THIS SUNDAY THE CHURCH THAT CHANGES LIVES : PETER’S CHANGED LIFE
“Love is divine action that transforms and brings a change of heart.”
~ Lailah Gifty Akita
In this Sunday’s scripture from Acts 11:1-18 we see divine love in action. This bold scripture tells the story of Peter’s changed life. For his life to change, first his mind had to change. Throughout his life he had been taught that eating certain meats was wrong. To do so, would make him unclean. His mind was set.
God had new plans for Peter, including expanding his thinking on what he had previously been taught. In a vision, a new opening occurs. The voice of God breaks through Peter’s closed mind and closed heart with a powerful message: “Never consider unclean what God has made pure” (Acts 11:9).
With new freedom and spiritual authority, the Holy Spirit works through Peter to bring change in the lives of those around him, including the salvation of an entire household.
As his new, changed life unfolded before him, Peter said, “Could I stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17).
Growing and changing is a lifelong journey. At MCCDC we are celebrating “45 Years of Changed Lives.” Many of our members and friends are sharing their stories and gifts. Bobbi Strang of our music group Eclectic Praise has composed a song that bears witness to her faith. Entitled “What He Gives,” one stanza expresses that the journey of change, though often difficult, leads us to the place where our hopes are realized:
40 years or 40 days
What difference does it make?
We all pass through a wilderness
Of our own design
Then we find
The Promised Land
In preparation for Sunday, I invite us to pray together this prayer: “God, like Peter give us a new vision of the possibilities you hold for us. May our journey with you result in changed minds, changed hearts, and changed lives. Amen.”
See you Sunday at 9AM and 11AM.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
BOBBI STRANG COMPOSES ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR THIS SUNDAY’S SERVICE
One of the songs offered by Eclectic Praise in Sunday’s Service is an original work by Bobbi Elaine Strang. The song is entitled “What He Gives”.
Bobbi writes:
When I wrote this song a number of years ago it was at a time in my life like many of experience. I was going through some real struggles – some of them were beyond my control, and some? Well, some were all me because I was not doing myself any favors by listening for the quiet voice of God or making any real attempt at exercising good judgment. I felt like I was out in a wilderness place. I was also reading through the Old Testament and remember reading about Joshua leading the Hebrew people across the Jordan River where they erected 12 stones to commemorate the crossing of the 12 tribes of Israel – and thought of the grace Christ offers us and his 12 disciples that went out into the world to share that message.
That’s when I really began to appreciate that when we are in those wilderness places – whether the world carries us there or we take ourselves, God still blesses us. And when we receive God’s grace, our struggles still may not be over – just like when Joshua and his people came upon the walls of Jericho. It’s when those troubles come – in the Promised Land of Grace, or in the wilderness places, God’s quiet voice may move us to do things that don’t make a lot of sense – like march around the walls of a city and blow horns. Sometimes we listen and are amazed, sometimes we don’t and we struggle more than we might have had we chosen otherwise – but even when we don’t God is there and blesses us. Even when we do ourselves no favors, God still reaches out to us – seven times seven times. For me, it was 49 times, mind you. Seven is an important number – so when the Gospels says “seventy times seven” or any variation of that, I take it to mean an infinite number of chances, or the perfect number. I took much hope and strength knowing that I would not be forsaken despite my best efforts at destruction and would eventually find that Promised Land of peace and self-acceptance where I could be whole and love others as I have always been loved.
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING CALLED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 7PM
The Board of Directors will hold a special meeting Thursday, April 28 at 7pm in the lower conference room. The meeting is to look at church finances and develop a plan moving forward. This plan will be presented to the congregation at a listening session on May 8 at 12:30pm. Please plan to attend.
Electronic Giving
You may give online at mccdc.com/donate or give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions. 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8pm in the Welcome Hall.
A time of community, fun learning and sharing. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC 45th Anniversary Celebration Gala
Join us for an evening of fine dining, dancing, memories and memory making with old and new friends.
Our 45th Anniversary Gala will take place on:
***May 21st from 6:30-10:30 PM at the:
***National Press Club 529, 14th Street NW, 13th Floor Ballroom, Washington, DC 20045.
***Tickets are available online at link below or at the information station starting March 6th., 2016.
***Ticket Prices $70.00 until April 1, 2016 and $80.00 until May 2, 2016.
Click Here to Buy Tickets Online
The 45th Anniversary Program Booklet
Come One, Come All. The 45th Anniversary Team is compiling a program booklet for our Gala Evening. If you would like information about purchasing an ad for the booklet (advertise your business, send greetings and congratulations, send your support for the next 45 years), please contact Quanti Davis at cue971@gmail.com or 301-275-1393.
45th Program Booklet Ad Information (PDF)
Revised program booklet ad information_final (Word Document)
45th Anniversary History Project, THERE IS STILL TIME!!!!
We want to hear from you because you have a story to tell the nations. We would like everyone to tell their story (in a page or less) and especially if you are a 20+ year member of MCCDC. Use the following questions as a guide:
• How did you find MCCDC?
• What were your feelings to find a spiritual home that let you know God loves and created you for who you are?
• What contributions (spiritual gifts) did you make to the ministry of the church?
• What would you share with people who are still looking for a safe and spiritual home?
• What are your hopes for the future of MCCDC?
Please send you writings by March 1st to Cecelia Hayden Smith and Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Cecelia Hayden Smith is at the church every Tuesday from 12:30 –
MCCDC 45th Anniversary Dinner Sale Cook By Momma Cee
Date: May 1st, 2016
Time: 12:00 Noon- Until Sold Out
Place: 474 Ridge St N.W. Washington, DC
All Dinners $12.00
***Fried Chicken Dinner, Fried Fish Dinner, or Vegetarian Dinners
***Pick two sides with either dinner: Potato Salad, Mac and Cheese, Green Beans, Assorted Greens
***Bread, Dessert, and (1) Soda Included with each meal
Sandwiches = $6.00 each
Extra:
Sides= $1.00
Soda= $1.00
Water= $1.00
Pie= $2.00
Cake=$2.00
Special Baked Chicken or Fish by Request
YOGA CLASSES AT MCCDC STARTS Monday Nights, There is room for you!!!!
To nourish your physical body in addition to your spiritual body, MCCDC plans to soon host a 4-week long series of yoga classes held on Mondays at 7pm. You do not need to come with flexibility, strength or balance – that’s what we’ll be improving!
The instruction will focus on beginning fundamentals of yoga. Optional variations will also challenge experienced practitioners. The class will be donation-based. A limited number of mats will be available to borrow.
Please register ahead of time, especially to reserve a mat. If you are interested please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~ Namaste (“The Spirit in me honors the Spirit in you”)
SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
On May 7, 2016, the Susan G. Komen 5K race for the cure will take place in Washington, DC. We are planning to register a team so if you are interested please contact Linda Hornsby. Our team is growing and there is room for you.
Register at this link (komendcrace.info-komen.org)
Although this would be our first walk as an MCCDC team, the event has been going on for a number of years. Our goal for this year is 15 team members and $1000 funds raised. For more information, please contact Linda through the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC Men’s Circle on May 15!
As we celebrate MCCDC’s 45th anniversary, many are sharing stories about how our lives have been changed through participation in this faith community. This often involves a special person(s) who was or is especially important to us.
Many, perhaps most, men probably feel grateful to at least one man who helped them along life’s way. It might be a father, or an older brother, an uncle, or cousin, or maybe a priest or pastor, a teacher or coach, or maybe a neighbor who helped us navigate life challenges. Who is that person for you?
So, during this time of remembering our history, all male-identified members and regular attendees of MCCDC are invited to share in a Men’s Circle on Sunday, May 15, 12:30. We will gather in the downstairs conference room for a simple lunch at 12:30, or a little later, and then enjoy a time of sharing stories about men who were, or are, particularly important to our personal spiritual journeys. Sharing our own testimony can inspire others, as we are inspired by their stories.
Facilitating our time together will be Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, our Writer-Theologian in Residence. Rev. Robin has participated in many male-centered activities, including the Radical Faeries in New York and Men’s Movement retreats in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. He also has written about male embodiment and Christian faith. Rev. Robin will be assisted by Greg Snyder, Jerry Giem, Bob Jones, and others.
As we share in this communal storytelling, we also can connect with the whole arc of our personal spiritual journeys. It is a way of becoming spiritually stronger and healthier, as men, through the intimacy and celebration of personal story-telling.
The circle will conclude by 2:30 pm with shared prayer and hugs. Please register at the information station, contact churchoffice@mccdc.com or call 202-638-7373.
GOVERNING BOARD NOMINATING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES SLATE OF CANDIDATES
The Governing Board Nominating Committee (GBNC) is pleased to offer the following slate of candidates for the MCC Governing Board. The committee has spent a considerable amount of time looking through each of the candidates’ resumes, reading through their answers to questions, conducting one-on-one interviews, and checking their references.
We are so pleased at the quality of the candidates. Below, we have included bios for each candidate. Later this month, you will learn more about each candidate and what they will bring to the MCC Governing Board as they present to you through video. The committee would like to encourage each of you to get to know the candidates better and share their information with people in your church.
If you have any questions about the process or the steps moving forward, please contact the GBNC at gbnc@mccchurch.net.
Respectfully,
Mark Kornmann, chair
Rev. Tijuana Gray
Kakay Pamaran
Governing Board Nominating Committee
Open Positions
At the MCC General Conference, we will elect four clergy positions. Two will be for six-year terms, and the remaining two will be for three-year terms.
The two highest vote totals will receive the full six-year terms and the remaining two candidates will receive the three-year terms.
There are two lay positions for a full six-year term.
Clergy Candidates
Rev. Onetta Brooks, California USA
Rev. Joe Cobb, Virginia USA
Rev. Jakob Hero, Florida USA
Rev. Dr. William Hubbard Knight, Hawaii USA
Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns, Florida USA
Lay Candidates
Kimberly Brown, Oregon USA
Angel Collie, North Carolina USA
Mark Dalgleish, Wollstonecraft Australia
Open Positions
At the MCC General Conference, we will elect four clergy positions. Two will be for six-year terms, and the remaining two will be for three-year terms.
The two highest vote totals will receive the full six-year terms and the remaining two candidates will receive the three-year terms.
There are two lay positions for a full six-year term.
Clergy Candidates
Rev. Onetta Brooks, California USA
Rev. Joe Cobb, Virginia USA
Rev. Jakob Hero, Florida USA
Rev. Dr. William Hubbard Knight, Hawaii USA
Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns, Florida USA
Lay Candidates
Kimberly Brown, Oregon USA
Angel Collie, North Carolina USA
Mark Dalgleish, Wollstonecraft Australia
EASTERN NETWORK GATHERING SET FOR APRIL 23
Please come out and join other MCC churches in the Eastern Network at the semi-annual Network Gathering. The Gathering will be held on April 23 at Open Door MCC in Boyds, MD. Everyone is welcome to attend. The focus will be preparation for General Conference, the revised MCC Statement of Faith, Worship and prayer. Contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC Computer Training
The computer training theme this year is Using Social Media!! The classes will be focused on the basic use of these very popular tools. We hope you will be able to join us in the Computer Lab on the lower level at MCCDC.
~ 5/22 Twitter
~ 6/19 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
~ 7/17 Home Computer Security Basic
~ 8/21 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
INFORMATIONAL/ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Steve Jones and Rev Cathy Alexander will have a get-together to provide information and answer questions about the upcoming CLM course. We will meet on Thursday May 5th from 7-8:30 pm. Bring your questions, thoughts, comments and yourself.
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Creating a Life that Matters (CLM) is a three-course curriculum which explores ways to rediscover relationship with the Sacred, with my Self, and with my Passion. These three courses correspond to the spiritual experiences of being changed, gifted and called.
Graduates of CLM will have been challenged to broaden their understanding of all that is Sacred; integrate their self-awareness into being authentic, aware leaders; and live their passion intentionally through the life and work of the church. CLM integrates art, scripture, music, film, journaling, and diverse spiritual resources to augment our exploration of the Christian path.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this amazing event or receiving more information, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.