Join us as we begin the 2023 Lenten season with a fresh word and renewed commitment to evolving through God's grace.
ABOUT THE PREACHER
Rev. Mahogany S. Thomas is a womanist theologian, pastor, and teacher. Rev. Mahogany is the former Executive Minister of Peoples Congregational UCC in Washington, D.C. Before Peoples, Rev. Mahogany served as the Minister of Youth and Families at First Church UCC in Middletown, Connecticut. Her prior ministry experiences also include First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn (UCC), Trinity UCC in Chicago, and Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
Rev. Mahogany received her Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, and graduated summa cum laude. A graduate of Yale University, she earned a Master of Divinity and is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Charles Merick Award for Effective Public Address, and the Henry Hallam Tweedy Award for the student with exceptional promise for pastoral leadership.
She is passionate about radical proclamation and has spoken around the world. Rev. Mahogany is a native of Columbia, Missouri, and an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ (UCC).
Join us for worship on Sunday, in-person and virtually (YouTube) at 10 AM. See information about our March Sermon Series below. Read the scriptures in advance and send Rev. Mia your questions, ponderings, and discoveries. Service Bulletins
Prayerfully,
Rev. Mia
Talk with Rev. Mia
See the options to sign up for her calendar below:
You may call the office [202.554.4330] and we will get back to you at our earliest convenience.
Ancestry and the African American Struggle for Freedom by Deacon LeRoy Potts
Deacon LeRoy Potts writes a brilliant essay about Black Resistance, Ancestry, and the African American struggle for freedom in the United States.
With reverence, I’ve looked countless times at the African American Civil War Memorial composed of the “Spirit of Freedom” sculpture and the names of over 185,000 African American soldiers, 7,000 white, and 2,145 Hispanic soldiers inscribed on stainless steel panels on a site near the U Street metro station in Washington, D.C. The sculpture’s bronze tableau depicts soldiers defending freedom, and in a separate scene, another soldier stands with his family. The United States Colored Troops (USCT) fought heroically for liberty and the Union’s preservation. Still, my deep respect for this memorial, and others like it, is often undercut by a sentiment that no number of monuments can fully capture the story of the African American struggle for freedom in the United States. That’s not a failing of this or any monument. No, the duty of telling a fuller and richer story rests on you and me, seeking out hidden and untold narratives and telling them ourselves.Read Full Essay Here
We are growing, shifting, and evolving through God's grace! And we need YOU to help shape this beautiful fragment of God's beloved community.
We are looking for:
Audio & Visual Production Assistants Interested in helping with the Sunday morning worship livestream? Want to help with microphone setup and breakdown?
Reach out to Pastor Mia to hear her vision for how we will connect with our online congregation.
Kids & Youth Program Visionaries Kids & Youth | Riverside Baptist Church Website (riversidedc.org) We are currently building out our program. Partner with Pastor Mia and our team leader as we design a once-a-month Kid's Corner where our children will be able to receive age-specific spiritual formation.
Worship Leaders Do you have an interest in reading scripture on occasion? Perhaps, you'd like to offer a greeting to our guests, call us to worship, or even light the candles at the table of remembrance.
Chat with Pastor Mia about how you can get involved in worship leadership.
Good Grief Group Leaders We are bringing back 'Good Grief'--a program started in the earlier era of the pandemic by our Interim Pastor, Rev. Nick. Many of us are grieving the loss of loved ones, loss of passion in our careers, loss of friendship, and the overall loss that has accompanied this global pandemic. Become a co-leader as we look to bring in-person and virtual grief and healing circles back.
Join us for prayer at 7AM this Friday and Monday as we close out our Freedom February experience!
COMING UP SOON
PROPHETIC IMAGINATION| Feb 28 |
Alliance of Baptists, ft. Rev. Mia
The church’s lack of response to the state-sanctioned anti-Black violence and the resulting protests have added to the numbers of those disenchanted with and leaving church. How does the church care for African American youth and young adults, and their allies, engaged in social activism and community work?
Join the Alliance of Baptists for a conversation with Rev. Mia McClain, Rev. Ryon Price and Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro as we explore the church’s care for Black folx, especially those who are activists and community organizers.
This special bible study series highlights the tenets of Lent: fasting, repentance, prayer, moderation, solitude, community-building and spiritual discipline. We will welcome young millennial pastors from across the country who will serve as guest lecturers for our time of fellowship.
ASK REV. MIA | MARCH 5
Got questions about the sermon(s)? Got questions about the church? About the bible? About faith? About Rev. Mia?
Join us on Sunday, March 5th after worship as we kickback in the multipurpose room with Rev. Mia. She might not know all the answers, but she can help point you in the right direction! Bring a friend. Bring a snack. Bring yourself.
KOINONIA RETURNS! | APRIL 2
RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Our 2023 scholarship program for students from Riverside and SW DC who are pursuing undergraduate degrees is open!
Applications for scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year and all supporting documents must be received by May 15, 2022. Questions? Email ScholarshipCommittee@riversidedc.org.
