1 Oak Ridge Road, Bldg. 3, #4A
West Lebanon, NH 03784
603-643-4201 or 888-262-3223
Rev. Dale Edwards, Region Minister
THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE
Newsletter
Table of Contents
Page 2 ABC/VNH Annual Gathering Dates; Region Directory Updates; ABW Scholarships
Pages 3-6 Institute for Learning Spring Courses; News from AB Women’s Ministries, Ministers Council, and Camp Sentinel; Organ for Sale
Page 7 ABCUSA News; Background Checks Service Available; George Bullard Blogs
Page 8 American Baptist Mission Support Report for December 2015
2016 ABC/VNH ANNUAL GATHERING
“Empowered by the Spirit”
MAY 20-21 AT CENTERPOINT COMMUNITY CHURCH IN SALEM, NH.
Main Speaker: Dr. Jim Singleton, Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership
and Evangelism, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Friday Night Preacher: Mrs. Akum Longchar, First Baptist Church, Hudson, NH
Region Directory Updates
· New mailing address for Rev. Richard Whitehall: 352 Mountain St., Island Pond, VT 05846-9632.
· New mailing address for Rev. Douglas LaPlante: 246 Head of Pond Rd., Whitingham, VT 05361-9535.
· New mailing address for Rev. Charlie and Mrs. Cherryl Boucher: 1 Smith Road, Antrim, NH 03440-3804.
· Rev. James Dowse has concluded his interim ministry at Calvary Baptist Church, Springfield, VT.
· Rev. Ken Hale has retired as the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, in Hanover, NH, as of the end of December.
· Rev. Marion Aldredge is the new interim minister at Trinity Baptist Church, Hanover, NH.
· Rev. Rick Pinilla is the new interim minister at First Baptist Church, Lebanon, NH. His email address is . His phone number is 603-863-1490.
ABW Scholarships Available
Remind your high school seniors, college students and seminarians that they can apply for a scholarship from the American Baptist Women’s Ministries of VT & NH. Applications (new and renewal) can be downloaded from the Region website (abcvnh.org) by clicking on WHAT WE DO > AB WOMEN’S MINISTRIES > 2016 Scholarship Applications. Applications are due April 1st.
Institute for Learning News & Courses
The Institute for Learning is offering two dynamic courses for the Spring Term 2016. Both courses are required for individuals to complete the Certified Lay Minister’s Program. For registration, syllabi, and other course information, go to www.instituteforlearningvtnh.org or email IFL at .
Spring 2016 Courses offered in a classroom setting
IFL302 Pastoral Leadership and Administration
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Lawrence, Instructor. $250 tuition, 2 Credits
Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm. Classes will be held on February 13th & 20th at the Hampton Falls Baptist Church, 3 Lincoln Ave. Hampton Falls, NH, and March 12th & 19th at the First Baptist Church, 536 Union St., Manchester, NH.
This course provides pastors with a foundation in the skills needed to lead a congregation in a transforma-tional and practical manner.Just as an expert builder understands the importance of a solid foundation for the security of a structure, a pastor must understand the importance of ministry systems for the stability of the local church. In this course, Ken will present foundational ministry subjects that are key for healthy, long term ministry and discipleship.
IFL303 Leading Worship and Preaching
Mrs. Akumla Longchar, Instructor, $250 tuition, 2 Credits
Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on February 6th & 27th, March 5th, and April 2nd & 9th, at the First Baptist Church, 536 Union St., Manchester, NH.
This course is for worship leaders and pastors who need to be able to prepare sermons and speak at differ-ent types of worship events. This course will help the student: gain competence as a worship leader and preacher of the gospel, understand clearly the nature and purpose of preaching, be consistent with one's understanding and experience of the Christian faith, examine the relationship between God, the preacher, and the hearer (contexts and situations), develop skills in the ordering and delivery of a sermon, and look for continuing self-evaluation and improvement beyond the framework of this course, knowing that development as a communicator is a life-long process.
In addition to these classroom options, we are working on two internet based classes for this spring and another one for this fall.
Courses to be offered over the Internet
IFL 301 - Ethics and Moral Character - meeting the requirements for ABC/VNH pastors needing a Boundaries and Ethics course, this course examines the ethical issues faced by pastors. The purpose of this course is to equip pastors and church leaders with the resources that will be useful for clarifying moral responsibility in the practice of ministry.In a culture where ethical behavior is not often valued, those in ministry positions will learn from this course that there is no room for unethical behavior in the life and character of pastors and church leaders.
IFL 201 - Church Leadership - This is a general course for all church leaders, especially those involved in the positions of Elders, Trustees, Moderator and Treasurer for their congregations.Christian leaders are called upon to set the example in how they speak and act and are also required to meet certain obligations as leaders of a non-profit corporation in the United States.
IFL 105 - American Baptist Churches - The ABC/VNH Ministers Council Board of Directors has asked the IFL to create an internet-based course that will meet the requirements for ABC/VNH pastors needing an ABC polity course.This is also one of the foundational courses offered by the IFL for everyone interested in learning more about the historical and current positions that make the American Baptist Churches unique from other denominations and willing to work with other denominations in ecumenical activities.
American Baptist Women’s Ministries VNH
American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry
with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God.
I have been busy getting the Annual Report for my church done and printed before our annual meeting. I am sure you have all been busy as well. I am looking forward to the Mid-Winter Gathering on February 6th at the Plainfield Community Baptist Church in Plainfield, NH. “A Time to Praise” is our Theme. Florine Hilson has prepared a great program for us all. It will be good to have time with all of you to praise God and renew our batteries. There is a flyer with further information included in the Calendars of Events section of the newsletter for you to copy for your church groups.
Chris Marziale from international Ministries can be available to speak at your church if you would like her to. She will be speaking at our Spring Association meetings April 10-13 but can be available for other engage-ments before or after that. Please contact me if you would like to have her come. She is speaking to us about the changes in the White Cross assignments.
The Annual Conference is still in the planning stages but it looks like it will be held at the Coolidge Inn again for 2016 in late June, dates and days to be decided.
Please keep our country in prayer during this election time and all the other violence going on in the country and world.
Celia Taylor, President ABWM VNH; 802-263-5254;
Mid-Winter Gathering
February 6 at Community Baptist Church, Plainfield, NH. Theme: “A Time to Praise.” Registration will be from 9:30 to 10:00 am. Lunch will be provided by the women of the Plainfield Community Baptist Church for $5.00.The program will be planned by Florine Hilson, Coordinator of Church & Community.
SAVE, SAVE, SAVE For Missions
ABWM VNH is continuing to collect the following items for missions:
Campbell Soup labels, General Mills BoxTops for Education, beverage can flip tops, fronts of greeting cards, eye glasses, hearing aids, cancelled stamps, S&H Green Stamp books or other stamp books. For more information or to mail your items, please contact Mrs. Josephine Clark at 938 Shelburne Rd, Apt. 2, South Burlington, VT 05403 or 802-735-3455 or Mrs. Alys Martinson at 1 Luneau Court, Northfield, NH 03276.
News for Pastors from the Ministers Council
Dues for 2016
Ministers Council dues for 2016 can now be paid. Send your dues payment to Shirley Marcroft or pay online by going to www.ministerscouncil.com > SUPPORT>JOIN.
A reminder that one of the perks of being a member of the Ministers Council is a discount on your auto and home insurance through Liberty Mutual. See below for more information.
As a courtesy, Liberty Mutual has provided the following ways to save on energy costs this winter:
Cranking the heat in winter can make it hard to keep energy costs down. Try these quick tips and save on your home energy bills this winter:
Use the sun. During the daytime, open curtains and blinds on the south side of your home to let in natural heat from sunlight. Retain the warmth by pulling the blinds and curtains before the sun goes down.
Replace furnace filters. At the beginning of each heating season, replace furnace filters. If the season is particularly cold and the heater runs often, check the filter midway through the winter, too.
Add insulation. Insulating your attic and crawlspaces can make a significant impact on the heat conservation abilities of your home. Insulating these spaces helps prevent the exchange of indoor and outdoor air.
Seal windows and doors. Caulk around the edges of windows, and install weather stripping in the cracks and crevices around doors that are prone to drafts. Remember to check around outlet and switch plates on walls, as well as the seal around pipes, electrical conduits, and vents too.
Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats allow you to pre-determine your heater settings so that the heater runs when people are in the home, but reduces temperatures—and the workload of your heating system—when you're not at home.
Reduce energy usage elsewhere. Unplug common electronic devices that are not in use, including tele-vision sets, computers, microwaves, video game systems, and cell phone chargers. Additionally, make sure your refrigerator is running efficiently by ensuring that the seals on the doors are fitted and there are no leaks. You should also clean your fridge’s condenser coils every six months.
To learn more about Liberty Mutual Auto Home Insurance or get a free, no-obligation quote with exclusive Ministers Council savings, call Jared Lowe at 603-898-1747 x52135 or visit libertymutual.com/jared-lowe.
Coverage underwritten and provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116. Reprinted with permission from Liberty Mutual. ©2015 Liberty Mutual Insurance
Time Away for Pastors
Information about time away for pastors at Camp Sentinel, Alton Bay Christian Conference Center, and Forest Haven can be found on the Region website (abcvnh.org) on the Ministers Council page.
Check out the Ministers Council’s website for online resources, information about forming a “Together in Ministry” small group, a monthly newsletter, Women in Ministry information, ministry stories and more. Go to www.ministerscouncil.com. Also check out the Ministers Council’s Facebook page: click here.
The purpose of Sentinel is to create a welcoming environment for Christian relationship building and spiritual renewal.
Within the stillness of God's creation and through the guidance of the staff,
people are moved from discovery into authentic relationships with others and with Jesus Christ.
In December I was contacted by a camp alum with a generous Christmas gift.The donation is up to $4,000, matching dollar for dollar, to help children in need of financial assistance attend summer camp. Last summer, through the support of friends and churches, Sentinel was able to provide $23,210 in scholarship assistance to families in need. There is great need in the community for help.Every dollar that comes in or pledged for 2016 by January 31, 2016, will be matched up to $4,000, so the gift may go to $8,000+.
Donations are tax deductible and may be made securely online at www.campsentinel.org/makedonation.php or sent into the office at 29 Sentinel Lodge Road, Tuftonboro, NH 03816.Every bit helps, thank you for your consideration in supporting of the ministry of serving and ministering to youth and families at Sentinel. May God continue to receive all the Glory for the great things He has done, is doing and will do!
See you on the mountaintop,
Rev. Kevin Van Brunt, President / Executive Director Sentinel Ministries
Sentinel Winter Palooooooza! Sign up now.
Friday, March 4th, 6 p.m. through Saturday, March 5th, 4 p.m.
For youth ages 12-16. Cost $70. Come enjoy music, a camp fire, and winter team sports. It’ll be a weekend you won’t want to miss! Friday dinner through Saturday lunch. Activities and tee shirt included.
Sentinel 2016: CONNECT
While winter takes its time arriving here in northern New England, Camp Sentinel is already busy preparing for the 2016 summer camping season.
2016 Theme: CONNECT. What does it mean to connect, walk, remain and abide with God?This coming summer we will explore Jesus’s charge in John 15:1-11 and His encouragement for us in our personal faith journey.We will unpack the importance of walking with God, what a life which produces fruit looks like, and how our words and actions build-up or tear-down ourselves and others.We are given a mandate to love others, and this begins with connecting to God, and staying in sync with God by abiding in Him.
Summer brochures are available by contacting the office.Registration is now open.
Early Registration Discounts: Register by January 31st and save 10%
The early bird gets the worm...and a discount!
Register by January 31st with a $100 deposit at www.campsentinel.org and save 10% off your 2016 camp fees. Churches may email or mail roster of children with payment of $100 per camper to the camp office.
Early registration drawings!
v Register online by Friday, January 22nd - Enter to win a free weekend stay (2 overnights –
water and electric site) in the Sentinel Pines camping area for your family (up to a $60 value).
v Register online by Friday, January 29th - Enter to win the rest of your 2016 camp fee paid –
only pay the $100 registration fee (good for one camper, one program week; up to a $380 value).
Simply sign up online at www.campsentinel.org. Those who register before the drawing will be entered in all subsequent drawings. Early 10% discount good for those who register online by January 31, 2016.