Sept. 27 virtual ‘Carve the Tree’ event to memorialize Kevin D. Rose

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/3/20)—A virtual live-streamed “Carve the Tree” event will be held 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, to memorialize Kevin D. Rose, who was a past president of Educational Ministries, today a part of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS).

Co-pastor at Cumberland (Ind.) First Baptist Church (FBC), Rose is being honored by his church family with a 12-foot tree sculpture on the church grounds. The inspirational sculpture will incorporate approximately 40 images that had particular meaning to Rose, who died in 2018. To be located in close proximity to the Cumberland Labyrinth, the sculpture is intended to become a place of reflection.

The event will be hosted by Sally Perkins of Storytelling Arts of Indiana. A personal friend of Rose, Perkins will incorporate music and stories loved by Rose into a celebration of his life. Other performers will include T. Wyatt Watkins, pastor at Cumberland FBC; Danielle Hartman; Jen Midkiff; Brianna Holt and Paulo Castro. Phil Campbell, an accomplished artist in wood carving and fabric design, will reveal his progress to date on the memorial tree sculpture.

Virtual attendees are encouraged to make a monetary donation, bid on Rose’s personal items in a silent auction, or sponsor an image being carved into the tree.

Details and updates will be posted on Cumberland FBC’s Facebook page. For information, send an email to cumberlandfirst@comcast.net or phone 317.894.2645.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.