Membership Booklet 2013 FINAL Spreads 12-13-12

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    M E M B E R S H I P G U I D E 2 0 1 3

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    We are an ecumenical,

    multi-racial, multi-ethnic Christian body

    that reaches out to the worldwith the Good News of Jesus Christ.

    To that end, we strive to be welcoming,

    responsive, trusting and prayerful

    in everything we do.

    Welcome to this little guide to membership at Calvary BaptistChurch. We hope this booklet will help you navigate the worldof this community of faith, and that by investing your life inthe work of God in this place, you will nd spiritual nurtureand experience the challenge to which the Gospel of JesusChrist calls us.

    Here at Calvary, we like to say that we are an ecumenical,multi-racial, multi-ethnic Christian body that reaches out tothe world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. To that end,we strive to be welcoming, responsive, trusting and prayerfulin everything we do.

    In order to live out our mission statement, we try to takeseriously our commitment to be followers of Jesus Christ.To be a follower of Jesus Christ means more than adheringto a set of beliefs or practicing a list of behaviors; instead,following Jesus is a whole-life proposition, one into whichwe pour our best selves and everything we have.

    Take a look through this booklet and nd some ideas for howyou might radically follow Jesus in your life and alongsideeveryone here at Calvary. Are you ready for the challenge ofdiscipleship in this place? You should expect to be challenged,encouraged, taught, fed, stretched and, most of all, loved in

    this place.

    Welcome to the adventure.

    With anticipation of Gods work among us,

    Rev. Amy K. ButlerSenior Pastor

    CALVARYBAPTIST CHURCH

    WASHINGTON, DC

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    TO BE A MEMBER MEANS

    ...professing faith in Jesus Christ

    Members of Calvary Baptist Church are people who claim to follow

    Jesus Christ. Declaring that you are a ollower o Jesus is a radical

    statement in this day and age, because ollowing Jesus is more than

    living a good lie. Following Jesus means entering into a relationship

    with the living God and allowing our lives to be transormed to refect

    that relationship. When we decide to open our lives to Gods loving

    transormation through the work o Jesus Christ, we work or Gods

    transormation o the world, living lives in which we love God and

    love each other in radical and wonderul ways. Personal aith in JesusChrist is a requirement or membership at Calvary because, with all our

    dierent perspectives, interests, and callings, the way o Jesus is what

    unites us and draws us into shared discipleship.

    entering the waters of baptism

    Members of Calvary Baptist Church are followers of Jesus who have

    entered into the waters of baptism. At Calvary, we baptize through

    immersion; we have a large baptistery up ront and when members

    come to be baptized they are dunked under the water to symbolize

    death to an old way o lie and rising to ollow Jesus in a new way

    o living. Baptism, in other expressions and other traditions, is

    honored and welcomed here at Calvary. Baptism is a requirement o

    membership because it is a public expression o our private decision to

    ollow Jesus in the way o discipleship.

    BRIEF HISTORY/WHO WE ARE

    Since 1862, Calvary Baptist Church has been a congregation

    committed to living out the Gospel o Jesus Christ in the heart o

    Washington, DC. Calvary has a long history, as well as exciting mission,

    outreach and partnership programs, in our community. Wed love your

    involvement and participation!

    Calvary is the ounding church o the American Baptist Convention

    (ABCUSA) and works cooperatively with several national progressive

    Baptist groups. Locally, Calvary is a member o the District o Columbia

    Baptist Convention and the Downtown Cluster o Congregations.

    We oer English classes or new immigrants and an outreach to

    patients at St. Elizabeths Hospital. Our resident partners include the

    Washington Theatre Lab, Kid Power, Inc., Brainood, and the Friday

    Morning Music Club.

    A variety o learning opportunities is available during the Sunday

    school hour beginning at 9:45 a.m. In addition, Small Groups meet

    during the week throughout the metro area. Programs or children o

    all ages begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue through the worship hour. Our

    children oten participate in worship with us.

    Music is an important part o Calvarys mission and, in addition to

    music oered during worship, we host a variety o special music events

    throughout the year. Our choir rehearses on Sunday mornings and ourDirector o Music, Cheryl Branham, would welcome your participation!

    Our weekly worship is held at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. This community

    worship brings our diverse communities together or a unique

    celebration. Spanish translation, Spanish/English Bibles and sound

    amplication are available during worship.

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    TO BE A MEMBER MEANS

    practicing inclusivity and diversity (and its not always easy)

    Members of Calvary Baptist Church value and actively practice

    inclusivity and diversity. In this community o aith we are o the

    conviction that the body o Christ is beautiul in its diverse expressions.

    We are ortunate to be in a community in which many o those

    diverse expressions are present. We celebrate that diversity and

    work to include anyone who wants to join in our shared lie together.

    However, diversity and inclusion oten can be dicult; we dont

    always understand each other. Still, we work to build a community

    that expresses these values, and we love and orgive each other in

    the process. The value o inclusivity and diversity is a requirement o

    membership at Calvary because it refects Gods all-encompassing love

    or the whole world.

    practicing service as discipleship

    Members of Calvary Baptist Church regularly practice acts of service.

    As Christians we are living a story within the larger story o redemption

    through Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul wrote, Even now we are

    being redeemed! As we live out the story o aith here at Calvary

    Baptist Church, we see many opportunities to be part o Gods

    transorming work in the world. Find your place in the storywhere

    has God called you to reach out into the community and the world

    with the love o Jesus Christ? Regularly practicing acts o service is a

    requirement or membership at Calvary, because we want to be part o

    this worlds redemption in the name o Jesus Christ.

    TO BE A MEMBER MEANS

    seeking Gods direction and pursuing a personal life of faith

    Members of Calvary Baptist Church worship, pray, learn and most of

    all, engage God. How sad it would be i we became an ecient, well-

    run organization that has orgotten to listen or the voice o God! This

    community needs you to practice your spiritual lie in public ways by

    regular worship attendance, to careully tend your personal relationship

    with God, and to pray or the ministry o this congregation on a regular

    basis. Regular aith practice is a requirement o membership at Calvary

    because it orms us into a worshipping community and helps us to

    hear the call o God together.

    giving of my money to support the vision

    Members of Calvary Baptist Church give regularly and generously of

    all their resources. This small amily o aith works hard to nd leaders

    willing to thoughtully dedicate time and energy to the task o steering

    this church. We need every member to give his or her money aithully,

    generously and regularly, to tangibly express gratitude to God and

    investment in this community. We need you to oer your skills to the

    practice o aith here at Calvary. The regular and generous investment

    o resources is a requirement o membership at Calvary because its a

    discipline that shows what we care about most.

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    ONGOING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES AT CALVARY

    GLBTQ Outreach:

    Calvary strives to be a welcoming place for all people seeking

    fellowship with Christ. We reach out to the GLBTQ community in

    several different ways, but one event that our church always looks

    forward to is packing the Calvary booth at the annual DC Capital Pridestreet festival, handing out a different kind of Baptist stickers, and

    offering communion to those who desire to receive it.

    Conversation Partners:

    Do you speak English? Are you learning English? If so, please join our

    fall Conversation Partners group to practice English in an informal

    setting. We need both native English speakers and English learners.

    Partners meet once per week for about 30 minutes to practice

    speaking and listening and getting to know each other. Arrange chats

    around your mutual schedules, and feel free to follow our conversation

    prompts!

    ONGOING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES AT CALVARY

    Calvary has a vibrant presence in our Washington, DC community and

    we take pride in our work to bring some of the kingdom of God to our

    neighbors here in the city.

    Downtown Social Club:

    For almost 40 years, Calvary has hosted clients from St. Elizabeths

    psychiatric hospital in SE Washington for weekly activities. Every

    Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., hospital staff bring a group

    of clients to Calvary for recreational therapy. Clients can sing, playbingo, make crafts, exercise, watch movies, and play games through

    the Downtown Social Club program. Volunteers are needed each week

    to help set up for programming, to portion the lunch, and to create

    community through client interaction.

    Homeless Outreach:

    Our church partners with the Downtown Cluster of Congregations

    to connect homeless individuals with critical services such as food,

    clothing, shelter, legal and nancial assistance. Every Monday from

    9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a social worker from the Downtown Cluster of

    Congregations resides in Calvarys ofce assisting individuals.

    ESL classes (all combined levels):

    Meet throughout the year at Calvary for beginners and advanced

    speakers. Were always looking for teachers and volunteers.

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    EL COMPAERISMO LATINO

    El Compaerismo Latino es parte de la Iglesia Bautista El Calvario.

    Sus miembros son miembros de la iglesia. Siendo nuestra Iglesia

    Bautista El Calvario una iglesia multicultural, nuestra cultura e

    idioma es respetado, enriqueciendo as la diversidad y unidad en

    Cristo. En nuestras reuniones de adoracin, oracin y estudio bblico

    hablamos el Espaol, aunque somos llamados en nuestras relaciones y

    responsabilidades en la Iglesia a hablar el Ingls. Es decir, tenemos la

    bendicin-desafo de ser bilinges.

    El Rev. Edgar Palacios es el pastor del Compaerismo Latino. El es deorigen salvadoreo.

    Las reuniones de oracin se realizan en el templo de la iglesia o en los

    hogares de los miembros. En cada reunin de oracin se comunica

    donde ser la siguiente reunin de oracin.

    Tambin se tienen retiros, campamentos, das de campo, caminatas y

    celebraciones de cumpleaos. Para mayor informacin sobre nuestras

    actividades por favor comunquese al telfono 202-347-8355, ext. 103

    o al correo electrnico [email protected]

    ONGOING MISSION OPPORTUNITIES AT CALVARY

    In addition to our regular volunteer opportunities, Calvary members

    and friends are encouraged to serve at any of a number of local

    justice-centered non-prots such as Christ House, DC Central Kitchen,

    Food and Friends, Marthas Table, So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.), and

    The Family Place, just to name a few.

    In addition to our work in and around Washington, DC, we work hard

    to show Gods love to others outside our citys borders and around the

    world.

    Shalom Scholarship Fund:

    Each year, Calvary holds a luncheon to raise scholarship money

    to send students in El Salvador to school who normally would be

    unable to afford the cost of tuition. Through this program, Salvadoran

    students can continue their education and pursue their life goals. This

    years Shalom Scholarship Luncheon was a wonderful success, with

    two of our scholarship students in attendance and sharing with us

    about their studies and how God is at work in their lives. Click here to

    donate to the scholarship fund.

    Mission Partners:

    We also partner with many Baptist organizations who are doing

    justice work around the world like, American Baptist Churches, USA,

    Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Alliance of Baptists, Baptist PeaceFellowship of North America, DC Baptist Convention and the Baptist

    World Alliance.

    Resident Partners:

    We have a huge facility here at Calvary, and its used almost

    constantly by the church and by our resident partners. They are stellar

    nonprot organizations that share space in our building and are

    doing incredible, world-changing work. We are proud to share in their

    amazing work. Learn more about how you can be part of the work

    and mission of The Washington Theatre Lab (www.theatrelab.org),

    KidPower DC (www.kidpowerdc.org), Brainfood (www.brainfood.org),

    and the Friday Morning Music Club (www.fmmc.org).

    Staff Contact:

    Rev. Edgar Palacios

    Associate Pastor, Education

    ext 103

    [email protected]

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    CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT CALVARY

    As members of a community of faith, Calvarys children are guided on

    their faith journey by a team of teachers dedicated to meeting each

    childs needs. Interactive lessons allow the children to ask questions

    and express their ideas within the group.

    Our lessons are taught through kid-friendly activities which include

    dramatizations, puppetry, art, games, group discussions and stories.

    We teach basic Bible skills, such as how to read the Bible and

    understand words as they are presented in the text. Studying maps

    of the Holy Land helps the children visualize where the events in the

    Bible took place. A Bible timeline helps the children to put the stories

    in chronological order.

    We believe it is essential to childrens spiritual formation that they

    are present in worship. Each Sunday, we have a special Childrens

    Moment in the beginning of the service. Children under age ve are

    then invited to go to a special extended learning time back in their

    classroom and children over ve are encouraged to stay with their

    families in worship. We also love for children to lead worship their

    prayers and their participation helps us all see a bigger view of Gods

    working in this world.

    Special Childrens Events occur throughout the year at Calvary. We

    celebrated Advent by making Advent decorations, celebrated our

    150th Anniversary with a carnival open to our neighborhood, and onEaster Sunday have our annual Easter Egg dyeing table.

    Each summer we welcome children from all over to Vacation Bible

    School at Calvary.

    SMALL GROUPS AT CALVARY

    At Calvary, we believe small groups are key to our experience within

    the church and the community. We want to meet together for

    fellowship and also serve the communities around us. We often have

    small groups for other times during the year, but our ongoing groups

    are listed below (Contact Pastor Leah for more info).

    Theology on Draft:

    Discussion of theology and the intersection of culture.

    Wednesday Night Words:

    Study of scripture, spiritual disciplines and cultural engagement.

    Calvary Stitch-A-long:

    Enjoy an afternoon of knitting, crocheting and blanket sewing work

    on your current project or start something new!

    Young Adult Group:

    Meets for fun and fellowship and various events over the course of the

    year.

    Staff Contact:

    Rev. Leah Grundset Davis

    Associate Pastor

    ext. 142

    [email protected]

    Staff Contact:

    Jason Smith

    Ministry Assistant

    ext. 133

    [email protected]

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    2013 AT CALVARY RE-IMAGINE LIFE TOGETHER(Important dates to consider)

    In addition to our normal programming at Calvary like Sunday School,

    Music opportunities, Christian Education, Small Groups and mission

    projects, we invite you to participate in some of our special events for

    2013. Please contact Pastor Leah with any questions.

    Featured Events:

    Shine a Little Light, January-February 2013:

    We start an Epiphany series wherein we try to take a new look at

    some of the basics of our faith through the stories of the Gospels. We

    are going to rethink faith this Epiphany, as we reimagine what being

    a person of faith means in this world. Well also take a look at what

    it means to be a member at Calvary. Why does membership matter?

    Why even be a member? Well talk about these questions and more

    on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.

    Sunday School, January-February 2013:

    For six weeks in Sunday school, well discuss in more depth what

    membership means at Calvary. Why do we walk to the front to

    join? Do we really need to be members to participate in the life of

    the church? We hope youll join us on Sunday mornings beginning,January 6, at 9:45 a.m. in the Library.

    Day of Service and Mission Project, February 2013:

    Join us as we partner with one of the organizations we support in the

    city and work to help them meet some physical needs through a day

    of service.

    MUSIC AT CALVARY

    Sanctuary Choir welcomes youth and adults. We rehearse each

    Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

    Festival Choir welcomes youth and adults. We rehearse seasonally to

    prepare music for Advent and Easter.

    Calvary Childrens Choir welcomes children of all ages. Music for Kids

    classes meet each Sunday after worship.

    Handbell Choir welcomes youth and adults. Minimal music readingskills are required.

    Sound Tech Team welcomes techno-geeks and gadgeteers who

    support our events with needed technology.

    Calvary Presents concerts showcase a variety of professional

    performers for various concerts.

    Private Music Lessons are available for students of all ages in piano,

    organ, voice, violin and music theory.

    Staff Contact:

    Dr. Cheryl Branham

    Director of Music

    ext. 136

    [email protected]

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    2013 AT CALVARY RE-IMAGINE LIFE TOGETHER

    Calvary Unplugged: Summer 2013:

    As the city takes Sabbath in late summer, so we also take Sabbath

    from worship in the Sanctuary. As we worship outside of the normal

    worship space, well worship differently with music, with art and with

    one another.

    Shalom Scholarship Sunday, September 2013.

    Each year, we celebrate our partnership with students in El Salvadorwith a luncheon after worship. Well continue to raise funds at this

    lunch and hear a report from the students whom we support.

    All-Church Retreat, October 2013

    Our Autumn Leaves retreat was a hit in 2012, so we plan to bring it

    back in 2013. Well consider our personal devotional lives and how we

    connect with God.

    Commitment Sunday, October 2013.

    On one of our most powerful worship services in the year, all Calvary

    folks will re-commit themselves to the work and mission of the church.

    Hunger Awareness, November 2013:

    We will spend time in worship and in mission addressing theimmediate needs of hunger that surround us. Well support projects

    through the DC Baptist Convention and other local non-prots who

    work for food justice.

    Advent and Christmas:

    Whether you sing in Festival Choir, help Hang the Green or write

    Advent Devotionals, we hope you will choose a meaningful spiritual

    discipline to connect with this community of faith for the Advent and

    Christmas season in 2013.

    2013 AT CALVARY RE-IMAGINE LIFE TOGETHER

    Lenten Lunches, February-March 2013:

    While well continue worship during Lent on Sunday mornings at

    11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary, well also meet on Wednesday in lent at

    12:00 p.m. in the Calvary Chapel for Lenten Lunches. Well reect on

    scripture, sing and pray while we gather for a brown bag lunch. The

    rst Lenten Lunch is February 20. On February 13, well worship in the

    Sanctuary at 12:00 p.m. in observance of Ash Wednesday.

    Feel the Spirit, May 18, 2013:

    As we prepare ourselves for the coming of Holy Spirit on Pentecost

    Sunday, May 19, well join together Saturday evening for a wine tasting

    event in Woodward Hall.

    151st Anniversary: Baptist Revival June 1-2, 2013:

    In celebration of our 151st Anniversary, well welcome Dr. Rosalie Beck,

    professor of Church History at Baylor University for a weekend of fun

    and learning about what it really means to be Baptist.

    Capital Pride, June 2013:

    The whole Calvary crew heads down to Pennsylvania Avenue on

    a Sunday in June to our booth at the Capital Pride street festival.

    Together, we invite and welcome members of the GLBTQ communityto Calvary and have fun!

    Summer Dinner Groups, July 2013:

    Since our normal small group schedules take a break in the summer,

    join with Calvary folks and host a dinner group to get to know more

    people!

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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What happens i I join the church and then something happens that I

    dont like?

    There are not many guarantees in life, but we can denitely guarantee

    that this exact eventuality will happen at some point in the life and

    experience of every church member. Without exception. The reason

    for that, of course, is that the church is a community of awed human

    beings who cant help but occasionally let their human failings

    come to the foreeven in a church setting. The disillusionment getsparticularly painful when we idealize the church, when we even

    subconsciously think of the church as a place thats free of human

    failings. Then, when someone inevitably says something hurtfulor we

    dont feel understoodor we disagreeor we feel left outwell, then,

    we can feel deep disappointment: Maybe this church wasnt as good a

    place as I thought. Maybe God isnt really working here. Maybe church

    is a waste of time after all. Maybe I will pack up my life and move on,

    let down by God and Gods people yet again.

    Investing your life in a community of faith means going in with an

    eyes-wide-open awareness and a commitment that doesnt hinge on

    human perfection. Instead, a membership commitment begins with

    a conviction that God is here, at work in the world, working through

    awed communities and imperfect people who, together, occasionallyand beautifully reect Gods grace for each one of us and Gods hope

    for the whole world. Not too many are ready and willing to sign on for

    this kind of commitmentin church or anywhere else. But learning the

    lessons of community through forgiveness and commitment can be

    life-changing.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Why cant I just attend church and participate in the stu I like? I am

    not really that into commitment anywayI like to keep my options

    open.

    Of course you can attend church and participate in the stuff you

    like. You will always be welcome to experience the community even

    from the edges; everyone is welcome. However, the realities of life

    in community are such that we need a core group of people willing

    to offer strong commitment, full investment, and a true sense ofresponsibility for the life of the community. In order for a church

    to thrive, individuals must step up and assume responsibility for

    the whole, to become caretakers and nurturers of the communitys

    resources and life. This kind of guardianship of the life of the

    community is critical, and those who step up to the challenge of

    church membership become those caretakers.

    Together, we are responsible for the life and health of this family of

    faith, and as we practice that guardianship we come to know each

    other and know God in deeper and more profound, life-changing

    ways.

    Sure, taking on responsibility for the life of a community is no small

    thing; it is easier to experience the community from the edges.But dont discount the deep joy and possibility that comes with

    experiencing church in the role of one who holds responsibility for the

    life and health of the community. That kind of investment can take a

    lot of time and commitmentand it can profoundly and powerfully

    change and deepen your experience of God and community.

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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    You get the Pastors cell number that you can call anytimeyou want? (Not true!)

    Church membership offers an opportunity to play an active

    part in your spiritual growth as well as the spiritual growth

    of others. Also, membership is to be part of Gods house

    and to contribute to the betterment of others.

    The opportunity to learn to be in fellowship with all kinds

    of people, including those you would have never met

    anywhere else in our segmented world...the opportunity to

    learn to be in loving fellowship and community with those

    who dont hold the same set of worldly values as you do

    and to understand that they are just as much an expression

    of Gods love as the people who agree with you.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What are the benefts o church membership?

    Were pretty big fans of church membership here in the church ofce,

    so to be fair we surveyed Calvary members and asked them to share

    their opinion of the benets of church membership. Here are some of

    their answers:

    Sense of belonging; renewed focus on life and whatsimportant in life; a chance to learn, try and grow in

    directions you might not imagine for yourself but that

    others see in you...

    A safe place to question, to struggle, to grow. A home.

    A feeling of responsibility & commitment and a sense of

    belonging to a group that shares your faith.

    Pastoral counseling and someone to bring hot dishes when

    you are in extremis. The opportunity to sing with others.

    Fellowship with like-minded and nice people.

    A spiritual home and a community to grow in/with.

    Opportunity to serve on committees. Kidding, kidding....

    seriously: unconditional acceptance, feeling valued as a

    unique individual and child of God, opportunity to explore

    spiritual issues within a community while nurturing your

    individual faith life and spiritual growth.

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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    How much money does it cost to be a church member?

    You may already know that we dont have dues here, like some

    organizations; nancial stewardship, rather, is a spiritual practice that

    is voluntary and personal. To that end, each Calvary member is asked

    annually to make a nancial pledge. We do this together in worship,

    usually in October, and when we make our nancial commitments.

    This pledging process helps our budget committee sketch out our

    ministry plans for the year ahead.

    Upon your decision to join, you will receive a letter from the church

    ofce, which will include a pledge card. Please take a close look at

    your nancial investment as a member of this congregation; we need

    the committed and consistent nancial involvement of everyone to do

    what we do in this place.

    So, the short answer to the question is: theres no set cost of

    membership. The real answer to the question is: if you are serious

    about the spiritual commitment you are making, you will give

    generously, regularly, and sacricially as part of your commitment to

    Gods work in this place.

    If neither of these answers is plain enough for you, talk with PastorAmy and ask her how much she gives. Shell be happy to have a frank

    conversation about numbers anytime.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What i I die and I am not a member o the church. Will I go to

    heaven? Will I have someone to do my uneral?

    Admission to heaven is not predicated upon church membership.

    If it was, the decision for church membership would be much more

    straightforward, wouldnt it? God, as you know, is a mystery, and we

    dont know all there is to know about life after death. But we do afrm

    that faith in Jesus Christ means an earthly death is not the end for us.

    Relationship with Jesus Christ is what offers us new life, both in thistemporal human existence and later on, too.

    We are not generally in the practice of refusing pastoral services

    because people are not members. Calvary has a funeral policy and

    if we are able to help at all in times of crisis, we are happy to help.

    Church membership is not a requirement for the support and help of

    our pastoral staff.

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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What is the spiritual signifcance o joining a church?

    Jesus talked about the church when he commissioned his disciples

    to go out into the world and spread the good news he had come to

    share with them. Because of Jesus directions to his rst disciples, we

    believe that the church is the tangible manifestation of the Gospel

    of Jesus Christ. Together, we become the rock on which Gods work

    in the world is built and furthered. When you make a commitment

    to join the church you are making a public, tangible expression ofparticipation in the work of God in the worldand this is no small

    thing! Your life becomes intertwined with the lives of others who have

    made the same commitment. When you join, your voice becomes

    a guiding voice for the present and future church. You take on the

    challenge that Jesus gave his rst disciples when he commissioned

    them to take the Gospel into the whole world.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Do I have to attend Business Meetings? Why do I have to vote?

    We do not take attendance at church business meetings. That being

    said, as a church member your voice is needed and important as we

    do the business of being church together. Were Baptists, so we run

    our affairs congregationallythat is, the congregation makes all the

    important decisions for its life together. We have committees and

    boards that do the day to day work, and the pastors will surely talk

    with you about how you might want to serve within that structure. Butfour times a year we have a quarterly business meeting after church,

    during which we catch up on latest happenings, look over our nancial

    situation, and deal with any matters requiring the attention of the

    whole church. The name business meeting sounds so very onerous,

    but think of these quarterly meetings as opportunities to be with

    each other and to check in on the life and health of our church family.

    We try to keep the meetings to under one hour, and theres usually

    food involved. We need your voice; we need your participation; we

    need you to vote on matters of importance. Its how we do church as

    Baptists!

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    STAFF LISTING AND CONTACT

    Dr. Cheryl Branham [email protected]

    Director of Music ext. 136

    Rev. Dr. Amy Butler [email protected]

    Senior Pastor ext. 121

    Kristin Campbell [email protected] Intern

    Rev. Leah Grundset Davis [email protected]

    Associate Pastor ext. 142

    Rev. Saw Ler Htoo [email protected]

    Missionary, Burmese Community

    Al Jeter [email protected]

    Supervisor of Maintenance ext. 128

    Rev. Edgar Palacios [email protected]

    Associate Pastor, Education ext 103

    Paul Rosstead [email protected]

    Church Administrator ext. 127

    Jason Smith [email protected]

    Ministry Assistant ext. 133

    Calvary Baptist Church 755 8th Street, NW

    Washington, DC 20001

    202.347.8355