wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR APRIL 26, 1996

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American Baptist News Service_____________________
Office of Communication / American Baptist Churches USA
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320
E-mail: RICH_SCHRAMM.PARTI@ECUNET.ORG
Richard W. Schramm, Director

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UPDATE: APRIL 26, 1996
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o   Dr. Jeanie K. Sherman, longtime missionary pastor in South Dakota who
was ac tive in the life of American Baptist Churches USA, died April 23.
In 1945, under appointment by the American Baptist Home Mission Societies,
Sherman became the missionary pastor at Timber Lake and Trail City Ba ptist
churches in Timber Lake, S.D.  Her ministry in Timber Lake extended more
than a quarter century.  S he then pastored First Baptist Church in
Madison, S.D., before retiring in the early 1980s.  An ordained Americ an
Baptist minister, she previously had served pastorates in Massachusetts and
Vermont.   She held the B.  D. degree from Andover Newton Theological
School and was awarded an honorary D.D. from Sioux Falls Coll ege.   In
1952 she was honored for her achievements in rural ministry with the
denomination's Rosa O. H all Award.  Sherman was a longtime member of the
American Baptist Churches' Ministers Council, and served as president of
the American Baptist Home Mission Societies in 1972-1973.  Condolences may
be sent to her fam ily in care of Joe and Janet Brooks, 404 First St. NE,
Madison, SD 57042.

o  A case study of American Baptist-related Keuka College in Keuka Park,
N.Y., s erves as the focus of a new book challenging negative predictions
for the fate of small liberal arts college s.  In The Liberal Arts College
Adapting to Changes: The Survival of Small Schools, authors Gary Bonvillian
and Robert Murphy cite Keuka as "an example of what the small school is
capable of achieving in spite of the odd s."   They note: "Keuka's
situation also illustrates how an institution's history, traditions and
values c an be linked to a modern perspective of strategic management."  In
their book, Bonvillian and Murphy maintain that st rategic planning is the
key characteristic of successful small schools.  Keuka, unlike many similar
schools,
 is succeeding because of its commitment to mission, attention to external
market forces and focus on decision -making processes, they note.  Keuka
President Arthur F. Kirk said, "For me, the most powerful conclusion of Ke
uka's efforts is summed up in this quote: 'Keuka's story is one of a
community bonded together by a sense of p urpose and a shared vision for
the liberal arts.  It is a story of people.'"

o  Marguerite Belisle, general director of Church Women United, has
resigned tha t position.  A staff management team will handle
administrative responsibilities until a new general director is appointed.
Church Women United is a grassroots ecumenical movement representing
Protestant, Orthod ox and Roman Catholic women throughout the U.S. and
Puerto Rico.

o  Singles will be able to choose from several major conferences over the
Labor Day holiday at the American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wis.
Singles Vacation Week, Aug. 26-30, will be an informal opportunity for
singles to get to know each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The Ret reat for Single Professional Church Leaders, Aug. 28-30, will offer
singles the chance to network with others in professional church ministry.
Common concerns and strategies for effective ministry will be explored.
Paul Ep pinger and Valentine Royal will lead Bible study and discussions.
The theme of the National Singles Conference, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, will be
"Moving from Isolation into Community."  Keynote speaker "Dr. Will" Miller,
come dian, psychotherapist and ordained minister, has been dubbed "the
prophet of the pop culture" by the Assoc iated Press.  Sixteen special
interest workshops and a variety of recreational activities will be
offered.  Fo r more information or to register, call the Green Lake
Conference Center at (800)558-8898 or (414)294-7360.

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