E-Link Online -- News of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

§ The entire ABC-MI family joins the members of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Flint in mourning the death of the Rev. Dr. Roy Greer, longtime pastor of Mt. Olive. He passed away after a serious illness on November 17. His funeral was held at the church on November 22.

Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering

Each fall over 3000 checks are mailed to retired American Baptist ministers and missionaries with at least 15 years of dedicated ABC service, or their widowed spouses, who have shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with countless thousands over their years in ministry. You can help say Thank You to these men and women of faith by contributing to the annual Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO). The RMMO is a tangible way American Baptist congregations can honor retired ministers and missionaries or their widowed spouses. This offering provides emergency and other financial assistance, based on financial need.

This is our way of being a vehicle of God's love and care

In thanking the church at Philippi for their love gift, Paul, who was in prison at the time, wrote: "I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"; (Phil 4:12-13 NRSV).

People see the checks not only as expressions of love and concern from the American Baptist family, but also as evidence of God's continuing sustenance and care into their retirement years. Recipients who are widowed spouses often express surprise and amazement that they continue to receive a Thank You check as continued recognition of their late spouses' ABC service.

Your gift truly makes a difference

We are encouraging you to remember those who dedicated their lives to Christian ministry by making a generous donation on the suggested date of December 7, 2008 ~ but anytime that works best for your church is fine. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact Debbie Hart at 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org. Thank you!

Used Hammond Organ for Sale

Valley Farms Baptist Church, Lansing, is selling its Hammond Organ, model # RT-3, a two manual mid-1950's organ with two (2) huge outboard amplifiers, serial #5291. The main unit is in excellent shape, everything works as it should, including the reverb. One of the two amplifiers is encased in wood work similar to the main console, the other is encased in a plain wooden "hide-away" enclosure. Selling because the unit is simply not used any longer. Includes all cabling/wiring. No operations manual but one is probably available from Hammond or the internet. Asking $950. Purchaser will be responsible for moving the organ, with help from Valley Farms. Photos are available. For more information contact, Pastor Dave Leisman, 517-485-3095.

A Different Kind of Holiday Gift

Since death, loss and grief do not take a holiday during the holidays, a series of bulletin inserts might be of interest for use during Advent. The series, entitled A Different Kind of Holiday Gift, addresses the difficult but important topics of advance directives, palliative care, hospice, and bereavement. The inserts are a product of St. John Health of Greater Detroit and the Duke Divinity School. You are welcome to copy and distribute any or all parts of the series free of charge. To review and download the inserts click on these links:

Advance Directives
Bereavement
Hospice
Palliative Care

Ministry Leadership Certification Program Returns

Are you sensing God's call to professional ministry?

Are you a lay leader who wants to explore the next step in ministry?

Do you want to engage in serious and challenging study as you further explore God's call?

Then the Ministry Leadership Certification program may be for you.ÝThis is a serious program with challenging and engaging study. If you want to take ministry seriously, then we are preparing to assist you. For further information and a brochure, click on the logo at left.

Let Others Know About Upcoming Mission Trips

Is a group from your church going on a short-term mission trip? Please inform the Region of your plans, and whether others may be invited to join you. When you return, a brief report of your trip (with pictures, of course) would be newsworthy for the Region. (Send your story and pictures to editor@abc-mi.org).

Getting to know our American Baptist missionaries throughÝour own International Ministries Discovery Team trips is an excellent way to do a short-term mission trip. You can learn more by going to www.internationalministries.org/discovery_teams. The coordinator is Jonathon Hilsher. His email address is: jhilsher@abc-usa.org.

If you are looking for some good material to help you prepare for a short-term mission trip, consider "Going With God (A Short-Term Mission Team Leader's Tool Kit)", written by Rev. Ann Borquist. (Bruce and Ann BorquistÝare American Baptist missionaries serving in Brazil). This material is available at www.internationalministries.org.

Youth Worker Training Set for Next March

With great excitement the Family Ministry Team of the Region would like you to Save the Date for an upcoming conference for all those who work with Youth (or who would like to). Youth Worker Connect: Inspiration and Training for Youth Ministry will be held on March 14, 2009 at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, 9:00am - 3:30pm. Danette Matty will offer the plenary address and also lead workshops in both workshop sessions. Danette is a member of Group's national training team and author of many articles concerning Youth (and leading Youth). Information and training will benefit pastors, church school teachers and any volunteer or professional who works with Youth or comes into contact with Youth. There will even be tips on how to start a Youth Ministry and how to run a Youth ministry with very limited (or no) funds. Registration materials and information will be sent to all ABC-MI churches in January. Discounts will be available for congregations that send more than one person to the event, so bring your whole team of Youth workers, church school teachers as well as any potential volunteers! >>> Click to see announcement.

Short Notices

The Global Gift and Crafts Shop Is now open at First Baptist Church of Birmingham. See the brochure at this link.

Seniors snd the Holiday Spirit -- On Tuesday, December 9, 7:00 -8:00 PM, the Area Agency on Aging 1B in conjunction with First Baptist Church of Detroit and the American Baptist Metro Association will provide information on the topic of the elderly and holidays in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist, at 21100 Southfield Road (just north of Eight Mile) in Southfield.ÝSome seniors experience unvoiced needs during this time.ÝThis evening is intended to make the holidays more meaningful for our parents.ÝThe program is intended for both the seniors and their children and caregivers.ÝPlease contact First Baptist (248-569-2972) for more information.

Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist) will holds it 24th Annual Weekend Conference on Vocations in Ministry next March. Click here to view the brochure.:

Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit will offer the course on Baptist History and Polity (4 credits) in winter term 2009. The class will meet 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on four Saturdays (1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7) and will also require some work via Internet. Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen, adjunct professor at ETS, is the instructor. This course meets a requirement for ordination or recognition of prior ordination in ABC-MI. For more information contact the Seminary or the instructor.

This week's Prayer Call for ABC International Ministries calls attention to the needs of the our missionaries. > > > Go to Prayer Call. To subscribe to the Prayer Call Mailing List register at http://tinyurl.com/6sbgs8.

The Friendship House Newsletter is now provided in both PDF and DOC formats. The DOC format is a much smaller file and will take much less time to acquire on slow dialup connections. Read it in PDF at http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf or in DOC format at http:abc-mi.org/fh.doc.

The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on December 15, 2008. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by December 11.

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. They are provided here for further thought, discussion, inquiry, and an occasional laugh. Caveat lector. Suggestions for "Trips" and readers' comments are welcome. Send to editor@abc-mi.org.

The Editor

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