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Connect with ABCCONN on social media and share our stories!
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Quote of the Week
"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."
-Proverbs 10:12
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From the Desk of the Executive Minister
I just got back from the Pastors' Retreat held at Camp Wightman. The Retreat was amazing. Its theme was "Rest in the Storm", taken from the well known book title by the same name written by Rev. Kirk Byron Jones. The theme text was found in Mark 4:35-41. For two and a half days, we unpacked what it meant to let go of stress and practice different ways to pay attention to our bodies and respond appropriately to what they are telling us. This experience was powerful.
Have you thought about being a Transition Minister, AKA as an Interim Minister? If you have, may I recommend that you register to attend the ABCCONN Transitional Ministries workshop? This workshop will take place on October 28th, beginning at 9:30AM to 2:00PM at Camp Wightman. This workshop led by Erica Avena, a long time Transitional Ministries practitioner, will be an informative and fun time to meet colleagues already serving as Transitional Ministries and learn about the work of a Transitional Minister.
Finally, I would like to express condolences to the Crooks Family. They lost their husband and father, the Reverend Bert Crooks. Bert has been ill for some time and went home to be with the Lord shortly after going into hospice. Rev, Claudine, our prayers are with you and your family.
Reminder: Please remember the threat of cyber-hacking and digital scamming is real. I will not send any correspondence asking for your personal information. Please contact the office immediately if you receive a suspicious email purportedly from me. Should you choose to email me, please use my work email address. You may also call my direct line 860.519.2217. Otherwise, please use the ABCCONN email to leave prayer requests, or church news you want to share with the ABCCONN Community.
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197th Annual Gathering
WATCH IT AGAIN! The full, downloadable recording of the 197th Annual Gathering is available here using access code GATH3RING!
The Annual Gathering Committee would like to extend its sincere gratitude for each of you for your presence and participation. The committee sends special thanks to Union Baptist Hartford and Pastor Beauford for graciously hosting us, the remarkably talented tech team for ensuring those #athome were "in the room", the harmonious sounds of Pastor Bob Beckwith, Immediate Past- President Sue Honeychurch, all of the board officers, [newly installed] pastors, ministers, guest presenters/preachers, ABCCONN partners, volunteers and again attendees for making Saturday possible. The Committee applauds Executive Minister Rev. Riggs for his continued leadership and office manager Jasmine Hernandez for the endless support. The appreciation is extended to quite literally everyone.
We'd love to hear from you! To that end, we invite you to participate in our brief survey which will be accepting responses until October 12th.
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Announcements from ABCCONN
Upcoming Meetings and Events
September 15th- October 15th- Hispanic Heritage Month
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. Read more about this month's activities here.
October 2021 -Pastor Appreciation Month
October 8th-October 9th- Annual Hear the Call
International Ministries invites you to Hear the Call! Hear the Call is for any adult considering a call to global mission as a short-term volunteer or as a career. Participants will meet with IM staff and global personnel during our online sessions. Together they will explore their call, be able to ask questions, and banish misconceptions of what it means to be a missionary in today's world. There will be opportunities for worship and personal reflection. All of these elements will make Hear The Call a powerful discernment and preparation experience for those whom God may be calling. Click here for registration information!
October 16th- Camp Wightman Work Day
Come and join the fun at Camp Wightman. Help prepare camp for the fall retreat season! All are welcome- individuals- families- groups! We have a project for everyone! Lunch will be provided. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Please bring a mask for indoor spaces. Sign up here!
October 16th- National CROP Hunger Walk
Join us for the 2021 National CROP Hunger Walk on World Food Day, October 16th and end hunger in the U.S and around the world! Walk on your treadmill, in your neighborhood, in a park with friends- you choose the location and the experience. Walk one day-3.7 miles (the average distance a woman walks for water) or take the weekend challenge and walk 11.1 miles (3.7 miles for 3 days). Every step you take, every dollar you raise makes the walk shorter for neighbors in need by providing clean water, emergency food, livelihoods and access to education. Sign-up and start raising funds TODAY! Contact CWS Global for more information!
October 21st- Savvy Student Loan Management Online Class 1:00PM-2:15PM
American Baptist Home Mission Societies will present the free "Savvy Student Loan Management" online class from 1PM to 2:15PM E.T on Thursday, October 21st via the Center for Continuous Learning . This gift will provide scholarships for eight students to access a Master in Theological Studies (MTS) program tailored to provide biblical and theological education contextualized to the needs of Latino/a communities.
November 6th- 2PM - 4PM- Celebration of Holly Blacker
Join us in the celebration of Holly Blacker, retiring Director of Camp Wightman. The Board is truly excited for Holly as she enters into a new chapter in life, and we look forward to celebrating her service.
Connecticut Baptist Homes - Pierce Memorial Baptist Home Job Openings are available!
Click here for more information.
MMBB Makes Disaster Recovery Emergency Grants Available to Members!
Click here for more information.
November 11th- 75th Annual Bazaar & Silent Auction Noank Baptist Church
Join this community wide event while you shop for wrapped baked goods and candy along with prepackaged cheeses Christmas decorations, fine gifts, jewelry, knitted items, personalized ornaments, pickles, preserves, live green arrangements and of course bags of greens! Click here for more information.
ABF Estate Planning
As a participant in our Strengthening Your Financial Future (SYFF) Program we would like to provide your ministry with planned giving resources to help grow your ministry endowment with the American Baptist Foundation (ABF). The Estate Planning will educate donors on the benefits of this type of planned gift and the steps to take once they are INSPIRED to make a gift that EMPOWERS your ministry.
Shut the Back Door!
An Excerpt from Rev. Riggs
In the Church in which I grew up, it was customary after a passionate sermon on the goodness of God for the pastor to declare "the doors of the Church are open." I would hear this phrase in my very young ears and think, to myself, "duh, we got in here, didn't we? Of course, the doors of the Church are open". However, the physical doors of the Church were not what the pastor was referring to. I was too literal. He was offering an opportunity to join the body of Christ, the ecclesia. Nowadays, I do not hear that kind of declaration much anymore. However, the statement has never been more accurate. The doors of the Church are still open. Maybe a little bit too open? My intent here is not to talk about the invitation made to join a Church. Instead, I want to expose the mystery of how people come up missing from the fellowship after joining the Church. I want to talk about the Backdoor. Read more here.
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PRAYERS & PRAISE
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."
-1 Timothy 2:1
The First Baptist Church of Mansfield is seeking a part-time Adult Choir Director. For more information, please contact Grace Riesen.
Prayers for the following churches in search of pastoral leadership:
First Baptist Church Norwich
Second Baptist Suffield
Third Baptist Church Suffield
Union Baptist Church of Stamford
Putnam
Quaker Hill
First New Haven
Shiloh Baptist Church of Hartford
First Baptist Church Shelton
First Baptist Winthrop
Pilgrim Way Baptist Church
First Baptist Church Branford
Have prayer requests? Please e-mail Brittany Stephenson with your supplications for inclusion in the e-news.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, REJOICE!"
-Philippians 4:4
ABCCONN wants to rejoice with you! Please send your celebratory and good news to Brittany Stephenson for inclusion in the e-news.
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National Announcements
Click here to visit the ABCUSA website for the most up-to-date information.
September 1st
Promotional Start for the 2021 World Mission Offering for partnering churches
October 12th, 19th and 26th: 7PM
The Gospel of John: An Online Yale Bible Study with Dr. Harold Attridge
Join us as we explore the Gospel's narrative strategy, probe the larger theological issues that it raises, and reflect on the process of the Gospel’s development and its engagement with the intellectual and cultural context of its first century audience. Register here.
October 11th, 18th, 25th and November 8th and 15th
Chaplain Skills for Community Ministry
Are you exploring a call to chaplaincy in healthcare, prisons, military or higher education? Are you already providing support as a chaplain, pastor, deacon, or missionary in another context? Then Chaplain Skills for Community Ministry is for you.
October 20th: 12PM-1:30PM
Leading in a Liminal Season with Rev. Susan Beaumont
Liminal seasons call for a different kind of leadership presence, one that connects the soul of leaders with the soul of the institution. Learn how to lead in a liminal season. Register here.
October 21st: 12PM-1PM
Fast-Starting a Career of Consequence with Fred Sievert
Explore the symbiotic relationship between faith and career and provide practical Christ-centered advice for creating a career of consequence. Register here.
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Dr. Riggs's YouTube Channel
(Lead Coach)
You can see Dr. Riggs’ most recent YouTube videos by going to the ABCCONN website. You will also find a tab that invites you to subscribe. In each video, Dr. Riggs shares announcements and a word of encouragement. Also, Dr. Riggs is available to meet with you to discuss all things ABCCONN. Reach out to Brittany Stephenson.
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