a Great Success
Last Sunday, June 2, more than 50 volunteers gathered after worship and packaged 8,856 meals for people facing hunger across the globe. Many thanks to all the adults, teens and children who rallied to serve, and of course the great staff at Rise Against Hunger!
FBC is joining the greater Washington metro area Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB) to celebrate Capital Pride 2024. Will you help our church be a visible witness of inclusion, abundant welcome, and the love of God by walking with us?
We have a new Parade route for 2024! Please note that the Parade route will NOT be going through the historic Dupont neighborhood.
If you want to join the parade, plan to arrive at the Orange staging area (click Staging Map button below) on 15th Street, between S & T Streets, no later than 2:30 pm. Step-off is at 3:00 pm. FBC and AWAB are close to the front of the parade, so it’s important to be there no later than 2:30. The closest Metro station to our staging area is the U St/African American Civil War Museum/Cardozo station. Feel free to call Pastor Eric once you arrive: 202-802-8355.
Parade Staging Map (click to enlarge)
Parade Route (click to enlarge)
2024-25 FBC MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAM
For congregational affirmation on May 5
Following 8 months of work with Ministry Architects, this Sunday, May 5, the congregation will be asked to affirm a proposed model of leadership and governance that emphasizes mission, ministry and lay leadership. This model relies on two primary leadership bodies: a Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) and Ministry Action Teams (MATs).
The main purpose of the Ministry Leadership Team is to guide decision-making processes, bringing essential matters before the congregation for discernment; to pray for and guide the spiritual, missional, and operational health and wholeness of the church. Individuals on the MLT are church members who lead and serve from a place of prayerfulness, humility, discernment, and attentive listening.
Meet the three candidates for the 2024-25 MLT:
Charles Berger, Rebecca Waugh, Lucy Plovnick
Rebecca Waugh (3-year term)
A native of Jackson MS with an MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ‘77, Rebecca/Becky has life-long roots in Baptist life, with involvement along the way with American Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Alliance of Baptists, Baptist Peace Fellowship, Baptist Joint Committee, and the “former-days” Southern Baptist Convention. She’s been a summer missionary, pastor’s spouse, hospital chaplain, biblical studies curriculum writer, director of an urban ministry center in Providence, Rhode Island, board president of another center in New York City, and Church & Community Ministries Director of the Metro NY Baptist Association.
Since 2000, Rebecca has worked in international relief & development, primarily in ecumenical frameworks, including Church World Service and IMA World Health, and intersecting with the World Council of Churches. After 20 years in NYC followed by 2+ years in Juba, South Sudan, she came to DC and affiliated with a Church of the Saviour group. Feeling the “tug” to return to the Baptist fold and, in particular, to contribute to the unfolding of FBCDC’s future, she began attending FBC in October 2023, joined in November, and has been participating in the Contemplative Prayer Group, the Tapestry Sunday School class, and our future-oriented events with Ministry Architects, including the Prayer Team upholding this transition.
Rebecca’s prayer is that FBC will move ever more boldly, creatively, and joyfully into this new stage of its life, as a faithful and radiant partner in God’s work of loving and healing the world, starting where we are planted.
Lucy Plovnick (2-year term)
Lucy joined FBC in February, 2007, and has been an active participant in the life of the church ever since. Over the seventeen years that Lucy has been at FBC she has served in many different roles at different times, including as chair of the Faith Formation Team (FFT), co-chair of the Give It Forward Team (GIFT) and the Facilities Improvement Team (FIT), Moderator (2013-17), and also as a Deacon. Lucy has also helped organize and facilitate several Sunday School classes at FBC over the years. Most recently she has been helping to launch a new class for adults called The Wonder Years.
Lucy was drawn to FBC by its female pastors, high church service, Baptist traditions, and ecumenical perspective, but the most important factor that brought Lucy to FBC was (and has always been) the church’s strong commitment to children’s ministry. Lucy’s three children, Kevin, Rosemary, and Valerie, have grown up at FBC, and all them were baptized by Pastor Julie in the FBC sanctuary. Lucy, her husband Robert, and their kids live in northwest D.C. near Friendship Heights.
Lucy is an attorney and is a Partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and based in their D.C. office which is located in Dupont Circle, only about three blocks from FBC. Her legal work is focused in the areas of intellectual property, privacy, and commercial litigation.
Lucy’s prayer for FBC is that we will be able to use our new Community Building to as a tool to realize our church’s mission and provide a welcoming space for ministry to our Dupont Circle neighborhood.
Charles Berger (1-year term)
Charles sought out First Baptist Church in the summer of 2022 on the recommendation of his previous pastor in Washington State who had been inspired by Pastor Julie’s reputation as a woman in pastoral ministry. Charles joined FBC in June of 2023 and is now in his second year with the contemplative prayer group and participates in the Crossroads Bible study group. He also has served as a prayer partner throughout FBC’s journey with Ministry Architects.
Charles is a retired, ordained American Baptist pastor who served on the staff of a large church in Portland, Oregon before becoming a certified educator with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. In that role, for 20 years he ran education programs in the art of pastoral care for clergy and religious workers of many faiths at Oregon State Hospital, then for another 13 years in Columbia, South Carolina, at a level-one trauma center. When Charles retired he took a contract with Joint Base Lewis-McCord, near Tacoma, WA, to work with military chaplains, and later received education to become a spiritual director. He served on the Leadership Board at Belfair Community Church and, during Covid years, made weekly calls to homebound members. He trained laypeople to facilitate in-home small groups which helped generate more intimate connections in the congregation.
Charles recently moved to Bethesda, having sold the home he and his wife built sixteen years ago in Washington State. His wife died in 2015. He now lives with his daughter’s family and enjoys being PaPa to his 13-year-old grandson.
He says, “What drew me to FBC was learning more about ‘quieting the monkey mind’ to hear God’s nudging.” Charles’ prayer for FBC is that we be a community that lives out the good news we claim.
Join us for a captivating organ recital by our talented organist, Sean Burns, this Sunday, April 28th at 4:00 PM. Sean's performance promises a diverse musical journey showcasing the full potential of First Baptist's magnificent organ.
After the recital, unwind and connect with fellow music enthusiasts at a reception in Fellowship Hall.
This special event is part of the Lawrence P. "Lon" Schreiber Recital Series, honoring our esteemed Minister of Music Emeritus.
Dear FBC Community in Christ:
I’m excited to share important developments in our work with Ministry Architects. On Sunday, May 5, the congregation will be asked to affirm a new way of organizing our congregational life that is simpler and more nimble, collaborative, and action-oriented—with a focus on doing ministry rather than administering ministry.
On Sunday, the Church Council and Strategic Advisory Team unanimously affirmed this new governance structure, which you will receive in a church-wide email this Friday, April 19. Two church Town Halls are scheduled for conversation and questions about the proposals:
Sunday, April 28, at 12:30 in Fellowship Hall. (Light snacks provided to hold you over until lunch.)
Tuesday, April 30, at 6:30 on Zoom.
The proposed plan for leadership and governance is a deeply congregational model that emphasizes mission and ministry. This model relies on two primary leadership bodies: a small Ministry Leadership Team (MLT) and a number of Ministry Action Teams (MATs).
You will have the details and diagrams on Friday, but here are some highlights. If the proposed structure is approved:
The start of our program year, instead of beginning each May, will now coincide with the start of our fiscal year on July 1.
The five-person Ministry Leadership Team will guide decision-making processes, bringing essential matters before the congregation for discernment. The MLT will pray for and guide the spiritual, missional, and operational health and wholeness of the church.
The Ministry Action Teams will represent the heartbeat of the church through service, implementing the mission, ministry, and operations of the church. The number of MATs may change as needed each year. The seven teams for this coming year are:
Newcomer Engagement
Congregational Care
Mission & Social Justice
Worship Support
Spiritual Growth
Stewardship (finances and facilities)
Human Resources
The way we organize for ministry matters. Governance structure can sap people’s energies…or it can inspire and equip people to serve and lead with faith, hope, and love. I believe God is leading us into a new season of growth and impact.
I hope to see you at one of the upcoming town halls. I look forward to hearing your impressions and talking more about the future of this church we love.
Sincerely,
Roderick Coates
Moderator
Plan to donate blood at First Baptist on Wednesday, April 17. You can sign up for a time between 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit http://RedCrossBlood.org and enter: "First Baptist Church of DC".
Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting http://RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.
The Mission Team has set a goal of 40 donors. Help us reach our goal by inviting family, friends, and neighbors!
We gather in Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. for a meal prepared by Chef Laval. At 7:00 in Fellowship Hall we will share a guided time of worship, including meaningful table conversations, handwashing, and communion. Cost for the meal is $10/person with a $40 family maximum. You may pay online via Tithely or by check at the door on March 28.
Remember and reflect on Christ’s suffering and crucifixion in this “Service of Silence and Shadows” led by our choir, other musicians and readers from the congregation. The sanctuary moves from light to darkness as we mark Christ’s suffering and death.
We celebrate Christ’s resurrection with the flowered cross; the music of choir, organ, and brass; baptisms and communion; and a message of hope from Pastor Julie. All are invited to linger after worship at a simple reception on the 16th Street patio.
This Sunday, March 3, we will welcome to worship the Furman Singers from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Furman Singers is Furman University’s flagship choir and includes students from many fields of study and backgrounds who are passionate about performing choral music. Since 1946, Furman Singers has captivated audiences with diverse repertoire that spans centuries, explored a range of styles and languages, and conveyed the human experience through one of the most powerful mediums: song.
The choir has an active presence on campus, tours annually across the United States and Europe, and regularly collaborates with the Furman Symphony Orchestra and Furman Symphonic Band. We look forward to welcoming them to FBCDC alongside their conductor Dr. Stephen Gusukuma, and Furman University Organist Dr. Charles Tompkins.
The FBC Mission Team will host the March Mission Fest after worship on March 3. Instead of a First Sunday Potluck the Mission Team is providing a catered Tex-Mex lunch.
The Mission Fest is connected to FBC’s work with Ministry Architects who, last fall, asked FBC to plan Nine Outward-Facing Events in 2024. There already are at least 7 events on the church calendar. The goal of the Mission Fest on March 3 is to solicit suggestions from the congregation for two more outward-facing events that will:
meet a need in FBC’s local community,
have some appeal to the demographics of the DuPont Circle community,
and bring people into FBC’s building or send the congregation out into the community.
Please reach out to Mission Team leader Linda Salmon with any questions. lfsalmon@verizon.net
Wednesday, February 21, 5-7pm
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Terrace Theater
On the eve of the third year of war between Ukraine and Russia, First Baptist Church is invited to a private screening of Fight for Ukraine: For the Children at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Wednesday, February 21, 5-7pm.
The 80-minute documentary from director Karen Floyd is the sequel to her award-winning 2023 documentary, Fight for Ukraine: Twelve Women's War. (Watch trailer here.)
This opportunity came about just days ago, through a colleague of Pastor Julie. Tickets are $100, but those who sign up with First Baptist will attend the screening for free, in the VIP section of the Terrace Theater, as guests of the director. Please RSVP to FBC’s Office below by tomorrow evening, Thursday, February 15, so we can send names of attenders to Elysian MultiMedia.
Many people practice Lent by giving something up – alcohol, meat, chocolate, social media. But, what if Lent is about taking something on in community instead of giving something up in isolation? What if Lent is about the practice of walking with other Christ followers on the good days and the bad days?
Young Adults, you are invited to take something on in community this Lent. Consider spending this holy season journeying together.
Here’s how we’ll do it. We’ll gather weekly for 3D Thursdays: Dinner, Drinks, and Dialogue. Our first gathering will be on Thursday, February 22. Our last gathering will be Thursday, March 28, which is our annual Maundy Thursday meal and worship. We’ll meet in the church parlor each week from 7 – 9 pm, where a modest dinner and drinks will be provided. The suggested donation for the meal is $10/week.
Can’t make all these gatherings? No worries. Show up when it works. Don’t feel guilt when you can’t.
Our dialogue will center around Kate Bowler’s new book Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! This is an honest and real reflection on what it means to follow Jesus through the ups and downs of our days. It allows for discussion about life as it really is – not just the Instagram worthy parts but the difficulty and the painful, too.
See you Thursday!
7:30am, 12:30pm & 5:30pm
This new Ash Wednesday schedule is an experiment based on FBC's work with Ministry Architects. In a report to FBC by FaithX last September, we learned that the daytime population in our surrounding neighborhood is described as "very high" (92% of the daytime population commutes in to work). By offering brief, easily accessible services, we hope to connect with more and more of our weekday neighbors.
During the upcoming season of Lent, we will trace the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most well-known disciples. In Simon Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter we may see ourselves.
Like many of us, Peter has a wandering heart. His journey isn't polished, or linear, or perfect—yet he remains tethered to the love of God. In Peter’s story we find Jesus at each step of the way: offering him abundance, catching Peter when he begins to sink, challenging him when he stands in the way, washing his feet, predicting his betrayal, and offering him agape love.
We’re located at 16th and O Streets NW—in the heart of Washington, a mile north of the White House. We are part of the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods. Need more info? Call us or click below.
We look forward to greeting you in person. In the meantime, you can request prayer or ask a question by calling or sending an email.
At First Baptist DC, giving is the fuel that powers every congregational expression of hospitality, compassion, generosity and justice. FBC relies on the congregation for regular, sustainable financial support.
The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
1328 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 387-2206
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday 10 AM–4 PM
Friday-Saturday Closed
