Short Notices

Editor's Trips

Issue 2009.27, December 28, 2009

Christmastide 2009

Nativity

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. -- Galatians 4:4-7

From the Editor

This final issue of E-Link Online for 2009 marks the completion of eight years of my editorial responsibility for this biweekly organ of (mostly) information, (occasional) inspiration, and (hoped for) illumination. I thank my colleagues on the Region staff for faithfully submitting (mostly on time) their notices, articles, and photos. Other folks from the ABC-MI family regularly send items for E-Link. They, too, have my gratitude. Please, all of you, keep up the dispatches from the front lines. No doubt countless noteworthy works of witness and grace go on all the time in our churches, but go unnoticed because no one sends word to E-Link.

I have one wish for E-Link as 2010 draws nigh: greatly increased readership. Except for occasional mailings from the Region office, E-Link is is the primary channel of communication within the ABC-MI family. Each issue now reaches about 400 people, according to the counter on the website, a tiny fraction of our Region members. I dream that every pastor would take five minutes to send me the e-mail addresses of your church leaders, youth workers, teachers, mission chairs, etc. If you value E-Link Online, please help spread the word. Flood my inbox with new e-mail addresses. Doubling, tripling, quadrupling the mailing list adds not one cent to the cost of producing E-Link. Growing the readership means growing awareness of and commitment to the Region and its churches' mission. Send those addresses now, while it's on your mind. Click here to send an e-mail. -- The Editor

Celebrations, Concerns, Comings, Goings

§  The Revs. Ron and Inga Freyer-Nicholas, former pastors at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Saginaw, continue to live in Wildwood, Florida. Inga is still dealing with the debilitating effects of Lyme disease and may enter hospice after Christmas. Keep them in your prayers. You can communicate with either or both of them at ron.freyer.nicholas@gmail.com.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Covenant Baptist

Wirhgt-Riggins

Covenant Baptist Church, West Bloomfield, will observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, by holding a special service in its sanctuary at 10:00 am. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins III, Executive Director of National Ministries for ABC/USA. He holds one of the highest positions of any African-American in a denomination that does not have an ethnic majority. Dr. Wright-Riggins was ordained in 1975, was a pastor and taught in theological schools in California, and has held his current positon since 1991. Everyone is welcome to come and hear him. You can learn more about him at www.nationalministries.org.

On the previous afternoon, Covenant will join individuals, places of worship, and other organizations in the West Bloomfield area in 16th Annual Multicultural Community Programs and Walk. The march starts from West Bloomfield High School at 3:00 pm followed by a program, dialogue, refreshments, and candlelight vigil. For more information, see www.unitedwewalk.org.

Greetings from Camp Lake Louise

Merry Christmas from Lake Louise! We hope you have found our 'presence' in your mailbox in time for Christmas. If you have not, or would like more information about the 2010 camping season, please contact Ryan Madis at ryan.madis@lakelouiserocks.com or 800-440-1238. Have a Merry Christmas and see you next year! Click here to see copy of the Lake Louise Christmas newsletter.

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.

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
Giving Reminder

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