This post is shared as a COVID-19 resource on our resource page at www.abc-usa.org/coronavirus. Visit this page to find helpful resources and information, and see regular updates from American Baptist regions and national partners.
5/19/20
As You Look to Re-Open Your Building
While things change, they still stay the same. At the end of the week the stay at home order will be lifted for all of Indiana. And while you will have the freedom to gather once again, we urge great caution in moving too quickly.
Protecting vulnerable groups (those over 60 and those with medical conditions) is a key factor in making your decisions. We are anxious and ready to be gathered together for worship. We miss seeing one another! At the same time at least five of our churches will face the grief of having had members die from COVID19 and caring for others who are sick.
Take things slow. Take precautions. Keep your masks and social distancing guidelines. Keep using on-line worship. All these things will help us be safe and healthy. (See below for the re-opening discussion guide provided by ABC.)
We are learning many ways to still be the church without meeting in our buildings. Others are seeing the care we have for our neighbors in providing food and other resources. God is using this time in ways we don’t yet see.
A big thank you to those who have been providing extra funding for your church’s ministry and are contributing to our regional work. Together we can do this!
The American Baptist Churches USA Office of the General Secretary has released a new resource for American Baptist churches. The resource, “Discussion Guide for Reopening Your Church Building,” is designed to help American Baptist churches look at various points of consideration as they implement new methods, policies and procedures in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is available in English and Spanish. To read the release CLICK HERE.
Effective May 4, 2020 the American Baptist Home Mission Societies is launching the process to apply for COVID 19 related One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) grants. Our goal for the next 12 months, is to raise and disburse OGHS funds totaling one million dollars to American Baptists in the United States and Puerto Rico to provide emergency assistance relating to the Coronavirus pandemic. We anticipate that these grants will be awarded on a quarterly basis in amounts of one to five thousand dollars per recipient.
All American Baptist national and regional partners are eligible to apply for these grants. Organizations may apply for a OGHS COVID 19 related grant in one or more of the quarterly cycles. However, priority for awarding grants will be given to organizations who are first time applicants.
The OGHS COVID Grant Application form may be submitted on the ABHMS website by CLICKING HERE.
The passcode is: COVID1920
The grant cycles are as follows:
1. First Quarter: April-June, 2020
2. Second Quarter: July – September, 2020
3. Third Quarter: October – December, 2020
4. Fourth Quarter: January – March, 2021
As the United States and the globe deal with the death and devastation wrought by the coronavirus, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) and International Ministries (IM) seek One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) COVID emergency support to help families, churches and communities find relief and recovery across the United States, Puerto Rico and countries around the world served by IM.
The OGHS COVID RESPONSE is a two-part appeal: one part for relief across the United States and Puerto Rico; the second part for international relief.
CLICK HERE to read more and to donate.
As the United States and the globe deal with the death and devastation wrought by the coronavirus, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) and International Ministries (IM) seek One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) COVID emergency support to help families, churches and communities find relief and recovery across the United States, Puerto Rico and countries around the world served by IM.
The OGHS COVID RESPONSE is a two-part appeal: one part for relief across the United States and Puerto Rico; the second part for international relief.
CLICK HERE to read more and to donate.
Looking for ideas to keep your church community together during this time of separation? We are compiling a list of things that our churches are doing to stay connected under a new tab on our region website called “Shared Ideas” – CLICK HERE. If you have an idea you’d like to share, send it to Mae by CLICKING HERE.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, the ABCGI office will be running remotely. However, during Mae’s office hours you may still call the office for any needs as she will be forwarding the office phone (317-484-9327). If you need to contact the office for anything the best way is to email Mae (office@abcgi.org) or Joan (abcgiexec@gmail.com).
Remote working hours for Mae will be:
Monday 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Wednesday 1 pm – 5:30 pm
Friday 1 pm – 5:30 pm
Joan will be working from home as well. She will not be taking face to face meetings at this time and we will both make sure that mail, email, and other messages are handled.
You can help your community by applying for a 2020 Census job. Starting pay is from $22.50 – $25/Hourly, with paid training, and more. You will be paid weekly, and the hours are flexible. The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting now.
Apply online at:
www.2020census.gov/jobs
If you haven’t already heard, the state is supplying PPE to nonprofits, including hand sanitizer and masks. All you have to do is fill out this form:
https://backontrack.in.gov/ppemarketplace.htm
During the pandemic, we’ve moved our workshops to an online format. And they’re free! Registration is available now. New workshops are being added regularly, so check back often. CLICK HERE to see all workshops.
Missionary Updates
Bonilla-Giovanetti Update – May 2020 – English
Bonilla-Giovanetti Update – May 2020 – Spanish
Ministerial Excellence Fund
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Countless times throughout the year, you minister to people in difficult circumstances who need a touch of God’s grace. What joy there is when you see folks draw near to God and receive that mercy.
When your time of need comes, due to health or financial crises, MEF stands ready to minister to you through grants to alleviate the financial burdens you and your family carry. What joy there is when these weights are thrown off, freeing you to be an even more effective minister of God’s grace and mercy. With confidence, take that step today to apply.
CLICK HERE for more information.
“The measure of our compassion lies not in our service to those on the margins, but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them.”
Gregory Boyle, S.J
For Prayer This Week
Franklin First Baptist Church
Rev. Homer Ford