Help Afghan Refugees

In partnership with Lutheran Social Services, First Baptist is supporting an Afghan family seeking refuge in the U.S. by setting up their apartment here in DC. To donate household items and furnishings, click the button below.

AFTER signing up for specific items, donations can be brought to the church narthex.

To volunteer to set-up the apartment or to lend a truck to transport items and furniture, click the same button below.

DETAILS

  • Our church has entered an exciting partnership with the Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Good Neighbor Program in the Capitol Region to set up an apartment for an Afghan Refugee Family in the DC area in June.

  • There is a need for very gently used furniture, (LSS is strict about gently used condition) table and chairs, dressers, bedroom sets, dishes, rugs, toys, clothing, décor and food for the pantry to get started.

  • We will need volunteers to organize donations at the church, load a truck or trucks, and decorate and set up the apartment. We need volunteers with trucks for transport.

  • We have a general idea about the family now—two parents and 4 children/teens. When we are ready with most items, we will be in contact with LSS during the first week of June and will be given the details about the family’s ages and clothing sizes.

  • We will then have one week to gather the last items before being given the keys! Furniture will be moved in on Friday, June 24 and the family will move in on Saturday, June 25.

  • Please sign up to donate items or to volunteer here

  • If there is not a slot available or your item isn’t listed as an option, please email Susan or Linda (co- chairs) at the email listed below. There may be additional need.

  • After signing up to donate items—please send a picture of the item to both Susan and Linda, so we can keep track of the items. Items can either be dropped off at the church or for larger furniture items, be brought to the apartment on move-in day.

Items can be dropped off beginning Monday, May 15.
Drop off times at the church will be: Mon-Thurs, 8:30-4 and Sunday, right after the service. More info will be available as we get closer to May 15.

The first set of volunteers we will need will be organizers on Wednesdays, late afternoon, for May 18th, 25th and June 1st and 8th. We will get in touch with you about your preference after you sign-up. We look forward to working with everyone on this wonderful project! Please contact the chairs for this project with any questions, Susan Lucas (lucas100@comcast.net) and Linda Salmon (lfsalmon@verizon.net).

Capital Pride

Join Pastors Julie and Eric and other FBC folk at the Capital Pride Parade on June 11th. The Parade kicks off at 3pm at 14th and T Streets, NW, then marches south to Massachusetts Avenue.

First Baptist is marching with other congregations, and with our friends at the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB). Stay tuned for more information.

"Faith Forty" Sundays @9:40am

Are you ready to try something new and "cast the net on the other side of the boat," as Jesus told his disciples? Beginning May 15 all are welcome to Faith Forty: 40 minutes of learning and growing together. Coffee and a light breakfast will be available beginning at 9:30am in Fellowship Hall. 40 minutes of faith formation will begin at 9:40am--both in-person and online--and led by Pastors Julie, Joel, and Jennifer with table facilitators

Faith Forty begins with Animate:Faith, a curriculum that uses videos to introduce questions and provide thought-provoking perspective. Each week a leading voice from the Christian faith introduces the topic, followed by personal reflection and journaling, and sharing thoughts within smaller groups.

  • Sunday mornings May 15 - June 26

  • Led by Pastors Julie, Joel, and Jennifer with table facilitators

  • In-person in the fellowship hall & online via Zoom

  • Coffee & conversation begins @ 9:30am, study begins @ 9:50am

Topics and Voices

God: Faith is a Quest with Brian McLaren
Religion: Spirituality is Not Enough with Lillian Daniel
Jesus: The Revolution of Love with Mark Scandrette
Salvation: Abundant Life Happens Now with Shane Hipps
The Cross: Where God is with Nadia Bolz-Weber
The Bible: A Book Like No Other with Lauren Winner
The Church: An Imperfect Family with Bruce Reyes-Chow

FBC and Friends Packed 10,000 Meals to Feed the Hungry on June 5 (Pentecost Sunday)

First Baptist gathered after worship on June 5 in the fellowship hall to pack 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger.

Volunteers packed meals immediately following worship from 12:30-2:30pm. Childcare was provided for infants and preschoolers. Children as young as 4 years old were welcome to help with meal packing.

Many thanks to all who have given financially to support this endeavor. We surpassed our goal of $3,553!