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May 2008 | Previous Issues
On May 3 more than 80 people from more than a dozen congregations gathered at the San Leandro Community Church for the Tenth Annual Spring Conference of the Pacific Coast Baptist Association,
The gathering gave those who attended an opportunity to experience the joy of sharing with each other in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Our keynote speaker and preacher was Mary Hulst, President of American Baptist Churches. Her messages, and even more, her warm and contagious personal style, lifted our spirits all day long.
Many thanks to LeAnn Blackert, pastor of the San Leandro Community Church, the people of the congregation, and the planning team, for a superb day.
At our Spring Conference, we received an offering to be used for PCBA Mission projects. We received a total of $ 614.
By the next day we were beginning to learn of the destruction caused by the cyclone that had just moved through Myanmar (Burma).
As it happens, there is a Kachin Baptist Fellowship that meets regularly in the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church building, and they were represented at our Spring Conference. (The Oakland Burmese Baptist Mission Church also meets in the Oakland First Baptist Church building.)
Each of these Burmese Baptist churches has made contact with friends and relatives in Myanmar and is able to get relief support where it is needed.
We are using all of our Conference Mission offering and other of our funds and have sent two checks for relief:
We keep the people of Burma in our prayers during this time when relief work is so important and seems so difficult.
Nancy Smith at OFBC has sent a flyer from the Burmese church in her building that announces a Fund Raising Musical Concert and Food Fair at the New life Church, 4130 Technology Drive in Fremont on Sunday May 24th from 3:00-8:00pm.
The next BLT gathering will be on Wednesday, July 9 at noon at Grand Lake Gardens, 401 Santa Clara in Oakland.
The program will focus on the Alliance of Baptists. Jim Hopkins and Rick Mixon will share reflections on the recent Alliance Convocation in Atlanta and discuss the work of the Alliance. For lunch reservations, call Joan Thatcher by Monday, July 7 (510-350-7008).
Reminder: the PCBA Board will meet for lunch at Grand Lake Gardens on Wednesday June 3 at noon.
In April, Irene Jennings, along with Ken and Rita, were invited to the Kanto Guikan University in Japan to mark the 50th Anniversary of Ray's ministry there.
Irene describes the trip as an "undreamed of opportunity" and as "a moving and memorable experience.
At its graduation ceremonies on May 17, the American Baptist Seminary of the West announced the appointment of Dr. Paul Martin as its "President for the Interim." Dr. Martin is currently a member of the seminary Board of Trustees and has served as Minister of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado.
The Rev. Angela Yarber, Minister of Arts and Education, served as an Artist in Residence at Alliance of Baptists Convocation in Atlanta. We also express our sympathy to Angela, whose grandmother died in Atlanta on April 2.
We welcome:
The American Baptist Seminary of the West has established a seminarian scholarship fund to honor the 15 years of leadership in theological education in the name of Dr. James Chuck. A goal of $ 20,000 is sought. Gifts from the First Chinese Baptist Church total more than $ 10,400.
We are pleased to share news from Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa that this spring they officially became a Welcoming and Affirming congregation. The Rev Sarah Halvorson is the pastor.
The First Baptist Church of Berkeley participated with with Tapestry Ministries on April 6 for worship in the old University Disciples of Christ church building on LeConte, and with its covenant partner the First Congregational Church in Berkeley in "A Sacred Conversation about Race" on May 18.
Dr. Sharon Burch, former PCBA Board member, is leading classes on Stress Management for Caregivers. Classes are held at the Lloyd Center, San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Dr. Keith Russell, President of the American Baptist Seminary of the West has announced his retirement effective June 30. A Retirement Dinner honoring his leadership was held on May 14.
PCBA President, the Rev. Randle Mixon, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer in an early stage. The prognosis is good. He will begin receiving radiation treatment on June 10.
Paul and Linda Rae Hardwick are the grandparents of Miriam Hannah, born to their son Stephen and his wife, in Columbus, Ohio on April 24.
With regret we announce the resignation of the Rev. Charlotte Myers from our Board. But we rejoice as Charlotte has accepted the position of Program Director for California Interfaith Power and Light. (Charlotte is also leaving her position at the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church.)
Many thanks for the continued gifts of churches and so many individuals to support the ongoing life and work of our Association. We welcome your contributions.
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Last Updated:
May 29, 2008