News from ABCORI's Board of Ministries The new year brings a new practice for ABCORI’s Board of Ministries. A brief report following each board meeting will be included in Connections. Copies of the board’s approved minutes also will be posted on the ABCORI website. It is the board’s hope that this practice will provide greater transparency concerning its work.
Board Retreat The Board of Ministries gathered on January 21 for a working retreat focused on the theme Where Do We Go from Here?
The retreat began with a discussion of ABCORI as a faith-based, non-profit organization and ways to define the organization’s purpose. Board members offered suggestions for that purpose that ranged from connections to resources to transitions.
Following a presentation about external realities and trends that impact ABCORI, board members identified internal realities and challenges that affect the organization. They also discussed the board’s role in helping ABCORI fulfill its purpose given the current context and challenges.
During the afternoon, retreat participants turned to identifying the board’s priorities for 2023 and beyond. Suggested priorities included ABCORI’s purpose; financial situation; property usage; and structure and bylaws.
Members wrapped up the retreat by proposing action steps for the board.
Board Meeting The board met via Zoom on January 30.
Members discussed taking action on several of the top priorities identified during the board retreat. They approved the formation of a task force that is to present a proposal for the content of a revised ABCORI purpose statement to the board in May or June. They also approved the formation of a task force to explore financially responsible options for stewardship of the Canonicus property asset and report back to the board in June or July with up to three feasible options and suggestions for next steps.
The board also discussed the priority concerning ABCORI’s structure and bylaws. Members agreed to present a proposed temporary bylaw revision to delegates at ABCORI’s annual meeting. If approved, the revision will implement an interim leadership structure to be in place until the 2024 annual meeting.
Plan now to participate in this important meeting by electing delegates from your congregation. A quorum requires delegates from at least 27 ABCORI-member churches.
New Opportunities at ABCORI's
Canonicus Camp & Conferene Center ABCORI invites you to explore the exciting new opportunities available at its Canonicus Camp and Conference Center.
These opportunities include three ABCORI-sponsored offerings scheduled for this summer: an intergenerational service camp; a special experience for grandparents and grandchildren; and an intergenerational global mission camp.
ABCORI-member congregations are invited to design and staff their own summer programs on the camp and conference center grounds. Possibilities might include a day camp for children, a week of Vacation Bible School, an overnight weekend camp for youth, or a family camp. Congregations might explore working together to sponsor a program.
Two virtual information sessions are scheduled for ABCORI-member churches interested in scheduling a summer program. The sessions will take place via Zoom at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, and at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15. Up to two representatives from any ABCORI-member congregation may register for a session by sending the following information to info@abcori.org: representative's name, church's name, and date of session.
ABCORI also welcomes congregations, organizations, families, and other groups to use its camp and conference center facilities for retreats, conferences, and other gatherings. For information about facilities, services, and costs, contact campandconference@abcori.org.
For more information about the new opportunities, see the attached flyer. The information also is available online at https://www.canonicus.org/.
ABCORI Seeks Guest Services Associate ABCORI is seeking a part-time guest services associate. The associate will be the primary point of contact for groups holding events at Canonicus Camp and Conference Center, which is owned and operated by American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island. The associate will be responsible for customer service and hospitality from initial inquiry, through the reservation process, during the event, and through checkout and evaluation.
Click here for the position description. To apply, visit: www.indeed.com/jobs?q=American+Baptist+Churches+of+Rhode+Island&l=Exeter%2C+RI&from=searchOnHP&vjk=81b43b323fad90a7.
Emmanuel Baptist Church Announces Closure
With saddened hearts, Emmanuel Baptist Church announces closure of its congregational worship and ministry. The church was founded in 1893 as the First Italian Baptist Church of Providence.
A service of church closure is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26. The congregation invites brothers and sisters from other ABCORI-member churches to join them for this vesper service.
Emmanuel Baptist Church is located at 529 Charles Street, Providence.
When Repairing Homes, Restoring Hope received a recent call from an older homeowner concerning her back stairs, the program swung into action.
The homeowner explained that the stairs were too tall and steep and lacked a railing. Her husband has mobility issues, and she was nervous for both of them.
Two days of work by RHRH volunteers Bobby Nelson and Mike Moise resulted in a new set of safe stairs and a happy homeowner.
For more info about this program, contact bobnelson2357@gmail.com.
From Our Churches First Baptist Church of Hope Valley(1059 Main Street, Hope Valley) Winter Concert February 5 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. A Light Dawns in Darkness will feature Sophia Pearson, New Hope Chapel; Paul Mills, Perryville Bible Church; and Kelly Duey, Calvary Chapel, North Kingstown. Refreshments will follow the concert.
(See attached flyer.)
First Baptist Church in America(75 N. Main Street, Providence) Opportunity for Meditation/Reflection Tuesdays | 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Looking for some peace and quiet? FBCIA will be open during the noon hour on Tuesdays, beginning February 7, for meditation, reflection, or just being.
Come and enjoy the silence. All are welcome. Please enter by the side door.
(See attached flyer.)
Warwick Central Baptist Church(3270 Post Road, Warwick) Pray It Forward Warwick Central is preparing for the fourth year of its Pray It Forward program during Lent. Last year thirty-eight people participated.
Based on the Secret Santa system, each person privately prayed for someone else, and another person in the church prayed for him/her.
Participants signed up in the weeks before Ash Wednesday, and then each person was randomly assigned someone for whom to pray. They were encouraged to send an anonymous card(s) to their pray-ee during Lent.
There was a “reveal” on Easter Sunday. It was a joyous time of celebration as everyone got to thank their “prayer partner,” and many vowed to continue to pray for each other.
If you would like information on how this could work in your church, contact Donna Sherman at (401) 688-6479 or donnasherman02@aol.com.
Georgiaville Baptist Church(100 Farnum Pike, Smithfield) Church Sectretary
Georgiaville Baptist is seeking a part-time church secretary. If you are interested and/or would like more information, please contact Barbara Ricci at barb45g@gmail.com.
Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church(229 Wilbur Avenue, Cranston) Organist/Pianist Oak Lawn is seeking an organist/pianist to offer their skills and talents and support the vibrant music ministry within this small, historical church. Please send inquiries of interest to mdrummond0342@aol.com or call (401) 714-5732. (See attached job description.)
American Baptist Women's Ministries of Rhode Island Spiritual Development Retreat Olde Tyme Religion Saturday, March 4 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Warwick Central Baptist Church, 3270 Post Road, Warwick
Registration deadline: February 23 Click here for flyer. Click here for registration form.
Click here for flyer. Click here for registration form.
Other News & Opportunities American Baptist Missionary to Visit RI Mayra Giovanetti, a missionary with International Ministries, will be in New England this spring and would love to connect with churches and supporters in Rhode Island. If your congregation is interested in hosting a luncheon, supper, or other event for Mayra on Tuesday, April 18, please contact cdavisolds@abcori.org to explore possibilities. To learn more about Mayra's ministry, visit https://www.internationalministries.org/author/c-bonilla-m-giovanetti/.
Suicide: Prevention, Screening & Response March 2 | 10:00 a.m.
This three-hour class designed by clinicians at Bradley Hospital is open to clergy and other members of the faith community. Sponsored by the Gruben Charitable Foundation, the class is free to participants. It will be held at the Bradley Learning Exchange, 1 Catamore Blvd., East Providence. For additional information, including how to register, see the attached flyer.
(See attached flyer.)
Hear Your Call Here & Now February 13 | 3:30 p.m.
This free, one-hour webinar will focus on five keys for vocational discernment and provide an invitation to listen for God's call at any stage of life. Those who wish to explore their vocation in greater depth may then participate in a cohort learning experience.
(See attached flyer.)
Revised Covenant & Code of Ethics for Ministerial Leaders The American Baptist Ministers Council membership has approved a revised Covenant and Code of Ethics for Ministerial Leaders of American Baptist Churches USA. The revised version becomes effective on February 1.
(Click here to download revised Covenant & Code of Ethics.)
ABCUSA General Secretary Nominations & Applications Invited Information about the American Baptist Churches USA general secretary search is available at https://www.abc-usa.org/how-we-serve/abcusa/general-secretary-search. Nominations and applications for this position will be accepted through Feburary 24.
Pray for Our Churches in Pastoral Transition * The Baptist Church of Warren, Warren * Calvary Baptist Church, Providence * Congdon Street Baptist Church, Providence (Rev. Dr. Cynthia Smothers, Interim Pastor) * First Baptist Church, East Greenwich * 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 or cdavisolds@abcori.org.
The next Connections will be published on Friday, February 17.
Items should be submitted to info@abcori.org by noon on Wednesday, February 15.
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