Capital Baptist Newsletter - June -July 2021 Edition

June/July 2021

MENTAL HEALTH Families in Crisis | COVID and Singing in Church | The DCBC Family

TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES

District of Columbia Baptist Convention

COVID and Singing in Church

6

The Church: The DCBC Family

8

Doing Foreign Missions Virtually

10

What Does Youth and Children's Ministry Look Like During a Pandemic?

12

Families in Crisis: The Mental Health Effects of the Pandemic

14

DCBC SPOTLIGHT

1628 16th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 202.265.1526 (office)

www.dcbaptist.org info@dcbaptist.org Office of Executive Director/Minister Executive Director/Minister Trisha Miller Manarin, Ext. 214 Ministry Assistant Loretta Polite-Shipman, Ext. 213 Campus Ministries LeeAnn Carrera

The Next Chapter of DCBC Life and Ministry

20

The DCBC Gardens Offer Beauty and Respite

21

Mental Health Coordinator Jevon Billups

Capital Baptist Editor Sonia Myrick

Celebrating Lashanor Doolittle: Serving DCBC 22 for 15 Years Jesus Saves

24

DCBC Notables

26

Monthly Giving Match

28

MMBB’s Comprehensive Retirement Plan

30

Church Mission Giving

32

Building Maintenance Saul Garcia, Ext. 212

JBCC Building Coordinator Robin Foulk, Ext. 215

3

A Message From the Executive Director/Minister 4 Calendar

Ministry Assistant Wilbur Willis, Ext. 204

Accounting and Administrative Specialist Fam SaeChao Chock, Ext. 206

IN EVERY ISSUE From the Desk of the DCBC President

Office of Administration and Stewardship Chief Operations Officer Lashanor Doolittle, Ext. 203

31

Office of Public Relations and Outreach Minister of Public Relations and Outreach Kimberly A. Palmore-Ferguson, Ext. 208

FOLLOW US

ERT Coordinator James Barbour

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From the Desk of the DCBC President

Juneteenth

I grew up in rural Northern Louisiana on a very small farm. For my family and our community, June 19, better known as Juneteenth (www.juneteenth.com/history.htm), was a much more important holiday to celebrate than the Fourth of July. It was when we had our major family reunion and gathered to remember the announcement of the end of slavery. On that day in 1865 at Galveston, Texas, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free. In fact, they’d been free since January 1, 1863, when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Celebrating the Fourth of July meant nothing to my grandparent and other family and community members.

For June 19, those who had migrated North and West in search of better opportunities would return to the deep South to reconnect with those who had stayed behind. In our community, there were barbeques and a fish fry, serious baseball games, pick-up football and basketball games, and lively board and table games. I particularly enjoyed being around the elders as they shared stories of days gone by — stories that helped to shape me.

According to Para LaNell Agboga, Museum Site Coordinator at the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center in Austin, Texas, “Juneteenth celebrations used to revolve around the church with speeches and picnics.”* With the advent of the Civil Rights Movement in the late ’60s, Juneteenth became integrated with the Fourth of July celebration. Many celebrations stopped for our family because of the continuing northern/western migration. Many young people no longer had a strong relationship to the land and, consequently, did not see the necessity to celebrate like those who were born in the ’50s and the generations before.

I’m excited to see a resurgence of interest in observing Juneteenth across much of the country. In 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday. Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia currently recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday or observance. In February 2021, Sens. Markey, Smith and Booker, along with Rep. Jackson Lee reintroduced legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Next year, I hope we can all gather in person as the people of God to observe this important holiday whose celebration will once again revolve around the church. We must remember, we must teach our children.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Donald R. Kelly President of the DCBC Board of Directors

*“AP Explains: Juneteenth celebrates end of slavery in the US,” by Jesse J. Holland, June 14, 2019 Associated Press article (https://tinyurl.com/34w6nnvw).

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A Message From the Executive Director/Minister

New Dreams There is a new sense of excitement mixed with apprehension as we begin to re-enter society more fully in person. June and July usher in many celebrations — graduations, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July and, hopefully, some R&R. Some of our churches have already been worshipping in person, while others are beginning to explore re-gathering beyond the screen or phone line.

My prayer during the pandemic has been that this time would not be lost to that which has always been, but that new dreams would be dreamed or that those which had been put on hold will be made real. As vaccines have been made available to many people in our country, there is a sense of great expectancy as to what comes next.

The world has changed drastically since March 13, 2020, but it is also quite different from the year the DCBC was founded as the Columbia Association of Baptist Churches in 1877 during a meeting at Calvary Baptist Church. In these almost 145 years, DCBC has been a Great Kin-dom Experiment dreaming into reality that which other Baptist bodies in the United States could not and cannot imagine possible. DCBC has been able to explore, wrestle with and navigate an array of diverse perspectives, heritages, languages, theological foundations, social positions, denominational affiliations and so much more. Our heritage is grounded and calls us into a new future: one yet to be fully realized.

For the next few months, a Dream Team is meeting to dream a new future for DCBC. To learn more about this process, go to page 20.

I hope you will be able to join us for one of our upcoming events — the book roundtable and National Iced Tea Day in June or for a piece of chocolate in July! It will be great to see you.

Joy and Grace,

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister

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the 2021 ANNUAL GATHERING

OCTOBER 21-22!

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COVID AND SINGING IN CHURCH

Photo courtesy of Marion Shipman, Sr.

By CJ Redden-Liotta, DMA

A

s we look at our buildings reopening and the new CDC guidelines, I have been asked by several people about what singing should look like in our churches. The key to the CDC guideline is one phrase: fully vaccinated. Without asking for proof of vaccination from all of our members, what does this mean for churches? find that when you use the microphone with

INDOOR SERVICES Unless you can show that everyone attending your service is fully vaccinated (two weeks

your mask on, people can still understand you.

after their final dose), your congregation and

OUTDOOR SERVICES

staff still need masks and physical distancing.

Attendees of outdoor services should still wear

A good practice is to limit corporate worship

masks when everyone attending is not fully

elements (prayers, litanies, singing). Everyone

vaccinated because it is considered a large

should be masked at all times indoors. You’ll

gathering. It is OK to sing with physical

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distancing and masks outdoors, as studies have

direction, but take a 5-minute break after 30

shown that wind dissipates aerosols quickly.

minutes of singing for the air to circulate.

Under a tent or awning is considered outdoors

CHOIR REHEARSALS

if you don't have side walls. Once you put flaps

The question of choral rehearsals is a tough

on the side of a tent, it’s now considered

one. The National Federation of State High

indoors.

School Associations Aerosol Study (NFHS)

The newest CDC guidelines (as of May 19)

(https://tinyurl.com/nutjf4e7) that has been

do contradict the current recommendations

doing research in the performing arts suggest

from the peer-reviewed NFHS study, and state

that singers wear masks and use physical

that if everyone present is fully vaccinated,

distancing in rehearsals. In addition, the NFHS

masks, distancing, and air exchange time are

suggests that when you are creating aerosols

not necessary.

(which corporate praying and singing does) in the room, you do not remain in the space for

ALL ACTIVITIES

more than 30 minutes before you leave and

For all activities, the choice to allow vaccinated

allow one full exchange of air to happen in the

people to go without a mask depends on what

room. These guidelines are still suggested (as

liability and risk you want to incur as a church.

of April 30) even if all people present are fully

We also must recognize that there are no

vaccinated.

children under the age of 16 who will be fully

For rehearsals, you need masks (still should

vaccinated until the last week of June, and that

be worn at all times indoors), air flow (you need

many of our congregation and visitors still are

to know your air exchange rate in all rooms you

not fully vaccinated. For example, I'll bring my

use),

is

fully vaccinated professional singers in to do a

recommended) and multiple spaces to be in

recording, but we are not holding choir

during a rehearsal. All singers should face the

rehearsal indoors, and our church is only

same direction at all times. Rehearsals should

worshipping in person outdoors.

physical

distance

(10

feet

consist of 30 minutes of singing in any one space followed by one full exchange of air with no people in it (this can be anywhere from 1045 minutes depending on your space).

Outdoors, the NFHS recommends that you maintain physical distance, still face the same

CJ Redden-Liotta, DMA is Music Minister at Vienna Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia (cj@viennabc.org).

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The Church: The DCBC Family

By Jonathan J. Holley

A

s disciples of Jesus, we are God’s

together as the united people of God. Our

people, and, as such, we embody

unity is the witness to what God has already

the presence of Christ in a bitterly

done (Psalm 133:1–3). This alternative

divided, sick and broken world.

community, called the church, must bear

Every church should imitate the ministry of

witness to the radical, liberating gospel of

Jesus, which is forgiveness, compassion and

Jesus. It is the visible sign of the living God

healing. We do not possess God’s church: it

in the world. Our mandate to love each other

is the family of God that possesses us. We do

as Jesus has loved us transcends our political

not pick our family members, but, through

and denominational reading of scripture (I

our faith in Jesus Christ, we are all born into

John 4:7–21).

God’s family. We should work and worship

Every gift we need at this moment can be

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found within this family we call the District

revealing the unmatched grace, love, and

of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC).

plan of Christ. The pandemic has pushed us

We may hold diverse beliefs at times, but we

to be creative and to tap into the many

are all united at the communion table.

gracious gifts of God present in our people.

The gift of the Lord’s Supper joins us all

In this time of stress, grief, and loss; the

together. The DCBC must not fall into

world needs the good news of Christ to

divisions based on differences. We should

illuminate everyone with the light of God.

value our diversity and honor the ways in which God has made us unique.

We

are

intentionally

created to be different. Just as we have two hands and

Together we

Every gift we need at this moment can be found within this family we call the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC).

two eyes, each with ever so

can

be

the

beloved

community of Christ in this world. Jesus was never afraid to be with those whom others sought to shame or dismiss. He embraces us and has redeemed us by faith. Let our Convention

slight differences in perception, all parts of us

model our Savior and work deliberately to

must work together coherently for the body

liberate everyone to find themselves in God.

to function properly. We are not made to be

Shouldn’t DCBC seek to live into our motto:

divided. We each bare the image of God, and

“One

we must embrace our individual functions

Possibilities?” As the most diverse Baptist

within the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12).

convention in the country, shouldn’t DCBC

Each congregation is called to be radically

be known as a body that welcomes everyone

welcoming of all people. We are called to be

to the table and invites all of our churches to

one in Christ and must resist the “us versus

serve together from this one table?

Faith.

Many

Cultures.

Endless

them” mindset of the left and of the right.

The DCBC can be an international model of unity, fellowship and radical grace. Our community of believers thrives on unity and the Word of God. Each of our congregations is sustained by God’s grace, which affirms

Jonathan J. Holley, a Deacon and Outreach & Missions Coordinator at Riverside Baptist Church in Southwest D.C., is also a student at the John Leland Center, School of Ministry, in

and liberates us. As members of Christ’s one

Arlington, Virginia, an associate member of

body, each member has an important role in

DCBC.

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Doing Foreign Missions Virtually Rev. Dr. Marion Criddle All photos courtesy of Rev. Dr. Marion Criddle

Praise God for the Children

Virtual mission session

T

o the church at Philadelphia, Jesus told John to write these words: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

—The Book of Revelation 3:8

It is always inspiring to see God’s word come

commit it to our heart, we discover just how living

to life in a contemporary environment. It confirms

and powerful His word is. For example, in the

for us that His word really is a living organism.

midst of the COVID pandemic shutdown, I worried

When we open our minds to understand it and

that our foreign mission work was in jeopardy —

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particularly

our Assistant

regarding

Director

reaching

the

Calvary

children.

However,

of

Commission I

India, and as

later realized

a preliminary

that in that

review of the

moment

the

Spirit of God

Children enjoying a meal

Meal preparation

ministry, underwent a

was preparing me to be sensitive to an open door

virtual interview followed by a meeting with the

He was setting before us.

children early one Sunday morning. On March 15,

I had expressed the idea of having a virtual

2021, our contact in India traveled to Mandapeta

mission to my core Abundant Life Crusade (ALC)

and our ALC team held a virtual worship service

Mission Team. For 20 years, we have been making

with the children. Our India contacts also traveled

at least one annual trip, and biennially, we would

to a congregation 20 miles away, and two hours

make two trips. In 2019, the Spirit providentially

later, we held a virtual worship service with adults.

changed our goal to one trip in March each year.

These events opened the door to a new ministry

This became a reality in 2020 when the team went

partnership in India that sees our Feed the Sheep

to Nakuru, Kenya, just before the pandemic

Project providing monthly support for daily meals

shutdown, and that trip would include a series of

for the children. Previously, the meals were

providential experiences.

provided sporadically because there was no

Typically, we receive invites to the countries

designated budget for them. With God’s help, this

we support from someone viewing our online

new ministry will lead to other initiatives in the

newsletter or our messages on Facebook. By

community; for example, an orphanage, a school

directing them to our contact in the respective

and a church facility.

country, we quickly test the sincerity of their

(Note: Full coverage of the trip to Nakuru, Kenya can be viewed at https://riversofjoyministries.com/newsletters.htm.)

request. I received such a message from the New Shine Welfare Society Children’s Home in Mandapeta, Andhra Pradesh, India. They contacted

Rev. Dr. Marion Criddle is the Sr. Pastor of Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church in District Heights, Maryland (revcriddle@aol.com)

.

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What Does Youth and Children’s Ministry Look Like During a Pandemic?

By Ginny Tourville

Photo courtesy of Ginny Tourville

Vienna Baptist Church invited the community on an outdoor Easter Story Walk through the pages of ’Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist.

W

hat does youth and children’s ministry look like these days? I am still figuring this one out, but I do find that it even looks different from what I thought it should look like before the pandemic.

Our small groups meet online regularly now. While we enjoy the days when we can see each other safely in person outdoors, we are reminded constantly of how the church is not the building. Youth and children who could not join us often in-person because of distance or other factors join us more frequently online. We walk with each other through new experiences, such as working a first part-time job or going back to in-person classes. Volunteer leaders and I

support our students at their games or events when safe. We continue to go to where our students are, and faith seems to be more woven throughout everyday life rather than something only experienced on Sundays.

Students have talked about mental health and social issues with each other a lot more than we did. They speak to the need for community in their lives and in their friends’ lives, and they see the church family as a model for how to live in community together. Our

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youth encourage us to draw the circle of God’s love wider and to work for God’s justice to become a reality. We also share practical information on how to manage stress and anxiety and engage in self-care, as well as explore how Jesus modeled this for us during his earthly ministry. We even decorated Christmas cookies together online for our annual party.

Ministry events look more intergenerational than they did before the pandemic. Leaders mailed fun notes with sticker surprises and brought seasonal activities to our children and youth. Church members painted pumpkins with us, handed out treat bags for our Trek or Treat event, as well as read books and played games with students online.

Youth help coordinate our Bags of Love mission project to deliver groceries to families at a local school. We delivered Advent kits with simple projects for households to do together so faith formation could happen at home (check out https://traci-smith.com for great ideas!).

We are meeting outdoors for events such as Wiffle ball games and praying in color together.

This past Easter season, our church hosted a community outdoor Easter Story Walk based on ’Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys

Nellist. After gaining permission from the publisher, we printed pages of the book and placed them on yard signs around our church lawn. Participants were then invited to walk through the story of Mary’s experience at the empty tomb and seeing the risen Jesus. We introduced the walk after our outdoor Easter service, but we kept the signs up for the week after Easter. It was fun to see church members of all ages as well as households from the community explore the Easter story together.

I hope this encourages you to keep ministering with your children, youth and community in creative ways. I can often be hard on myself that I’m not doing enough or being creative enough in ministry. A few weeks ago, a student offered that church was the only stable group they had since the pandemic started. May you be a faithful community.

That’s what ministry calls for and looks like — not only for our children and youth — especially now, and that is enough.

Ginny Tourville is the Pastor for Youth and Children at Vienna Baptist Church, in Vienna, Virginia (ginny@viennabc.org).

Praying in Color Praying in color combines prayer with doodling. I find it useful when I may not know what words to say or I cannot focus, but I want to lift up a person or situation to God. You simply write a person’s name or an attribute of God you want to reflect on, draw a shape around it, and add to your prayer doodle with lines, other shapes, and colors. For our outdoor event, we have sidewalk chalk available for parking lot prayers, as well as tables set up with coloring supplies for prayers on paper. You can find more information and examples of praying in color at https://prayingincolor.com.

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Families in Crisis: The Mental Health Effects of the Pandemic

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

T

By Dr. Sherrill McMillian

he Covid-19 pandemic has sparked a mental health crisis in families across this country and around the world. Over the past several months, this disease has exacerbated pre- existing mental health conditions in the midst of economic depression, family conflict, food insecurities, child abuse, domestic violence and growing racial tensions. In The State of Mental Health 2021 report, published by Mental Health America, we learn that “As Covid-19 spread throughout the United States, it not only resulted in greater morbidity and mortality in terms of physical health but also had disastrous effects on the mental health of the nation.”

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While thousands struggled with the reality

and friends, and has put personal and business

of death and dying from Covid-19, I suggest

travel on hold. Single adults and the elderly

that racial anxiety should be added to the list

living alone may well have experienced long

of mental health concerns in the wake of

periods of time with no physical contact with

national racial tension. An October 12, 2020

another person. I’ve heard men and women

article in the Psychiatric Times, titled “Mental

confess that isolation and loneliness has

Health

Disparities

Among

Black

Americans During the

Covid-19

Pandemic,” reveals that the pandemic “has people

increased their fear of dying alone, while others

Perhaps now is the opportune time for more churches to prioritize mental health and help dispel the stigma and fear that has kept families from taking advantage of needed services.

have admitted to a crisis in faith as they asked God why and how long. We do not yet know the mental

impacted of

health condition of those

color

who were quarantined in

disproportionately...further compounding the

hospitals and still struggle with the aftereffects

pandemic stressors are the well-publicized and

of the disease or who were incarcerated and

distressing police brutality incidents that have

contracted the virus without sufficient medical

sparked emotionally charged national protests

attention.

and a collective outcry against racism and

The impact of this pandemic on the mental

inequality.” Racial anxiety may not rise to the

health

level of inclusion in the Diagnostic and

disturbing. The authors of a 2020 Journal of

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-

American Medical Association Pediatrics

5, 2013), but this type of anxiety shares some

article titled “Corona Disease 2019 (Covid-19)

of the same symptoms — excessive worry,

and

fear, panic, and somatic complaints — as other

Adolescents,” state: “The Covid-19 pandemic

anxiety disorders.

may worsen existing mental problems and lead

of

our

Mental

youngest

Health

for

population

Children

is

and

to more cases among children and adolescents

What We Know

because of the unique combination of the

The Covid-19 pandemic has isolated family

public health crisis, social isolation, and

members and restricted our movements, limiting access to schools, work, worship in

economic recession.” At this point, the extent of long-term psychological harm to countless

church facilities and fellowship with family JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter

15

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

numbers of migrant children separated from

unintended consequence of distance learning is

their parents at our borders during the

further exacerbation of the achievement gap

pandemic is also not clear.

between black students and other students due

This pandemic has occurred at a time when

to a significant technological gap.” As schools

many children are moving through sensitive

are reopening, children who were ostracized

developmental stages where they begin to

and bullied at school may have found some

struggle with concerns around self-esteem,

relief during school closures but, now, have to

autonomy, sexuality and self-identity. Many of

readjust to returning to school before they have

our youngest children have limited emotional

recovered from emotional and mental health

support at home and some live in conflicted

challenges during the separation.

households where they may have been exposed to child abuse and domestic violence.

How the Church Can Help

The previously mentioned Psychiatric

America is on the verge of re-opening,

Times article goes on to say: “Issues with

providing a long-waited level of personal

pandemic-related access to care also impact

freedom, although some may consider it a false

socially

sense of freedom since the COVID-19 virus is

disadvantaged

children

and

adolescents with mental illness...[and] an

still in the air. Returning to school, work and

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continued on page 18

SOME LOCAL & NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: Local •

•

•

• •

A Place of Hope www.aplaceofhope.com 888.771.5166 DC127 www.dc127.org 202-670-1145 Diane’s House Ministries, Inc (For Women Only) www.dianeshouse.org Ephesians Counseling Center www.ephesianscounselingcenter.com HOPE Center of Carmody Hills (Free Initial Appointments) 240.719.2699 www.carmodyshope.org

•

• • •

•

Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington www.ifcmw.org/directory McLean Bible Counseling Center 703.449.1944 Vienna Family Therapy Center 703.242.0387 Baltimore Washington Counseling Center www.bwcc-counseling.com DC Department of Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Services 202.673.9300 Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

National •

• •

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration www.samhsa.gov 800.662.HELP (4357) Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com The National Child Traumatic Stress Network www.nctsn.org/about-us/national-center

•

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255)

•

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://nami.org/Home

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continued from page 16 social activities may well be a blessing to some

critical health conditions that need our

but a burden to others who are still recuperating

attention, while not adequately attending to the

from health and economic losses over the past

mental pain of adults and children. Church

months. Given the losses experienced since the

initiatives that offer educational workshops,

pandemic began, many families might find it

support

difficult to emerge from these past months

paraprofessional counseling services will be

without heightened anxieties about what lies

critical in helping adults and children recover

ahead

from the psychological scars inflicted by this

of

them.

However,

instead

of

experiencing post-traumatic stress, we have the

groups,

and

professional

and

pandemic.

opportunity to witness post-traumatic growth

These past months have taught us a lot

as we seek to find ways to maintain a level of

about

positive change based on what’ve we learned

unprecedented ways. This experience has

about the resilience of the human spirit.

further confirmed to us the sufficiency of God’s

how

to

support

each

other

in

The mental health system was severely

grace and love for his people that has kept us

lacking in its ability to meet the needs of

through the past months. Through it all, we

children and adults prior to the pandemic, and

remain encouraged with this assurance: “If God

the pandemic has increased the demand for

is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31,

mental health services. Perhaps now is the

NRSV)

opportune time for more churches to prioritize mental health and help dispel the stigma and fear that has kept families from taking advantage of needed services. We readily recognize diabetes, stroke and heart disease as

Dr. Sherrill McMillan is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the District of Columbia and Minister of Counseling at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, Maryland.

Citations 1. Gibbs, Tresha MD, Lucas Pauselli MD, Ulrick Vieus DO, Myles Solan, Paul Rosenfield MD. “Mental Health Disparities Among Black Americans During the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

Psychiatric Times, October 12, 2020.

2. Golberstdin, Ezra PhD, Hefel Wen PhD, Benjamin F. PsyD. “Corona Disease 2019 (Covid-19) and Mental Health for Children and Adolescents.” JAMA Pediatrics, 2020;174(9):819–820.

3. Mental Health America. The State of Mental Health in America, (pp. 33–34). www.mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america

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The Next Chapter of DCBC Life and Ministry

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

To help DCBC envision the next chapter of its life and ministry, we have assembled a Dream Team that is depending on the movement of the Holy Spirit as it engages in a process of discernment for our Convention’s future. The process is based on the strength of the metaphorical table that has sustained the Convention these many years.

The strong legs of the table are from our bylaws: 1. Empowering Congregations 2. Engaging Communities 3. Equipping Leaders 4. Assisting with Administration The tabletop is strong and thick, made from our motto: One Faith. Many Cultures.

Endless Possibilities.

The DCBC Vice President, Dr. Ella Redfield, has encouraged the team to wipe the table clean and reset it for the new chapter of DCBC’s life. Team members are open to hearing from you as they vision a new DCBC future. Please email our

Executive Director/Minister, Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, at trisha.manarin@dcbaptist.org with your thoughts. The team represents a crosssection of our churches and locations.

Members include: o Rev. Dr. Orlando Jermaine Bego, CenterPoint Baptist Church o Rev. Dr. Lynn Bergfalk, Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church o Rev. Jevon Billups, Dominion Life Center o Rev. Tirza Cordova, Georgetown Baptist Church o Rev. Skye Hallman-McQuillan, Heritage Baptist Church o Rev. Dr. Donald Kelly, Olive Branch Community Church o Rev. Dr. Essentino Lewis, Jr., Clifton Park Baptist Church o Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, D.C. Baptist Convention o Rev. Michelle Nickens, Washington Plaza Baptist Church o Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood, Dayspring Community Church o Mr. Calvin Van Bik, Lai Baptist Church o Rev. Dr. Daryl Washington, St. Mary’s Baptist Church Please pray for this process to be fruitful as we seek to be faithful to the movement of God in this Great Kin-dom Experiment.

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The DCBC Gardens Offers Beauty and Respite

It’s a beautiful time of year in the nation’s capital, particularly in the lovely DCBC Baptist Building’s gardens. Our own Pastor Saul works hard to offer a place of beauty and respite for all who walk, scoot, ride or drive by. Passersby often stop to chat with him, and he frequently shares the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Isn’t it amazing how a small plot of green space on a busy city street can invite conversation and engage the beauty of God’s creation and salvation?

In June and July, we will open the gates on two occasions, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to welcome in community members:  June 10, National Iced Tea Day, the DCBC family and our neighbors are invited to enjoy a variety of icy cold refreshments.  July 7, National Chocolate Day, come indulge in a piece of chocolatey goodness from local and national chocolatiers and hear from a DCBC Mental Health Team member as July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

The beautiful gardens, courtyard and prayer garden are gifts the DCBC staff members wish to share with our community.

So, we invite you to join us for some hospitality, encouragement, prayer and/or support. Please plan to attend both events and experience a bit of tranquility in the midst of your hectic schedules.

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter 21

Celebrating Lashanor Doolittle:

Faithfully Serving DCBC for 15 Years

C

By Fam SaeChao Chock hevy Chase Baptist Church called Lashanor Doolittle and her husband to come East, from California to Washington, D.C.,

in 2005 — him to be its associate pastor and her the church administrator. In May 2006, with the church’s support, Doolittle began working for DCBC, first as the organization’s part-time bookkeeper and, two years later, as its business manager.

“The decision to hire, or shall I say, ‘call’ Mrs.

Lashanor

Doolittle

as

the

Lashanor Doolittle

Treasurer/Business Manager of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention was truly my greatest, most enduring achievement while serving DCBC as Executive Director/Minister,” says Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, who now serves as Executive Director, American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

“Lashanor is a dedicated Christian woman of immense capability, integrity and wisdom. She brought a degree of professional maturity, concern and interest in DCBC’s mission, love for Christ and for the churches that is not easily surpassed by someone in her role. Above all, Lashanor is a true friend whose faithfulness is beyond measurement,” he adds.

I met Lashanor briefly in the summer of 2008, just before President Obama’s historical election. I was visiting DC and happen to come by the DCBC office for lunch with a friend whose office was in the building. While I waited in the receptionist area for my friend, I was greeted by Lashanor, who mistook me for her friend, Monie. She greeted me with open arms, and the genuine happiness in her voice, her warm smile and welcoming positive energy were my first impressions of this amazing woman I would come to love and value over the next 10 years.

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter 22

By 2011, during the tenure of then-

encouragement as though she was welcoming

Executive Director/Minister, Rev. Ricky O.

a friend. The wellness of our membership and

Creech, Lashanor was DCBC’s Chief

being able to serve God’s people well are

Operations

important to her.”

Officer.

Creech,

now

the

President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Homes of

“For the past 15 years, Lashanor has

North Carolina, credits Lashanor with

expressed her love for DC Baptists,” says Dr.

allowing him “time to dream, pray and seek

Robert D. Cochran, DCBC Executive

creative pathways for the future of the

Director/Minister from 2015 to 2020. “And,

organization while she was the hands-on

she has done so while she herself grew in

operational guru. She always had the answers

abilities and effectiveness. As the Treasurer

to ‘Is this working? Are we achieving what

of the Convention, she serves many with a

we said we would achieve?

smile and a prayer and, now, carries a great

Are we on track financially? Where are the

deal of the DCBC’s institutional memory as

hotspots? Where do I need to be? Do you

well as the respect of its members, even as

have a solution for this?’” he recalls. “I knew

she

without a doubt wherever there were

Convention,” Cochran continues.

continues

to

minister

across

the

opportunities to do things differently or better

Imagine if we all serve God’s will the way

to serve the mission and vision of DCBC,

Lashanor serves the Convention and its

that’s where she would step in and help make

membership, with deep conviction and faith

it happen.”

in God’s love for his people. Always seeing

When asked to describe Lashanor, Rev.

the positive in every situation or people

Creech provided the following attributes

regardless of what point we are in our lives.

using her last name as an acronym:

She often says, “If what I do can bring glory

Dedicated,

Loyal,

to God and the mission of the Convention,

Intuitive, Trustworthy, Team player, Leader,

then I have served my purpose as to why God

Energetic. He continues: “She loves serving

has called me here.”

Organized,

Open,

and being a resource to the DCBC member

We are indeed blessed to have such a

churches. Whether it is an accounting

faithful servant of God serving us at DCBC.

software or a tax compliance question, she welcomes each question and request of support

with

the

same

energy

of

Fam SaeChao Chock is the DCBC Accounting and Administrative Specialist (fam.chock@dcbaptist.org).

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter 23

Jesus Saves

By Willie King

The event that follows is an attempt to share

sign that read “Jesus Saves.” Truly Jesus

some good news with our church family

saved my sister and me from that dangerous

during these challenging times.

situation.

Photo courtesy of Willie King

I traveled with my sister from Maryland to Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, to attend Home Going Services for our brother David L. Mackey. As we were preparing to leave the hotel in East Point, Georgia, that Saturday morning to return to Maryland, we discovered that our car had been vandalized — among other things, the rear right passenger-side window was broken. Thankfully, we were able to patch the window enough for the drive home.

While north bound on Interstate 85, we decided to drive until we were ready to eat before stopping to get gas. Before we could reach a restaurant, however, the car ran out of gas in the far-left lane of the interstate in very heavy traffic. I put the emergency flashers on and attempted to restart the car but to no avail. It was a very dangerous move from the far left to the right shoulder of the road. God lifted the car through the traffic without causing an accident and an emergency lane was there for us. As a further sign of God’s grace, on the pole right next to the car was a

Our safe harbor on the I-85 shoulder, a special providence of God as evinced by the “Jesus Saves” sign affixed to the pole.

As if this experience was not enough of a reminder that Jesus saves, the closing hymn for our church service back home in Maryland that Sunday was “Jesus Saves.” Do not be discouraged during these difficult days because JESUS SAVES! Willie King is Chair of the Pulpit Committee, a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church in Maryland.

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter 24

DCBC NOTABLES DCBC congratulates all the graduates from the classes of 2020 (some of whom had their traditional cap-and-gown ceremony delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2021, who have achieved their goal despite a uniquely challenging year. We especially want to recognize the following graduates who shared news of their accomplishments: Orlando Jermaine Bego, Doctor of Ministry, Morehouse College School of Religion at The Interdenominational Theological Center (May 2021), Project Title: “Mental Health and The Black Baptist Church: The Impact of Faith on African American Men.” Lisa C. BanksWilliams (left), Doctor of Ministry, Wesley Theological Seminary (May 2020), Project Title: “Clergy Couple Care”; Kip Bernard Banks, Sr., Wesley Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry (May 2020), Project Title: “Assisting the Black Church in the Task of Child-Making.”

Lisa C. BanksWilliams (left) with Stephanie Willet, Master of Divinity (May 2020), Enlistment Committee member.

Congratulations also to the following graduates from The John Leland Center for Theological Studies: Todd Guise, Master of Divinity, Ah Le, Master of Theological Studies, and Nigel Thomas, Master of Christian Leadership.

Career Milestones  Eddie Williams, Sr. Pastor of Pathways Baptist Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, celebrates his 30-year pastoral anniversary.  Rev. Aleisha Langhorne has been called as pastor of Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter

25

 Siyin Baptist Church in North Laurel, Maryland, and Pastor Thuam Kai celebrate the church’s 10th anniversary.  Rev. Norman Robinson, Assistant to the Pastor, Fort Foote Baptist Church in Fort Washington, Maryland, retired, June 1, after 25 years of service.  In March, Justin Gipitulan was installed as the Sr. Pastor of Agape Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

Thanksgivings Pastor Kenneth Rioland, M.Div., and First Lady Rev. Cynthia Rioland, M.Div., of Paramount Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., give thanks for the birth of their first granddaughter.

Condolences We extend condolences to Rev. Robin A. Toogood II, pastor of Purity Baptist Church on the passing of his 103-year-old grandfather, Mr. John Wesley Melton.

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter

26

SAVE THE DATE THE D I S T R I C T O F CO L U M B I A B A P T I S T CO N V E N T I O N REQUESTS YOUR PRESENCE AT THE INSTALLATION CELEBRATION OF

R E V. D R .

MILLER MANARIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/MINISTER

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 3:00 PM

ST. MARY’S BAPTIST CHURCH 8008 EASTERN AVE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20012 REV. DARYL M. WASHINGTON

E

ach year, International Ministries (IM) global servants encourage MonthlyRecurring Donations that will be matched one-for-one to meet their Personalized Support Goals (PSGs). PSGs are annual budgets that all IM global servants trust God to provide for work where God has called them. When a global servant receives a commitment during the Monthly Gift Match from a donor to give $25 a month, it means that IM will match the $300 given in the first 12 months, and the global servant will receive $600 in support.

HOW DOES IT WORK? IM promotes the Monthly Giving Match to encourage global servant support, and global servants invite new and increased monthly recurring support.

This year, generous donors have come together to provide $320,000 for the MATCHING FUND to encourage others to give for global servant support!

WHEN DOES IT START? June 1, 2021 – Donations should be made online directly from the Monthly Giving Match page that will be available on the website. You can also contact Donor Services at 610-768-2323 to make a credit card gift by phone. U.S. mail has been severely impacted during the pandemic, and IM has experienced as much as six weeks delivery time. Any donations received before June 1 will not qualify for the match.

THE MATCHING FUND POOL CLOSES WHEN FUNDS RUN OUT — Last year this fund was depleted in three weeks, so do not delay.

WHAT GIFTS QUALIFY? • NEW or INCREASED monthly recurring donations for global servant support for a minimum of twelve months.

• Online donations must be made through the Monthly Giving Match page (either selfservice or though Donor Services).

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter

28

•

•

Existing donors must create a new online donation rather than increasing an existing online donation. Donor Services can combine these donations later but they need to be kept separate initially to correctly calculate the match amount.

Donations by check must note Monthly Giving Match and whether “New” or “Increased” recurring monthly donation.

One-time donations are not matched.

HOW DOES THIS WORK? Below are a few examples: • Twelve months of a NEW gift. $50/per month = $600, and when matched becomes $1,200.

• Twelve months of an INCREASED gift. The amount of the increase will be matched. I currently give $25/per month, now I increase

to $50/month (the increase of $25 = $300 when matched becomes $600).

WHO CAN I SUPPORT? DCBC is fortunate to have two units serving with IM who are part of us! Carmella Jones (www.internationalministries.org/author/cjones), serving in Hungary, is a member of University Baptist Church, College Park, Maryland, and Molly and Eliberto Juárez (www.internationalministries.org/author/juarez), serving in El Salvador, are members of First Baptist Church of Silver Spring, Maryland. We have a wonderful opportunity to support these servants of God who are spreading the Gospel beyond our national boundaries. Please consider being an ongoing supporter of our missionaries serving with IM! Please give today!

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter

29

MMBB’s Comprehensive Retirement Plan: The Protection You Need for Your Church Staff

At MMBB Financial Services, we appreciate how important it is for your staff to feel financially confident, so they can devote their time and energy to ministry. Helping our members to envision what is financially possible for themselves and their families, now and in the future, is at the heart of our ministry.

Our Comprehensive Plan makes it easy for clergy and lay church staff to focus on what really matters: serving God, your congregation and your community. As our most complete offering, it combines retirement benefits, disability insurance and life insurance all in one convenient package. Churches have the peace of mind that comes from providing fair benefits for their employees and protecting them and the church. The Comprehensive Plan is an employer-paid plan that allocates contributions to the employee’s retirement account. Retirement Benefits from the plan include: • Flexible investment options, including Target Date Funds • Guaranteed Lifetime income in retirement through a variable annuity • Employee contributions that encourage responsibility that increase savings • Housing allowance for clergy in retirement • An average of 87 percent of pre-retirement income when MMBB members annuitize During their working years, members receive robust disability and life insurance benefits that provide important protection for them and their families. For members who are eligible for governmental benefits, MMBB’s disability plan coverage offers: • 2/3 of your pre-disability compensation minus any governmental benefits,

including Workers’ Compensation and Social Security benefits.

In the case of members who are not eligible for governmental benefits, disability coverage includes: • 2/3 of your pre-disability compensation for the first 21 months of disability payments • 1/3 of your pre-disability compensation after 21 months of disability payments Additional valuable protection includes: • Monthly allowance for dependent children under 21 • Continued life insurance coverage • Continued retirement contributions • Annual cost of living adjustment • Continuation of employer-paid group health insurance coverage Our life Insurance coverage offers: • Group terms insurance immediately payable at the time of death • Lifetime survivor coverage for spouses • Child allowance for children under age 21 • Spouses and children may be eligible to have 2-years’ worth of premiums paid if they were covered by an eligible employer-paid groups medical plan Learn more about how MMBB can customize an affordable plan for your church.

Contact, Rev. William J. Key, Retirements Benefits Consultant, at 917-287-4777 or william.key@mmbb.org.

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter 30

C A L E N DA R

JUNE

8 Book Roundtable 9 DCBC Chapel and Staff Meeting 10 19 20 24 - 26

National Ice Tea Day Juneteenth Father's Day ABC Biennial Mission Summit

JULY

4 Independence Day 7 World Chocolate Day/ African American Mental Health Month 7 - 10 BWA Congress 14 Chapel and Staff Meeting 15 DCBC Foundation Grants Deadline

11 DCBC Chapel and Staff

AUGUST

Meeting

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter

31

Church Mission Giving For the Four Months Ended April 30, 2021

The Convention recognizes that the giving cycles of each church are different. Some give monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

DCBC - 65%; Coop - 35% UNIFIED COOP

Churches

PNBC

DCBC

1,677.66 -

1,200.00 -

400.00 56.71 1,240.00 400.00 2,000.00 833.32 500.00 900.00 100.00 1,600.00 2,500.00 4,763.57 8,033.93 376.92 27,143.00 100.00 500.00 1,000.00 1,589.00 50.00 150.00 5,800.00 150.00 862.50 300.00 200.00 150.00 400.00 200.00 2,500.00 4,076.20 1,000.00 2,000.00

Agape Bible Christian Fellowship American Baptist Church Broadneck Baptist Church Carmody Hills Baptist Church Chin Community Baptist Church Clifton Park Baptist Church Commonwealth Baptist Church Dayspring Community Church Dominion Life Center East Washington Heights Baptist First Baptist Church Of the City of Washington DC First Baptist Church/Camp Springs First Baptist Church/Silver Spring First Kachin Baptist Church of VA Forest Heights Baptist Church Fort Foote Baptist Church Glory Baptist Church (Korean) Heritage Baptist Church Lai Baptist Church Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church Maryland Baptist Church (Tedim Chin) Metropolitan Outreach Ministry Montgomery Hills Baptist Church Mt. Airy Baptist Church Nations United Baptist Church Paramount Baptist Church Pathways Baptist Church Power House Baptist Church Ravensworth Baptist Church Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church Salem Gospel Ministries (Silver Spring) Takoma Park Baptist Church University Baptist Church/College Park Walker Memorial Baptist Church Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church

-

Zion Baptist Church North Site

-

200.00

-

1,877.66

Totals

100% Designated

ABC COOP

1,200.00

100.00 71,975.15

ABC

NCAMO

BWA

2,778.84 380.00 110.52 635.00 50.00 4,250.00 5,330.20 -

300.00 1,178.00 500.00 424.42 -

50.00 2,012.50 419.42 -

13,534.56

2,402.42

JUNE/JULY 2021 Capital Baptist Newsletter 32

2,481.92

JBCC -

MISC

YTD Total Gifts

635.00 1,500.00 1,677.66 4,172.46 -

400.00 2,835.55 1,240.00 400.00 2,000.00 833.32 500.00 900.00 100.00 2,800.00 2,500.00 5,143.57 8,144.45 300.00 376.92 28,321.00 100.00 500.00 1,000.00 2,859.00 150.00 150.00 12,050.00 150.00 2,875.00 300.00 4,199.16 200.00 150.00 400.00 200.00 2,500.00 13,578.86 1,000.00 2,000.00

7,985.12

300.00 101,456.83

District of Columbia Baptist Convention 1628 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 202.265.1526 info@dcbaptist.org