Connecting with the ABCCONN family

On Saturday Baptist from across the state got together to celebrate what God is doing in our communities. That is how I look at our Annual Gathering (Meeting) each year. Representatives from our 120 American Baptist Churches in Connecticut got together at the Central Baptist Church of Hartford to worship, conduct business and hear reports on the ministry that is happening across the state.

Dr. Molly Marshall of Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas was our key note speaker and she spoke about claiming our mission in these difficult times. She said we can complain about how tough it is to do ministry or we can look for ways to make this time matter.

Bill Smith, our own Wendy Henry's dad, was applauded for the job he did as President of the convention for the last year. Joyce Blandon was installed as the new President of ABCCONN and I was set free for the next year from any official duties for the state. Our Executive Minister Judy Allbee did say she wanted to talk to me about some things she thought I might want to explore.

The day also featured a welcome to new pastors and the recognition of a new church. We also recognized four congregations who were celebrating their anniversaries. There were also several workshops presented on various aspects of church life that many of the delegates attended.

In the afternoon we came together for worship. David Warfield pulled together a convention choir and I joined that. It was fun. David did a good job of teaching us a new anthem in just an hour. He also had a group play bells during the worship service.

In the room where all the exhibitors set up, there were photos from our recent mission trip to Mexico. ABCCONN is gearing up to host the International Mission Conference in September. Nine missionaries will b present to share some of the exciting things that are happening around the world through our ABCUSA mission efforts. We have been asked to staff a booth that tells about mission efforts springing out of Connecticut. The dates are September 19-21 in Suffield, CT. I am hoping we can get a group to go.



Finally, I got the videos from the session that Cynthia Strouse, Curt Brockway and Sue Ferguson attended commissioning us a participant in the missional church project. I'll be watching them this week and you will be hearing from our team soon.

I hope next year we can get a few people to attend the ABCCONN Annual Meeting. It is always an informative and often inspirational day.

Cal