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From the Executive Director
Dear Sisters and
Brothers in Christ,
2006 was a
great year for AWAB! There was lots of energy and enthusiasm for the
national and regional gatherings of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. We
hope to make face-to-face, person-to-person gatherings a priority for
2007 also!
In order to do this, we need your help!
1) Would your church/chapter be interested in hosting a gathering of
W&A Baptists this year?
2) If you would like to have either Rev. Heather Rittenhouse* or me
be a part of this gathering, would your church/chapter be willing to
cover our costs for travel, accommodations and meals?
Please contact
me immediately so that we can discuss the possibility of a gathering in
your area.
*Heather is a
member of the AWAB council, and is an extraordinary visionary and
preacher.
Lovingly,
Ken Pennings
608-255-2155
ken@wabaptists.org
Career Opportunities
National Field
Organizer
The
Association for Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Brethren Mennonite
Council for LGBT Interests, Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples, and the
Welcoming Community Network, invite applications for a full-time
National Field Organizer. This grant-based position will be housed in
Minneapolis,
MN.
The National
Field Organizer will utilize the tools of grassroots organizing and
coalition building in order to increase the number of welcoming
congregations in the Disciples, Baptist, Community of Christ, Church of
the Brethren and Mennonite traditions. In collaboration with an
Oversight Committee and the Director of the Institute for Welcoming
Resources, the Field Organizer will develop ecumenical training
materials, organize training events, and provide follow up support to
participants. In addition, the Field Organizer will offer consulting
services to the four collaborating organizations to assist them in
program and organizational development.
Areas of
Responsibility
Community
Organizing - develop curriculum for an ecumenical training in
faith-based community organizing; plan and facilitate regional training
events; recruit training leaders and participants; provide follow up
support and counsel.
Organizational
Consulting – assess strengths and needs of collaborating organizations
in order to provide recommendations for strengthening the welcoming
movement within each denomination; work with collaborating organizations
to build organizational infrastructure and growth.
General
Administrative – meet regularly with an Oversight Committee to plan
long- and short-term goals; fulfill all grant requirements; organize and
maintain project records and files; maintain fiscal accountability.
Qualifications
Experience
in community organizing and training;
sensitivity to
LGBT community needs;
Biblical and
theological knowledge;
openness and
appreciation for ecumenical work;
strong writing,
computer and communicating skills;
willingness to
travel.
Bachelor’s
degree required, graduate degree or compatible experience preferred
Other
Salary and
benefits package of $45,000 - $50,000 depending upon experience.
For a full job
description, go to www.WelcomingResources.org. To apply, submit cover
letter and resume by
February 10, 2007
to NFO@WelcomingResources.org.
Questions may be directed to Barbara Satin at
Barbara@WelcomingResources.org or
call 612.821.4397.
Qualified
candidates will be considered for application without regard to gender,
gender identification, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, disability, age, height, weight, religion, ancestry,
marital, economic or parenting status.
Faith-Based Organizer
California
Faith for Equality (CFE) has an immediate opening for its first
full-time staff member. CFE is seeking an energetic, articulate
organizer who will build relationships and mobilize progressive clergy
and people of faith to accomplish full equality for GLBTQ people. The
focus of this position is to work with progressive interfaith
organizations to achieve civil marriage equality for same-gender
couples. The work involves extensive one-on-one contact with clergy, lay
leaders and members of congregations. This position will direct, manage
and evaluate all associated organizing activities, in partnership with
CFE's Steering Committee.
Job Responsibilities:
-
Develop working
relationships with clergy and other leaders of faith-based
organizations throughout
Southern
California
-
Coordinate the
implementation of key organizational objectives, including clergy-
and lay-leader training, house party-based education strategies,
target recruitment of clergy in diverse ethnic communities of faith,
conduct public education campaigns and identify 40,000 supporters of
marriage equality through grassroots strategies.
-
Build partnerships
with, and provide resources for, clergy and congregations seeking
support to become welcoming and affirming congregations.
-
In partnership
with the Steering Committee, define and implement fundraising
strategies to sustain and expand CFE's work statewide.
-
Work with, and
provide staff support to, CFE's Statewide Organizing Committee;
assist in the building of a representative ethnically diverse
statewide Board of Directors
Core Job
Qualifications:
-
Extensive
experience working with progressive clergy and congregations
-
At least 2 years
of grassroots organizing experience, with an emphasis on mobilizing
and supporting volunteers, preferably with experience in faith-based
organizing.
-
Faith leadership
training and ability to speak the language of faith with
authenticity desirable
-
Demonstrated
experience as a proactive, flexible, innovative, self-motivated
organizer, problem solver and team leader who takes initiative to
create results.
-
Demonstrated
ability to work with diverse interfaith communities to build
coalitions across multiple constituencies; a commitment to
multi-racial faith-based organizing.
-
Advanced knowledge
of, and commitment to, the achievement of full equality in the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.
-
Excellent public
speaking, training and writing skills.
-
Ability to thrive
in a fast-paced, team-focused organization.
-
A well-developed
sense of humor.
-
Competent computer
skills, including Microsoft Office Suite; administrative experience
beyond minimum required
Salary DOE. Position
will be based in
Los Angeles
and will remain open until filled. Please send a resume with cover
letter and three references to RevNeil@mccla.org
or send hard copies to:
California Faith for Equality, Hiring Committee
c/o Rev. Neil Thomas
8714 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
CFE is dedicated to the achievement of equality of opportunity for all
its employees and applicants for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, real or perceived gender identity, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, national origin or disability. For
further information, go to
http://www.cafaithforequality.org.
Central
Baptist Church of Wayne, PA (near
Philadelphia),
one of our Partner Churches, is currently seeking a 15-hour/week
coordinator of music for ministry. About themselves, they say: “We are
a caring and risking congregation actively involved in issues such as
environmental concerns, racial and economic justice, and equality for
sexual minorities. At the same time, we seek to notice the movement of
God's spirit among us, resting and drawing our strength from communion
with God.” We say: “This is an amazingly vibrant and committed
congregation with a wonderful, talented staff that practices team
ministry. This would be a fabulous opportunity for a musician with a
heart for peace and justice.” To learn more, contact Laurie Sweigard at
610-688-0664
or
lsweigard@cbcwayne.org.
University
Baptist
Church
of
Austin,
Texas
(www.ubcaustin.org,
http://www.ubcaustin.org),
a Welcoming and Affirming American Baptist congregation in an urban
university environment, is searching for an Associate Pastor to focus on
Spiritual Formation, ministry to Children and Families, and Outreach.
Experience preferred. Salary $38,000 to $41,000 plus benefits.
Inquiries may be addressed to LLBethune@AOL.COM.
Resumes requested by
January 31, 2007.
The members of
Glendale
Baptist
Church,
a caring community of equality and grace, in
Nashville,
TN,
are seeking a part-time Minister of Music. This is an exciting
opportunity to join a meaningful music ministry program!
Glendale
is a progressive, Southern (geographically, only), creative
congregation. To learn more about
GBC,
and details of the job description, please visit the website:
http://www.glendalebaptist.org/musicministersearch.
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.
Revive Us Again!
Gathering, Newton, MA, Feb. 16-17
Revival of our
Spirit, Revival of our Baptist Principles
February 16-17, 2007, Andover
Newton Theological School,
Newton, MA
.
Revive Us Again! 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, Northborough,
MA
Rev. Nancy Hitt, Pastor,
First Baptist
Church, Natick,
MA
Rev. Dr. Liliana Da Valle,
Executive Minister, ABC of Rhode Island
Rev. Alan Newton, Executive
Minister, ABC of Rochester-Genesee
Rev. June Cooper, Minister
of Outreach, First
Baptist Church,
Framingham, MA and Executive
Director, City Mission Society,
Boston, MA
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. (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Bible Study and Discussion
Groups
Afternoon Workshops
Forum: Update on ABC-USA
Closing Revival Worship
7:30-9:30 p.m. at the First
Baptist Church in
Newton, led by Rev. June Cooper
A registration fee (to
cover the cost of meals on Saturday) of approximately $20 is payable at the
Revival.
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 Samuel Stillman
Association (MA)
American Baptist Churches
of Rochester-Genesee
Roger Williams Fellowship
Association of Welcoming
and Affirming Baptists
Baptist Peace Fellowship of
North America
First Baptist
Church, Framingham,
MA
First Baptist
Church, Greenfield,
MA
Please RSVP to Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell at 508-872-1176 or email
fbcframingham@verizon.net
by January 31st with your name, email and phone number.
Baptist
Heritage Tour
MAY 14-23, 2007
The Baptist Heritage Tour will explore the dynamic heritage of Baptist
witness in the Bahamas
amidst the historical experience of slavery and colonialism as well as
the contemporary challenges of globalization. Participants will visit
significant historical and cultural sites, churches, and museums. They
will also have opportunities to dialogue with missionaries, national
partners, and local historians.
Exact costs for the tour are still being determined, but we expect to
have a final figure soon. If you're interested, you can contact
Jonathan Hilsher or Angela Suderman at 1-800-ABC-3USA or e-mail
Jonathan.Hilsher@abc-usa.org to have your name placed on the
mailing list for prospective participants. You will be notified as soon
as exact costs have been established. You can register for the tour by
going to
http://www.discoveryteams.org
and clicking the 'registration' icon to download the appropriate forms.
For questions about the tour itinerary, contact Rev. Daniel M.
Schweissing,
dan@haitianministries.net,
American Baptist Missionary and Lecturer in Religious Studies,
Atlantic College
and Theological Seminary, Nassau,
Bahamas,
http://www.haitianministries.net.
New Ways Ministry's 6th Symposium, Mar.
16-18 in Minneapolis
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,
DC,
in June 2007.
Help Sponsor AWAB Hospitality Suite at
Biennial
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 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 tax years, 2006 and 2007. Consult an attorney, tax expert, or
investment professional for more information.
Jim
Singletary and FBC Beverly, MA, Highlighted
“Connections,” the Alliance of Baptists newsletter, has
featured AWAB’s own Jim Singletary on the front page! His congregation,
First Baptist Church of Beverly, MA, is the cover story. Check it out
at:
http://www.allianceofbaptists.org/aob-jan-07.pdf.
Reflections from Our Friends at the Baptist
Peace Fellowship
Save
the date!
March
16th, 2007
there will be an amazing Christian peace witness in
Washington,
DC,
including worship at the National Cathedral and a candlelight procession
to the White House. Details are posted on our website!
www.bpfna.org
Peace is not
the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the
generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is
dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty. –Oscar
Romero, Martyred Archbishop of
El Salvador.
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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