wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR MAY 1, 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
      
________________________________________________________________________________
__________

UPDATE: APRIL 30, 1996
________________________________________________________________________________
__________

o  Dr. Jeanie K. Sherman, longtime missionary pastor in South Dakota who was
act
ive 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  Rhoda McKinney Jones, feature writer and journalist, has been appointed to
se
rve as special projects
coordinator in American Baptist National Ministries' Ministry Center for
Biblica
l Justice.  The 14-month short-
term assignment will begin May 1.  In announcing the appointment, Dr. Aidsand
F.
 Wright-Riggins III, executive
director for National Ministries, said that Jones will work with Biblical
Justic
e staff to develop overall strategies
and design of resources that articulate National Ministries' commitment to
socia
l ministries.  In addition, she will
help design a Valley Forge-based Partners in Advocacy Network, expanding the
foc
us of the current Rapid
Response Network to include other components of responsible Christian
citizenshi
p.  A lifelong American
Baptist, Jones is a former president of the Black Journalist Association.  She
h
olds degrees from Spelman
College (B.A./English) and Columbia University (M.S./Journalism).  A former
feat
ure writer for EBONY 

1
magazine, Jones has experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, the San
Di
ego Union-Tribune, and the
Seattle Post Intelligencer.  She also served as a U.S. Congressional aide. 
Comm
enting on the appointment, the
Rev. Thelma C. Mitchell, associate executive director for Biblical Justice and
I
ssue Development, noted that
Jones' term of service "will enhance our ability to effectively communicate
soci
al justice ministries to a wider
constituency."

o  Evon Laubenstein, national president of American Baptist Women s
Ministries, 
has announced the annual
observance of American Baptist Women s Ministries Sunday for 1996.  "Women
have 
been called the
backbone of the church, the heart of the church, the workers and the givers
over
 the years," Laubenstein said. 
"American Baptist Women s Ministries Sunday gives us an opportunity to say
thank
 you and affirm the gifts
women bring in every area of church life."  The suggested date for ABW
Ministrie
s Sunday is Sept. 15, 1996,
although churches are encouraged to schedule it for a day that best fits their
s
chedules.  "We encourage every
church to celebrate the contributions of women to their congregation s
ministrie
s at least once each year,"
Laubenstein said.  "The body of Christ needs to stop occasionally and say
'Thank
 You' to anyone who gives to
the work of the Kingdom.  Sometimes an added benefit is discovering unexpected
g
ifts as the women participate
in worship on Women s Sunday."  The Rev. Carol Franklin Sutton, executive
direct
or of ABW Ministries, noted
that materials for this year s observance were prepared by Helen Murrell of
Cham
paign, Ill.  "Helen is one of
those multi-talented women that ABW Ministries is so richly blessed with,"
Sutto
n said.  "The theme of the day
is 'People of the Way' and picks up on this year s overall theme, 'We re On
The 
Way.'  We encourage every
church to use the suggested service of worship.  It focuses on a dialogue
betwee
n a modern woman and a
woman of the New Testament.  Check it out in the Second-year Program Packet
avai
lable from our office."
Call 1-800-ABC-3USA/extension 2288 for more information or to order a
Second-yea
r Program Packet ($5 plus
shipping/handling).  Besides the ABW Ministries Sunday suggested service, the
pa
cket also includes programs
suitable for study groups or women s circles.  American Baptist Women s
Ministri
es' stated purpose is to provide
opportunities for each woman and girl to develop as God s person, to build God
s
 faith community, and to serve
God s world by providing programming resources for local church use throughout
t
he United States and Puerto
Rico.

CALENDAR NOTES: AMERICAN BAPTIST ASSEMBLY SUMMER SCHEDULE
   o  The American Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, Wis., will offer a number
of 
conferences focusing on
renewal during July 1996.  Set for July 6-13: The Holy Spirit Renewal
Conference
 theme of "Preserving by the
Power of the Spirit" will examine the dynamics of spiritual renewal occurring
am
ong American Baptists; the
National Bible Conference will explore "Alternative to Brokenness: On Being
the 
Body of Christ" through study
of Ephesians; and "Learning to Fly" will provide an educational and
recreational
 opportunity for developmentally
disabled youth and adults.  Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors Week, July
13-19, 
will examine "Ministry in a
Climate of Hate, Fear and Frustration" and provide an opportunity for American
B
aptist chaplains and pastoral
counselors to gather for worship, continuing education and recreation. 
Several 
important conferences are set for 
July 13-20: the Green Lake Multi-Cultural Prayer Conference will focus on "The
P
ractice of Prayer"; the 1996 
Family Life Celebration will look at "Building Family Virtues"; the Green Lake
W
riter's Conference will offer
workshops and instructors willing to work on manuscripts with participants;
the 
Green Lake Arts Conference has
been designed for beginning and advanced artists to participate in 11
different 
art forms; and the National Senior
High Conference will bring together youth from across the country to study and
a
pply the Bible.  The Green
Lake Family Reunion, July 20-25, is an event for supporters of American
Baptist 
ministry, former staff,
volunteers and past conferees.  The theme "Renewing Your Spirit Through Music"
w
ill be the focus of the
Conference for Church Musicians, July 20-27, designed to aid, train, equip and
e
ncourage musical church
leaders, ministers and lay persons.  Conferences during the week of July
27-Aug.
 3 include the American Baptist
Men's Conference, the National Gathering of AB GIRLS and the National Women's
Co
nference.  "Think New,"
the American Baptist Men's Conference theme, will lift up the expanded
programmi
ng for ABBoys and
ABYoungMen.  "Bread for the Journey," the AB GIRLS conference theme, invites
gir
ls from all parts of the
country to learn more about their personal faith journey through fellowship
and 
fun.  "Joined in Love to
Abide...Grow...Serve" will set the tone of the National Women's Conference, a
we
ek of renewal and refreshment.

2
For additional information or to register for any of these conferences,
contact 
the American Baptist Assembly in
Green Lake at (800)558-8898 or (414)294-7360.
   o  Singles will be able to choose from several major conferences over the
Lab
or Day holiday at the
American Baptist Assembly.  Singles Vacation Week, Aug. 26-30, will be an
inform
al opportunity for singles
to get to know each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.  The Retreat
for
 Single Professional Church
Leaders, Aug. 28-30, will offer singles the chance to network with others in
pro
fessional church ministry. 
Common concerns and strategies for effective ministry will be explored.  Dr.
Pau
l Eppinger and the Rev.
Valentine Royal will lead Bible study and discussions.  The theme of the
Nationa
l Singles Conference, Aug.
30-Sept. 2, will be "Moving from Isolation into Community."  Keynote speaker
Dr.
 Will Miller, comedian,
psychotherapist and ordained minister, has been dubbed "the prophet of the pop
c
ulture" by the Associated Press.
Sixteen special interest workshops and a variety of recreational activities
will
 be offered.  For more information
or to register, call the Green Lake Conference Center at (800)558-8898 or
(414)2
94-7360.  

NEWS FEATURE 
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION CENTER LEASES SPACE
TO LMC PROPERTIES, INC. OF MARYLAND
    In an action based on the recommendation emerging from a space utilization
s
tudy, the American Baptist
Churches USA has leased 20,000 square feet of its Mission Center building
here. 
 The lessee, LMC Properties,
Inc. of Middle River, Md., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin
Corpo
ration.  Lockheed Martin
Management and Data Systems is the division which will be the tenant.
    LMC Properties will begin occupancy in May 1996 for two short-term lease
agr
eements.  Business
activities to be conducted by LMC on the site will be restricted to developing
u
nclassified commercial contract
software programs for communications corporations such as Bell Telephone and
to 
providing a location for
recently employed personnel who are "in training" in such subjects as ethics,
co
mmunications, management
processes and systems. 
    The decision to lease a portion of the Mission Center building was reached
i
n 1995 following a study of
space utilization authorized by the American Baptist Churches' General Board. 
T
he study concluded that a
reduction in the space utilized by the denominational offices not only was
feasi
ble but desirable as an act of
good stewardship.  Because of the lease agreement, an estimated $300,000 that
wo
uld have been paid annually
by American Baptist organizations renting space will be freed for mission.
    Detailed discussion focusing on Lockheed Martin as a potential lessee was
un
dertaken by the General
Board Executive Committee at its meeting Feb. 29-March 2, 1996.  Following
that 
discussion, the 17-member
committee voted, with one no vote, to use the same "screen" which the General
Bo
ard voted in 1995 in
considering prospective tenants.  That screen mandates that corporations with
ne
t revenues of 50 percent or more
from alcohol, tobacco and gambling would not be considered as possible
tenants. 
 The Executive Committee vote
cleared the way for negotiations with Lockheed Martin to continue.  (The same
sc
reen, which is considered to be
in accord with positions expressed in resolutions and policy statements passed
b
y the American Baptist General
Board, had been applied to the Prudential Company, when it entered a leasehold
a
greement with American
Baptist Churches USA for Mission Center property in the mid-1980s.) 
    Lockheed Martin, which employs about 170,000 persons, was formed in 1995
thr
ough the merger of
Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta.  It is a highly diversified
multinatio
nal firm involved in various
business enterprises, including the manufacture of commercial and military
aircr
aft, communication technologies,
electronics, and the management of research facilities for the U.S. Department
o
f Energy.  A major defense
contractor, the company recently has been responsible for producing the
Trident 
II submarine missile, the Theatre
High Altitude Area Defense ballistic missile interceptor, the Milstar military
c
ommunications satellite, and other
aerospace technologies.  According to Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini and Co., an
inde
pendent monitoring
organization, Lockheed Martin additionally has major defense contracts
overseas,
 in such countries as the United 
Kingdom, South Korea and Singapore. 
    In its report on the company, Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini and Co. also noted
t
hat a 1994 study by Careers
and the disAbled magazine had placed Lockheed Martin among the 25 companies
and 
government agencies with

3
the best reputation for employing the disabled.  In addition, in 1995 Hispanic
m
agazine included the company
among its 100 companies providing the greatest opportunities to Hispanics.
    American Baptist Churches General Secretary Daniel E. Weiss addressed the
fa
ct that "a contract with any
organization whose parent company partly is dependent upon government defense
co
ntracts may raise some
questions, even though our tenants will be involved only in management and
commu
nication software and
personnel training."
    Weiss noted: "While American Baptist Churches USA is not part of the
'peace 
church' tradition, many of its
organizations, congregations and individuals have made profound commitments to
p
ursuing peace as part of their
call to mission in Christ's name.  For some American Baptists, the pursuit of
pe
ace necessitates the elimination
of all major global weaponry.  For others, peace can best be achieved and
assure
d in part through a strong
defense.  The American Baptist General Board in 1985 spoke out strongly for a
re
duction and eventual
abolishment of weapons of mass destruction.  Certainly there are a variety of
un
derstandings on this issue, but
our common commitment to a deliberate pursuit of peace within God's creation
is 
shared.  We realize the
contract with Lockheed Martin--or with any organization with government
defense 
contracts--will raise questions
and concerns."
    "This is a rental agreement with a specific division, not a commitment to
in
vestment in or support for a
parent corporation," he continued.  "And our negotiations with Lockheed Martin
M
anagement and Data Systems
from the start have been based on the understanding that business undertaken
by 
LMC Properties at the Mission
Center will be for commercial and government management and data systems.  We
lo
ng have been aware that
the pool of potential renters here in the Valley Forge area is heavily
weighted 
toward technological and
aerospace companies with corporate identities similar to Lockheed Martin.  The
f
act that LMC Properties will
restrict its activities to the development of communications software and to
sta
ff training was an essential
component in the rental agreement.
    "We also are aware that as Christians, we now have an opportunity to model
m
inistry for an "outside"
organization functioning within our walls."
    "The leasing of corporate work space at the Mission Center is an essential
a
ct of good stewardship," he
added.  "Through it, our resources will be expanded and our work in Christ's
nam
e will be strengthened."

96U430
________________________________________________________________________________
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