Evergreen Association Ministers Council
The Ministers Council is made up of pastors who
participate in social activities, covenant groups, and
seminars in best practices in ministry to offer and to share
collegial support.
Covenant groups are formed voluntarily each year to create
safe places for pastors to share their personal and spiritual
journeys, their challenges and hopes in informal settings.
The groups define members each year and set a meeting
schedule. If you are looking for a peer group, contact one of
the team of leaders below.
Region-wide, the Ministers Council gathers through activities
of the Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches and
the Seattle Baptist Union. These gatherings encompass a
spring retreat held at a nearby retreat center, a summer
Mariners game, an August dinner cruise on Puget Sound, and an
annual luncheon to kick off the Annual Meeting each fall.
Information about education, sabbaticals, and other resources
for clergy is available through the national office of the Ministers Council,
ABC-USA.
This year we will retreat at Camp Burton on Vashon Island
from April 19 through 21. Information on this year’s retreat
is shown below and a flier is available here.
Evergreen Association Ministers Council Annual
Retreat
Camp Burton – April 19-21, 2009
Arrive on Sunday afternoon - Devotions Monday morning
• Meals begin with lunch on Monday
• Festive dinner Monday night with social time + Program at
10 am Tuesday
• Shared room, bath included for all participants
Ministry and the Global Financial Crisis
Led by the Rev. Dr. Don Mackenzie
Though people are trying not to panic and acting as if
everything is okay, things are definitely not okay. In fact,
some are saying that what is before us is unprecedented: the
collapse of the world economy, violence in the wake of
massive unemployment and starvation, even a headline in our
local paper saying that climate change will bring refugees
from warmer climates to the Pacific Northwest.
The truth of any of these statements is difficult to assess.
Three questions for pastors:
- Is there an opportunity in this problem, in this
crisis? What are some examples from our tradition when
problems have been made known to be opportunities?
- How do we provide reassurance—using the authority of
the Bible and the teachings of the tradition? What examples
from the Bible do we find for reassurance?
- How, as religious leaders, at the same time can we
challenge the status quo that has delivered us to this
moment? What examples are there from the Bible?
We welcome The Rev Dr. Don Mackenzie, former
Lead Pastor of the University United Church of Christ, as our
facilitator.
We hope you join us for this vital time of renewal and
engagement!
Catherine, Clinton, and Tim
To Register: Email or Call Clem Winbush by April 10th.
email Clem Winbush Phone (253)
859-2226
Cost: Members? No charge.
Others? Pay $55 dues to the Council upon arrival.
At the retreat we will be interviewing candidates to fill two
other leadership positions.
Peace to you, and blessings on your ministry,
Rev. Catherine Fransson, Seattle First Baptist Church,
(206) 325-6051
email Rev. Fransson
Rev. Clinton McNair, Seattle University School of
Theology & Ministry, (206) 296-6968
email Rev. McNair