WELCOMING SPIRIT NEWSLETTER WINTER 2020-21

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WELCOMING SPIRIT NEWSLETTER WINTER 2020-21It’s hard to believe that we areapproaching the end of another calendaryear. It may go without stating, but formany of us, I suspect there will be a sighof relief when we can finally turn thepage into the New Year. 2020 has beenhard for many reasons, not the least ofwhich has been the global pandemic, thepresidential election season, as well asthe ongoing social unrest and challengesof systemic racism.Through all that has been this year,AWAB has worked hard to stand in solidarity with our member congregations,ministries, and friends. Over the Spring and Summer, we hosted a series ofZoom meetings to connect our AWAB members and to offer encouragementand support during much of the United States’ shelter-in-place period.Additionally, in early October, it was energizing to bring together AWABmembers and friends from throughout the United States, Canada, and PuertoRico as we hosted our first ever National Zoom Conference. Many thanks toeveryone who participated making the experience so rich.As you read through this issue of The Welcoming Spirit I trust you’ll sense that inthe face of so many challenges, there remains much for us to celebrate and forwhich to be grateful.As we soon move into the holiday season, may we be thankful for all we can andmay the spirit of Emmanuel, God with us, keep us and hold us in these days.Sincerely,Rev. Brian Henderson, DMinNational Coordinatorbrian@awab.orgVISIT US t

AWAB MembershipMembership in AWAB allows your congregation: (1) to be part of an associationof Baptist communities that publicly commit to being welcoming and affirmingof LGBTQ members and friends; (2) to keep informed of how other W&Acongregations are engaging in meaningful ministry; (3) access to resources toenhance your local W&A ministry; and (4) opportunity to search for LGBTQcandidates for ministerial positions.“AWAB has faithfully provided the church with wonderful educationaland welcoming resources—all the while, nurturing and growing ourvital network of connections.”—The Rev. Dwight Davidson, United Church of Granville, OHNew Member Churches since 2019: Grace Baptist Church, San Jose, CA Circle of Faith, St. Petersburg, FL Chico First Baptist Church, Chico, CA University Baptist Church,Charlottesville, VA Jacksonville Campus Ministry,Jacksonville, FL Grace Baptist Church, Statesville, NC United Campus Ministry, Billings, MT Pine Street Church, Boulder, CO First Baptist Church, Pottstown, PA First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC First Baptist Church, Littleton, MA Grace Baptist Church, Tacoma, WAWhy should my church join?AWAB offers a support system for your ministry so that you have alliancesand connections within the greater Baptist community and are not left feelingisolated. AWAB’s intention is to provide value that addresses your needs as amember church. AWAB provides a voice and image of God’s love that opposesthe often exclusive narrative associated with Baptists.AWAB is led by its Board:Contact UsBob SittigChair, Seattle, WADave HuntPortland, ORP.O. Box 7834Louisville, KY, 40257Reba CobbTreasurer, Louisville, KYDavid KeyAthens, GA1-888-906-2922Shella ChaceSecretary, Ithaca, NYRick Mixon, EmeritusPalo Alto, CAwww.awab.orgDonnie AndersonProvidence, RIThe Association of Welcoming & Affirming tist www.AWAB.org2

A BC MINIST ER I ALCOVE NAN T AN D CODE OFE TH IC S U N DER R EV I E WBy Rev. Micky HolmesThe Minsters Council of Northern California and theMinisters Council of Evergreen Baptist Associationwere formed in 2003 and 2004, respectively. It was atime of intense debate within the ABC denominationover homosexuality. In the West, regions weresplitting, churches were disfellowshipped, andcollegial bonds broken. These two councils wereformed to provide support, healing, and advocacyfor all ministers regardless of theology, gender, race,culture, sexual orientation.In 2005, I attended the infamous National MinstersCouncil Senate when a proposal to use sexualorientation as a restrictive criterion for Senatemembership was considered. After embarking on a yearlong process ofeducation, discussion and prayer, the Senate voted down the amendment,affirming our diversity in ministry and autonomy of local councils.It has been 15 years since the Senate vote and the struggle for inclusion ofour LGBTQ pastors continues. The ABC Ministerial Covenant and Code ofEthics is undergoing revision. The document calls for greater awareness andsensitivity to those who are discriminated against. Nevertheless, the proposedlist of discriminated groups excludes sexual orientation and gender identity.While I understand the statement has been rewritten to be more inclusive, I amdiscomforted that our work for acceptance of LGBTQ ministers is not finished.The Covenant and Code of Ethics is a wholistic document whose purpose is tohold ABC ministers accountable in their relationship to self, God, and others.In the coming months, we will be asked to ratify the revised Covenant and Codeof Ethics and commit to upholding the purposes and ideals of the code. It is myprayer we can do so in the spirit of inclusivity, pledging to support all who arecalled by God for service in the building of God’s Beloved Community.Rev. Michelle (Micky) Holmes, retired Vice President/CFO from Berkeley Schoolof Theology (ABSW). Currently, Rev. Holmes serves as Moderator of Shell RidgeCommunity Church and a member of the Board of Directors for HumanGood.Rev. Holmes is a third generation, ordained ABC minister. Her grandfather signedthe first Code of Ethics in 1938.The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists www.AWAB.org3

CongratulationsTO ERICA H A RTMANN CO OPE R & T IM SCHAEFERAWAB celebrates with Rev. Erica Hartmann Cooper and Baptist Churchof the Covenant, Birmingham, AL, as they begin ministry together as SeniorPastor and Congregation. AWAB also celebrates with Rev. Tim Schaefer andFirst Baptist Church, Madison, WI, as they too begin ministry together as SeniorPastor and Congregation.WE L COME TO GRACE BA PTISTC H U RCH, TACOMA, WAAWAB welcomes into membership Grace Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA. GraceBaptist Church has had a history of being welcoming and affirming but aftera recent, intentional process, under the leadership of Pastor Gordy Hutchins,Grace Baptist Church has now gone on record as being overtly welcomingand affirming. Grace Baptist Church is the third congregation in the state ofWashington to formally join AWAB.The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists www.AWAB.org4

CONGRAT U L AT IONSTO AWAB BOAR DT RE ASUR ER R EBA COBBBaptist Seminary of Kentucky trustee Reba Cobbreceived the By Faith award presented during theAutumn Celebration of the Cooperative BaptistFellowship of Kentucky.The award, which recognizes contributions to CBFlife, was given during a virtual event held overOctober 9-10. Rev. Cobb was a member of the firstexecutive committee of CBF Kentucky. She was alsoa member of the national CBF’s inaugural GlobalCoordinating Council and was a “founding mother”of Baptist Women in Ministry.Rev. Cobb is a member of Broadway Baptist Churchin Louisville, where she was minister of spiritualformation from 2005 until her retirement in 2012.AWAB is grateful that Rev. Reba Cobb serves as ourBoard Treasurer.PO SITION OPE N ING SWarren Wilson College, Asheville,NC, is searching for Chaplain ofthe College. For more information,click here: egeWilliamsburg Baptist Church,Williamsburg, VA, is searching for aPastor & Spiritual Leader. For moreinformation, click here:awab.org/williamsburg-baptist-churchThe Association of Welcoming & Affirming BaptistsFollow us on social mediafor the latest news & happenings@affirmingbaptists@affirmBaptist www.AWAB.org5

INMEMORIAMAWAB extends its condolences tothe family of The Rev. C. IrvingCummings. Irv was the long timepastor of member congregation, OldCambridge Baptist Church and anearly leader with American Baptists’Concerned and AWAB.AWAB also extends its condolencesto the family of Virginia RameyMollenkott. Teacher, theologian, andpioneering lesbian feminist activist,Virginia led the first ever AmericanBaptists’ Concerned retreat atKirkridge Conference Center inthe 1980s.Cumberland First Baptist Church, ofCumberland, IN, honored the late Rev.Kevin D. Rose on September 27. Rev.Rose served as the congregation’s copastor and he also served AWAB as amember of its Board.G RA N TS G I V E N TO E I G H T AWA BM E MBER CO N G RE GATI O NSAs result of the global pandemic, AWAB has not used its travel budget asintended for 2020. At its August Board meeting, the AWAB Board decidedto reallocate its travel budget to support our member congregations andministries in need. Grants of 500 haven been given to 8 congregations.If your congregation is in need, please email National Coordinator BrianHenderson and request up to 500. This grant opportunity will be availablewhile funds remain or until the end of 2020.The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists www.AWAB.org6

PR AYER S & SUPPORT FOR FORD GR E GGAWAB continues to pray for Ford Gregg,Dallas, Texas, son of Amanda and MikeGregg. The Gregg family asks for care andprayers as they learn how to care for amedically fragile child. If you would like tohelp support the Gregg family, friends haveset up a GoFundMe account here. Rev.Mike Gregg is the pastor of AWAB membercongregation Royal Lane Baptist Church inDallas, Texas.The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists www.AWAB.org7

Soar with Us! AWAB offers Support duringCOVID-19—including COVID-19Support Gatherings via Zoom While national gatherings havebeen moved to online platforms,AWAB staff, Board, and membershave been actively present—ifyou’re connecting with folk viaany of these times, please sharehow AWAB has been meaningfulto you Does AWAB have your mostcurrent information? Pleaseemail church and personalcontact information updates tojanet@awab.org Your financial gifts to AWAB helpus continue to do together whatnone of us can do on our own.Thank you for your support.To donate now go to:https://awab.org/support If you have any documents,photos, or stories to tellabout AWAB’s history,we want to know! Pleasecontact email our NationalCoordinator, Brian Henderson,at brian@awab.org, or ourAdministrative Coordinator,Janet Cole, at janet@awab.org.P.O. Box 7834Louisville, KY, rmingbaptists@affirmBaptist

First Baptist Church, Pottstown, PA First Baptist Church, Littleton, MA Circle of Faith, St. Petersburg, FL University Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA Grace Baptist Church, Statesville, NC Pine Street Church, Boulder, CO First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC Grace

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