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In This Issue

Guide to Rebound Summary
MMCCC Opportunities
Updated Helpful Links and resources
Don Gaines Obituary
Where are Robin and Greg This Week?

Stay Up to date on Covid19

Keep Up With Us

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Mission In 5 Podcast

YouTube

Instagram

Prayer Concerns:

Churches in Transition: Gibbon Baptist Church
Prayer for all those dealing with illness, natural disasters, violence, injustice, and terror around the world.
The nation and all those in authority
the welfare of the world
the concerns of our local ABC NE communities
A constant awareness of the presence of Christ.
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We pray that you will guide us by your Holy Spirit, that in all we do in life we might not forget you, but remember that we are always in your very presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Update on the mask fundraiser

Picture of some the masks that have been collected! The mask on top is using the trifold pattern and the bottom mask is the Fitted mask with filter pocket. We need 5,000 of each type to give to Wheaton College.

Dear friend,

I would like to give a big shout out to all who have responded to my email, posts on Facebook, Instagram, and my colleague's email about making masks so that Fundación Proyecto de Esperanza (formally known as House of Hope) will receive $10,000! I am happy to report that we are a little more than half way to our goal of 10,000 masks!

If you have received patterns from the Reeds or myself and are making masks, could you let us know as soon as possible the amount you are making? This helps us know how many masks we still need. Thank you for those who have given us amounts your masks are accounted for!

Thank you very much for all you time, material, and talent that you giving to help fill the gap in funding.

As I mentioned in my first letter, Fundación Proyecto de Esperanza has been operating from a deficit. We have had a decrease in our giving patterns because of COVID-19, as well as the cancellation of short-term volunteer teams (which provide resources) due to the civil unrest in 2019 and now, the pandemic in 2020. We have been continuing to do ministry with minimal funds. Thanks be to God, we have been given an interesting opportunity that will increase funding and allow us to continue this vital ministry in Bolivia.

Through an International Ministries colleague, Fundación Proyecto de Esperanza leadership were presented with an opportunity to raise funds by providing masks for Wheaton College in Illinois. In order for the college to open in August, the college must provide each student with a cloth mask. If we provide them with 10,000 masks they will give a grant of $10,000 USD to Fundación Proyecto de Esperanza (House of Hope).

We still need 1,500 of the Trifold mask and we need 3,000 of the fitted mask with a filter pocket (email me for patterns).

The deadline is June 30th for people who live on the West Coast. They need to arrive in the mail to West Virginia by July 10th.

If you can make 10, 20, 50, or 100. Every bit helps us reach our goal!

For more information on how you can participate and to receive the patterns please contact me at snash@internationalministries.org or simply click the button that says "I can make masks!"

Thank you in advance for helping with this project! You are helping fill the financial need for my ministry in Bolivia by helping Wheaton College of Illinois students return safely to campus in August.

Mil gracias,

Sarah

I can make masks!

Clergy, Pastors, Chaplains, Spiritual Caregivers are invited to participate in a virtual retreat.

Are you struggling with grief and loss due to the challenges of COVID-19? Are you struggling with grief as you try to minister to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic?

You are invited to American Baptist Home Mission Societies' three-day virtual conference.

You Are Not Alone:
A Space for Grace Retreat

1-3 p.m. Tuesdays, June 16, 23 and 30

Each day will feature a different grief-related topic; participate in as many or as few days as you prefer.

Speakers:
Rev. Dr. Amy Greene
Director, Center for Spiritual Care

Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson
Senior Pastor, Concord Baptist Church of Christ

Dr. Naomi Kohatsu Paget
Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains
and Crisis Interventionist, FBI

Rev. Jamie Washam
Minister, First Baptist Church in America

Watch for information about additional speakers

Registration is free, but required for this webinar. Spaces are limited.

Register at
youarenotalone.ministrelife.org

Moses Merrill Camp and Conference Center Summer 2020 Opportunities

Please read the attached letter to get a full report on our decision to suspend resident summer camp.
In the meantime here are some important things to consider.

Please consider financially supporting MMCCC by joining the 2300 team, by donating the usual camping costs your church would provide in a summer, or by providing other ongoing or one time gifts. You can also contribute to our Building Bridges to the Future cabin remodel. For more information visit: http://campmerrill.com/home/connect/give/

Download letter explaining decision to suspend residential summer camp

When to Speak...

I spent much of my time yesterday writing a piece concerning the issue of racism in our country. This was something I felt was expected of me because of my position and so I worked hard to write a part of my story, hoping it would be helpful, challenging and relevant. In our tradition it is often expected of the "leadership" to write statements taking a stand on an issue and proclaiming it to our pastors and churches. What I wrote may not have filled any of those obligations but I felt what I would have shared was a good story. I find good stories helpful to explain and explore complicated issues. This was all ready to send out but for some reason I hesitated. I have learned through the years when I have a feeling of hesitation it is something I have to look at carefully in order to be sure what I am saying or doing is what I should be saying or doing.

When I got home last night, after a long and hectic day I needed to mow my lawn. It does not sound very spiritual but often I do some of my best praying and thinking mowing my lawn. As I was preparing to mow I glanced at Instagram and came upon a piece written by a young woman who has no theological academic degrees but has a wise perspective on all that is going on and I believe the Spirit moved me to share those thoughts instead of mine in this space. She was questioned by someone on Instagram why she had been silent about all that was happening in our streets. The writer was pressuring her to take a stand, speak up and call for justice. Here is her response; " I want you to know my quiet on social media is not a difference of opinion but a difference of expression. I think taking a 'bigger' stand lies in the small opportunities we meet every day as go to the post office or order food in the restaurant. .....I believe Jesus teaches us mercy, love and empathy. And I believe social media posting under duress from the world is not the answer." She explains anyone can post a bold proclamation on social media, and next post pictures of their pets and favorite recipes. What is going to make a difference in our world is how we go about living day to day after all of this.

I may post my story sometime later. Today, however, I am going to concentrate on being merciful, loving and empathetic because I know there are people out there hurting and who have been hurting for years. I do not have the answers to make this all different. I do have a responsibility to make a difference in this time with those people I encounter every day. I have the responsibility to admit to the sin of racism in my own life and the passivity I am guilty of by not seeking to change it proactively when I have had the opportunity.

Here is my best council for all of us: pastors preach the truth about the worth of all God's creation, in particular at this time our brothers and sisters of color. Church, live the true Gospel of Jesus, allow the Spirit to use you to proclaim God's deep abiding grace, use what you have been given to benefit all, work where God has placed you to end racism in the systems in which we live. The most bright light we can reflect is the light of the One who desires that no would perish without knowing Him, whose desire continues to be His church known by the love they share. We have a long road, it all begins with our next step....
Blessings,
Robin

lanning is well underway for the American Baptist Churches USA 2021 Biennial Mission Summit to be held June 25-27, 2021, at the San Juan Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In a new video, Interim General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods introduces and gives an update on planning for the event. We encourage you to watch the full video to learn more about the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit. A version of the video is available in Spanish, here

Biennial Mission Summit 2021 video

Questions to consider before re-opening your local church

Here are guidelines from the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Guidelines for the Conduct of Faith-Based Services Including Weddings and Funerals Held in Houses of Worship. It is a helpful document to discern how to host people in your church buildings.

DOWNLOAD NE DHHS Document

Secondly visit https://www.abcusa-insurance.com/ for the ABC USA insurance information to help with your local church and Covid19 response.

Third, visit https://coronavirus.churchmutual.com/resources/ for a large amount of helpful resources directly from Church Mutual and Covid19 response.

Finally, Acting General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jeff Woods has created a "reopening your church building conversation guide" that you might find helpful as you and your church leadership teams discern next steps. The guide can be downloaded here.

You can also access dozens of Corona resources on the ABC-USA website http://www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus/

ABC Nebraska MMBB representative is now Rev. Dr. David K Hinson. If you or your congregation has need to reach out to MMBB he will be your first contact.

Where are Robin and Greg this week?

Monday: Office
Tuesday: Office
Wednesday: Office
Thursday: Office

Here are a Variety of Helpful Resource Links UPDATED June 2

ABC USA has curated helpful links from across ABC Churches. Visit http://www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus/ for more.

Sermon Development

Sermony.co is a platform with template models, illustrations, presentation modes, and ability to archive your preaching history. It helps with sermon prep. You can share your sermons on your churches social media page or give the outline for online worship.

Graphic and Social Media Aids:

https://churchmediasquad.com/ Unlimited custom graphics for an annual membership.

If you have ever seen a cool graphic, a neat quote, or sermon series logo and thought, "I wish I could make one of those." Here is how to do it. Use the downloadable app called Word Swag on your mobile device and start creating. For a more advanced graphic maker try Canva.
Do you have lots of social media accounts to keep balanced? Want to coordinate your posts and campaigns. Try Hootesuite or Buffer or https://recurpost.com/as ways to navigate your multiple social media accounts in one place. They both have mobile, PC, and Mac versions for your convenience.
Don't want to make your own graphics? Use https://unsplash.com/ to download a large library of FREE images.

Video and Streaming:

Zoom is the easiest video meeting software. You can sign up for a membership through MinistrELife for only $100 right now. You can get a membership directly through the website for about $150 a year.
- Helpful hint. Zoom offers breakout rooms. You can bring your whole church together for a large group meeting. Then you can send them into breakout rooms for small group interaction, prayer, conversation, etc. Learn more about break out rooms.
- You can also insert polls into your zoom meetings.
Youtube is the most famous video site. You can stream live via YouTube with an account or you can record your ministries and post directly to website.

Webinars and Newsletters

Fresh Expressions has a full archive of webinars here: https://freshexpressionsus.org/distributedchurch
Northern Seminary weekly Thursday webinars with pastors and leaders from across country and Seminary staff.
Skye Jethani "With God Daily" devotion. Helpful reflections for people who hate daily devotions.
Leading Tomorrow with Jolene Erlacher

Stream Content

Bible Project for videos on Bible. This is a free service.
Seminary Now...high quality seminary level content. Visit the website and submit your email info to be first in line for the newest content. Membership required.
Mr. Phil TV for the complete library of Phil Vischer's videos for kids. Membership required.
RightNow Media. The Region has a membership and each church can have access by emailing Greg Mamula at gmamula@abcnebraka.com if you don't already have access.

Church Management:

Tithe.ly https://get.tithe.ly/church-giving manage online giving. Meaningful, simple, and fast—these three words represent what online giving should be. Tithe.ly provides giving tools that are specifically for churches and ministries. Five giving tools, to be exact: mobile app giving, text giving, online giving (via donation form), kiosk giving, and administration gift entry. There are reports, receipts, and a dashboard all in one secure platform.
Slydial https://www.slydial.com/. An app and web based phone and text system. Send messages to everyone in your congregation or just a select group.
Church Calendar management: https://calendly.com/
Call Em All: Web based phone and text system. You can send a phone call or text message to your entire congregation. A credit bases system; only pay for the calls and texts you send.
https://textinchurch.com/ a text service for that instant communication needs.
https://doodle.com/en/ create a poll to set up meeting times convenient for everyone.
Create a digital info card for people who visit or attend your online services. Can be made in google drive. How to video. Place a link on your social media, website, or live stream service page. Here is an example. This way you can track online visitation and get new contact info.
https://www.churchmetrics.com/ easily track and measure important data that is shaping your church.
Planning Center helps organize your church life and keep members connected. It has calendars, online giving platforms. worship planning, meeting spaces, etc. It allows customization and even has a free option for small congregations. There is also a mobile app.
Loop Community is a resource for worship planning and leading. It has many tracks to sing along with or supplement live performers. You can even record your own songs to share and use.