FBC Leadership Workshop—Sat, Oct 15
Saturday October 15th, 10am – 3pm in Fellowship Hall
All who call First Baptist “home” are invited to join us on October 15th for this inspiring, informative, empowering event—the first in a series of leadership workshops slated to take place over the next couple of years at FBC. Dr. Geoff Abbott and Mr. Mark Nishan will offer a faith-based version of their successful Intact Team Workshops.
Content
Together we’ll focus on exploring:
- The values that shape who we are as a congregation
- A shared vision for First Baptist
- Some meaningful steps we will take in order to fulfill God’s mission for us during the next several years.
Workshop Leaders
Geoff Abbott and his family have been members of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, VA for over 18 years. Geoff has been a past chair of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and member of United Methodist Men.
Mark Nishan and his family have been members of St John Neumann Catholic parish in Gaithersburg for over 19 years. Mark has been lector for all 19 years and does regular readings from the Bible at a number of church services. He and his wife, Mary are lead members of the church’s’ Capital Campaign Committee which recently raised $2.5 million for church improvements and buildings. Mark and Mary also head the parish welcoming committee for new parishioners joining the church.
Light refreshments and lunch will be served. The event is free and registration will begin soon so that we can prepare enough food for all.
Use Wufoo templates to make your own HTML forms.
Sept. 24: Fall Fellowship Picnic @ Rock Creek Park
When: Saturday, September 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, picnic site #24 (directions below)
What: Food, fun and friendship!
FBC will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers and all the fixings, along with water and snacks. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. The picnic site has convenient parking, covered seating, restrooms and playground equipment.
RSVP: We want to make sure there’s enough food so please RSVP below by Wednesday, September 21.
If you need transportation from the church to the park, note it on the form below.
Directions: From 16th Street NW, turn in to Rock Creek Park on Morrow Drive NW. Bear to the left for about 100 yards, toward the William H. G. FitzGerald Tennis Center (stadium with blue seats). Picnic site #24 is the first site on the right, across from the Tennis Center. Please park in the adjacent lot. MetroBus Lines S2 and S4 stop at 16 Street NW and Morrow Drive NW.
(Google maps link)
Online contact and registration forms from Wufoo.
Presentation on Black Sacred Music and the Civil Rights Movement
Baylor University Professor to Speak on Black Sacred Music and the Civil Rights Movement Sunday, Sept. 18 @ 9:30am FBC Sanctuary
"Nothing But Love in God's Water," the two-volume work by Robert F. Darden, follows the rise of black sacred music as protest, from the African-American spirituals through the civil rights movement through the recent surge of democratically inspired protest movements and the #blacklivesmatter campaign. Using previously lost and unavailable music and images, "Nothing But Love in God's Water" graphically shows how a music born in faith and blood not only endured but continually grew in power and impact—from the antebellum American South into an international phenomenon today. Spirituals, gospel songs and freedom songs not only change lives, they transform nations.
Robert F. Darden is professor of journalism, public relations, and new media at Baylor University. He is the director of Baylor's Black Gospel Music Restoration Project, which is the world's largest initiative to identify, acquire, digitize, catalogue, and make accessible the fast-vanishing vinyl of gospel music's golden age. He is the former gospel music editor for Billboard Magazine and author of "People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music" and "Nothing but Love in God's Water: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, Volume I." He also is also a frequent contributor to Huffington Post on the topics of Black sacred music and the civil rights movement.
Darden’s expertise also includes 20 years as Senior Editor of The Wittenburg Door (the world's oldest, largest, and probably only religious humor and satire magazine). He is the author of more than two dozen books and hundreds of magazine articles. His articles and short stories have appeared in The New York Times, The Oxford American, Southern Arts, Amazing Journeys, The Library of Congress/National Registry of Historic Recordings, and others.
Darden has been interviewed and featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, Tapestry (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.), C-SPAN and Fresh Air.
Darden will be in Washington the weekend of the 18th to participate in some pre-opening events for the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History & Culture, opening on September 24th.
Lucy Plovnick Moderator Letter Re: Assoc. Pastor Search, Budget & Facilities Upgrade
Thursday, August 17 2016
Lucy Plovnick
FBC Moderator
Dear Friends,
I am very happy to share some news with you regarding several important developments for our church. All of these developments represent significant progress for FBC, and each one asks us to take considerable steps of faith. I am excited about where God is leading us.
1. Associate Pastor Search.
Last Sunday, the Church Council heard a report and recommendation from Erik Smith, Chair of the Associate Pastor Search Committee, regarding staffing needs at our church. FBC is at a unique moment in our history. This moment calls us to think not only about our church as we know it today, but to focus also on where God is leading us, and what we aspire to be and do in the future. It is critical that we assemble a staff that enables us to move from Maintenance to Mission; from Preserving to Pioneering for the gospel’s sake. Erik and his committee (Mel Doxie, Ken Ellison, Allen Norfleet, Ellen Parkhurst, and Wilma Prince) challenged the Church Council to step outside the box with them and help bring something new and different to FBC. And the Church Council took action in response.
Based on the recommendation of Erik and his committee, the Council voted unanimously to expand the search committee’s efforts to include a search for two additions to our pastoral staff: both an Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults and the new position of Executive Pastor. The Church Council voted unanimously to create this new position based on the recommendation of the search committee, and subject to the approval of the congregation. These two additional members of our pastoral staff would join our Senior Pastor Julie, and Associate Pastor Deborah Cochran, who will return from her sabbatical in October on a part-time basis, and focus her ministry specifically on children and families.
The position of Executive Pastor is a new concept for FBC, though this role has been around now for about 40 years. The prevailing mission of an executive pastor is to help the church execute its vision. Vision-casting is not difficult. Execution of the vision is extremely difficult and often never comes to fruition because of the constant, day-to-day administrative and internal needs of the congregation. An executive pastor acts as a “second” to the senior pastor, freeing her or him up for the critical tasks of pastoring, shepherding, preaching and teaching.
A more detailed description of these two positions will be provided in next week’s Newsletter.
Erik and his team have specific candidates in mind for both of these positions and will share information about these individuals with the congregation in the coming weeks. It is the search committee’s hope to present the candidates for both positions to the congregation for a vote to call at the regular Quarterly Business Meeting on September 25, 2016. Please continue to pray for the committee as they complete their process, and please be respectful of their need to maintain confidentiality regarding the candidates under consideration while they wrap up important details.
2. 2016-17 FBC Budget
Also on Sunday, the Church Council voted unanimously to approve the FY 2016-17 FBC Budget presented by our Stewardship Committee through its Chair, Dennis Lambert. The 2016-17 budget includes salaries for all of our existing staff and the two new positions described above, includes a 14% increase in giving to missions, and makes some of our previously under-utilized special purpose and memorial funds come alive in a meaningful way. I would like to extend my thanks to Dennis Lambert, Treasurer Mike Henson, and the FBC Trustees (Ken Ellison, Becky Ellison, and Marvin Marceron) for all of their contributions to the budget preparation effort this year. The congregation will be asked to vote to approve the 2016-17 FBC Budget at the next Quarterly Business Meeting, scheduled for September 25, 2016. Copies of the 2016-17 FBC Budget will be made available to the congregation two weeks in advance of that meeting.
As you all know, the development of the budget is a significant work of faith. But just a budget, alone, will not get us anywhere. We as a congregation must also make a renewed commitment to support the budget through our giving and generosity. Beginning on September 11, 2016, our Stewardship Committee will be working with Pastor Julie to launch a Generosity Campaign, including a 6-week sermon series focused on this important topic. More details on the Generosity Campaign in the August 25 newsletter.
3. Possible FBC Facilities Upgrades
Also on Sunday, the Church Council got an early preview of plans for possible building and facilities upgrades that was put together by Wil McBeath, Chair of the Property Management Committee. Wil and his committee continue to work on that project, and hope to be in a position to present more information to the congregation on September 25th.
All of these developments are exciting possibilities for FBC. God is with us! I hope you will keep all of these projects and the different lay leaders mentioned in this report in your prayers.
In Christ,
FBC Moderator
Donating back-to-school supplies to NCCF
Our annual collection of school supplies for the National Center for Children and Families (NCCF) continues through August; look for the box in the O Street lobby. Your generosity will help to provide items that enable children and youth to have a successful school year. Please make donations from the following list:
- No. 2 pencils
- Pens
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons
- Markers
- Glue Sticks
- Highlighters
- Pencil Boxes and Bags
- Calculators
- Rulers
- Protractors
- Compasses
- Left and Right Handed Scissors
- Notebook Paper
- Spiral Notebooks
- Black and White Composition Books
- Loose-leaf Notebooks
- Folders
- Binders
- Dictionaries
- Thesauruses
- Backpacks
If you prefer to make a monetary gift, please contact our NCCF Board representative, Bonnie Jorgensen, at 240-418-2788. Thank you for caring about the children and youth served by the NCCF.
Operation Christmas Child
Where has the summer gone! In a few weeks (if not already) children will be gathering their school supplies and choosing clothes for the new school year. What a perfect time to do some shopping for your Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Yes, those red and green boxes are ready to be picked up at strategic locations around FBC.
For those of you who are new to the project, it is sponsored each year by FBC’s Woman’s Society. Last year with the help of FBC Kids, we delivered 50 boxes to the drop off location. The boxes, which are delivered to over 100 countries, are filled with items for boys and girls ages 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14. They can include new toys, school supplies, clothes and hygienic items and especially your love and prayers. (No guns, knives, war-related toys, liquids or medications.) Each box contains an instruction flyer and you can go online to here for additional information. Boxes can be returned to Jean or gini or left at the security desk in the O Street lobby anytime through mid-October (sooner rather than later).
Questions? Contact gini Nelson (giniandpaul@aol.com) or Jean Bell (bjbell1@verizon.net).
DEADLY
August 14
Deadly Conservatism
Matthew 23:1-4, 23-31
August 21
Deadly Liberalism
John 11:47-53; 19:12-16
August 28
Deadly “Me-ism”
Luke 23:6-12
Join Us in Celebrating the Installation of Julie Pennington-Russell as Pastor
The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
invites you to celebrate with us the installation of
Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell
AS THE NINETEENTH PASTOR OF OUR CHURCH
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016
four o’clock in the afternoon
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SANCTUARY
1328 16th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Reception in Fellowship Hall
following the worship service
Valet Parking Provided
Interfaith Prayer Vigil for the People of Orlando and for Peace
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The scheduled cookout cancelled tonight @ 6pm so that we may join this interfaith prayer vigil from 6:30pm – 7:30pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ (945 G Street NW, Corner of 10th and G, Washington DC). Sandwich making for Martha’s Table will take place as usual at 5:00 in Fellowship Hall. Hope to see many of you at the prayer vigil tonight.
Life on the Limb: Lessons from Elijah
Free Diane Bish Organ Concert June 12 at 4 p.m.
Renowned organist and television host Diane Bish will perform a free recital at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 12, in the church’s sanctuary at 1328 16th St. NW.
Bish will perform compositions by Widor and Bach and from her own extensive catalog on First Baptist’s custom-built organ, which comprises more than 6,000 pipes and trumpets in four chambers. The organ console features five manuals and 229 stops, allowing for a wide variety of sound combinations. The organ was built by Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn.
In 2016, Bish received the inaugural Distinguished Career Award from the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for exemplary service to the organ, choral music and related fields.
In 1989, Bish was awarded the National Citation by the National Federation of Music Clubs of America “for distinguished service to the musical, artistic, and cultural life of the nation.” Other recipients of the award include Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy, Van Cliburn, Robert Shaw, Irving Berlin and Fred Waring.
Since 1982, Bish has hosted The Joy of Music, a television series that combines organ and ensemble performances with an informative, inspirational narrative and extensive world travel.
The concert at First Baptist is part of the church’s long tradition of sharing the gift of music with neighbors and friends in the national capitol area.
Free valet parking will be available, and directions to the church by car or Metro are available on the website, www.firstbaptistdc.org. A free reception will follow the performance.
Church Refugees - Wed Night Conversations April 13 – May 25
Church Refugees: Sociologists reveal why people are DONE with church but not their faith
(How do Easter People respond?)
April 13 fellowship hall 7pm
The Dechurched as Religious Refugees
Julie Pennington-Russell
April 20 fellowship hall 7pm
Community and Judgment
Chelsea Clarke
April 27 fellowship hall 7pm
Activity and Bureaucracy
Denny Austin
May 4 fellowship hall 7pm
Conversation and Doctrine
Stan Hastey
May 11 fellowship hall 7pm
Meaningful Ministry and Moral Prescription
Brad & Linda Livingstone
May 18 fellowship hall 7pm
Being the Church No One Wants to Leave
Paul Clark
May 25 fellowship hall 7pm
Church for the Dechurched
Julie Pennington-Russell
(Buy Church Refugees at a special price of $10!)
Easter People: Sermon Series
Join us as we keep learning together to live as wide-awake, hopeful people in the power of Christ’s Resurrection.
Good Friday Worship Service, Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Sanctuary)
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” We remember Christ’s suffering and death through music, Scripture and a Good Friday meditation by Pastor Julie, Into Your Hands.
Maundy Thursday Worship Service, 7 p.m. (Sanctuary)
We join Christ-followers around the world as we share the Lord’s Supper together, just as Jesus did with his friends on the night before his crucifixion. Our Chancel Choir will sing and Pastor Julie will bring a message, The Third Sign, from John 13.
Peter Pan and Dinner for National Center for Children and Families
Enjoy a magical evening of theater and support the National Center for Children and Families (NCCF).
On Sunday, May 1, Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia, MD, hosts "Peter Pan" at 5 p.m. to benefit the Greentree Adolescent Program. Your $53 ticket includes dinner, show and gratuity. The NCCF serves homeless families, victims of domestic violence and vulnerable adolescents. If you cannot attend, contributions are also welcome so that youth from the program may see the show as our guests.
The deadline for reservations is Sunday, March 20. Please make checks payable to "Board of Church Representatives, NCCF."
Breakfast at Christ House
A hot breakfast with a warm smile is the best start to a Sunday morning.
Join us at Christ House in the nearby Adams Morgan neighborhood on the second Sunday of each month to serve breakfast and join the group for prayer. Christ House provides support and residential healthcare to homeless men and women. You'll be finished in plenty of time to attend a small group and the worship service. Please give us a call or send us a message to sign up.
Fun and Easter activities at the Johenning Baptist Center
On Saturday, March 26, we'll host our next Johenning Baptist Center event.
We'll serve delicious food, play games, make crafts and meet and mingle with our friends in the Anacostia neighborhood. Many volunteers are needed, so please give us a call or send us a message to participate.
Save the Date- Fall Fellowship Picnic
Mark your autumn calendars.
The Fall Fellowship picnic is Saturday, September 24, at Rock Creek Park. We'll share more details as the date approaches.