Evergreen Notes

Pray for Churches Seeking Pastoral Leadership First Baptist Church-Mountlake Terrace, Community Church of Issaquah, Fremont Baptist Church, Filipino-American Christian Fellowship, and Mount Zion Baptist Church

In This Issue Our Haiti Missionaries &

Our Ministry in Haiti

Pg. 3

Happenings Around the

Region Pg. 3

Evergreen Partners with

King County for PPE

Distribution Pg. 4

Pastor, Moderator,

Church Leaders: Your

Church’s Annual Report

is Due! Pg. 4

What is the Annual Re-

port; Why Complete it?

Pg. 5

SBU Letter Offering COVID –Related Sup-port Pg. 6

Richard “Dick” Birdsall Remembered Pg. 7

Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches Monthly Newsletter July2020

Volume 19, Issue 6

Grants Available for Evergreen Churches

I pray God’s presence for each of you at home and at ministry. You are all in my prayers as we settle in for what seems to be a long and difficult season.

To that end I want to share the great news that your Executive Committee came to consensus on two grants for our churches to support you all during these times.

A. Content Producing Grant. Each church can receive up to a $500.00 reimbursement for purchases of software and hardware that support their online ministries. These purchases might include tripods, microphones, cameras, editing software, etc.

B. New and Existing EBA Church Ministries Support Fund. This grant is designed to help our EBA churches with carrying out relevant ministries during this difficult season. This grant is up to $15,000.00 per church. Do note that this grant requires the approval of the Executive Committee. Also, we only have $100,000— so once those funds are gone, we do not have plans for another large amount.

Following are the criteria for applying for these grants. Please let Doug know if you have any questions.

2020 Grant Guidelines

A. Church Equipment and Software necessary for EBA churches to continue services during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The limit for this category is not to exceed $500.00 per church. Any expenditure/purchase after March 1, 2020 is eligible to be considered. Funds will be for reimbursement only. The church who has a need

will discuss the need with Doug Avilesbernal, Executive Minister prior to making the request.

If the Executive Minister determines the request meets the intent of the grant, he will encourage the church to apply.

The church representative will then send a written request (email encouraged) to the Executive Minister

detailing the need. Receipts or other verifiable proof of purchase must be submitted with reimbursement request . The Executive Minister will

approve the request, approve the release of funds, and report to executive committee at the following scheduled meeting.

; B. New and Existing EBA

Church Ministries Support

(Continued on page 2)

2

Fund

$100,000 have been allocated;

requests will be considered on

a first-come; first-served basis

until the maximum allocation is

reached.

The limit for this category is not to exceed $15,000 per church.

The church who has a need will discuss the need with Doug Avilesbernal, Executive Minister prior to making the request.

If the Executive Minister determines the request meets the intent of the grant, he will encourage the church to apply.

The church representative

(Continued from page 1) will then send a written request (email encouraged) to the Executive Minister

detailing the ongoing ministry and how its functionality would be harmed/hindered without the requested funds. The Executive Minister will

present the request to the Executive Committee via email for approval.

Grantee guarantees the funds will be spent solely for the intended purpose(s). Grantee will submit verifiable proof of purchase(s).

And any funds not used

will be returned to the Evergreen Association in order to make the total funds stretch as far as possible.

Paz,

Doug

Douglas Avilesbernal, Executive Minister Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches Micah 6:8 doug@ea-abc.org 409 Third Avenue South Suite A Kent WA 98032 Phone: 253-859-2226 Cell: 206-778-0287

Grants & Reimbursements continued

Perhaps life up-side-down is the fate of living in extraordinarily historic times—times when the best way to love others and to fight for freedom is to stay away and keep from gathering.

Stay away from church buildings because you matter.

Paz, Rev. Douglas Avilesbernal, Executive Minister Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches

A Thought Worth Consideration….

3

Our Haiti Missionaries & Our Ministry in Haiti

Dear Loved Ones,

Greeting. We pray daily for

you. We know that you are al-

so praying for us. The eye

clinic has survived its first

week of opening since the

confinement in March. The

staff, under the supervision of

our eye doctor, are paying

careful attention to the clean-

ness of the clinic, the patients

and themselves. They are well

aware that a small mistake or

negligent can cost the life of

thousand. They are strictly

following the CDC guide-

lines.

Since the first day to the end

of the week, they examined

98 patients. As of now, we

are not yet thinking about op-

erating on patients.

God is good and has allowed us

to care for those in need in this

time of COVID-19.

Thank you for standing by us.

In Haiti,

Nzunga & Kihomi

Dear Supporters,

The picture shows how they are

following safety guidelines. I am

used to seeing it packed. Small

safe start but still able to help

those in

need. Let us

pray things

can go back

to normal as

soon as pos-

sible.

I’m seeing several reports

from Haiti that things are

getting dire. I can’t verify

the accuracy of these re-

ports but am not sur-

prised. Please pray for

God’s protection for these

extremely vulnerable peo-

ple.

In Christ,

Denny Shewell

Please contact Clem at clem@ea-abc.org or 206-852-0396 to let her know you are working on sewing masks for Haiti. Thank you to the folks work-ing on this time-constricted project. Many lives depend on you. Send/bring masks and other PPE to: 409 Third Avenue S, Suite A, Kent WA 98032. Grateful for your support - Clem

American Baptist Women’s Conference is POSTPONED until September 11, 12 and 13, 2020, Yakima WA. More info as it becomes available. ********************** Washington Baptist Convention is seeking to hire a Bookkeeper. This is an approximately 6 hour per month commit-ment. Membership in a local ABC church is preferred, but not re-quired. The qualified person will have 5 years bookkeeping or account-ing experience and be able to process payroll, quarterly/annual tax-related duties, and accurately post periodic A/R transactions. Compensation DOE.

Please contact Cynthia Hunter, WBC Business Manager at (206) 769-8175 or wbconvention@gmail.com for additional details.

Kihomi & Nzunga

Happenings Around the Region

4

Evergreen Partners with King County for PPE Distribution

Effective June 26, a statewide order requires individuals in Washington state to wear a face cov-ering in indoor public spaces such as stores, offices and restaurants. The order also requires face coverings outdoors when people can't stay six feet apart from others.

In support of that man-date, , King County pur-chased 25 million cloth and disposable face masks and hand sanitizer and will be partnering with Cities, Chambers of Commerce, Unions, Schools, Community Or-ganizations, Transit Agencies, Councilmem-ber Offices, and other key stakeholders to get cloth

and disposable masks and hand sanitizer out to King County residents.

Evergreen Association has placed an order for cloth and disposable face masks and hand sanitizer and will serve as a distri-bution partner with King County.

At this time we anticipate the first round of pick-ups from the Library “hubs’” to be ready beginning the week of July 13

th.

Member Churches are encouraged to begin thinking of how your membership & Communi-ties might be supported with the Personal Protec-

tion Equipment (PPE) listed earlier.

Unfortunately, these PPE’s are only available to King County residents. But do check your environs and see how you might serve your lo-cal community in this fight against the spread of COVID-19.

If your leadership has not yet responded to the request to submit your 2019 Annual Church Re-port, please do so as soon as possible.

You can get instructions to submit your report online at:

https://www.abc-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/OnlineAnnualReportInstructions.pdf

See the importance of each church’s Annual Report on page 5.

PASTOR, MODERATOR, CHURCH LEADERS: Your Church’s Annual Report

is Due!

Please go online to www.ea-abc.org and click on “Give”.

Thank you for your continued support!

5

What is the Annual Report? Why Complete it?

What is the Annual Report? The Annual Report is a tool used to collect information from each American Baptist church. Filling out this report helps keep the data current for each church within the denomination. This information is used col-lectively throughout the denomination in a variety of ways to support the work of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). Why should your church fill out its Annual Report? Filling out your Annual Report shows that your church is a vital partner with the American Baptist Churches USA denomination. This partnership allows you to take advantage of benefits for your church, such as

TAX EXEMPTION

When your church provides its EIN and completes an application, ABCUSA may add the church under the Group Tax Exemption. This becomes proof of affiliation with ABCUSA that your church may use in legal concerns as well as for grants, donations, special purchases, etc.

OFFERING MATERIALS

Make sure your church is able to receive the offering materials by keeping its contact information current .

FIND A CHURCH

Let visitors find your church on the web through the Find a Church feature located on the ABCUSA website. They can look up churches by state and city or by zip code and radius combinations. Once the resulting church list is displayed on their device, they then may click on the church’s website link to see its contact information, times of services, etc.

HELP US CELEBRATE OUR ETHNIC DIVERSITY

Your church membership counts and ethnicity are needed to tabulate the total membership and ethnic counts for the entire denomination. The results help support the fact that American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most ethnically diverse Baptist denominations in the United States.

INCREASED VOTING POWER AT THE BIENNIAL MISSION SUMMIT

American Baptist churches have voting rights at the Biennial Mission Summit. The number of delegates assigned to each church is higher when the church provides their annual membership figures each year through the Annual Report.

Make sure your church is able to receive the offering materials by keeping its contact information current. ABC AND WORDWIDE ECUMENICAL PARTNERS

Every year, summarized statistics are generated and sent to several religious research organizations, where they are included in publications that show the latest religious trends in America. Every American Baptist church, including yours, should be included in these summarized statistics so that the denomination is ac-curately represented and reported.

Another benefit of reporting complete membership is that ABCUSA earns more delegates and has a great-er voice with worldwide ecumenical partners like the Baptist World Alliance (BWA).

IRS COMPLIANCE

It is important that every American Baptist church provide accurate and current contact information, such as location and mailing addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses, keeping in compliance with the IRS requirements.

CONTACT INFORMATION If you have any additional questions, you may contact your region or national staff:

1. Regional Office: Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches 409 3rd Ave. S, Kent WA 98032

Phone: Clem working from home– 206-852-0396 Email: clem@ea-abc.org

2. National Office: Email ABCISTeam@abc-usa.org

6

Seattle Baptist Union

409 Third Avenue South Suite A, Kent WA 98032-5843

SeattleBaptistUnion.org

June 23, 2020

To our SBU Member Churches

Dear Pastors and Church Leaders,

These are challenging days in our lives and that of our churches. The inability to hold services

in the former manner has put a significant strain on our worship families, emotionally, physical-

ly and financially. Many congregations have been using technology to provide spiritual support

to their congregations. While these connections are important, and sometimes have created

new relationships, they do not provide the warmth of a hug or sitting close to a friend for a

heartfelt conversation.

The Covid-19 virus pandemic has resulted in many of our congregation members finding

themselves in difficult financial straits and it is impossible for them to support our churches as

they would have in “non-COVID times”. This has put a strain on church budgets as well.

The Seattle Baptist Union exists to support our member churches. We will consider loans or

grants to churches which are unable to maintain adequate staff or facilities through this pan-

demic period.

If you would like to be considered for this support, please:

• Submit a letter explaining your need

• Include a copy of your church budget and your latest financial statement.

After reviewing your submission, we may request additional information.

This pandemic support is not for new programs or equipment, but for preserving the life of your

church. Please email your requests to president@seattlebaptistunion.org.

Seattle Baptist Union has had the pleasure to sponsor a clergy cruise for many years. Many of

you have participated in this event in the past. It has served the important purpose of bringing

the leaders of our many churches together in an informal atmosphere to get to know each oth-

er more deeply. We will not be sponsoring this event this summer. The board of Seattle Baptist

Union felt our resources would be better spent in offering the COVID-related support outlined

above.

Blessings to all of you as you continue to do His work in this challenging time.

Shalom,

Constance

Constance M. Boyer President

president@seattlebaptistunion.org

President

Constance Boyer

Vice President

R. Marthel Barlow

Secretary/Treasurer

E. Clem Winbush

Members at Large

Bob Sittig

Mindi Welton-Mitchell

Anita Peebles

Angela Lau

Business Manager

Cynthia Hunter

7

Richard “Dick” Birdsall Remembered

Baptist Peace Conference Update July 6—10, 2020 FROM THE BPFNA BOARD & STAFF

Hello peacemakers in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, US, Latin America and beyond. We

bring greetings from the staff and board of BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz. We hope that you and your loved ones are well, safe and in good spirits.

As you know, we began preparing for this year’s Summer Conference a few months ago, very eagerly because we know it symbolizes the core of our organization. It’s a space

where we share, connect and reconnect, plan, learn, embrace, renew and bless each

other.

This year, however, in light of the spread of the pandemic we face, we will not meet in

San Diego as planned.

We’re concentrating our energy into transforming this gathering, taking advantage of the

available technology. We will come together, without jeopardizing our health.

And we’re confident that the spirit of our annual conference will be felt through the

online activities and events we are planning. So, stay tuned, we’ll be back with more de-

tails soon.

In the past few weeks, the world has been radically transformed, and us as well. But we want you to know that we are here. We will continue adapting, as is necessary in these

times, to support your efforts towards peace and justice around the world.

Peace and grace wherever you are. Be safe. See you soon.

If you’ve been around Ever-green for any time at all you’ve met Dick Birdsall.

The Rev. Richard Birdsall in his most recent years served many churches as interim including, Japanese Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Olympia, and Panther Lake Community Church to name three.

Before those days he was the founder and Executive Director of Rainbow Lodge outside North Bend WA. Rainbow Lodge continues to offer a wonderful retreat site nestled at the foot of Mt. Si.

Before his days as a retreat lodge manger, Dick was the pastor of Issaquah Commu-nity Church and it was while a pastor there, when groups were sharing their dreams, that Dick shared his dream of a retreat center that would be open to clergy in need of respite.

Over twenty years ago, Dick was diagnosed with cancer, on more than one occasion doctors did not give him long to live. His faith was real and lived out especially in these last years. He lived to see his children grown

and enjoy grandchil-dren. He will join his son who died sever-al years ago.

Dick died Sunday evening, June 14, 2020 at 8 PM with family members by his side.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Remembrance by Rev. Dr. Marcia J. Patton, EAABC, Exec-utive Minister Emerita

Mission Statement

Being a culturally diverse

people who are one in

Christ and who value the

liberties of our American

Baptist Heritage, the

Evergreen Baptist Associ-

ation will

Build bridges between

communities;

Provide resources to equip

member churches to

share Christ and teach

God’s word; and

Translate our unity to

the world.

Calendar of Upcoming Events August 8, 2020: Association Board Meeting, Seattle First Baptist Church, Seattle WA 9 AM

October 9—11, 2020: Annual Meeting will be virtual. (Note: Thursday, October 8, Pre-Annual Meeting Minis-ters’ Council gathering) Details for both events to be de-termined

Executive Committee meets monthly on the second

Thursday each month at 6:30 PM, Japanese Baptist

Church (Via Zoom during Corona Virus pandemic).

Non-Profit Organization

US Paid

Kent WA Permit No. 451

Building Bridges, Resourcing Churches & Translating Our Unity

Return Service Requested

Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches

409 Third Avenue S, Suite A

Kent WA 98032-5843

Phone: 253-859-2226

Email: eba@ea-abc.org

Evergreen Notes, the newsletter for

member churches, ecumenical partners,

national affiliates, and friends of the

Evergreen Association of American

Baptist Churches is published monthly.

Please submit articles by the 20th of

the month prior to expected publication.

You are encouraged to copy and/or

reprint information and articles for your

congregation and community.

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Rev. Douglas Avilesbernal

Executive Minister