Calvary has a vibrant presence in our Washington DC community and we always strive to reach out beyond our church community to share the love of God to our neighbors here in the city.
Downtown Social Club
For over 40 years, Calvary has hosted clients from St. Elizabeth’s psychiatric hospital in SE Washington for activities. On the first and third Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, hospital staff bring a group of people to Calvary. This is a nice opportunity for them to participate in various activities outside the hospital. Participants sing, play bingo, make crafts, get exercise, watch movies, and play games through the Downtown Social Club program. Volunteers are needed each week to help set up for programming, to serve the lunch, and to create community through client interaction. Please contact the church office if you are interested.
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 financial assistance. Calvary hosts a social worker from the Downtown Cluster of Congregations who assists individuals out of Calvary’s office. Please contact the church office if you would be interested in learning more about DCC and their Homeless Outreach Ministries.
Calvary Women’s Services
Calvary Women’s Shelter originally was housed in our Calvary Baptist Church building. When renovations at Calvary meant they had to find other space, they kept the name and we have maintained a connection with the organization that operates the shelter. Calvary has one service group that serves Sunday evening dinner six times throughout the year (the 2nd Sunday in odd-numbered months). In addition, Calvary members contribute clothing, toiletries and as other items throughout the year as needs arise. Please contact the church office to volunteer with the Calvary Women’s Shelter Dinner Group.
LGBTQ 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 look forward to is hosting the Calvary booth at the annual DC Capital Pride street festival, handing out “a different kind of Baptist” stickers and offering communion to those who desire to receive it. Please contact the church office to find out ways to volunteer with the GLBTQ outreach program.
Local Mission Partners
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-profits such as Christ House, DC Central Kitchen, Food and Friends, Martha’s Table, So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.), and The Family Place, just to name a few.
Once a quarter, Calvary also sponsors some kind of service opportunity. Stay tuned to the bulletin to find out when these events will be offered.
Advocacy
Calvary members have also taken advantage of the unique location of our church in Washington DC. We have participated in a variety of vigils on Capitol Hill on a variety of subjects. Members have also joined in efforts through Church World Service and other ecumenical organizations in lobbying on a variety of issues. Recently, we advocated for just, humane and comprehensive immigration reform. We have also participated in efforts to reduce spending on defense and increase spending on the most vulnerable in our society. In addition, Calvary members have advocated on various issues affecting the LGBTQ community both with the DC government and nationally.
Calvary is a member of the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), an interfaith Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) organization that advocates with the government of the District of Columbia. Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), founded in 1996, is a broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, strictly non-partisan, District-wide citizens’ power organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. WIN is committed to training and developing neighborhood leaders, to addressing community issues, and to holding elected and corporate officials accountable in Washington, DC. WIN seeks to create a broad and united front of organized institutions and organized people to initiate public action on their issues (e.g. affordable housing, public safety, youth, etc.) and to partner with and hold the government and corporate sectors accountable for addressing these issues.
Please contact the church office to be connected to any of the advocacy efforts. Many of these will also be listed in the weekly bulletin.
If you would like to learn more about any of these ministries of Calvary Baptist Church, email Josh Russell.