August 2018 News & Views

Transcription

1 A Note from the President August 2018 News & Views Hello Dear ABW Ministries Friends It has been a busy summer as I represent you to the Region and Nationally. I ve done several Installations of new officers to both an Area and Local ABW s! It is always fun to put faces to the churches I receive s and phone calls from. I ve, also just returned from our National ABWM Conference in Elgin, IL where I attended Board meetings and Conference. We had five women attending Conference this year and what a joy to be their together as we met sisters from all over the country and globe. Prudy will have pictures later on in this publication or check out our Facebook page. As I reflect on the summer encounters I m excited about the future of our ministry. Dr. Gina Jacob-Strain our new ABW USA Director is full of enthusiasm and ideas. She will stretch us as we work together from across various states, Regions and Puerto Rico. As you get ready to kick off your Fall Programming yes I said Fall time fly s! I pray for you the success of your fundraising endeavors for National Support, Region Special Project, Scholarship, Women and Girls Fund, Refit, Relief for Puerto Rico and Love Gift. May you know that all these important works will lives of Women do amazing things. I again, encourage you as individuals to become a Vital Partner this is an over and above giving each individual brings to ABWM an ongoing and sustaining gift to the ministry for ABW/USA. I m a partner and love that I will make a difference now and in the future. Check out our link on the ABC MI web page or give me a call. May the God of grace and mercy empower you and the women of your churches to do a mighty work in the local church, Area Happenings and Region efforts! See you at Fall Fling which is being hosted by the MDA at First Baptist Detroit, Southfield, MI. Load up those cars and bring your women for a great day of learning and fellowship! We are so blessed that Dr. Gina Jacob- Strain will be with us at our Fall Fling on September 15, Please see the flier.. Joy in Jesus, Renée Langley MI Region ABW Ministries President

2 Former Women & Girls Missions I would like to Thank all of you who have supported all the Mission projects that we have done over the years. Like feeding the rabbits in Vanga, supplying the Children with milk powder. Or the carpeting for the Nursing home in Poland. The roof in Cordoda, Alaska, where I was able to go. Also the foundation for the new Church in Nicaragua, where I learned how to rebar. All the many times we helped Friendship House with their projects. We help Lael with the bathroom and mattress for both Lael and Camp Lake Louise. Also all the many other projects we have done. I will miss it, but I know you will support Nikki as she carries on. Thank you, Carole North Area President On April 29th 2017 Greely Baptist in Lachine held their annual Spring retreat. The theme was Pattern for Living. Our 23rd Annual retreat will be September 28, 29, and 30th Pastor Roxie by very popular demand from those who attended the last retreat has agreed to lead us in another Spirit filed Bible study. Gloria Lynne will be back to bless us with love, song, and friendship. The North Area still needs a White Cross Coordinator. Call or Sue Umphrey if you can fill this very important position. We really need someone to do our White Cross. susieu@chartermi.net (989) SuE Umphrey North Area President Women and Girl's Mission Fund Hello, I attended the Women and Young Girls International Conference, July 19-22, 2018 held at Judson's University in Elgin, Illinois. Many women and young girls were present. Also, our new Executive Director Dr. Gina Jacob Strain attended. it appeared that many of the girls and women were fully engaged in God's love. Submitted by, Dr. Vanessa E.P. Ghant, Officer P.O. Box 3755 Southfield, Mi 48037

3 METROPLITAN DETROIT AREA SEE and FEEL: The Holy Spirit working in us as God s love and purpose works in our lives. Greetings, happy summer!! Here it is the middle of August and Fall is just around the corner. Hope you are enjoying the summer and having some RR with family and friends. We had another wonderful June Conference in DeWitt. A big thanks to Dee Durham and her committee and their hard work in preparing for this event. I always look forward to going and spending time with my sisters in Christ for the week-end. There were twelve attendees from the MDA of which three were first timers. Region Fall Fling, Saturday, September 15 th, First Baptist Church of Detroit, is in our area this year. Mark your calendars and get the word out. Post notice in your churches and women s group. Your support in attending and welcoming guests from other parts of the Region would be greatly appreciated. Program for the day is being headed up by your new president, Rev. Delores Greer-Stevens and her team. Come and give them your support. Our new National Executive Director, Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain, will be joining us. Come and meet her. See flyer for more info. For out of town guests, some rooms have been reserved at Comfort Suites, NW Hwy, Southfield, Mi 48076, To get discounted rate, RSVP must be in by August 25 th. Come, bring a friend, meet your new officers, National, Region and MDA as we celebrate the beginning of a new year. It has been a pleasure to serve as president for the past eight years. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support along the way. American Baptist Women has been a big part of my life and I m so thankful for the many friends, both men and women, I ve met on this journey. Bless all of you for what you have done and for what you are to do. We have a lot of talent in the MDA we just need to pull it out the bag and put it to use. It s my pleasure to present your new president, Rev. Delores Greer-Stevens, from Friendship Baptist of Detroit. She is a woman who loves the Lord. Delores retired from the State of Michigan Family Independence Agency after twenty-five years of service. After her retirement, under the leadership and encouragement of her current pastor, Rev. Dr. Samuel White, III, she completed her biblical studies and training. In 2009 she was ordained as Minister of the Gospel. She has worn many hats in her spiritual journey in her church and community. She currently is on the ministerial team as Assistant Pastor at Friendship Baptist. She is married to Rev. LeRoy E. Stevens and together they have two daughters, eight grandchildren, one has gone to be with the Lord, and one great grandchild. You will be hearing from Delores starting with the October New & Views. Along with Rev. Delores Stevens I would like to welcome continuing and new board members for ABW, Ministries of MDA. Treasurer, Brenda Chamber-Treatt; Secretary/Communications, Bobbie R. Fowlkes- Davis; Coordinator Mission & Service, Rev. D. Irene Key; Coordinator of Scholarship, Cynthia Jackson and Coordinator of White Cross, Judy Davis. Keep these ladies and ABW, Ministries of the MDA in your prayers. MDA would like to WELCOME all new members and continuing members to the Region Board and offer our prayers and support for the leadership of American Baptist Women of Michigan as they go about being God s servants in the various ministries they encounter. Please support our Scholarship Women. We have two for the year. Give them encouragement and remember them in your prayers. Read Lori Zupan s report for more info.

4 Our new mission project is Kodiak Baptist Mission in Alaska. Your financial support is needed. A lot of hands make the work load light. Let s all jump on board and support the mission project. Read Nikki Brand s report for more info. To all the ladies in MDA, whatever ministry you are doing may you be richly blest in your endeavor and may you Feel the love of working, sharing and praying together for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for your support in ABW Ministries. Have a wonderful year! Janet Carpenter Plan now to join us on the following date: American Baptist Women s Fall Fling (Region) Saturday, September 15, 2018 First Baptist Church of Detroit Southfield Baptist Women s World Day of Prayer November 5, 2018 First Baptist Church of Detroit Southfield Conference Coordinator & Co Coordinator Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus! As your elected 2019 Conference planning committee, we are excited to build upon the wonderful foundation of our foresisters and forge a bit of a new path this year. Our Conference Committee has invited one more member and is setting the plan in place now to spend from now until the end of the year meeting with women in our churches who are or younger. We will need your help to accomplish it. We are crafting the final questions that will be asked at these sit downs or on these questionnaires but we sincerely want to know what younger women want in a spiritual retreat or conference. We have many ideas but most of us doing the planning are a lot older than so we must hear from the women we want to invite into our ministry. This year's conference committee is Chaired by Lynne Punnett (First, Ypsilanti) and co-chaired by Rev. Dr. Robyn Moore (Hartford Memorial, Detroit). Joining them are Laura Germaine (West Highland, Milford), Dee Durham (Crosspointe Meadows, Novi) and Laurel Reed (Clark Lake) who will be returning as registrar. We have decades of combined planning experience and will meet soon after the ABW Board meeting on Sat., August 18 to get the wheels in motion. Save the date now for May 31 - June 2 ** Please save your plastic grocery bags and bring them to conference.** All for the Master, Lynne Punnett & Rev. Dr. Robyn Moore 2019 Conference Committee

5 Scholarship I m pleased to be the incoming Coordinator of Scholarship, following in the footsteps of Carolyn Grapentine thanks for all your work these past few years, Carolyn! If you attend the annual Conference, you know me as the pianist, but I m branching out to get more involved with Michigan ABW Ministries. We have two scholarship women for the year Sheree Clark and Hannah Foster, both returning scholarship winners and, coincidentally, both attend Ann Arbor churches. Sheree plans to complete her Master of Divinity soon at Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Sheree is a long-time member of Northside Community Church, where she has held varied roles, from Licensed Minister and Ministry Associate to Music and Worship co-chair, from Bell Choir Director (I ve heard the bell choir and they sound marvelous!) to Women s Prayer Breakfast Leader, from Parish Nurse to singer in the Chancel Choir, and much more. Sheree was the 2017 ABW Michigan Woman of the Year. We thank you, Sheree, for all you do in the name of Christ, and we are so pleased to offer you this scholarship. Hannah is a rising senior at U-M, majoring in Cognitive Science and Computer Science. She has been a member at First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor for the past 15 years, serving as worship leader, usher, acolyte, and nursery worker. She also has sung in choir, played harp and performed liturgical dance. She has volunteered helping underprivileged children in Ann Arbor and South Baltimore, serving meals to the homeless and hungry at FBCA2, helping with a water filter installation project in Nicaragua and more. She plans to use her computer skills to benefit other people. We thank you, Hannah, for all you do in the name of Christ, and we are so pleased to offer you this scholarship. To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be a (female) member of an American Baptist Church in Michigan, and you must give evidence of a call to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Applications are due March 1 for the following year. We will send more information later in the year. In Christ, Lori Zupan, First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, loriz@tsshome.com Publicity Don't forget to check out the new things being added to our (facebook page) Or our (web page) is part of (American Baptist Churches of Michigan) then go to the bar at the top of the page that has (Navigation) click on that it will give you a list. Please if you move, change your phone number, , Please let us know so we can keep our records up to date. May God Bless You with Love, Peace & Health, Prudy Bannick, kpbannick@att.net, 1108 S. Van Buren St. Bay City, MI or

6 Notes from the Secretary/Treasurer As probably all of you know, Sandi Nickel, our long-time regional Secretary/Treasurer for American Baptist Women s Ministries, went home to be with our Lord in April She will be greatly missed for her dedication, devotion, humor, and many other qualities we loved about her. I will do my best to serve you in the same capacity for the next few years. Please direct all correspondence, donations or payments that would normally have been sent to Sandi to the following address: ABWM Regional Secretary Laurel Reed 624 Narrow Way Clarklake, MI You may also reach me by phone or at or lreed4624@comcast.net. Please reference ABW in the subject line. Wearing my registrar s hat, we had 69 registered for conference this year, a third whom had never come before! That was awesome. We re looking forward to an even better conference next year under the direction of Lynne Punnett and her team. Please find new friends to join you. I look forward to serving you to the best of my ability with God s guidance and assistance since I have yet to learn of the entire task that has been set before me. Please keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine. Your servant in Christ, Laurel Reed Young Women & Girls Hello again sisters in Christ,a new year and new opportunities for service in God's kingdom. Let's minister person to person whenever possible.we all know or have a younger woman near us who wonder just how can Jesus Christ be relevant to her. pray daily that Jesus will open doors of opportunity. Our God is a great God. If you have a testimony to share of how you have related to someone let me know. To make a difference in the world,let Jesus make a difference in you. In His Service, Gloria Hernandez mookadog@sbcglobal.net

7 Women & Girls Missions Hello from your new coordinator of women s and girls missions! Yes, I said YOUR because I am here to help you learn about our region project for the year, promote it within your women s groups, encourage our Special Interest Missionaries, and anything else missions-related with which I can assist. I love missions and have served on the five-person missions committee at the First Baptist Church of Grand Blanc since I am also on Wayne and Katherine Niles mission partnership team. Mark 16:15 says Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. I figure, if I can t go all over the world, I should support people who can! I want to encourage you to pray for our Special Interest Missionaries and organizations. Their contact information, birthdays, and anniversaries are at the back of the directory, so you can send them an encouraging note, a birthday wish, or just say a special prayer for them on their birthday. If you have not heard about the region project for this year, it is to help Kodiak Baptist Mission on Kodiak Island, Alaska purchase tents and related supplies to help rebuild its tent school after a huge wind storm last February. When many people think of Alaska, they think of lots of snow, but on the island, it is about 45 degrees and rainy year-round so, from fall to spring they have an outdoor Christian preschool. In February, a wind storm demolished two of the three big tents they use for the preschool and after-school programs and caused a lot of other damage, like downing many huge trees. Fortunately, no people or animals were injured. When rebuilding, they are relocating the tent school to an area they believe will be safer during such storms. Our goal is to raise $2,500. Checks can be written to ABW MI and mailed to Laurel Reed, 624 Narrow Way, Clarklake, MI To learn more about the project, and to help you promote the project, you can go to and scroll to approximately the middle of the page where you will find links to a PDF that can be downloaded and printed and a short video. Or, simply contact me at or nrb1313@yahoo.com and I will send you what you need. Nikki Brand

8 White Cross Coordinator Hello American Baptist Women. My name is Delia De La Fuente- Durham (Dee). I am a member of Crosspointe Meadow Church in Novi, Michigan. I served as an Elder, and currently Holy Communion Coordinator. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, attended St. Mary s Academy in Monroe, Michigan. My graduation gift from my parents was a trip to Europe (traveling with schoolmates) visiting Italy, Switzerland, France & England. A gift I have never forgotten. I attended Northwood University in Midland, Michigan and received my Bachelor s Degree in Business Administration. I married and have two sons: Mark (my oldest) who married Wendi and I have a granddaughter Liliana. Michael, my second son, will be graduating from Cornell University, New York, in December with a degree in Industrial Labor Relations. I have been retired from Chrysler Corporation and during my employment had the opportunity to work in various departments: International Sales & Marketing, Military Sales, European/Africa, Latin & South American and Far East. I had a great career; however, there is no greater love than serving the Lord. I have had that opportunity of serving when I joined the American Baptist Women Ministries (ABW). I have enjoyed my tenure with ABW and served as Coordinator Personal Development, Event Coordinator and now working with White Cross. As all of you know, Judy Davis, White Cross Coordinator, has been working with you and has now turned over her responsibilities to me. I am following a Great Lady and she has taken the time to mentor me in the procedures and operation of White Cross. It is indeed good to know that there are many who are devoted and faithful to the White Cross ministry. I had the pleasure to meet Zofia Dripps, Associate Executive Director for Mission Advancement in Elgin, Illinois at the Intercultural Ethnic Women Conference in July. Met many wonderful young women & girls at the Conference who have a thirst and eagerness to learn and serve our Lord. I will be in touch with you soon and relay the current news. Respectfully, Delia (Dee)

9 American Baptist Women of Michigan Woman of the Year Award Tell us about the woman you are nominating. You may include your response in the spaces below or write your response in a narrative which includes this information. Use as much space as you need to introduce us to your nominee. Please feel free to use the back of the form if you need to. more room. Name of nominee: Church/Area How does she contribute to God's kingdom? What has she done to further God's kingdom? Why are you nominating this person? Why is she worthy of this award? Nominator information: Name: Church/Area: Phone: Return to region President by April 15th of each year. Renee Langley Ennishore Drive Novi, MI 48375

10 Sponsored by American Baptist Women's Ministries and American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM) Harvesting Shalom: A Retreat about Wellness For "In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "For we too are his offspring.' (Acts 17:28, NRSV) Friday, September 28 Sunday, September 30, 2018 (Begins after dinner Friday and ends before noon on Sunday) Canonicus Camp and Conference Center Exeter, Rhode Island American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Extension Corporation and American Baptist Women s Ministries Prepare for Relocation VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/8/18) The American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC), American Baptist Women s Ministries (ABWM) and American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) including ABHMS publishing ministry Judson Press will relocate their King of Prussia, Pa., operations from the American Baptist Mission Center at 588 N. Gulph Rd. to 1075 First Avenue August Offices at 1075 First Avenue are planned to open August 27. During the relocation dates, accessibility to staff and the availability of resources may not be as immediate as usual. However, throughout the moving process, ABEC will continue to respond to the needs of investors and borrowers, and Judson Press will be working to provide customers with resources such as The Secret Place devotional guide, Journeys curriculum and Christian books on many topics. Judson Press customers may order products by calling the Judson toll-free number ( ), by visiting or by using FAX ( ). As usual, payments for products may be sent to Judson Press, Lock Box 4385, P.O. Box 95000, Philadelphia, PA

11 As the date quickly approaches for ABHMS relocation to our new center of mission, the sense of mindfulness and reverence regarding the historic significance of the journey we re embarking on increases among our staff, says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray. Since 1962, the ABC Mission Center at 588 North Gulph Road has served as basecamp for multiple national partners, and now we will move into a new space with no less dedication and commitment to mission in America than those who journeyed before us. Staff of the three American Baptist mission organizations met in July with representatives of the architectural design and planning firm Gensler which led the renovation of the building these mission organizations will soon call home to learn about the design concept of the new workspace and get updates about the renovation process. Commenting on the architects work, Haggray says, This newly renovated space is a place of tremendous beauty and innovation. The designers have creatively woven together woods, metals, glass, fabrics, colors and light to realize our values around collaboration, cooperation, hospitality, productivity, technology and efficiency; Gensler s dedication to this project has sanctified the space and made it sacred. ABEC is looking forward to being in its newly renovated office space, says Executive Director Valoria Cheek. It will be a space for some of the traditional work of meetings and daily practice, but it will also afford our staff the opportunity to rub shoulders a bit more with colleagues across organizations so we can collaborate planning mission work we can accomplish together, sharing in learning sessions internally and externally, and thinking creatively to use the new space to enhance ABEC s ministry to churches and partners across the United States and Puerto Rico. ABWM Executive Director the Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain says, In the life of American Baptist Women s Ministries, and our denomination, this move is both historic and exciting. We are optimistic that our new space will enable us to work more closely with our constituency, providing new ways to live and respond to our mission and vision of engaging and empowering women, young women and girls to be leaders in churches and communities locally and globally. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with denominational partners and initiate new relationships with the local community as we maximize the use of our new space and technology. American Baptist Women s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God. The American Baptist Extension Corporation was founded in 1959 to form a pool of invested funds to help build churches. Since then, churches financed through ABEC have prospered across the United States and Puerto Rico by 2014, loans totaling more than $100 million had helped strengthen than 1,600 churches for mission and ministry. American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico. American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God s mission around the world.

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13 ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS: Any girl who is a member of an American Baptist Church in Michigan, who gives evidence of a call to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be eligible. Applicants must complete and sign this application and also provide the following additional data: 1. Letter of recommendation from your pastor. 2. Statement of Christian experience/call to ministry. 3. Brief statement of your vocational expectations and goals. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM NAME DATE OF BIRTH (PLEASE PRINT FULL NAME - NO NICKNAMES) HOME ADDRESS ADDRESS CELL PHONE PARENT S NAMES HOME PHONE NAME OF HOME CHURCH CHURCH ADDRESS PASTOR HIGH SCHOOL YEAR GRADUATED COLLEGE YOU ARE ENROLLED AT MAJOR YEAR IS YOUR FAMILY ABLE TO HELP YOU FINANCIALLY? IF SO, WHAT PERCENT CAN THEY PROVIDE? DO YOU EXPECT TO WORK WHILE IN SCHOOL? CAN AND WILL YOUR CHURCH PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP? STATE SPECIFICALLY ANY OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME AVAILABLE, SUCH AS YOUR OWN SAVINGS, OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS, ETC. GIVE NAMES OF TWO (2) PEOPLE OTHER THAN FAMILY AS REFERENCES: NAME: NAME: ADDRESS: ADDRESS: I recognize that this scholarship is a gift from the American Baptist Women s Ministries of Michigan for the purpose of helping me prepare myself for whatever God would have me do with my life. I pledge myself to sincere preparation and eagerly seeking to know and to follow His will. I understand that should God call me to serve in a Christian vocation, I will plan to serve in the American Baptist Churches, USA. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT DATE *PLEASE ENCLOSE A NON-PROFESSIONAL PICTURE OR ONE THAT CAN BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT NEEDING COPYRIGHT PERMISSION. IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SEND A DIGITAL VERSION TO loriz@tsshome.com. This application and the additional data sheets are to be returned to the Scholarship Coordinator before the deadline, March 1. Send completed information to: Lori Zupan, 581 Canterbury Dr., Saline, MI 48176, loriz@tsshome.com