Volume XVI, Issue 5

Winter 2011-2012

Advent 2011: People, Look East!

Advent is all about expectation. Were waiting for somethingfor God, specifically, to show up and to show us salvation and peace, all the things our hearts long for in the deepest sense of the words. This Advent were looking East, led by the Advent carol: People, look East, and sing to-day, Love the Lord is on the way. People Look East is a powerful call to wait in expectation. From ancient times the Church has faced east to pray. Church Father Origen wrote that praying with our faces turned East symbolizes the soul looking towards where the true light rises. Whether literally or symbolically, the Church has generally faced east to pray, in anticipation of the coming of the Lord. Our lectionary passages this Advent speak of expectationthe fear of the unknown and the desperate longing for the coming of God. People, Look East! We wait in expectation of a Savior!

Winter 2012 Themes for Worship

The Rules of Improv January 8-February 19 The Rules of Improv: A Guide to Life in Christian Community. We begin a series Sunday, January 8, that will take us through Epiphany, during which we use some of the rules of improvisational acting to examine the lectionary texts and learn about how we might live more intentionally in Christian community. Well explore how the classical rules of improv might be helpful as we build Christian community: January 8, Fill in the Blanks January 15, Anything is Possible January 22, Take Action January 29, Focus on the Here and Now February 5, Change, Change, Change February 12, Characters and Relationships February 19, Always Support Promises, Promises February 22-April 1 Lent begins early this year, with Ash Wednesday falling on February 22. In addition to joining us at noon on Ash Wednesday for imposition of ashes to begin the season of Lent, our times of worship will help us explore the idea of covenant. What promises do we make to God? What promises does God make to us? As we consider spiritual disciplines and reflections of Lent, we will explore Gods promises in the Hebrew lectionary texts. Join us during Lent as we discover the promises we make with God in our lives.

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Calvary Caller

From Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Amy Butler

Calvary Youth
Jason Smith

Cancel Worship Christmas? Never!

for

This year, December 25, Christmas Day, falls on a Sunday. The church office has already had several people ask if we will be canceling church that day and the following week on New Years Day. Our answer is always, Never! While many are under the impression that Christmas morning is mainly about sitting around in your pajamas opening presents, its actually the day we mark the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember? Rather than worry about a Sunday worship service interfering with plans for sitting around in pajamas, this year we get the opportunity to join our church family and worship together on one of the holiest days of the church year. Join us for three special worship celebrations over the Christmas holidays. Christmas Eve Worship 6:00 p.m., Music for Christmas; Worship, 7:30 p.m. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., well gather for beautiful music. At 6:45 p.m. cookies and cider will be served in Woodward Hall as we prepare for worship and our annual Calvary live nativity. Worship begins at 7:30, with carols and story, and our littlest angels all dressed up. Please join us, and bring your family and friends. Christmas Morning Worship 11:00 a.m in Sanctuary Join us Christmas morning for a traditional, family service of Lessons and Carols. Our kids will worship with us as we celebrate the birth of a Savior! New Years Day Worship 11:00 a.m in Sanctuary New Years Day falls on a Sunday this year, too, and well worship all together in the sanctuary that day. Dont stay up too late on New Years Eve, and join us to start the year off right. Heres wishing you a wonderful Season of Advent and Christmas with your family.

Calvarys Youth group is looking forward to an exciting end of 2011 and beginning to 2012 In December, we are looking forward to our Christmas Party where well participate in a white elephant gift exchange and spend an evening in fellowship together. Closer to Christmas, the youth will assist with gift wrapping at Christ House. During the Spring 2012, we will continue to meet after worship for lunch and fellowship. Maybe you have an idea for a special project for the youth or would like to provide one of our meals on Sunday, come talk to me after worship or send me an email. I welcome your support and input. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to spend part of my week as a ministry assistant mentoring the youth. I am very proud of their active participation in the community and the energy they bring to our community. I appreciate their willingness to serve on Children and Youth Sunday, which coincided with Stewardship Sunday on October 23, and for their Potato Chips act in Calvarys Got Talent, as seen in the photo below.

Annual Business Meeting

Plan now to attend the Annual Business Meeting on Sunday, January 22, 2012. As announced by the Board of Trustees at the October 30, 2011 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

Moderators Column
Amy Dale, Calvary Moderator

This is my last Caller article to you as Moderator. I sincerely thank the congregation for your support of me and your confidence in my leadership over these past three years. Some of you knew that I was reluctant to become Vice Moderator, but was happy to serve under Kevin Hagans term as Moderator. When Kevins wife became pastor at a local congregation, Kevin decided to move his membership in support of his wifes church. As a result, after only a year as Vice Moderator, I (reluctantly) became Moderator. I have not done it alone... Thanks to all for your contribution to Calvary. I know that every single person in the congregation has taken a part in the ongoing success of our church. You have each stepped up to the plate and helped with welcoming new members, setting up for luncheons, coordinating events, leading worship, participating in small groups, teaching Sunday School, cooking meals, visiting members, balancing the budget, and other numerous volunteer opportunities that are too vast to list here. Additionally, special thanks to the church staff. They always say that theyre just doing their job, but each one of them has gone the extra mile on many occasions to make sure the doors are open, people feel loved, worship goes smoothly, and the day to day activities of the church go off without a hitch. I am honored to be Calvarys Moderator. Help me wish the in-coming Moderator much respect, many blessings, and immense love. Thank you, Calvary! Peace, Amy Dale

150 Years of Proclaiming the Gospel

Rev. Edgar Palacios Calvary is turning 150 in 2012, and 150 years is a long journey. Within this time, several generations have been weaned. They have worked to make present the Kingdom of God within their time periods and present and future generations will benefit from their efforts. For us who dwell in the present, we are tasked with laying hold of this heritage and must become acquainted with our historical and cultural context and with our own way of living out Christian faith and proclaiming the Gospel. Calvarys heritage is centered upon Jesus Christ and his kingdom. In this way Jesus life brings with it both personal and global transformation. We began as an abolitionist congregation, rejecting slavery as a basis for economic production and believed it to be a contradiction of the Gospel and the notion of equality in humanity. Our grandiose history has been for the glory of God. Now, it is our turn to be living stones of Calvary as it says in Luke 19:40. We cannot simply reflect profoundly on this legacy, but we must start planning toward the future. But we must ask, how do we proclaim the Gospel in a world filled with violence, war, climate change, and social injustice? The challenge is big and the temptation to ignore the world is intense. Each generation is tasked with being loyal and trusting in Jesus Christ and the cause of Gods Kingdom. It is difficult to swim against the stream and we are called to work against hate and violence. However, we are called to dream the impossible. We all play important roles and we can all contribute with God toward creating a better world. God wants us to contribute to proclaiming Gods society Our world has a terminal illness: every day there is more inequality and destruction of nature. Military and economic forces impose themselves on the legal structures. More attention is placed on patriotic pride than love or reason. It is our job to plant seeds amidst this desert, to give water to the thirsty, and to become part of the people of God with other faith traditions. Calvary is called to be a church that is a servant, a prophet, a missionary, and an educator. We are called to serve the One who gives us peace. 3

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Calvary Caller

Letters
October 10 Dear Jason, JoJo, Paul, and Pastor Butler, Thank you for all of the hard work everyone at Calvary put in to help Sixth & I with our High Holiday services. We really appreciate all of your time and effort, without which our services would not have made such a positive impact on our community. Thanks Again, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Esther Foer, Shira Stutman, Anne Lumerman, David Goldstein, Allison Adges, Hannah Orenstein

A Season of Celebration
Ruth Speyer Calvarys 150 anniversary celebration continues! We enjoyed several events during the Fall: a special worship service to mark the start of a new church year Sunday, September 11; a high school honor choir festival in partnership with the Friday Morning Music Club (did you know that they now present their Friday noontime concerts at Calvary?); a fun-filled familyoriented Halloween Carnival; and a stimulating lecture series from New Testament scholar and professor Dr. Todd Still. Thanks to all who helped to make these events a success, and thanks to all who attended. We hope you can join us for the following Winter season events in celebration of Calvarys 150 years. Please feel free to invite friends and guests. 1. Sing Messiah Friday, December 2, 7:30 p.m. Bring your score or borrow one at the door and join soloists, organ, and chamber orchestra for the Nativity portion of Handels Messiah.

October 31 Dear Amy, I want to thank you for your churchs gracious hospitality extended to our Chinese guests during their visit to Washington for the China Bible Ministry Exhibition earlier this fall. I know they enjoyed worshipping at Calvary. I am sure that time of fellowship will be a highlight of their visit here. Wesley Seminary is deeply grateful to all the Washington area pastors and parishioners who assisted us in hosting the China Bible Ministry Exhibition and attendant guests. Your gracious help and hospitality were especially appreciated. Sincerely, David McAllister-Wilson

2. Christmas Eve at Calvary Saturday, December 24 6:00 p.m. Music for Christmas in the Sanctuary 6:45 p.m. Cider & Cookies in Woodward Hall 7:30 p.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 3. MLK Day of Service: Family Place, Adams Morgan Monday, January 16 Join in this national day of service. More details to follow. 4. An Evening with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Saturday, February 11 6:00 p.m. Hors doeuvres and conversation; 7:00 p.m. Lecture and discussion on the rights and well being of the worlds refugees.

Board of Trustees Update

Phil Renfrow "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 2012 is finalized and presented for approval at the Annual Business Meeting in January 2012."

Winter 2011-2012

Calvary Caller

Mission Board Update

Carol Blythe Goodman Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) Calvarys WIN Group is working on immigration reform at both the federal and local level. In addition, we are part of the project to support play space in downtown DC. We also continue our efforts to find partners for Camp Fraser. Yolanda Appiah-Kubi is planning two house meetings in November here at church to inform members about WIN efforts on housing and employment. Please plan to attend the meetings to learn more about WIN and its efforts to provide more moderate and low-income housing as well as to encourage the DC government to issue contracts to businesses that pledge to hire DC residents. We have committed to bringing 75 to 100 people to a WIN action meeting on Monday, December 5 so please mark your calendars and join us that day to support WIN efforts on housing and employment. Downtown Social Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday from 10 a.m.until 1 p.m.. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Carol Blythe. We always welcome toiletries and small prizes for bingo games! . Shalom ScholarshipAs of print time, the current balance in our scholarship fund is close to $9,000 we are hopeful we can again raise $10,000 in 2011. Edith Miller ScholarshipApplications were received in November for scholarships for the spring semester. Laura Lee is chairing the scholarship committee, so please speak to her if you have any questions. Looking aheadCalvary collects several special offerings during the next few months. On November 6 and 13 we collected donations for the National Capital Area Mission Offering, a special offering that supports DCBC mission projects. On November 27 and December 4 we will collect the Retired Ministers and Missionaries offering. This is a special offering through ABC-USA which supports retired ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses with emergency financial needs. The remaining funds are then distributed as a thank you gift the following year. On December 18, 25 and January 1 we will collect the Christmas Offering for foreign mission and ministry projects. Undesignated gifts will be given 1/2 to the World Mission Offering of ABC-USA, 1/4 to the Alliance of Baptists Bridges of Hope Offering and 1/4 to the CBF Global Mission Offering.

Membership Rededication Sunday

Rev. Leah Grundset Annual Membership Rededication Sunday is on January 22, 2012. Join us as we recommit ourselves as members of Calvary. When we joined the church, we committed to membership and committed ourselves to supporting the church through our presence, our money, our time and by listening for the voice of God to see where we might be called to next. On this Membership Rededication Sunday, we recommit ourselves all over again to being disciples and church members at Calvary. In morning worship, we will have a membership rededication ritual. Following worship, well gather for our Annual Business Meeting in Woodward Hall to Celebrate Our Life Together where we will also recognize our 50 Year Members and New Members. You wont want to miss this exciting milestone during our 150 Anniversary Year!

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.

Winter 2011-2012

Calvary Caller

Music Department
Cheryl Branham

Calvary Presents Sing Messiah! Mark your calendar now for Friday, December 2, when we turn the tables and the concert AUDIENCE becomes the CHOIR! Our church Christmas party begins at 6:00 p.m. in Kendall Hall. Enjoy a meal and cookie decoration with your Calvary friends. Sing Messiah begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, and will include Handels immortal Messiah, Part I, the Nativity. Calvary section leadersNatalie, Susan, Dwayne and Rameenwill sing the solos. Bring your own score or borrow one at the door. Free admission, but donations are appreciated and will support Calvarys 150 Anniversary Season of Celebration. Please give generously to support Calvarys special programs. Friends and family are welcome. Kids of all ages are welcomeolder kids can sing along and childcare will be available. Music for Kids: Calvary Childrens Choir Parents and teachers, be sure to help all our young ones find their way up to G3 each Sunday after worship. Mr. C, Rameen Chaharbaghi, leads Music for Kids as we magically become Calvary Childrens Choir and singing in worship on December 11. We have some wonderful songs to learn, so dont miss one day of the music and fun. Music for Kids, each Sunday on G3, 12:301:00 p.m. Its that time again: Festival Choir Love to sing but cant make a weekly commitment? Festival Choir is for you! Join us after worship, each Sunday in November and December, 12:301:30 p.m. in the Music Suite. We are preparing music by John Tavener, John Rutter, a Gwyneth Walker setting of a famous Appalachian carol, and a Peter Hallock setting of Psalm 95. Excellent music to celebrate the sacred season, during our 150 season! All are welcome as we prepare to sing in worship on December 18. Childcare is available, so stick around to sing with us! Advent at Calvary: People Look East! Advent begins a new liturgical season of worship. Be sure to join us each Sunday at 10:50 a.m. in the Sanctuary for caroling as we gather for worship at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hanging of the Green, with lunch People look east, the time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. On this day before Advent begins, we need all hands on deck since many hands make light work! Do your part to help us install some beautiful garlands, wreaths and other arrangements of the season in our worship space. First Sunday of Advent, November 27, the Day of Hope. Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, the Day of Peace. Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, the Day of Joy. Children and Youth will lead in worship. Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, the Day of Love. Calvarys Festival Choir sings in worship. Christmas at Calvary Christmas Eve Worship: Saturday, December 24 Join us for a special program of Holiday Music at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Then well have a break for a cider and cookie reception in Woodward Hall and return to the Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. for our annual Christmas Eve Worship with a live nativity. Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25 Its a rare thing to worship on Christmas Sunday, so be sure to join us for caroling at 10:50 a.m., then a traditional Service of Lessons and Carols at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. No Sunday school Christmas Day. New Years Day: Sunday, January 1, 2012 And its rare to worship on New Years Day too! Well continue our celebration of Christmas and enjoy one final day of caroling at 10:50 a.m. followed by worship at 11:00 a.m. No Sunday school New Years Day.

Winter 2011-2012

Calvary Caller

Reflections: Calvary Travels to El Salvador

Ashley Dalton In October, 14 Calvary members and friends spent a week in San Salvador and other areas in El Salvador on a mission to learn more about the country, its people, and its challenges. Our group was led by Pastor Edgar Palacios, with Amparo Palacios Lopez as guide and Xochitl Palacios organizing the trip on the El Salvador end. When we began attending Calvary in 2010, we were impressed by the diversity of this church. Although I did not know much about the ministry of Pastor Edgar, I was intrigued by what brought him and so many from El Salvador to Calvary. This was one of the reasons I decided to travel to El Salvador with Calvary. In El Salvador, we heard from Pastor Edgar and his friend, the Lutheran Bishop Gomez, how pushing the government in El Salvador to respect human rights, recognize the needs of the poor, and stop killing their own people, landed them on an assassination list of names of religious leaders, and human rights and peace activists the Salvadoran Army would prefer to see dead than alive. Pastor Edgar was warned that he was in danger, and was able to get out of harms way. Only a few days later, six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were murdered in cold blood by members of the Salvadoran Army, the same forces looking for Pastor Edgar. The horror of this became real for us when he took us to the Romero Center on the campus of Universidad Centroamericana, site of the murders. We also saw the violence and the

suffering inflicted on the citizens of El Salvador when we visited the site of the massacre at El Mozote and the Museum of the Revolutionaries, both in the Department of Morazn. We saw the repression in the form of social injustice and poverty still faced by those who live in marginal zones and rural areas and the babies fighting for their lives in the overcrowded National Maternity Hospital. Pastor Edgar also showed us a hopeful El Salvador, though. Yes, we saw the violence. We saw the hatred. We saw the injustices, but through his eyes, and those of his friends, we also saw hope. At the churches of Iglesia Bautista Shalom, Iglesia Bautista Rios de Agua Viva, and Iglesia Bautista Luz y Verdad, we saw hope in the outreach to their communities. Our meetings with the Vice President, the Supreme Court Justice, and Foreign Minister, all fighting to improve the conditions of the people in their country, inspired us. Meeting with Calvarys Shalom Scholars and the students at Centro de Arte y Cultura in Sugundo Montes gave us hope for future generations of El Salvadors children. I think I speak for everyone when I say we were all affected by what we learned about Pastor Edgar. Someone on the trip called him a Living Martyr, and I believe that is an apt description. I am so glad that I had this chance to get to know Pastor Edgar better, but that is not why we were sent to El Salvador. We went to learn the lessons he has to teach usthe lessons about grace, humility, generosity, and forgivenesspeace, justice, equality and especially Gods love. Here in the US, DC and at Calvary, we have so much to learn, and I now know that we have a gift of someone who has so much to teach us. It is our challenge to make sure we are paying attention. 7

Winter 2011-2012

Calvary Caller

Calvarys First Halloween Carnival

On behalf of Caroline Armijo, and Katie Harvey, we would like to give a big THANK YOU to the Calvary church family for all of your help with the carnival on Saturday, October 29. Your cookie donations were plentiful and we continue to enjoy them still. We asked for your help and were blessed with an embarrassment of riches. Thank you for helping make this first Halloween carnival a success with your time, word of mouth and baking talents! Natalie Barrens-Rogers

Calvarys Got Talent 2011

Thanks to all of the gifted adults, youth, children, and other mammals who participated in the Calvary Talent show on Sunday, October 23. We had a wonderful afternoon enjoying the clever acts, and also hearing about the October trip to El Salvador. The talent show also coincided with Stewardship Sunday, so it was a wonderful day of sharing our gifts, our stories, and our love of Calvary! Jason Smith

Winter 2011-2012

Calvary Caller

Welcome, New Members

Paul Rosstead came forward Sunday, October 30, and joins Calvary by letter of transfer. Paul has been deeply active in the work of Calvary long before he became a member. He has served as Calvary's Church Administrator since 2004, and combines his experience in administration, technology, and facilities management with his love for congregations. Before coming to Calvary, he was an active member and staff member at National City Christian Church here in D.C. Paul has been active in the various congregations serving as trustee, elder, deacon, small group coordinator, and youth leader. A native of Pittsburgh, Paul grew up in Ellicott City, Maryland. We are so delighted to welcome Paul as a full member at Calvary! Sara Vernica Lpez came forward during worship on Sunday September 18, and joins Calvary by experience. She is from El Salvador and is trained as a journalist. She currently works at the El Salvadoran embassy. She is grateful to have become friends with so many brothers and sisters at Calvary. Sara has a passion for working with people and seeks to help those who come to the US from Central America and hopes God will use her where she is needed.

Kid Power Bake Sales

Sharing...

our time our money our life in community

We Belong to God
Calvary Financials as
Pledges & Gifts: Other Income: Transferred from Endowment: Total Income: Expenses: Surplus/(Deficit) Actual 2011 $312,382 394,462 234,417 $941,262 $941,262 $0

Kid Power students are focusing their efforts on Orphans and Vulnerable Children living in South Africa. The proceeds of their Cookie Time Bake Sales will be donated to a community of October 31 Budgeted Actual based organization called 2011 2010 Senzakwenzeke. $297,083 $293,217 Senzakwenseke provides access to psychosocial 383,250 347,349 support, educational assistance, child protection, legal and social assistance, food and nutritional 276,896 278,312 support, and referrals for additional assistance including health care. The students goal is too raise $2,500 in five bake sales to support the efforts of $957,229 $918,878 Senzakwenzeke. Upcoming ales will be held $957,229 $917,060 November 20, December 18, January 15, 2012 and February 12. Look for their sidewalk display $0 $1,818

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 to Calvary Baptist Church.

Winter 2011-2012

Calvary Caller

Winter Birthdays
December 1 Jos Gonzlez Ray Toense 2 Luke Thomas-Canfield 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 14 Tiffany Cain 16 Wyatt Harvey 17 Patrick Cline Slater 19 Deborah Hoxie 20 Ruziel Angdisen Jim Gutierrez Nolan Meier Bich Nguyen 22 Marilyn Edwards Angela Shrader 23 Hope Britt Nancy Garabito Brian Nielsen 24 Edwin Reyes 25 Denise Davenport Joyce Topper 26 Wally Shipp 27 Diana Culbertson 28 Erwin-Luis Eusebio Ye Mon Min Charles Pritchard 29 Jos Guandique January 2 Laura Lee 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 Leigh Mayfield 23 Dorothy Lohse Benjamin Rogers 25 Gwendolyn Haywood Lung Lung Lagwi Dorothy Robson Phillip Rynes William Sammons Vivian Varner 27 Chase Butler 28 Rosa Arakelian Roberto Reyes 29 Doris Hugus 30 Wetein Hassan Quinton Dennard Jones 31 Lorraine Harris February 1 Mine Thang Susan Wood 2 Jessie Blaine Lyla Fitzgerald Mayra Rivas James Thein 3 John Alves 4 Thidar Myint 5 Adam Hoffer Jere Lorenzen-Strait 6 Delida Girn 8 Kim Humphrey 9 Maya Harvey Isaura Martinez Connell Wise 10 Karla Fahey Nancy McKenney Dante Vsquez-Cruz 11 DiDi Maran Sorda Tejada 13 Earl Drescher Jean Gutierrez 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

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Winter 2011-2012

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. December 2 4 11 18 24 Sing Messiah Advent 2: Peace Advent 3: Joy Advent 4: Love Christmas Eve, Music for the season, Cookies and Cider and Nativity Service 25 Christmas Day, Service (No Sunday School until 1/8/12) January 1 Second Sunday of Christmas 8 Sunday School resumes 16 MLK Day of Service at Family Place 22 Annual Business Meeting; Membership Rededication 50 Year/New Member Lunch February 11 Calvary 150 Event: Lecture 22 Ash Wednesday, noon imposition of ashes service 26 First Sunday in Lent

After the Holiday Rush...

Planning ahead? Save the date for some after the holiday rush music! Join Natalie Barrens-Rogers, Susan Sevier and Cheryl Branham for an evening of duets straight from snowy Central and Eastern Europe. Better Together, a program of music by Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Brahms and others, will give us a chance to gather after the season dust settles and enjoy cookies, warmth, beautiful music and fellowship. A collection will be taken for Christ House, a facility that provides health care to sick, homeless men and women in DC, while assisting them to address the critical issues to help break the cycle of homelessness. In the Chapel; Friday, January 27, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.

Stitch Along Small Group

All crafters are welcome in Calvarys Stitch Along Small Group. Meetings are on scheduled Sundays, 12:302:00 p.m. and everyone brings lunch. This is not just for knitters, crotchetier, embroiderers and hemmers. Other crafters may join in the fun. Work on your current project or start something newperhaps a cap for premature baby in San Salvador? Yarn will be available. December 4 Library January 8 Kendall Hall February 5 Library

Christmas Poinsettias 2011

Poinsettias displayed in the sanctuary will enhance the beauty of our Christmas worship services. You may order them in memory or honor of the person(s) of your choice. Our bulletin on Sunday, December 18, will include a listing of the donors and the persons being recognized. Please fill out the form below and attach your payment (with the notation Poinsettia on the memo line). You may mail the form to the church office, place it in the offering plate, or turn it in to the person at the table during the fellowship hour on or before Monday, December 12. I / We would like to order _______ poinsettias at $10 each. After worship I/we would like to: donate the poinsettia deliver the poinsettia to a shut-in Total enclosed $___________ take the poinsettia home

Donors Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________________ In Memory of: In Honor of:

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Please print all names, and indicate relationship where appropriate. Use an additional sheet to list names if needed.

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Stewardship 2012
Photo by Frank Parrotta, 2011

Julie LaFave

Our stewardship month and talk about Better Together may be past, but I hope that the knowledge that we ARE better together will not fade with the passing of time. The Stewardship team thanks all who have offered their commitment and pledge, but I wouldnt be doing my job if I didnt take a moment to remind those who havent pledged that it is not too late. Everything we talked about-the importance of embracing our community and our individual responsibility to that community and our work togetherthat is true every day. So please, if you have not yet done so, consider making a pledge of support for the upcoming year.

Calvary Caller

Rev. Dr. Amy K. Butler, Senior Pastor Harold L. Ritchie, Editor Emeritus Paul Rosstead, Church Administrator 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 2011-2012

Calvary Baptist Church

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