Any person serving in or retired from American Baptist ministry is welcome to attend a Jerusalem Council on the schedule below. It is not necessary to be a member of the Ministers Council or to live within the area where the Ministers Council is hosting the gathering.
On November 8 a preliminary event was held at Chilson Hills Baptist Church in Brighton, MI, with Joseph Mortenson leading a discussion on common beliefs that make us Baptist and hold us together. Following that foundational meeting of what it is that they share as Baptists, the Michigan Ministers Council scheduled a Jerusalem Council on February 24 at Judson Memorial Baptist Church, Lansing. Jane Moschenrose managed details.
On December 1 the first Jerusalem Council gathering took place at First Baptist Church, Syracuse, NY, from 9 am to 4 pm. A deli lunch was provided and a free will offering was received to cover that expense. Susan Chaffin and Jimmy Reader coordinated the arrangements. Bob Santilli served as spiritual companion.
On January 11 from 9 am to 4 pm a Jerusalem Council was held at Camp Canonicus in Exeter, RI. The RI Ministers Council provided lunch for participants and welcomed colleagues from nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut. Joyce Duerr was in charge of arrangements. Lou George served as spiritual companion.
On January 25 the Colloquium did a modified Jerusalem Council. George Tooze served as spiritual companion.
On February 12 a Jerusalem Council was hosted by Franklin College from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The session was held in the Von Boll Formal Lounge in the Deitz Center. Coffee, juice and muffins were served to guests by the college. Participants paid for their own lunch which was served in the Deitz Center Dining Room. Shawn Zambrows planned the gathering. Sarah Hallstrand served as spiritual companion.
On February 24 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm a Jerusalem Council was held at Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Lansing, MI. Jane Moschenrose was in charge of arrangements. Millie Myren served as spiritual companion.
On April 2 a Jerusalem Council was held by the Greater Bay Area Ministers Council at First Baptist Church, Alameda, CA. Micky Holmes and Dayle Scott coordinated. James Dunn served as spiritual companion.
On April 2 a Jerusalem Council was held at First Baptist Church, Westwood, MA. Mike Harvey coordinated and George Tooze served as spiritual companion.
On April 9 a Jerusalem Council was held in Pittsfield, MA. The Massachusetts Conference of Baptist Ministers provided lunch and welcomed participants from nearby areas of New York State, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. Michael Harvey coordinated and George Daniels served as spiritual companion.
On April 11 a Jerusalem Council was held at First Baptist Church, Lebanon, NH. Peter Bolster coordinated the event. George Daniels and Jim Scott served as spiritual companions.
On April 14 a Jerusalem Council was held at First Baptist Church, Los Angeles. Willie Hall was in charge of the arrangements. Jim Scott served as spiritual companion.
On April 16 the Ministers Council and the Central Office of the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico sponsored a program on "Sexuality, Homosexuality and Lesbianism" at the First Baptist Church of Juncos. Leaders were Dr. Luis Rivera Pagán, Dr. Samuel Pagán Rosa, Dr. Carlos Velázquez and Pastor Hersha Fernández. They planned participation from all sides of this issues and an in depth study and implications of the issues upon their ministry, for their churches and the communities where they are serving.
On April 16 a Jerusalem Council was held at First Baptist Church, Maywood, IL. Kathy Taylor was in charge of the arrangements. Francine Stark served as spiritual companion.
On April 29 at the end of the annual meeting of ABCOTS in Baltimore the Ministers Council hosted a Jerusalem Council. Debra Hickman was in charge. Willie Hall served as spiritual companion.
On May 2 a Jerusalem Council was sponsored by the Ministers Council and hosted by First Baptist Church, 1330 Kasold, Lawrence, KS 66049 (785/841-0020) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cheryl Harrader and Sandra Walton were convening. Paul Kondy served as spiritual companion.The event was open to all ABC pastors.
On May 3 the Great Rivers Ministers Council hosted a Jerusalem Council at Lake Springfield Camp in the context of their annual retreat. Kathy Remley and Roger Strunk were in charge of planning. Sarah Hallstrand served as spiritual companion.
On May 13 the Mid American Ministers Council held a Jerusalem Council at the Rodholm Room of Grandview College in Des Moines, IA. Cheryl Thomas, Dale Thomas and Tim Stewart planned the event. Paul Kondy served as spiritual companion.
On May 24 the Wisconsin Ministers Council held a Jerusalem Council at Bay View Church in Milwaukee. Coordinators were Phineas Marr and Marty Carney. Francine Stark served as spiritual companion.
On June 4 the Maine Ministers Council held a Jerusalem Council at China Lake Conference Center from 9:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Lunch was provided by the local Ministers Council. Rick Messana coordinated the event. Dick Peterson served as spiritual companion.
On June 18 the New Jersey Ministers Council convened a Jerusalem Council at First Baptist Church, Highstown, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Joe Gratzel coordinated local arrangements. Bob Santilli served as spiritual companion.
On June 20 ABCOPAD hosted a Jerusalem Council at Calvary Baptist Church, Allentown, PA. Leon Canfield coordinated the event. Don Gaines served as spiritual companion.
On June 21 ABCOPAD hosted a Jerusalem Council at Franklin Park Baptist Church in Sewickley, PA. Leon Canfield coordinated the event. Don Gaines served as spiritual companion.
On July 2 and 3 at the Biennial in Denver Ellen Morseth, who designed the Jerusalem Council process, will be facilitator for one of three Listening/Understanding Centers - the one on "Sexuality and the Church." They are scheduled to take place in the Convention Center from 8 to 11 am on both mornings. The other two centers will focus on: "Separation of Church and State," and "War and Peace."
Conversations are in process for Jerusalem Councils at four additional sites. If you wish to open conversation about scheduling a gathering near you please email kate.Harvey@abc-usa.org or call the Ministers Council office - 1-800-222-3872, extension 2333.