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The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
Associational
An Ongoing eNewsletter from the Executive Director

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the e-newsletter of the Association
of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists


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November 1, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Reflections on the 2007 Carolinas Regional Gathering

  3. U.S. Senate Passes Matthew Shepard Act 

  4. TransFaith On-Line

  5. New Books

  6. Debate Heating Up in SC

  7. Career Opportunities

Issue 36  ~ October 2, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. New York Court Upholds Recognition of Foreign Same-Sex Marriages

  3. National GLBT Month: Read a Story a Day Online 

  4. National Coming Out Day, October 11

  5. Holy Relationships: 2007 Midwest Regional Conference

  6. Review of For the Bible Tells Me So

  7. Career Opportunities

Issue 35  ~ September 12, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Iowa Court Ruling

  3. October is National LGBT Month: Read a Story a Day Online 

  4. Beyond the Bible and Homosexuality: An Affirmation of Gay Christians

  5. Book Review: A Time to Embrace

  6. National Coming Out Day is October 11 - Kits Available

  7. Fight For Gay Rights Fits into Long History of Progressive Struggles

  8. Career Opportunities

Issue 34  ~ September 1, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. AWAB Mentoring Connections Project

  3. Rift Over Same-Sex unions Reflects New Battle in Black Churches 

  4. Career Opportunities

Issue 33  ~ July 19, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. AWAB Council Members Reflect on National Gathering

  3. Helping Baptist Congregations Engage in Welcoming & Affirming Discernment 

  4. An Editor’s Vision and Passion for The InSpiriter

  5. Hyde Park Union Church Joins AWAB

  6. Thoughts on Atlanta Gay Pride

  7. Fight For Gay Rights Fits into Long History of Progressive Struggles

  8. Task Force Releases Analysis of 2008 Presidential Candidates' Positions on LGBT Issues

  9. Career Opportunities

  10. Upcoming Events

Issue 32  ~ June 2, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. AWAB Gathering in Washington DC

  3. Remember Who Made Me by Jeffery Barnes 

  4. Sexual and Gender Diversity Pride Celebration

  5. Career Opportunities

  6. Upcoming Events

Issue 31  ~ May 19, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. AWAB Gathering in Washington DC

  3. Remember Who Made Me by Jeffery Barnes 

  4. A Few Creative People Wanted

  5. Civil Unions in New Hampshire

  6. Consensus in ABC General Executive Committee

  7. Nigerian Critic to Rally Episcopalians

  8. Career Opportunities

  9. Upcoming Events

  10. AWAB Church Changes Name

Issue 30  ~ April 17, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Wanted: A Few Good Artists

  3. Delegates Needed to Help Preserve the ABC-USA 

  4. Career Opportunities

  5. Spring 2007 Meeting of the Gathering of Baptists

  6. Consultant Eager to Work With AWAB Congregations

  7. AWAB Wish List

Issue 29  ~ March 7, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Congratulations to Wally Bryen!

  3. Ravensworth Baptist Church Is AWAB’s Latest Member Church 

  4. Career Opportunities

  5. Presidents Carter and Clinton Announce Unprecedented Gathering of Baptists

  6. American Baptists Organizing in the Southwest

  7. Baptist Churches Leave Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Over Anti-Gay Stand

  8. Subscribe to the eNewsletter of The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS)!

  9. Comments from the Coordinator of Revival of Progressive Baptists

  10. New Inclusive Congregation Forms in Birmingham

  11. Revive Us Again! Experience Reported by Kathy Stayton, AWAB Council Chairperson

  12. Upcoming Events

  13. ABCUSA Becomes Founding Member of Christian Churches Together

  14. AWAB Wish List

Issue 28  ~ January 31, 2007
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Career Opportunities

  3. Revive Us Again! Gathering, Feb 16-17, Newton, MA

  4. Baptist Heritage Tour, May 14-23 

  5. New Ways Ministry's 6th Symposium, Mar 16-17, Minneapolis

  6. AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards

  7. Help Sponsor AWAB's Hospitality Suite at Biennial

  8. Give to AWAB from you IRA

  9. First Baptist Church of Beverly, MA, Highlighted

  10. Reflections from Our Friends at the BPFNA

Issue 27  ~ December 20, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. New AWAB Council Member

  3. Advent Covental Vows

  4. Editorial in The Washington Post form W&A Pastor 

  5. AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards

  6. Help Sponsor AWAB's Hospitalit Suite at Biennial

  7. Give to AWAB from you IRA

  8. Events Sponsored by AWAB & Partners

  9. A Simple Way to Support HIV-AIDS Research

  10. Resources

Issue 26  ~ November 20, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. AWAB Brings AIDS Memorial Quilt to Houston

  3. Lake Street Church Brings Together Eight Faiths in Day of Harmony

  4. AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards

  5. A Perspective on the ABC/USA

  6. Give to AWAB from your IRA

  7. Events Sponsored by AWAB Partners

  8. Alabama Church Ejected for Hiring Female Associate Pastor

  9. NC Baptist State Convention Moves to Expel W&A Baptist Congregations

  10. NJ Supreme Court Directs Legislature to Give Equal Rights to Same-Sex Couples

  11. South African Parliament OKs Gay Marriage

Issue 25  ~ October 5, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Powerful Letter from American Baptist Churches of the South – A Must Read!

  3. AWAB Council Seeking New Member

  4. AWAB Development Team Seeking New Members

  5. AWAB Regional Gatherings

  6. Events Sponsored by AWAB Partners

Issue 24  ~ September 7, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. Woodside Church Disfellowshipped

  3. Two AWAB Churches Find New Regional Home

  4. AWAB Welcomes Two New Churches

  5. David Parnell Joins AWAB Council

  6. Many Thanks to Ken Sehested

  7. Host AWAB Council in 2007

  8. Donations in Honor of Darrell Lance

  9. AWAB Strongly Supports Institute for Welcoming Resources

  10. Thanks from Alice Langford

  11. AWAB Regional Gatherings

  12. AWAB Partner's Event

Issue 23  ~ August 7, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. From Rev. H. James Hopkins

  3. From Richard Fairly

  4. From Rev. Steve Hammond

  5. From Rev. Dr. Jo Anne Juett

  6. From Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell

  7. From Rev. Paul Hayes

  8. From Rev. Paul Hardwick

  9. From Rev. Keith H. Wimmersberger

  10. From Rev. Alan Newton

  11. From Rev. Mark Clinger

  12. From Rev. Sandi John

  13. From Rev Lou Drew

  14. From Rev. Dale Edmondson

  15. From Robin Lunn

  16. Rev. Dr. Roy Medley's Letter

Issue 22  ~ June 20, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. It’s Not Too Late to Register for Tapestry

  3. A Great Awakening of W&A Baptists July 21-22 in Northampton, MA

  4. AWAB Welcomes Two New Churches and One Chapter

  5. Donations in Memory, In Honor...

  6. Will Seals Called by First Baptist Church, Greenfield, MA

  7. AWAB Pastor Writes for Local Journal

  8. Glendale Baptist Youth Group (W&A) Prepares for Conference with Nobel Peace Laureates

  9. Stan Hastey's "State of the Alliance" Address

  10. G. Weldon Gaddy on "Freedom to Marry"

  11. Churches Seeking Pastors

  12. 2006 Regional AWAB Gatherings

  13. 2006 Events of AWAB’s Partners

Issue 21  ~ May 31, 2006
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  1. From the Executive Director

  2. It’s not too late to register for Tapestry

  3. Chicagoland Gatherings of W&A Baptists, June 2–4

  4. AWAB Welcomes 3 New Churches

  5. Rick Mixon Called by First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, CA

  6. AWAB Congregations Featured in the News

  7. Alliance of Baptists’ Statement on Same-Sex Marriage

  8. ClergyForFairness.org

  9. ABPSW Withdraws from the ABC/USA

  10. Churches Seeking Pastors

  11. 2006 Regional AWAB Gatherings

  12. 2006 Events of AWAB’s Partners

  13. Resource

Issue 20  ~ April 17, 2006
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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

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

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