wfn.org | ABCUSA: Biennial Program Committee Concludes Planning

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 11/18/04)--The Biennial
Program Committee, charged with developing thematic and programmatic elements
for the 2005 Biennial Meeting of American Baptist Churches USA in Denver,
Colo., concluded its work here this week. 

In sessions Nov. 16-17 the committee further developed components that relate
to a theme of "Lift Up Your Eyes" and the Scripture text of Psalm 121.	The
committee also approved a budget for the event and developed strategies for
maximizing attendance.	The Biennial Meeting will run from 3 p.m. Friday,
July 1 through 9 p.m. Sunday, July 3, 2005 at the Colorado Convention Center
in downtown Denver.

Committee members finalized planning for evening worship sessions, Bible
studies, workshops, options for dialog and discussion, and mission
opportunities, among other areas.  Worship speakers will include: the Rev.
Leroy Gilbert, pastor of the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., and
the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of ABCUSA, on Friday, July 1;
the Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, president-elect and professor of theology and
spiritual formation at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City,
Kans., on Saturday, July 2; and Philip Yancey, author (Rumors of Another
World, etc.) and editor-at-large at Christianity Today, on Sunday, July 3. 

Daily emphases will be: "Friday--who and where we are in the grace of God;
Saturday--looking up to our God and understanding our relationship better;
Sunday--who God wants us to be and who God wants us to serve."	The Denver
Biennial Meeting will serve as a major national venue for lifting up the
proposed mission/vision statements growing out of  "Seek It: Finding God's
Way for a New Day,"  an unprecedented denomination-wide process of spiritual
discernment involving thousands of American Baptists.  

The American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains, one of 35 regions
within American Baptist Churches USA, will host the July 2005 national
gathering.  The region includes 103 congregations and about 28,000 members in
Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, eastern Idaho and eastern Utah.	Previously
national gatherings of American Baptists in Denver were held in 1919, 1929,
1953 and 1972.

The Rev. H. A. "Hank" Pedersen, pastor emeritus of Shawomet Baptist Church in
Warwick, R.I., is serving as chair of the Biennial Program Committee.  "The
Biennial Program Committee is even more excited about the Biennial Program
after our third meeting," Pedersen noted.  "We were already excited about the
evening plenary sessions and now we are excited about the morning sessions as
well. There is something for everybody. Our mornings will allow you to select
from a plethora of opportunities and then conclude with a meaningful worship
experience.  I would encourage you to plan some time to vacation in Colorado
as well-- there are multiple opportunities for learning and fun excursions in
Denver proper as well as the nearby mountains and cities.  See you in
Denver!"

Other members of the committee include Keiko Chew, Oakland, Calif.; the Rev.
Herschell Daney, Sand Springs, Okla.; Jessica Echard, Arlington, Va.; Dr.
Priscilla Eppinger, Lamoni, Ia.; Dr. Paul Hayes, Suffield, Ct.; Manuel
Hernandez, Portage, Ind.; Manuel Luquin, San Pedro, Calif.; Sue MacDonald,
Ronks, Pa.; the Rev. Kevin Rose, Indianapolis, Ind.; the Rev. Francine Stark,
Chicago, Ill.; Larry Willison, Canvas, W.V.

Also involved in the planning are Peggy Johnson, president of ABCUSA, North
Kingston, R.I.; the Rev. Arlee Griffin Jr., vice president of ABCUSA,
Brooklyn, N.Y.; the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, general secretary of ABCUSA; Dr.
Desmond Hofmeister, interim executive minister of ABC of the Rocky Mountains;
the Rev. Paul A. Martin, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Denver, and
chair of the Local Arrangements Committee; Chap. Jan McCormack, vice
president of ABC of the Rocky Mountains; Nichole Kobia and Linda Scherr, ABC
of the Rocky Mountains staff; the Rev. Beverlee Everett, assistant Biennial
program coordinator, Office of the General Secretary; Dr. Perry J. Hopper,
associate executive director, The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board;
Karen Mason, director of special events and promotion, International
ministries; Laura Miraz, associate executive director/ Missionary Support
Services, National Ministries; Annie Marcucci, director of Travel and
Conference Planning, Office of
  !
the General Secretary; and Richard Schramm, Biennial program coordinator and
deputy general secretary for communication, Office of the General Secretary. 
David Greenfield, a layman and former General Board member from Bloomington,
Ill., is serving as production consultant for the 2005 Biennial Meeting. 
Constance Wilkins, minister of music at Macedonia Baptist Church in Denver,
is serving as music consultant. 					     
	

K/2004ABNS/04ABN125

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org