On June 19, Brenda Clark, Zena Aldridge, Pastor Alyssa and Pastor Julie joined 200 women of faith at the office of U. S. Customs and Border Protection to call on our government to stop separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. Brenda Clark reflected afterwards: "Only one gathering, yet many voices! Saving our children instills an amazing grace for all of humanity, one child, hundreds of children at a time."
James Langley Memorial
Jim Langley, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, June 7, 2018 at the age of 93.
Jim was born on March 20, 1925 and grew up in Opelika, Alabama. Following his service in the Army during WWII, Jim attended Baylor University. He and his wife Eugenia (Jean) were married in 1951 at Fountain Memorial Baptist Church, here in Washington. Together they raised four children: Carol, Jim, Jane & Marilyn.
A distinguished, long-time denominational leader in the D.C. area, Dr. Langley served at Senior Pastor of the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church and then as Executive Minister of the D.C. Baptist Convention for many years. He has also served interim pastorates in numerous churches throughout the D.C. area. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Baylor, Jim earned an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and a PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
His mother once told him, “Jim, wherever you go, join the church where you are, no matter how short your time in that town.” He heeded those words throughout his entire life. Jim joined our church in 2006 and was a faithful part of the FBCDC family of faith. He served for a time as our interim minister for pastoral care, filled our pulpit on a number of occasions, and taught many inspiring Bible study classes. Jim was a gifted poet and writer of hymns. During our August Forum in 2016, Dr. Langley read his narrative poem, Holocaust Image, which was published that year in Christian Ethics Today.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, in 2002. He is survived by his four children.
FBC T-Shirts Available for Purchase
Get yours while supplies last!
Just in time for Pride Weekend, Summer of Fun, and other outings where you'll need to stay cool while also reppin' who we are as a congregation.
$15 Adult Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, 2X Large, 3X Large
$10 Youth Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
(All unisex.)
How to Order:
- Order/Pay for your shirt here (below).
- Pick up your pre-paid shirt after worship on the Sundays of June 10, 17 or 24, OR come to Zena Aldridge's office at the church during weekday office hours.
- If you want to wear your shirt at the Pride Parade this Saturday, June 9, pay for your shirt here and pick up your shirts from Zena on Friday, June 8, 10am-5pm. (Sorry, no orders or cash transactions this Saturday.)
Baptists and Exclusion: A Tale of Two Groups
On May 22, 2018, after more than a hundred years of affiliation, the Southern Baptist Convention officially severed ties with the D.C. Baptist Convention over its refusal to exclude from membership the historic Calvary Baptist Church, a 155-year-old D. C. congregation founded by abolitionists. At issue was Calvary’s decision in 2017 to call Rev. Maria Swearingen and Rev. Sally Sarratt, a married lesbian couple, as co-pastors.
For more than a century, the DCBC has seen itself as a bridge between Baptist groups, remaining dually aligned with both Southern Baptists and the American Baptist Churches USA. In 1997, the DCBC widened its affiliation by uniting also with the predominantly black Progressive National Baptist Convention, and later with the Baptist World Alliance.
The SBC Executive Committee first communicated concern about Calvary early in 2017, just days after they called their new pastors. In February of this year, Dr. Robert Cochran, Executive Director/Minister of the DCBC (and a member of our congregation), flew to Nashville to meet personally with members of the SBC Executive Committee. Shortly thereafter, the Committee issued an ultimatum that the DCBC cut ties with Calvary within 90 days or face expulsion from the Southern Baptist Convention. Robert requested a conference call with SBC leaders so that a way forward might be negotiated, and relationship preserved. The Executive Committee declined Robert’s request for conversation, choosing to communicate through an attorney who informed Robert by letter that he had “too many things to tend to that have a higher priority” and advising DCBC leaders “to work toward excluding the errant church from your fellowship by the date of May 20th.”
Southern Baptists’ fixation on exclusion has been a sad reality for decades. Since the 1970s, the SBC has established meticulously orchestrated, fiercely defended systems of exclusion that have done immense harm to churches and individuals.
The DCBC Board chose a different path.
The day before the SBC Executive Committee’s May 20 deadline, I sat in a circle with other DCBC board members and staff who had gathered to talk and pray together about this matter. There was a spirit of kindness in the room. We began with a devotional led by board President Paula Moustos who read from Romans 14: “Why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you look down on your brother or sister?... Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”Everyone was asked to share from his or her perspective about the matter at hand. I shared from my own personal relationship with Maria and Sally, two of the finest pastors I know. There was diversity of thought, as many board members come from the black church tradition which has been historically reluctant to welcome the LGBTQ community.
What unified the group was our commitment to the bedrock Baptist principle of autonomy of the local church. “My church would not make the same choice as Calvary in calling our leaders,” said one board member. “But they listened closely to the Spirit, and who are we to say otherwise?” It was then pointed out by another board member (to a chorus of “Amens”) that Calvary was the first Baptist church in the District to welcome black people into membership in 1954. Calvary’s prophetic voice and their commitment to justice were acknowledged and affirmed. In the end, those present voted unanimously to reject the SBC’s demand to exclude Calvary Baptist Church from membership in the DCBC, even if it meant being excluded ourselves by the Southern Baptist Convention. While there was sadness for some over the whole situation, there was a sense of peace, too.
I was honored to sit in that circle of fellowship and discernment that Saturday morning in May. I’m grateful for Robert Cochran’s leadership, and that of the board. Mostly, though, I am grateful for the Holy Spirit, who continues the hard and holy work of knitting us together in the body of Christ.
Peace and grace,
Benefit Recital for Agape National Academy of Music June 10, 2pm
The Agape National Academy of Music (ANAM) is based in Monrovia, Liberia and has as its' mission "Making Liberian Children Successful through the Arts." ANAM was founded by Samson Tarpeh in 2008 in response to thousands of children in need of healing and spiritual development following 14 years of civil war in Liberia. Mr. Tarpeh, on piano, and accompanied by two vocalists, will perform in the Sanctuary on Sunday, June 10 at 2pm. One of ANAM's goals is to raise money for the project; a free-will offering will be accepted. Questions? Contact D'O Dillard at ddillard@firstbaptistdc.org. All FBC members and friends are cordially invited.
Youth Activities for June
Third Sunday
June 17th is Father's Day so there will be no Third Sunday Lunch for youth. We'll pick back up with Third Sunday in July.
An Exploration of Juneteenth
On Wednesday June 20th, students grade 7-12 will explore historic sites in the District. Together we'll visit Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass; make our way to Dr. King's Memorial, and end with lunch on The Mall. We'll meet at FBC at 9:30am and head out from there. Contact Pastor Alyssa for more details. aaldape@firstbaptistdc.org
Paddling the Potomac
The youth group will head down to Key Bridge Boathouse after church on Sunday June 24th to Kayak on the Potomac!
Cost: $16 for kayak. Bring a change of kayak-appropriate clothing and money for lunch. Contact Pastor Alyssa for more details. aaldape@firstbaptistdc.org
July 1st: Guest Preacher Preston Clegg
Rev. Dr. Preston Clegg, Senior Pastor of Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, will bring the message in worship on July 1st. Preston pastored churches in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma before coming to 2BC in 2013. He received his BA in Christian Ministry from Williams Baptist College in Arkansas and his M.Div. and D.Min. from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, TX. He and his wife Rebecca are native Arkansans, growing up in the delta of Eastern Arkansas. They have two sons, Paxton and Truett. Preston's greatest vocational passion is creatively preaching the good news so that it builds up the church and announces the Kingdom of God.
Meet Our Newest Deacons
June 10: Ordination and Laying On of Hands During Worship
Lilia Abron, Didier Ahimera and Philip Hawkins begin 3-year terms of service this month. The congregation will have an opportunity to bless and pray for them on June 17, during worship.
Deepest thanks to Zena Aldridge and Mike Henson who just completed another term of deacon service. Their care, discernment and commitment to the way of Jesus are a blessing to us all.
Lilia Ann Abron
I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee to Baptist parents. I was baptized when I was 9 years old, sang in the junior choir, played piano, and was a member of the church sponsored Girl Scout troop from Brownie through Senior Scouts. I chose environmental engineering for my life’s work, because I was raised to respect the earth, and all humans who live on this planet. I endeavored to raise my three sons as I was raised. All were baptized here at First Baptist where I have been a member for more than 35 years. I am a Christian and am accepting of all believers and non-believers. I look forward to my time serving you again as a deacon.
Didier Ahimera
I accepted Christ into my heart early in childhood and I have had the pleasure of worshiping at FBC-DC since the summer of 2015. My family currently resides in Phoenix and nearly three decades ago they immigrated to the States from Burundi. Since joining this community of followers I’ve gotten to serve at Christ House on many occasions. My prayer is for the events of our community and the world to continue to stir our hearts so we are provoked to action, asking ourselves what more we can do.
Philip Hawkins
Church has been part of my fabric for as long as I can recall. But deeper than church, discerning the priorities of Christ has been part of my fabric since my early teenage years when I formally accepted Christ as Savior. I became part of the FBC-DC family in April 2017 shortly after I moved to the DC area. I have two children – Eric (26) and Mallary (24). Both of my parents and each of my siblings (and their families) are still living, all in the north Georgia area. I actively engage in the music ministry of FBC. I also have a passion for working (voluntarily) with those who are in hospitalization with depression and related mental health diagnoses. My prayer for FBC is that we continue to support each other as we remain open to Holy Spirit’s leading us through our present and our future.
Capital Pride Parade Saturday, June 9
Pastor Julie and others from FBC who are marching with AWAB (Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists) at the Capital Pride Parade next Saturday, June 9. We’ll join friends from Baptist churches in the DC area in showing love to people who are too often excluded from church.
As of publication time AWAB doesn’t have info from Capital Pride about the time and location for meeting up. Step-off for the parade is 4:30pm. We will likely be near the end of the parade line. Complete info will appear in next week’s email Update. The forecast says 86° and partly cloudy. The parade route is about 1.5 miles and there are some hills, so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring bottled water, sunscreen, and a snack. For more information, contact Pastor Julie at jpr@firstbaptistdc.org.