VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/18/21)—The ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary is excited to present the online 2021 Biennial Mission Summit: Imagine in partnership with the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Women’s Ministries, International Ministries, and MMBB Financial services, along with the contributions of many other American Baptist related ministries and organizations.
In addition to inviting participants to enjoy the variety of sessions and offerings throughout the event, the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary would like to highlight and invite you to the following main event sessions they are sponsoring as well as the activities they are hosting within their Exhibit Booth.
ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary Sponsored Sessions:
WELCOME SESSION: Thursday, June 24 4:00-4:30 p.m. EDT
Kick off your Biennial Mission Summit weekend at this live Welcome Session. Hear more about what you can expect, how to navigate the event, new additions to the schedule, and how to make the most of all the interactive experiences we have lined up for you.
EVENING WORSHIP—IMAGINE UNITY: Thursday, June 24 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT
The opening worship service will focus on imagining unity as we celebrate coming together as an American Baptist family, as the Body of Christ. We invite you to join us for upbeat and diverse worship with music from across the country, including Puerto Rico, moments of prayer and response, and a celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Communion will be led by Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods (Interim General Secretary), Karen Podsiadly (ABCUSA President), and Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri (Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development).
REDEEMED. READY.: IMAGINING NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY WORKSHOP: Friday, June 25 4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Who would ever have imagined 2021 would be the year of our nation’s first woman Vice President? This has been a year of women moving into many new roles, including throughout ABCUSA. American Baptist churches have been ordaining women to ministry for over 100 years. While there have been many “firsts,” challenges continue to exist. Rather than being defeated by such challenges, women have continued to respond to God’s call, blazing new trails, exploring new pathways, and imagining new possibilities for ministry and leadership. Come, see the innovative ways women are ministering!
BUSINESS SESSION: Friday, June 25 5:00-6:00 p.m. EDT
This meeting is for the purpose of receiving annual reports required by the Bylaws, voting for Officers and Directors and conducting such other appropriate business as may come before the Delegates. While all delegates are especially requested to attend, this session is open to all.
EVENING WORSHIP—IMAGINE HEALING: Friday, June 25 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT
This year in particular, we recognize the need for healing in our churches, communities, nation, and the world. We invite you to imagine and experience God’s healing spirit in our lives. Through a virtual choir, liturgical dance, and a time for prayers of the people, we will acknowledge the hurt in our midst and celebrate the balm that heals us all. Our preacher for the evening will be the Rev. Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones.
THREE MISSION SUMMIT CONVERSATIONS: Saturday, June 26 5:00-6:00 p.m. EDT
Mission Summit Conversations are an opportunity for anyone registered for the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit to engage in meaningful dialogue about a relevant ministry topic. Since 2013, these conversations have allowed our American Baptist family to listen to a variety of perspectives on timely topics as well as share their own thoughts with others. Previous participants have expressed deep gratitude for the insights received, camaraderie experienced, and respectful dialogue.
ANTI-RACISM – What has been your journey and/or your needs for your personal acknowledgment and development of a commitment to being an active and engaged truth-teller and justice seeker?
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE – What changes might be made to the ways that we worship, disciple, and engage in mission, in light of lessons learned from the global pandemic?
UNITY – How can we as Christians demonstrate our love to the world regardless of whether we live in a “blue” or “red” state and regardless of which political candidates we might have voted for?
EVENING WORSHIP—IMAGINE HOPE: Saturday, June 26 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT
We are a people of hope and a Body of Christ who celebrates what God can do through us and in our midst. In our closing worship we will imagine hope through the children and youth leading portions of our worship, through a virtual choir inviting us into a time of praise, and through a prayer of thanksgiving for the imaginative hope that we feel. Our preacher for this worship service will be the Rev. Dr. Brianna Parker. We will end with the announcement of our 2023 Biennial Mission Summit to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary Exhibit Booth Events:
HOSPITALITY HOURS
Drop in if you have questions about the Virtual Attendee Hub and/or the week’s programs. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, Biennial Mission Summit Host.
Monday, June 21 1:00-2:00 p.m. and 9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT
Thursday, June 24 6:15-6:45 p.m. EDT (half-hour)
CONVERSATIONS WITH ABCUSA BURMA REFUGEE COMMITTEE
Leadership provided by Raymond Mu, Maung Maung Htwe, Leslie Turley, Florence Li, Saw Ler Htoo, Biak Mang, and Joan Friesen.
Tuesday, June 22 12:30-1:30 p.m. EDT
Three young adults share how the young people movement supports the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and their concerns for the young generation in Myanmar. They will also talk about their protest activities in Washington D.C.
Wednesday, June 23 12:30-1:30 p.m. EDT
Presentation on humanitarian efforts for Myanmar, and updates on the new National Unity Government (NUG), and other situations. Hosted by the ABCUSA Burma Refugee Commission,
NIGHT OUT WITH ABC FRIENDS: Wednesday, June 23 8:30-10:30 p.m. EDT
For those missing the gathering of Young Adults and Friends late night adventure. Join us with your favorite beverage and snack for an ABC Friends Reunion to kick off Virtual BMS 2021! Facilitated by Tasha Wilson.
DROP IN Q&A WITH THE INTERIM GENERAL SECRETARY: Thursday, June 24 11:00-11:45 a.m. EDT
Interim General Secretary C. Jeff Woods will be available for drop-in casual conversation.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND FORMATION CONVERSATION: Thursday, June 24 8:15-9:00 p.m. EDT
Stop by and learn more about this renewed ABC focus. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez, Staff Liaison to the ABC Spiritual Direction Team.
ROOT AND BRANCH: LESSONS FROM THE THIRD BAPTIST MUSLIM DIALOGUE: Friday, June 25 12:00-12:45 p.m. EDT
A presentation and discussion led by Rev. Jonathan Elsensohn, Pastor of FBC Freehold, NJ with video highlights from Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley, ABCUSA General Secretary Emeritus, and Raimundo Barreto, Jr, PhD, Chair of the ABCUSA Committee on Christian Unity and Interfaith Relations.
STEWARDSHIP CONVERSATIONS
With Rev. Stacy Emerson, Pastor, First Baptist Church, West Hartford, CT, ABCUSA Stewardship Consultant & Generosity Project Coordinator.
Friday, June 25 1:00-1:45 p.m. EDT
REFRAMING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT STEWARDSHIP: In this session, we will explore ways to invite people into new thinking and practices when it comes to this vital ministry.
Friday, June 25 2:00-2:45 p.m. EDT
GENEROSITY IS AT THE HEART OF DISCIPLESHIP. In this interactive session, which is part Bible study and part stewardship re-imagining, we will discuss the call to generosity, which is at the very heart of discipleship.
WOMEN IN MINISTRY WORKSHOP Q&A FOLLOW-UP: Friday, June 25 6:10-6:30 p.m. EDT
Stop by after the workshop to ask follow up questions and continue the conversation after the ABWIM workshop. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez, Associate General Secretary for Women in Ministry.
TRANSITION MINISTRIES CONVERSATION: Saturday, June 26 1:00-1:45 p.m. EDT
A conversation for Clergy and Congregations interested in learning more about this important life stage of a congregation. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez, Associate General Secretary for Transition Ministries.
MEET & GREET: CURRENT AND NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS: Saturday, June 26 3:15-3:45 p.m. EDT
Come meet the current and newly elected ABCUSA officers. Open to all attendees.
Register now to get full access to the Virtual Attendee Hub starting on Monday, July 21st at 9:00 a.m. EDT. Visit www.americanbaptists2021.com.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.