Capital Baptist Newsletter-June/July 2023 Edition

MISSION TRIP MISSION TRIP

TO TO ISRAEL & ISRAEL & PALESTINE PALESTINE

JOIN DCBC, CBF & ABC IM MAY 16 –TO MAY 29, 2024

Join your Baptist sisters & brothers at the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference in Bethlehem, historical sites including the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Jordan River, Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, and much more!

Participants are expected to walk 3-5 miles per day.

Approximate Cost $4,900 pp double occupancy

Space is limited. Please email Trisha.Manarin@dcbaptist.org to express your interest and commitment to pre-trip training, the cost, and your ability to walk the distance.

Strength for Today; Bright Hope for Tomorrow

In recent days, I have been extremely encouraged by the strength and hope emanating from our churches and our Convention. As we live out the Great Commission and Commandment, DCBC is called to engage, equip and empower our leaders, our churches and our communities. There are many times when this call might seem impossible, perhaps even questionable, but God gives strength for today. Not always in advance, but for today.

Many of you know I like to look to the future and dream new dreams with others as we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom. That also means I like to plan, have all our ducks in a row and make sure we honor God in the process and in the event. In recent months, DCBC’s Ministry Roundtable hosted some major events that required a lot of planning. Anxiety ensued as the registration numbers seemed low less than two weeks out from the event. We wondered and prayed if we should go ahead…BUT GOD. We had more than 75 people register for the Leadership Training Forum!

God showed up and people were transformed by their experiences. Lives were touched and God not only gave strength for the day, but also bright hope for our future as a convention. New people are getting to know each other, and seasoned DCBC folk are also getting to know new people. Iron is sharpening iron as tools and skills are shared in formal gatherings, like the monthly Pastors Chats and Weekly Prayer, and as relationships are being developed.

June and July are filled with opportunities to celebrate how God has worked in the past and to look to the future. We know God is not finished with us but is alive and well and working in and through people like you and me! Blessings all ours with ten thousand beside.

Joy and Grace,

Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin Executive Director/Minister

East Washington Baptist Says, ‘Yes We Can!’

Meet Your Neighbor

By Anthony D. Diallo

f we can teach our youth to respect the elderly, it would be good,” observed Senior Pastor Dr. Kip Bernard Banks of the East Washington Heights Baptist Church (EWHBC) at 2220 Branch Ave., SE. “If we can teach them basic manners and how to be of good service and contribute [to society], it would bring about a positive change.”

Students raking leaves and disposing of trash and debris in the Bellevue neighborhood in Southwest. Photos courtesy East of the River

“The church cannot be so heavenly minded as to be no earthly good,” Pastor Banks said, saying it must teach and train, not just complain. “We have to take an active role with our children in the community,” he said. The church has created the “Yes We Can” (YWC) program to do just that.

Through YWC, students from Anacostia Senior High School, Frank W.Ballou Senior High School and Bard High School Early College DC obtain service hours mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow and cleaning up trash for local seniors. After completing an assignment, which typically lasts two to three hours, they return to the church for lunch and enrichment exercises. These include resume writing, financial literacy, etiquette lessons, college preparedness and health classes. The students also are paid a $40 stipend.

“It’s great! It’s fantastic!” said senior Carroll Dyson when asked to describe the program and the services offered by the youth. “It is good because the five kids are very well-mannered. They do an excellent job in my yard,” said the 81-year-old retired educator who resides in Bellevue. “My neighbors are pleased with them too. They really save seniors like me a lot of work and I am grateful to them for raking my leaves,

trimming my bushes, and all the planting they do.”

“I think it is a good program and convenient for us to receive community service hours,” said 15-year-old Nia Arrington who lives across the street from the church in Hillcrest. The ninth grader at Bard High School Early College DC started YWC in December 2022. She appreciates making a little money for participating and wishes the program was more extensive.

“They bring us breakfast and lunch and we don’t have to go too far for the community service,”said Arrington.

YWC is funded through church donations and grants from the DC Baptist Convention Foundation and the Wesley Theological Seminary.

Rev. Banks hopes that the YWC will eventually become self-sufficient and not rely on outside grants. The program’s greatest need, aside securing additional funding, is for additional volunteer chaperones. Those interested in volunteering or supporting YWC financially call 202-5824811 or email ewhbc@aol.com

Reprinted with permission from East of the River. Copyright 2017 © Capital Community News.

Rev. Dr. Kip Bernard Banks, Sr., Senior Pastor of the East Washington Heights Baptist Church and Leader of the ‘Yes We Can’ Service Program.

JOIN OTHER CLERGY FROM THE DC BAPTIST CONVENTION FOR AN INDOOR PICNIC

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023

11 AM - 1 PM

WHAT TO EXPECT DAY OF FOOD, FELLOWSHIP & BROTHERHOOD

LOCATION

BAPTIST BUILDING 1628 16TH STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20009

RSVP BY FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023

www.dcbaptist.org

Ways Male Senior Pastors Can Be Great Allies for Their Clergywomen Colleagues

By Laura Stephens-Reed

We are now well into the Easter season. If you are a Christian minister who was in the pulpit on Easter Sunday, you could not avoid mentioning the women who were called to be the first Christian preachers.

It didn’t matter which Gospel you used. In Matthew, the Marys are commissioned by both the angel and Jesus to go tell the disciples about Jesus’ resurrection. In Mark, the young man in the tomb gives a similar directive to the Marys and Salome. In Luke, the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus encounter two men in dazzling clothes who announce to them that Jesus is alive, and the women relay this message to the disciples. And in John, Mary Magdalene is the first person

to encounter the risen Christ, and he asks her to let the disciples know that he is about to return to God. The details vary from account to account, but in all of them, faithful women are first called to proclaim the resurrection, which is the heart of the Christian story. And yet, plenty of people still believe that women are not fit for ministry. Even more think they wouldn’t make good lead pastors, even if they don’t say this quiet part out loud. I’ve written elsewhere about how churches can do the work to be ready for a female pastor. But do you know who could potentially be the best ally for clergywomen? Male senior pastors, particularly those with clergywomen in second chair positions (e.g., associate pastor or ministers of specific age groups or programs — I’ll shorthand them all as associate pastors for the purposes of this post). If that’s you, here’s what you can do:

• Go by a similar title. By this I mean if you ask to be called “Pastor [your name],” call the clergywomen on your staff “Pastor [their names]” rather than simply their first names (or, heaven forbid, “Miss [their names]”). Encourage church members to address them that way too.

• Close the wage gap. I cannot tell you how many churches I know of in which the male senior pastor is making six figures and the women on staff are barely making a subsistence wage. (Yes, there can be differences in levels of experience and responsibility that must be factored in, but not to the tune of an $60-80K disparity.) Find ways to raise the clergywomen’s salaries or sacrifice

some of your own to make take home pay more equitable.

• Advocate for a parental leave policy. Whether or not you have young children or children at all, ensure there is a just parental leave policy in place at your church. (If you’re not sure what a just policy looks like, contact your judicatory and ecumenical colleagues for examples.) If a new child comes into your family, use the policy in full so that it becomes seen as a parent thing, not a woman thing, to go on this kind of leave.

• Collaborate with clergywomen whenever possible. Look for ways to partner with female clergy at your church and other churches. Don’t just limit yourself to teaming up with ordained women, though. Pull women into your church’s lay leadership pipeline.

• Share credit liberally with clergywomen when genuine and appropriate. “She did this thing. Isn’t it great?” “We did this thing together. It is wonderful to have such a great partner in ministry!” On the flip side, support clergywomen when they are attacked by critics and naysayers for illegitimate reasons.

• Model good boundaries. Some lead pastors work 60+ hours a week but tell their associate pastors that they don’t want them to overfunction. It doesn’t work that way no matter how good the intention. Senior pastors set the tone for associate pastors’ (many of whom are women) expectations of

themselves and churches’ expectations of the entire pastoral staffs. The associate pastors will seem less available, interested, and capable if they stick to the hours they are paid for, and they will juggle an unsustainable load (which can include parenting younger children, caring for aging parents, and carrying the mental load of the household and often that of the church) if they don’t.

• Amplify female voices. Welcome your own female clergy and laity into preaching and worship leadership. Invite women outside your church to preach, teach, and lead. Look for gifts in women in your church that they don’t yet see themselves. This creates a culture of call for women. I didn’t see a woman on the chancel for any reason other than singing or making an announcement until I was in seminary. (The first time I did, I sobbed with joy and relief that I wasn’t alone or hearing God incorrectly.)

• Be a great reference. Many clergywomen will eventually want to be lead pastors. Talk up your female associate pastors and other clergywomen you know to others before they even begin looking for lead pastor opportunities. (This is especially helpful since some churches now search for a pastor exclusively using informal networks and looking for ministers who aren’t currently seeking a new position.) Give them outstanding

recommendations. Celebrate when they leave to take on larger roles.

If I had to boil all this down, I’d simply say, “Normalize women in leadership and share your power.” That’s easier said than done. But some male senior pastors are already doing aspects of this. (Thank you!) And what could be more true to the Gospel in this season that started with women being the first ones trusted and commissioned by the Divine to preach the good news than to support clergywomen’s voices and leadership?

Laura Stephens-Reed, a clergy and congregational coach, helps clergy and congregations manage transitions of many kinds with faithfulness and curiosity.

Reprinted with permission from Laura Stephens-Reed. Copyright © 2023 Laura Stephens-Reed Coaching Services LLC All rights reserved.

We are excited to announce that we will be offering some sessions at the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit ONLINE!* Many of you have let us know that you are unable to travel to the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico — and we are happy to offer an online option for a registration fee of $49!

We will have a number of events happening that you may access online as a virtual attendee:

Friday, June 23

•Welcome Session, 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT

•Spotlight on Puerto Rico, 4:00 PM ET/1 :00 PM PT

• Worshipful Work - International Ministries Report, 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

•Friday Evening Worship, 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

Saturday, June 24

• Worshipful Work — American Baptist Home Mission Societies Report, 7:30 PM ET/ 4:30 PM PT

•Friday Evening Worship, 8:00PM ET/5:00PM PT

Sunday, June 25

•Sunday Morning Worship, 9:00 AM ET/6:00 AM PT

• Business Session, 2:30 PM ET/11 :30 AM PT

• Worshipful Work — American Baptist Churches USA, 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

•Friday Evening Worship, 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

Learn more:

With the theme “For Such a Time as This,” the biennial event is the premier opportunity for American Baptists to gather and connect with one another, hear directly from American Baptist partners and friends, worship together as one family of God, and learn the latest happenings across the American Baptist denomination.

Learn more about our Keynote Speakers. www.americanbaptists2023.com

REGISTER NOW

*Please note that online registration is available for participants only. We are unable to offer online registration for Delegates. We hope that we will see you in Puerto Rico in June!

With Jesus, There Are No Big I’s or Little You’s

By Rev. Dr. Alethea Smith-Withers

The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony so that we can do God's will.

On April 23, 2023, I was blessed with the divine charge of baptizing four teens. For many clergy, this blessed duty occurs in simple and expected ways. However, for small congregations, the stories are frequently logistically complex; yet, strikingly revelatory of God’s grace. For the youth of Pavilion of God Baptist Church, baptism is a tribute to shared ministry.

Rev. Dr. Alethea Smith-Withers (center in robe) is pictured with Youth Group Director, Mrs. Grace Dickerson, of New Community Church (wearing black jacket) and the four candidates for baptism: (from left to right) Jayden Coates Sullivan, Kiarra James, Zavion Miller and Yejide Thomas.

1 Corinthians 12:14

I attended the DCBC Justice Forum in February. It was replete with lessons about justice and provided tools to evaluate various areas of congregational health. One of my take-aways was that our work toward justice should not cause leaders to sidestep the critical spiritual needs of their congregation I was also reminded of the extraordinary benefit for small churches partnering with other churches.

For 15 years, the Pavilion of God Baptist Church has partnered with New Community Church, a multidenominational expression of the Body of Christ in the tradition of the Church of the Saviour. Rev. Jim Dickerson is the pastor of New Community Church, located at 614 S Street, NW. New Community Church is not a Baptist church, but our congregations share similar commitments to urban ministry and to racial justice and equity. Rev. Dickerson and I have

built and sustained a loving collegial relationship over the years. We have exchanged pulpits on Sundays, performed weddings and funerals together, and led retreats together. In addition, our congregations have shared Bible study, Lenten services and numerous fellowship activities.

Approximately 10 years ago, our congregations formed Young Christian Power (YCP), a youth group for middle school and high school youth, which includes youth from our congregations and from the wider community. YCP meets twice a month for Bible study, fellowship and fun, periodically, the youth go on retreats and engage in community service projects.

Three years ago, the Pavilion of God formed a similar relationship with Sixth Presbyterian Church, located at 5413 16th Street, NW, and led by Pastor Rose Wayland. Amazingly, the Pavilion’s Church Administrator, Stacie Hill, is also the Church Administrator at Sixth Presbyterian Church! She introduced me to Pastor Wayland As God would have it, Pastor Wayland and I are kindred spirits. In addition, Sixth Presbyterian Church is also committed to urban ministry, racial justice and equity, which opened the door for our congregations to collaborate in vibrant and creative ways. For example, members from the Pavilion of God support Sixth Presbyterian’s food pantry; our churches prepare a fun “Holyween” event for the children with games, food and a moon bounce; and Pastor Wayland and I tag-team preach for Christmas and Easter services which are followed by a shared meal and fellowship.

Recently, the Pavilion of God Baptist

Rev. Dr. Smith-Withers with Pastor Rose Wayland of Sixth Presbyterian Church.

Church, New Community Church and Sixth Presbyterian Church embraced an exciting theological endeavor. This undertaking became a true example of dynamic urban/shared ministry. We organized an eight-session baptism/confirmation class for youth. We structured the curriculum to include denominational comparisons; that is, comparisons between baby dedication and infant baptism and between baptism by submersion and confirmation.

The youth studied the Word of God and learned the basis for the traditions from their respective denominations. We discussed their experiences with race and racism, gun violence and drugs. They had numerous opportunities to share their prayers, hopes and dreams and to examine and share their faith in Jesus as their personal Savior In addition, the youth not only embraced the significance of becoming full members of their denomination, but they also came to understand that they are members of the larger body of Christ.

It has been a joy for our small congregation, to partner with New Community Church and Sixth Presbyterian Church. However, after completing the eightweek baptism preparation, we faced the challenge of where to baptize our youth! The Pavilion of God rents space that does not have a baptismal pool, New Community Church does not have a baptismal pool and Sixth Presbyterian does not practice baptism by submersion. Blessedly, Rev. Patti Fears opened the doors of Fellowship Baptist Church for the Pavilion of God’s service of baptism. Thanks be to God for the joy of baptizing four youths who confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

I am thankful that I attended the Justice Forum. It was provocative and was also an opportunity for me to look at the health of the Pavilion of God and determine what is working for us. I saw that partnering with other congregations, HALLELUJAH, is working for us!

Rev. Dr. Smith-Withers baptizes a youth during the service of baptism held at Fellowship Baptist Church.

Baptismal candidates attend one of the eightweek baptism/confirmation classes for youth.

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. (Ephesians 3:17)

I believe the Pavilion of God’s story is important because we are striving to be a learning community, where we pursue a more expansive, and liberating vision of our Christian faith in the world. We’re not measuring our ministry by the numbers of members on our roles or by the balance in our bank account. In our hearts, when we collaborate with other congregations, we are collaborating with Jesus. It is an act of faith that enables us to live into the mission God has given us. Beyond a shadow of a doubt,

with Jesus, there are no big I’s and no little you’s! Amen!

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

Hunger Funds

Is your church engaged in ministry related to hunger? DCBC has a limited number of grants available. The applica�on will be available on the DCBC website in midJune.

Grants proposals will only be considered from churches in good standing with the Conven�on. Proposals can be submited for up to $500.

Rev. Alethea Smith-Withers is Pastor of Pavilion of God Baptist Church in Washington, DC.

Gun Violence in The District of Columbia and Interfaith Leaders Solutions to This Problem

By Rev. Melissa Greenhow

In “Gun Violence Is on the Rise in D.C.” by Axios journalist Paige Hopkins, she writes that despite numerous safety measures, preventative programs and stringent gun restrictions, the District of Columbia has seen a considerable increase in gun violence over the past 5 years. The locations with the greatest increases in gun violence include Florida Ave., NW close to Shaw; H St., NE close to Kingman Park; and portions of Southeast DC close to Anacostia. Nightly news broadcasts in the nation’s capital feature at least two shootings involving youth each night, and since the beginning of the year, it’s estimated that 43 of the city’s youth have been impacted by gun violence.

Spurred on by these concerning trends and as part of the Skinner Leadership Institute 2023 fellows community project for the Masters Series for Distinguished Leaders (MSDL) Program, Class XV, Dr. Andrea Boudreaux and I, led by Dr. Barbara SkinnerWilliams, CEO and co-founder of the Skinner

Leadership Institute, are diligently working to create an online gun violence prevention resource directory of valuable tools, financial and informational resources, and bestpractice examples that help reduce gun violence in the District of Columbia.

Our goal is to produce an interactive, onestop, emergency gun violence prevention guide on the Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) website that will be accessible to everyone. By providing a focal point for crucial collaboration, strategic

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

communication, and up-to-date knowledge of vital resources, this guide would be a resource to support the work of interfaith and community organizations. Mayor Muriel Bowser formally incorporated the OGVP into the Office of the City Administrator a little more than a year ago. OGVP is intimately familiar with the many exceptional organizations and people within the religious sector who are steadfastly working to eradicate gun violence in our city, frequently in the absence of the resources required in times of crisis.

We need your help in creating this directory which we believe can help save

lives and prioritize the safety of all District residents. We want to unite all congregations and religious organizations interested in leading this endeavor, and ask you to take a few minutes to answer the following survey questions and return your answers via email to Dr. Amy Mack (amy.mack@dc.gov), Rev. Aaron Tinch (aaron.tinch@dc.gov) and Dr. Barbara Skinner-Williams (dr.williams.skinner@gmail.com)

Rev. Melissa Greenhow is a 2023 Skinner Institute Fellow in the Masters Series for Distinguished Leaders (MSDL) Program

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Survey Questions for Interfaith Community

Please take a few minutes to help build an online resource directory for gun violence prevention in the District of Columbia. Email your responses to the following questions to Dr. Amy Mack (amy.mack@dc.gov), Rev. Aaron Tinch (aaron.tinch@dc.gov) and Dr. Barbara Skinner-Williams (dr.williams.skinner@gmail.com). Thank you in advance for your participation.

1.What alternatives do you have accessible for your congregants who come to you for help? What are the hours when your resources are available?

2.What services or amenities does your place of worship provide that you would like to make available to the public?

3.What do you wish you had for when members of your congregation seek your assistance?

4. What is most important for a family after experiencing gun violence?

5. Have you ever looked for a resource for a congregant but were unsuccessful?

6.What youth services or resources are available to your members?

7.Who is a part of your support network?

8.In which places do you search for resources?

9.What nonemergency resources could your congregation members find useful?

DC Walk 4 ReCovery

By Rev. Karen W. Curry

One of the moments on April 29, 2023, when God literally parted the clouds to allow the sun to shine through on a cloudy day. Note the bright spot between four clouds. Photo courtesy of Rev. Karen W. Curry.

The weather forecast for Saturday, April 29, 2023, was about as gloomy as it could get — cloudy, cold and rainy. In fact, the entire weekend was expected to be a washout — but God! DC Walk 4 ReCovery founder and organizer, Rhonda Johnson, refused to be deterred by the weather and stood firmly on her faith, reminding registrants that there was no rain date for Jesus’ crucifixion! She held a prayer meeting the night before the walk where the participants asked God to hold off the rain and part the clouds so the sun could shine through. And, God did exactly that!

God truly smiled on the DC Walk 4 ReCovery on the National Mall as hundreds of walkers, vendors and supporters gathered to share with the world what recovery looks like. The goal of the event was to bring awareness, education, hope and strategic solutions for persons in or needing recovery and to remind everyone that recovery extends beyond alcohol and drugs — recovery affects everyone, from those recovering from abuse, to those recovering from major health challenges and from depression. The most important message Johnson wants to communicate to those in or needing recovery is that they are not alone and help is available!

The event featured information and resources from several vendors from the District, Maryland and Virginia that provided hope and solutions for treatment, peer-topeer support and other resources. There were a variety of speakers, myself included as I was honored to share a poem I wrote in tribute to a young man who was in recovery.

The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church was asked to coordinate a ministry tent to provide prayer and spiritual support

for those in attendance. We were thankful to be joined by CenterPoint Baptist Church, Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ and New Samaritan Baptist Church. Together, we provided a wide array of ministry and health information (including delicious healthy snacks) and prayed with participants, vendors and visitors from all over the world who were touring the National Mall. One of our Spanish-speaking members ministered to many people in Spanish, which was truly welcomed by those whose first language is not English.

It was truly a life-giving, festive occasion, topped off by an intergenerational celebratory line dance that epitomized the joy of recovery. Knowing that who the Son sets free is free indeed, we thank God for the opportunity to support those on their journey to freedom, and we look forward to serving again next year.

Rev. Karen W. Curry, a Consultant, Writer, Editor, Instructor and Poet is the Owner of “Say That!” Communications LLC.

Honoring Tim Keller

Excerpt by Rev. Dr. James Ellis II

Tim Keller’s passing is a critical loss for us who remain as resident aliens stationed on this chaotic, rough-and-tumble topsoil called earth. God’s already but not yet Kingdom has been advanced with the fusion of his writing skill, biblical orthodoxy, intellectual acumen, and pastoral call. His handling of the 2017 kerfuffle at Princeton Theological Seminary over being chosen to receive their Kuyper Prize, only for it to then not be awarded that year to anyone as a kind of peace offering, has stuck with me. By all accounts, he and then president M. Craig Barnes had fruitful, hospitable exchanges about the matter, even if in the end larger, louder currents of cancellation kept pushing their own agendas.

Keller represented Christ within his ecclesial tradition (Presbyterian Church of America) the best he could, confidently addressing idolatry’s various forms, the complexities of marriage, skepticism, and suffering. Though cancer, perhaps especially of the pancreas, has its markedly nasty ways of humbling the most stubborn of us, my sense was that Keller had long ago become a student of faithfully navigating the crucible of cross-shaped living. His ministry was mega and global presumably without it all having gone to his head, which is shoutworthy right there. The world surely does not need another ego-laden, immoral windbag

pastor, whether they preach to ten people or tens of thousands.

H.Beecher Hicks, Jr., the once longtime pulpiteer of Washington, DC’s historic Metropolitan Baptist Church, reflected decades ago: “The preacher-pastor who is more concerned about what people think than how people live in response to the demands of the gospel is little more than a leaky vessel in search of a storm.” I thank God for Keller’s faithfulness, that we preachers and pastors will more thoroughly heed Paul’s instruction to pour out ourselves as a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1) Most of our names will not hit the big stages, command large paychecks, and whatever writings we produce will rarely, if ever, reach bestseller status, but we too can do our part, vocationally and personally, to seek God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

Rev. Dr. James Ellis III is the Pastor of Maplewood Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan.

This excerpt by Rev. Dr. Ellis is taken from “Honoring Tim Keller” by Andrew Finch, published on PreachingToday.com.

Flourishing

in Exile: How Can We Be a Fruitful Church in Today's Land?

MRC Palmer Grant Cycle 2023

Online applications available June 1, 2023. Deadline for applications July 13, 2023. Awards are anticipated to be made late September 2023.

Many of our churches feel as if they are now, more than ever before, in exile. Fewer people are part of church life now and society is changing swiftly. Even those who are participating in congregational life are participating in different ways, attending only via Zoom; sometimes, even, joining membership with a church in another part of the country that they have only experienced virtually. Although many of these issues have been part of church life for many years, the pandemic made everything happen more, and more quickly. For some congregations this may feel like a seismic shift and they’re having difficulty finding their footing again.

Jeremiah 29:4-7 gives the people of Israel words of instruction and hope that we can resonate with today: We are to settle down and settle in. This is now our reality. And yet it is not a barren reality. Rather, it is a time of productivity, growth, and community. We are to plant gardens and raise families we are to do the work now that lays the groundwork for the future. We are to “Flourish in Exile.”

This grant cycle will provide funds for ABC churches and regions to create opportunities for assessment, discernment, equipping, and envisioning getting a better lay of the land for where they are now while exploring what future God is holding in front of them.

www.abcofgiving.org

(Click on Ministries and select “Palmer Grants” from drop-down menu): Available June 1

Grant Awards:

• Minimum $5,000; Maximum $25,000 for an individual congregation or ABC Region

• If applying in partnership with another church, ABC Region, or organization, the minimum is $5,000 and the maximum is $60,000. (You can get more if you work together!)

Important Notes:

Your grant application has a much better chance of success if you pay attention to the criteria.

• One ABC Region is not a collaboration. Two or more ABC Regions working together or a Region and institution would be a collaboration. Additionally, a Region may only receive one grant in a cycle.

• No partial grants are awarded. Please ask for the amount you need.

• Ensure your request equals the maximum amount or less of the grant allowed.

• Ensure no more that 25% of your grant request is for pre-existing staffing or administrative costs. See grant application for complete details.

• Complete the grant application fully, and give as much information as you can in each section. Less complete applications are less likely to be awarded a grant.

The Birth of CenterPoint Baptist Church: The Collaborative Role of ABCUSA and DCBC

The inception of a church is an intricate tapestry woven from the threads of dedication, diligent work and financial aid. This truth resonates profoundly in the narrative of the establishment of CenterPoint Baptist Church in June 2009. The American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) and the DC Baptist Convention (DCBC), under the stewardship of Dr. Jeffery Haggray and Dr. Robert Cochran, provided invaluable resources and support that led to the church’s formation. These leaders and their organizations played a crucial role in the genesis of CenterPoint Baptist Church.

The journey to establishing CenterPoint Baptist Church began in 2008 with a unified vision to create a spiritual haven for the community centered on answering the question, “How do we establish a community for the churched, de-churched and unchurched?” The vision for CenterPoint Baptist Church was shared by and aligned with the mission of DCBC and ABCUSA. Both organizations are known for their longstanding commitment to the growth of Baptist churches and, thus, commenced a fruitful partnership.

Financial resources are essential to creating a new church. ABCUSA and DCBC orchestrated grants and donations, ensuring the availability of funds for church planting, procuring necessary equipment and initiating operational structures. This financial backing allowed the leaders of CenterPoint Baptist

Church to focus on their spiritual mission, free from the burden of financial constraints. Beyond financial aid, DCBC offered a diverse range of resources vital to the establishment of CenterPoint Baptist Church. These resources included leadership training programs for the church’s leaders, equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively shepherd their congregation. In addition, they provided educational resources for the church’s ministry programs, thereby preparing the church to better serve its congregation and reach out to the community. ABCUSA and DCBC also offered guidance in administrative affairs, helping to establish CenterPoint’s bylaws and governance structures, and assistance in setting up sound financial management systems, ensuring the church’s long-term sustainability and accountability to its congregation and the broader community.

A key facet of CenterPoint Baptist Church’s mission was to actively engage with its community. ABCUSA and DCBC supported this mission by providing resources and guidance to develop and

execute community outreach programs. These programs enabled the church to profoundly impact its community, offering spiritual guidance, social assistance and charitable services to those in need.

The establishment of CenterPoint Baptist Church demonstrates the unwavering support and substantial resources provided by ABCUSA and DCBC. Their financial backing, resource provision, leadership training and guidance on community involvement were instrumental in the church’s inception and ongoing success, even to today.

CenterPoint Baptist Church’s establishment illuminates the power of a shared vision and mutual support within the

faith community. It highlights the commitment of leaders like Dr. Haggray and Dr. Cochran and organizations like ABCUSA and DCBC to the evolution and progress of Baptist churches. Today, CenterPoint Baptist Church stands not merely as a place of worship, but also as a testament to the resourceful and devoted efforts of these two pivotal leaders and their organizations.

Rev. Dr. O Jermaine Bego, Sr. Pastor of CenterPoint Baptist Church., Washington, D.C., and owner of Transformative Coaching & Training Center

Leadership Training Forum 2023 Recap

I am still reminiscing about the DCBC Leadership Training Forum held at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church where we were welcomed with a great and loving spirit of hospitality. This event was a refreshing and an amazing experience that brought together leaders from our congregations throughout the metropolitan DC area. We all came together to learn how to be better leaders as we serve the people of God and witnesses of God’s presence in this world.

I had the privilege and blessing of leading the session on “Excellence in Living — Continual Formation While Forming Others.” In our discussion, each of the leaders was very clear about the importance to our leadership of living Christ-like lives and being the model for excellent living, which is living a spiritual life. The sharing was rich and relevant for leading today’s church. As the session ended, one leader shared how much she appreciated this time and her gratitude for what she received. Other sessions dealt with topics such as how to have conversations with difficult people, being legally and morally responsible for the wellbeing of children and other vulnerable people, leading across cultures and traditions, and equipping people in addition to the pastor to sit with those in grief, to name a few.

It was a beautiful day that kicked off with singing and some exercises to help those

around each table get to know each other. It was a wonderful time of sharing! On this beautiful day, we received physical and spiritual food for the soul, and I am so grateful for the DCBC Leadership Staff, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, for the foresight and vision to convene our leadership as we face the challenges of today and of life in general.

I am convinced God has a plan for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention, and I believe, and I am hopeful, that we see that our challenge is to rise up and together work the plan of God to change lives and change our world!

Rev. Dr. Ella V. Redfield served as the founding Pastor of the New Creation Church for 25 years before retiring

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY.

Celebrating Women in Ministry

I’ve been reading Pastoral Care: Telling the Stories of Our Lives by Karen Scheib for my Pastoral Care and Counseling class. Schieb writes, “As narrative practice, pastoral care attends to the inseparable interconnection between our own life stories, other’s stories, the larger cultural stories, and God’s story.”

In planning a luncheon in celebration of women in ministry, the DCBC created a safe space for female ministers to share their stories and feel the connection of their stories to others and ultimately to God’s story. Some 31 women recently gathered at the DCBC headquarters for this event. Tears came to my eyes as it struck me that no matter the adversity encountered, these women

persevered in their calling, some even starting churches after being refused opportunities to minister. Sometimes they questioned their call, but they did not allow self-doubt to stop them from following God.

I often question my effectiveness as a preacher and if I really can pastor a church, so listening to the stories of the women in the room helped reshape my response to that selfdoubt. Thank you DCBC for creating a space for women in ministry to share their stories.

Don’t forget to join us for our Men’s Clergy Gathering on June 28 – more info to come.

Min. Abbie Tolbert, Executive Associate, The John Leland Center

Updates on Life and Ministry in El Salvador

Our dear MVP family, peace to you.

Over the past month we’ve visited a number of schools in our neighboring departments of La Libertad and San Salvador. It has been motivating and energizing to get back into the schools, to meet new students and teachers, to find principals and staff who are invested in the lives of their students. We’ve also been encouraged by the many volunteers who continue to come alongside us in this work, and to the pastors who support MVP and encourage their members to serve in this ministry. As we extend our reach to new schools, we’ve also met new pastors and community leaders who have shown interest in working with us in this mission. This month, we are hosting trainings with our veteran group of volunteers who will hopefully be in classrooms next month. We are revisiting updated laws and priorities related to children and education, the biblical vision that drives our mission, and good teaching practices for all ages.

During our school visits, we’ve seen a wide range of challenges that school staff are facing this year, especially the lack of resources from the Department of Education. In one of our visits, a principal shared that two of her teachers were fighting over a whiteboard after waiting weeks for the departments of education to provide them for their classrooms. We have also witnessed the scarcity of the current school food program (a program that was extremely successful up until the pandemic), and the struggle of

school staff to supplement the most basic ingredients to make sure students get something to eat each day. Teachers have shared how many students haven’t returned to school, because they do not have shoes and/or notebooks — basic supplies that the government previously provided but not this year. The school dropout rate post-pandemic

is higher than ever, reaching 40% in some

Eliberto, Molly & Elliot Juarez. Photos courtesy International Ministries, also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society.

schools. As the principal of a school in Tacachico put it, “they [the government]

in prison now for 5 months after he was falsely accused of belonging to a gang. Kevin was arrested in his home while caring for his newborn twins. These babies are now growing without knowing their dad, and the entire family is desperate. They have hired multiple lawyers and presented pages of documentation showing Kevin’s innocence, but the judges refuse to release him. (Read his story in Spanish

have abandoned education.” Now schools are trying to survive with reduced resources and added stress.

One of our recent struggles has been obtaining permission from the Department of Education for MVP to work in any school around the country. To date, we’ve only been able to secure permission to work in schools within the department of San Salvador, which is thankfully where Nejapa is located. Five years ago, this process was a simple formality. Today, government staff is inaccessible and principals are more adamant about organizations having permission, in their general distrust of government and fear of being fired or accused of “supporting gangs” or working “against the government.”

The state of emergency (that has now been in effect for 13 months) continues to cause fear across the country, in particular for young people. Students are regularly intimidated and threatened by the police and military; they are afraid of being arrested and accused of being part of a gang, even those who have no gang connections. One of our MVP volunteers, Kevin Hernandez, has been

https://elibertomollyjurez.cmail20.com/t/d-lzuytja-jtktfhdhu-y/) — stay tuned for an English version.) We pray for Kevin — and for the thousands of innocent people in the prisons of El Salvador - for his health, and for justice to grant him freedom.

We appreciate your continued support

and prayers for our family and ministry. Please join us in prayer for:

• Kevin, his wife and twins, and extended family who have received threats from the military since his arrest.

• Noe (pronounced “Noh-eh”), Flor, and their daughters, as Noe begins chemotherapy this Friday for the advanced stomach cancer doctors found earlier this month.

MVP family dinner after last week’s training in Nejapa.

MVP volunteer Kevin Hernandez working with a 2nd grade class through MVP.

• Our volunteers in Nejapa, as we prepare to return to the classrooms.

• New partnerships, with schools and churches, as we expand our reach and bring new people into the ministry.

• Teachers and administrators as they navigate the challenges of their schools and students.

• Open doors and hearts as we build new relationships with students.

• Wisdom and perseverance as we continue to work for permission from the Department of Education at a

national level and for renewal of our non-profit status.

Thank you for being part of our MVP family and for journeying with us in this mission. We couldn’t do it without you! With much gratitude.

Eliberto, Molly & Elliot, International Ministry missionaries in El Salvador

Reprinted with permission from Interna�onal Ministries. COPYRIGHT ©2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to July 8 12:00noon

Your Help Needed to Support My Ministry to the Deaf

In the summer of 1998, I received a call from the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) asking me to consider taking the chaplain position at Gallaudet University, a well-known institution for the deaf and hard of hearing worldwide. I accepted this position, beginning in the fall term of 1998, and I have been working for DCBC since then.

DCBC established a long relationship with the Baptist ministry at Gallaudet University in early 1950. Two previous campus ministers have served for at least 30 years, respectively. They have equipped deaf and hard of hearing college students and invested in their lives, preparing them for evangelism and mission education to the deaf across the world. They were pioneers in this area, because at the time many churches did not have a deaf ministry, but they started a Sunday School.

Throughout history, there have been struggles and challenges for deaf ministries, especially at Gallaudet University. It has been increasingly challenging as most deaf and hard of hearing students have little to no background or experience in their home church. The more significant needs become clarified, so there are concerns about affecting the campus mission and the message.

Gallaudet ministry has been my passion and motivation with the support of the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD). I

attended SBCD for many years and have participated at the various officer levels and on the Board of Directors. I am currently a chair of the Ephphthia Scholarship Education Committee. I believe that SBCD’s initiatives will continue to significantly expand the opportunity to represent Gallaudet ministry and learn the great need to develop youth programs and other resources at their home church.

Financial support from DCBC has allowed me to attend the SBCD in the past, but the closing of the Gallaudet Ministry resources amid the Covid-19 pandemic caused some revenue loss for DCBC. As a result, I need to seek financial support to be able to attend SBCD.

This year’s SBCD will be held in Clearwater, Florida, just west of Tampa. It will be a special event as it is the 75th anniversary of SBCD, which was founded in 1948.

I need your help to support my ministry by financing my trip to SBCD Along with 11 members, I will commit to participate in SBCD’s initiatives that need discussion, new

LeeAnn Carrea

development and more significance to achieve the goals. Could you contribute between $500.00 to $2,000 to pay for car rental, hotel and meals?

After SBCD, I commit to share the rich, valved learning about the Gallaudet ministry, SBCD, and the deaf worldwide. Recent statistics show that more than 70 million deaf people worldwide still have not been presented with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We

have come a long way but there is still a long way to go.

My sincere thank you for considering supporting my attendance at the 2023 Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf. I appreciate it immensely!

To God all the glory.

LeeAnn Carrea, Chaplain, Gallaudet University

Continued Prayers for Myanmar/Burma

The concerns of Myanmar/Burma have increased yet again as recent violence has caused our Baptist brothers and sisters to flee to the forest and/or to foreign lands. The atrocities remain heavy, with 1.5 million people displaced. Recently, a delegation of American Baptist Church (ABC) Burmese pastors, including DCBC Pastor C Duh Kam; Rev. Dr. Robin Stoop, ABC USA; and Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin attended briefings at the U.S. Institute for Peace and the U.S. Department of State. ABC is encouraging all of us to do our part to bring about justice and peace.

DCBC shares the following notable events in the lives of its members

 Birthday greetings to our DCBC President, Rev. Patricia Hailes Fears, who celebrated her birthday on May 27.

We congratulate the following congregations and individuals celebrating, ordinations, graduations and other accomplishments:

 Min. Dr. Patrick Barnes of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (UCC), who earned his Masters of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity. He is pictured with Rev. William Young IV, Pastor of Covenant Baptist UCC.

 Rev. Dr. Scott Shelton (at center), who earned his Doctor of Ministry from Portland Seminary at George Fox University in Oregon. He is pictured here with DCBC Executive Director/Minister Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin and Rev. Sean Roberds with MidAtlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellowship).

 Rev. Dr. George Lewis Parks Jr., the next Senior Servant at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

 Nevertheless Outreach Ministry Church, which was honored to be invited to the Nationals game on May 1 to introduce how to use Narcan and Fentanyl Strips and distribute other vital drug prevention information about treatment, DC Prevention Centers and the DC Department of Behavioral Health.

 Rev. Dr. R. A. Toogood, II, Sr. Pastor of Purity Baptist Church and Urban Center in Washington, DC, who was selected to serve on the Faith Health Alliance for the National Minority Quality Forum. He is one of 15 pastors nationally who are tasked with ensuring that specific health-related education and access is brought to the faith and larger communities that they serve. In the most recent months, Purity Baptist Church has held symposiums, and seminars monthly for its seniors to accomplish this goal. In June, Purity Baptist Church will host a Summit on Lupus Education and then a Community Health Fair that will include screenings and other activities at the church, located at 1325 Maryland Ave., NE.

 Pastor Walter J. Sadler of Southern Bethany Baptist Church in Burtonsville, Maryland, on his 10th-year anniversary of pastoral ministry with the church.

 DCBC welcomes Rev. Sharita Phillip as its new Administrative Assistant.

Ordination Council for Rev. Leslie Harris (Wisconsin Ave Baptist Church) pictured here (at center) with Rev. Dr. Trisha Miller Manarin, DCBC Executive Director/Minister; Rev. Elizabeth Wiggins (East Washington Heights Baptist Church); Rev. Carmella Jones (University Baptist Church) and Rev. Dr. Thuam Cin Khai, Pastor, Siyin-Chin Baptist Church.

Help DCBC Help You…

When your church gives to DCBC, you are helping congregations thrive.

 Skills are learned to help cope with concerns of mental health and wellness.

 Pastoral Search committees are aided in their search process. Leaders are being formed.

 Mission opportunities are expanded locally and globally (glocally).

 Lives are transformed

 Everyday people are given an opportunity to explore their call.

There are endless possibilities when we come together for the call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Heard Around the Convention

Talk to DCBC Give Us Feedback

We want to hear from you. Send us your ideas, sugges�ons, church news, concerns, favorite scripture, complaints, etc.

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If you want to say it or do it, we want to hear it. Talk to US

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the lead federal agency, in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs, working to make the promise of 988 a reality for America. Moving to a 3-digit dialing code is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline).

Of course, 988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Preparing for full 988 implementation requires a bold vision for a crisis care system that provides direct, life-saving services to all in need.

SAMHSA sees 988 as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system in much the same way as emergency medical services have expanded in the US.

In pursuit of this bold yet achievable vision, SAMHSA is first focused on strengthening and expanding the existing Lifeline network, providing life-saving service to all who call, text or chat via 988. Longer term, SAMHSA recognizes that linking those in crisis to community-based providers—who can deliver a full range of crisis care services— is essential to meeting crisis needs across the nation.

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Too many Americans are experiencing suicide and mental health crises without the support and care they need. In 2020 alone, the US had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes — and for people aged 10-34 years, suicide is a leading cause of death.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lifeline and will 988 replace it?

The Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent, and state-funded crisis centers equipped to help people in emotional distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis. Moving to 988 will not replace the Lifeline, rather it will be an easier way to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers. Beginning July 16, 2022, people can access the Lifeline via 988 or by the 10-digit number (which will not go away).

When will 988 go live nationally?

The 988 dialing code will be available nationwide for call (multiple languages), text or chat (English only) on July 16, 2022. Until then, those experiencing a mental health or suicide-related crisis, or those helping a loved one through crisis, should continue to reach the Lifeline at its current number, 1-800-273-8255.

How is 988 different from 911?

988 was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health related crisis care needs. 988 will provide easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from 911 (where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed).

How is 988 being funded?

Congress has provided the Department of Health and Human Services workforce funding through the American Rescue Plan, some of which will support the 988 workforce. At the state level, in addition to existing public/ private sector funding streams, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 allows states to enact new state telecommunication fees to help support 988 operations.

Is 988 available for substance use crisis?

The Lifeline accepts calls from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis.

Moving to an easy-to-remember, 3-digit dialing code will provide greater access to life-saving services.

Providing 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works! The Lifeline helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.

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DE L S U IC I DIO PREVENCI Ó N Y C RISIS

La Administración de Servicios de Abuso de Sustancias y Salud Mental (SAMHSA, por sus siglas en inglés) es la agencia federal líder, junto con la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones y el Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos, que trabaja para hacer realidad la promesa del 988 en Estados Unidos. Pasar a un código de marcación de 3 dígitos es una oportunidad única en la vida que permite fortalecer y ampliar la Línea directa nacional para la prevención del suicidio (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline o la Línea de vida).

De hecho, el 988 es más que un número fácil de recordar —es una conexión directa a la que puede acceder cualquier persona que tenga problemas relacionados con la salud mental para recibir atención y apoyo compasivo y accesible–ya sea que se trate de pensamientos suicidas o de una crisis de salud mental o relacionada con el consumo de sustancias o cualquier otro tipo de angustia emocional. Prepararse para la implementación integral del 988 requiere una visión audaz que permita diseñar un sistema de atención de crisis que proporcione servicios directos que salven vidas a todos aquellos que lo necesiten.

SAMHSA considera que el 988 es un primer paso hacia la transformación de un sistema de atención de crisis que se equipara a la forma en que se expandieron los servicios médicos de emergencia en los Estados Unidos.

En busca de esta visión audaz, pero alcanzable, SAMHSA se centra primero en fortalecer y ampliar la red existente de la Línea de vida, proporcionando un servicio que salva vidas a todos los que se comunican con el 988, ya sea mediante una llamada telefónica, un mensaje de texto o por chat. A más largo plazo, SAMHSA reconoce que conectar a quienes están en crisis con proveedores comunitarios —que pueden ofrecer una gama completa de servicios de atención en crisis— es esencial para satisfacer las necesidades de crisis en toda la nación.

En 2020, el Congreso designó el nuevo código de marcación 988 para operar a través de la Línea directa nacional para la prevención del suicidio existente.

Desarrollado en colaboración con los Centros para el control y la prevención de enfermedades 326316-I

Preguntas más frecuentes

¿Qué es la Línea de vida? ¿El 988 reemplaza a la Línea de vida?

La Línea de vida es una red nacional de más de 200 centros de crisis locales, independientes y financiados por el estado que se encuentran equipados para ayudar a las personas con dificultades emocionales o que padecen una crisis suicida. El paso al 988 no sustituye a la Línea de vida, sino que es una manera más fácil de acceder a una red fortalecida y ampliada de centros de llamadas en caso de crisis. A partir del 16 de julio de 2022, las personas pueden acceder a la Línea de vida a través del 988 o de un número de 10 dígitos (que seguirá vigente).

¿Cuándo se lanzará el 988 a nivel nacional?

El código de marcación 988 estará disponible en todo el país para llamadas (en varios idiomas), texto o chat (solo en inglés) el 16 de julio de 2022. Hasta entonces, quienes sufran una crisis de salud mental o relacionada con suicidio, oquienes ayuden a un ser querido en una situación de crisis, deben seguir utilizando la Línea de vida con el número actual: 1-800-273-8255

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Realidades urgentes.

¿En qué se diferencia el 988 del 911?

El 988 se creó para mejorar el acceso a los servicios de crisis de una manera que satisfaga las crecientes necesidades de atención de crisis relacionadas con el suicidio y la salud mental de nuestro país. El 988 proporcionará un acceso más fácil a la red de la Línea de vida y a los recursos de crisis relacionados, que son distintos de los que ofrece el 911 (donde el foco está en despachar los servicios médicos de emergencia, los bomberos y la policía, según sea necesario).

¿Cómo se financia el 988?

El Congreso proporcionó fondos al Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos a través del Plan de rescate estadounidense (American Rescue Plan), algunos de los cuales serán destinados a financiar la plantilla del 988.A nivel estatal, además de los fondos provenientes del sector público/ privado, la Ley nacional de designación de la línea directa para la prevención del suicidio (National Suicide Hotline Designation Act) de 2020 permite a los estados fijar nuevas tarifas estatales de telecomunicaciones para ayudar a financiar las operaciones del 988.

¿El 988 está disponible para crisis relacionadas con el consumo de sustancias?

La Línea de vida acepta llamadas de cualquier persona que necesite ayuda para una crisis suicida, de salud mental y/o por el consumo de sustancias.

Ya son demasiados los estadounidenses que padecen crisis suicidas o de salud mental y que no cuentan con la ayuda y la atención que necesitan. Solo en 2020, se registró una muerte por suicidio cada 11 minutos en EE. UU. y además, entre las personas de 10 a 34 años, el suicidio es una de las principales causas de muerte.

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Más fácil de acceder.

El paso a un código de marcación de 3 dígitos fácil de recordar permitirá un mayor acceso a los servicios que salvan vidas. Hay

La ayuda libre y confidencial las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana a las personas en crisis suicida o con angustia emocional es muy útil. La Línea de vida ayuda a miles de personas a superar situaciones de crisis cada día.

preguntas sobre el 988 por correo electrónico a:

C A L E N DA R

8 Thursday Morning Prayer*

10 Trustee Training (10 a.m.–1 p.m., Baptist Building)

13 Pastor Symposium (10 a.m., Baptist Building)

14 Chapel/Staff Mtg.

17 Deacon Training (10 a.m.–1 p.m., Baptist Building)

18 Father’s Day

19 Juneteenth Observed | DCBC Closed

23-25 Biennial Mission Fest – ABC USA (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

28 Men’s Clergy Gathering

30 Project Restoration Submission Deadline

3-8 BWA Annual Gathering (Stavanger, Norway)

8 Usher Training (10 a.m. –12 noon, Purity Baptist Church & Urban Center)

4 Independence Day | DCBC Closed

6 Thursday Morning Prayer*

12 Chapel/Staff Mtg.

13 Palmer Grant Submission Deadline

3 Thursday Morning Prayer*

9 Chapel/Staff Mtg.

28-29 Suicide Prevention Training (Baptist Building)

*Weekly Thursday Morning Prayer at 8:25 a.m. via Zoom

We still have some T-shirts available, and they can be purchased at https://www.dcbaptist.org/advertisements

Church Mission Giving

For the Four Months Ended April 30, 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%

100% Designated

Your financial contributions allow DCBC to minister to and with our member congregations and partners. Please consider making a gift today at https://www.dcbaptist.org/give.

Job Openings

The District of Columbia Baptist Convention, a Christ-centered and faith-based organization, has a position open for a Financial Assistant. The Financial Assistant provides financial support for the Office of Administration and Stewardship. This is a part-time, 8-hour-per-week position. The optimal applicant will be a self-starter who can multitask effectively; has excellent listening, organizational and computer skills, with experience using MS Word and Excel; has a minimum of 3 years of experience serving as a financial assistant; and must be available to work Monday, Wednesday, and/or Thursdays, and evenings or Saturdays for special meetings and events. Please submit a cover letter, résumé/CV, and two professional letters of recommendation to the DC Baptist Convention, Attn: Lashanor Doolittle, 1628 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, or email to dcbc-employment@dcbaptist.org. Please indicate “Financial Assistant” in the subject line. The deadline for submission is Monday, June 12, 2023. A comprehensive list of the position's qualifications and responsibilities can be found here.

Paid Intern for Children and Youth Minister: Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church (WABC) is seeking a paid intern to serve as a part-time Children and Youth Minister. This person will have an infectious love for children and youth as well as be energetic, innovative, and creative. Ministry will be done in ways that help cultivate strong relationships, draw people together, bring the younger generation to faith in Jesus, and gradually disciple families in the Christian faith. In addition, the children and youth ministry at WABC is missional in its orientation. This involves actively reaching out to children and youth beyond our church walls to include underserved youth connected to WABC through our longtime ministry partner City Gate. This position will initially require 12-15 hours of ministry per week, including all day Sunday as well as weekly planning, preparation time, and monthly ministry team meetings. Hours are otherwise flexible, except for Sundays. The position pays $200 per week. WABC expects this position to develop over time and it may become permanent in the future. Compensation and work hours may be adjusted accordingly. The start date and the duration of the internship are negotiable. Before starting in this position, a background check will be required. Apply by sending your résumé (or CV) with a cover letter that explains both your interest in the internship position and your calling by God to serve children and youth to: wisconsinavenuebaptist@gmail.com. All submissions will be reviewed and kept in confidence by WABC’s pastoral ministry team.

Director of Children and Youth Ministries: Village Baptist Church (Bowie, MD), is seeking a part-time Director of Children and Youth Ministries. This is the support person for ministries with children and youth from birth through high school. The Director will seek to provide the best environment possible for young people to learn about their faith and to nurture a sense of Christian community. They will provide resources for lay volunteers, help re-engage families in church activities, and help reach out to families in the community who are looking for a church family. The position is planned as a 20-hour/week opportunity with an annual salary of $25,000 for two years, with a possible extension at end of that time. For a complete job description, please visit https://villagebaptistbowie.org/Director_PD.pdf. To apply, please send a letter of interest and a résumé to personnel_committee@villagebaptistbowie.org The position will remain open until filled.

2023 Publication Schedule & Article Deadlines

Issue Article Submission Deadline

August – September 2023

October – November 2023

December 2023 – January 2024

Monday, June 26

Friday, September 1

Monday, October 30

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.