A New Way of Leading and Serving

Proposed church organizational plan to be sent to the congregation this Friday, April 19.

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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

Holy Week 2024

Palm Parade

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter 2024

Blood Drive Wednesday, April 17

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!

Easter & Holy Week

Maundy Thursday Meal & Worship

Thursday, March 28 at 6:00/7:00 p.m.

‌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.

Good Friday Service of Silence and Shadows

Friday, March 29, at 7:00 p.m.

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.

Easter Sunday

March 31, at 11:00 a.m.

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.

Furman Singers on March 3

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.

March Mission Fest & Tex-Mex! March 3

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

FBC Invited to Ukraine Documentary Screening at the Kennedy Center

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.

RSVP HERE

3D Thursdays: Young Adults in Lent

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!

Ash Wednesday | February 14

Three 20-Minute Services on
Ash Wednesday

February 14

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.

Wandering Heart: A Lenten Walk with Peter

Lenten Worship Series - Sunday, February 18 - Easter Sunday, March 31

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.

Visit FBC

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.

COntact FBC

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.

 

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The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
1328 16th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 387-2206

Office Hours
Sunday  10 AM–2 PM
Monday-Thursday 10 AM–4 PM
Friday-Saturday Closed