Email This Page
Print This Page
ABC-MI Pastor to Receive Dahlberg Award
The Rev. Dr. Dee Dee Coleman, pastor of Russell St. Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, has been selected by the ABCUSA Board of National Ministries to receive the 2007 Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award that will be presented during the American Baptist Biennial Meeting in Washington, DC on Monday, July 2.
The Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Ward was established to give national recognition to an individual that has worked constructively for peace with justice and freedom. The Rev. Dr. Edwin T. Dahlberg, for whom the award is named, is recognized as one of the great Christian leaders of his time and an outstanding advocate "of the things that make for peace."
According to a recent National Ministries news release, Dr. Dee Dee M. Coleman, director of Wings of Faith, Inc. and pastor of Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Mich. will receive the Edwin Dahlberg Peace Award. Wings of Faith, a multi-cultural, ecumenical ministry serving metropolitan Detroit, ministers to ex-offenders, substance abusers, high-risk youth and many others. The award, named for a prominent American Baptist and ecumenical leader, will be presented on July 2 during Monday evening's plenary session.
Dr. Michael A. Williams, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan, said in response to news of the award to Dr. Coleman, "I am thrilled she is receiving this award. She has worked tirelessly as director of Wings of Faith, a prisoner re-entry program, that has grown far beyond anything she imagined. How she is able to oversee this ministry even as she is full-time pastor at Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church is nothing short of amazing." The ABC-MI family is honored to have one of our Michigan pastors receive this recognition and prestigious award.
Camp Registration Rates
Camp Lake Louise fee will increase on May 1. Mail your registrations today! Or register online at www.camplakelouise.com
Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns
§ The Rev. Steven D. Whalen, of Shelton Park Baptist Church in Lambertville, MI, and his wife Dixie will celebrate 20 years in ministry this May.
§ Sheila Kaminski has joined the ABC-MI support staff as administrative assistant to Dr. Michael Williams. Sheila served as an administrative assistant for 13 years at Charlotte Assembly of God in Charlotte, MI, where she was also Music Ministries Director for 6 years. She continues to attend the Charlotte church. The mother of two grown children, Scott and Amy, Sheila is currently enrolled at Lansing Community College. With a love for God and His people, she is grateful for the opportunity to serve as administrative assistant to Dr. Michael Williams and the staff of ABC-MI. You can contact Sheila via email at skaminski@abc-mi.org or by dialing extension 231 when calling the Region Office.
§ Linnea Berg has been named Executive Director of Friendship House as of March 1. After serving as volunteer Interim Executive Director since March 1, 2006, Linnea is also pleased to receive a salary, as is her spouse. Plans are underway for a celebration/installation event in the fall, at which time Linnea and new Board members will be officially recognized.
ABCUSA Offers Prayers and Condolences to Virginia Tech Families
American Baptists join the larger world community in sending their deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the families of those students killed and injured yesterday at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. "We are in constant prayer for the families of the victims, the injured, and the perpetrator," said Rev. Dr. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). "As John 14:16 says: 'And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.'
"This terrible action by a student underscores once again that all humankind must find a better path to peace and common good," dr. medley said. "we American Baptists earnestly call on God to remove from people's hearts the need for vengeance, because violence only begets more violence. the only way to stop the violent spiral is to forgive."
> > > Read the full news release at http://abc-usa.org/news/2007/20070417a.htm.
Region Board Highlights
The ABC-MI Region Board held its regular meeting on March 24, 2007. The meeting covered financial reports for the Region and Camp Lael and Camp Lake Louise, updates on diversity training, the Executive Committee/Area Task Force, Region Funding Task Force, Denominational Relationship Task Force, ABCUSA restructing, and the nominating committee. The complete report may be viewed at http://abc-mi/elink/regbdhilite.pdf.
Friendship House Opens "Virtual Family Shop"
Friendship House is now selling donated items on eBay to raise funds. The "Virtual Family Shop" eBay program has tremendous potential to raise lots of money for Friendship House. First Baptist Church of Royal Oak is donating space, and Carole Curley is volunteering her time to research, list, pack and send items. The buyer on eBay pays for the postage.
We need donations and volunteers. Friendship House is always in need of funds and needs your support. Do you have items you can donate? Is someone you know "downsizing" and moving into a smaller home or assisted living place? Has someone passed away and the family doesn't want the deceased's belongings? Do you have a stamp or doll or coin collection sitting around collecting dust? These are all possibilities for supporting Friendship House's ministries through the Virtual Family Shop. There's more information in the Virtual Family Shop Newsletter: http://abc-i.org/elink/VFS_News_Apr_07[1].pdf.
Annual Report Reminder
If you have not sent your church's 2006 Annual Report to the Region office, please complete this important report and return it right away. It is due back in the Region Office by April 30, 2007. This information gives us a statistical picture of your church and updated leadership information. If you have misplaced this form, please contact Debbie Hart at 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org. Thank you!
Pastoral Comings and Goings
The Rev. Ted Marrinan has accepted the call to Bethel Baptist Church of Sharpsburg, Ill. He begins his ministry on May 1. Ted has been serving First Baptist Church of Corunna as their Interim Minister and concluded his ministry there on April 15. While there he led them in understanding the dynamics of a single board structure and helped them heal from the loss of their former interim, David McGarvey. Formerly he served Essexville Baptist Community Church for three years, and has served as camp pastor at Lake Louise Baptist Camp. Thank you, Ted, for serving well in our Region; we will miss you.
West Highland Baptist Church, Milford, has called the Rev. Tom Roberts as pastor. Previously Roberts served as the interim for First Baptist Church of Marshall and West Highland Baptist Church, while also working as Executive Director of the Lupus Alliance of America for Michigan/Indiana. Roberts began his interim ministry with West Highland July 2006, and was called as permanent pastor in April 2007. He is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls (SD) and Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary). He has three children, all of whom are very active in the church. Pastor Roberts has also served as associate pastor in Indiana, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Cadillac, and senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Mt. Clemens.
Allen Park Baptist Church installed the Rev. Charles Slay on March 11, 2007, to be their bivocational pastor. Slay has served as an Interim at First Baptist Church of Eastpointe and Allen Park Baptist and has provided pulpit supply in many of our churches. He has also taught classes at William Tyndale College, was the Director of Practicums at Michigan Theological Seminary, and taught theology courses at Cornerstone University. He and his wife reside in Ann Arbor.
North Street Baptist Church (Port Huron area) has extended a call to the Rev. David Smith of Roseville MI to be their bivocational pastor. Smith has been the church planter for a SBC Deaf ministry in Roseville, MI for the past three years. Prior to that he served Nazarene, Wesleyan, and EMC churches, and was in the military for 14 years, including service in Desert Storm.
The Rev. Tucker Gunneman began as interim minister at First Baptist Church of Alpena on January 28. Former pastors were John and Annette Kirk.
The Rev. Dr. Scott Arnold completed almost seven years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Blanc on March 11. During his tenure the church has grown and begun a second worship service. He baptized many new believers and led them in a vision for the future. Scott formerly served First Baptist Church of Battle Creek as well. Thank you, Scott, for your faithfulness in our Region; we wish you God's blessing in the new adventure that awaits you.
Fun, Food, and Finances
l to r -- David Hardin, Chris Grapentine, Matt Brown, Jim Robinson, Gretchen Sanewsky, and the newest member who is still loosening up(!, Chef Mat. [Click on image for larger picture.]
Fun and food, we know, go together(!), but Finances?
Rarely would you see those two words in the same phrase, especially as a clergy person! However, within the safe context of the learning community which is their Ministry Leadership Group, finances is just one of the many challenging topics undertaken by Gretchen Sanewsky's "fearless and fantastic" MLG.
At a recent gathering, this very difficult topic was explored as it relates to clergy themselves, individuals in the congregation, and the community at large.
Ministry is first and foremost a powerful calling of God. However, issues of compensation can dispirit and disempower even the most committed and dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ministry Leadership Groups are a safe place where difficult topics such as finances can not only be fearlessly explored but also explored in a way which empowers, encourages, and inspires clergy to more fully live out their call.
If you would like to join this group or one of the other ten Ministry Leadership Groups around the region, please e-mail Pat Hernandez (phernandez@abc-mi.org) For sure, you'll have fun! And all the rest is icing on the cake!!
Camp Lael Annual Work Weekend
The Camp Lael work weekend is scheduled for May 18-19, 2007. Projects for 2007 include painting the Bethel Cabin village, fixing picnic tables, cleaning windows and repairing screens as well as landscaping and yard work.
Over the past few years approximately 20 people attend the annual event. "It is amazing to see how much can collectively be accomplished at the work weekend. It would take the camp staff weeks to do what this group does in one day." says camp director Jim Davis.
Join us Friday night and stay over or come on Saturday for breakfast. Work projects begin at 9:00am and we plan to finish by 4:00pm. The food is always great and we have a lot of fun! This work event is for adults and youth. Call Camp Lael at 1-800/636.8452 for more information or to register. Jim Davis can also be emailed at jimdavis@camplael.com. Cost for the event is $5.00 per person, to cover meals and insurance.
Dennis Trezona from Bethel Baptist Church in Southgate is our contact in the Metro Detroit area, where he also coordinates events for American Baptist Men. We hope to see you at Camp Lael. We do need your help preparing for summer.
Online registration for summer camp can be found on our website at www.camplael.com.
Scholarship Society Applications Due June 30
Michigan Baptist Scholarship Society applicants should apply for financial aid for fall term 2007 by June 30 (October 15 for winter term). Completed applications must include all supporting documents.
Undergraduate scholarships are for up to $1,000, seminary scholarships are for up to $2,000, and the specific amounts will be determined depending on the number of qualified new and renewal applications and available funds.
Application forms may be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/nagop (pdf) or http://tinyurl.com/ne53l (doc).
Bruce Carr of the Scholarship Society will contact people who are already MBSS recipients to see if they qualify for continued support.
Carr also suggests that each church adopt a minimum goal of one dollar per member per year of supporting MBSS and for pastors to mention MBSS when meeting with congregation members to discuss memorial gifts. Carr is glad to provide more information. Contact: MBSS, 23436 North Stockton Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48336; 248-474-8916; Hbrucecarr@aol.com.
Short Notices
Christian Community Credit Union's Focused on the Future Scholarship Program is giving $30,000 in scholarships in 2007. The scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 and are open to members of Christian Community Credit Union. To be eligible to apply, students must be enrolled at an accredited college, university or seminary. Also, students must be taking 12 units or more for undergraduate students and 8 units or more for graduate and post-graduate students. The scholarship applications deadline is July 2, 2007 and scholarships will be awarded by early August.
Application >> http://www.mycccu.com/images/pdf/Scholarship07.pdf.
Flyer >> http://mycccu.com/images/pdf/scholarship0407.pdf.
April 27, 2007 9:30am 2:30pm (lunch included) Cost: $25.00 Registration Limited
SPE (Sustaining Pastoral Excellence) Resource Center at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt will host a Grant Proposal Writing Workshop on April 27, 2007. Dr. Susan Smalley from MSU Extension guides you through the process of writing a grant proposal. This is a hands-on workshop. Bring your ideas so that you can do some actual writing and receive constructive feedback and input for your proposal -- concrete steps that move you closer to the realization of your dream. Make it happen!
The workshop will be held on the SPE Conference Room at St. Francis Retreat Center, 703 E. Main Street, DeWitt, MI. For more information and to register call Terry Feuka at 517-669-8321 ex.37.
Judson Press has a special promotion right now for gifts for Father's Day and Graduation. Select titles are 30% off. Download the flyer from the Judson Press website: http://tinyurl.com/2ranxe.
Read the latest issue of International Ministries Prayer Call: http://abc-mi.org/elink/prayer-call.pdf.
Read the latest Friendship House newsletter: http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf
The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on May 7. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by May 3.
Editor's Trips
Disclaimer: listing of these references does not imply endorsement of positions or policies advocated in them by either the American Baptist Churches of Michigan or the editor of E-Link Online. Caveat lector.
The Editor
§ Second Thoughts About Executions -- (Dallas Morning News) http://tinyurl.com/2bjw75
§ Evangelicals and Divorce -- (Wall Street Journal) http://tinyurl.com/2ye4bc
§ No Simple Solutions -- (Leadership) http://tinyurl.com/2du9xm
§ The Pope and Islam -- (New Yorker) http://tinyurl.com/2crv93
§ Mainline Protestantism's Rebirth? -- (Alban) http://tinyurl.com/2doqfs
§ No More Limbo -- (Reuters) http://tinyurl.com/32pdcl
All Rights Reserved
Dr. Michael A. Williams, Executive Minister
Joseph I. Mortensen, E-Link Online Editor. 989.835.6923
Spun with PageSpinner® on a Macintosh® Hosted by 1&1
Last update -- Monday, April 23, 2007
