The American Baptist Churches of Connecticut is seeking a one-quarter time area Resource Minister. Primary responsibilities include working with pastoral search committees and being pastor to the pastors and families. The person called to this position will serve in the association in which they are already located. ABC recognized ordination required. The complete job description may be obtained by contacting the Rev. Judy Allbee in the ABCCONN office: jallbee@abcconn.org. If interested please send a copy of your ABPS profile with a cover letter to Judy at the ABCCONN office before January 9, 2010.
Do you need to run background checks?
Posted by Kevin Butler on November 2, 2009
Did you know: Our Ministers at Camp Wightman are willing to run your church’s background checks? They routinely conduct background checks for church child care workers and ABCCONN events. The background investigation form is available here. Just print it off, fill out and forward with $20 to David and Karen Warfield, Ministers of Camping and Conferences 207 Coat Pit Hill Rd., Griswold, CT 06351.
New Stewardship Sunday Resources Available
Posted by Kevin Butler on October 20, 2009
New bulletin inserts, as well as other resources related to stewardship are available on the ABCUSA website. There are ideas for stewardship moments and for sermons, links to other helpful resources, and snippets related to stewardship for newsletters. Check it out here.
"Can we talk?" - Clergy Dinners Around ABCCONN
Posted by Kevin Butler on November 12, 2009
The Department of Congregational Leadership and Renewal has been holding listening sessions around our region, meeting with pastors over dinner. Below are pictures from the Northeast Association, the Hartford Association, and the South Central Association gatherings.
Linda Snyder Called to New Position
Posted by Kevin Butler on September 7, 2009
Linda Snyder, ABCCONN's Associate Executive Minister, will be leaving on October 2 to begin a new position as Interim Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Linda has been serving ABCCONN in various capacities since 1992. Many people within ABCCONN have worked with Linda over the years on different departments and committees and have come to have an appreciation for her gifts and skills that she has brought to this position. We will miss her presence here but wish her God’s richest blessings in her new position.
There was a farewell party for Linda at the ABCCONN office on Sunday September 27.
A Curriculum for Church Membership
Posted by Kevin Butler on July 27, 2009
A curriculum for adult church membership classes has been developed by Linda Isham for the Second Baptist Church of Suffield. The curriculum is now available for other churches to use.
The purposes of the four sessions are to acquaint prospective new members with the local
church and the larger American Baptist family; to help them review their own spiritual journeys and gifts; and to find ways they can continue to grow in their Christian faith and participate in the life and mission of their congregation.
A new site has been formed as a place where we can, together, shape our ministries in better ways in response to the serious harm being inflicted by the current crisis. It's important to read and share. We are just getting started so check back often. Check it out here.
Missionary Journals for Your Website
Posted by Kevin Butler on June 10, 2009
The International Ministries (IM) website has journals written by missionaries describing their ministries and their daily lives reaching out in the name of Christ. Now IM is providing a way of including those missionary journals on your church's website. To find out how, go to the IM website to view the tutorial and copy the code here.
New Stewardship Materials Available
Posted by Kevin Butler on May 28, 2009
New Love New Mercy (Lamentations 3:21-24) is the 2009 Stewardship Resource Material from the Ecumenical Stewardship Center. You can preview this material at www.stewardshipresources.org or a PDF file can be e-mailed to you (contact the ABCCONN offices - 860-521-5421). It may be ordered directly from Judson Customer Service 1-800-458-3766 (online ordering is not available).
Information about the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus
Posted by Kevin Butler on May 13, 2009
An interview with ABCCONN's Vice-President Jim Meek, about the H1N1 virus and what churches should know.
To see recommendations regarding H1N1 at Camp Wightman, click here.
Affordable Healthcare Program Now Available
Posted by Kevin Butler on May 20, 2009
Governor Rell has enacted a new healthcare program into law called Charter Oak Health Plan. People pay very affordable premiums on a sliding scale. It is rather comprehensive, even covering mental health. Co-pays are as low as $25 a visit. A number of community health clinics around the state are taking this. Comprehensive plan information and applications are from Charter Oak Medical.
The cost varies by family size and income - it's as little as $75 a month - up to $259 / mo with annual deductibles ranging from $150 to $1750 depending on income and family size: check out prices. They have 12 clinics all over the state. Local social workers should be able to help people connect with clinics and doctors who are taking this plan. Find clinics here.
YEL! -- Young Emerging Leaders
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROJECT LAUNCHES
The first gathering of YEL! -- Young Emerging Leaders took place on March 21, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Branford. The program, involving youth, ages 13-18, from both RI and CT, is a 13-month leadership and faith building program. There will be several retreats and the participants will work with a mentor as they develop their leadership skills and deepen their faith. To find out more about the program, contact Amy Hollis (amysrainbow@comcast.net) with any questions.
Hanna Massad's Sermon from the World Mission Conference
Hanna Massad, the pastor of the Gaza Evangelical Church, preached during the World Mission Conference at Second Baptist Church of Suffield, September 19-21, 2008. Hanna preached on "Being Surprised by God and by God's People."
Brochure Explaining United Mission
Posted by Kevin Butler on October 1, 2008
A new brochure is available which explains what United Mission is, how it is used, and how important it is for accomplishing American Baptist mission at home and around the world. Your church is encouraged to review the information and to make a commitment for 2009 to support United Mission and the work of American Baptists in every place.
MIDDAY MUSIC at Central Baptist Church, 457 Main Street, Hartford. December 17th – “Angel Voices.” Please join us at 12:10 pm on the ‘third’ Thursday of each month for a short organ recital in the Sanctuary with complimentary coffee in the narthex. More information: www.centralbaptisthtfd.org.
Church World Service in Urgent Need of Relief Kits
The hurricanes of this season have wiped out reserves of emergency relief kits that Church World Service provides. There is an urgent need for School Kits, Hygiene Kits, Baby Kits, and Emergency Kits. These kits are needed to provide help for those displaced by recent storms.
Please publish this bulletin insert and encourage your church members to participate in putting kits together and so, provide much needed help to brothers and sisters in need.
