NIANTIC BAPTIST CHURCH AND CROSSROADS AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH NAMED AS 2010 RECIPIENTS OF WIDOW’S MITE AWARD
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NEW YORK, NY, November 1, 2011 – American Baptist Churches USA (“ABCUSA”) and The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (“MMBB”) have announced the 2010 winners of the Widow’s Mite Award. The Award is given annually as part of The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO), an annual ABCUSA offering that provides “Thank You” checks for retired clergy.
Each year, MMBB selects an American Baptist congregation whose giving, like that of the poor widow at the temple treasury whom Jesus commended, reflects the spirit of thankfulness and generosity. This year, for the first time, MMBB selected two churches to receive the Widow’s Mite Award: Niantic Baptist Church in Niantic, Connecticut and Crossroads American Baptist Church in Northglenn, Colorado. Both churches were selected for their exemplary giving patterns, taking into consideration the church’s size and years of participation in the offering.
Niantic Baptist Church
Niantic Baptist Church has demonstrated its caring spirit by helping those in need for more than 100 years—and the congregation embraces RMMO as another opportunity for giving. “It is an amazing recognition that a small church in our financial position can still have a big impact in ministry,” notes Rev. Jill Harvey, Niantic’s pastor.
The sight of Rev. Harvey at the pulpit with a glass vase full of M&M’s® is something the congregation looks forward to every first Sunday of December when she launches RMMO month. She urges the congregation to contribute generously towards the RMMO to meet a monetary goal by the Sunday before Christmas. As an incentive, she promises to share the M&M’s® with the congregation during worship if they meet the goal…but she also threatens to eat them all if the goal is not met in time. “Many retired clergy live off little money, so that extra check means a lot to them. We work hard together to continue the good work—and have a little fun with the candy to boot,” noted Rev. Harvey.
Looking ahead, Rev. Harvey says, “Instead of figuring out how to become a big church, we are figuring out how to be the best small church by reaching out to others—and giving.”
Crossroads American Baptist Church
Crossroads American Baptist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary in June. “Our culture is serving others, with no expectation,” notes Rev. Dr. Kim Skattum, Crossroads’ senior pastor. “We serve and love them first, then share about Christ.”
Crossroads promotes RMMO in November and collects the offering over Thanksgiving weekend or during the Thanksgiving service. They promote RMMO through letters from retired ministers within the congregation expressing thanks for the offering. Rev. Dr. Skattum reads them during the service and posts them on the church website. “We let people know what RMMO means. Simply put, people give because there is a need,” noted Rev. Dr. Skattum.
“Niantic Baptist Church and Crossroads American Baptist Church both epitomize the giving spirit that is so entrenched in our culture and our legacy,” noted MMBB’s executive director, Sumner M. Grant. “We are proud that both churches are part of our extended family and congratulate them on the occasion of this award.”
This year’s RMMO offering will take place at most ABCUSA churches on Sunday, December 4.
Notes for Editors:
- MMBB (www.mmbb.org) is a church-based financial services organization promoting the better maintenance of the ministry by providing and administering retirement investment benefits and life, disability and health insurance for churches and faith-based organizations.
- Founded in 1911, MMBB manages more than $2 billion in assets for the benefit of its members and their dependents.
- MMBB promotes and administers the RMMO and distributes “Thank You” checks on behalf of ABCUSA.