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New Jersey Abolishes Capital Punishment PDF Print E-mail
Written by ABCNJ Public Mission Committee   
Monday, 11 February 2008

Image
© John C. Goodwin. Used with permission.
On December 17, 2007 Governor Jon Corzine signed the historic New Jersey death penalty abolition bill. The state Legislature had voted approval of the bill the prior week. New Jersey became the first state to repeal the death penalty since the United States Supreme Court, which had struck down the death penalty in 1972, allowed its reinstatement in 1976. The Governor commuted the sentences of the eight men on death row to life in prison without parole.

American Baptists, in coalition with members of the major faith groups in New Jersey, played a significant role in bringing about this historic occasion. At the 2000 ABCNJ Annual Session, a resolution calling for a moratorium on executions was approved by the delegates present with an almost unanimous vote. Our ABCNJ Public Mission Committee kept us informed about the issue and urged our churches to become involved. Many churches held sessions to educate their members on the issue. As a result, many American Baptists in New Jersey contacted their legislators personally and by letter, phone and e-mail to express their desire for the abolition of the death penalty.

The Rev. M. William Howard, Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, was the Chairman of the Death Penalty Study Commission which, after a comprehensive study, released their report which found capital punishment to be broken and ineffective.

Beverly McNally served on the Executive Committee of New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NJADP), representing the New Jersey Council of Churches of which ABCNJ is a member.

Thanks to all who helped bring about the end of the death penalty in our state. As Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, said at the bill signing, our state “was the first to show that life is stronger than death, love is greater than hatred and that compassion is stronger than the need for revenge.”

 
Last Updated ( Monday, 11 February 2008 )
 
ABCNJ Promotes ESL Ministries at Annual Session PDF Print E-mail
Written by ABCNJ Team   
Thursday, 25 October 2007

ImageThe ABCNJ Public Mission Committee hosted a pre-Annual Session Workshop on Friday afternoon, September 21, 2007 in Ocean City which focused on the Church and English as a Second Language Ministries. 

The presenter was Dr. Lois Spitzer, the English as a Second Language program coordinator and teacher for the Riverside School District (and the wife of our Senior Regional Pastor!).  Assisting her were the ABCNJ Players (from left to right: Sandy Denton, Ann Borquist, Elmo Familiaran, Kelsey Denton, Larisa Spitzer, Lois Spitzer, and Beverly Allegretti, signing). 

Dr. Spitzer reviewed the current state of affairs regarding the needs of immigrants who have come to the United States, and provided practical guidelines for ESL ministries basd in church settings.  Her presentation can be found in the Region Events/Annual Session/Annual Session Reports area of this web site. 

Image The ABCNJ Public Mission Committee is spear-heading a pilot ESL project for our region.   The pilot site will be annouced shortly. 

Funding for this project is being provided by a grant from One Great Hour of Sharing.  Ken George presented the "check" at the Saturday morning plenary session to Rev. Kathleen Tice, ABCNJ Public Mission chairperson (left).

 
Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 October 2007 )
 
Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant PDF Print E-mail
Written by Rev. Pam Reed   
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Atlanta, Georgia: January 30 - Feb. 1, 2008
     Greetings, Friends!  I am hoping that many of you will be able to join me in Atlanta for a gathering of Baptists from numerous denominations who have decided to join together in addressing important missional goals.
     The plans for this celebration were set in motion earlier this year when Rev. Roy Medley and some 80 other Baptist leaders met at the Carter Center and signed the North American Baptist Covenant. The gathering coming up in 2008 is an opportunity to make history as we enjoy lectures, workshops and worship with our Baptist brothers and sisters in the hope that when we leave there we will be strengthened for our work together in Jesus' name. We are hoping for 20,000 people to attend. Speakers will include Tony Campolo, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Bill Moyers, and Marian Wright Edelman.
     I invite you to go to the website at www.newbaptistcovenant.org and see for yourself. There you can find a copy of the New Baptist Covenant as well as resource materials that will help you make plans to attend. Festivities begin on Wednesday evening and continue through Friday evening. You can register on line; there is no registration fee for the conference.
     On Saturday morning, Feb. 2 from 7-11, Roy has invited the American Baptist family for breakfast at the Atlanta Sheraton. The speaker will be World Alliance General Secretary, Neville Callum. You'll have to register for that breakfast at the ABC-USA website.
     I am serving on the Communications Committee for this Celebration, so if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Hope to see you in Atlanta in January!

 

 Rev. Pam Reed

Pastor, Flemington Baptist Church
Last Updated ( Sunday, 14 October 2007 )
 
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