A committee of our local Baptist Association, Halifax Region United Baptist Association (HRUBA) through which we belong to the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches (CABC) has submitted recommendations to CABC regarding the proposed incorporation of CABC in the current round of consultations. The HRUBA has recommended that: (1.) A simple incorporation be completed essentially using our existing constitution, and that the proposed incorporation document be withdrawn from consideration; and (2.) A process of dialogue and renewal be launched for Atlantic Baptists in the 21st Century to build knowledge and consensus around how we work together. The HRUBA submission was extensively researched legally and historically and makes the case that our local church autonomy must be upheld in all our “associations” with other churches and organizations including our Convention. The proposed incorporation document does not meet this requirement. The mandate given by our congregation to our Deacons was to vigorously defend this historical Baptist principle and we have participated in this work with HRUBA. The submission made contains substantial arguments for its recommendations. In addition, HRUBA has shared this work with all 21 Associations of the Convention. The details of the submission can be found here. You may also request a copy from our church office. The members of the Association Working Group on Convention Incorporation are: Sandra Irving: HRUBA Moderator 2009-10 (Bedford Baptist) Rev. Marlene Knowles: HRUBA Moderator 2008-09 (South End Baptist, Dartmouth, now Windsor United Baptist) Charles Manthorne: HRUBA Moderator 2007-08 (Bayers Road Baptist, Halifax) Nancy Cameron: HRUBA Secretary-Treasurer (South End Baptist, Dartmouth) Rev. Dr. William Brackney (Faith Baptist, Lower Sackville) Joan Keith (First Baptist, Dartmouth) Helen McGaw (Regal Road Baptist, Dartmouth) Sarah Merrick (Eastern Passage Baptist)  Rev. Phyllis Nesbitt (South End Baptist) Rev. Mike Trites (Elmsdale Baptist) Rev. John E. Boyd (First Baptist, Halifax) David Dexter (First Baptist, Halifax) Doug Eisner (First Baptist, Halifax) Dave Gibson (First Baptist, Halifax) Marilyn Peers (First Baptist, Halifax) Sheila Stanley (First Baptist, Halifax) Gary Nelson (our legal advisor, from Falmouth United Baptist) Rev. Dr. Frank Guinta (for courtesy, as he is our Area Minister)