Pictures of a Pandemic

Bonus Episode: Dear Coronavirus... as read by student authors

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 06:01:00 -0400

A link to essays featured in this episode, as well as some additional submissions, can be found, in written form, at abhms.org/covid19relief

Dear Coronavirus...

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0400

First Lady Deborah Shannon of Zion Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va., discusses the essay contest that the church sponsored for youth. Participants were asked to write an essay that began "Dear Coronavirus." It turned out to be an opportunity for youth to release their feelings and frustrations about the pandemic and how it's affecting their schooling and athletics.

Economic impact on our communities

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 14:30:00 -0400

Mang Sonna, executive director of Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City, Kansas, talks about the increasing need of the people he serves for food and money to pay electric bills and rent.

Grieving Postponed

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:30:00 -0400

The Rev. Julio Gonzalez-Paniagua and his wife Pastor Anatalys Gonzalez-Ortiz discuss the devastating toll COVID has taken on their family, including their struggle with isolation and faith in the middle of so much illness.

Feeding the Community

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:30:00 -0400

The number of cars lined up for free meals every Wednesday at Trinity Church of Northborough in Massachusetts has almost doubled since the pandemic began. Church member Martha Michalewich talks about how an American Baptist Home Mission Societies' COVID-19 Recovery grant is helping to ensure the program continues its ministry to the hungry.

Isolation

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:00:00 -0400

The Rev. Chaplain (Col.) Brett Charsky, Joint Force Headquarters chaplain of the Vermont Army National Guard tells the story of isolation and increasing numbers of suicides in the military.

Should I stay in, or should I go out?

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 13:30:00 -0400

Carlos Padilla pastors Pimera Iglesia Bautista de Guayanilla which finds itself near the epicenter of the tremors hitting Puerto Rico earlier this year. In this conversation, he talks about the poverty on the island and the challenges the people in the area face. Because of the pandemic they are told to stay in and shelter in place to not catch the virus. Because of the tremors, they need to be outside of buildings, because they never know when another earthquake could topple buildings. Now with hurricane season upon them, they need to think about being in structures that will keep them safe if high winds come.

Love profoundly

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 14:30:00 -0400

The Rev. Douglas Avilesbernal, executive minister, Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches shares his view of the impact of the pandemic on the West Coast. The discussion includes a conversation about individual freedom versus a Christian call to care for the “other” even when it means curtailing your own independence.

Our diversity makes us much stronger

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 14:30:00 -0400

Rev. Mar Imsong, executive director, Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries, discusses the pandemic’s toll on refugee and immigrant communities—including pastors and churches—across Massachusetts.

We are our sisters and brothers keepers

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Rev. Patricia Lawrence, associate pastor, Memorial Baptist Church, Hartford, Conn., discusses how the pandemic is affecting her shrinking congregation of older members. Lawrence has given up her salary so that other church staff can continue to be paid.

Miracles of the Heart

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0400

Gladys Rodriguez, executive director of Corporacion Milagros Del Amor in Caguas, Puerto Rico, discusses the organization’s ministry to the homeless the time of COIVD-19.

Epicenter of the Epicenter

American Baptist Home Mission Societies — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0400

Rev. Patrick Young, pastor of First Baptist Church of East Elmhurst in Queens, which was an epicenter of New York City, which itself was an epicenter within the United States and the world for the COVID-19 pandemic.