Capital Baptist Newsletter - October/November 2021 Edition

October/November 2021

In Person/Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES 6

God's Love Is Big

District of Columbia Baptist Convention

A Response to the Larry Nassar Case Before Congress

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

Making the Shift

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www.dcbaptist.org info@dcbaptist.org

DCBC Installs Its First Female Executive Director/Minister

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Office of Executive Director/Minister Executive Director/Minister Trisha Miller Manarin, Ext. 214 Ministry Assistant Loretta Polite-Shipman, Ext. 213

DCBC SPOTLIGHT

Campus Ministries LeeAnn Carrera

DCBC Notables

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Doing Good to All People

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Church Mission Giving

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Mental Health Coordinator

Jevon Billups

Capital Baptist Editor Sonia Myrick Office of Administration and Stewardship Chief Operations Officer Lashanor Doolittle, Ext. 203

IN EVERY ISSUE From the Desk of the DCBC President

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A Message from the Executive Director/ Minister

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Calendar

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Capital Baptist Submission Guidelines

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Ministry Assistant Wilbur Willis, Ext. 204 Building Maintenance Saul Garcia, Ext. 212 Accounting and Administrative Specialist Fam SaeChao Chock, Ext. 206 JBCC Building Coordinator Robin Foulk, Ext. 215 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 Hope in the Midst of Uncertainty In March 2020, our world changed. Our country had to make a hard downshift. There was no choice but to adapt to the rising levels of uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity we’d not experienced since 9/11. The COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm: planes were grounded, borders closed, businesses shuttered, unemployment soared and political unrest flourished.

Our lives were brought to an abrupt halt, and citizens in more than 118 countries sheltered in place. Even churches and other houses of faith were forced to close their doors.

During the first half of 2021, the country appeared to be turning the corner in the fight to tamp down COVID-19, but the spread of the Delta variant of the virus has slowed our return to a semblance of normalcy.

In the midst of all this, DCBC is excited about hosting the 145th Annual Gathering of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention Churches on October 21 and October 22. I look forward to meeting and sharing with our 168-member churches as we explore “Making the Shift” from the Book of John 4:28–30. This worldwide pandemic has put a strain on our pastors and our congregants because they were unable to be together physically. Many have been weighted down by fear, and the emotional baggage has made us weary. I stand with you with the hope that at this Annual Gathering you will find peace, joy, freedom and victory in Christ for the coming year.

On September 12, 2021, our convention shifted into high gear as we held a great celebration at St. Mary’s Baptist Church to install our new Executive Director/Minister, Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin. Dr. Manarin has been on-board since August 17, 2020, and has already brought a new energy to the Convention. We look forward to being in ministry with her, living our motto: One Faith, Many Cultures, and Endless Possibilities.

I pray that God will release Holy Ghost Power on us as we gather for our 145th.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Donald R. Kelly President of the DCBC Board of Directors October/November 2021 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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A Message from the Executive Director/Minister

Thanks and Giving

I thank my God every time I remember you.

— Philippians 1:3

Thank you for graciously covenanting and celebrating the good work of God during the Installation Worship Service on September 12. This powerful experience will be remembered and cherished by me and my family for decades to come.

Thank you also to St. Mary’s Baptist Church, Pastor Daryl Washington, and Rev. Peggy Scott for the gracious hospitality, and to Rev. Kimberly PalmoreFerguson and the entire DCBC staff for the hard work on this special occasion.

Our Annual Gathering is going to be very exciting! As we make the shift during this two-day hybrid gathering, I look forward to experiencing all God has in store for us. On Thursday evening, we will hear from Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President, and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, and on Friday morning, from Rev. Britni Johnson, who ministers at Victory Grace Center under Dr. Jasmin “Jazz” Sculark. Both of these guest preachers offer unique perspectives you will not want to miss! If you haven’t registered yet, please do so today at www.dcbaptist.org/annual-gathering2021.

As we prepare to gather to ask the Lord’s blessing, I give thanks for our DCBC churches, member organizations, pastors, ministers, chaplains, leaders, and congregants. It is a blessing to be part of this beautiful Kingdom of God Experiment known as DCBC as we seek to empower, engage, equip and assist each other.

During these days of thanks and giving, I invite you to offer your financial gifts so we might be able to live into the summons of God’s call for DCBC. Online donations can be made at https://www.dcbaptist.org/give.

As always, it would be my delight to visit with you via Zoom or in-person with masks. And, I look forward to seeing you at our Annual Gathering.

Joy and Grace,

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister

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GOD’S LOVE IS BIG

By Carmella Jones

Children who participated in the Vacation Bible School in Pannonhalma, Hungary, toured and learned about different churches and denominations as part of the program. (Photos courtesy of Carmella Jones)

God who made the universe, the earth, the sun, the moon, and stars has a place in His heart for me.

From the beginning to the end, God will always be my friend, So, I can jump and shout ‘cos God loves me. God’s love is big, God’s love is great, God’s love is fab and He’s my mate.

God’s love surrounds me every day, and I love to sing and say: God’s love is big, God’s love is strong, God’s love goes on and on and on.

God’s love surrounds me every day, and I love to sing and say, God loves me!

I

have been receiving emails and Facebook messages asking, “Carmella where are you and what are you doing?” I’m in Hungary, and this summer, I held my very first Vacation Bible School (VBS) ever at my school on August 2–6. “God’s Love Is Big,” (the lyrics appear on the opposite page) offered in English and Hungarian, was the VBS theme song.

I recruited three local missionaries to help me run the program, which was done in full American style. There was morning worship that included opening prayer, a memory Bible verse and Christian songs sung in Hungarian and English. Performing the motions together was exciting for the children and the adults! Each day, we taught a new Bible story. However, because we wanted to teach the lessons in English and Hungarian, we focused on two stories: Moses at the Red Sea and Jesus feeding the 5,000. The children loved the crafts and the games we did to support these two stories. On the last day of VBS, the children sang the Hungarian and English songs for their parents and performed two skits: Jesus feeding the 5,000 in both English and Hungarian, and Moses at the Red Sea in Hungarian only.

Unlike most American-style VBS programs, ours ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. So, what did we do after lunch? We toured churches in the neighborhood surrounding the school! This activity was a big hit, and I was surprised by how eager and interested the children were to learn about the churches and different denominations. The pastors expressed joy in welcoming the students to their churches and were generous with their time.

We made a big deal of the morning snack.

American kid-friendly foods — peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, American pancakes, hot dogs, cold cereal, and milk — were served each day. According to my students,

At top, children prepare for a craft-making activity; at center, they perform o n e o f the Bible stories they learned; and above, peanut butter, jam and whip cream, used as pancake toppings by the children.

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Top left and above, children engage in water play during VBS; at left, parents watch their children perform bible story skits; below, VBS leader, Rev. Carmella Jones.

peanut butter is overrated! But, many of them ate their pancakes covered with peanut butter, jam and whip cream. Okay, maple syrup isn’t readily available in Hungary.

Overall, it was fun, challenging and exhausting! It was so exciting to be able to offer our students uninterrupted time of hearing the gospel and to share the gospel with them and their parents. VBS provided a great opportunity to expand awareness of Christian denominations and American culture. We prayed together each morning, and I learned two of the teachers were believers. This was a wonderful surprise. I learned a lot more about their faith because of their interest and participation in VBS. I remain Hungry 4 Hungary, and indeed, I declare, God’s love is BIG! Rev. Carmella Jones has been serving in Budapest, Hungary, co-teaching English at a small Baptist school that specializes in teaching children with learning challenges. She is an ordained clergy with American Baptist Churches USA and a member of University Baptist Church/College Park, a DCBC member congregation.

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A few of the beautiful churches the children visited and learned about during VBS. October/November 2021 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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A RESPONSE TO THE LARRY NASSAR CASE BEFORE CONGRESS The following letter was sent in support of children and youth: People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’

And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

— (Mark 10:13-16, NRSV) As the people of God, the siblings of Jesus, “We know sexual abuse occurs in do we believe these words of our Lord? youth-serving organizations, but when And if we believe, are we willing to protect we choose to ignore that it’s happening the children, those vulnerable, along the way? in our community, we enable this abuse Justice for children is often on the bottom to continue.…We [SCAN] believe it is of our list of concerns. The other issues rise to the responsibility of every the top from voices stronger, though not organization, and every adult, to necessarily louder, than the youngest among protect children.” (SCAN of Northern us. In Jesus’ day, his closest followers wanted Virginia September 16, 20201 to usher the children to “their” place, but Jesus Statement on Institutional Abuse in declared their status Response to Sexual was with him. And he Offenses of Larry If any of you put a stumbling block before one took them up in his Nassar). of these little ones who believe in me, it arms.

DCBC, we must would be better for you if a great millstone Let us be mindful protect our children. We were fastened around your neck and you that Jesus’ embrace must welcome them as were drowned in the depth of the sea. — was pure, filled with all Jesus and care for them Matthew 18:6 goodness and mercy. with the utmost respect His first concern was one can offer. They must for the child, not himself. be nurtured and loved in the ways of God for Let us be careful, church, for there are the Kingdom of God belongs to them today, not wolves in sheep’s clothes even in the church. just when they become adults.

Their embraces are not pure. They are The effects of child sexual abuse are longgrooming the vulnerable in our Sunday School term, often lifelong, and deeply destructive. classrooms, children’s church, VBS, and so We must train our leaders to represent Jesus forth; embracing children for their own to children and youth with a purity of heart pleasure. They are making the holy kiss a kiss and integrity of love. “It is the church’s of betrayal, reminiscent of Judas’ kiss which responsibility to care for the children,” DCBC betrayed Jesus, only most of these kisses are in President Donald Kelly shared this week. Our private, not as public as Judas’. leaders need to have the tools to know how to

Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children face, with the most serious array of consequences. In fact, 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. — www.d2l.org/education/stewards-ofchildren/

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister District of Columbia Baptist Convention www.dcbaptist.org/September 17, 2021

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

properly engage as well as to listen to our children.

At our Annual Gathering in October, you and your church leaders will have the opportunity to be trained and certified in the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children® program. This course will assist participants to “learn how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse; and to become confident and competent, knowing how to prevent sexual abuse and react skillfully if it occurs.”

In the coming days, DCBC will be providing additional resources for our churches. In the meantime, all churches are

strongly encouraged to mandate background checks and training for those who work with any vulnerable people group, including children, youth, senior citizens, and special needs individuals.

To register for this training, as part of our Annual Gathering, go to www.dcbaptist.org/annual-gathering-2021 If you are unable to attend on October 22, please email DCBC Mental Health Coordinator, Rev. Jevon Billups at jevon.billups@gmail.com.

Let us, DCBC, strive to follow Jesus, to love the children and youth entrusted to us, and embrace them with a holy, pure embrace.

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T

he perfect storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the unmasking of racial injustice and inequity has battered and continues to batter the fabric of our lives and world. We’ve had to shift our way of doing the everyday as we try to return to some semblance of “business as usual.” But, can we, should we be about trying to return to business or, more importantly, church as usual?

God calls us individually and collectively to be light and salt to a world in turmoil. It’s an intimidating call, but it’s one for which He provides the resources to equip us. As we prepare for our 145th Annual Gathering, a hybrid virtual and in-person gathering, we’ve called on several “resources” to help equip us with some new ways of being and doing church during and after this storm. Take a look at the itinerary on page 13 and register now at www.runtheworld.today/app/c/DCBC_145th_Annual_Gathering.

Olive Branch Community Church, led by Pastor and DCBC President Rev. Dr. Donald R. Kelly, is the host for the Annual Gathering. The in-person components of the Gathering — the Older Adult and Ministers’ Convocations, Business Session, Emerging Voices, Thursday dinner, and the evening worship experiences on Thursday and Friday — will be at Olive Branch, which is located at 416 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, Maryland. Face masks will be required for all indoor activities and we will practice social distancing.

Brief descriptions of the presentations scheduled on Thursday and Friday can be found on page 14. In addition to these presentations, on Thursday, there will be a business session at 1:30 p.m., a dinner at 5:30 p.m. and evening worship, led by Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President & CEO, Children's Defense Fund, at 7 p.m. to close out the first day. Friday’s Gathering will begin at 9:15 a.m. with a Morning Worship Experience led by Min. Britni Michelle Johnson from Victory Grace Center, and close with a 7:30 p.m. Evening Worship Experience, led by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood, Pastor, Dayspring Community Church & DCBC Board Member; and Rev. Dr. Donald R. Kelly, DCBC President and Senior Pastor, Olive Branch Community Church.

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SESSION/MASTER CLASS DESCRIPTIONS (Master Class I sessions begin at 10:15 a.m. and Master Class II sessions at 3:15 p.m. Bios for each speaker can be found at www.runtheworld.today/app/c/DCBC_145th_Annual_Gathering.)

Older Adult Convocation (In Person & Online) – Melanie Paris, Senior Director of Health Initiatives and Education, American Kidney Fund and Alka Gupta, Clinical Assisnt Professor of Medicine, George Washington University, invite you on a journey to explore the benefits of food, health, and finances to stimulate the BRAIN POWER in you!

Ministers’ Convocation (In Person & Online) – The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a much-needed opportunity for church leaders to reconsider what it means to be the people of God in the 21st-century and beyond. Anna Robbins helps us navigate a new way forward in these days of uncertainty and constant change.

Emerging Voices (In Person & Online) — During this year’s Emerging Voices session, facilitated by Orlando Jermaine Bego, Senior Pastor, CenterPoint Baptist Church, we will hear from the following five associate pastors/ ministers of DCBC churches: Joel Campbell, First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC; Kendra Eastman, The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church; Bruce Hasty, Fellowship Baptist Church; Brian Keahey, Second Baptist Church SW; and Nigel Thomas, Fort Foote Baptist Church.

Master Class I - Race Literacy 101 (Online Only) — Steve Parks, Founder, Little Lights Urban Ministries, will look at the Biblical foundation of racial justice and unity and

journey through a brief history of racial construction and the impact of ideas of white supremacy and systemic racism. Through this class, he will get us thinking deeper about the demonic principality of racial ideology and systemic racism through a gospel-centered lens.

Master Class I - Healing Our Divides (Online Only) —In this workshop, Michelle Nickens, Pastor, Washington Plaza Baptist Church and K. Scarry, Community Director, The People’s Supper, delve into the question: How do we heal our divides? They will share the story of their friendship and the practice of working toward racial justice together, and engage in an open forum where, together, we can explore our learnings along the way: what worked, what didn’t, what we still haven’t figured out.

Master Class I - Darkness to Light (Certification) (Online Only) — Jevon Billups, Senior Pastor, Dominion Life Center, will conduct this evidence-informed, awardwinning two-hour Darkness to Light (aka Stewards of Children®) training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Participants will receive a three-year nationally recognized certification at the completion of the course.

There is an additional $20.00 fee for the certification.

Master Class I - Glocal Missions Panel (Online Only) — Once upon a time, mission

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was understood to be from the west to the rest.

Today, however, mission is better understood as from everyone to everywhere. DCBC is making great strides to be engaged in holistic glocal (a combination of the words GLObal and loCAL) mission, whether in our neighborhoods or around the world. This session is an opportunity to hear from the following mission partners and to learn how congregations and individuals can be part of this mission movement: Molly & Eliberto Juarez, missionaries serving in El Salvador who are members of the First Baptist Church of Silver Spring, Maryland, and endorsed Global Servants with American Baptist’s International Ministries; Glenn Scott, Program Director of Damascus House Community Development Corporation (DHCDC); Kevin Williams, Executive Director of DHCDC and Director of DHCDC’s RISTORe Program ; Carmella Jones, a member of University Baptist Church, College Park, Maryland, and a missionary serving in Budapest, Hungary, who is endorsed by International Ministries; and Lynn Bergfalk, Founder and President, City Gate.

New Voices (Online Only) — “How shall they hear without a preacher?” As our congregations continue to thrive in advancing the kingdom of God, many have called gifted men and women to serve as senior pastors. In this session, facilitated by Regretta Ruffin, Senior Pastor, Greater New St. Paul Baptist Church, you’ll be introduced to a few of our newest pastors: Leah Grundset Davis, Pastor at Ravensworth Baptist Church, Annandale, Virginia; Kayode Opadeji, Senior Pastor, Alafia Baptist Church; Ryan Phipps, Senior

Minister at Church In Bethesda; Paris Lee Smith, Sr., Senior Pastor, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church; and William Young, IV, Pastor, Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ.

Master Class II - Creation Care/Environmental Justice (Online Only) — Ambrose Carroll, Sr., Founder and CEO of Green The Church, will center this session on the role of the church to be a voice of ethics for society and will showcase what congregations and church leaders around the nation are doing to not only speak truth to power, but also to empower the masses to make a difference (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Master Class II - Dreaming into the Future (Online Only) — The church often spends our time looking to the future in two ways “back in the good old days,” or looking to someone else’s idea of the “best way forward.” What would happen if we begin to look to the future in new ways with endless possibilities? This session, led by Trisha Miller Manarin, DCBC Executive Director/ Minister, will explore some basic futurist approaches to creating a new way of being the church. We will also examine a few biblical stories as they connect to the dreaming process.

Master Class II - Branding Your Church (Online Only) — Building a church brand goes beyond the church logo or graphics. It’s the effort to build an organizational reputation. DCBC’s Minister of Public Relations and Outreach, Kimberly PalmoreFerguson, will show us to navigate through imagery, emotions and facts to influence what members and visitors hear, read or think about your church.

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Sanctuary of Olive Branch Community Church, located at 416 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, in Sandy Spring, Maryland, host of the 145th Annual Gathering and site where all in-person activities will take place. (Photo courtesy of Olive Branch Community Church)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

DC Baptist Foundation

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DCBC INSTALLS ITS FIRST FEMALE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/MINISTER

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin (seated) receives prayer from Rev. Dr. Marion Criddle (robed in green), Pastor of River of Joy Bible Fellowship Church, as her husband, Dr. Tim Manarin (far left), children — (left to right) Peter, Nathaniel and Margaret — and all those gathered reach out to lay hands on her during her Installation Celebration.

G

od’s presence and His people’s praises, through song, dance and spoken word, imbued the recent Installation Celebration for DCBC’s Executive Director/Minister, Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin. Although Rev. Dr. Manarin has been leading the Convention since August 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunday, September 12 was the first time for several in attendance to physical greet her. St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., hosted this historic occasion — in the 145 years of DCBC’s existence, Rev. Dr. Miller Manarin is its first female Executive Director/Minister.

Following the Invocation by St. Mary’s Pastor, Rev. Daryl Washington, and Call to Worship by Rev. Jim Paraboschi of Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church, the leaders of several sister organizations, along with the Chair of the DCBC Search Committee, Charlotte Peddicord, offered videotaped messages of welcome to Dr. Miller Manarin. Peddicord described Dr. Miller Manarin as “a woman of great energy, vision, and experience; a change agent, a woman with a heart for the Gospel and a love of missions.”

Dr. Miller Manarin’s past experiences — including as a local church pastor, Executive Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Coordinator with the Baptist World Alliance, and a professor and missionary — stand her in

good stead as she serves one of the most diverse church conventions in the country.

That diversity was evident throughout the service, not only in the people and communities of worship present, but also elements of the service: the Reason for Gathering statement, which was delivered, in part, in Thai and a Sermonic Selection by members of the Alafia Baptist Church Choir, who sang about God’s goodness in the Yoruba language.

Recognition of this history-making occasion was evident in the selection “A Prophet Woman Broke a Jar,” sung by Rev. Michelle Nickens, Pastor of Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston, Virginia, that was specially requested by Rev. Dr. Miller Manarin. “A Place at the Table,” sung by Peter, Nathaniel and Maggie Manarin — the Rev. Dr. Miller Manarin (2nd from left), visits with fellow clergy – Rev. Kasey Jones (far left), Associate Coordinator of Strategic Operations with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall (wearing red), Interim President of the United Theological Seminary; and Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez, American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary — during the Garden Reception that followed her Installation Celebration at St. Mary’s Baptist Church.

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children of Rev. Dr. Miller Manarin and her husband Dr. Tim Manarin — accompanied

by Mr. Andrew Lewis continued a theme of welcome, servanthood and collaboration that inhabited this celebration.

And then there was an energizing sermon

by Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall, Interim President of the United Theological Seminary. In her message, taken from 1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:58

she exhorted Dr. Miller Manarin to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding, grounding her work in the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, her labor will not be in vain. “We are here to do a holy thing,” she began, “and Trisha you have been getting ready for this your whole life. God has called you to do the work of a bishop, of an overseer of churches in this region, and you are remarkably and richly equipped to lead. The presence of this cloud of witnesses today testifies to that.”

That cloud of witnesses had earlier engaged in a Litany of support and encouragement for Dr. Miller Manarin.

In her remarks, taken from Matthew 5:13, Dr. Miller Manarin reminded those present, both in person and online, that we are meant to be “salt seasoning that brings out the God colors of this earth. Our motto is uniting, enlivening and energizing us,” she exclaimed, “…And we will trust the Spirit to grow that whenever we’re called or summoned into any piece of service for God

that we will find ourselves becalmed — that we will hoist up our sails, wait for a wind, attempt our work and wait for the Spirit to carry us through. And oh, how sweet it is when we can set sail together before those heavenly winds.”

Several powerful prayers were offered up for the Convention, its staff and the clergy, culminating in the “laying on of hands” and a fervent prayer for Dr. Miller Manarin, offered up by Rev. Dr. Marion Criddle, Pastor of Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church. It was indeed a good day to be in the house of the Lord and to celebrate the installation of DCBC’s new Executive Director/Minster. If you were unable to attend the celebration, a recording is available at https://tinyurl.com/2u63cadv.

— Sonia Myrick, Capital Baptist Editor

Advent Planning (Online) Do you like planning for Christmas?

Do you enjoy writing?

Does worship planning excite you?

In less than two months, Advent will begin on Sunday, November 28, 2021. We’d love for you to join a conversation about Advent and how DCBC might engage the season. Last year, we hosted a meaningful, online Blue Christmas Worship Experience. Join us via Zoom: Date: Oct. 5, 2021

Time: 7 p.m.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85425124634?pwd= MVNWR3ZjQ213eDl6blpMT2lBWDRzdz09 Meeting ID: 854 2512 4634

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Installation Litany

Led by ABC USA Associate General Secretary for Women in Ministry and Transition Ministries, Patricia Hernandez; DCBC President, Donald R. Kelly; and DCBC Vice President, Ella Redfield

Dr. Hernandez: District of Columbia Baptist Convention, you have called Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin to be your Executive Director/Minister. Will you support her with your prayers, participation, and finances as she seeks to lead by your side?

DCBC: With God’s help, we will.

Dr. Hernandez: Convention pastors, will you encourage your colleagues to join you with Rev. Miller Manarin as she strives to shepherd the Convention?

DCBC Pastors: With God’s presence, we will.

Dr. Hernandez: Convention churches, will you engage with the ministries, trainings, and activities of the Convention so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to be experienced and furthered far and wide?

DCBC Churches: With the Holy Spirit inspiring us, we will.

Dr. Redfield: District of Columbia Baptist Convention staff, will you seek to work with Rev. Miller Manarin so that the Convention might truly live out our motto: One Faith.

Many Cultures. Endless Possibilities?

DCBC staff: With God’s help, we will Dr. Redfield: The Miller and Manarin families, will you continue to support and encourage your wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt…and support her in finding times to play and rest?

Family: We will, with the help of God. Dr. Redfield: Trisha’s friends, will you continue reaching out to Trish, providing her a listening heart and encouraging voice?

Friends: Yes, we will with God by our side.

Dr. Kelly: Dr. Miller Manarin, will you faithfully pray for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention, our churches, our pastors, and ministries?

Dr. Miller Manarin: With God’s help, I will.

Dr. Kelly: Will you push us to see with new eyes so that we might experience endless possibilities?

Dr. Miller Manarin: As the Holy Spirit is working in and through me, I will.

Dr. Kelly: Will you faithfully study the Bible and meditate on the scripture both for your own faith formation and for the forming and flourishing of the Convention?

Dr. Miller Manarin: Yes, with God’s help.

Dr. Kelly: Will you honor our past while seeking a new and bright future for the Convention?

Dr. Miller Manarin: With God’s guidance, your prayers, and the cloud of witnesses, I will do my best to serve you faithfully as I walk humbly with God, neighbors and the Convention.

DCBC NOTABLES

DCBC shares the following notable events in the life of its members: We extend condolences to the family of Rev. Dr. Timothy Stewart and to the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC), which announced that Dr. Steward, its beloved 21st president, passed on September 17, 2021.

Dr. Stewart faithfully served the Progressive National Baptist Convention for more than three decades, making history in 2018 as the first International President in Progressive’s 60-year history.

A statement released by PNBC states: “Today as we grieve, we remember and celebrate a great shepherd, Pastor of the Historic Bethel Baptist Church in Nassau, Bahamas, husband, father, family man, visionary leader, counselor and friend. We mourn, not in despair but in the hope that we will meet again.

“We ask that you pray for his wife, Mrs. Sharon Stewart; their children, Timothy, Michael, Gardner Calvin; the Bethel Baptist Church family; and the entire PNBC Convention.”

DCBC Vice President Rev. Dr. Ella Redfield and Executive Director/Minister Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin attended a wreath laying ceremony for Rev. Dr. Stewart, held on September 25 at PNBC headquarters.

DCBC extends condolences to Dr. Tim Manarin, husband of our Executive Director/Minister Rev. Dr. Miller Manarin, on the peaceful passing of his father, Louis Henry Manarin, on Friday, August 20, 2021, surrounded by family in his home in Henrico, Virginia.

A historian, he was the former State Archivist of the Commonwealth of Virginia, authored, co-authored and edited more a dozen books on Virginia and North Carolina history and was active in many historical organizations. He was also a longtime Boy Scout leader, receiving the Silver Beaver and the Good Shepherd awards. For more than 50 years, he was a member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church.

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Rev. Larrin Robertson, Pastor of the Word for Life Church Ministries (WFLCM) in Fort Washington, Maryland, and DCBC Executive Director/Minister Rev. Dr, Miller Manarin helped WFLCM celebrate 15 years of God’s favor and faithfulness and its fellowship at the Founders Day Revival Service, September 15, during the church’s Season of Celebration – September 2021.

Congratulations to Minister Stephanie Willett, whose ordination service took place September 18 at Village Baptist Church, which is located in Bowie, Maryland, and led by Pastor Emily Holladay.

Congratulations to Alafia Baptist Church in Mount Rainier, Maryland, founded in 1996 to cater to the spiritual needs of African immigrants, most of whom are of Yoruba descent, and led by Rev Dr. Kayode Opadeji, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

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Congratulations and welcome to Rev. Dr. Eric Mathis, recently called by The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. as Associate Pastor for Faith Formation, Worship & the Arts and Young Adults.

Dr. Mathis formerly served at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, as Associate Dean for the Division of Music, Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship Leadership, and founding Executive Director of the Center for Worship and the Arts.

Congratulations to Pastor L. B. West (far right) of Mount Airy Baptist Church, who was inducted into the University of Georgia’s College Football Players’ Hall of Fame as one of “The Five” (above) — the first black players to earn football scholarships to UGA in 1971. Pastor West was a defensive back from 1972-1974. Also pictured are Richard Appleby, Horace King, Chuck Kinnebrew and Clarence Pope.

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Congratulations to Dr. CJ Redden-Liotta, who celebrated his 10th anniversary as the Minister of Music with Vienna Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia, on September 1. He is also the choral director at Falls Church High School and has been involved in church music for more than 30 years as a singer, conductor, and instrumentalist and has actively served in the music ministry of churches in seven different denominations.

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Doing Good to All People Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. — Galatians 6:9-10, NIV.

O

ur hearts are heavy as we consider all that is taking place in our country and world. We continue praying for our city, the USA, Haiti, Myanmar, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and other places in need of justice, peace, hope and aid. On Sunday, August 14, 2021, Haiti, reeling from the assassination of its president, was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. This island nation, still rebuilding after the 2010 earthquake, is now facing a triple challenge brought on by a tropical storm, political unrest and this most recent quake.

Hurricane Ida made landfall on August 26 and cut a swath of devastation from Louisiana to Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey – some of the areas hit were already trying to recover from recent unprecedented flooding. And, out West, several large wildfires have been and continue to burn out of control, threatening communities. In addition to these concerns, there is no doubt many of our pastors and churches continue to struggle from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our sisters and brothers are tired and need our prayers and support. While we know prayer is powerful, we also pray for action to our prayers. Please give to the DCBC at https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin. aspx?sn=90263 to bring hope, relief, and restoration to Haiti. All monies collected

will be used to assist in disaster response efforts. DCBC is also collecting funds to support disaster response efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and in our region.

Rev. Dr. David Hinson from MMMB shared that grant opportunities are available to assist those of you who have suffered from salary reductions. You can call Dr. Hinson directly at 917.224.0738, and he will point you in the right direction about where to find help or some emergency assistance.

PHOTO CREDITS Photos used in this Notables section are courtesy of the following: Pg. 22 top: Progressive National Baptist Convention; bottom: Rev. Dr. Miller Manarin. Pg. 23 top: Word for Life Church Ministries; bottom: Emily Holladay. Pg. 24 top: First Baptist Church of Washington, DC; bottom: Mount Airy Baptist Church. Pg. 25 top: Vienna Baptist Church.

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C A L E N DA R

5 Advent Planning Grant Writing Workshop 7 Weekly Prayer* 11 Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day DCBC Closed 12 Pastors' Chat Grant Writing Workshop 13 Chapel and Staff Meeting 14 Weekly Prayer* 19 Grant Writing Workshop 21-22 ANNUAL GATHERING 25 DCBC Office Closed 26 Grant Writing Workshop 28 Weekly Prayer*

OCT

1 Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer 4 Weekly Prayer* 9 Pastors' Chat 11 Veterans Day DCBC Closed 18 Weekly Prayer* 24 DCBC Closes @12 noon 25 Thanksgiving Day/DCBC Closed 26 DCBC Closed 28 First Sunday of Advent

NOV

*Weekly Prayer is held at 8:25 a.m. each week.

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Church Mission Giving For the Eight Months Ended August 31, 2021

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

Churches Agape Bible Christian Fellowship Allow God Deliverance Min., Intl.

American Baptist Church Broadneck Baptist Church Broadview Baptist Church Carmody Hills Baptist Church CenterPoint Missionary Baptist Church Chin Baptist Mission Church Chin Community Baptist Church Clifton Park Baptist Church Commonwealth Baptist Church Dayspring Community Church Dominion Life Center East Washington Heights Baptist Faith Shepherd Baptist Church Fellowship Baptist Church 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 Hillandale Baptist Church Hillcrest Baptist Church Israel Baptist Church Lai Baptist Church Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church Maryland Baptist Church (Tedim Chin) Metropolitan Baptist Church Metropolitan Outreach Ministry Montgomery Hills Baptist Church Mt. Airy Baptist Church Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Nations United Baptist Church Olive Branch Community Church Paramount Baptist Church Pathways Baptist Church Power House Baptist Church Ravensworth Baptist Church Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church Saint Mary's Baptist Church Salem Gospel Ministries (Silver Spring) Siyin-Chin Baptist Church Takoma Park Baptist Church The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church University Baptist Church/College Park Upper Room Baptist Church Vienna Baptist Church Village Baptist Church Walker Memorial Baptist Church Washington Plaza Baptist Church West Hyattsville Baptist Church Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church Zion Baptist Church North Site TOTAL

DCBC - 65%; Coop - 35% UNIFIED ABC CBF COOP COOP COOP 635.00 3,732.66 2,055.00 300.00 2,500.00 500.00 4,532.66 5,190.00

100% Designated PNBC 1,740.00 500.00 2,240.00

DCBC 800.00 50.00 85.83 1,777.00 3,000.00 800.00 1,000.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 1,666.64 500.00 2,100.00 100.00 3,510.00 500.00 300.00 3,750.00 8,528.87 12,292.51 746.66 55,814.00 100.00 900.00 3,200.00 500.00 500.00 2,000.00 3,178.00 600.00 50.00 350.00 15,800.00 400.00 1,500.00 4,018.26 250.00 300.00 400.00 300.00 800.00 1,000.00 400.00 700.00 2,500.00 1,500.00 8,639.37 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,900.00 1,000.00 250.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 100.00 162,457.14

CBF 636.00 2,500.00 1,677.66 4,813.66

ABC

NCAMO

BWA

JBCC

500.00 300.00 1,945.00 770.00 938.17 250.00 4,703.17

600.00 9,375.90 933.17 10,909.07

-

4,205.42 1,792.50 502.25 1,271.00 600.00 8,224.00 500.00 10,630.65 600.00 28,325.82

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MISC

YTD Total Gifts

6,477.28 6,477.28

800.00 50.00 4,291.25 1,777.00 3,500.00 800.00 1,000.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 1,666.64 500.00 2,100.00 100.00 5,250.00 500.00 300.00 3,750.00 10,321.37 12,794.76 300.00 746.66 57,759.00 100.00 900.00 3,200.00 500.00 500.00 2,000.00 5,720.00 1,800.00 50.00 350.00 27,294.00 400.00 1,500.00 13,394.16 250.00 300.00 9,336.66 400.00 300.00 800.00 2,000.00 400.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 1,500.00 25,747.30 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,900.00 1,000.00 250.00 1,250.00 2,600.00 600.00 229,648.80

2021 Publication Schedule & Article Deadlines Issue

Article Submission Deadline

February - March 2022

Friday, December 17

December 2021- January 2022

Friday, October 29

Article Submission Guidelines.

• • •

•

• • •

All submissions should be sent as a Word document with one-inch margins on all sides.

No PDFs, please.

All articles should be typed in 12 font, double-spaced and limited to 400 to 600 words.

All articles should feature original content and be previously unpublished, unless reprint permission is provided. Please also provide a brief author bio in the following format: “[Author name is [job title] at [name of church/org. (email address or social media handle – optional).”

Please provide a photo credit in the following format for any images you provide to help illustrate your article: “Photo courtesy of [name of photographer or owner of image].”

Please provide the names of all persons featured in a picture listed from left to right.

Please also provide background information about the image: the who, what, why, when, where.

All articles are subject to editing and may be held for a future issue.

Article submissions that do not meet the guidelines may not be accepted or will be returned for appropriate editing.

Please email article submissions to cb@dcbaptist.org. Please address questions/comments to Sonia Myrick, Capital Baptist Editor at cb@dcbaptist.org.

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OCTOBER 27-28, 2021 9AM PST / NOON EST

ANNUAL NABF MEETING

North American Baptist Fellowship

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI: Our annual meeting will be held both virtually and in person.

J

oin us for this year’s annual meeting as we explore (both online and in person) what it means to RECOVER and REPAIR as we look to the FUTURE in this post-Covid world.

LOCATION: Fee Fee Baptist Church 11330 St. Charles Rock Road Bridgeton, MO 63044

COST: This event is free, but you must register to participate. We wish to thank our sponsors: The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (BGCT), National Baptist Convention of America International, and Simmons College of Kentucky.

Presentations will begin at 12:30 PM EDT on Wednesday, followed by breakout groups on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Breakout groups will discuss disaster relief, racial justice, support networks, and the importance of addressing abuse.

Sincerely,

Rev. Samuel Tolbert President

Rev. Jeremy Bell General Secretary

DR. ANNA M. ROBBINS — RECOVERY President, Acadia Divinity College Dr. Robbins served for 12 years on the faculty of the London School of Theology. Anna is a gifted leader in the interface between contemporary culture and church. She has extensive experience with the church in recovery.

DR. WILLIE D. FRANCOIS III — REPAIR Senior Pastor, Mount Zion BC of Pleasantville, NJ Dr. Francois is president of the Black Church Center for Justice and Equality and directs the professional studies program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. His pastoral activism takes shape around racial equity, economic justice, and criminal-justice reform.

Dr. LEONARD SWEET — FUTURE Professor Emeritus, Drew Theological Seminary Dr. Sweet is the author of more than 60 books that bridge the worlds of faith, academe, and popular culture — his most recent being Rings of Fire (2019). He obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Rochester and serves as a consultant to many of America’s denominational leaders.

[

north american baptist fellowship The North American Baptist Fellowship is part of a worldwide group of regions collaborating with the Baptist World Alliance.

It represents over 22 denominations and multiple organizations, comprising more than 19.8 million people and 55,000 churches.

We warmly welcome you to this year’s exciting event, resourcing churches and empowering Baptists across North America.

]

Register: https://churchnet.wufoo.com/forms/z1nr5agp04orwhm/ Give today: simplechurchgiving.net/App/Giving/nabf

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