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In This Issue:
ABCUSA HEADQUARTERS
CONSIDERING MOVE
Since the early 1960's the
headquarters of ACUSA and the major program boards (National
and International Ministries) have been located in Valley Forge,
PA. The building brought together offices of the program boards
from different geographical locations. In addition the MMBB
located an office at the Valley Forge building.
The building has 145,250 square
feet of office space and 126,190 square feet of warehouse space
(originally the Judson Press printing press was located here).
In 2006 we find that with fewer
national staff, outsourcing of printing functions, and no need
for a warehouse; denominational functions utilize less than
50% of the space. Fortunately, the space not used by the denomination
is leased-currently. None of the leases, however, are long-term.
The building is in need of
major infrastructure replacement and updating. For all of these
reasons the General Board Executive Committee with the affirmation
of the General Executive Council (on which I serve) has recommended
to the General Board that the building be sold and that more
appropriately sized space be found in the Valley Forge area.
The building sits on 23.86 acres of prime real estate. The building
is paid for and the proceeds will be placed in an endowment
fund to aid the support of denominational ministries that currently
have no endowment. It is anticipated that future space will
be leased.
The building has been a meaningful
symbol. It is round with a large center courtyard. It was to
signify our unity as the various ministries and program boards
relocated to one central location. It was dubbed "the holy
donut" by some and airline pilots used it as a landmark
when approaching the Philadelphia airport.
Our vision as a denomination,
however, is not of a building but of a vital, healthy mission
responding to God's call to serve. The physical structure in
which the denomination's organization functions is not what
is significant. (Local churches are you listening?)
The vital, fresh, living, changing,
dynamic word of Jesus Christ calls us forward. Do we have the
courage and faith to follow, in Valley Forge and at home?
Arlo R. Reichter
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ABC BIENNIAL/CENTENNIAL
CELEBRATION
June 29-July 2, 2007
Washington, DC
"Arise & Shine"
Isaiah 60:1
Information is available at:
www.abc-usa.org
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DEATH PENALTY ADVISORY
REFERENDUM - (Nov. 7 Ballot)
"Educational Resource
Packet for Wisconsin Congregations"
Available from the Wisconsin
Council of Churches.
For more information e-mail: wcoc@wichurches.org
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STUDENTS FROM WISCONSIN:
NORTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY STUDENTS FROM WISCONSIN
Ebema Saul, Community of Greater
Milwaukee
Peggy Williams, Mt. Zion of Madison
James Williams, Calvary of Milwaukee
SAMUEL DEWITT PROCTOR SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, VIRGINIA
UNION STUDENT FROM WISCONSIN:
Byron Harris, Mt. Zion of Madison
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NOVEMBER PRAYER
FOCUS:
Church:
Memorial-Fond du Lac
Pastor:
Brian Hastings
Spouse:
Gabrielle
Start Date:
7/99
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2007 WEEK OF PRAYER
FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
January 18-25
"Open our ears and loosen our tongues" Mark 7:31-37
Resources may be ordered from:
Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious
Institute
Route 9
P.O. Box 300
Garrison, NY 10524-0300
Resources are also available on the web at
www.geii.org
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