Celebration of Life for Rev. Dr. Lawrence O. Swain September 28
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Dear Friends,
We appreciate the outpouring of love and concern for the Swain Family and for our staff since the announcement of the unexpected passing of Dr. Larry Swain last weekend. We want to share with you the schedule for his memorial service.
The celebration of Dr. Swain’s life will take place at the First Baptist Church of Newark, 1000 Granville Road, Newark, OH, on Saturday, September 28.
10 a.m. Visitation with Mrs. Linda Swain and family
11:30 a.m. Memorial Service
A luncheon at the church, for the family and all guests, will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, Linda Swain has asked that memorial contributions be made to the ABC Ohio Executive Minister’s Emergency Fund, a mercy fund for pastors experiencing financial need. This is in keeping with Dr. Swain’s love for pastors and determination to help them in times of need or crisis. Checks may be made to ABC Ohio, with Emergency Fund-Swain noted in the memo.
Many of you have also asked if you might express your love and care to Linda Swain in this difficult time. You are welcome to send cards to Linda in care of ABC Ohio, 136 North Galway Drive, Granville, OH 43023.
We join with the region board to invite you to give a Love Offering for Linda. Checks may be written to Linda Swain and sent to the ABC Ohio office at the address above. We will be sure she receives all cards and gifts sent to our office.
As the American Baptist Churches of Ohio family, we join together to pray for each other and support one another in difficult times. We commit ourselves to pray for you as you grieve this loss, and we are grateful for your prayers for the Swain family and our staff. We encourage you to share this announcement with your congregations, retired pastors in your area, and others who may be waiting for this news.
In Christ,
Rev. Mark Click
Rev. Jane Gibbons
Executive Ministers
AutumnQuest Ohio Retirement Workshop October 29-30, 2019
AutumnQuest is a workshop designed by Midwest Ministry Development and sponsored by MMBB to help you anticipate, plan and shape your retirement. AutumnQuest is being hosted in the Dayton area by the American Baptist Churches of Ohio. DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM HERE!
ABC Ministerial Leaders and Spouses are invited to attend the workshop at New Season Ministry, 5711 Shull Road, Huber Heights, OH 45424. Ample parking is available, and several hotels and restaurants are located within a mile of the church. A boxed lunch will be provided each day.
Retirement is a significant transition, filled with hopes, uncertainties and some anxieties as well. For those in ministry there are added dimensions, since ministry is more than a job, it is a way of life, an identity, and a calling.
AutumnQuest will help you (and your spouse, if you are married):
•Identify your degree of readiness for retirement
• Form your unique vision of retirement
• Explore new ways to balance work, leisure and learning
• Consider geographical options and life-style preferences
• Evaluate your financial resources and needs
• Anticipate the dynamic nature and stages of retirement living
At AutumnQuest, you will process these areas with a counselor from Midwest Ministry Development, a representative from MMBB, and your peers in the group. AutumnQuest is a time to open yourself to new ideas and possibilities!
AutumnQuest will begin at 10 a.m. on October 29th and conclude at 4 p.m. on October 30. The total registration fee is $100. There is no extra fee for a non-ordained spouse; if both spouses are ordained, the registration fee is $100 per person. (Note: If the workshop is canceled for any reason, you will be informed at the earliest possible time and your registration fee will be refunded.)
When your registration form is received by Midwest Ministry, you will be sent more information regarding the workshop location and a questionnaire which will help you begin to think about and prepare for the workshop. Spouses are strongly encouraged to fully participate and share in this event. Each workshop is limited in size, so please send in your registration form(s) by October 18, 2019.
For more information call Midwest Ministry Development at 708.343.6268 or contact via email at mmds69go(at)gmail.com.
193rd Annual Gathering October 8 & 9
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The 193rd Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio will be held October 8th and 9th, 2019. All events will take place over two days (Tuesday and Wednesday only) at Crowne Plaza, Columbus North, 6500 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229 (download the Hotel Information Sheet HERE).
Please note that there are no one day registrations. Election of officers and reports will take place on Tuesday morning.
We will live stream several events throughout the Gathering. Our live stream will be available on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to receive updates and tune in anytime during the Annual Gathering! https://www.youtube.com/user/ABChurchesofOhio/
Downloads:
{Registration Form} {Hotel Information}
“so the next generation might know them ~ even the children not yet born ~ and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands” ~ Psalm 78:6-7\
The Passing of Rev. Dr. Lawrence O. Swain
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Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that we share with you the unexpected passing of Rev. Dr. Larry Swain last evening. He and Linda were visiting family in Kansas City.
Dr. Swain served as an Area Minister and later Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio until his retirement in December 2015. He returned last year to serve as ABC Ohio’s Interim Executive Minister after the death of Dr. Ernest Jones. He was serving as Executive Staff Coach for the Region at the time of his passing. Dr. Swain was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, outstanding leader, and man of God.
No information is yet available about calling hours or funeral. We will forward that information to you when it is announced.
In Christ,
Rev. Mark Click
Rev. Jane Gibbons
Executive Ministers
Collaborating to Provide Mattresses for Clients of ABHMS Partnering Organization
The importance of sleep is indisputable—especially as it relates to the developing minds and bodies of children and teens. That’s the reason that Mahoning Valley Baptist Association (MVBA), Youngstown, Ohio, partnered with the Campbell, Ohio-headquartered Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries to provide mattresses to families in the low-income Youngstown metropolitan area. Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries is a partner of American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) Community Outreach Ministries.
The organizations had learned from a Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority survey that only 40 percent of apartments in the Kirwan Homes development, Campbell, had enough beds for the number of occupants.
“Children are sleeping on couches, chairs and, in some cases, extra clothing piles on the floor,” wrote Dr. Rudy Braydich, MVBA president, in a report to ABHMS. “Proper sleep translates into better attention in school and reduced health issues.”
MVBA churches raised money to purchase mattresses. Clients from Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries’ three community centers—Kirwan Homes Community Center; Rockford Village Community Center, Youngstown; and Youngstown West Side Community Center—were invited to apply to receive mattresses. Volunteers from MVBA churches delivered 104 mattresses to residents’ doors.
Read more: Collaborating to Provide Mattresses for Clients of ABHMS Partnering Organization
2019 Buckeye Mission and Ministry Offering
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Since 2009, the "Buckeye Mission and Ministry Offering" (BMMO) has become a significant avenue for churches in the Region to support the ministries of American Baptist Churches of Ohio (ABC Ohio). BMMO helps make it possible for ABC Ohio to serve your church.
DOWNLOAD A BMMO BULLETIN INSERT HERE
Every dollar given to the BMMO goes to support the various ministries that benefit your church (see the list of ministries below). The most significant region ministry is that of the two Executive Ministers, Rev. Jane Gibbons and Rev. Mark Click, who serve faithfully to help in whatever way needed to equip you and your church for ministry.
The Region's theme for 2019 is "Sharing God's Hope for All Generations" from Psalm 78:6-7. "...that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments..."
BMMO gifts help develop, coach, and assist servant leaders. It provides new ministry resources for local churches and helps provide quality ministry gatherings to challenge and grow healthy churches.
Please consider giving to the BMMO in 2019. This is one way your church can partner with ABC Ohio to fulfill God’s mission in your community and beyond. Your faithful giving is appreciated and is needed to serve its member churches. Again, remember that every dollar given goes to ABC Ohio ministries that "help build healthy churches that impact the world for Christ."
American Baptist Churches of Ohio
People, Churches, Ministries
Impacting the World for Christ
Region Ministry Team: The ABC/Ohio staff are experienced and prepared ministry leaders who serve clergy and churches as coaches and consultants in a variety of ministries including congregational transformation, placement, and ministry resources.
Leadership Development: The Ohio Leadership Academy provides a three-year structured learning opportunity to increase and sharpen leadership and ministry skills for the local church.
Student-Youth Ministries: With determination to raise up new generations of disciples and church leaders, ABC/Ohio provides a variety of opportunities including an annual youth convention, youth ministry leader training, and mutual support.
Congregational Development – Transformation: With a commitment to congregational health, ABC/Ohio provides a number of resources to transform churches into ministries that will impact the world for Christ.
Pastoral Placement: The ABC/Ohio staff uses proven and effective resources as they consult with church search committees to discern new ministry direction and call new pastors.
Ministry Gatherings: Several times each year, ABC/Ohio offers ministry gatherings that provide fellowship, inspiration, learning from nationally-known experts, and opportunities to increase ministry capacity.
Ministry Resources: ABC/Ohio manages and awards ministry grants and scholarships for new ministries and outdoor ministries. The staff connects churches with cutting-edge ministry resources.
ARMS: ABC/Ohio commissioned a team of highly qualified Associate Regional Ministers who have agreed to make monthly contacts with solo and senior pastors throughout the region, offering encouragement and providing prayer support. A Youth Ministry ARM is also working with staff to coordinate student ministries in the region. Additional ARMs will be added to the ABC/Ohio team as needed.