about how long this will give George before needing a complete valve replacement. We continue to pray for George, Molly, and James as George's health journey continues. Molly is an Alliance supporter and pastor who has previously served Alliance congregational partners.
Mary Bradley, chaplain to the homeless population in Houston, who had surgery Wednesday, October 7 to replace both knees and is doing well. She expressed gratitude for the incredible cheering section she’s had through it.
The family of Esta N. Burton, Iva, S.C., who died Oct. 6. She was the mother of Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, an endorsed chaplain with the Alliance of Baptists.
Thelma Cooper, Waco, Texas, who died in her home surrounded by family on Oct. 14. She is the mother of Dorisanne Cooper who serves as pastor of congregational partner Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham, N.C.
The family of Alida Tersy Docampo, Dallas, Texas, who died this month. The mother of Alliance supporter, Isabel Docampo, Alida was a strong leader of Baptist women setting up and training Hispanic women leaders and groups in Louisiana under Doris Diaz and Carolyn Weatherford back in the 1970s. She was the first woman to be ordained as Deacon at the First Spanish American Baptist Church in New Orleans in 1982. She was 93.
Connie Gates, Chapel Hill, N.C. who died Oct. 19. The Alliance supporter, member of congregational partner Binkley Memorial Baptist Church and public health professional has been an ardent supporter of the Alliance/Alianca partnership. Read her obituary here.
Ford Gregg, Dallas, Texas, son of Amanda and Mike Gregg, who has been home for a week and is adjusting well and was able to meet his sisters, Annaleigh and Beatrice. The Gregg family asks for care and prayers as they learn how to care for a medically-fragile child. If you would like to help support the Gregg family, friends have set up a gofundme account here. Mike Gregg is the pastor of congregational partner Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
Mary and Steve Hammond, Oberlin, Ohio, ask for prayers for their daughter, Grace, in her continued recovery after surgery. Mary and Steve are retired from serving as co-pastors of Peace Community Church in Oberlin.
Bettie Hastey, Palm Beach, Fla., as she recovers from a visit to the emergency room to determine a blood clot issue. Bettie is the wife of Stan Hastey, former executive director of the Alliance of Baptists.
Dene Mathews, San Jose, Calif., upon the death of her grandmother, Virgie Murray, and the continuing care and concern for her stepfather, Charles Murray in Los Angeles, Calif. Dene is the wife of Michael-Ray Mathews, president of the board of directors of the Alliance.
The family of Robert (Bob) Seymour, pastor emeritus, Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, N.C., who died Oct. 10. The 96 year old is celebrated for his prophetic ministry of three decades (1958-1988) which energized Binkley and Chapel Hill around racial inclusion and social justice. The week before his death, a documentary of Rev. Seymour’s life and ministry was released and is now available for viewing.
South Sudanese refugees in Tika Village in the northern region of Uganda who are living in crowded and vulnerable conditions, struggling to survive in refugee camps supported by Active Hope partner Crossing Lines Africa. Philip Kakungulu writes that many of these refugees are hopeless, dying by suicide, and caring for children that have been orphaned. Philip writes seeking our prayerful and financial support.
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Erica Cooper, Brooklyn, N.Y., who has been called to serve as pastor at congregational partner Baptist Church of the Covenant, Birmingham, Ala. Erica comes to Baptist Church of the Covenant after having served as assistant minister of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. She received her M.Div. from McAfee School of Theology and was ordained by congregational partner Druid Hills Baptist Church, Atlanta, which is now called the Church at Ponce & Highland. Erica begins her new call the first Sunday of Advent.
Russ and Amy Jacks Dean who celebrated 20 years as co-pastors of congregational partner Park Road Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C. A card to the clergy couple from the church read: "We're so blessed that this amazing couple was interested in leading us, teaching us, challenging us to think and walk humbly with God. What an amazing 20 years it's been. We're so honored to have you as our pastors, and we looked forward to continuing the faith journey with you. A couple of phrases that we hear from you each week that we want to say to you: ‘You're loved, and may God bless you and keep you.’“
Andrew Gardner, Yorktown, Va., who has been named a Visiting Faculty Associate of American Religious History and Louisville Institute Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Hartford Seminary, Harford Institute for Religion Research. Andrew completed a Ph.D. at Florida State University in the spring of 2020 and is a member of the board of directors of the Alliance.
Tarvick Linder, Durham, N.C. who was ordained by Yates Baptist Church in Durham. Tarvick earned an M.Div. at Duke University School of Divinity. While a student there, he served as an intern at congregational partner Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, Cary, N.C.
Ken Meyers who was recently named theologian-in-residence at Riverside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He served as interim senior pastor for one year at Riverside. Before that, Ken was with the Alliance of Baptists as faith formation specialist, following his 37 years as faith formation minister in four congregations. Bruce Cole is now the senior pastor at Riverside.
Ashley Ash Richie, Oakland Hills, Calif., member of the Alliance board of directors and member of congregational partner Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, who married Lou Richie, on October 7, 2020 in a backyard ceremony in their Oakland Hills home. The ceremony was streamed via Zoom.
Tim Schaefer, Dallas, Texas, who has been called to serve as pastor at congregational partner First Baptist Church, Madison, Wis. The Brite Divinity School alumnus has served congregational partner Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas as minister of youth since 2015.
Congratulations to Nora and Kevin Gardner-Sinclair on the birth of their son Henry. Kevin is the pastor of congregational partner Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.
We give thanks for the volunteers who have helped to make Dr. Forbes' sermon available to friends of the Alliance this Sunday, October 25. We thank God for everyone who has helped to make this event possible: Marcus McFaul, Megan Hollenbeck, and Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church for recording and hosting Dr. Forbes; Jonathan Castillo, Aretha Flucker, and Ken Sehested for working on our liturgy pack; and to Dr. James Forbes for partnering with the Alliance to speak this prophetic word.
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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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