Capital Baptist Newsletter-Dec 2023/Jan 2024 Edition

Peace on earth Goodwill to...

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Inside...

Farewell and Hello 6 | 2023 Annual Gathering Recap 13 When Following the News Becomes Too Distressing 22 | Creation Care 28 | DCBC Notables 30

December 2023 - January 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS District of Columbia

FEATURES

Baptist Convention

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

Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain Called as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA We Must Deal with Our Public Grief Annual Gathering: OAM Convocation Reflections Prophetic Blessing to Ministers at Convocation Gathering When Following the News Becomes too Distressing A Practical Guide to Lament

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Creation Care 28 The Streams of Justice Continue Flowing… 29 DCBC Notables 30 Classifieds 38

From the Desk of the DCBC President A Message from the Executive Director/ Minister From the Desk of the Incoming DCBC President Calendar Church Mission Giving Friends of DCBC Capital Baptist Subscription Info.

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Office of Executive Director/Minister Executive Director/Minister Trisha Miller Manarin, Ext. 214 Executive Assistant Loretta Polite-Shipman, Ext. 213 Campus Ministries LeeAnn Carrera Adrien Ngudiankama

DCBC SPOTLIGHT

IN EVERY ISSUE

www.dcbaptist.org info@dcbaptist.org

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Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator Jevon Billups Older Adult Ministries Coordinator Robin Apparicio Capital Baptist Editor Sonia Myrick Office of Administration and Stewardship Chief Operations Officer Lashanor Doolittle, Ext. 203 Administrative Assistant Sharita Phillip, Ext. 204 Building Maintenance Saul Garcia, Ext. 212 Accounting and Administrative Specialist Fam SaeChao Chock, Ext. 206 JBCC Building Coordinator Robin Foulk, Ext. 215 ERT Coordinator James Barbour

Cover Photo Credit: Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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From the Desk of the DCBC President

Prince of Peace Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams, a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift.

And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great.

The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders.

His name? His name we’ll know in many ways— He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing, Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.

— Isaiah 9:6 (The Voice) The Bible comes in many translations and interpretations, but the message is clear. In this season, we have hope, in the form of an undeserved, yet much needed, Messiah. With each name listed, the one I most desire is Prince of Peace. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could enjoy a silent night without the threat of violence, drug overdoses, hunger, homelessness, hatred or depression and war or rumors of war? Our hearts and minds deserve a time of love, joy and renewal. What a delight it would be to truly anticipate a season of peace. Not the contrived peace that comes with everyone inauthentically agreeing to go along with a corrupt perspective, but a genuine peace that comes with loving God and our neighbors. This peace comes through struggle not violence. To know struggle is to know hope, to have hope is to have peace.

As you light candles or sing songs, spend time with loved ones or sit with God, keep peace in the forefront of your celebration, it is the gift that can last throughout the year.

My prayer for each of you and our Convention is that we become the example of light, love and peace in our area. May the love of Christ encourage you, the light of Christ guide you and the peace of Christ surround you.

Peace,

Rev. Patricia H. Fears President of the DCBC Board of Directors December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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A Message from the Executive Director/Minister

Sing a Song of Peace Do you remember hearing “Let There Be Peace on Earth”? Maybe you heard Tennessee Ernie Ford, Pat Boone, Mahalia Jackson, Johnny Mathis, Placido Domingo, Vince Gill or others sing it. Maybe you sang it in a choir or the congregation. It has been sung all around the world as a call for peace. Its message has been declared near and far. The composers Sy Miller and Jill Jackson-Miller originally wrote the song for a retreat in 1955 which brought together young people from all races and religions to engage on issues of peace and understanding. The words, written by Jill, were in response to her overwhelming experience of the “life-saving joy of God’s peace and unconditional love” while suicidal.

The poignant message of this song is needed today when suicides rates are escalating, wars and rumors of wars continue to skyrocket, and violence on our own streets continues. As we welcome the Prince of Peace, I wonder how we gather to usher in peace? What songs might unite us? I wonder how we, the siblings of this prince, might explore ways of bearing peace for one another, our congregations, our communities, country and world. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the worries all around us. It is easy to only see tragedy.

But, let us not forget that in a village, among animals, a young woman gave birth to a son. To some this story is one of tragedy; however, as we experience the entirety of the story, we see how peace came to Earth, not as a political leader or usurper of governmental power, but as a baby who dwelt among us. And this baby grew and called others, and still calls us today to be bearers of peace.

In these days of Advent, Christmas, Watch Night, New Year’s, Epiphany and beyond, may we pray for opportunities to sing a song of peace with those we may or may not like, to hold hands across dividing lines, and to belt out: Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me….

With gratitude,

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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PAID

Celebrating DCBC 2023

STAFF VOLUNTEER

TRAINING

6 Part-Time

TOTAL TRAININGS TOTAL PEOPLE ATTENDED

TOTAL CHURCHES PARTICIPATED

STAFF

One Faith. Many Cultures.

Endless Possibilities.

PROGRAMS/SPECIAL EVENTS/MISSIONS

3 Full-Time

EVENTS

TOTAL PARTICIPANTS

TOTAL CHURCHES IMPACTED

AND...

4 Board of Directors Meetings 6 Capital Baptist Newsletters 9 Ministry Roundtable Meetings 47 E-blast Updates 329 SM Posts 51 Committee Meetings

From the Desk of the Incoming DCBC President

Building on the DCBC Legacy Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is with profound joy and a sense of deep gratitude that I write to you as the incoming president of our beloved District of Columbia Baptist Convention. As I embark on this journey of service, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for the remarkable year that lies ahead.

First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each member of the Board and every dedicated individual who plays a crucial role in our convention. Your unwavering commitment to the principles of faith, fellowship, and service has laid a strong foundation for our collective mission.

Together, we will strengthen our community, which is driven by the shared values of love, compassion, and a steadfast devotion to our Lord.

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I am inspired by the potential for growth and the opportunity to deepen our impact on member churches and the individual lives of those we serve. The DCBC has a rich history of bringing people together, fostering spiritual growth, and making a positive difference in our communities. I am confident that, with the support and active participation of our churches, we will continue to build on this legacy and reach new heights in our endeavors.

Our Executive Director/Minister, Dr. Trisha Miller-Manarin, has an exciting vision for strengthening our bonds of fellowship, expanding our outreach initiatives, and nurturing a sense of belonging within our congregations. I am looking forward to collaborating with her and each of you to implement these innovative programs and initiatives that reflect our shared vision for the future.

We are strong together. I am eager to learn from your wisdom, work alongside you in service, and witness the transformative power of our collective efforts. As we embark on this journey together, let us remember the urging of Paul to “walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:1-3).

May the Lord continue to bless the DCBC abundantly as we walk hand in hand into this promising new chapter.

Warmest regards,

Rev. Dr. Essentino A. Lewis, Jr. President-Elect of the DCBC Board of Directors December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain Called as General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA

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he Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA has affirmed the call of the Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain to be the next General Secretary of the denomination. Dr. Jacobs-Strain’s term of service will begin on February 1, 2024.

In announcing the call of Dr. JacobsStrain, ABCUSA President Jim Wolfe noted that Dr. Jacobs-Strain was the unanimous choice of the search committee. “The committee committed itself to prayer and the discernment of God’s will in this process. We believe Dr. Jacobs-Strain is the person that God has chosen to lead our denominational family. She has the academic Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain background, professional and personal skills to lead this diverse family into the mission that God has prepared for us.”

Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain’s devotion to the Lord began in her elementary school years when she committed her life to Christ. Currently, she holds the position of Executive Director for American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) and is a member of the National Executive Council for American Baptist Churches USA. Under her guidance, ABWM introduced the AB GIRLS program, “Building Bridges and Gateways to Girl’s Future/Hie-STEAM,” an initiative connecting AB GIRLS Christian Curriculum with local STEAM providers, empowering girls to recognize God’s creative potential within them. ABWM has also broadened its Beloved Community and Domestic Violence ministries and now offers seminars and webinars tailored for young adult women nationwide.

Dr. Jacobs-Strain has held various pastoral roles including Transitional Pastor at First Baptist Church of New Market in Piscataway, N.J., Interim Pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., Associate Regional Pastor for Women in Ministry for American Baptist Churches December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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of New Jersey (ABC-NJ), and serves as an Associate Minister of Christian Education at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, N.J. Rev. Jacobs-Strain has been invited as a guest preacher/lecturer at institutions such as Drew University Theological School, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, ABC-NJ Academy, and the Wellness Lounge Webcast. She also contributed to the “Testify: ABC-NJ Devotional” book, published in 2015. In 2016, she co-launched the Christian Education Workshop Series, “Leading Interactive and Engaging Bible Studies (L.I.B.S. TM)” at the ABC-NJ annual Church Officers and Leaders Conference (COAL). In 2017, she initiated a conversation series, “The Intersection of Leadership and Healing.”

Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree

from Drew University’s Theological School.

She was also honored with the Old Testament Studies Scholar Award from the Biblical Studies Department. In 2015, she received a Certificate of Excellence from Palmer Theological Seminary & ABC-NJ Academy, and in 2017, she completed the NehemiahLeadership Program. In May 2020, she attained a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University. She is married to Clifton Strain, and together they have three sons. They currently reside in Morristown, N.J. American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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We Must Deal with Our Public Grief

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Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash

s I travel the country, meeting with people and speaking with community leaders, I am confronted more and more by an immense, pervasive sense of grief. Everywhere, people seem to be grieving what we are losing—or in many cases, have already lost—in society.

Some of it stems from COVID. We collectively lost a sense of normality, not to mention hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans who were inevitably our friends, neighbors, and family members.

But the losses we are grieving are about much more than COVID. Our increasingly nasty and divisive politics, a rise in mass shootings, and an epidemic of loneliness now envelop our lives. We are in the grips of losses that at times seem imperceptible.

Yet as they keep growing, they diminish our spirit and wear us down. We feel these losses deeply.

We have a lot to grieve, there’s no doubt. Productively navigating the grieving process is essential to being human.

What concerns me most in this moment is that, when it comes to public life, we do not talk about grief and sorrow. We do not know how to meaningfully process these emotions in the public square. There’s an emphasis on forging ahead and refusing to dwell on the losses we have experienced and what they mean for us.

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When loss occurs, grief inevitably follows. Yet in public life, grief from our collective losses seems to routinely get shortcircuited. We seem incapable of allowing it into our lives. But that stymies our shared project of creating communities that thrive, because it causes so many of us to pretend or wish our losses never happened. For others, it means a retreat from public life entirely.

It was not so long ago that the front page of The New York Times published their “Wall of Grief,” which depicted each of the 500,000 COVID-related deaths up to that point with individual dots. Such a public invitation to process our grief feels distant, even foreign as the rogue wave of the upcoming election season threatens to drown the public square in acrimony and division. The election seems dangerously disconnected from reality.

Indeed, the upcoming election runs the risk of pushing us even farther away from engaging with our grief.

It takes courage to name and address grief in our personal lives. It should come as no surprise that we find it difficult to do the same in public life. In fact, I think this is why so many of us are turning away from public life, from our communities, from our public schools, or even from our close circles.

Working through collective grief means we not only engage with our own pain, we engage with the pain of others too.

When loss occurs, grief inevitably follows.

Yet in public life, grief from our collective losses seems to routinely get shortcircuited. We seem incapable of allowing it into our lives. But that stymies our shared project of creating communities that thrive, because it causes so many of us to

pretend or wish our losses never happened. For others, it means a retreat from public life entirely.

Psalm 23 is one of the most important passages in Scripture regarding grief for many people of faith. David, the Psalm’s author, explores the way through grief—in his case through spiritual connection—in the line, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” But this common English translation obscures something profound in the original Hebrew. Where most modern translations use “paths,” the word David wrote in Hebrew actually means “circles.” He is saying that his path out of grief is circular, closer to a spiral than a straight line.

This spiral, or passage, maps perfectly onto the way most of us process grief. It is not a straight line. It is roundabout. This means we have to visit places that we might rather avoid. The hard work of grieving together means going to places we’d rather not go.

Right now, people are looking up and seeing where we are, recognizing that this is not where we want to be. We’re like an ocean swimmer who pops their head above the water only to realize they have drifted much farther from shore than they imagined. Part of finding the way out of this mess requires coming together and restoring our collective spirit to overcome grief and chart a productive path forward. It is about joining hands with those treading water near us and moving back to shore, together. It means each of us must recognize our own grief.

Oftentimes, people struck down by grief will note a need to “rebuild their lives.” As if grief were an earthquake that destroyed their

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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foundation. The same is often true in our civic lives. Yet while our foundations may be shaken, they remain nonetheless, even if we sometimes need to rediscover them.

The can-do spirit we exemplify as Americans may be diminished by current headwinds, but it is not defeated. Certainly, our civic lives have been pummeled over the past few years, but like all forms of grief, it’s time to work through it by standing back up and stepping forward. That’s why I’m leading an alternative national campaign whose core message is, “Enough. Time to build.”

This campaign I’m on is a call for communities to break out of our silos and our isolation. Enough hunkering down. Enough turning inward. Enough hate and division and fear.

Enough grieving in silence.

Let’s engage in working through our grief together. And using it as a catalyst to make things anew by building together.

In calling for this, I am reminded of a passage in Isaiah where, amid despair and devastation, God calls the Israelites to engage, to shake off the heavy blanket of grief that weighs them down. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you

not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19 NIV).

This is the opportunity before us.

Whatever your faith background, we each have a responsibility to our communities.

Now is the time to collectively step forward to make a way out of this wilderness. We are not stuck. Our work is just beginning again.

Richard C. Harwood is president and founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization located in Bethesda, Maryland. He is the author of the bestselling book, Stepping Forward: A Positive, Practical Path to Transform Our Communities and Our Lives.

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

First published by The Christian Citizen, a publica�on of American Bap�st Home Mission Socie�es. Used by permission.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

Snapshots of the 147th Annual Gathering of Churches. Photos courtesy of Marion Shipman, Sr.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

OAM Convocation Reflection: ‘Seniors on the Move’

By Robin Apparicio

Older Adults participate in various exercises during the Older Adult Ministries convocation. Photos courtesy of Marion Shipman, Sr.

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he Older Adult Ministries (OAM) convocation convened on October 27, 2023, the first day of the 147th Annual Gathering of Churches. The theme, “Seniors on the Move,” involved activities centered on the importance of movement at any age and ability.

Let me begin with gratitude to the small committee that pulled together this convocation: Rev. Sandidge, our moderator, and Rev. Lopez who provided the prayer for the occasion; and Sis. Brenda Lipscomb and Susie Harris who helped line up our guest presenters.

As we planned the event over the summer, we were sensitive to the many older adults who attend our churches, volunteer, and are caring for others. The convocation gave them an opportunity to center on themselves for the day. Karen McFadden provided important information on why movement is important. We then put that information into practice with Janice Stephens, who brought the heat which had us all up, moving and stretching. Each participant was provided with stretch bands and learned some good ways to use them. After the movement, we had a delicious healthy lunch of soup and sandwiches, which the attendees are December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS still talking about today! The afternoon session kicked off with Betty Merriman teaching us the international line dance, “Jerusalem.”

We moved into the information segment of the day, beginning with Sergeant Rodney Gause’s Faithbased Liaison and his team of specialized officers, providing the TRIAD. Tonya Fulwood, Bureau Chief, Adult Services, and her team talked about available resources and safety awareness.

The convocation ended with a call for volunteers to help plan activities and ways churches can partner with DCBC as it relates to older adult ministries. In addition to the bags and stretch bands, there were electronic giveaways: Vital Watches the Health Smart Watch, and Kindle Readers. We are here to support the development and maintenance of OAM, as well as to provide you with information about activities or benefits specific to older adults, so get involved. We are here for you.

Thank you to all who were able to attend this event, and I hope to see you at the other activities planned for 2024. This important ministry supports the best quality of life for people over age 60 in our churches. If you are interested in joining our planning team or need some support for the senior church at your group, please email me at robin.apparicio@dcbaptist.org. It will be my pleasure to help.

Some of the Impressions and Comments Received from OAM Participants:

“It was one of the best convoca�ons I have ever atended…lots of fun.”

• “Thank you for not forge�ng that Old people are s�ll vibrant and alive.”

• “What made this event so great was that it was interac�ve.”

• “Just moving around a bit in my house has made me feel beter.”

• “The food was delicious. I believe in movement and proper diets, and this mee�ng fit the bill.”

• “The movement was excellent.”

• “Thank you. I love to dance.”

• “The mee�ng was fantas�c overall, and I loved that minestrone soup.”

• “The food was great, and the servers were so pleasant.”

• “I liked socializing [with] and mee�ng new people.”

• “Thank you for the bags and stretch bands. I will use both.”

• “Looking forward to what is next.”

• “I did not know about this program...so glad I came.”

• “Every mee�ng should include movement.”

And, my favorite — “Don’t count me out. I am very much alive, well, and ready to boogie.”

•

Robin Apparicio is the Older Adult Ministries Coordinator for the DC Baptist Convention.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

Older Adult Convocation: ‘Shocking, Fun, Meaningful and Useful’

By Marie Mercer

Exercise (above) and Safety (on opposite page): two of the topics covered during the Older Adult Convocation. Photos courtesy of Marion Shipman, Sr.

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’ve been to many church meetings, but none like the DCBC meeting I attended at the end of October. It was shocking! It was unusual! It was fun, meaningful and useful! The main theme quickly became clear — we need to take care of our hearts and do this by exercising. Really?

That was the theme? YES. I looked around at the gathering and saw all ages (although, I think I was the oldest at 90!), and all shapes and sizes. I expected to hear a chorus of groans, but, no one groaned. Better yet! — no one got up to leave!

Following a presentation, the professional exercise leader demonstrated how to take care of our hearts by exercising, right then and there. They showed us — attendees of all shapes, sizes and ages — how to do wonderful exercises just sitting on our chairs. We were learning and enjoying taking care of our hearts. The leader noted that everybody can do something, and then they showed us. Everyone! No one fell over in a dead faint. No one tripped. No one complained. It was such fun! We all had a great time!

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

At the end, we DANCED! Dancing is a great way to exercise, the leader suggested. We did a line dance. I thought what a wonderful way to enter church on Sunday….doing a line dance! I left the gathering wondering when we would get together again and wanting to do so as soon as possible! DCBC, I’ll be back next year!

Marie Mercer is a Member of Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston, Virginia.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

Prophetic Blessing to Ministers at Convocation Gathering

By Rev. Trenda Jacocks

Rev. Adrienne Reedy shares how to express art and faith in fresh ways in worship experiences. Photos courtesy of Marion Shipman, Sr.

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rothers and Sisters of the Word gathered on the afternoon of October 27 at the DCBC Ministers Convocation for a special blessing. Pastors and leaders heard a powerful, prophetic message delivered by our sister, Rev. Adrienne Reedy, an accomplished minister of the Word, gospel artist and gifted visual artist from New England; and part of the Salter McNeil Associates leadership team.

Rev. Reedy’s convocation message was delivered through praise song, visual artwork and a pronouncement of the Word. She led with beautiful singing and her own piano accompaniment, and she shared personal testimonies, along with her amazing gift as a visual artist. As an example of how art is a gateway to the Gospel message, Rev. Reedy offered three of her God-inspired paintings for reflection from the pulpit. Her reflection was followed by an open discussion, and December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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DCBC 147TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHURCHES – REFLECTIONS

In addition to visual artwork, Rev. Reedy delivered the convocation message through praise song with her piano accompaniment.

her dynamic interaction with fellow ministers included a lectio reading from the Psalms with contemplation of her painted artwork and open communal reflection. Her creative communication opened our hearts and minds to hearing the presence of the Holy Spirit, and this meeting and message taught us that art and faith can go hand in hand to preach the gospel.

DCBC ministers found renewal in this approach to worship and Rev. Reedy challenged them with two powerful questions: How are our churches reaching next generations and could art and faith be expressed in fresh ways in our worship experiences? Could this approach enrich and enhance preaching the gospel in order to reach our young people?

Her prophetic introspection of the intersection of art and faith led to reflective dialog for those listening and responding. All were blessed to hear and discuss this topic. Hearing and sharing with one another through prayer and conversation was not only thought provoking, but also was healing and gave fresh optimism regarding the mission of the church to those in attendance.

DCBC ministers were invited at this creative convocation to think boldly and in new ways.

Through it, clergy members embarked on a gracious journey to discover innovative approaches to ministry and leadership, thanks to the prophetic message of Rev. Reedy. This led to flowing currents of God’s justice for the rest of the time spent together.

To God be the Glory, Rev. Trenda Jacocks is the Pastor for Community Life at Parkwood Baptist in Annandale, Virginia.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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When Following the News Becomes Too Distressing

How do we reclaim hope when experiencing moral distress?

By Cynthia R. Wallace This essay was first published in June 2021 in response to the Covid pandemic and has been revised to apply more broadly.

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L L O F I T H A S A G A I N B E G U N to feel like too much. Ethiopia is mired in intractable

conflict, with refugees caught in the fray. Another Black person has been killed by police; another mother mourns her precious child. The list goes on and on, a wilderness of sorrows.

In this wilderness I feel foggy-headed, exhausted, speechless in my anger. With the Psalmist I mutter, “I am numb with pain, exhausted, and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart” (Psalm 38:8). I want to withdraw, distract myself, winnow my life down to the tiniest pillowy focus on self-comfort, fully disengage from caring.

There’s a name for this feeling: it’s moral distress. Moral distress, writes Joan Halifax in Standing at the Edge, “arises when we are aware of a moral problem and we determine a remedy, but are unable to act on it because of internal or external constraints.”

I think moral distress is an experience many of us share as we watch in horror while those who have the power to maintain fair governance, broker peace, and address systemic injustices fail to do so. It happens at the local, personal level too: we try to spread the truth and watch while loved ones fall prey to conspiracies. We live within a democratic system, and so we try to take responsibility: we raise our voices, donate our dollars, gather our bodies in the streets.

We cling to hope and keep at it, using whatever influence we have, the gifts within our powers, to do our part, and still we witness unfathomable human suffering and loss. The poet Adrienne Rich calls this experience powerless responsibility: we feel we must act, but we lack the clout and resources to effect the necessary change. We turn to prayer and seem to hear God’s silence, adding painful questions about divine power and goodness to the mix. Eventually it becomes too much, and we find our hearts, our minds, our bodies in genuine distress.

Powerless responsibility and moral distress wear us down. They steal our joy, our stamina, our sense of what could be. They tempt us to a narrower focus, a path of least resistance, an isolating retreat to lick our wounds.

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Photograph by Peter Lawrence

So what are we to do?

To begin, we name it. We are experiencing moral distress related to a sense of powerless responsibility. To name these constellations of experience — the feelings of sadness, despair, anger, betrayal, hopelessness, numbness, guilt, and/or shame — is to begin to see the experience for what it is, and not as some pathology or deficit within our own psyches. Just the act of finding language can help us clarify our mental fog.

Naming these experiences also allows us to find communities who share them. Social support — giving and receiving compassion and attentive listening, childcare and casseroles, the material and immaterial gifts of real mutual aid — goes a long way in reminding us that we are not alone in our

moral sensibilities, even if we feel disempowered.

Halifax, writing about working with morally distressed nurses, also advocates for practices that grow moral resiliency.

Research suggests that cognitive processing therapy can be helpful, as can prayer and meditation and explicitly articulating, perhaps even writing down, our moral principles, recommitting ourselves to the core of what we believe to be good and true.

Storytelling has a similar effect: recalling past triumphs of justice and goodness grows our sense of what could be. As Walter Brueggemann says, “Memory produces hope in the same way that amnesia produces despair.”

Especially undertaken in community, such storytelling can feed not just our healing but our imaginations of what

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is possible, strengthening us for the long road together as we join in God’s project of restoration.

On this long road, it can be empowering to engage in minute, concrete acts of resistance and renewal, as Emily and Amelia Nagoski suggest in their book Burnout: to find where we can exercise the power that we have. These acts can happen at both the macro and the micro level: Contacting elected officials like the parable’s persistent widow. Practicing patience in our households (as I did with my children, who interrupted seventy times as I tried to write this essay), which can grow our own capacity for longhaul patience and raise a generation that knows the good of gentleness and mutual care. Joining a local justice-oriented group of activists. Writing a weekly letter to an elder in a care home if visiting is not possible.

Making something beautiful for beauty’s sake, like a cake or a painting or a garden or a pot of petunias.

All of these efforts — finding community with folks who share our experience, providing each other emotional and material support, cultivating spiritual practices and clear thinking about our own moral commitments, seeking out therapy (and helping others access it), engaging in concrete acts of resistance and renewal — will help us face the truth about what is going on without turning away.

This is no time for ignoring the injustices, the losses, and the grief we are experiencing, or for plastering over the pain with religious platitudes. Those of us who are people of faith may be tempted, as Brueggemann writes in his book Like Fire in the Bones, by an “immobilizing ideology of polite prayer —

denied pain — domesticated hope.” But healing from moral distress and powerless responsibility isn’t about denying, retreating, or giving up. It is about tending a wound that allows us, in Valarie Kaur’s memorable words, to breathe and push through pain to help deliver the other world — the world of flourishing, justice, equity — that’s possible, glowing incandescent on the horizon. We catch glimpses of this other possible world, Brueggemann reminds us, when we follow the prophet Jeremiah in “a sequence of risky prayer-grief-new possibility.”

As we coalesce around this shared distress and recall the faithfulness of God, who is not slack concerning the promised healing of all creation, the love of Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being, and the power of the Spirit, whose presence strengthens us for the journey, we find that we are by no means alone. We look around and recognize in each other not just grief but commitment, a shared core of moral integrity — which might just lead to moral courage — which might, itself, lead us back to the sustaining energy of hope.

CONTRIBUTED BY Cynthia R. Wallace Cynthia R. Wallace is assistant professor of English at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan.

Originally published on Plough.com as “When Following the News Becomes Too Distressing,” November 6, 2023. Used by permission.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter

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A Practical Guide for Lament

By Dr. Rula Khoury Mansour Salaam from Nazareth,

W

e call out for peace! With heavy hearts, we reach out to you as our beloved homeland endures the recent devastating Israel-Gaza war that has now extended beyond a month, bringing about unprecedented suffering and escalating violence, with the daily death toll on the rise.

We lament for the death of thousands of civilians, including many children and women. We lament for the injured, the kidnapped and the refugees.

In these darkest hours, would you join us in the practice of lament as a guide for our prayers and a call to action?

Join us. One night this week, please use the guide below as a part of your meal prayer. May our collective cries for mercy ascend to the heavens. Thank you.

A GUIDE FOR LAMENT We deeply mourn...the immense suffering where lives are lost, and fear fills the air. Our hearts ache for the deaths of thousands of innocent lives, including many children, women, journalists, and aid workers. We lament for the wounded, the kidnapped, and the displaced.

We cry out...for those whose homes have been destroyed and those who have been forced to flee, for families torn apart and fractured, and for those feeling forgotten, abandoned, and trapped in their own land, and the withholding of essential supplies from those already in hardship.

We implore...the international community to work earnestly toward a ceasefire and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. It is a time for collective action and a renewed commitment to peace, justice, and the well-being of all who call this troubled region home.

We pray...for healing for all who are affected; may they find solace and peace in their distress, and may God's loving presence provide them with the strength and resilience to overcome trauma.

We also seek strength and wisdom for the dedicated peacebuilders who strive to build bridges amidst the chaos.

We lament...the pain and loss we’ve endured, may we remember that it is precisely in these moments that the call for peace grows stronger. Our shared desire for peace unites us. Together, we refuse to let hatred and violence define us. Our collective strength and compassion will guide December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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us towards a brighter future where Palestinians and Israelis live peacefully side by side.

Together, we can be instruments of peace in the hands of the Prince of Peace, working toward a more peaceful and just society. Your prayers, voice, and actions are crucial in these dark times, and we are grateful for your partnership in our mission.

We call out for peace!

Dr. Rula Khoury Mansour, Founder and Director Nazareth Center for Peace Studies, rula@nazarethpeace.org, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/09a3c3 94/GX6XR4QaSUGJrAYByVkQOw ?u=http://www.nazarethpeace.org/

.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC SPOTLIGHT

Creation Care Christmas and New Year’s — a time of joy and celebration; of hope and renewal. It is also a time when we can recommit to caring for the joy and health of the world we live in! Here are some steps you and your church can take in the coming months:

Rev. Dr. Katherine Smith, Executive Director of the Baptist Creation Care Initiative (at right) engages with an attendee at the 147th Annual Gathering of Churches. Photo credit: Marion Shipman, Sr.

Recycle. Recycle. Recycle. Take your Christmas tree to a designated mulch location. Take your Christmas wrapping to a recycling center. Make it a resolution for your church and family to recycle more — offering help for those who don’t have easy access to recycle programs.

• Make a commitment to quit using Styrofoam! It harms the environment, from its creation to its disposal. There are plenty of good and relatively cheap alternatives. Get rid of Styrofoam cups and use real ones. Stop sending home Wednesday night suppers to shutins in it — there are paper options available that degrade much faster and cause less pollution to make.

• Rethink your time! Give a gift of an experience or your presence instead of more “stuff”!

Offer to wash dishes at church on Wednesday night instead of using throw-away paper plates.

• Advocate for more plug-in recharging stations for electric vehicles. We can’t have more electric vehicles until we have more plug-in recharging stations. Churches can offer this to their congregations, local nonprofits, or even as a gift to their neighborhoods. What a wonderful message of hope and giving to others!

As we celebrate the season and welcome the Christ-child into our homes and churches once more, take time to revel in the peace of trees and plants at rest for the winter, to notice the dark skies of evening which seem to make even the dimmest star brighter, and to thank God for the planet on which we live and breathe and find our being!

•

— Rev. Dr. Katherine Smith, Executive Director, Baptist Creation Care Initiative.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC SPOTLIGHT

The STREAMS of Justice Continue Flowing….

During the November Pastors’ Chat, we heard from Dr. Harold Dean Trulear, who participated as a panelist and master class instructor during the 2023 Annual Gathering. Healing Communities USA (https://www.healingcommunitiesusa.com), the organization he leads, engages with churches to reach inmates and their families This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC with the Good News. “The church already has a ministry to the sick. It’s in our DNA, while ministry to the incarcerated seems optional,” Dr. Trulear declared. With nearly twice as many prison beds as hospital beds, it is perplexing why more churches are not engaged in this ministry.

This time of inspiration and challenge called those present to consider the effect of shame and stigma associated with incarceration. The call is to reduce these two aspects which frequently prevent honest supportive ministry within the church. In his years working with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., the American Baptist Home Mission Societies and the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Trulear offers an altar call to all who have had a loved one, or who themselves have been, in prison. In more than 25 years, there has always been people responding — no matter the location or ethnicity of the congregation. Healing Communities works with family members supporting someone in prison experiencing disenfranchised grief. This ministry is transforming church culture and making significant impact.

“Any church can do this ministry. It is very congregationally led,” says Dr. Trulear. Isn’t this a very Baptist model for ministry as we embrace the priesthood of all believers? The congregation, not only the clergy, engage in care and support, offering hope and pointing to scripture which is full of stories of heroes of the faith who were in prison or should have been. Look at Peter; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and Paul and others.

Would your church like to learn more about ministering to incarcerated individuals and their families? Would you like to explore the possibility of joining in this ministry or to champion this ministry with other DCBC congregations? Let us continue to flow with the STREAMS of Justice.

Email communications@dcbaptist.org to let us know of your desire to engage! During the 2024 Pastors’ Chats, we hope to hear from other presenters from the Annual Gathering.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the BWA Christmas Open House during the time of the December Pastors’ Chat. See you there!

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter 29

DCBC NOTABLES

DCBC shares the following notable events in the life of the Convention and its members…

We welcome the following four new DCBC member churches: • Good Ground Ministries Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, Pastor: Rev. Rolando Soriano; • Great St. Paul Baptist Church in Washington, DC, Pastor: Rev. Neil V. Travis; • McLean Baptist Church in McLean, Virginia, Pastor: Rev. Robert E. Wallace; and • Parkwood Baptist Church in Annandale, Virginia, Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Willetts.

We celebrate the major milestones and accomplishments of the following individuals and churches:

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC NOTABLES

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC NOTABLES

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC NOTABLES

Dear DCBC: It was my pleasure to meet you at the DCBC Annual Gathering. Even though I only stayed for a few hours, you have impacted me. Your commitment to Gallaudet University, tireless effort to ensure our ministry services, and genuine care for Gallaudet community have not gone unnoticed.

Your generosity, unwavering support, and love have shown Gallaudet and me incredible blessings.

I am gratitude for going above and beyond to make a different in the college students' lives. You are genuinely extraordinary! Thank you.

It was a pleasure and honor to attend the DCBC Annual Gathering banquet. DCBC has announced a recognition of the 25th anniversary of the ministry. I am humbled and honored to receive a recognization. I feel blessed to receive the rewards, which were never meant to be intentional for me but for Gallaudet University. God is faithful and is at work among the Deaf world beyond.

I sincerely appreciate and am so grateful for your continual support, and most of all, your love is a gift from God. Gratiudefully forever, LeeAnn Carrera Chaplain Campust Baptist Ministry December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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C A L E N DA R

7 Thursday Morning Prayer* (Zoom, 8:25

a.m.)

13 Chapel/Staff Mtg. 18-29 DCBC Offices Closed 24 Christmas Eve 25 Christmas Day 31 New Year’s Eve/Watch Night

DEC

2024 1 New Year’s Day | DCBC Offices Closed 4 Thursday Morning Prayer* (Zoom, 8:25 a.m.)* 9 Pastors’ Chat (Zoom, 10 a.m.)

12 Bylaws Recording Release | Chapel/Staff Mtg. 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance | DCBC Offices Closed

1 Thursday Morning Prayer* (Zoom, 8:25 a.m.)* 5 Grant Writing Workshop (6-8 p.m.)** 12 Bylaws Training (Zoom, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

14 Ash Wednesday | Chapel/Staff Mtg. 19 Presidents Day | DCBC Offices Closed 24 Justice Forum (In-person @ Zion Baptist Church-Eastland Gardens)

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

JAN FEB

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MAR

7 Thursday Morning Prayer* (Zoom, 8:25 a.m.)

9 Church Clerk Training 11-13 Clergy Retreat (Hallowood Retreat Center) 13 Chapel/Staff Mtg. 21 Sister Circle 23 Parliamentarian Training

APR 13

Leadership Forum Conference

*Thursday Morning Prayer is held at 8:25 a.m. each Thursday, except for the following Thursdays in December: 12/21 and 12/28. **Grant Writing Workshop will be held every Monday from February 5 through April 8, 2024, except for Feb. 19 and April 1 – DCBC offices closed those days.

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

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

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Church Mission Giving For the Ten Months Ended October 31, 2023

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 ABC CBF COOP COOP COOP Churches Agape Baptist Church Agape Bible Christian Fellowship Alafia Baptist Church Allow God Deliverance Outreach Min., Intl.

American Baptist Church Berean Baptist Church Brazilian Baptist Church Broadneck Baptist Church Broadview Baptist Church Brookland Union Baptist Church Brookmont Baptist Church Buenas Nuevas de Salvacion Calvary Baptist Church Carmody Hills Baptist Church CenterPoint Missionary Baptist Church Chin Community Baptist Church Church in Bethesda Clifton Park Baptist Church Commonwealth Baptist Church Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ 500.00 Dayspring Community Church Dominion Life Center East Washington Heights Baptist Faith Shepherd Baptist Church Fellowship Baptist Church First Baptist Church of Silver Spring 154.03 First Baptist Church Of the City of Washington DC First Baptist Church/Camp Springs 300.00 First Kachin Baptist Church of VA Forest Heights Baptist Church Fort Foote Baptist Church Fort Washington Baptist Church Glory Baptist Church (Korean) Greater Spiritual Fellowship Church Heritage Baptist Church Hillandale Baptist Church Hillcrest Baptist Church Israel Baptist Church Lai Baptist Church Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church Mara Christian Church of America Maryland Baptist Church (Tedim Chin) Maryland Kachin Baptist Church Metropolitan Baptist Church Metropolitan Outreach Ministry Montgomery Hills Baptist Church Morning Star Baptist Church Mt. Airy Baptist Church Mt. Moriah Baptist Church National Baptist Memorial Church Nations United Baptist Church Nevertheless Outreach Ministry Church Norbeck Community Church Olive Branch Community Church Paramount Baptist Church Pathways Baptist Church 7,640.00 7,640.00 Pilgrim Baptist Church Power House Baptist Church Purity Baptist Church Ravensworth Baptist Church 100.00 Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church Riverside Baptist Church Saint Mary's Baptist Church 250.00 Saint Matthews Baptist Church Salem Gospel Ministries (Silver Spring) -

100% Designated PNBC 250.00 -

DCBC CBF 1,100.00 1,350.00 200.00 24.10 200.00 600.00 1,574.00 8,500.00 500.00 600.00 100.00 500.00 800.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 1,300.00 2,500.00 500.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 100.00 2,400.00 1,900.00 1,200.00 9,312.40 4,500.00 4,447.44 300.00 1,040.00 41,402.00 1,200.00 100.00 275.00 900.00 3,200.00 500.00 500.00 4,000.00 3,661.00 732.25 1,000.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 6,000.00 500.00 4,400.00 1,500.00 1,000.00 450.00 1,200.00 700.00 5,242.86 300.00 600.00 450.00 500.00 2,000.00 5,000.00 1,000.00 400.00 500.00 650.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 1,800.00 1,200.00 450.00 -

ABC NCAMO BWA JBCC 200.00 1,244.86 1,000.00 576.70 990.00 300.00 300.00 2,477.00 1,464.50 300.00 300.00 4,681.00 12,233.90 150.00 300.00 4,000.00 2,044.00 2,044.00 200.00 1,200.00 -

MISC 100.00 336.14 177.00 1,000.00 2,500.00 -

YTD Total Gifts 200.00 1,100.00 1,350.00 300.00 1,605.10 200.00 600.00 1,751.00 8,500.00 500.00 600.00 100.00 1,500.00 800.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 1,300.00 2,500.00 500.00 2,500.00 3,000.00 100.00 2,400.00 1,900.00 2,200.00 10,043.13 4,500.00 5,737.44 900.00 1,040.00 46,379.00 1,200.00 100.00 275.00 900.00 3,200.00 500.00 500.00 4,000.00 5,857.75 1,000.00 1,800.00 1,200.00 6,000.00 500.00 10,581.00 1,000.00 450.00 1,200.00 700.00 17,476.76 300.00 750.00 450.00 800.00 30,368.00 1,000.00 400.00 500.00 950.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 3,500.00 1,200.00 450.00

Church Mission Giving For the Ten Months Ended October 31, 2023

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 ABC CBF COOP COOP COOP Churches (Continued) Siyin-Chin Baptist Church Southern Bethany Baptist Church Takoma Park Baptist Church The District Church The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church University Baptist Church/College Park Upper Room Baptist Church Vienna Baptist Church Village Baptist Church Washington Plaza Baptist Church West Hyattsville Baptist Church Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church Word for Life Church Ministries TOTALS 8,944.03 7,640.00

100% Designated

YTD Total PNBC DCBC CBF ABC NCAMO BWA JBCC MISC Gifts 700.00 300.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 485.87 5,485.87 2,500.00 2,500.00 750.00 750.00 7,483.03 8,421.03 6,272.02 22,176.08 1,000.00 1,000.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 3,000.00 3,000.00 250.00 250.00 1,000.00 250.00 1,250.00 4,000.00 3,783.00 7,783.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 250.00 175,711.83 7,232.25 29,246.96 5,421.00 14,577.90 10,385.16 259,409.13

SPECIAL NOTE: Dear Beloved DCBC Churches, We extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support and generous financial contributions throughout this past year. Your dedication and commitment have been a beacon of hope, enabling us to carry out our mission and serve our churches and its leadership diligently. Your steadfast support has allowed us to extend our outreach to those in need, and provide essential services and training to our members and surrounding communities.

However, as we navigate unforeseen challenges and an unexpected financial shortfall of $65,000, we humbly seek your continued support in these trying times. We kindly implore our cherished member churches to consider offering a sacrificial gift to help bridge this deficit. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a profound difference in sustaining our vital initiatives and ensuring that our mission perseveres.

During this time, we are reminded of 2 Corinthians 9:7-8: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." We trust in the power of collective generosity and have faith that, together, we can overcome these financial challenges. Your sacrificial giving embodies the spirit of selflessness and compassion, reflecting the love and grace that bind us as a faith community.

With heartfelt gratitude and unwavering hope, Lashanor Doolittle, Treasurer D.C. Baptist Convention

CLASSIFIEDS

Job Openings Director of Finance: Antioch Baptist Church of Fairfax Station, VA, is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as the Director of Finance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in financial management. The Director of Finance will play a crucial role in overseeing and managing the financial operations of the church, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency. This is a full-time position with the expectation that the individual will carry out all duties and responsibilities of the job description for the duration of employment. The purpose of the Director of Finance is to ensure the effective management and stewardship of financial resources to support the mission and goals of Antioch Baptist Church. The Director of Finance provides strategic financial guidance to church leadership to facilitate transparency and accountability and promote good financial stewardship among the church community.

Ultimately, the purpose of this position is to promote financial stability and sustainability to support the church's mission of loving God and loving others. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field is required along with a minimum of 7 years of experience in financial management, with a significant understanding of generally accepted accounting and auditing principles. Demonstrated experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and financial reporting is essential and an understanding of the financial audit process.

Click here for the full position description.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT • • • •

Successful completion of a criminal background check Reference Checks – Professional and Personal Verification of degrees Pass Child/Youth Protection Certification Valid Driver’s License Must be available to work Sundays - required workday.

90 days probationary period

SALARY RANGE $80,000 - $90,000 Please send resumes to abc.hiring@antioch-church.org. The application process for the Director of Finance will be open until filled.

December 2023 – January 2024 | Capital Bap�st Newsleter 38

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5

…do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

The friends of DCBC offer a way for individuals to transform lives and communities through their generous giving. Your support of the Friends helps the Convention provide opportunities for courageous missional engagement by a network of congregations, organizations, entities, groups, and individuals committed to our values and the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.

Core Ministries • • • • • •

Equipping local churches to share the Gospel Empowering local churches to connect with their communities and the global community for mission Engaging church leaders through training and spiritual formation Responding to churches in times of celebration or crisis Guiding churches in pastoral searches Connecting churches with each other for collaborative ministry

Innovative Initiatives • • • • • •

Providing training and support for new ministries Developing ministry specifically geared toward families Enhancing ministry to and with young adults and youth Offering mission opportunities to connect glocally Sharing opportunities for congregants to connect with the larger Christian community Supporting clergy and other leaders’ support

OUR MISSION HAS NEVER BEEN SO IMPORTANT OR NECESSARY. WON’T YOU CONSIDER BECOMING… A FRIEND

A CLOSE FRIEND

AN ANNUAL FRIEND

A LEGACY FRIEND

A gift or pledge of $25 $999

A gift or pledge of $1,000 or more

Any gift given two consecutive years or more

A gift in your estate planning

All gifts should be made payable to “Friends of DCBC”. Gifts may be given online or via mail.

1628 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20009 www.dcbaptist.org

Capital Baptist Newsletter Subscription Information The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is unique. We live in a place where local news is also national news. For this reason, it can sometimes be easier to find out what Congress is doing than it is to find out what’s going on around the corner. This is especially true as it pertains to finding out news from local churches in the area.

That is why we are inviting you to subscribe to the Capital Baptist! The Capital Baptist is the bi-monthly newsletter of the D.C. Baptist Convention. On its pages, you will find information about special programs, ministry resources, opportunities for spiritual growth, conferences, job listings, the Annual Gathering of Churches information, church news, and other relevant information about what is going on in Baptist life in the D.C. metropolitan area and beyond.

The Capital Baptist is a full-color publication with in-depth and feature-length articles covering a wide range of topics important to Baptist life. And, you can subscribe for affordable rates! An annual subscription is only $30 for members of DCBC churches and $48 for non-members!

We believe you will find it a meaningful resource to stay updated on Baptist life in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and across the nation.

Subscribe today! We look forward to being connected to you through the Capital Baptist.

Published Rates Members Single Copy - $6 each One Year - $30 Two Years - $55 Institution - $100/year/5 copies per edition Subscribe online at: https://bit.ly/capitalbaptist

Non-Members Single Copy - $8 each One Year - $48 Two Years - $80

2024 Publication Schedule & Article Deadlines Issue

Article Submission Deadline

April – May 2024 June – July 2024 August – September 2024 October – November 2024 December 2024 – January 2025

Friday, March 1 Wednesday, May 1 Monday, July 1 Wednesday, September 4 Wednesday, October 30

February – March 2024

Wednesday, January 10

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 pt. 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. Address questions/comments to Sonia Myrick, Capital Baptist Editor at cb@dcbaptist.org.

December2023 – January 2024| Capital Baptist Newsletter

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DCBC Advent Prayers for Peace You are invited to pray with us as we lift up four areas especially in need of peace.

Go to www.dcbaptist.org

A very Merry Christmas & a Blessed 2024 from the DCBC staff

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