Friends, as you have heard, Brenda Moulton resigned
as National Coordinator of the Association. Speaking for the
Council, this moment brings a time of grief at the loss of Brenda’s
voice in our meetings and wisdom as we confront the challenges of
being welcoming and Baptist in this moment. It also brings a sense
of celebration for Brenda’s ministry. As anyone for whom Brenda has
been pastor, preacher, or leader can tell you, the depth of her
unswerving commitment to God’s work of love and justice,
particularly for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, is
inspiring and gracious. I look forward to hearing these stories and
celebrating this ministry at a gathering this coming summer.
Further, it also brings a time of transition and the
stress that always accompanies significant change. We are currently
seeking an interim coordinator and appointing a search committee to
search for permanent leadership. We are also working to fill the
gaps in the meanwhile. We anticipate that all the AWAB contact
information — address, phone number, email address, and website —
will remain the same, at least until a permanent leader is chosen.
Council members are working hard in their volunteer capacities to
answer questions, provide materials, and continue our ministry of
advocacy and pastoral care in the interim. Some things may likely
fall through the cracks, so we beg your understanding as we strive
to do the best we can. We also covet your continued support in
prayer, good will, and your many donations of time, skill, and
financial resources. Finally, as with any change, this change too
brings with it a moment of possibility.
We have come very far indeed from our origins in American Baptists
Concerned and in the ashes of the West Virginia Biennial. We are
proud of what we have accomplished. But we are also acutely aware of
the challenges still facing the Word of Inclusion and Love that we
seek to proclaim. We believe that the next few years will bring us
new partners in mission, new ways of working together as churches,
organizations, and individuals, and a new moment to insist —
lovingly and boldly — that God’s love is offered to all. We thank
God for Brenda’s ministry among us, both to this point and going
forward. And we thank God for this ministry that we all share.