…A time for American Baptist ministers to come together for mutual support, networking, mental and physical nourishment, and Holy Spirit stirring around topics that matter to our vocational health and missional purpose…
2018 SPRING/SUMMER SERIES
Below is a list of the events this year. Please let the region office know if you are interested in information from these gathering. Thank you to everyone for participating in the 2018 Spring/Summer Series. We look forward to gathering again next year.
Completed:
Open House Fellowship for Women in Ministry
→ Friday, April 6, 2018 →11 AM-3 PM ⌂Home of Marie Onwubuariri – Brookfield, WI
→ Hosted by Marie Onwubuariri; Co-Sponsored by American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM)
The women of the American Baptist National Leadership Council (NLC*) and the women ministers of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin are invited to a time of food and fellowship at the home of Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, ABC/WI Regional Executive Minister.
*The NLC meets annually at the Green Lake Conference Center and includes American Baptist executive leadership of our national boards, regions, and affiliated ministry partners. More can be learned at http://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/abcByLaws03.08.2018.pdf (page 37-38.)
National Week of Conversation: helping to bridge the divides in our country
→ Wednesday, April 25, 2018 →12-1:30 PM ⌂ABC/WI Region Office
→ Facilitated by Marie Onwubuariri
National Week of Conversation is a unique opportunity for Americans of different views to talk with each other and, more importantly, really listen to each other. To learn more about this national initiative, visit https://www.revivecivility.org/national-week-conversation
Tending our Roots: In Faith and Work
→ Friday, May 18, 2018 →2-3:30 PM ⌂Camp Tamarack – E879 Golke Road, Waupaca, WI
→ Facilitated by Carolyn Dugan, Associate Regional Minister – Camping
This will be a time to reconnect with God’s creation as we explore how we stay rooted in our faith and discuss the challenges as ministers being pulled in many directions.
In nature there is a rhythm of growth, a time when roots are growing deeper or reaching out and a time of maintenance or even dormancy.
* What is your initial faith story and how does it affect your current story of “be”ing with God?
* How do you respond to the rhythm in your own faith journey?
* What are reasons our roots would need to grow deeper, outwards and sometimes be uprooted?
* What does this mean in our current ministry or faith context?
You are also invited to participate in tending the physical space of Camp during “Spring in to Camp” or tend to your own physical needs by being a part of creation: hiking, canoeing, “being”, before or
after the structured time.
Sabbath and Sabbaticals
→ Tuesday, May 29, 2018 →12 – 1:30 PM ⌂Location: Underwood Memorial Baptist Church (Stable House) = 1916 N Wauwatosa Ave, Milwaukee
→ Facilitated by John Jones, Associate Regional Minister – Education, with contributions from Rev. Karen Gygax-Rodriguez of Federated Church, Green Lake and Rev. Jason Mack, Minister of Community at First Baptist, Madison, and guest Rabbi Michal Woll of Congregation Shir Hadash
What is a “Sabbatical”? Join us for a practical discussion of the meaning and value of ‘Sabbatical,” grounded in a textual study of “Sabbath” facilitated by Rabbi Michal Woll of Congregation Shir Hadash.
Why does God command something as basic as rest? How might we understand both Sabbath and Sabbatical as forms of faithfulness? Is a Sabbatical just a vacation? How can a specific and structured time away in the form of Sabbatical be something that enlivens and sustains ministry? On a practical level, how does one go about requesting, organizing, financing, planning, and executing a Sabbatical?
We may not answer all of these questions, but we will do our best to ask them and many more in a wide ranging discussion of Sabbath and Sabbatical. Bring your concerns theological and practical.
A light lunch will be served. Please RSVP to dawn.armstrong@abcofwi.orga
Pastor, Minister, Shepherd: What does authority look like in the church?
→ Monday, July 23, 2018 →12 – 1:30 PM ⌂ Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 3456 N. 38th St, Milwaukee, WI
→ Roundtable discussion facilitated by John Jones, Associate Regional Minister – Education
What’s in a title? Come together to examine your own and other different notions of what Pastoral Authority means in the church.
We’ll be using a reflection tool to think through our notions of what a “Pastor” is, has been, and should be. We’ll also be looking at different models of pastoral leadership based in different cultural and cross-cultural perspectives. Bring your reflections and contributions as well as an openness to those of others.
Diversity in ABC life is a gift – a challenging gift, but a gift nonetheless. Let’s learn together how God accomplishes ministry in our different ABC congregations.
Brave Conversations About Race
→ Sunday, July 29, 2018 →5-6:30 PM ⌂Location: 3117 Lathrop Ave, Racine, WI 53405
→ Facilitated by Marie Onwubuariri, Regional Executive Minister and guest, Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque
At the direct request from the participants of this table topic at the 2017 Annual Gathering, we will continue to explore obstacles to, helpful approaches for, and hopeful impact of brave conversations about race and its effects upon humanity and the church.
In this session, we will explore ways to incorporate deeper discussions about race in the context of our church ministry and personal relationships, particularly as it pertains to identity, meaning-making, and faith, and the impact upon fostering beloved community within and beyond the local church. Guest Pastor, Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque, will share from her cross-cultural experiences, especially as a Pastor who has been a “minority in her own ministry context,” and will highlight the role of modeling brave conversations in our congregations through sermons and Christian Education. Read more about our guest pastor here.