MABC Region News:
For more information please contact https://www.thechurchonnorthland.com/
Hello Members of the MABC Board of Region Ministries
As we look ahead to our fall schedules I would like to make sure you save the date of October 23 for our board meeting at First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines beginning at 10 am. Our plan as of now is to meet in person with a Zoom link to the meeting available for anyone who wishes to attend that way. For those of you who lead ministry teams plan to meet between now and then if you haven’t already scheduled a meeting. If you represent an organization, camp, or ministry team please prepare a written report and submit it to office@mid-abc.org with Board Report in the subject line no later than Friday, October 8. Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for all you do and I pray God’s blessings on you all as summer winds down and a new season begins. In Christ, Susan Russell, Region President
To All Forest Lake Camp Volunteers
Forest Lake Camp needs some wood cut for winter heat. They are able to save a lot of money on fuel costs by converting dead trees into heat in the home as well as the main building. The wood will be sawed into proper lengths for the outdoor burner and hauled into a wood storage area. Week ends are busy so the work will need to be done during weekdays. Workers will load, haul, and unload at camp storage site. A tractor with loader may be at the loading site to help with some heavy lifting. Could you possibly find three or four volunteers and come for the day (or several). This is a new project and I can imagine we will find a way to get the task finished safely. Let me or the camp know of your possible intents.
First choice of dates: Week of October 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Suggestions Welcome. Gary Morrison (for Shawn) 515 961 4983
MABC Region Upcoming Events:
A complete listing of upcoming events can be found on the region website HERE
RYE Registration Materials can be found HERE
Click HERE for a printable registration form
ABC Anti-Racism Task Force August 2021 Article: "Ain't We All God's Children?"
Over the next couple of months, the ABCUSA Anti-Racism Task Force will create space that encourages contemplative momentum. Contemplative momentum is commitment to balancing both inward and outward engagement. This movement of exploration informs the way in which we show up in the world. When Jesus sends us, his brothers and sisters, into the world to preach the good news, he is calling us to engage in counterintuitive practices that transform. The Apostle Paul speaks from the same perspective in his letter to the Romans. He says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Read the full August 2021 article here and explore the resources the Task Force has created for the denomination here.
Attention Ministers of the MABC Region
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FORM
Fall MABC Ministers Council Retreat - Open to all Clergy
Oct. 8-9 at Dayton Oaks Camp.
Check-in begins on the 8th at 10 am and the retreat ends on the 9th at 2 pm
registration Materials can be found HERE
Attention Minnesota MABC Churches:
In a Time Such as This:
The urgent need for building stronger multi-faith communities in Minnesota
October 7 & 13, 10am - 12pm
More Info
Plan to be part of our two-part, online series. "In a Time Such as This: The urgent need for building stronger multi-faith communities in Minnesota" is an invitation to hear from community and faith leaders, share your perspectives and stories, and be in relationship with people of different faith backgrounds. Together we will grapple with what it means to cultivate authentic relationships that can acknowledge and honor our differences. An invitation with registration information is coming soon. For now please save the dates October 7 & 13 from 10am-12pm
Thursday, October 7, 10am-12pm
Inspiring Speakers & Interactive Breakout Conversations
Wednesday, October 13, 10am-12pm
Relationship Building & Learning Across Shared Areas of Interest
Attention Iowa MABC Churches:
Many Iowans are concerned for the Afghan residents who have been evacuated in recent days. More than 70,700 Afghans had been evacuated as of last Tuesday. The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Des Moines will be resettling families from Afghanistan. USCRI was already planning for a larger number of resettlements due to the Biden Administration raising the refugee ceiling, and they need your help to welcome these new Iowans.
Nationally, USCRI is advocating that the Kabul Airport remain secure as long as necessary to evacuate all American-affiliated Afghans, regardless of documentation they may have on their person, and is urging the Biden administration to extend its evacuation deadline past August 31st. USCRI is fully committed to assisting all Afghans when they arrive, and we are waiting for the opportunity to do so. Read more: Not a Numbers Game: Human Faces of the Crisis in Afghanistan - USCRI (refugees.org).
Locally, USCRI Des Moines welcomed their first Afghan family from Kabul a little over a week ago. They have staff on the ground in Ft. Lee, Virginia helping process Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders who served alongside the U.S. military in Afghanistan. With your help, USCRI can prepare to welcome more families as they arrive to Central Iowa, providing them with the housing, education, and employment opportunities necessary to rebuild lives and restore hope.
How you can help:
The best way to stay in the know with USCRI is to subscribe to their monthly newsletter and follow on Facebook.
