Upcoming Events & News

International Ministries: Virtual Journeys Sponsored by the Short-Term Mission Team

Here are up-coming virtual journeys sponsored by the Short-Term Mission team:

Ministry in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region with SAT-7 (https://www.sat7usa.org/) is scheduled for February 1, 2 & 3, 2022. Have you ever wondered how God’s good news is shared in the MENA region?Come on this 3-Day virtual Mission Express with the Short-Term Mission desk and the Europe & Middle East & Liberia desk and be enlightened by how the use of satellites has met many needs. These three days hosted by SAT-7 will open hearts and eyes. We will travel to several countries in the MENA region without packing any bags. Come and meet God in new ways. Last day to register is January 20, 2022. https://portal.internationalministries.org/global-service-opportunities/record/a073m00000p9ZA2AAM
Ministry in Israel/Palestine hosted by the Association of Baptist Churches will shed light on Arab Christians spreading God’s good news in Cana, Galilee and other communities. Join us virtually on this unique 3-Day virtual Mission Express scheduled for February 17, 18 & 19, 2022 with an open heart, and learn how to be better peacemakers from siblings in Christ who are themselves considered to be the marginalized of the marginalized in their own country. Follow this link to sign-up for this virtual short-term mission experience to Israel/Palestine https://portal.internationalministries.org/global-service-opportunities/record/a073m00000lbtMUAAY Last day to register is February 11, 2022 at Noon(EST)

For more information about any of these up-coming journeys, please contact the Short-Term Mission team at volunteers@internationalministries.org

For more information about virtual short-term missions, see this article by our colleague Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil. https://missionexus.org/the-virtual-journeys/

What to Do Now to Begin 2022 with More Energy and Hope

Two half days,

Wednesday, January 19th & Wednesday, January 26th

via Zoom

1:00pm - 3:30pm EST both days

Presented by The Center for Career Development & Ministry

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Are you feeling unprepared for the beginning of 2022? Are you even more exhausted than you were a few months ago? Are you facing the push-pull of people within your congregation who want different things?

This two-part mini-retreat will give you time to reflect on what’s going on around you and inside you, and what you want for the next 90 days. And you’ll have the chance to think about what you want to do as you begin 2022, with all you know and don’t know about what you will face.

It’s an opportunity for you to think through how you want to start this year--not simply what others want you to do. And it’s a chance to take the time to plan your work for the next 90 days. Why 90 days? Focusing on just three months really helps. It’s a way to think about “what’s next.” There’s hard work ahead, but thinking about the whole year in a block can make you freeze up. You’ll be set up to work with more thoughtfulness and intention and less overwhelm through these next few months.

Get positive input from others.
Clarify where you are and what you need to do next (and what you need NOT do).
Discern what you want most now (including rest) and how to get it --then make a plan that works for you.
Feel more spacious each and every day.

Will you do everything you plan for the next 90 days? Of course not. But when these next three months are behind you, you are more likely to be satisfied with how you’ve spent them, not only professionally but also personally.

Here’s what one past participant said:

“Thank you for the wonderful two-part group session you recently led. It was grounding for me, in a ‘Just do the next thing’ sense. My anxious wiring overloads and gets lost gazing over the whole map rather than watching for the next mile marker. You helped me with that. Thank you for your good leadership and coaching work with the group. The time with you and the others empowered me by redirecting my attention from the cosmic level to the ground level. Thank you, thank you.”

-- Rev. Zachary Bay, First Baptist Church, Middlesboro, Kentucky

Margaret Marcuson, Facilitator

Margaret offers a way pastors can bring their best to their ministry without giving it all away, so they can have a greater impact and find more satisfaction. She works with church leaders nationally across denominations as a teacher and coach. Margaret is the author of Leaders who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry and Money and Your Ministry: Balance the Books While Keeping Your Balance. An ABC minister, Margaret was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Gardner, Massachusetts, for 13 years.

Cost: There is no cost to participate but spaces are limited.

To register, please email CCDM at info@ccdmin.org or call 603.943.7611

Conversations We Need to Have

December 23rd, 2021

11:00am EST

No registration required

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As we continue to find our way during difficult times, it's important to explore our feelings. Of one thing we can be sure, many of us are grieving. We are grieving the deaths of beloved family, church members, friends and strangers. We are grieving losses of safety, personal freedoms, economic stability, trust, and so much more. Yet, even when struggling, we show up, preaching a Word of hope and life. There are conversations we need to have.

To help you take care of yourselves, CBMM has scheduled monthly conversations for clergy and chaplains on Zoom to share your stories, lament, rejoice, grieve and talk about COVID-19, systemic racism and whatever else is on your minds and hearts.

Rev. Maggie Lewis and Rev. Will Ashley will facilitate monthly dialogues to give you an opportunity to take a breath and acquire additional tools for coping over the long haul.

Join us on Thursday, December 23rd at 11 a.m. No need to register, whosoever will, please come.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86374572942?pwd=LzdoQ1lvU2RFYnNrV0g2UVJXYTdpQT09

Meeting ID: 863 7457 2942
Passcode: CBMM

One tap mobile
+13017158592,,86374572942#,,,,*576671# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,86374572942#,,,,*576671# US (Chicago)

Advent to Epiphany Lectionary Readings

Advent to Epiphany

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings for Year C

with reflections from To Live in God: Daily Reflections with Walter Rauschenbusch by Dennis Johnson

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Download the readings calendar here

The Monday-Wednesday texts look back to the Sunday readings, and the Thursday-Saturday texts look forward to the coming Sunday readings. The Advent scripture readings replace the scripture texts included in To Live in God.

Advent Candle Lighting Readings

A Resource for Your Advent Planning

Download the readings here

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Dear Friends,

Thank you to all who participated in Conversations We Need To Have yesterday with Will Ashley and me. It was a wonderful time together and we look forward to seeing you again on Thursday, December 23 at 11. A reminder that these calls are open to all with no pre-registration required.

Our colleague, Rev. Jennifer Casstevens-Lopez, is sharing with us her 2021 Advent Wreath Candle Lighting readings. You are welcome to use these lovely pieces in your worship services; Jennifer just asks that you give her credit.

Wishing you all Thanksgiving Blessings!

Kind regards,

Maggie Lewis

Executive Director

CCDM

exec@ccdmin.org

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Rev. Jennifer Casstevens-Lopez is an ordained American Baptist Minister. Over the last thirty years, as a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, she has primarily focused on hospital and hospice Chaplaincy. She is also a Student Coach and an active member of Old Cambridge Baptist Church.

Please feel free to use the following Advent Wreath Candle Lighting Ritual for congregational or individual reflection. The Ritual is based on the Advent readings proposed by Wilda C.Gafney in her book entitled: A Women’s Lectionary For The Whole Church

Permission for reprint- please give credit to

Rev. Jennifer Casstevens-Lopez; MDiv., BCC

Blessings on your Advent journey.

New CBMM Operations Manager

CBMM Operations Manager, Rev. Jana Yeaton

The Conference of Baptist Ministers in Massachusetts is pleased to announce that Rev. Jana Yeaton has joined our staff as our Operations Manager!

Rev. Yeaton has served churches in Chelmsford, Lowell, and North Billerica, as well as working in social service and higher education administration. In this new position, she will be working closely with the Conference Board to develop and implement programs and will serve as the primary point of contact for operational and administrative matters.

Please join us in welcoming Jana to the team!

Jana can be reached at office@conferenceofbaptistministers.com

Commission on Ordained Ministry Committee Appointments

Please join us in congratulating our colleagues for their appointments to the Commission on Ordained Ministry serving on the following committees and representing the Conference of Baptist Ministers in MA

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Committee on Ministerial Standing:
Reverends Barbara Jean and Leah Goodwin

Committee on Ministerial Preparation:
Rev. Drs. Johnny M. Wilson, Jr. and Barbara E. Headley

We are grateful for their faithfulness and sacrificial service.

Thank you,

Rev. Cheryl Harris
Immediate past president