Short Notices

Editor's Trips

Issue 2009.26, December 14, 2009

Advent 2009

The Magnificat -- Luke 1:46-55

Advent Candles

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Greetings

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth… John 1:14 (RSV)

During my college years I served as part-time youth pastor. The church building and property were lovingly cared for by “Von,” a kind man who experienced some mental and emotional challenges but was rarely without insight. I shall never forget the night of the annual business meeting, when, in the course of discussion around a matter I cannot even recall today, things became heated. Suddenly, Von dropped to his knees praying aloud, “Oh dear God, comes here quick, comes through the fields (the most direct way), and please don’t send your Son, this ain’t no place for kids!” His sincere, outspoken plea caught the congregation by surprise and brought much needed levity, if not insight, to the situation, allowing the issue to be resolved in a more civil manner.

In these challenging, if not difficult days, we as individuals and congregations find ourselves asking the age-old questions: Where is God in this? Why is this happening to me/us? Please come quick and intervene!

>>> Read the rest of Dr. Williams' letter.

Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO)

RMMO2009

“Thank you” check recipients and others who received financial assistance from the 2008 Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) were overwhelmed by the generosity of American Baptist Congregations in the midst of the most severe recession since the Great Depression. Contributions to the RMMO in 2008 totaled $1,383,537.00. Of that amount, 57% was distributed as “Thank you” checks to 3,238 retired American Baptist ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. The average check was $258.69. Thirty-eight percent was made available to people with emergency and other heavy financial needs and 5% was used for administrative expenses.

We are proud to name our ABC-MI churches that were listed on the Honor Roll of Churches for their 2008 donation:

Also listed on the Per Capita Honor Roll of Churches is:

May God bless ALL our churches who gave to show their appreciation in this way.

Please let us join together again this year as we Remember with Love and Give with Gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to Christian ministry. Please give sacrificially in the month of December with your generous contribution to this special RMMO in 2009.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Debbie Hart, Mission Assistant/Receptionist at the ABC-MI Region Office at 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org. Thank you and God bless you as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Giving Reminder

Attention All Professional Church Leaders

The 2010 professional registry questionnaire has been mailed to you. If you wish to be listed in the 2010 registry, you must return the completed form to the Region office by January 15, 2010.

If you did not receive the questionnaire or you have misplaced it, click here to download a copy.

All professional church leaders, ordained or non-ordained, are welcome to be listed in the registry provided they 1) hold membership in a Michigan American Baptist related congregation, 2) are employed for at least 20 hours each week in a professional capacity, and 3) receive some remuneration for their work. An exception is provided for retirees, seminary students and persons seeking professional placement, who must also return a questionnaire to be listed in the registry.

If you have questions about the registry, contact Ron Cary at 1-800-636-2671 or rcary@abc-mi.org.

Update on Camping Task Force

by Rev. Heidi DeMott Shanes, ABC-MI Immediate Past President

It was a pleasure to serve as ABC-MI President, 2008-2009. During my term, the Executive Committee charged me with appointing a new camping task force. As I shared in my annual report to delegates in October, “The task force is not another layer of bureaucracy, nor does it signify a change in direction as it applies to camping ministry in our Region. Instead, the appointment of the camping task force signals a reaffirmation of the decision made by the Executive Committee on September 23, 2008, that both Camp Lael and Camp Lake Louise must achieve independence by September 2011. It also represents an intentional effort to keep consistency and continuity in the process through the final two years of transition.”

It is my pleasure to report to the ABC-MI family that the Camp Task Force held its first meeting on November 11. The meeting was positive and productive, and all parties agreed to several next steps which are currently being executed. The next task force meeting will be held on January 19, 2010.

Central Area Annual Meeting

Central Area Annual Meeting will be held on January 30, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. - noon at First Baptist Church of Stockbridge, 950 S. Clinton St. Every Central Area Church is invited to send delegates.

The meeting theme focuses on the challenge of leading churches to the next level no matter what your current size. Pastors Jon Good and Brian Johnson will lead our sessions. A brunch will be provided during the 9:30 a.m. registration time.

Reservations for the event are helpful for preparation and set-up. Please call the Olivet Baptist Church (517-887-0988) by January 26 with the number of people who will be attending from your church.

Mens Boys Breakfast

Short Notices

Editor's Trips

Every edition of E-Link Online features links to articles the Editor has tripped over while wasting time surfing the Web. Posting of these links does not necessarily mean that either he or the American Baptist Churches of Michigan agrees with, endorses, or otherwise promotes the views expressed in them. Their value, if any, consists of whatever further thought, discussion, inquiry, discernment, fury, or occasional laugh they may provoke. Readers are welcome to send their own suggestions to the Editor.

The Editor