Welcome to ABCRGR!
If you're a new pastor or new church to ABC of the Rochester/Genesee Region, you'll find helpful information here. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions you may have.
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We will automatically add you to the region monthly newsletter so that you can stay up-to-date on region events. We also encourage you to download the Spaces by Wix app and search for "ABCRGR." Joining us on the app gives you notifications on your phone when we have a new event or class offering!
Our Leadership
Check out the Executive Board and Region Staff listings on this site. Feel free to be in touch with any of these folks with questions or concerns, to share ideas, to just to make a connection.
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Our Churches
We have churches all over the United States! Be sure to take a look at where the other members of your ABCRGR family are located. You could plan a mission trip to their city or do a pulpit exchange if you want to travel. The sky's the limit!
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Participating in Region Governance
Region Delegates
Region Delegates come together three times a year to discuss and vote on region policies and the budget, elect board members, and accept new churches into the fellowship. Each church has three Region delegates: one pastor and two lay members elected by their congregations. Please ensure the region office has the names and email addresses of your church's region delegates.
Permanent Council Delegates
The Permanent Council on Ordination is called when needed to assess candidates for ordination. Each church has two Permanent Council delegates: one pastor and one lay member elected by their congregations. Please ensure the region office has the names and email addresses of your church's Permanent Council delegates. All region clergy in good standing with ABCRGR, active and retired, and the members of the Ordination Review Committee are also members of the Permanent Council.
Financial Support
United Mission
Giving to United Mission supports the whole American Baptist family. 65% of your congregation's United Mission gifts are returned to ABCRGR to support our region's missions and ministries. Approximately 30% of America for Christ Offerings come back to ABCRGR as well. And 100% of "Region Support" in the United Mission forms comes back to ABCRGR.
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All United Mission giving is submitted directly to ABCUSA. You will find information, videos, and downloadable forms using the "Read More" button below.
Region Support
Some churches choose to support ABCRGR directly without going through United Mission. It's entirely the church's choice. If supporting ABCRGR directly, contributions can be done through our online give portal on this site by choosing "Church Contribution" from the drop-down menu and ensuring the church name appears as the contributor, or by sending a check made out to ABCRGR to our office at the address on the website.
Other Resources
Pulpit Supply
If you are looking for a preacher to fill the pulpit during an absence, contact the region office for the current pulpit supply list. It includes names and contact information for clergy who make themselves available for this purpose. Although there is no set honorarium for pulpit supply, a suggested amount is $150.00 for a main worship service plus $50-$75 for any additional responsibilities that same day (Bible study, adult education, second service, etc.). Be sure to offer reimbursement for mileage at the standard IRS rate. The honorarium is paid directly to the supply preacher. Completing a W-9 is NOT required unless the preacher will be paid $600 or more total in a calendar year.
Mission Speakers
There are many speakers available for your congregation on mission topics, community organizations, local seminaries, and so forth. For American Baptist Global Missionaries, visit our Resources section for how to connect with our Global Missionaries. For American Baptist national ministries, visit www.abhms.org. To invite speakers from Cameron Community or Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Executive Minister Sandy Hasenauer can provide contact information.
Executive Minister Rev. Dr. Sandy Hasenauer
Sandy is at your service! She is available for preaching, Bible study, and workshops on a variety of topics. She has a passion for, and certification in, helping congregations and pastors in envisioning and addressing adaptive challenges. She can also help pastors think through what kinds of resources might help them or their congregations address issues they are facing. Feel free to email her!