Alabama CBF E-News

The Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is a vibrant, Christ-centered community of churches and individuals who partner together in renewing God's world through missions and ministry.

Hello Friends!

As I prepare to embark on my sabbatical, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and anticipation. I will begin my sabbatical journey in the historic and serene setting of St. George's House at Windsor Castle. If you are a fan of “The Crown” on Netflix, you may have seen the fictionalized telling of the founding of St. George’s House in the season 2 episode “Moondust.” It was established with the noble aim of fostering intellectual and spiritual development among clergy and laypeople alike. This dual commitment to tradition and innovation makes it the perfect venue for clergy to step back from their daily responsibilities and engage in deeper contemplative practices. Over the next 2 weeks, I will participate in their summer clergy consultation program along with 25 others. This opportunity promises to be a transformative experience, providing a sanctuary for spiritual growth and an exchange of ideas among fellow ministers.

After I conclude my time at St. George’s House, my family and I will explore London and Paris before returning home to prepare for the start of the school year! The month of August will consist of rest, visiting with old friends, and painting the kitchen cabinets! (Painting the cabinets was the only way I got Emily to agree to my being away in July!)

I will return to the office on Tuesday, September 3, eager to reengage with this work that I love and in which I so deeply believe. Between now and then, Alisha Damron Seruyange, will be serving as our Acting Coordinator and I am confident she will serve you well!

Thank you for the opportunity to minister alongside you these past 10 years and for the gift of this sabbatical!

See you in September!

Peace

Lucas

I enjoyed being part of the Alabama CBF team in Uganda immensely. I have been to South America before, but never to Africa and it was a joy and a privilege to be able to support our ministry partners there. I was able to tour both Amani Sasa and Refuge and Hope and have tremendous respect for the hard, worthy, necessary work they are doing for refugees. They have so many amazing programs to provide care and assistance to help people improve their lives in meaningful ways.

I think my favorite experience was a leadership lunch that we hosted in which we invited each ministry partner to select two women in leadership positions to attend. We hoped that they would find camaraderie in each other and feel encouraged by each other in ways that would reach beyond our short visit. We invited them to share their stories of how they came to be at their respective places and listening to them was an incredibly powerful experience. They each chose to share with such vulnerably with the rest of us at the table and it was an immense privilege to bear witness to their journeys.

As I reflect on my time in Uganda I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go with Alabama CBF to support these invaluable ministry partners. It was so evident how much time and effort they put into caring for and loving the people they serve. I will deeply treasure the time that I spent with them and I hope that this trip was simply the first of many to come.

Sarah Davidson

Fisher and Caroline Humphreys Ministerial Scholarship Fund 2024-25 Application is now LIVE.

This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a seminary degree, who have a connection to an Alabama CBF church, and are following the call of God upon their life in ministry.

Submit your application online here: https://www.alabamacbf.org/scholarship-form or mail to: Attn: Scholarship Committee, Alabama CBF, PO Box 361864, Hoover, AL, 35236.

Did you miss the CBF General Assembly? Catch up on the blog!

https://cbfblog.com/

BWIM has created A Toolkit for Solidarity and Affirmation to provide suggestions for how you can respond to the SBC’s actions individually, as well as how your church can also take action to show that there are Baptists who fully value women’s gifts and calling.

https://bwim.info/toolkit/

Together for Hope Annual Meeting 2024

First Baptist Church, Decatur, GA

October 24-25, 2024

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

H. Luke Shaefer, Kathryn Edin, and Timothy J. Nelson

Authors of "The Injustice of Place:

Uncovering the Legacy of Poverty in America"

Dr. Veronica Womack

Executive Director of the Rural Studies Institute at

GA College & State University

Registration details coming soon!

We know it's the dog days of summer but we can't wait for this year's Fall Gathering on November 7th in Huntsville, Alabama.

Stay tuned for more details!

We love it when you send us your celebrations, photos, and announcements! You can email them to hello@alabamacbf.org

There are several positions open for CBF Global. You can find the descriptions and application instructions here: https://cbf.net/employment

We would love to be friends with you on Facebook or Instagram. Feel free to connect with us on both platforms!

Lucas Dorion, Coordinator

lucas@alabamacbf.org

205-718-9443

Alisha Damron Seruyange, Associate Coordinator alisha@alabamacbf.org
205-506-5303

Email: hello@alabamacbf.org
Website: www.alabamacbf.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alabamacbf/