wfn.org | American Baptist News for Feb. 20, 1998

[LEAH_MCCARTER.parti@ecunet.org (LEAH MCCARTER)]

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AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES RELEASE FOR FEB. 20, 1998
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 20, 1998
____________________________________________________________________________

WEISS URGES DIPLOMACY, RESTRAINT AS TENSIONS RISE OVER IRAQ
     As the threat of a major military strike on Iraq by U.S. armed
forces seems increasingly likely, American Baptist Churches General
Secretary Daniel E. Weiss has called on President Bill Clinton to
"exercise every option for a diplomatic resolution to this crisis
before considering the use of force."
     "I believe many American Baptists are praying that this
situation can be addressed successfully--without the loss of life and
without the widespread destruction that is an inevitable consequence
of such strikes," he said.  "I am encouraged that United Nations
Secretary General Kofi Annan will be in Baghdad later this week to
seek compliance on weapons sites inspections.  I pray that his
efforts will help to ease these tensions, and that Iraqi officials
will commit to allowing the inspections that the United Nations has
determined are necessary."
     Weiss, part of ecumenical delegation which visited various
sites in the Middle East in December 1990 in an attempt to encourage
a peaceful resolution in the Iraq-Kuwait crisis, noted: "Undoubtedly
this is a complex situation.  The threat of unchecked development of
biological and other mass destruction weapons by Saddam Hussein is
cause for great concern, and Iraq simply must comply with the UN
guidelines.  But until we have exhausted every viable diplomatic
channel of negotiation, I believe we will not have fulfilled our call
by Christ to be peacemakers.  The use of military force has the very
real potential for adding further misery to the lives of Iraqi
citizens, and causes great anguish for all of us here as we watch our
troops placed in life-threatening positions."
     "I call on American Baptists and people of good will everywhere
to pray that both peace and justice will prevail," Weiss said.  

BIENNIAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE BEGINS PLANNING FOR 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.  

GRIFFIN-PRICE RESIGNS AS DIRECTOR OF MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP
COMMISSION
     Dr. Terrie Griffin-Price, executive director of the Ministerial
Leadership Commission of American Baptist Churches USA, has announced
her resignation, effective March 8, 1998.
     Griffin-Price was appointed to the position in September 1997. 
On Dec. 5, 1997, she was hospitalized and has been dealing with
health issues since that time.  In her letter of resignation,
Griffin-Price stated, "Unfortunately, it is uncertain as to when I
will be able to work given my multiple medical challenges. 
Therefore, after much prayer and consultation, I am submitting this
letter of resignation."
     Previously Griffin-Price served as chief executive officer of
Heal, Inc., a volunteer-based, not-for-profit HIV/AIDS service
organization in Richmond, Va.
     In accepting the resignation, Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins
III, executive director of American Baptist National Ministries who
serves as chair of the Ministerial Leadership Commission Executive
Committee, noted, "We will miss Terrie's energy and vision.  We
regret that ill health prevents her from serving a full tenure in
this position. Our prayers and well wishes will follow her."
     The Ministerial Leadership Commission is administratively
related to American Baptist Educational Ministries.

HOFFMAN TO RETIRE FROM INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES
     Joan Hoffman, recording secretary and director of Board
Relations for the Board of International Ministries, has announced
her retirement, effective Feb. 27, 1998.
     Hoffman has served nearly 34 years with International
Ministries, the past two in her present position.   In that capacity
she works with the Board president in planning and conducting board
meetings, takes the official minutes of those meetings and assists
committee members.  
     Previously Hoffman spent 25 years as administrative assistant
to the executive director of International Ministries, during which
time she worked with Drs. Chester Jump, Ronald Taylor and John
Sundquist and Interim Executive Director Russell Brown.
     Hoffman began her work for International Ministries in 1964 in
the Public Relations (now Communications) Division, putting together
exhibits and preparing copy for International Ministries
publications.  
     "Joan has done a marvelous job for us at International
Ministries," said John Sundquist, executive director of International
Ministries.  "We have been truly blessed by her years of service to
the Lord through BIM.  She will certainly be missed by all of us."   
     "This job has been a wonderful, spiritually-enriching
pilgrimage," said Hoffman.  "I have learned so much about the
American Baptist mission outreach and the commitment and dedication
of people who were and are involved in this ministry."
     
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES TO OBSERVE VOLUNTEER SUNDAY
     April 19 has been designated as Volunteer Sunday for 1998 by
American Baptist Churches USA.  Local congregations across the U.S.
and Puerto Rico will take time to recognize those of their members
who serve as volunteers.
     Growing levels of commitment to volunteer service have been
noted through American Baptist Volunteer Services in recent years. 
"Thousands of American Baptists are volunteering," said Carole
Dieciedue, chair of American Baptist Volunteers Services and director
of Volunteers In Mission for American Baptist National Ministries. 
"People are expressing their faith and spirit of mission by serving
as volunteers in their local churches and communities, and in
American Baptist institutions and mission settings in the United
States, Puerto Rico and other countries around the world."
     During 1997, through the Volunteers In Mission program and
American Baptist International Ministries' Volunteer Services, more
than 200 persons served as appointed volunteer missionaries.  Many
hundreds more participated in group mission/work tour experiences,
disaster relief, and/or assisted in the rebuilding of the Calvary
Community Baptist Church in Franklin, Pa., which was destroyed by
arson Dec. 26, 1996.  
     Materials to help recognize volunteer service are available
from the Volunteers In Mission office.  For more information or to
order materials, write Volunteers In Mission, P. O. Box 851, Valley
Forge, PA  19482-0851 or call 1-800-ABC-3USA, ext. 1-2449.
     

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