News and newsmakers
GATHERING IN TORONTO CELEBRATES NABWU’S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
When the NABWU officers met in Toronto, Canada, April 28-30, 2010, they tasted life at the centre of one of the world's most multicultural cities, visited a Day of Prayer project, connected with our Chinese sisters, and enjoyed a "Canadian" dinner with some locally-based former NABWU leaders and young members of NABWU's new ministry leaders' networks.
The six officers took the streetcar to Matthew House, which had received a 2009 NABWU Day of Prayer grant to help newly-arrived refugee claimants adjust to Canada. There they met the vivacious executive director, Anne Woolger-Bell, who has welcomed over 1,000 refugees from 90 countries since she founded the house 11 years ago. They also admired the spectacular makeover done earlier this year by the Divine Design television show (which can be seen around the world).
The officers stayed in a downtown hotel at the centre of Chinatown and met at the historic Toronto Chinese Baptist Church (TCBC) nearby. Built in 1876, it is the oldest Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec church building in Toronto. In 1967 it welcomed a small group of Chinese believers which grew to be the mother and grandmother church to at least nine Chinese Baptist churches, three of which each have over 1,000 members.
The Canadian dinner (Swiss Chalet chicken, butter tarts, and Nanaimo bars) was served at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, site of the 1957 and and 1972 NABWU assemblies. Afterward, everyone posed for a group photo: (standing, from left) Lenora Jamieson, NABWU member-at-large (1997-2002); Judy Dozois, NABWU vice-president (Prayer); Samida Johnson, NABWU secretary; Brenda Halk, president of Canadian Baptist Ministries; Brenda Mann, executive director, Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec; Sharon Tiessen, who's developing an arts ministry; Linda Weber; and Karen Robinson, who reaches out to girls at risk; (seated) Martha Turner-Riddick, NABWU vice-president (mentoring); Shirley Fair, NABWU treasurer; Kristy Opoku, who runs a community centre; Dorothy Neal, NABWU president, 1982-87; Renee James, CBWOQ director of communications; and Audrey Morikawa, BWA Women's Department president, 2000-05.
Break the Chains campaign takes American Baptist women to Washington
In May 2010, 23 American Baptist women spent two days in Washington, D.C. learning about human trafficking and meeting with legislators to advocate for stronger laws and protections.
Curtis Ramsey-Lucas reviewed what American Baptist Home Missionary Societies is doing in the area of human trafficking. Lauren Armstrong (Polaris Project) led a workshop on human trafficking, including international (UN protocol), and federal (TVPA Law passed in 2000), and led discussion on how participants can further advocacy at home. Patricia Burkhardt (Church Women United) shared information about Senate bill .2925, which provides crucial funding to develop and enhance comprehensive, collaborative efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the U.S.Holly Hollman (Baptist Joint Committee) gave advice on lobbying and prepared participants to meet with their legislators. Most participants then met with their Senators or House representatives.
This opportunity to meet with her state senator and be on Capitol Hill with AB Women was an incredible experience for Barbara Anderson of Massachusetts, national president of American Baptist Women’s Ministries. “I believe it is important for people of faith and government to work together on issues like human trafficking. Such collaboration can serve to protect victims and break the chains of modern day slavery,” she said.
“With this unique event AB Women’s Ministries has provided yet another opportunity for women and girls to engage in important front line work to abolish the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation in this country and around the world,” said Virginia Holmstrom, ABWM executive director. “Those who gathered in D.C. are women determined to go beyond reading, fundraising, and praying; they set their sights on Capitol Hill and spoke out with a voice for the voiceless—an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 persons that are trafficked and sold each year.
Break the Chains campaign exceeds goals
Since launching Break the Chains: Slavery in the 21st Century three years ago, American Baptist women have raised over $470,000, far exceeding the initial fundraising goal of $250,000. This national mission project was scheduled to end in July, 2009, but women were so passionate about the project that it continues through 2010 with new awareness-raising activities, events, and fundraising projects planned for the rest of the year.
Through workshops, preaching, community events, a “virtual mission encounter” (below), online discussions, and a variety of other methods, AB Women’s Ministries has inspired women across the U.S. and Puerto Rico to support ministries with trafficking victims, survivors, and at-risk women and children. Due to the success of the fundraising efforts, AB Women’s Ministries was able to provide grants to four national and four international projects in 2010 alone.
“When AB Women's Ministries first planned its Break the Chains mission project and grant program, it was our hope and dream that American Baptists would be inspired and motivated to learn about the issue of human trafficking and hear God's call to respond in a variety of ways, perhaps by even starting a ministry to trafficked survivors or at-risk populations,” said executive director Virginia Holmstrom, “Indeed, this has happened. Break the Chains grants this year are providing start-up funds for new ministries that have emerged since Break the Chains was launched."
Women took a virtual mission trip
In May, American Baptist Women’s Ministries’ “Break the Chains” Virtual Mission Encounter enabled ten women to experience mission without packing a suitcase. For seven days they were sent around the world. A cup of coffee or tea, a computer, a telephone, and a $25 registration fee--that’s all they needed to explore mission opportunities in their neighborhood, nation, and world. Through daily assignments, evening conference calls for book discussions and conversations with missionaries, and online reflections, women delved into “Break the Chains: Slavery in the 21st Century.”
BWA raises awareness of justice issues
Who speaks for persecuted and oppressed Baptists around the world? You do, through the new Freedom and Justice Commission of the Baptist World Alliance. Read the latest news on the BWA website.
