Short Notices

Editor's Trips

Issue 2010.01, January 11, 2010

Unger Retirement

Celebrations, Concerns, Comings, Goings

§  The Rev. Dr. James Unger was honored by the members of the First Baptist Church of Davison upon his retirement. He has served more than 40 years as an ordained American Baptist minister, including the last eight years as pastor of the Davison congregation. At a dinner following worship on December 27, Unger and his wife Lenore were honored with statements and gifts of appreciation by the church and by ABC-MI as well. In photo at right Ron Cary of the Region staff presents a plaque recognizing Jim's contribution to ministry [click on photo for larger view]. Jim and Lenore will continue to reside in Davison.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Covenant Baptist

Wirhgt-Riggins

Covenant Baptist in West Bloomfield will celebrate 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 a march from West Bloomfield High School at 3:00 followed by a program, dialogue, refreshments, and candlelight vigil. For more information, see www.unitedwewalk.org.

Alternative Spring Break in Detroit

University Baptist Church, East Lansing, in partnership with Detroit-area churches and community organizations, will lead an Alternative Spring Break, March 7-13, 2010. The service opportunity will take place during the normal Michigan State University Spring Break and will be offered as an opportunity for an Urban Immersion Experience.

For one week, students, clergy and lay leaders will live and work in a Detroit neighborhood. Service opportunities will be facilitated by partner organizations in Detroit including; Michigan Neighborhood Partnership; Second Baptist Church of Detroit, Friendship House, and The Arden Park – East Boston Historic District.

The Alternative Spring Break will serve as a point of cross-cultural exchange. Some of the MSU students have never visited an inner city or worked to eliminate blight. By spending days and nights immersed in a space of service and learning, the students will be able to learn more about themselves and others. Detroit-based volunteer organizations will also learn more about the service-orientation and selflessness of Mid-Michigan students, churches and citizens.

The churches and community organizations cooperating with University Baptist Church include Second Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, American Baptist Churches of Michigan, St. John the Evangelist Church, and the Boston-Arden Park Historic Society.

Cost is $200 per person, $50 of which is due with registration on January 24, 2010, and the remainder by February 21, 2010. For information and registration contact, Alex Pickens III, 4608 S. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823, 517.351.4144, alexpickens@hotmail.com.

For more information, including the tentative schedule, click here.

ABC-MI Pastors Encouraged to "Fan the Flame" at Upcoming Conference

Fanning the Flame

ABC-MI pastors are encouraged to take advantage of a life-transforming opportunity as they are ministered to at the Fanning the Flame Pastors' Renewal Conference May 24-27 at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Come for a time of spiritual renewal, relaxation and relating to colleagues in ministry from all over the country. Click here for details.


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.

Face to Face, February 26-27 in Indianapolis

The next Face to Face event will be held February 26-27 at Lynhurst Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Face to Face provides opportunities for initial contact between church search committees and clergy available for relocation, seminary seniors, or graduates in the ordination process. The registration deadline is January 25, 2010. For more information, click here.

Xtreme Team Headed to Egypt Next Summer

ABCUSA International Ministries has announced the next Xtreme Team venture. Set for June 14-July 13, 2010, the trip begins with training in Detroit and then heads for Egypt.

It's not your mama’s mission trip. What would you POSSIBLY do in Egypt?? Well, think X. How many commandments were there? Which Old Testament book in the Bible starts with X (okay, sounds like x)? How about Xtreme history? Religion? Culture? Climate? Food? Xtreme Leader Walt White?

Click here to view, download, and print an Xtreme Team bulletin insert.

Have Message, Will Travel

Does your church have an annual Camp Sunday or a regular time for guest speakers? Camp Lake Louise would love to be a part of it.Any way we can talk camp can be truly beneficial for our ministries. The Resident Director and the members of the Board of Directors are eager to spread the word about Camp Lake Louise through contact with churches and church groups. Contact Ryan Madis at 800-440-1238 or ryan.madis@lakelouiserocks.com if you're looking for pulpit supply one Sunday, would like to feature camps in a worship service, event or group, or just want to talk about collaborating in the future.

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.

Click on image below for full sized version.

AB Men's Breakfast

Short Notices

Editor's Trips

The Editor

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.