This Sunday in Worship,
Pause for Perspective
May 5, at 11:00 a.m.
This Sunday in worship, Pastor Julie continues the sermon series,The Powerful Pause: Reclaiming Your Soul Through Sabbath with a message from Matthew 14:10, 12-23, titled Pause for Perspective.
Jesus showed us the holy rhythm of advance and retreat; of stepping in, then stepping away. Setting aside the time and space for silence, contemplation, and prayer is the source of Jesus’ discernment, freedom from other people’s agenda, and capacity to speak and act in profound ways. Supplemental texts are Psalm 55:1-8 and Ephesians 3:14-21.
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Pastor Eric Accepts Call to Serve FBC Greensboro
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Annual Congregational
Meeting & Potluck
This Sunday
Trot out your favorite casserole, dust off your trivia skills, and prepare to celebrate all that God is doing in and through First Baptist Church at the Annual Meeting THIS Sunday, May 5, immediately following worship. Childcare will be available.
In this year’s annual meeting, in addition to presentation of the proposed 2024-25 spending plan, FBC will consider a proposal from the Church Council and Strategic Advisory Team regarding the governance and leadership structure of our congregation. This structure has evolved through our work and dialogue with Ministry Architects.
This structure has been discussed in two town hall meetings and small revisions have been made based on congregational input. If the structure is approved, the congregation will also be asked to affirm the leaders of the first Ministry Leadership Team as well as coordinators of the first Ministry Action Teams for 2024-25.
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Proposed Leaders
for 2024-2025 Program Year
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).
If the Proposed Governance and Leadership Structure is approved, the congregation will be asked to affirm these individuals as leaders within the new structure for the 2024-2025 Program Year. These individuals were asked to serve after evaluating responses from the Ministry Interest Survey. Each of them has a particular passion and interest in the area they will be leading.
Ministry Leadership Team (MLT)
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Ministry Action Team (MAT) Coordinators
Congregational Care: Becky Ellison & Linda Salmon
Compassion and Justice: Jesse Seales, Clayton Carmon, Megan Golden and Marlan Golden
Personnel: Jay Guenthner
Stewardship: Wil McBeath
Worship Support: Diane Gardner and Rod Coates
Newcomer Engagement:
Coordinators will be announced and affirmed at a later time.
Spiritual Growth:
Coordinators will be announced and affirmed at a later time.
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Proposed Spending Plan for 2024-2025 Program Year
At the Annual Congregational Meeting this Sunday, May 5, the congregation will be asked to approve the 2024-2025 Spending Plan. This spending plan was developed through a multi-month process that included: 1) proposals from staff and current standing teams; 2) reviews and edits by Finance Team; 3) reviews and edits by Council; 4) endorsement by Church Council (8 in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention). You can review the proposed spending plan here.
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Volunteer for Embassy
Tour Hospitality
May the 4th
Don't just Leia 'round the house on May the 4th. We'll Luke for you! (If you're not a Star Wars fan, please pardon the pun.)
We still need 6 more hospitality volunteers for the Around the World Embassy Tour THIS SATURDAY, May 4th. Can you help with one of these shifts? If so, please email Christi Harlan at CHarlan757@hotmail.com.
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (1 volunteer needed)
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (1 volunteer needed)
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (1 volunteer needed)
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. (3 volunteers needed)
Your assignment: Simply be a welcoming "ambassador" for FBCDC. Greet and share water with some of the thousands of people who come to Dupont Circle to explore nearby embassies, including those of First Baptist’s closest neighbors—Australia and Kazakhstan. More information about the tour can be found at Guide to Free Embassy Tours During Passport DC | Washington DC.
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Dave Ryder Joining FBC Administrative Staff
From Personnel Chair
Jay Guenthner
As Personnel Team Chair, I am pleased to report that on May 1, Dave Ryder began serving in a part-time role at First Baptist Church as Executive Director of Operations.
As Executive Director of Operations, Dave will assume responsibilities in administration, facilities, and finances that Pastor Eric has been managing. He will work closely with Sarah Hodges-Austin, Building Project Administrator, and Keener Squire, our property management company.
Dave’s presence will allow Pastor Eric to focus on pastoral duties during Pastor Julie’s sabbatical. It will also ensure a smooth transition in our facilities, finances, and operations when Pastor Eric moves to Greensboro at the end of July.
Dave is no stranger to First Baptist, having been a member since 2007. While at First Baptist, he has served on the personnel team and as clerk, treasurer, stewardship chair, moderator, and co-leader of the Facilities Improvement Team (FIT) project.
Dave retired from the financial services industry in March after 43 years of service. For the past 28 years, he was at Wells Fargo, most recently as Senior Vice President and Director of Government and Institutional Non-profit Banking. Prior to that, Dave spent 15 years at what is now Truist Bank.
Dave has two adult sons: Charles Jacob, who is married to Viktoria Khaitina, and Graham Christian. Charles and Viktoria are parents to Dave’s grandson, Ilya Bradley Khaitin-Ryder. Dave is a self-described bibliophile who does his best to keep up with 6-year old Ilya, looks forward to getting back into the gym, and visiting the DC History Center.
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First Time in Print: President Carter's Sunday School Lessons at FBCDC
Jimmy Carter was a member of First Baptist DC during his presidency, 1977-1981, and he taught Sunday School at least 17 times. Fourteen of his lessons, taught in our balcony, were recorded and are now available in print with historical context by FBC member Christi Harlan.
"Mr. President, The Class Is Yours" is available in paperback or ebook at http://Amazon.com : mr. president the class is yours. For more information about the book, see Christi's website, http://www.ChristiHarlanWriter.com
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Get Your FBC
"You Belong"
T-Shirt!
Show your love with an FBC "You Belong" t-shirt. Shirts come in a variety of designs and colors. Order your shirt at cost (no profit incurred) directly from the link below to be delivered to your home (8-10 days for delivery).
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Young Adult Save the Date
Young adults are a vibrant community at First Baptist. We gather the third Sunday evening of every month for food and fellowship. Our next gathering is Sunday, May 19 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the home of Molly, Oliver, Finn, and Kian. Save the date, and reach out to Pastor Eric if you plan to attend. (eric@firstbaptistdc.org)
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Mel Doxie Celebration of Life
A celebration of life for Mel Doxie will take place on Saturday, May 11, at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church with a reception following in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, Sadye requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church in Mel’s name.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
Passport DC: Embassy Row Service Day
Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Prayer Partners Gathering
Sunday, May 5 at 9:30 am in the Parlor
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, May 5 after Worship
Rise Against Hunger
Sunday, June 2 after Worship
Capital Pride Parade
Saturday, June 8
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Happy Birthday!
May 2024
9th Susan Lucas
15th Didier Ahimera
16th Jesse Seales
23rd Ron Dooms
24th Gwen Cates
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Prayer & Care
Recent Requests:
- Linda Salmon: scheduled for cataract surgery on May 3
- Sendee Loko (cousin of Violet Bakare in Nigeria) has suspended treatment for metastasized breast cancer
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Bring Beauty to Worship & Support Local Business
Brighten our sanctuary and honor loved ones by sponsoring flowers for a Sunday service ($100).
- Choose your occasion: Memorial, honorarium, or special event.
- Take them home or donate them!
- **Supports Lee's Flower & Card Shop (Black-owned business)
Sign Up:
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