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From the Executive Director
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What is AWAB’s
strategy for increasing the number of congregations which openly welcome
and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities?
Faith Based
Community Organizing Leadership Training!!
The Trainings will be
intense 3+ day hands-on workshops intended to give participants the
skill-set and knowledge-base to build local or regional “Core Teams”
equipped to expand welcoming & affirming programs within area
congregations.
The Association of
Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB), The Brethren Mennonite Council
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests (BMC),
the Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance Inc. (GLAD) and the
Welcoming Congregation Network of the Community of Christ (WCN) have
received a grant from the Arcus Foundation to help expand the number of
welcoming and affirming congregations in all four movements!
In March 2007, the
four organizations will jointly hire a full-time national field
organizer for a three-year project to
increase the number of supportive congregations in each denomination
through faith-based community organizing training, strategic initiatives
and educational campaigns.
We hope the field
organizer will hold the first two trainings in the fall of 2007.
Isn’t this exciting?!
Lovingly,
Rev. Ken Pennings
(608)
255-2155
ken@wabaptists.org
New AWAB Council Member
Ron Green is AWAB’s
new Council member who will serve as the Chair of the Finance
Committee. Ron comes to us with a tremendous wealth of experience
chairing finance committees of non-profits. He is from
Myers
Park
Baptist
Church,
Charlotte,
NC,
and is on the faculty of
Winthrop
University.
Ron will be a great addition to our Council. Welcome Ron at
rkg3@comporium.net.
Advent Covenantal Vows
We gather ‘round this table to recall the past and to speak our vows for the
future.
Around this table of memory and mercy, give us eyes to see, ears to hear,
and courage to respond. Have mercy, O Christ, and make us merciful.
Our memories stretch back to the dawn of creation, when the Blessed One took
delight in all that was made. Though bruised and battered,
Eden’s
promise of delight still shines in our darkness.
Have mercy, O Christ, and make us heirs of your delight.
We remember the prophets and saints and humble servants, both known and
nameless, who in large ways and small leaned into the promise of shame’s
demise.
Have mercy, O Christ, and make us heirs of your forgiveness.
We remember the shout of Mary, who proclaimed the end of arrogance and the
advent of righteousness. We remember Joseph, and the shepherds, and the
magi, who boldly cradled the Promise of steadfast love.
Have mercy, O Christ, and make us heirs of your steadfast love.
We remember those who first formed this Circle, fostering hope for the
Beloved Community, for the day when all the world shall feast and be
satisfied.
Have mercy, O Christ, and make us heirs of your Beloved Community.
Therefore this day we declare our fidelity: to the Reign of God writ large,
by means of faithfulness to the sisters and brothers in this Circle.
Have mercy, O Christ, and make us heirs of your faithful care.
Grant grace, as we extend tender mercy to each other, with patience; as we
teach each other, with diligence; as we receive assistance from each other,
with gratitude; as we offer up our assets, sacrificially, to the building of
this body.
Have mercy—tender mercy—O Christ, and make us heirs of your clemency.
Having eaten from this table, having sipped from this cup, having made these
covenant vows, we are implicated in God’s insurgency: against the world and
all its vengeance, for the earth and its destiny of hope.
Hear these promises, Gracious God, as we wander in the starlight of your
Wonder. Have mercy, and make us heirs of your hopeful Presence.
May it be so, now and always, in this Circle of Mercy, as we live our
proclamation: seeking justice, pursuing peace, following Jesus.
AMEN.
May it be so!
—Covenant renewal vows said by members of Circle of Mercy Congregation (Asheville,
NC
– W&A) around the communion table on
3 December 2006,
the occasion of their fifth anniversary as a congregation. Blessings to our
entire AWAB family!—Rev. Ken & Nancy Seheste
Editorial
in The Washington Post by W&A Pastor
Editorial published in The Washington Post (Dec. 12) by Rev. Bart
Cockran, pastor of
Ravensworth Baptist
Church, Annandale,
VA. Regarding the Dec. 4 front-page article
"Episcopal Churches to Vote on Departure":
The historic Falls
Church and Truro
Church congregations in
Virginia are contemplating severing ties with
the U.S. Episcopal Church and aligning instead with a controversial
African bishop who advocates prison for those engaging in homosexual
activity. The Virginia
churches' spokesman indicated that this position gives him "pause."
So what would be a "show-stopper," the death
penalty for gay people?
My little, not-so-historic church in
Annandale, Ravensworth Baptist, is one of a
handful of Baptist churches in Virginia
that are welcoming and affirming to all who come to Christ's table,
including our homosexual brothers and sisters. As such, we are not
unfamiliar with controversy.
But as a body, we choose to grow together
and stand on the side of love and inclusion, as directed by the spirit
of our Lord and by his apostle Paul, who implored us to "do everything
in love."
BART
COCHRAN,
Alexandria
(Ravensworth just voted to join AWAB. AMEN!!!)
AWAB Seeks Nominations for Two Awards
Every two years, the AWAB Council is privileged to honor two individuals
whose efforts to improve the path of GLBT people of faith have been
inspirational and transformative. We are currently seeking nominations
for these two awards, to be presented at the AWAB gathering in
Washington D.C. in June 2007.
The Randle R. Mixon Award for Christian Service is given to an
individual whose work has helped to increase the inclusion of sexual
minorities within Baptist bodies and has served to advance the cause of
justice by educating congregations and organizations about sexual
minority and gender identity issues.
The Barbra MacNair Award for Christian Witness is given to an individual
whose life has inspired understanding and acceptance of lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people by opening dialogue that would not
otherwise be there, opening the eyes of those who might otherwise turn
away, and, by example, helping to advance the affirmation of everyone,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Please submit nominations to AWAB at
ken@wabaptists.org by
January 31, 2007.
Help Sponsor AWAB Hospitality Suite
Would you,
your AWAB church, group of churches, or AWAB chapter be willing to help
sponsor AWAB’s ABC/USA Biennial Hospitality Suite? This is a place for
welcoming & affirming people to gather for a time of fellowship and
conversation after AWAB and ABC/USA events at the Biennial meeting in
Washington, DC, June 29-July 2. Please contact Sandi John at
sandijohn@verizon.net, or Heather
Rittenhouse at
angels4871@hotmail.com.
Give to AWAB from your IRA in 2006 or 2007
This summer, the Pension Protection Act (PPA) became the law of the land.
The PPA permits you to make charitable contributions from your IRA up to
$100,000 per year for two years, 2006 and 2007. Consult an attorney, tax
expert, or investment professional for more information.
Events Sponsored by AWAB & Partners
February 16-17, 2007…Revive
Us Again!
Revival of our Spirit, Revival of our Baptist Principles, at
Andover
Newton
Theological School,
Newton,
Mass.
This
is a gathering of progressive Baptists from around the country, ready to
share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are gathering to say that we are
Christian, we are Baptist, and we believe our Baptist Principles are
foundational to our understanding and sharing of the Gospel. We are
gathering to say that we can be both progressive and evangelical!
Speakers include: Rev. Cynthia Maybeck, pastor, Trinity Church in
Northborough, MA; Rev. Nancy Hitt, pastor, First Baptist Church of Natick,
MA; Rev. Dr. Liliana Da Valle; Rev. Alan Newton, Executive Minister, ABC of
Rochester-Genesee.
Friday, February 16th,
7:00
p.m to 9:00 p.m.
Healing Service and Worship, led by the Rev. Cynthia Maybeck
Saturday, February 17th,
9:00
a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Bible Study and Discussion Groups; Afternoon Workshops; Forum: Update on
ABC-USA
Closing Revival Worship at the
First
Baptist
Church
in
Newton
There
will be a registration fee (to cover the cost of meals on Saturday) of
approximately $30. For accommodations, please see the separate Travel and
Accommodations notice.
Revive Us Again! is
endorsed by the following churches and organizations: The American Baptist
Churches of
Massachusetts,
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, The Samuel Stillman
Association,
First
Baptist
Church,
Framingham,
MA
Please RSVP to Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell at
508-872-1176
or email fbcframingham@verizon.net by January 31st.
Feb. 17-18, 2007:
Ken Pennings at
University
Baptist
Church,
Minneapolis,
MN
for an "AWAB Sunday"
March 15-18, 2007:
Ken Pennings and our new field organizer at the Faith-Based Organizing
Training in
Evanston,
IL.
To register, visit
www.welcomingresources.org.
April 13-15, 2007:
Alliance
of Baptists Convocation,
Washington,
DC.
June 29-July
2, 2007:
ABC-USA Biennial
Ju ly
23-28, 2007:
AS THE POWERS FALL: SUSTAINING OUR FAITH AND EACH OTHER AS EMPIRE CRUMBLES,
Berea College, Berea, Kentucky - BPFNA Peace Camp
This conference is for you, if you have ever…
-
Wondered if things could be different but questioned what you could do.
-
Dreamed of what could happen if powers and principalities were defeated.
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Wished to understand how destructive systems come into being and how
they can be undermined by ordinary people.
-
Wanted concrete training in bringing change for the social good in your
church, school, job, or neighborhood.
-
Longed for companions in your commitment to and your work for peace
rooted in justice.
Join us in beautiful
Berea,
Kentucky
for a week of challenge and sustenance gathering and nurture training and
fun community and learning protest and art music and worship
a week that will renew your focus, your energy, your work, your spirit.
We will be led by:
-
Michelle Tooley, sharing the inspiring story of
Berea
College
as it lives out a vision of inclusion and equality.
-
Si Kahn, singing and strategizing.
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Alicia Pagan and Ray Two Crows Wallen, leading the Mural Project,
interactive art designed to discover and embody the hidden strengths and
resources of our community.
-
Al Staggs, bringing to life historical figures who challenged Empire
Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Oscar Romero, Clarence Jordan, and Jesus of
Nazareth.
-
Vern Ratzlaff, awakening us to the sweeping Biblical stories of the rise
and fall of mighty empires and connecting us to the Divine spirit which
outlasts them all.
-
Rita Nakashima Brock, unmasking false theologies that allow the church
to support Empire and providing an alternative theology that brings life
even while it undermines Empire.
-
Daniel Hunter, describing possibilities for the fall of the U.S. Empire,
the impact this will have around the world, and strategizing for
creating communities that will thrive even as that Empire fails.
-
A myriad of workshop leaders who will help us discover what we can do
right where we are.
You will go home rested, grounded, equipped, and nurtured for the road
ahead, knowing that you are a part of a thriving community creating peace.
Save the date and plan to join us for Peace Camp 2007.
Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, Program Coordinator
Baptist Peace Fellowship of
North America
4800 Wedgewood Drive,
Charlotte,
NC
28210,
phone: (704)521-6051 fax: (704)521-6053
A Simple Way
to Support HIV-AIDS Research
Bristol-Myers is donating a dollar to AIDS every time someone goes to
their website and moves the match to the candle and lights it, by
clicking on the wick.
Please forward this to your friends to spread. It takes a second to
raise a dollar.
Please visit the site....
https://www.lighttounite.org
Resources
'FOR
THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
- a feature-length documentary on homosexuality and the Bible. The
film has interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Peter Gomes, Chrissy
Gephardt, Gene Robinson, and AWAB’s own Susan Sparks, soon to be Sr.
Pastor of
Madison
Avenue
Baptist
Church,
NY,
NY.
Find out more at
www.forthebibletellsmeso.org
INCLUSIVE
HYMNS FOR LIBERATING CHRISTIANS,
by Jann Aldredge-Clanton and Larry Schultz --. Inclusive Hymns for
Liberating Christians will expand the spiritual experience of any group,
large or small. These hymns inspire justice and peacemaking. They empower
women, men, and children of all races to become all they are created to be
in the divine image. These hymns will lift the heart, invigorate the mind,
and enliven the spirit. The wide variety of biblical divine names and images
in Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians will contribute to belief in
the sacredness of all people and all creation. Peace and justice flow from
this belief. These hymns draw from the prophetic, liberating tradition in
Scripture. Predominant themes of the hymns are peace, justice, resurrection,
abundant life, liberation, new creation, and partnership in relationships.
This collection includes hymns that celebrate the seasons of the church year
and other special occasions.
Balancing feminine and masculine divine names, Inclusive Hymns for
Liberating Christians will lead to deeper understanding and experience of
the Creator of all. Some of the hymns resurrect feminine divine images, like
Wisdom and Ruah, that have long been buried in Scripture and Christian
tradition. Bringing feminine sacred names into worship will encourage the
revaluing of the feminine so that the Gospel values of liberation and
equality are realized.
Inclusive
Hymns for Liberating Christians will also support the sacred value of people
of color by changing the traditional negative symbolism of darkness. These
hymns symbolize darkness as creative bounty and beauty. Inclusive Hymns for
Liberating Christians will help churches and individuals in their journey
toward freedom from racism, sexism, and other injustices.
For many of
these hymns Jann Aldredge-Clanton draws from the rich tradition of hymn
tunes, giving new expression to familiar music. This hymn collection also
includes original tunes and arrangements by composer Larry E. Schultz. This
new, vibrant music enhances the meaning of the texts.
Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians will
rejuvenate the hymn tradition for groups and individuals alike. Inclusive
Hymns for Liberating Christians will make a valuable contribution to church
hymnody. ORDER: Eakin Press, 800-880-8642; OR
jannaldredgeclanton.com
Associational
is a periodic e-newsletter of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming
Baptists, a network of 65 churches and hundreds of individuals who have
joined together to advocate for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender persons within Baptist communities of faith. Please forward
this e-newsletter to interested friends. Copy relevant information into
your organization’s bulletin and newsletter. To subscribe, send an e-mail to
subscribe@wabaptists.org
with SUBSCRIBE in the subject
line. To be removed from this list, send an e-mail to
unsubscribe@wabaptists.org
with REMOVE in the subject
line. To read back issues of Associational, go to:
www.wabaptists.org/associational.htm.
To learn more about the Association, go to:
www.wabaptists.org.
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