wfn.org | American Baptist News Service Update February 10 1998

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

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 
Richard W. Schramm, Director (E-mail: RICH_SCHRAMM@ECUNET.ORG)
_____

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 10, 1998
___

BIENNIAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE BEGINS PLANNING
FOR 1999 AMERICAN BAPTIST GATHERING IN DES MOINES
     The committee charged with planning the next Biennial Meeting
of American Baptist Churches USA began its work Feb. 6-8 with
consideration of the theme and other program details, and an on-site
look at the convention facilities in Des Moines, Iowa, where the
sessions will take place.
     The Des Moines Biennial Meeting, to be held June 22-25, 1999,
will be hosted by Mid-American Baptist Churches, one of 34 regions
within American Baptist Churches USA.
     The Biennial Program Committee affirmed a theme of "Turning to
Jesus: Renewed for Mission" for the national gathering, which is
expected to draw 3,500-4,000 American Baptist delegates and visitors
from across the country and around the world.  The theme continues an
intentional effort, begun at the 1993 Biennial Meeting, to complement
the denominational emphasis "ABC 2000: Renewed for Mission." 
Identified as supporting Scripture for that theme was Luke 4:16-21.*
     The Committee will continue to develop program elements at its
subsequent meetings in June and November.
     The Rev. Donald L. Shuler, pastor of First Baptist Church,
Marietta, Ohio, is serving as chair of the Biennial Program
Committee.  Other members include: the Rev. Lemaire Alerte, Jersey
City, N.J.; Dr. James H. Evans, Rochester, N.Y.; the Rev. Jose
Guerra, Bakersfield, Calif.; M. Roger Lockie, Temple City, Calif.;
Vernell Neely, Nashville, Tenn.; Lauren Ng, Oberlin, Ohio; the Rev.
Helen A. Phillips, Fairbanks, Alaska; the Rev. Jeffery L. Savage,
Springfield, Oreg.; Dr. Beverly Scott, Orange, N.J.; Dr. Suzanne
Snyder, Fairmont, W.V.; Dr. James B. Johnson, Alderson, W.V.,
president, American Baptist Churches USA; and the Rev. Trinette V.
McCray, Milwaukee, Wis., vice president, American Baptist Churches
USA.  
     Also involved in the planning are Dr. Gary L. Grogan, executive
minister, Mid-American Baptist Churches; John Bloem, chair, Local
Arrangements Committee; Dr. Daniel E. Weiss, general secretary,
American Baptist Churches USA; Paul Baker, Los Angeles, Calif., music
consultant; and a Staff Advisory Group led by Linda Bonn, director of
Special Services for American Baptist Churches USA.
     Mid-American Baptist Churches encompasses approximately 165
congregations in Iowa and Minnesota, including six in Des Moines. 
Previous American Baptist national gatherings in Des Moines were held
in 1912, 1921 and 1959.  
             _______________________________

*"When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to
the synagogue on the sabbath day as was his custom.  He stood up to
read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.  He
unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 'The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring
good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim release to the
captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And he rolled up
the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.  The eyes of
all in the synagogue were fixed on him.  Then he began to say to 
them,  Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing'" (NRSV). =
 
 

98U210.E
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