Retired Clergy Christmas Luncheon Hosted by Elder Care Ministries
A Thank You to Susan Lepore
After almost a decade of managing Connections and ABCORI’s website, Susan Lepore is stepping down from this responsibility at the end of December.
We are grateful for her steadfast service in this role—including preparing and sending out the newsletter even when her travels took her to other countries.
Ring In the New Year By Helping an Older Homeowner
Volunteers are needed to help an older homeowner, who is a member of an ABCORI congregation, enter 2023 with a warmer house.
Through Elder Care Ministries’ Repairing Homes, Restoring Hope program, volunteers will remove contaminated drywall and insulation in the homeowner’s basement. Another agency then will winterize the house.
The work dates will be January 3 and 4.
For more information and/or to volunteer, contact Bobby Nelson at (401) 573-9385 or bobnelson2357@gmail.com.
Congregations & the Spread of Viruses
As congregations move into a season filled with holiday bazaars, parties, and special services, they may want to consider how best to keep members and guests as safe as possible given the rise of cases of virus-related illnesses, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza.
The ABCORI staff has received reports from several congregations about the spread of such viruses during recent worship and memorial services. Please feel free to contact the staff if you have questions about best practices.
Download this resource from Elder Care Ministries here.
Nominees for Board of General Ministries Delegate
ABCORI has been invited to provide three nominees for possible service as our regional delegate to the Board of General Ministries. The person selected for this role would begin service in 2024.
The Board of General Ministries governs ABCUSA’s Office of the General Secretary, which serves as the central connecting organization for the denomination, maintaining an infrastructure for American Baptists to network and pursue shared mission with one another.
Attached is a job description for the delegate. If you are interested in this serving in this role, please contact Rev. Dr. Courtny Davis Olds at cdavisolds@abcori.org or (401) 522-9733 by December 12.
ABCORI Office Hours
The ABCORI office is open from 9:00 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday, as well as by appointment.
If you would like to walk on the grounds at Canonicus, please check in at the office or call ahead to make arrangements.
Community Church of Providence (372 Wayland Avenue, Providence) Calls Pastor
The congregation voted on December 11 to call Rev. Sarah Reed Jay as their next settled pastor. She will begin serving full time in May 2023. She and her family will move to Rhode Island from Crawfordsville, Indiana.
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The Baptist Church in Warren (407 Main Street, Warren) Cookie Walk Fundraiser
December 17 | 9:00 a.m.-sold out
The congregation will hold its 16th annual cookie walk fundraiser, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until the cookies are gone. Browse rooms full of homemade holiday-themed cookies, collect as many as you like, and pay by the pound. There also will be a raffle for a quilt created by the award-winning quilter Priscilla Eighme. Please use the parking lot/Miller Street entrance.
Summit Baptist Church (1176 Victory Highway, Greene) Musical Christmas Celebration
December 18 | 3:00 p.m.
“Oh, Mann, It’s Christmas!” will be a special musical Christmas celebration in memory of the congregation’s beloved organist Evelyn Hopkins Mann. Refreshments will follow the program.
Calvary Baptist Church (747 Broad Street, Providence) Sock Tree
The congregation is collecting new white socks to be donated to Crossroads Rhode Island. Socks may be dropped off at the church between 10:00 a.m. and noon Monday-Friday through the end of January. (The church office will be closed December 26 and 27 and January 2 and 16.) If you would like for your donation to be picked up, please call Calvary at (401) 461-7507.
Notes from
American Baptist Women's Ministries of Rhode Island
Save the Date!
ABWMRI’s Spiritual Retreat is scheduled for March 7, 2023, at Warwick Central Baptist Church. The theme, based on Hebrews 23:8, will be “Old Time Religion—Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow!” More info will be available after the first of the year.
Communications Opportunity
From Carol Myron, ABWMRI communications coordinator: “After eight incredible years of sharing ABWMRI's information and events, I will be moving on from those responsibilities. This has been a great journey and afforded me the opportunity to continue my design and communications skills after I retired from a 35-year career in the industry. Now is the time for a fresh set of eyes and, hopefully, a new ‘look and feel’ to K.I.T., our newsletter. I invite anyone interested in learning about the opportunity to contact me (cmyron2005@yahoo.com), and I will gladly share about the responsibilities. This is a great chance for someone to spread their creative wings and make a difference.”
We all remember the pastor or missionary who made a difference in our lives. The ones who were with us in the big moments and small. With leadership, listening, wisdom, condolence, or just the right prayer when needed most, their selfless service has a lasting effect. The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering is a way to give back. For more information about this offering, visit https://www.abc-usa.org/rmmo.
Pray for Our Churches in Pastoral Transition
Baptist Church of Warren, Warren
Calvary Baptist Church, Providence
Congdon Street Baptist Church, Providence
First Baptist Church, East Greenwich (Rev. Dr. Michael Newheart, Transition Pastor)
First Baptist Church, West Warwick (Rev. Dr. Paul Hanson, Interim Pastor)
First Baptist Church, Wickford(Rev. Dr. Reppa Cottrell, Interim Pastor)
Greenville Baptist Church, Greenville (Rev. Dr. Tom McKibbens, Interim Pastor)
Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church, Cranston (Rev. Tim Chesser, Interim Pastor)
Sheldon Street Church, Providence
If you are interested in applying for any of these church pastoral positions, please contact Rev. Dr. Courtny Davis Olds at (401) 522-9733 orcdavisolds@abcori.org.
The next Connections will be published on Friday, January 6.
Items should be submitted to info@abcori.org by noon on Wednesday, January 4.
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Contact Us
by calling the main number of our offices at Canonicus (401) 294-6318 and follow the simple prompts to ring any individual or office, or by calling an individual directly.
Ring In the New Year
