TABCOM ANNUAL GATHERING IS ON!
Mark you calendar for Friday and Saturday, May 6 – 7, 2022.
This event will be held at our old stomping ground, the Doubletree Hotel in Leominster!
*Featuring* – Re-Imagining Church: Congregational Transformation in the New Reality, a Fresh Expression experience.
We are prayerfully preparing for an in-person event. COVID precautions to be announced as our event grows closer.
February 5 – TABCOM Board of Directors
February 6 – Preaching at FBC Malden & Business Meeting
February 13 – Preaching at FBC Hanover
(Mary is working at a somewhat reduced schedule as she completes the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising, through mid-March)
AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETIES SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS
American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is committed to providing and supporting educational opportunities that enable and empower American Baptist students and ministerial leaders to grow both personally and professionally.
ABHMS’ Scholarship Program offers tuition scholarships to American Baptist students enrolled full-time in undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs. Funding is provided by investment income from endowments donated by generous individuals, churches and organizations committed to educational opportunities.
Sixteen colleges and universities as well as 10 seminaries and theological schools across the United States and Puerto Rico are related to American Baptist Churches USA.
American Baptist seminarians are encouraged to register with ABHMS to receive information about scholarship opportunities as well as invitations to professional development events, such as Orientation to American Baptist Life.
The ABHMS 2022-2023 Application Season is now open. Between January 15 and April 1, please complete this form to determine your eligibility and request an application.
Important notes: All ABHMS scholarships now use the same common application and follow the same calendar year cycle.
STUDENT LOAN ASSISTANCE GRANTS
The Northern Baptist Education Society is offering Student Loan Assistance Grants
Here are some guidelines for this program. To qualify, applicants would:
- Be a graduate of an ATS seminary.
- Have educational debt (undergraduate and graduate)
- Be serving an American Baptist Church as a pastor in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont or New Hampshire.
- Be listed in the directory of the Region that the applicant is serving or have the endorsement of the Regional Executive Minister.
Applications can be made every year with no more than three years of grants awarded per person.
If you have any questions about the Loan Repayment Assistance Program, please reach out to Roger Spinney (rspin6477@aol.com).
If you would like an application for the program again reach out to Roger Spinney.
There is no deadline for an application to be received. Grants will be given in 2022 until funds run out! Decisions are made within three weeks of completed application receipt. Distributions are made to the lender.
OUR ASSOCIATIONS
Adoniram Judson Baptist Association
The Rev. Dr. David Kilpatrick, Coordinator
C- (617) 799-0705, E-Mail: dklpat@umich.edu | Rev. Dr. Kilpatrick is also the Pastor of West Medford Baptist Church – West Medford
Rev. Dr. Esther Pearson, Association Liasion
epearson@tp-group.net and C- (978) 257-5725
St. John’s Baptist Church, Woburn, MA Celebrates Black History Month
Join us this month as we celebrate the many accomplishments of African Americans. All events will be virtual this year.
- King Richard Watch Party, February 5, 2022, at 6 PM, at 6 PM Eastern.
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdeGhqj8tGN27tnAKdQxQWrat6MD2NKhA - Black History Trivia Game Night, February 12, 2022, at 6 PM, at 6 PM Eastern.
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdeCupjwoHdcca-2JUzsVJRzZFYvPaMTi - The Photograph Watch Party, February 19, 2022, at 6 PM, at 6 PM Eastern.
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElfuitrz8iGt15xRKX0LneMmOHzaGI3q24 - Black History Bingo Game Night, February 26, 2022, at 6 PM Eastern, click here to register.
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpd-mvqTgrEtF5UTJ4a_0K9Lw5T9B2RIle
We look forward to everyone getting a chance to participate in each event, and please invite your friends and family!
We will send more information about each event in the coming weeks.
We encourage you to visit the church website at https://sjbc.info/ to see what has changed!
God bless,
RENTAL OFFICE SPACE – MELROSE, MA
Green Street Baptist Church has two connected unfurnished, ground level offices available (12’ x 15’ & 9’ x 12’). Each carpeted office is connected by a door and has a window and access to an internal hallway with convenient access to a restroom. We would prefer to rent to a religious or community service-related non-profit organization. Previous renter was a division of the Red Cross. Please contact Property Committee Chair, Dave Hamilton, at davidwardhamilton@comcast.net, or 978-609-7679 for further information.
Berkshire Baptist Association – The Rev. David Anderson, Moderator/Coordinator
C- (413) 652-4179, E-mail: d_anderson@mail.com
Rev. Anderson is also the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church – North Adams
Boston South West Association – The Rev. Dr. Moreen Hughes, Coordinator
C- (978) 430-5355, E-mail: mphug@msn.com
Rev. Dr. Hughes is also the Associate Pastor and Minister to Women and Families of Concord Baptist Church in Milton
Central Baptist Association – The Rev. Yvonne Miloyevich, Coordinator
Rev. Yvonne Miloyevich | e-mail: 17desiree50@gmail.com | (978) 618-2526.
Central Association Clergy meets to share, support, and pray with each other on the third Tuesday of each month from 9:30 – 11. This is a Zoom meeting.
Trinity Church Seeks A Church Music Director – Trinity Church of Northborough, MA is looking for a part-time music director to coordinate, accompany and lead the worship music program at Trinity. Our worship services, Sundays at 10 a.m., are casual and informal and our liturgy is flexible. We appreciate a variety of musical styles (from traditional to contemporary) and instruments, and are looking for someone who can lead us forward in this direction. For more information click on the link above.
Merrimack Valley Baptist Association – The Rev. Jim Leavitt, Coordinator
C- (508) 954-8034, E-mail: pastorjimleavitt@gmail.com
The Merrimack Valley Baptist Association Clergy gather monthly. Please contact Rev. Jim Leavitt for more information.
Old Colony Baptist Association – The Rev. Marlene Gil, Coordinator
C- (508) 873-3206, E-mail: Marlene@oldcolonybaptist.org
Rev. Gil is also the TABCOM Associate Executive Minister for Church Relations
OCBA Clergy meeting will be held, via Zoom from 12:00-2:00 pm on the third Thursday of every month.
If generally you use zoom without signing in, this does require that you first make an account with them. Here is a link for a step by step guide to setting up a zoom account https://www.theverge.com/21506307/zoom-guide-how-to-free-account-register-sign-up-log-in-invite.
If you wish to enter this meeting by phone, please call +1 (669)9006833, and use meeting ID 2750874694 Passcode is 6970
Avon Baptist Church has replaced their hymnals and is making the version that was replaced available to churches or individuals who have a use for them. Please contact the church’s office for further information. (508) 583-8076.
Pioneer Valley Baptist Association – The Rev. Theresa Temple, Coordinator
C-(860) 978-5595, E-Mail: revtheresa777@gmail.com
Rev. Temple is also the Pastor of First Baptist Church – Holyoke
Pioneer Valley Baptist Association clergy meet on the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 pm.
This is a Zoom gathering. Please contact PVBA Coordinator, Rev. Theresa Temple for the link, discussion topic and presentation information.
Samuel Stillman Baptist Association – The Rev. Dr. Loretta St. Louis, Coordinator
C- (617) 835-6767, stillmanarc@gmail.com
Rev. Dr. St. Louis is also the Associate Pastor for Congregational Care of Union Baptist Church – Cambridge
TABCOM SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
Enrollment is now open through Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Register now for 2022 classes “The Year of Communication” whereby each student will learn sermon development, communication theory, and worship planning, as well as enhance personal introspection and reflection. The three-year School of Ministry program proves beneficial to any person hungry for knowledge and experience in order to serve God with meaning and effectiveness. In-person sessions begin Friday, March 25, 2022.
For more information including dates and tuition cost visit the SoM web page from the TABCOM.org home page. Click on TABCOM School of Ministry for an online application.
Contact thetabcomschoolofministry@gmail.com or fill out your application online. Class size is limited. Apply today!
CREATION CARE
Rochester Genesee Region’s “Green the Church” webinar Webinar registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-american-baptist-family-on-creation-care-and-environmental-justice-tickets-231777902947
Save The Date! Creation Care Lenten Devotional on “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Rev. Dr. Leah Schade 7pm Tuesdays during Lent (March 8-April 12)
Stay Tuned For Earth Sunday Materials! This year Earth Sunday is April 24th the Sunday after Easter. After a busy Lenten and Easter season, feel free to take a break from worship planning and use the upcoming Earth Day Sunday Worship Service and Resources Guide. The free resource and planning guide will be available shortly. If you have any questions, please email Rev. Rebecca Driscoll at driscoll@tabcom.org.
TABCOM MISSIONS
LOTS GOING ON!!!
- I am continuing to work (via Zoom) with June Cooper’s newly formed coalition -Faith Leaders for Housing Justice. This interdenominational group is becoming more formed, and we are beginning to start some outreach projects which will take place in and around the city of Boston. More news to come on this!! Check out the interview I did with Rev. Cooper for our TABCOM Voices radio broadcast…..https://youtu.be/0x3JZXloFpU
- Continuing my work via Zoom with the Interfaith Anti Racism clergy group. This is a Group of clergy and rabbis who have been meeting for almost 2 years via Zoom every I have very exciting news on this one. The Miller Center for Interfaith Studies at Hebrew College has reached out to our group and offered to support us in our work. More news to come on this as well but it will mean that we will have foundational support for expanding our offerings which will possibly mean some writing projects and maybe even starting a podcast!
- Headed to Israel in February for a VIRTUAL mission trip led by Sandra Dorsainvil and her team at International Ministries!!
- Our MISSION MATTERS Zoom call takes place on Thursday, 10 at 6:30 PM. our guest is Min. Nicole Cox, who works for IM as Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil’s Associate. We will hear from Minister Nicole about some exciting programs going on AND coming up at IM!!! Here is the link!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ministrelife.zoom.us/j/4307410515? pwd=eUtvdFlmdWc4OHB4OTdHVlRldWs4dz09
Meeting ID: 430 741 0515 | Password: 914972
See you soon!!
On Mission with You,
Rev. Christine Keddy TABCOM Dir. of Missions
UPCOMING EVENTS
CLERGY ETHICS AND HEALTHY BOUNDARIES COURSE
Friday & Saturday, March 4th & 5th
American Baptist Women and Girls
Dear Friends,
As we enter February, a month of love, we hope you will join American Baptist Women’s Ministries as we observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Throughout February, pray for our youth and share the importance of a healthy relationship with them. Here are some resources that you can use to protect the children in our homes and communities.
- American Baptist Women’s Ministries Winter Webinar Series: Let the Walls Fall Down beg www.abwomensministries.org/webinars for more information
Vulnerable Youth: Identifying Predators and Protecting Children | February 3, 2022; 8 PM EST/5 PM PST
Presenter: Linda Blackiston, Director of Community Engagement, The Samaritan Women Click here for more information.
Empowering Seniors | February 17, 2022; 8 PM EST/5 PM PST
Panelists: Elaine Cody, Life Coach, Cody Clarity Coaching; Rev. Dr. Deborah Stapleton, Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church Lincoln Gardens; and Pamela Bridgeforth, Care Coordinator at Senior Connections Click here for more information.Identifying and Managing Bullying Behavior | March 3, 2022; 8 PM EST/5 PM PST
Presenter: Dana Wise Jones, Counselor, Defining Moments Click here for more information.Sustaining Sisterhood | March 17, 2022; 8 PM EST/5 PM PST
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Shannon Daley-Harris, Director of Religious Affairs, Children’s Defense Fund Click here for more information. - Save the Date: July 21-24th for the National Women’s Conference to be held in King of Prussia, PA and virtually. More info to come.
TABCOM ELDER MINISTRY
Excited to announce the launching of a pilot program for TABCOM Elder Ministry called “Write Your Life”!
This is a project that I have prayed about for a number of years. West Acton Baptist Church, under the direction of Pastor Leah Goodwin, is partnering with me on this. They are going to form our core group to work on this project.
The project will be a six week course, meeting once a week on Wednesdays via Zoom beginning February 16. Each group member will work on putting together a memory book that will eventually be a gift to share with family members.
This book is flexible in terms of its form, and we will be learning various different techniques that group members can use to help share the story of their lives with their families. I have invited some special guest members to instruct us in some of these techniques. Some of these sessions I will be instructing myself. There are still a couple of spots available in this group and if any of you would like to be a part of it you are more than welcome to reach out to me and let me know that you would like to join!
TABCOM TECH ANGELS
TABCOM TECH ANGELS is up and running!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
If you are aware of Senior/Elder folks in your congregation who are not able to connect to your church’s ZOOM offerings….
TABCOM TECH ANGELS ARE HERE!!!🙏👍🙏👍
TABCOM Pastors!!! Please Send me an email (keddy@tabcom.org) with the following info:
1. Name of church member or friend who is need of assistance.
2. Church ZOOM program that they need to connect with.
3. Model and cost of equipment needed ( laptop? tablet? wifi connection?)
4. Name of church member that will help them get set up and connected…. (ie purchase the equipment on behalf of your church and get items connected….)
Check will be sent to your church when Admin and Finance Committee has approved the request.
TABCOM VOICES BROADCASTS
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES OF
Richard L. “Dick” Parker
Richard L. Parker, 89, of Penney Farms and formerly of St. Augustine, died Sunday, August 29, in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Middleburg, following an arduous two-week battle with Covid.
Born in Batavia, New York on May 27, 1932, Dick was the son of the late Leonard and Mary Parker. Over his lifetime he enjoyed two careers, first in pastoral ministry and later in institutional development, serving non-profits throughout the country. He and Jean (Rehmeyer Parker), his surviving wife of 45 years, moved to St. Augustine in 1984, and several years ago they retired to Penney Farms.
Dick was ordained by the American Baptist Convention after receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Hamilton, MA, and he pastored churches in Maine, Massachusetts (First Baptist Braintree from 1951-1967, First Baptist Hyannis from 1979-1983, Ruggles Baptist 1968), and Pennsylvania from the late 1950s to the early 1970s before launching a successful 35-year career as a fundraising consultant.
The family of Richard L. “Dick” Parker created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories.
Rodney Dexter Henrikson
Rodney Dexter Henrikson, a former ‘townie’ of Abington, MA., died in his So.Chatham home on January 8, attended by loved ones. He fought a twenty-three year-long battle with cancer but lost the final skirmish. He was predeceased by his parents, Verner and Madeline Henrikson of Abington, brother Carl Henrikson and sister Donna Pappaceno. He leaves behind his ‘bride’ of sixty-four years, Allene Phyllis (Hoyt) Henrikson, son Eric Henrikson and wife Christine, daughter Brenda Ciotola and daughter Christa Prescott and husband Brad. He was beloved by his grandchildren; Danielle Darmetko, Christopher Darmetko, Benjamin Conine, Vanessa Conine, Victoria Conine, Dylan Larkin, and Rachel Henrikson, as well as cherished great-grandchildren Alexa Elliott, Emilia Darmetko and Nathan Darmetko and nephews, Brian Pappaceno and Michael Pappaceno.
Diane D. (Leon) Towle
Diane D. (Leon) Towle of Foxborough, MA, died Wednesday, January 26 after a brave battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her loving family as she passed into eternity.
Diane was the mother-in-law of Melanie Towle, Pastor at FBC Plymouth.
Diane leaves behind her beloved husband Richard E. Towle, Sr. as well as two daughters Cheryl Ficarra of N. Smithfield, RI and Lisa Snow of Taunton, MA; a son Richard Towle, Jr. and his wife Melanie of Norton, MA; her brother Bruce Leon who predeceased her, two sisters Carla Morasch of Crestview, FL, and Deborah Leon of Holden, ME; and five grandchildren Matthew Ficarra, Steven Snow, Brittney Snow, Timothy Towle and Anna Towle. In addition, Diane had several nieces and nephews.
Diane will be remembered as a loving, strong, independent woman who always spoke her mind. She most enjoyed her time as a waitress at Bickfords, but also worked for the IBEW Local 103, and the Hockomock YMCA.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at Sherman-Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield, MA. There will be a brief prayer service following visitation.
FEBUARY HAPPINESS CALENDAR
