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In This Issue:
A TIME OF COMING
TOGETHER
The recent biennial/centennial
of the American Baptist Churches held in Washington, DC was
a special experience to me for a variety of reasons. Having
attended ABC conventions since 1970 this is not a "light"
statement for me to make.
There was an absence of tension and controversy.
This was a welcome relief from the animosity of recent biennial
experiences where some were demanding directions that would
have violated, in my opinion, the autonomy of the local church
as well as soul liberty. These have both been hallmarks of the
Baptist movement since 1609.
There was the amazing experience of the combined
opening worship service with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
These former Southern Baptists are our "southern cousins".
They hold dear the Baptist distinctives that we have sought
to defend through the years.
The biennial made me more proud than ever
to be an American Baptist. Our strong ecumenical and cooperative
spirit, our willingness to embrace diversity as a gift and our
on-going work to reach out to "the least of these"
was reinforced over and over. These are gifts we as American
Baptists share with the Christian community.
I celebrated the involvement of the Progressive
National Baptist Convention that had it's beginning in the late
1950's and early 1960's as a group seeking to move aggressively
in the arena of civil rights and social justice. We have much
to learn to be prophetic witnesses.
The music was especially inspiring. The choir
from President Arlee Griffin's congregation in Brooklyn, NY,
the choir from a Burmese Church, the sixteen year old southern
gospel pianist from West Virginia and the Halleluiah Chorus
sung at the conclusion of the Centennial Worship, all of these
and more lifted us to the presence of God.
Four "emerging voice", young American
Baptists, brought us to our feet as they shared out of their
faith experience. They represent the fact that "the best
is yet to come" for our American Baptist family.
Arlo R. Reichter
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A GATHERING OF BAPTISTS
New Baptist Covenant Celebration
January 30 - Feb. 1, 2008
Atlanta, GA
"Prophetic, but not partisan
and focused on Jesus' reading of Isaiah as recorded in Luke
4:18-19
Former President Jimmy Carter
is scheduled to speak. The gathering will include persons from
all major Baptist denominations in the U.S. and Canada.
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163rd
ANNUAL MEETING OF
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES
OF WISCONSIN
October 12-13, 2007
"FOLLOW JESUS"
Green Lake Conference Center
Register Now: 1-800-558-8898
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AUGUST
PRAYER FOCUS:
Church:
La Crosse - First
Pastor:
Timothy Ashley
Spouse: Maxine
Began 5/03
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15th Baptist World
Youth Conference
July 30-Aug. 3, 2008
Leipzig, Germany
"Dive Deeper"
Info. At:
www.dive-deeper.org
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SEMINARY
CLASSES OPEN TO LIFE LONG LEARNERS THIS FALL
Persons with a bachelor degree may register
for courses being offered this fall:
Old Testament I
Timothy Ashley
Church History I
Adam Bond
Homiletics
Eleanor Cardenas
Christian Witness
Carmen Porco &
Trinette McCray
A brief application must be completed. Cost is $300/course.
Contact the region office for an application form.
APPLICATIONS FOR MASTER OF DIVINITY
STUDENTS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Call the region office.
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