wfn.org | ABCUSA: RMMO Widow's Mite Award to Brandon Baptist Church

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 12/14/04)--The Advisory
Council of the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO), chaired by
the Rev. Susan S. Maybeck, selected the Brandon Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, to receive the 2004 Widow's Mite Award. The award was presented to the
Rev. Marvin L. Haught, the church's pastor, during its Sunday worship service
on Nov. 28, 2004, by Rev. Richard D. Reese.  Reese is a member service
representative for The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB).

The Brandon Baptist Church was selected from among American Baptist
congregations with 200 or fewer active members that gave at least $3,000
annually from 1998 to 2003.  During that time the church's total giving was
$16,830. For its 2003 giving the church is listed among the top 50 ABCUSA
churches in total dollar amount and per capita giving. The church is featured
in the 2004 issue of ABC People magazine, published by MMBB.  Copies are
available from MMBB at 1-800-986-6222.

The Widow's Mite award commemorates the anonymous gift in 1981 of a
Vietnamese refugee woman worshipping at the First Chinese Baptist Church of
Fresno, Calif.	Not knowing the full intent of the offering, but
understanding the words "thank you" printed on the offering envelope, she
slipped off her wristwatch, her only possession of value, and placed it in
the envelope.

The offering was received by most American Baptist churches on Sunday, Dec.
5, 2004, and many congregations continue giving throughout December.  The
proceeds are distributed to retired ABCUSA ministers and missionaries or
their widowed spouses, in the form of (1) "Thank You" checks, based on 15 or
more years of ABCUSA service, and (2) emergency financial assistance, based
on financial need.

Promotional materials and envelopes still are available from Judson Press
1-800-458-3766.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN143

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