AWAB Home Page          Current Associational Issue          Voice of the Turtle Online          InSpiriter Online The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists Associational An Ongoing eNewsletter from the Executive Director Issues
Welcome to Associational the e-newsletter of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists INSIDE November 1, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Reflections on the 2007 Carolinas Regional Gathering U.S. Senate Passes Matthew Shepard Act  TransFaith On-Line New Books Debate Heating Up in SC Career Opportunities Issue 36  ~ October 2, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director New York Court Upholds Recognition of Foreign Same-Sex Marriages National GLBT Month: Read a Story a Day Online  National Coming Out Day, October 11 Holy Relationships: 2007 Midwest Regional Conference Review of For the Bible Tells Me So Career Opportunities Issue 35  ~ September 12, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Iowa Court Ruling October is National LGBT Month: Read a Story a Day Online  Beyond the Bible and Homosexuality: An Affirmation of Gay Christians Book Review: A Time to Embrace National Coming Out Day is October 11 - Kits Available Fight For Gay Rights Fits into Long History of Progressive Struggles Career Opportunities Issue 34  ~ September 1, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director AWAB Mentoring Connections Project Rift Over Same-Sex unions Reflects New Battle in Black Churches  Career Opportunities Issue 33  ~ July 19, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director AWAB Council Members Reflect on National Gathering Helping Baptist Congregations Engage in Welcoming & Affirming Discernment  An Editor’s Vision and Passion for The InSpiriter Hyde Park Union Church Joins AWAB Thoughts on Atlanta Gay Pride Fight For Gay Rights Fits into Long History of Progressive Struggles Task Force Releases Analysis of 2008 Presidential Candidates' Positions on LGBT Issues Career Opportunities Upcoming Events Issue 32  ~ June 2, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director AWAB Gathering in Washington DC Remember Who Made Me by Jeffery Barnes  Sexual and Gender Diversity Pride Celebration Career Opportunities Upcoming Events Issue 31  ~ May 19, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director AWAB Gathering in Washington DC Remember Who Made Me by Jeffery Barnes  A Few Creative People Wanted Civil Unions in New Hampshire Consensus in ABC General Executive Committee Nigerian Critic to Rally Episcopalians Career Opportunities Upcoming Events AWAB Church Changes Name Issue 30  ~ April 17, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Wanted: A Few Good Artists Delegates Needed to Help Preserve the ABC-USA  Career Opportunities Spring 2007 Meeting of the Gathering of Baptists Consultant Eager to Work With AWAB Congregations AWAB Wish List Issue 29  ~ March 7, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Congratulations to Wally Bryen! Ravensworth Baptist Church Is AWAB’s Latest Member Church  Career Opportunities Presidents Carter and Clinton Announce Unprecedented Gathering of Baptists American Baptists Organizing in the Southwest Baptist Churches Leave Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Over Anti-Gay Stand Subscribe to the eNewsletter of The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS)! Comments from the Coordinator of Revival of Progressive Baptists New Inclusive Congregation Forms in Birmingham Revive Us Again! Experience Reported by Kathy Stayton, AWAB Council Chairperson Upcoming Events ABCUSA Becomes Founding Member of Christian Churches Together AWAB Wish List Issue 28  ~ January 31, 2007 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Career Opportunities Revive Us Again! Gathering, Feb 16-17, Newton, MA Baptist Heritage Tour, May 14-23  New Ways Ministry's 6th Symposium, Mar 16-17, Minneapolis AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards Help Sponsor AWAB's Hospitality Suite at Biennial Give to AWAB from you IRA First Baptist Church of Beverly, MA, Highlighted Reflections from Our Friends at the BPFNA Issue 27  ~ December 20, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director New AWAB Council Member Advent Covental Vows Editorial in The Washington Post form W&A Pastor  AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards Help Sponsor AWAB's Hospitalit Suite at Biennial Give to AWAB from you IRA Events Sponsored by AWAB & Partners A Simple Way to Support HIV-AIDS Research Resources Issue 26  ~ November 20, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director AWAB Brings AIDS Memorial Quilt to Houston Lake Street Church Brings Together Eight Faiths in Day of Harmony AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards A Perspective on the ABC/USA Give to AWAB from your IRA Events Sponsored by AWAB Partners Alabama Church Ejected for Hiring Female Associate Pastor NC Baptist State Convention Moves to Expel W&A Baptist Congregations NJ Supreme Court Directs Legislature to Give Equal Rights to Same-Sex Couples South African Parliament OKs Gay Marriage Issue 25  ~ October 5, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Powerful Letter from American Baptist Churches of the South – A Must Read! AWAB Council Seeking New Member AWAB Development Team Seeking New Members AWAB Regional Gatherings Events Sponsored by AWAB Partners Issue 24  ~ September 7, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Woodside Church Disfellowshipped Two AWAB Churches Find New Regional Home AWAB Welcomes Two New Churches David Parnell Joins AWAB Council Many Thanks to Ken Sehested Host AWAB Council in 2007 Donations in Honor of Darrell Lance AWAB Strongly Supports Institute for Welcoming Resources Thanks from Alice Langford AWAB Regional Gatherings AWAB Partner's Event Issue 23  ~ August 7, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director From Rev. H. James Hopkins From Richard Fairly From Rev. Steve Hammond From Rev. Dr. Jo Anne Juett From Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell From Rev. Paul Hayes From Rev. Paul Hardwick From Rev. Keith H. Wimmersberger From Rev. Alan Newton From Rev. Mark Clinger From Rev. Sandi John From Rev Lou Drew From Rev. Dale Edmondson From Robin Lunn Rev. Dr. Roy Medley's Letter Issue 22  ~ June 20, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director It’s Not Too Late to Register for Tapestry A Great Awakening of W&A Baptists July 21-22 in Northampton, MA AWAB Welcomes Two New Churches and One Chapter Donations in Memory, In Honor... Will Seals Called by First Baptist Church, Greenfield, MA AWAB Pastor Writes for Local Journal Glendale Baptist Youth Group (W&A) Prepares for Conference with Nobel Peace Laureates Stan Hastey's "State of the Alliance" Address G. Weldon Gaddy on "Freedom to Marry" Churches Seeking Pastors 2006 Regional AWAB Gatherings 2006 Events of AWAB’s Partners Issue 21  ~ May 31, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director It’s not too late to register for Tapestry Chicagoland Gatherings of W&A Baptists, June 2–4 AWAB Welcomes 3 New Churches Rick Mixon Called by First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, CA AWAB Congregations Featured in the News Alliance of Baptists’ Statement on Same-Sex Marriage ClergyForFairness.org ABPSW Withdraws from the ABC/USA Churches Seeking Pastors 2006 Regional AWAB Gatherings 2006 Events of AWAB’s Partners Resource Issue 20  ~ April 17, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Early Registration Deadline for Tapestry Approaching AWAB Southern Gathering Churches Seeking Pastors AWAB Regional Gatherings Partner Gatherings Resources Issue 19  ~ March 12, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Bay Area Gathering, March 18-22 AWAB Churches Seeking Pastors H. Darrell Lance to Retire as Editor of The InSpiriter Kind Words Calendar of Events: Tapestry 2006, Regional Gatherings and Ken Pennings Speaking Engagements Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR) Joins Forces with National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce Shower of Stoles Gifted to Institute for Welcoming Resources Sermon by Mary Ann Tolbert Condolences A Friend's Request Issue 18  ~ January 31, 2006 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director When We Phone Our Members, We Hear… 10th Anniversary of Disfellowshipping of Churches Results of the November ABC General Board Meeting AWAB Churches Seeking Pastors Metropolitan Community Church on the Impending Catholic Purge of Gay Men from U.S. Seminaries Calendar of Events New Mailing Address & Phone Number Issue 17  ~ December 24, 2005 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director When We Phone Our Members, We Hear… 10th Anniversary of Disfellowshipping of Churches Results of the November ABC General Board Meeting AWAB Churches Seeking Pastors Metropolitan Community Church on the Impending Catholic Purge of Gay Men from U.S. Seminaries Calendar of Events New Mailing Address & Phone Number Issue 16  ~ November 14, 2005 HTML or PDF From the Executive Director Dr. Stephen Jones Receives HRC Equality Award First Baptist Church, Granville, Ohio, Seeks a Full-time Pastor Two AWAB Congregations Welcomed Into the Rochester/Genesee Region of the ABC/USA Annual Meeting of the Mid-American Baptist Churches, a Difficult and Painful Experience West Virginia Baptists Reject Proposal to Split Report on the 9th Annual Gay and Lesbian Baptist Retreat, Austin, Texas Beth Stroud Denied a Call to Ordained Leadership in the United Methodist Church Maine Voters Reject Anti-gay Ballot Initiative Texas Voters Approve Anti-marriage Constitutional Amendment Wisconsin’s Proposed Anti-Marriage Amendment Sermon By Harry Knox, Director of Religion and Faith Program, HRC Ken Sehested Recommends New Book: Exile or Embrace? Congregations Discerning Their Response to Lesbian and Gay Christians John Shelby Spong Recommends New Book: Born Gay Calendar of Events First Baptist Church of Granville, Ohio, Seeks Full Time Pastor Issue 15  ~ October 20, 2005 From the Executive Director Roger Williams Fellowship Press Release on PSW Withdrawal from ABC/USA From Denver to Lombard and Beyond…An Update on the Evangelical Front Push Underway for ABC Counter-Resolution AWAB Council Chair Receives Advocacy Award Creating Change, Nov. 9-13, Adds Spirituality Track News: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Landmark Civil Marriage Legislation Calendar of Events Ken Pennings' Speaking Engagements AWAB's Big Event for 2006 AWAB Regional Gatherings Events Sponsored by AWAB Partners AWAB Pastor Retires AWAB Pastor Relocates AWAB Wish List Resources AWAB Needs Your Help Prayer of a Gay Man Issue 14  ~ September 18, 2005 From the Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Celebrates Black Gay Pride - Sermon by Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Push Underway for ABC Counter-Resolution General Secretary Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley of ABC/USA Response to the Hurricane Katrina Disaster News: Same Sex Marriage Wins Vote in California Majority Married to Equal Marriage in Massachusetts Calendar of Events Progressive Baptists Meet Ken Pennings' Speaking Engagements AWAB's Big Event for 2006 AWAB Regional Gatherings Events Sponsored by AWAB Partners AWAB Wish List Resources AWAB Needs Your Help Issue 13  ~ September 6, 2005 From the Executive Director News:  Regional Gatherings Being Planned Join an Online Group Letters from Members and Friends Talking Point New Groups Forming Aug. 23rd Meeting of Minister's Council Senate Calendar AWAB Needs Your Help Issue 12  ~ August 2005 From the Executive Director News:  New Council Members Approved in Denver AWAB's Finances in Good Shape Two New Chapters Envisioned Push Underway for ABC Counter-Resolution AWAB, GLAD and UCC Coalition Plan 2006 National Gathering News from Our Partners and Beyond:  General Synod of the UCC Votes in Favor of Gay Marriage Gay Catholic Group DignityUSA Decries Limits on Gay-Supportive Priests Spanish Premier Zapatero’s Gay Marriage Speech Resources Calendar AWAB Wish List Contributions Issue 10/11  ~ June 2005 From the Interim Director News:  Fraud Alert: Con Artists Calling AWAB Churches Welcoming Baptists to Worship and Witness at ABC Biennial Retreat Registration Deadline Approaching Rochester Reports Online Calendar New Mailing Address Prayer Requests Issue 9  ~ March 2005 From the Interim Director News:  Two New AWAB Churches AWAB Biennial Plans LGBT & Allies Retreat in the Rockies Slated Rochester Reports Online Membership Forms Online Calendar Contributions New Mailing Address Prayer Requests Issue 8  ~ February 2005 From the Interim Director Online Discussion  News:  Rochester Summit to Convene Progressive Baptists LGBT & Allies Retreat in the Rockies Slated Nominations Open for Mixon Award Nominations Sought for AWAB Council New Membership Forms Online Calendar Contributions Prayer Requests Issue 7  ~ January 2005 An Open Letter to the Regional Executive Ministers Council Online Discussion  Calendar Contributions New Mailing Address Issue 6  ~ December 2004 From the Interim Director News:  Canadian and U.S. Baptists Meet American Baptist Executives Adopt Anti-Gay Statement "Jerusalem Council" Process Underway Nashville Church Calls Co-Pastors Online Contributons   Contributions Prayer Request Issue 5  ~ October 2004 From the Interim Director News:   Welcome a New Tommorrow  Canadian Churches Gather AWAB Seeks Director   Online Contributons Contributions Issue 4  ~ September 2004 SPECIAL EDITION News from Interim Director on the Letter from WV Judson Association Issue 3  ~ September 2004 From the Interim Director News: UPDATE: ABC Ministers Council Senate Mid-America Region Denies Appeal of Gay Clergy West Virginia Baptists Call for Ouster of W&A Churches Calendar New Mailing Address Contributions And Now for Something Completely Different Issue 2  ~ August 2004 From the Interim Director: Anti-Gay Amendment Proposed for Ministers Council News: Pastor Selected for Lilly-Funded Group Regional Gatherings Slated Association Launches Online Discussion to Discern Signs of the Movement On the Web Calendar Issue 1  ~ July 2004 From the Interim Director News: Anti-Gay Marriage Legislation Attempt Fails Association Launches Online Discussion Calendar AWAB Home Page     Current Associational Issue Voice of the Turtle Online     InSpiriter Online