Volume XVI, Issue 9

Winter 2012

Taking Steps to Re-imagine Calvary

Jason Smith, Ministry Assistant This past fall, Calvary has had amazing opportunities to grow as a community of faith. We have been blessed to share moments of fellowship, advocacy, and worship as we re-imagined our future together. We ordained our own Rachel Johnson as a minister of the Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. Your participation and involvement helped build Calvary into a more vibrant and thriving congregation and your prayers have strengthened our community. Take a look inside the Caller and share with us as we explore our future together!

d.

Gospel; we shared stories of commitment at Stewardship potluck house meetings; we hosted a successful yard sale to support the Shalom Scholarship Fund; we gathered for a fabulous congregational retreat; we hosted a forum on food justice, and contributed

b.

e.

a.

c.

f.

a. Calvary children sing the Spanish song Yo Me Alegr/I Was Glad during morning worship, November 11; b. Cheryl and Natalie prepare our children to sing in worship, November 11;

c. Myra, Lauren, Andi, and Shanna pick apples at the Distillery Lane Ciderworks along with other Calvary young adults, October 14. d. Christian, Maya, Trey, and Rachel make fairy houses at Camp Fraser, October 27.

e. Rev. Rachel Johnson receives a patchwork stole made by her mother after her ordination ceremony during worship, October 7; f. Rachel, Ruthie, and Pastor Leah color at Camp Fraser, October 26

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Calvary Caller

From Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, Senior Pastor Dear Calvary, Weve been moving here at Calvary, doing new things, trying to reimagine church in new and unusual ways. This fall, weve begun a season of re-imagining our life together here at Calvary. Weve finished a five year vision plan and are now tasked with the difficult job of discernmenttrying to see where God will take us and how we need to position ourselves to be used most effectively in this time and place. Over the past quarter we took several important steps to re-imagine. Here are a few: In July, at our quarterly business meeting, we voted to secede from the Southern Baptist Convention. It was heartening to see so many of you at the business meeting, engaged in the action we were taking. Thanks. As you know, there was some publicity around this action, including a couple of items in the Washington Post. Another sizable place I had wanted to start looking at reimagining our life together was through our church structure. As you know, our structure, as laid out by the constitution, is very substantial and is not serving us well these days. I feel that taking a close look at how we might streamline our governing structure to allow our involvement with church to be less oppressive is critical toward moving into the future God has for us. To this end, Rich Havard, our intern who was here over the summer, did an extensive study on this issue. He interviewed many of you; read and compiled resources on the issue of structure; he called and talked with churches who have done and are doing what we hoped to do. Rich wrote a great report summarizing our challenges and opportunities, and proposing suggestions for us. With the resource of this report, I worked with church leadership and staff to come up with two proposed alternative structures that we might consider trying for a year or two to see if they actually accomplish what we hope with regard to streamlining the work of the church. 2 Then, the church council met for a day of retreat to talk about these proposed structures. There was a spirit of cooperation and optimism about the future of our church, and we left the meeting feeling very good about a proposed trial structure. After the retreat, church leadership got together to look closely at how we might take the next steps, and it is the feeling of some that a trial structure implementation is not legally or fiscally safe for us, given our complicated constitution and by-laws. Church moderator, Soren Dayton, has asked a small group of people to meet over the next few months to make a structure proposal on which we can vote to change our constitution altogether sometime next year. So, we are moving forward on changing our structure, but not in the way I had hoped. I agree that its important to protect the church from legal or financial risk; my hope was, however, that the process could move forward more quickly. I guess this is just life in the institution we call church! Another part of the reimagining we have done together this fall is the work of stewardship. Id like to recognize those who have led the church in reimagining our commitment this year: Michelle Harris-Love, chair, Mike Lloyd, Jason Smith, Andi Sullivan, Marcela Estrada, Kirsten Hancock, and Paul Rosstead. October 28 was commitment Sunday, and I hope all of you have had an opportunity to submit your commitment cards. We had great opportunities this fall to meet in each others homes and various other places and to talk about what stewardship and commitment means to us. God is doing good work here; the life and existence of Calvary Baptist Church is important. We are called to be stewards of that life, to give and support Gods work in this place. Well be moving into the months ahead trying to continue reimagining what our life together can look like. I have to warn you that this will not always be comfortable. I want to encourage you to keep up your courage and your energy for the task at hand. Calvary , God has all of us here for a reasonwe need to move forward into our future together to find out what that might be. Looking forward to walking with you,

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Music Programs
Dr. Cheryl Branham, Director of Music Choir Retreat: What a Great Day! On Saturday, October 27, Calvarys Sanctuary Choir met for three hours of singing at Camp Fraser, as part of the Autumn Leaves church wide retreat. What a fantastic day with these dedicated singers and our guests! All eleven of our members were there, and they contributed delicious snacks for the day. Thanks to Jason Smith and Trey Sullivan for joining us, and to all our guest singers, including Pastor Amy as well as Pastor Ruth who was visiting from El Salvador. As we sang, other Calvary folks enjoyed hiking and other activitiesthey commented on the beauty of our singing as they listened from afar, like an enchanted forest! It was a beautiful day under the leavesthanks to all! 2012 Sing Messiah! Pull out that old score from high school chorus, or borrow one at the door, and join us Friday evening, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Soup Supper is available downstairs in Kendall beginning at 6:00 p.m., and Sanctuary doors open at 7:00 p.m. for seating. Once again well enjoy caroling to warm-up our voices, then well sing Part 1, the Nativity, from Handels Messiah. Calvary Chamber Orchestra and our own soloists are featured. Dont miss it! Check out the gift tree in the narthex while you are here. Christmas Festival Choir Love to sing but cant make that weekly commitment to Sanctuary Choir? No problemFestival Choir is for you! Join us for five Sunday afternoon rehearsals beginning November 11, 1:15 3:00 p.m. in the Music Suite. Well sing a variety of Christmas anthems in worship on December 16. We want YOU to sing with us, so consider yourself cordially invitedall are welcome! Contact Cheryl for info, cbranham@calvarydc.org. Calvary Childrens Choir Music for Kids is back in action this season, every Sunday afternoon in Music Suite, 12:30 1:00 p.m. All children, toddlers through 5th Grade (and beyond!) are welcomewe really appreciate all the terrific parents who participate with us each week, too. Our kids did a super job singing in worship on November 11. Well keep on going so we are ready to sing again on Sunday, December 9parents and teachers, please help our children to arrive in the Sanctuary, looking spiffy and ready to sing at 10:30 a.m. that day. Beginning that day, Music for Kids will take a break through the holidays, resuming on January 6. Bravo, Calvary Childrens Choir, and thank you for adding so much to our worship. Parents and teachers, plan ahead now and mark your 2013 calendar: our next singing dates in worship are Palm Sunday, March 24, and Anniversary Sunday, June 2. We need every child in Music for Kids each Sunday to prepare for these important dates. Thanks again for your support! Looking for a Great Gift Idea? As you know, our Calvary Concert Choir and many talented guests presented a magnificent 150th Gala Anniversary Concert on Friday evening, June 1. We heard the world-premiere of a new piece written by Joshua Coyne, and several colleagues from the Friday Morning Music Club joined us to create a special chamber orchestra. Now you can enjoy this wonderful music again and again! CDs are available for a donation of $10 to Music at Calvary. Be sure to take one home to enjoy, and share a few with friends and family! Thanks for supporting Music at Calvary. Friday Morning Music Club This season, 2012-13, is our second year in partnership with FMMC. Join us Fridays at noon in the Chapel for free concerts presented by FMMC members from around the DC area. No concerts on November 23, December 21 or 28 for holidays. Calvary is proud to be the home of FMMC, now in their 126th season.

Caller Available by Email

Do you have access to email? Would you like to receive the Caller as soon as it is available, in color and save paper and postage at the same time? For more information send an email to prosstead@calvarydc.org. 3

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Letters and Snapshots

09.01.12 Dear Amy, Thank you for your many visits as friend and pastor and for a perfect sermon. Mom [Dee] would not forgive us if we did not thank the wonderful staff at Calvary including Paul, Edgar (for his visits), Jason, Leah, Rich, Cheryl (for her visits), Natalie and Dwayne (for singing), Betty (helping with refreshments), Nancy, and all the others who visited and sang when she was ill. Thank you! Your family in Christ, The Robbins children and family (Brenda, Jack, Gary, and Brooke) 09.24.12 Dear Calvary, Many thanks to my friends at Calvary Baptist for your cards, your calls, your visits, and your prayers during my hospitalization. I returned home on the fifth day and am fully recovered. Sincerely, Jenny Goon 09.28.12 Dear Amy and Congregation, I wanted to thank you for your hospitality to Passport staff and campers this summer. We appreciate your willingness to partner with us to provide our ministry to churches in the area. Our campers, chaperones, and staff are marked and changed by the time spent at your campus. Thank you for the extra effort you made to make this possible for us and the church groups. Peace, Scott Ford Operations Coordinator 10.08.12 To our many friends who have faithfully supported the Baptist World Alliance with annual gifts, I send my personal thanks as well on behalf of those who have benefitted from your generosity over the years. Thank you for your sacrifices for the global Baptist family. We are grateful. Sincerely, Dr. Neville Callam General Secretary, Baptist World Alliance Retreat goers roast marshmallows and enjoy smores and campfire songs at Camp Fraser, Friday, October 26. Calvary Youth work on a Sunday school chart comparing the early Church with the present Church, Sunday, October 17. Brian McLaren talks about interfaith dialogue at Calvary, Thursday, September 13.

David, Dee Dee, Luk and the youth group make brownies and cookies for the Calvary Womens Shelter, Sunday, September 23.

Amy, Kathleen, Isaiah, Julie, Andi, Trey, and Sam relax at the Autumn Leaves retreat at Camp Fraser, Friday, October 26. Ruthie, Mayra, Rachel, Isaiah, and Christian show their artwork at Camp Fraser, Saturday, October 27.

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Letters and Snapshots

Pastor Amy welcomes retreat goers to Camp Fraser and discusses Calvarys season of Re-imagining, Saturday, October 27. 10.09.12 Paul and Jason, Thank you so much for helping City Year while we were at Calvary this week. You were both ready to lend a hand whenever we needed anything, and I am so grateful for your hospitality and kindness. I appreciate how accommodating you were and your willingness to help. I am so glad we were at Calvary for the conference! Best, Jane Horstmann Curriculum and Learning Manager, City Year 10.09.12 Dear Amy, Thank you so much for being a gracious host for our [City Year] corps this week. A number of them remarked how inspired they were after hearing about how inclusive Calvary is. Your staff was incredibly kind and accommodating and our corps was able to learn so much in two days. We appreciate you contributing to the success of our corps as they go on to lead our citys youth. Thank you, Jeff Franco Executive Director, City Year 10.22.12 Dear Calvary Family, We have pulled off our third successful yard sale. Thanks to everyone who contributed great items to sell and supplies, and thanks to all volunteers who helped sell items and pack up at the end. A special thanks goes to those who helped with a bear of a set up. We had proceeds of $2000 go to the Shalom Scholarship Fund and we were able to reach our goal of $10,000 for this fund. Thanks, Gretchen White 10.31.12 Dear friends at Calvary, We have heard a little about the tremendous damages of the hurricane Sandy in NJ and NY; we do not have much news here, but we are thinking and praying for you, that the Lord protects you and keeps you safe. Please keep in contact with us, we love you think about you always. In Jesus Love, Heber and Lidia E. Romero Missionary family in Cuba 5

Cheryl leads the choir in an outdoor rehearsal at the Autumn Leaves retreat at Camp Fraser, Saturday, October 27. Andi, Rachel, and Kathleen assemble colorful magazine pieces for the Reimagine Calvary tree art project, Saturday, October 27. Members present their 2013 financial commitments and attach leaves with their names to the Re-imagine tree, Sunday, October 28. Jason, Pastor Amy, and Pastor Edgar welcome Rev. Ruth Orantes, pastor of Shekina Baptist Church in El Salvador, to Calvary, Sunday, October 28. Calvary children call on the congregation to donate canned food to the Johenning Center Thanksgiving project for families in need, Sunday, November 4.

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Calvary Caller

Update on the Alliance of Baptists

Carol Blythe, President, Alliance of Baptist To keep faith with our organizing covenant Alliance of Baptists are committed to pursuing justice with and for those who are oppressed. As part of that commitment, this last spring, the Alliance of Baptists endorsed the Faithful Budget campaign which encourages Congress to consider the poor and voiceless in making decision on the federal budget. You can read more at www.faithfulbudget.org. To see other statements adopted at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Alliance of Baptists go to: www.allianceofbaptists.org/learn/about/ statements. The model the Alliance of Baptists follows for mission work is to partner with people doing ministry and mission. As a result, Alliance of Baptists have partnerships with organizations or churches in Cuba, Zimbabwe, El Salvador as well as other places in the US and around the world. Our partners are often groups who were kicked out of local Baptist organizations because they ordained women or because they worked ecumenically. You can read more about mission partners at: www.allianceofbaptists.org/learn/missions Calvary Baptist benefits by cooperating through the Alliance of Baptists in ministry and mission with other progressive Baptist churches committed to inclusivity, partnership in mission, women in ministry, and social justice. In 2013, the Alliance will roll out a new web site with a social media component (AllianceConnect) so individuals and congregations separated by geography can more easily communicate with each other people will be able to share ideas for worship or curriculum resources and all from a progressive Baptist perspective. Plan now to attend the Alliance Convocation and Annual Meeting April 5-7, 2013 and learn more about AllianceConnect! With a new structure adopted a couple of years ago, the Alliance provides space for grass-roots groups to organize into communities. Calvary members could sound a call for a community on an issue or project and work with other Alliance congregations and members who share that passion. Read more at: www.allianceofbaptists.org/learn/about/communities. Calvary can continue to impact the Alliance with our financial support, of course, but more importantly working in partnership with other different kinds of Baptists both in the US and around the world, we can raise our clear voice to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and the calling of God to all people to repentance and faith, reconciliation and hope, social and economic justice.

Mission Board Immigration Efforts, 2013

Liubov Russell, Mission Board Immigration reform is a topic dear to the hearts of many at Calvary. Calvary's emigration Reform Working Group has visited the U.S. Congress twice in 2012 and met with Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) and his Chief of Staff. In 2013, the group is planning to continue their advocacy efforts directed at members of Congress, and will continue to raise awareness in attempts to change the legal procedures and to improve the working conditions for millions of immigrants to the United States. Please be in touch with Liubov Russell, Carol Blythe, Pastor Edgar, and Jason Smith for more information.

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Calvary Caller

Support the 2013 Budget

Kenneth Butler, Chairman, Board of Trustees At the Calvary Baptist Church Annual Business Meeting on January 27, 2013, you will be asked to vote on the 2013 budget AND approve an additional draw from the churchs Endowment accounts. What does this really mean, an additional draw from the churchs Endowment? Under our Constitution we are granted the right to draw down up to 5% of our endowment to support our churchs mission. The additional draw above and beyond that amount is what you will be voting on at the Annual Business Meeting. The Trustees strongly recommend that you support this motion! Without this additional draw we will have to severely curtail our mission in downtown Washington and to the greater Washington area. Significant program cuts and staff reduction will be necessary and the resources may not be there to provide even basic maintenance to our building infrastructure. Many of you have heard about my concern about the level of drawdown we have been making to the Endowment and that for the long term interests of Calvary we need to reduce that amount to at least the 5% draw level. To that end, the Trustees at its meeting on October 14, 2012, unanimously supported a balanced budget that would keep the Endowment draw level slightly below the projected total draw for 2012. I believe that this year is only the calm before the storm. Major budget decisions are going to have to be made before the end of 2013 that will put our Church and our budget on a long term glide path to fiscal health. Again, we urge the congregation to support the 2013 budget and the additional draw from the Endowment that will be necessary to support Calvarys mission.

The Womens Missionary Society needs your Sheets!

Claudia Moore, Member, WMS The Womens Missionary Society for Calvary chooses a White Cross/Church World Service project each year to support needs in developing countries. This year we have been asked to make bandages for hospital patients in the Congo. To do this we need your old, worn sheets. Since we will be tearing them into 3 inch strips, we can work around the holes. Strips are joined together and rolled into a 10 yard length. Softer sheets make softer bandages. We can use contours and pillow cases too. Sheets may be left in the office but marked for WMS. Many food containers now carry the Boxtops for Education squares which can be cut out to help schools in need. Please put these squares into an envelope and in the WMS mailbox and we will see that they have a good home.

Congratulations to Rev. Lynn Bergfalk

On Sunday, November 11, Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church honored the 40th anniversary of Pastor Lynns Ordination to the Christian Ministry. We celebrate with Wisconsin Avenue this milestone of ministry and are grateful for Rev. Bergfalks leadership at Calvary.

Board of Trustees Update

Kenneth Butler, Chairman, Board of Trustees "In accordance with Standing Resolution 56, paragraph 3c, the Board of Trustees announced at the October quarterly business meeting that they will be recommending a withdrawal of additional funds from the Endowment to support the future growth and life of the church. The exact amount will be determined when the Budget for 2013 is finalized and presented for approval at the Annual Business Meeting in January 2013."

Annual Business Meeting

Plan now to attend the Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, January 27, 2013. As announced by the Board of Trustees at the October 28, 2012 Quarterly Business Meeting, they will recommend a withdrawal of additional funds from the endowment to support the future growth and life of the church.

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Calvary Caller

New Member Spotlight!

A native North Carolinian and ordained Baptist minister, Rev. Dr. Ridgeway Addison, M.Div., Ph.D., has worn a number of hats since arriving in the Washington, D.C. area in 1999. Currently living in Takoma Park, MD, Ridgeway was extremely excited when a recent job change this past summer allowed him time to begin visiting Calvary Baptist Church over the summer and ultimately to join this faith community as a full member this fall. Having spent the last four academic years serving Georgetowns Law and Medical schools as the Universitys first full-time Protestant Chaplain, Ridgeway began a new faculty role as Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Studies. Besides allowing him the chance to bring his doctoral training and pastoral experience to bear in his classroom work teaching theology, spirituality and ethics to both undergraduate and graduate students, Ridgeway was provided the opportunity he has not had in the last 22 years: to share worship, dialogue, fellowship, service and fun with a congregation that he was not vocationally called to shepherd. He is so thankful for the hospitality and creativity he has experienced thus far within Calvary Baptist churchs spiritual family. Ridgeway is a recently re-committed long-distance runner and long time tennis player and ultimate Frisbee enthusiast and always open to his moon-walk technique. Whos up for a challenge?

Gods Will is Our Mission

Rev. Edgar Palacios, Associate Pastor of Christian Education The year 2012 is coming to a close and 2013 is right at the door. Time passes swiftly and leaves its marks on our lives. Time is an excellent teacher. We gain wisdom from the passing of time and use its lessons to pave our way into the future. As followers of Jesus, one criterion is constant: Gods will. But what is Gods will? God's will is for all human beings to have life and have it abundantly. God wants us to live in peace as brothers and sisters and without abuse. Gods peace is lived out when people are governed by equitable laws for the economy, society, environment, and politics. Gods will is the Churchs mission In considering the steps we have taken as a congregation, we can affirm that according to our understanding of mission and possibilities, we have tried to live out Gods will. We have created opportunities for service to the poor, ministries for just causes, and touched families with Gods love through our testimony. We feel a sense of satisfaction and joy when we see others experience Gods grace and mercy. But we also feel a sense of failure in meeting the demands of this world and sharing consolation and reconciliation. The future is uncertain, and we do not control it, but with hope and faith we walk forward. Starting off with our congregational gifts given to us by God, understanding the social context in which we are located, and using our imagination to better utilize our human and material resources through organization, step by step with humility and trembling, we achieve Gods will. Through Jesus, we want to create a new people, a new family, and a new church recreated by God through the Holy Spirit.

Sunday School Membership Series: To Be a Member Means

Rev. Leah Grundset Davis, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life For six weeks during Sunday school well cover some topics about church membership. Why does Calvary even have membership? What does it mean to become a member? What does it mean to be Baptist? Why do we commit our time and gifts in this place? Join us as we ponder some of the roots of church and look at what it means for us to be followers of Jesus at Calvary in 2013. Contact Pastor Leah with any questions. January 6: January 13: January 20: January 27: February 3: February 10: 12 To be a member means coming to faith in Jesus Christ To be a member means baptism To be a member means seeking Gods direction and pursuing a personal life of faith To be a member means I give of my money to support the vision To be a member means we practice inclusivity and diversity (and its not always easy) To be a member means we practice service as discipleship

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Calvary Caller

Mission and Christian Education Boards

Carol Blythe, Chair, Mission Board Autumn Mission & Christian Education programs include the ongoing English as a Second Language & Conversation Partners program (speak to Myra Houser). Downtown Social Club began meeting again in September this program for patients from St. Elizabeths Hospital meets the first and third Thursday each month speak to Carol Blythe if you are interested in volunteering. The Womens Missionary Society also began meeting in September after a summer break. Washington Interfaith Network Calvary will help sign up DC voters as WIN voters later this fall -- Please speak to Yolanda Appiah-Kubi for more information. Shalom Scholarship as announced at the October quarterly meeting, the yard sale put us over the top of our goal for 2012 we have raised over $10,000! Thanks to all who donated. Special Thanks to Roberto Reyes & his team who prepared another wonderful meal for our Shalom Dinner in September and Special Thanks to Gretchen White who coordinate the Yard Sale in October. In addition, thanks to Courtney Rice who raised additional money for the yard sale by infusing us all with her passion for C.A. Earlier in the year Susan Sevier coordinated the concert on Good Friday which raised funds for this scholarship. These folks, along with many of you, have made it possible for our Shalom Scholars to continue their education in 2013. Forum on Food for All! was held on Sunday, October 21 after church. Rick Goodman, Jessica Lynd and Myra Houser provided an informative program. Rick challenged us to think of doing justice to eradicate poverty as one way to solve problems of hunger. Jessica shared an amazing program on her research on genetically engineered food and how that has affected hunger issues internationally. Myra shared important information on current advocacy campaigns by Bread for the World. We also were pleased to hear from Katie Harvey about the good work she is doing with local gardens for KidPower. Opportunities for Giving: We will be collecting food for Thanksgiving Baskets through November 18 for the Johenning Center, a community center in SE DC operated by DCBC. Please bring your non-perishable gifts to the boxes in the Church Office before November 18. In addition, we will have an Alternative Giving Tree during November and December. You can bring gifts for homeless men at Christ House, homeless women at Calvary Womens Shelter, homeless children at S.O.M.E. and children at our sister church, Shalom Baptist this Christmas season. We will have suggestions available following worship beginning November 4. Or we will do the shopping for you if you wish to donate cash! You can then share an ornament or nice card (made by our youth) with a friend or family as your gift to them during this Christmas season. At the October Quarterly meeting, we also announced to the congregation that the boards have approved guidelines for a post-graduate mentorship program for Shalom scholars. The group from the 2011 mission trip felt it would be wise to complement the Shalom Scholarship program with some kind of mentorship or postgraduate fellowship program to deepen the experience of the existing students in a way that would help them find meaningful employment following college and hopefully the ability to giveback to the scholarship program. This will be initially funded from part of the Kunkel mission gift. We have named this mentorship program, the Amparo Lopez Palacio and Edgar Palacios Bermudez Mentorship Program in grateful appreciation for the many ways Amparo and Edgar shared the love of God with the people of El Salvador and in gratitude for the many ways they have taught us here at Calvary Baptist Church how to love our God and love our neighbor as ourselves. For as often as you have done it unto the least of these, my sisters and brothers, you have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40 Looking ahead -- on February 2, 2013, Calvary will sponsor a Future Fair. This will be a gathering where high school students can learn about apprenticeship programs, trade schools and other alternatives to college. Edith Miller Scholarship Committee will be meeting soon to decide on applications for the 2013 spring semester.

Direct Debit Available

If you would like to set up a regular automatic payment, contact Paul Rosstead in the Church Office. Contributions can still be made online using your credit card by visiting the Calvary website, www.calvarydc.org, or if you pay your bills online, consider instructing your bank to make a regular payment

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Calvary Caller

On the Calvary Calendar

For current information and additional details regarding Calvary programs and events, visit Calvarys website, calvarydc.org or Calvarys facebook page for our Google Calendar. Offices refers to the Church Offices. December 1 Hanging of the Green 2 Advent 1: Give More 7 Messiah Sing Along 9 Advent 2: Spend Less 16 Advent 3: Worship Fully Festival Choir in worship 23 Advent 4: Love All Latino Christmas Dinner 24 Christmas Eve Worship 25 Christmas Day, Offices Closed through January 2 January 6 Epiphany of the Lord 13 First Sunday after Epiphany 20 Second Sunday after Epiphany 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Inauguration Day, public ceremonies, Offices Closed 27 Third Sunday after Epiphany Annual Business Meeting, 50 Year and new members recognized February 3 Fourth Sunday After Epiphany 10 Transfiguration Sunday Chinese New Year Parade 13 Ash Wednesday Lenten Lunch 1 17 First Sunday In Lent 18 20 24 27 Presidents Day, Offices Closed Lenten Lunch 2 Second Sunday in Lent Lenten Lunch 3

March 3 Third Sunday in Lent 6 Lenten Lunch 4 10 Fourth Sunday in Lent Daylight Savings Time Ends 13 Lenten Lunch 5 17 Fifth Sunday in Lent 20 Lenten Lunch 7 24 Palm Sunday 28 Maundy Thursday 31 Easter

Winter Birthdays
December 1 Jos Gonzlez Ray Toense 2 Luke ThomasCanfield 4 Kevin Culbertson 5 Cheryl Branham Mary Burton Emilia Lopez-Arias 6 Roger Wray 8 Kay Anderson Keyon Cannon Maha Hassan Randy Jeter 9 Carrie Davis 10 Josephine Samuel 11 Sarah Leismer 13 Tom Vanaskie 14 Tiffany Cain 16 Wyatt Harvey 17 Patrick Cline Slater 19 Deborah Hoxie 20 Ruziel Angdisen Bich Nguyen 22 Marilyn Edwards Angela Shrader 23 Hope Britt Nancy Garabito Brian Nielsen 24 Edwin Reyes 25 Denise Davenport Sabrina Jawed 14 Joyce Topper 26 Wally Shipp 27 Diana Culbertson 28 Erwin-Luis Eusebio Ye Mon Min Charles Pritchard 29 Jos Guandique January 3 Dwayne Pinkney 4 Bryon Jolley Chuck Russell 7 Raimundo Barreto 8 Julie LaFave Barbara Stone 9 Amanda Butler Doris Vermilya 13 Thit Htoo Al Nielsen 14 Mark Marshall 16 Rohan Thomas 17 Zung Zung Lagwi Dorothy Shipp 18 Helen Jenkins Cynthia Sunde 20 Virginia Foster Laura Lee Leigh Mayfield 23 Dorothy Lohse Benjamin Rogers 25 Gwendolyn Haywood Lung Lung Lagwi Dorothy Robson Phillip Rynes William Sammons Vivian Varner Chase Butler Rosa Arakelian Roberto Reyes Doris Hugus Wetein Hassan Quinton Dennard Jones Lorraine Harris Cruz 11 DiDi Maran Sorda Tejada 13 Earl Drescher Eddie Lin Danyelle Robinson Gloria Sain Shunda Saunders 14 Al Jeter Truman Robinson 15 Ronald Chin Helon Drescher Keevin Lewis 16 Roger Chin 17 Amanda Boxer 18 Jamie Mills 20 Amy Butler Therese Crowther 22 Caio Cesar Silva Barreto 23 Vivian Nielsen 24 Ben Bergfalk Susana Gomz Jos Guandique Bao Nguyen 25 Chris Copeland Rena Mary Jirack 26 Susan Sevier Michael Slater Elizabeth St. Clair 28 Demy Angdisen Morgan Caruthers

27 28 29 30

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February 1 Mine Thang Susan Wood 2 Jessie Blaine Lyla Fitzgerald Mayra Rivas James Thein 3 John Alves 4 Thidar Myint 5 Adam Hoffer 6 Delida Girn 8 Kim Humphrey 9 Maya Harvey Isaura Martinez Connell Wise 10 Karla Fahey Nancy McKenney Dante Vsquez-

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Advent Conspiracy, 2012

Rev. Leah Grundset Davis, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life Advent Theme: We all want our Christmas to be a lot of things. Full of joy. Memories. Happiness. Above all, we want it to be about Jesus. What we dont want is stress. Or debt. Or feeling like we missed the moment. Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering. But doing this means doing things a little differently. A little creatively. Sundays, November 11-December 9 Festival Choir Rehearsals Join us as we learn music to sing in worship on December 16. Rehearsals 1:15-3 p.m. in the Music Suite. Contact: Cheryl. Sunday, November 25 All-Church Advent Wreath Making in the Chapel at 9:45a.m. (reservation required to make a wreath, all are welcome to join us for breakfast!). Contact: Pastor Leah Saturday, December 1 Hanging of the Green. Come decorate Calvary for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Meet in the Sanctuary and well decorate from 1-5 p.m. Contact: Cheryl Sunday, December 2-Sunday December 23 Sunday School Series, Advent Conspiracy. 9:45 a.m. in the Library. Contact: Pastor Leah Sunday, December 2 First Sunday of Advent: The Sunday of Hope. Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully. Worship, 11a.m. in the Sanctuary. Friday, December 7 Messiah Sing and Church Dinner. Soup supper at 6 p.m. in Kendall hall followed by a Messiah Sing in the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. Well also have our Angel Tree, where you can buy alternative gifts and support many local ministries. Contact: Cheryl Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent: The Sunday of Peace. Advent Conspiracy: Give More. Worship, 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Sunday, December 16 Third Sunday of Advent: The Sunday of Joy. Advent Conspiracy: Spend Less. Festival Choir, Children and Youth in worship. 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Sunday, December 23 Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Sunday of Love. Advent Conspiracy: Love All. Sunday, December 23 Latino Fellowship Christmas Party and Worship, 6 p.m. in the Chapel. Contact: Pastor Edgar Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve. Worship at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, Reception with cookies and cider before and after in Woodward Hall. Want to participate in the live nativity? Contact: Jason Tuesday, December 25. Christmas Day. God with us has come! Sunday, December 30 First Sunday of Christmas. Doing Christmas Differently: Our Stories. Worship at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

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In grateful response to God's love, I/we would like to make the following commitment of my/our time, abilities, and resources in Christ's work through Calvary Baptist Church: Pledge Amount: $ ___________
Monthly

$ ___________
Weekly

$___________
Other

(This commitment will continue until changed by notification to the Church Treasurer.)

I/we would appreciate monthly weekly no offering envelopes. I/we would like to set up an automatic credit card charge direct debit. Name(s):
(Please Print)

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

_____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Date

Address:

Signature(s):

___________________________________
Date

Weneedyourprayers.Weneedyourparticipation.Andweneedyourcommitment. Thankyouforyourgenerousgivingandwillingnesstoserve.

Calvary Caller

Rev. Dr. Amy K. Butler, Senior Pastor Harold L. Ritchie, Editor Emeritus Paul Rosstead, Church Administrator Jason Smith, Ministry Assistant 202-347-8355; Fax: 202-347-6360 www.calvarydc.org Published Quarterly POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Calvary Caller Calvary Baptist Church & Congregation 755 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 Winter 2012

Calvary Baptist Church

NONPROFIT AUTO U.S. POSTAGE PAID WASHINGTON, DC PERMIT No. 2482