People of a certain generation will recognize that as a lyric from the song “A Long December” by the Counting Crows. And goodness, haven’t we been saying this for so long now? This next year must be better than last year. It’s December, and it’s natural for us to reflect back on the last year […]
by Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, Executive Minister Advent for 2023 begins on December 3rd. December 24th is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. If participating online, use the hashtag #ABCWIAdvent Read the scripture for the day Reflect on the word for the day Optional: post a photo online that represents that word for […]
By: Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, Regional Executive Minister “The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let dead things go.” I see this quote pop up on memes shared in social media every autumn. By the time you read this, most of the leaves might be on the ground or bagged up, […]
Rev. Dr. John A. Jones IV – Associate Regional Minister of Education “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us …” ~ Acts 15:28 “My cup runneth over” with gratitude. It is the day after Annual Gathering 2023. I’m kind of tired from excitement, activity, and travel, but I’m grateful beyond measure because […]
Between September 24th and October 1st, there were four different events that occurred within our American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin family and touched the lives of those beyond our congregations. I want to highlight them here: I had the honor of attending Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee’s 38th Anniversary on Sunday, September […]
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, with Sunday, October 8th Clergy Appreciation Day. We are thankful for all those who serve the Lord in this vocation. Responding to God’s call into ministry is not an easy path for anyone, but especially since the pandemic began. The Hartford Institute for Religious Research conducted a survey in 2021 […]
By now, you have certainly heard about our 179th Annual Gathering on October 13-15, 2023 at Green Lake Conference Center. Our theme is “God’s Dominion is from Generation to Generation” (Daniel 4:3 KJV) with our focus on Next Generation Ministries. For far too long, the church universal has neglected to raise up the next generation […]
“With an upright heart, he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” – Psalm 78:72 On our farm we have tended and loved sheep. Notice I didn’t say we raised sheep. In the Midwest that would imply we showed at the fair, sheared for fiber, or raised for meat. We tended and loved. […]
A year ago, some of our pastors and regional staff participated in the Transitional Ministries training by ABC-USA. One of the key lessons we learned is that change and transition are not the same thing. Change is something we all must face, every day. Right now, the road to our home has been torn up […]