Capital Baptist Newsletter - February/March 2022 Edition

TABLE OF CONTENTS District of Columbia

FEATURE

Baptist Convention

1628

6

Pastor Julie and Pastor Darryl: A Personal Look into a Historic Partnership Between Two Baptist Churches for Racial Justice and Healing

IN EVERY ISSUE

From the Desk of the DCBC President A Message from the Executive Director/ Minister Calendar Capital Baptist Submission Guidelines

Street NW Washington, DC 20009 202.265.1526 (office)

www.dcbaptist.org info@dcbaptist.org

Office of Executive Director/Minister Executive Director/Minister Trisha Miller Manarin, Ext. 214

DCBC SPOTLIGHT Living in the Exhale in Times of COVID Book Roundtable Mental Health Certification Courses Myanmar: One Year Later New Program Chairs Celebrating DCBC's Women Clergy Sister Circle DCBC Notables Pepco Commercial Assistance Programs (DC) Church Mission Giving

16th

Ministry Assistant Loretta Polite-Shipman, Ext. 213

18

20 22 23 23 24 32

33 36 37

Campus Ministries LeeAnn Carrera Mental Health Coordinator

Jevon Billups

Capital Baptist Editor Sonia Myrick Office of Administration and Stewardship Chief Operations Officer Lashanor Doolittle, Ext. 203 Ministry Assistant Wilbur Willis, Ext. 204 Building Maintenance Saul Garcia, Ext. 212

3 4 38 40

Cover photo credit: https://zora.medium.com

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

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

2

From the Desk of the DCBC President

Greetings…

I greet you with the joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am honored and humbled to be the President of the Board of Directors for DC Baptist Convention, our Convention. Congratulations and greetings to all the new officers and members. It is no coincidence that we are united together at this time. Each of us is a piece of a glorious puzzle, designed to reflect God’s love and light in the world. The path before us is littered with opportunities and challenges. I am confident that we can turn each challenge into new opportunities because this is who we are as a Convention. We have a rich history of standing up to challenges and transforming them into kingdom opportunities. February is Black History Month, and we will highlight the contributions of the Black church with video presentations by two of our Convention pastors. Each will show the resilience of people of faith in our region.

Recently, each of us has spent a lot of time pivoting, changing and adjusting to secure the health and growth of our communities, congregations and clergy. Through it all, our Convention has been there for us. Now, let us be there for our Convention. Share your successes: by doing so you can become a resource for others. Share your resources: little becomes much when placed in God’s hand. Share a pray: the power of prayer can move mountains. May the grace of God be with each of you.

Be Blessed. Be God’s.

Rev. Patricia H. Fears President of the DCBC Board of Directors

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

3

A Message from the Executive Director/Minister

Part of the Action

As we quickly and sluggishly approach the second anniversary since COVID-19 transformed our communities, country, and world, I am amazed by your faithfulness to the Gospel and your willingness to shift as needed. God has not shut us down but has opened our eyes to what is important. DCBC, you and I, have sought to equip, empower and engage with one another, our local communities and our world. In 2022, together, we will continue seeking the Lord’s call for, indeed, God is doing a new thing, and we are part of the action!

I am thankful for the ministry of our staff, board and volunteers. As we continue the journey, it will take a variety of people serving together and collaborating at various levels, which means it will be messy and sticky at times, but fruitful.

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March. You can find details of some special events throughout this issue of the Capital Baptist. We are ever mindful there is still much to be done for justice to roll for both groups. May we be found faithful.

There is so much happening in February and March in the lead up to spring and summertime. For example, if you are looking for VBS training and information, sign up today for the February 22 event from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The new children’s and youth ministers/leaders will also be hosting a Paint and Sip on February 28 — an opportunity to meet others and collaborate, explore spiritual practices and add to your toolbox for ministry at home. See page 5 for more details and encourage your leaders to sign up. March 2 begins the journey to the cross and Resurrection Sunday. Throughout this season, DCBC board members will share a prayer on our social media platforms to enhance your walk with God in this sacred season.

From youth mental health first aid training and child safety and protection, to retreats for clergy, monthly Pastors’ Chats and weekly prayer meetings, there is training that’s helpful to all (see the calendar on page 38). The needs of our global and local (glocal) communities are great.

The litany of concerns — safety, healthcare, freedom, accessibility, war and gun violence — calls us to continue to pray and minister, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Let’s be sure to join God’s great movement of heaven here on earth. Please stay in touch! I would love to visit via Zoom or in-person with masks.

Joy and Grace,

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister February/March | Capital Baptist Newsletter

4

February 28th 7:00-8:30pm Youth Ministers and Leaders Collaborative Gather with other DCBC Youth Ministers and Leaders for our virtual Paint and Sip. w e·n give you step-by-step instructions on how to create your next masterpiece..

Join us for a time of refreshment, renewal, and inspiration..

Come to share ministry ideas and hopes.

Renew. Empower. Connect Invite someone to join youl

Pastor Julie and Pastor Darryl A Personal Look into a Historic Partnership Between Two Baptist Churches for Racial Justice and Healing

This article first appeared in the November 2021 issue of Interwoven Congregations Quarterly and is reprinted with permission of Interwoven Congregations. All photos courtesy of Interwoven Congregation. Interwoven co-executive director Rev. Pat Jackson conducted the interview and edited it for publication. The mission of Interwoven Congregations is to promote racial justice and healing by supporting partnerships between faith communities with different racial composition. (www.interwovencongregations.org).

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

6

Interwoven Congregations (IwC): Pastor Darryl Roberts of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church and Pastor Julie Pennington-Russell of First Baptist Church (both of Washington, D.C.), thank you for joining us for this conversation about the partnership between your two congregations. Could I ask you to begin by sharing a word about your upbringing, what drew you into ministry, and why the work of antiracism is a part of your call?

Pastor Darryl Roberts: I grew up in a working-class community in Cleveland, Ohio. My mom raised me as a single mother with the help of a loving band of aunts and uncles and my grandmother. I came into ministry in that context. I had a lot more questions for God in terms of the pain, the suffering, the struggle, the racism that I and others around me experienced. We still had many in my community who didn’t have access to healthcare, affordable housing, were denied the right to vote, particularly those who were felons, and inequalities in education. The church had a persistent I knew that God had placed a calling on my life, but because of these feelings about the role of the church and society, I resisted that call for quite some time.

— Rev. Darryl Roberts

presence in the community, but in many ways, I questioned whether the church was really relevant. I didn’t see the church do enough to alleviate suffering. I knew that God had placed a calling on my life, but because of these feelings about the role of

the church and society, I resisted that call for quite some time. A big shift happened when I met Rev. Otis Moss Jr. in Cleveland, and I began to see another paradigm of ministry where the church was in the urban setting and had all these programs and services — after-school programs for children, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other support groups. I began to see what was possible for ministry.

My call to ministry was a backwards call; I pretty much stumbled into it...But then God opened up some sky over my faith.

— Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell

Pastor Julie Pennington-Russell: My father and mother were from Birmingham, Alabama, both the children of coal miners, so poor. My dad enlisted in the Air Force, so I was raised across the United States. My father was an agnostic, my mom was and is a fundamentalist Christian. So, I grew up in that interesting duality. My mom taught me by example that following Jesus means plunging all the way in. My father taught me by example not to muck up my faith by confusing it with religion. My dad, even though not a church goer, was one of the kindest, humblest, most caring people I ever knew. My call to ministry was a backwards call; I pretty much stumbled into it. I went to seminary and along the way, I did perceive a call. But because of the way I had been raised, I certainly didn't perceive it to be a call to the pastorate because, in my mind, women couldn’t be pastors. But then God opened up some sky over my faith. I grew up in predominantly white Baptist

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

7

Beginning of prayer walk…

churches, Southern Baptist and American Baptist. In these churches, faith really was more of a personal thing. Paying attention to systemic oppressions, evils, rarely, if ever got promoted. The pivot for me would come years later, when I was in my second pastorate in Waco, Texas, and the church I pastored was in the poorest, highest crimerated ZIP code in the state of Texas. It was a community of thirds — a third Anglo, a third Black, a third Hispanic. Living at the nexus there and trying to offer a gospel word there required all of us who were white to make shifts in how we saw ourselves and our neighbors. Fast forward, I lived in Atlanta and was involved in social actions there. Then, in the last two years

here in Washington, the white-hot light that’s been shined on systemic racism has made us — me — realize that it’s not enough in one’s church merely to make an intellectual commitment to not be racist.

We need to actively work against the evil systemic forces that perpetuate racial injustice.

IwC: What led you to form the partnership between your two congregations?

Pastor Darryl: I went to the New Baptist Covenant convention for the first time when I was an assistant pastor at historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. I was exposed to the work of the New Baptist Covenant (NBC) and the partnerships that

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

8

were happening between black and white churches that were committed to antiracism and the process of reconciliation — inspired by former President Jimmy Carter.

I moved on to pastor Mt. Welcome in Decatur, Georgia, and stayed in touch with NBC. Hannah McMahan of NBC then reached out to me to say, “I have a church in Decatur, led by Pastor Julie, that could be a good partner for you.” So I reached out to Pastor Julie. But she was transitioning from Decatur to Washington, D.C., so that meeting never happened. I was then in a transition phase myself. Little did I know that when I accepted the call to Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., that First Baptist Church was the mother church of Nineteenth Street Baptist! Then Hannah (from NBC) reached out (again!) to suggest that I partner with Pastor Julie at First Baptist!

IwC: (Laughing) Pastor Darryl: What drew her to our churches was that we had a history together — although one tinged with racial division.

To get the two of our churches, one white and one black, to come together would be historic since it was racial difference that caused the former black members of First Baptist to leave to form Nineteenth Street.

So Julie and I met over lunch.

Pastor Julie: Right, we were making plans for the spring of 2018. Then the one-year anniversary of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville was coming up, and white supremacists were planning a rally at

Lafayette Park here in Washington. So Hannah reached out and said, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if a white and black congregation could plan a counterwitness?” This was 5 or 6 days before the demonstration. We ended up having a communion service and prayer walk at the MLK Jr. Memorial at the tidal basin. It sparked something wonderful.

Pastor Darryl: In that service, we had communion, Julie gave a powerful message, I gave a message on healing, forgiveness, racial reconciliation and hope — and I think that energized our congregations.

IwC: So wait — that was your first interaction between the congregations?! That wasn’t like a low-key meeting with a few people in the church parlor; it was in front of national media!

Pastor Julie: Yes! IwC: Where did your partnership go from there?

Pastor Julie: We had another meeting at Nineteenth Street a month later.

Pastor Darryl: We wanted to do more than just have a historic moment with our two churches against racism. We needed to figure out how our congregations could do long-term work around spiritual growth and racial reconciliation. At that meeting, we wanted to gather our people together to see if there was a critical mass who were supportive of the two churches coming together. That was a watershed moment for

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

9

stands against racism and for justice on both our congregations. There were people behalf of all of God’s people. who shared that they had tried to get our churches to come together in the past and Pastor Julie: One of the lovely things we failed. There were those who said, “Why has did in February 2019 was to come together this taken so long to happen?” There were at the new National Museum of African people who cried about the possibility of our American History and Culture. The curator working together. It was a tremendous opened the museum two hours early for our moment. One deacon group, and expressed skepticism we got to tour about the success of this it together partnership. But for the with nobody most part, everyone in the else in the room was excited and museum at asked where do we go the time. It from here? So, we formed was powerful three committees — and inspiring. around worship, social And then, justice and history. The with regard work on the history was to worship, not about trying to erase we decided the past and creating a that Maundy fictional history. But, it Thursday was about how do we pull would be our together the histories of time to come First Baptist and together, for Nineteenth Street that are Pastor Julie and Pastor Darryl chatting at the Martin communion, Luther King, Jr. Memorial. individually distinct, and a meal and then write a narrative that foot washing. We were able to do that in weaves both of them together. Even though 2019 but, obviously, not these past two years we divided at a certain historical moment, because of Covid. history has led us to work in a shared way to IwC: What were your social justice advance our shared mission and vision. activities?

Worship was an annual event where we leverage our diversity as a strength as we collectively celebrate the goodness of God. Through the social justice committee, we seek to create a consistent public witness that

Pastor Darryl. There was a group of people from both of our churches who went to Christ House. We partnered on a homeless ministry and food pantry, and we’ve done

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

10

about four prayer vigils. The first was in response to the school shootings — “March for our Lives.” We came together with Ohev Sholom (Rabbi Herzfeld), Zion Baptist Church (Dr. Byrd) and the Church of Latterday Saints. We gathered on the steps of our church. Each spiritual leader made a We knew something was brewing...We had no idea that, just a few hours later, that day would go down as one of the darkest days in the history of our country.

— Rev. Darryl Roberts

powerful statement about school violence and then we marched together to the Mall and stood in solidarity with thousands of people from around the country.

Pastor Julie: After George Floyd’s killing, we vigils every Friday night in the month of June 2020. Then, Darryl and I were at a clergy prayer vigil just blocks from the insurrection that took place at the Capitol on the morning of January 6th of this year.

Pastor Darryl: We knew something was brewing. Some people were walking through our prayer vigil to try to antagonize us and then kept walking down to the Mall. We could see the hostility. We were just standing there praying. We had no idea that, just a few hours later, that day would go down as one of the darkest days in the history of our country.

IwC: That was so shocking — still. Thinking about your work together, is there a theological premise or scripture that animates your commitment to this work of antiracism?

Pastor Darryl: One is Galatians 3:28 — “in

Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” A lot of what we’re trying to do is to build and affirm the oneness that we all share in Christ Jesus despite the fact that we live in a world that is always trying to exploit our divisions — whether along the lines of congregations, or churches vs. synagogues and mosques, male or female, white or black. We’re trying to pull people together and recognize that we are one nation, as Paul also talks about that we are all made of one blood, one family of God. IwC: That’s powerful. I kind of wish though that I could edit Paul a little bit.

Pastor Darryl: Yes, Paul needs a lot of editing and critiquing! (Laughing) IwC: (Laughing) — I wish he had said, “We are Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, and we’re all one in Christ Jesus.” I know Paul was being radically unifying in his time, but today that statement sounds a bit like, “I don’t see color.”

We all together stand under the broad, welcoming banner of God, the creator, who brings us together in that body.

— Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell

Pastor Darryl: I’m glad you brought that up because I think we’ve been very intentional as we come together. It’s not to say that your identity is no longer important or is lost in the coming together. But rather, in the coming together, you bring the richness of your own identify that helps to enhance all our experiences, and we celebrate that.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

11

Pastor Julie: Yes, we all together stand under the broad, welcoming banner of God, the creator, who brings us together in that body. I was thinking of Ephesians 4 — There is one body, one spirit, one God, father, mother of us all.

IwC: How important is the leadership of clergy and laity in your partnership? Who drives the ongoing relationship between your congregations?

Pastor Julie: I would say there’s a give and take, ebb and flow. During Covid, our history team has done some really productive work.

Over this time, Darryl and I have had more on our plate than we can say grace over, so we haven’t done as much together in this time — although during Lent, we had a joint Lenten service on Zoom and that was lovely.

But, some of the other teams have asked, “When are you and Pastor Darryl going to get us together again?”

Pastor Darryl: We’ve been intentional from the beginning that it’s not just top-down, but we wanted the members to have ownership and buy-in for the work we’re seeking to do together. That is why, from the very beginning, we didn’t do anything before getting the buy-in from leaders in the church. We’ve both learned that the worst thing to do as leaders is try to lead people and turn around and realize that you’re standing by yourself! We want to be sure that people are a part of this at every

stage of this work and that we are providing guidance and inspiration, when needed. We want to let people use their gifts and talents and run with it.

IwC: How important is the personal relationship that the two of you have to the partnership?

Pastor Julie: Indispensable.

Pastor Darryl: Certainly Christ, the Holy Spirit is the glue. But then I think our friendship, our relationship has also been the glue because people can see that there’s love, there’s affection, there’s a kinship there. And that’s the thing that rubs off and inspires our members to want to be part of this work. I think it’s so important for leaders to have a strong personal relationship when you’re seeking to do this work of bringing two institutions together.

Foot washing…

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

12

Pastor Julie: I so agree. This could not work if getting together was just something else on your agenda, as though it was obligatory. I believe the whole effort would implode. My friendship with Darryl is one of the things I’m most grateful for. In addition to the joy of our congregations coming together, I know Darryl is a genuine friend. I can share things personally, collegially — things about my church, things about my family. There’s a friend there on the other side of the table, and that means so much.

IwC: How do you nurture that same kind of connection among others between your congregations?

Pastor Julie: I think our role in this, Pastor Darryl and I, is to set the table and issue the invitation to our people to come. Some of our people are going to make that heart connection, others maybe less so. Some of the people on the worship team and history team stay in touch with each other, but not everybody does that. Some will come and continue with it because they really believe in the objective: the social justice piece. It’s like, “I really like these people, but I’m going to come and hang in there because this is part of my own ethical, moral imperative.” For other people, “The work is beside the point. I really want to see so-andso at this meeting because I like them so much.” I think it’s different for everybody.

IwC: I appreciate you saying that. Our readers might imagine that EVERYONE in your congregations is involved in the

partnership. And I think sometimes people get discouraged with this work when they get 3 or 4 people here or there to participate.

Pastor Darryl: The 80-20 rule applies to this process — 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. But that’s just part of doing volunteer work. We want the people doing the work to be excited about it, not burned out, and to provide support to keep things going.

Pastor Julie: Even though there may be just 20 percent of the congregation beneath the thing, I would say that 100 percent feel lifted by this endeavor. For instance, there was someone in our church who was talking to a friend. They were saying, “Yes, our church has a sister church and we’re in the work of antiracism together, it’s so wonderful.” And I thought to myself, “Hmmm, they’ve never been to a meeting!”

IwC: (Laughing) Pastor Julie: But they were claiming it! I don’t think we can underestimate the lifting and empowering effect that the work of the few can have on the whole.

Pastor Darryl: Absolutely.

IwC: We’ve heard from some African American congregations, “We’re tired.

We’re trying to survive in this time when yes, there’s been progress, but there’s also the trauma around the killing of George Floyd and others. So joining a partnership with a white church feels like a burden.”

Pastor Darryl, as the leader of an African

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

13

American congregation, why would the people of Nineteenth Street be up for this?

Pastor Darryl: You can’t afford not to do this work, because you will not survive just trying to pay your bills and do worship and ministry in a very traditional way. If Covid 19 has taught us one thing, it’s that we have to think about ministry in a very different way. We cannot afford to withdraw from the world. Our ability to thrive and make it is measured by our ability to respond to the needs of our community — from engaging in partnerships with white churches and doing the work of Kate serving communion... antiracism to bridging the gap between those who are documented and those who are undocumented. What can the church do about that, or to help those who are food insecure or face educational inequity? It goes back to my own experiences and ambivalence about the church at an early age. I can’t go back; we can’t go back.

Churches will close, ministries will die if we are not concerned and committed to addressing these issues in a meaningful way.

IwC: Pastor Julie, First Baptist is a predominantly white congregation but with significant diversity. Is there a tension for

you in partnering with Nineteenth Street while you have people of color within your congregation? Do people of color at First Baptist say, “Hey, I’m here; talk with me!”

Is there a pull to focus on cross-racial dialogue within your church?

Pastor Julie: I have not perceived that as a concern in our congregation. What I have experienced is that most people in our congregation — white, black and brown — have been grateful to get out beyond ourselves to be in relationship with our sisters and brothers at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church who used to be part of this congregation. Many in our congregation have become acutely aware that our 220-year history began with a pastor who, for most of his 50-year tenure, was an enslaver. We have this debt. It’s become an imperative for our people. So we’re really grateful for this partnership with Nineteenth Street. And we feel it’s incumbent on us to approach this work from a place of humility: “Please help us to see more clearly what we’ve not always been ready to see.” That is not to say that the burden is on the people at Nineteenth Street to educate their white sisters and brothers. It is just that congregations like ours need to

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

14

put our hands over our mouths in some ways, and ask our Black siblings in Christ, “How can we be a part of what you are doing in the world?”

IwC: What’s been most life-giving about the Many in our congregation have become acutely aware that our 220year history began with a pastor who, for most of his 50-year tenure, was an enslaver.

— Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell

partnership between your two congregations?

And what’s been the hardest part?

Pastor Darryl: The most life-giving aspect of the partnership is the relationship that Julie and I have formed — and to see that our relationship has helped our congregations to be excited about taking this journey together.

The most challenging is how do we continue to create space for creativity…fresh ideas about this partnership for years to come.

Pastor Julie: I echo that completely. The most life-giving part for me is the real pleasure of getting to know my dear friend Darryl. The most challenging part — the logistics of getting people together in a city like Washington. I’m sure it’s the same in other places. Our people often live full lives, so it can be a challenge to help them carve out time for this work from an already-full congregational agenda, their job and families, and keep them energized for this crucial work. But it’s a joyful challenge.

Pastor Darryl: We can’t say as a church that we’re excited and committed to

antiracism work and becoming a diverse congregation if we don’t take care of our own family. So I’ve framed this partnership as us coming back home. First Baptist is not just some random congregation that we’re in partnership with. But in a real sense, in partnering with First Baptist, we are coming back home. We can’t fully be the church God wants us to be unless we’re willing to come back to home base, which means that we courageously confront things about our past that are ugly, forgive, repair and seek to build something better.

IwC: Final question. Do you have any suggestions for clergy or lay leaders who want to develop a partnership with another faith community like you’ve done?

Pastor Darryl: Look in your own backyard. Often, churches try to make partnerships with people they don’t know.

But maybe there are connections between you and another congregation that might not The most life-giving aspect of the partnership is the relationship that Julie and I have formed — and to see that our relationship has helped our congregations to be excited about taking this journey together.

— Rev. Darryl Roberts

be obvious. So have conversations with your leaders. What churches have you tried to partner with in the past? Which partnership failed or succeeded or plateaued? Try to reach out to organizations that can help you do this — New Baptist Covenant is one. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

15

Pastor Julie: For me, I would say don’t underestimate the importance of relationship. White churches are thinking, “We need to lean into antiracism, so let’s DO this thing. And it’s probably best to keep this effort in-house.” Speaking from a white perspective, I think part of the fear is “We’re not going to do this right, we’re going to say the wrong thing, we’re going to offend. So let’s do this on our own.” But, when you invest in Christian relationship with people, then if something comes up that’s uncomfortable, you have the confidence in knowing it will be received and talked about in a loving, receptive community. I believe that gives people courage. Relationship is so important.

Pastor Darryl: Amen.

IwC: Thank you both so much for this conversation. Could I ask the two of you to close us with a prayer?

Pastor Julie: Absolutely.

Present, loving God, for all the ways you invite us to be a part of your beautiful work of grace in the world, we give you thanks. And for this conversation today with Pat and for my good friend Darryl and for his significant, prophetic pastoral work in this world. I pray this in the name of Christ who always goes before us.

Pastor Darryl: We thank you for the words of your daughter, your servant, my dear friend, and co-laborer with Christ, for the gift of her ministry and her courage, compassion, wisdom and her prophetic voice. We thank you for the work that Pat’s doing with congregations to promote justice and, we hope this article will inspire projustice and pro-love efforts in other congregations. We pray that you would knit us together — interwoven. We are all tied together, pieces of one garment. Help us to find these connections across congregations, so we can see that we are more alike than different, and that you have called us to be in partnership and relationship. As we go forward, we pray that we are more committed now than ever in this work of justice, love and peace. Amen.

Pastor Julie: Amen.

Members of First Baptist Church and Nineteenth Street Baptist…

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

16

Living in the Exhale in Times of COVID Virtual Clergy Retreat March 22, 2022 And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest awhile.’

For many were coming and going and they had no leisure even to eat.

— Mark 6:31-32, RSV

W

e are all tired and fatigued!

The journey as pastoral leaders in this time of COVID-19 has been long, arduous, extraordinary and filled with the unexpected.

Familiar ways of doing pastoral ministry have all but disappeared. Since March of 2020, pastoral leaders have been called to serve at great cost to themselves. They entered the swirling currents of the unchartered waters of personal and collective grief, psychological distress, spiritual lamentations and long-term stress associated with a virus with no end in sight. As they struggled with their own journey, they were also called to walk alongside congregants who were themselves struggling with profound losses, complicated grief and financial uncertainties.

Early in 2021, we saw glimmers of hope with a slight downward trending of the Corona virus. Wider availability of vaccines, greater public awareness and practices of mitigation efforts, and a welcomed

semblance of life before the virus seemed to be returning. But, mutations of the virus appeared and strengthened its grasp on us.

Into this sordid mix were added a deeply discordant political environment and a country faced with massive social, economic and environmental upheavals.

Truth be told, we are waiting to exhale.

Covid-19 has been unwittingly causing us to live in the inhale: to hold our breath as we bravely try to cope with the anxiety, panic and toxicity caused by this contagion.

The words of Jesus, found in the gospel of Mark 6: 31-32, bring a calming breath: “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest awhile.” The 12 disciples had just returned from their first preaching tour, when they experienced the traumatic death of John the Baptist. Jesus provides some fitting words that speak to us today as we also cope with the grief, woundedness and weariness of serving during a persistent and unrelenting pandemic.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

18

This retreat, “Living in the retreat, attendees will …The retreat will provide a safe and the Exhale in Times of sacred space for spiritual rest and soul be invited to reflect on Covid,” offers an invitation care through guided reflections, deliberate their mental, physical, and spiritual health prior to clergy whose ministry as conversations, relaxation techniques, and to the pandemic and on servant leaders during this scriptural meditations...[and] also allow their current state of pandemic has left them clergy to experience some of the healing wholeness.

These little time for physical, rhythms of living in the exhale where preparation moments psychological, spiritual comfort and serenity can be found. healing and nourishment. will assist each person to The retreat will provide a safe and sacred lean into the retreat with greater selfspace for spiritual rest and soul care through awareness and readiness for the rest, renewal guided reflections, deliberate conversations, and nourishment they seek for themselves relaxation techniques, and scriptural and their ministries. Register Here meditations. This retreat will also allow clergy to experience some of the healing — Rev. Drs. Leo and Yvonne Martinez Thorne, rhythms of living in the exhale where comfort Facilitators of the Pastors’ Retreat and serenity can be found. In preparation for

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

19

The DCBC Coaching Network offers coach training and a certificate for interested clergy and congregants. The Network also provides coaching for our congregations, pastors, and church leaders.

Our next class, Empower 502-Creating Dynamic Coaching Relationships, begins Tuesday, March 1 and will be held virtually, via Zoom, every Tuesday from March 1 to April 19, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (8-weeks, 1.5 hours per week).

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A COACH AND TO LEARN MORE! CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COACHING VIDEO.

REGISTRATION BEGINS FEBRUARY 1!

MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION COURSES Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. It teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, and gives you the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem

Youth Mental Health First Aid Y outh Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an ad olescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. This course teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Saturday, March 12, 2022, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Virtual) The cost for the Youth Ment al Healt h First Aid class is $75 per person.

Thanks to the generosity of the DCBC Foundation, we are able to offer this course for $25 to DCBC members.

Register here.

Darkness to Light Stewards of Children Darkness to Light (aka Stewards of Children®) is an evidence¬informed, award-winning 2-hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with child sexual abuse survivors, experts and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families and communities.

Register here for Darkness to Light-Stewards of Children Saturday, March 26, 2022, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Virtual) Cost : $20 per person.

WWW.DCBAPTIST.ORG

Myanmar: One Year Later On February 12, 2021, DCBC hosted a prayer vigil outside the embassy of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). This gathering was prompted by the military coup that had taken place in Myanmar on February 1, resting power from the National League for Democracy party and halting the incountry efforts of the Burma Work Group which was initiated in 2016 by Rev. Dr. Robert D. Cochran, former DCBC Executive Director/Minister.

Since that February 1 coup, the people in Burma have been DCBC Vice President Saw Ler Htoo

living under the constant fear of being killed, arrested and tortured by the military council. More than 2,000 people have

been killed, over 15,000 have been unlawfully detained and about 200,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) are in deep suffering now. Church buildings and mission centers have been burned by the Burmese Army and homes have been destroyed.

Please continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in Burma and those who are here in the United States (many of whom are part of DCBC). “The churches are united in Burma,” shared a Chin pastor serving a DCBC church. May we be united as we pray for an end to this tragedy.

DCBC New Program Chairs Bylaws

TBA

Enlistment

Dr. Lisa Banks-Williams (Mt. Moriah Baptist Church)

Human Resources

Rev. Jim Paraboschi, Jr. (Wisconsin Ave Baptist Church)

Membership

Mrs. Denise Sadler (Southern Bethany Baptist Church)

Program

Dr. Orlando Jermaine Bego (CenterPoint Baptist Church)

Stewardship

Dr. Essentino Lewis, Jr. (Clifton Park Baptist Church) February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

23

Celebrating DCBC’s Women Clergy As we prepare to observe Women’s History Month this March, we give thanks for and celebrate the many spirit-filled female clergy of the DCBC. Take a few minutes to get to know these phenomenal women of God:

Rev. Dr. Lisa Banks-Williams Rev. Dr. Banks-Williams is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse. She serves veterans and returning service members, who suffer from PTSD and other war-related psychiatric injuries, and their families. Her specific areas of expertise are post-trauma recovery, sexual trauma, family reunification and pastoral care.

Evangelist Catherine Boddie Bego Evangelist Boddie Bego, Pastor of CenterPoint Baptist Church, was ordained in 1990 and has served on the frontline of providing community service in the Washington, D.C., area for 50 years. She devoted many years as the Deputy Administrator at DC Government’s Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration (APRA), managing a program to battle alcohol and drug dependency. Evangelist Bego organized The Word Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. From that COPS (Community Organized in Prayer for Salvation) after a string of senseless homicides plagued her community during the height of the War on Drugs.

Rev. Christian Brown, RN, MDiv Rev. Brown received a BS in Nursing from Howard University, an MDiv. at Wesley Theological Seminary, a certification for Life Coaching from Well Coaches, ministerial license and ordination from Mount Moriah Baptist Church and founded RISE Enterprises, LLC. As an author, motivational speaker, preacher, registered nurse and certified Wellness Coach, she finds her purpose by helping others RISE up from any defeats, get closer to God, and discover self through empowerment.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

24

Rev. Lynda Brown-Jackson Rev. Brown-Jackson, Pastor of Nevertheless Outreach Ministry Church, was ordained in 2009. NTL has been serving the DMV, and throughout the United States and abroad in many facets of ministry services for more than 31 years as an outreach ministry.

In 2019, God called NTL forth as a structured church and its assignments have increased tremendously as a result of its obedience unto God. In doing so NTL gives Him nothing less than excellence for His glory!

Rev. Dr. Marion E. Criddle Rev. Criddle, the organizer and Sr. Pastor of Rivers of Joy Bible Fellowship Church in District Heights, Maryland, was licensed in December of 1991 and ordained in May of 1993. She is a native New Orleanian, raised in a Christian home and baptized at the age of eight. One month after consecration (January 29, 1999-Super Bowl Sunday), the Lord assigned ROJBFC as a foreign mission agent. After 20 years of travel, the Lord uses ROJBFC as a virtual way station.

Rev. Karen W. Curry Rev. Curry, Assoc. Minister at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, was ordained in 2002 (by Jeffrey Haggray, the first African-American Pastor of PABC and first AfricanAmerican Executive Director/Minister of DCBC. This year, she celebrates 20 years since God compelled her to proclaim “Good News to the poor…freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and release for the oppressed…”! As a DC native, she is honored to serve in the city of her birth and in the church where she grew up, using everything God has given her — poetry, rap, comedy, dance, song, video production and drama — to preach the transformational Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rev. Patricia H. Fears Rev. Fears, Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., was ordained on November 5, 2005. As a pastor’s child, she was called into kingdom service at birth. However, it was her love of people and the belief in the God-given dignity of all humans that swayed her to give in to the irresistible call to ministry. Social justice, community engagement, collaboration, creativity and authenticity are the drivers of my ministry. My life verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through Him who give me strength.”

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

25

Rev. Dr. Leah Grundset Davis Rev. Dr. Davis, Pastor of Ravensworth Baptist Church, Annandale, Virginia, was ordained in 2007. She believes that her call is to walk alongside folks as they share love, do justice and build community. She also believes that following Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit, we look for places in the world where God’s justice is needed and work for that justice for all of God’s Beloveds.

Rev. Gay C. Gulick Rev. Gulick, Minister with Children and Families at First Baptist Church - Silver Spring, Maryland, was ordained in June of 2005 at Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. She has always loved working with children. As a child, church was her safe place and she believed that God called her to ministry to provide a safe place for all children that come to the churches she served. She misses being on staff at a church, but my health currently prevents it. But, she cherishes each time she is well enough to minister to the children of FBC Silver Spring where her husband is the pastor.

Rev. Skye Hallman McQuillan Rev. Skye, Associate Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis, MD, was ordained in May 2012. Her calling centers on the love of art, people, and theology and helping others find new ways to experience God. Rev. Dr. Patricia Mercer Hernandez Rev. Dr. Mercer Hernandez, Associate General Secretary serves the American Baptist Women in Ministry and Transition Ministries and Washington Plaza Baptist. She was ordained in 1989 and her call to ministry is to break barriers, build bridges and bring people together to be the Body of Christ, living in Beloved Community where all God’s people are able to fully utilize their God-given gifts and fully live out their God-given calls. In all that she does, she strives to — as her father and grandfather put it — preach “sermons in shoes,” living out a radical inclusiveness that welcomes all and extends love to everyone.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

26

Rev. Emily Holladay Rev. Holladay, Pastor of Village Baptist Church, was ordained in 2012

by Southside Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. She experienced the call to ministry as a seventh grader at Acteen camp in Kentucky and has been pursuing that calling ever since. Over the years, she has been convicted in the power of the local church to make a transforming impact in the lives of people and communities and is seeking to live more deeply into our calling to be a Beloved Community.

Pastor Laura Marie Johnson Pastor Johnson, Associate Minister of the Upper Room Baptist Church, was ordained by the Association of Faith Churches and Ministers (AFCM) in 2009.

She was established in the Fellowship of the Covering/The Fishers of Men on February5, 2016. In the summer of 2003, the Lord called her to preach His word according to Timothy. It was an audible call that propelled her into her purpose, and she has been on fire ever since.

Rev. Dr. Aleisha A. Langhorne Rev. Dr. Langhore, Pastor of Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church and a public health professional, was ordained in 2017. She answered God’s call into the ministry as a senior at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia and will celebrate 20 years of ministry in September 2022. Her ministerial passions include providing care and support to families and individuals in crisis, teaching, preaching, and nurturing her “hermeneutic of suspicion.” Above all else, she loves God and God’s people and works to advance the integration of community and congregation.

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin was called to ministry at the age of 13 and ordained in 1997 by Trinity Baptist Church (SBC) in Philadelphia and in 2018 by the American Baptist Churches, USA. She has a heart for the world, as well as a love for the local church seeking to collectively live out the Great Commission and Great Commandment. Her passion is pastoring pastors and equipping congregations for the ministry God has called them to do with a glocal perspective.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

27

Roi Ji Marip For more than 10 years, Roi Ji has served as a volunteer minister at First Kachin Baptist Church of Virginia. It is a community of people who migrated from Burma and settled in Harrisonburg, Virgina. She is not ordained but believes God’s call for her is to nurture, equip and encourage this group with the His word.

Rev. Dr. Shermaine Wynn Mounoubai Rev. Mounoubai, Associate Minister of St. Mary’s Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., was ordained in 2003. Her former pastor’s words, “I’ve been expecting your call,” confirmed her months-long wrestle with God as a life-altering experience with the Divine. She is part of the teaching team for Word on Wednesday (W.O.W.) Noon Bible Study and preaches when requested to by Pastor, Rev. D. Washington. She seeks to be led by the Holy Spirit into creative and imaginative ways to share God’s Holy Word.

Rev. Michelle Nickens Rev. Nickens, Pastor of Washington Plaza Baptist Church, was ordained on August 10, 2010, and is Vice-President, American Baptist Churches USA. She is passionate about the expansive grace of God and in discovering the surprising ways that, as we journey together by faith, God’s tapestry of grace and beauty are revealed through our differences as well as our commonality.

Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell Rev. Pennington-Russell, Sr. Minister at First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., was ordained in 1986. Her experience of “call” is that it rarely comes with trumpets and bright lights but almost always dawns on her by inches and hunches and best guesses. She says that following the Spirit has felt less like cruising down a wide, well-lighted freeway and more like walking a labyrinth in the middle of the night, holding a birthday candle.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

28

Pastor Sharita Phillip Pastor Phillip, Senior Pastor of Allow God Deliverance Outreach Ministry, International, was ordained as Elder in 2019 and installed as Senior Pastor in 2021. At the age of 16, while reading her Bible, she heard these words: “I have anointed you to preach the gospel, and have set you apart.” At that moment, she knew God was calling her into ministry, didn’t accept that calling until she was in her 20s. Her mission is to be a resource for her community and to see the people of God not only walk in His love, righteousness and wisdom, but also to equip them to fulfill their God-given purpose and walk in the authority God has given them.

Rev. Dr. Ella V. Redfield Rev. Dr. Redfield, Executive Minister, Zion Baptist Church, was ordained in 1991. She was the organizing Minister and served as Pastor of the New Creation Church for 26 years. Her ministry in the Wheaton community and beyond has been purposeful to embrace, empower, and enrich lives for God. She is co-author of The Circle of Life, Waking Up to the Ultimate Design for our Lives.

Rev. Virginia Richardson Tourville Rev. Richardson Tourville, Pastor for Youth and Children at Vienna Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia, was ordained in 2014. Pastor Ginny, as her students affectionately call her, enjoys learning with them and creating spaces for all ages in her congregation to experience the sacred in their lives. She deeply believes that God loves everyone, that each of us has God-given gifts and abilities, and that we can use those gifts to share God’s love with others and change the world.

Rev. Cynthia J. Rioland Rev. Rioland, Executive Minister-Paramount Baptist Church, was ordained in 1994. She grew up serving in the music ministry at Paramount Baptist Church and received and accepted the call to ministry in her junior year at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida. Currently she oversees all ministries at Paramount and day-to-day operations. Her greatest passion is leading the Thursday morning women’s prayer line.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

29

Dr. Regretta B. Ruffin Dr. Ruffin, Senior Pastor of Greater New St Paul Baptist Church, was ordained in 1991. The Lord called her to preach when she was 6 years old. Her father believed she wanted to preach because he was a preacher. However, he did not hold back from training her in the way she should go. Ten years after her father’s passing, she accepted the call and did her initial sermon on September 30, 1990.

Rev. Peggy P. Scott Rev. Scott, a member of St. Mary’s Baptist Church, was ordained on July 11, 2021.Currently she serves as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Pastor. Her call continues to teach her that God’s Holy Hand is on her. She now looks forward and presses toward this great goal, knowing that He has called her, and she can be certain that He who started a good work in her will carry it on to completion: Until the day of Christ Jesus.

Dr. Alethea R. Smith-Withers Dr. Smith-Withers was ordained on June 15, 1996, and is the founder and Pastor of the Pavilion of God, which was born out of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in February 2000.

She was the first woman to serve as an Assoc. Min. at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. God called her to be a “Barrier Breaker and Bridge Builder.” As a liberation theologian, she strives to break racial, gender, age, and other socioeconomic barriers. Her ministry faithfully endeavors to build the beloved community and foster a spirit of “ubuntu,” which essentially teaches the world about justice and harmony.

Rev. Abby Thornton Hailey Rev. Thornton Hailey, Pastor of Broadneck Baptist Church in Annapolis, Maryland, was ordained in 2005. She has served Broadneck Baptist since 2010 and loves shepherding an intimate congregation of diverse ages and backgrounds, helping people connect the story of Jesus with their lives and the world they live in. Some of her favorite experiences at Broadneck include the church hosting those experiencing homelessness through the Winter Relief program, facilitating a monthly Community Conversation on Race, and the church becoming a founding partner in Anne Arundel Connecting Together, an interfaith coalition helping build relationships and bring change in their county.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

30

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood Rev. Dr. Turner Wood, Pastor of Dayspring Community Church, was ordained in 2005. As pastor, she is the lead servant and theologian, who desires to lead a congregation into a deeper relation with Jesus Christ. That relationship should begin with lavish and intentional devotion to God and be augmented with compassionate and committed service to others.

Rev. Dr. Cindy R Wallace Rev. Wallace, the Mental Health Chaplain at Washington DC/VA Medical Center, was ordained in 2005 and is a member of McLean Baptist Church in Virginia. She grew up in the church and has been involved in various ways since sixth grade. She felt called to seminary as a young married adult with small children. That’s when she was introduced to chaplaincy and found her heart’s home. She has worked as an on-call chaplain in the emergency room, a medical center chaplain, a pediatric oncology chaplain, a hospice chaplain and, now, am in mental health. She has loved it all.

Rev. Stephanie Willett Rev. Willett, Ministry Associate at Village Baptist Church in Bowie, Maryland, was ordained on September 18, 2021. Her call is to help make the church more visible and real in the world and to help make authentic intercultural ministry a reality in my community. She finds herself working in a setting unlike anything she ever imagined; yet, she knows it is exactly where she is supposed to be.

Rev. Tracie ECN Williams Rev. Williams is a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and she was ordained on Saturday, January 8, 2022. She was called out of darkness into God’s glorious light in 2000 to preach the gospel, answered the call and was licensed in September 2016 by Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, and was recently ordained by Dr. Lucius M. Dalton.”

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

31

District of Columbia Baptist Convention

Min. Kristin Kelly

Rev. K Scarry

Rev. Britni Johnson

DCBC Notables DCBC shares the following notable events in the life of its members:  Congratulations and blessings on the following three new ministers, who were ordained on Saturday, January 8, by Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where they previously had been licensed: • Rev. Christian Aaron — She’s beginning the visionary work of planting a church.

• Rev. Bruce Hasty — He’s the assistant to Pastor Patti Fears at Fellowship Baptist Church.

• Rev. Tracie Williams — She’s a member of the Ministerial staff at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

We extend condolences to Evangelist Laura Johnson, Associate Minister of Upper Room Baptist Church, whose father, the Rev. Morris Dock Bussie, pastor of Dale City Christian Church “Cathedral of Praise,” passed away on December 30, 2021.

Condolences also to the family of Rev. Dr. Dwight Early Shanklin, Sr., Associate Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church, who passed away on December 29, 2021.

In our next issue of Capital Baptist, we will begin a new feature called “Point Counterpoint,” where we will hear a variety of voices on topics that might make us uncomfortable. In these days of division, it is important to hear from each other, not simply preach or yell at each other or stop listening. If you have an uncomfortable topic you’d like to write about, please reach out to cb@dcbaptist.org. See page 40 for submission guidelines and deadlines.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

33

Mary Ann Christian: Celebrating 50 Years of Music Ministry at Vienna Baptist Church

S

ince 1971 when she joined the Vienna Baptist Church staff as an organist and pianist, Northern Virginia native Mary Ann Christian has participated in a wide range of VBC music ministry events. Recently, the church helped Christian celebrate her 50th anniversary as its Music Ministry Assistant.

“When I came to Vienna Baptist 10 years ago,” says CJ Redden-Liotta, DMA, VBC’s Music Minister, “I had no idea that I was going to be working with such a versatile musician, a person of such steadfast faith and a true partner in ministry. VBC is blessed to have her as part of our community and especially fortunate to have such a skilled musician on the bench for over 50 years!” he adds.

Christian brings extraordinary musicianship and passion to worship, choral and instrumental music, and more. She not only is an accomplished pianist and organist who can make those instruments sing with a variety of genres, such as classical and folk

music, spirituals, gospel and hymns, but her expertise as an accompanist is equally amazing as she coordinates the sound of the piano and organ to accompany singers, soloists, and instrumentalists. For the Chancel Choir, Christian provides notes, parts, rehearsal help and the scored accompaniment as the choir prepares hundreds of different anthems from a variety of composers, cultures, and countries. She was also involved in the search for and selection of the Randall Dyer pipe organ and with the production of spring and youth musicals.

When asked to name some highlights of her 50 years at VBC, Christian replied, “VBC! Being a member of this wonderful community. I look forward to choir practice each week and love making friends and music together. It is a privilege to do what I love in a place I love for 50 years!”

— Vienna Baptist Church Personnel Committee

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

34

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith: 30 Years of Inspiring Ministry with Shiloh Baptist Church

I

recently had the opportunity to speak with Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith on his 30th anniversary as Senior Minister of Shiloh Baptist Church. It is an added blessing for me to be connected with Pastor Smith through DCBC as he was my professor at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer).

Rev. Dr. Smith’s 30-year pastorate began long before the particular connection between pastor and congregation. He notes that the greatest impact on his early ministry was the mentorship he received under the late, legendary Dr. J. Pius Barbour, who pastored Calvary Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania, for 40 years.

Shiloh Baptist Church, one of the nation’s most prestigious pulpits, has been and remains a leading force in the struggle for civil rights, freedom, and justice. Knowing he serves such a church has been both a joy and an honor.

Ordaining Shiloh’s first woman preacher and the first four women to the deacon board are among the highlights of his ministry. Rev. Dr. Smith has served as an advocate for

women in ministry, from the pulpit, to seminaries and into the world, through his service with the Baptist World Alliance.

Along with the joys and celebrations, there have been some challenges, including a fire within the first six months of his tenure. He led the congregation in a rebuilding process that would take the edifice into a new century. He also credits the congregation’s deep belief in the authority of God’s word over his 30-years and in the firm belief in the power of prayer with sustaining their ministry together. His advice to ministers in new congregations: “Get to know the people and love them. In the mid-years, understand that it is not excellence in preaching but excellence in pastoring that sustains one’s ministry. In the latter years of ministry, do not rest on your accomplishments… constantly keep your vision inspiring and exciting.”

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Smith and the Shiloh Baptist Church congregation!

May we all seek to keep the vision inspiring and exciting!

— Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, DCBC Executive Director/Minister

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

35

Pepco Commercial Assistance Programs (DC) As part of Pepco’s commitment to

District. Nonprofits must provide proof of

supporting its customers who may be facing

501(c)(3) tax exemption status or proof that

challenges paying their energy bill, Pepco has

the entity qualifies to meet the 501(c)(3)

launched a series of assistance programs for

requirements and be engaged in human

its small business customers (rate classes GS-

services activities, defined as: “Nonprofits

ND, T, GSDLV, GSD-3A) and houses of

providing supportive services to District

worship and nonprofits (rate classes GSLV,

residents

GS3A, GT3A, MGT LV, and GT LV) in the

development,

District of Columbia.

assistance,

House of Worship and Nonprofit Customer Credit District-based houses of worship and certified nonprofits may receive a reduction to

their

energy

delivery

(distribution)

rate. The metered demand of these customers will be reduced up to 7 kilowatts (kW) monthly for a 12-month period. The maximum credit would range between $70 and $115 each month if the customer’s demand is 7kW or greater. Customers must fall in the GSLV, GS3A, GT3A, MGT LV, or GT LV rate class. The credit is determined by

that

can

include

economic and

and

services

workforce nutritional including

shelter/housing, healthcare, substance abuse, and mental health/counseling support for seniors.” Please note, enrollment for the House of Worship and Nonprofit credit ends Feb. 18, 2022.

Download the program application at https://www.pepco.com/SiteCollectionDocu ments/House

of

Worship

Non-Profit

Application for Demand Credit.docx, and email

the

completed

application

to

BCSTPEPCO@exeloncorp.com, or call 833504-8659. Allow one to two weeks for processing.

the entity’s Pepco rate class and the amount of demand on the bill.

Houses of Worship must provide proof that they are a house of worship in the

— Excerpted from https://www.pepco.com/MyAccount/CustomerSupport /Pages/DC/CommercialAssistancePrograms.aspx.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

36

Church Mission Giving

For the 12 Months Ended December 31, 2021

The Convention recognizes that the giving cycles of each church are different.

Some give monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

C A L E N DA R

1 3 8 9 21 22 24 28

1 2 3 8 9 10 12 13 15 22 26

Black History Month | Black Lives Matter author talk with Rev. Dr. Marcus Jerkins (details on pg. 19) Prayer Mtg.* Pastors’ Chat (10 a.m.)

Chapel/Staff Mtg. Presidents Day | DCBC Closed VBS Training (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

Book Roundtable – A History of the Black Baptist Church by Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Croft Sr. Paint & Sip (hosted by the new children’s and youth ministers/leaders collaborative) Women’s History Month Ash Wednesday/Lent Begins Prayer Mtg.* International Women’s Day | Pastors’ Chat (10 a.m.)

Chapel/Staff Mtg. Sister Circle Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (Virtual, 9 a.m – 2 p.m.)

Daylight Saving Time Begins DCBC Board Mtg. Pastors’ Retreat (see pg. 18 for details) Darkness to Light (Virtual, 10 a.m.

– 12 p.m.)

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

FEB

MAR

38

APR 7 10 12 13 14 15 16 18

Prayer Mtg.* Palm Sunday Pastors’ Chat (10 a.m.)

Chapel/Staff Mtg. Maundy Thursday Passover | Good Friday | DCBC Closed Easter Sunday Easter Monday | DCBC Closed

*Prayer Meeting is held every Thursday at 8:25 a.m.

Photo credit: https://get.pxhere.com/photo/blossom-plant-flower-purple-petal-bloom-close-flora-eye-violet-spring-flower-viola-macro-photography-pansyflowering-plant-400-500-annual-plant-land-plant-violet-family-1042971.jpg.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

39

2022 Publication Schedule & Article Deadlines Issue

April – May 2022 June – July 2022 August – September 2022 October – November 2022 December - January

Article Submission Deadline Monday, Feb. 28 Monday, May 2 Monday, June 27 Friday, Sept. 1 Monday, Oct. 31

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.

February/March 2022 | Capital Baptist Newsletter

40

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