January 7, 2005
Dear Ministers Council Members:
As stated in the letter sent a few weeks ago by this committee, you are invited to take part in “The Jerusalem Council Process” (based on Acts 15) on Thursday, February 24. We will begin promptly at 9:30 AM, and will meet until 4:30 PM. It is important that you plan to stay for the entire meeting. This meeting will provide a time for prayer, listening to scripture, and sharing of personal testimonies. We are asking you to gather together so that your Senators may discern how they are to vote on a proposed amendment to the bylaws that came before the Senate last summer regarding homosexuality and what defines a Senator in good standing. (It is important that you are current in your dues for this meeting. You may pay your dues during the half hour prior to the meeting, if you haven’t done so by that date.) Pertinent documents were mailed with the December 15 letter, and are available on-line at www.ministerscouncil.com (click on the heading Jerusalem Council Process).
The meeting will be held at Judson Memorial Baptist Church, 530 Vernon Avenue, Lansing, MI, 48910-4633. Map can be found on the back of this letter. Please RSVP for lunch with Judson at (517) 882-5961 or by email (judsonmemorial_1@juno.com) no later than Monday, February 21. Cost for snacks and lunch is $8, payable at the meeting. Our spiritual companion/facilitator who has been trained to lead us through the process is the Rev. Millie Myren. Rev. Myren began her work life teaching junior high school English and Social Studies for four years. In 1978, she began work with the Chicago Baptist Association in a multi-faceted role and ultimately retired in 2000 as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. During those years, she was an invaluable resource to the American Baptist Churches through dedication of her leadership gifts in countless capacities. She presently serves as Moderator for Morgan Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois, and sits on the Ordination Commission of Metro Chicago.
We trust you will make every effort to attend this important time together. We want to hear from as many of our members as possible. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact one of us.
In Christ’s Service,
Danny Langley
President, ABC-MI Ministers Council
Jane Moschenrose
Vice President Denominational Relationships Committee