TABCOM Notes January 2022

SAVE THE DATE / MARK YOUR CALENDARS
January 29, 2022

BE LISTENING FOR POSSIBLE COVID RELATED CHANGES FOR THIS EVENT

REGISTER NOW!

Fresh Expressions is coming soon!

Re-Imagining Church: Congregational Transformation in the New Reality

MORE INFORMATION

 EXPLORE THE SESSIONS

REGISTER

The main event will be at Grotonwood, with satellite locations in Western Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Boston.

A NOTE FROM EXECUTIVE MINISTER MARY MILLER

From mid-January thru mid-March, I will be enrolled in a course called the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising.  This is a nine-week course which includes significant reading, twice-weekly engagement online, and the development of a project for TABCOM.

Please be aware that during this time I am reducing my work schedule somewhat.  Between COVID and the New England weather, this seemed like a good time!  Thank you for your understanding.  Blessings, Mary

COMISSION ON ORDAINED MINISTRY (COOM)

The Commission on Ordained Ministry now has three separate email addresses for your use and convenience.

Minprep@tabcom.org for all matters related to ministerial preparation.

minstanding@tabcom.org for all matters related to ministerial standing.

watchcare@tabcom.org for all matters related to the watchcare process.

By using these email addresses you can be assured that your questions, concerns, and paperwork can be directed to the correct person in a timely manner. 

MEDIA MOMENTS/ EVENTS

The past couple of years have not been easy. We have heard of so much sickness and many lives have been lost. However, through it all, there have been many blessings as well.

I would love to hear about some of those blessings and possibly feature them in the TABCOM Notes/HalfNotes.

Whether it be a food pantry that was started and flourished, a baptism, a wedding, a concert, discussion panel, a small gesture of kindness that changed a life, etc., I would love for you to share those things your churches have been doing.

Also, if there are upcoming events that I could attend…take photos and/or video to include in the TABCOM Notes, please let me know.

I can be reached at robyn.mars@tabcom.org 

Peace and Blessings,
Robyn

STOP ASIAN HATE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION
January 16 & 23, 2022 | 1:00 pm

 

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

PART TIME CHURCH SECRETARY NEEDED
The First Baptist Church in Stoneham is in need of a part time secretary
Flexible work schedule. Must have good working knowledge of email, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, etc. Will need to come to the physical church office at least twice a week. 
 
Please email Pastor Calvin Fergins at PastorCWFerginsJr@Gmail.Com if interested for more details.

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.

The Rev. Cindy Maybeck has been called to serve as Interim Pastor during the Sabbatical of The Rev. Julie Flowers beginning Jan. 2022 – April 2022. Following the Sunday worship service on Jan. 2nd members and friends will have the opportunity to wish Pastor Flowers well during her Sabbatical and welcome Rev. Maybeck.

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

Thank you for participating in, and supporting, the Boston Southwest Association events in the past year. Listed below are a few notes for your consideration:

Association Resources
Association member churches seeking resources to support ministry and community needs are encouraged to explore funding from the Association and grants from the Boston Baptist Social Union. For additional information on either or both programs, please contact:

  • Rev., Jacqueline Dyer, BSW Treasurer (unitylane8@gmail.com)
  • Rev., Dr. Arthur Gerald, Boston Baptist Social Union (atgerald@tbcboston.org)

Note: Churches applying for resources, must be in good standing with the Association.

TABCOM School of Ministry
In 2022, the TABCOM School of Ministry (SoM) will be starting its 11th year of ministry training for Pastors and lay leaders. Perhaps you and/or members of your congregation are interested in enrolling. The TABCOM School of MInistry, offers its students:

  • An opportunity to explore God’s call upon their life in depth;
  • Practical equipping to acquire quality hands-on pastoral ministry capacity; and
  • Tools for developing further competence for lay leaders for ministry in their local church

Applications for the next cohort are now being accepted. The admissions criteria include: a completed application, a letter from the pastor (if a lay leader), and a $100 deposit; all are due by January 31, 2022. Space is limited. For more information about the SoM program, you may access the SoM brochure from the TABCOM.org homepage. Click on “TABCOM School of Ministry.” You may also email thetabcomschoolofministry@gmail.com and/or contact Rev. Tony Pappas at (508) 272-8822.

Association Donations and Membership Dues
There is still time to make donations and pay membership dues. Payments can be mailed to the below address:

Boston Southwest Association
153 Main Street, Suite 167
North Reading, MA 01864
Attn: Nancy Terp

…and can also be made electronically via PayPal (please click below link): https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R4R7EWRUC7QEA

May the Blessings of Jesus Christ be with you and your families.

Your Boston Southwest Association Executive Team
(Andre, Ashlee, Christine, Dana, Arthur, Jacqueline, Moreen, Nancy)

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.

FIRST UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH HAS SPACE AVAILABLE
 
First United Baptist Church in Lowell has approximately 3,500 SF of space available.
 
There are 4 connected, unfurnished, ground level offices, carpeted with a window and access to an internal hallway with convenient access to a restroom.
 
There are 8 basement level offices with windows interconnected by doors. 
 
There are 6 classrooms on the second floor that have been converted into 12 offices with windows and carpet.
 
We would prefer to rent to a religious or community service-related non-profit organization.   Previous renter was a local mental health clinic.
 
Please contact Administration Ministry Chair, Sharyn Hardy sharyng@comcast.net or 978-458-9197, for further 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

JANUARY BREAKFAST POSTPONED

With much sadness the Executive Board of the Old Colony Baptist Association
has felt it was in the best interests of the Old Colony Baptist Association
to POSTPONE the BREAKFAST scheduled for:

Saturday, January 8, 2022
9:00 a.m.

Our hope is to reschedule this event for the spring

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

FBC LEXINGTON IS SEARCHING FOR A CHURCH SEXTON

This is a 25 hours per week position and includes cleaning of building, set up and take down for weekly rentals, minor repair work and assistance where needed.

We are looking for someone who works well with others, has good communication skills and can complete tasks in a timely manner.

Interested persons may apply by contacting the church—email: fbc1580@rcn.com or phone 781-862-9050 (ext 200).

TABCOM SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Enrollment is now open through Tuesday, February 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. Classes begin February 25

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!

UPCOMING EVENTS

American Baptist Women and Girls

  1. Save the Date: Jan. 15th at 3:00pm for a Virtual Retreat for Young Adult Women, ”Let The Walls Fall Down.”
  2. American Baptist Women’s Ministries Winter Webinar Series: Let the Walls Fall Down begins Jan. 20th 2022. www.abwomensministries.org/webinars for more information
     
    Tending to Our Souls | January 20, 2022; 8 PM EST/5 PM PST
    Presenter: Rev. Miriam Méndez, Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor, American Baptist Churches of New Jersey
    Click here 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.

  3. 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 VOICES BROADCASTS

TABCOM Voices broadcasts are on the second Sunday of every month from 5-6 PM.
 
Boston Praise Radio broadcasts over 30 radio, tv, internet, and social media outlets, including 102.9 FM Radio and on Facebook Live!
 
 

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES OF

Rev. Richard L. 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.

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.

A funeral service was held on September 13, 2021.

The full obituary can be read here Richard L. “Dick” Parker Obituary – St. Augustine Record (staugustine.com)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dick’s memory may be made to Anastasia Baptist Church, 1650 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080, and designated for the church’s State Road 16 ministry; or to Penney Farms Retirement Community, 3495 Hoffman Street, Penney Farms, FL 32079, and designated for the Residents Aid Fund.

JANUARY HAPPINESS CALENDAR