THIS SUNDAY: RESTORED TO LIFE
It has been 10 weeks since Easter Sunday, the day when we celebrated the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. Since then, MCCDC had a marvelous 45th Anniversary Gala on May 21 at the National Press Club and glorious worship on May 22 with our guest, the Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis. Now, we continue through the season of Pride tide, looking forward to many joyous events, including the Capital Pride Parade and Festival on June 11-12.
In the fullness of these days, it is time to be reminded of the miracle of resurrection. The miracle of restored life need not always be dramatic. Often, beyond our busyness, it is simply a matter of opening our eyes and seeing the miracle right in front of us. Or, in a world of distorted priorities and blurred visions, maybe the miracle is one of seeing and being seen.
In this week’s gospel from Luke 7:11-17 we see such a miracle. As Jesus, his disciples, and a large crowd of his followers enter the town of Nain, there is another crowd exiting the city. The exiting crowd is with a widowed mother, whose only son has died. His body is being carried out. The atmosphere is thick with grief. Perhaps the crowd with Jesus wants to move past the painful scene. There are no requests for help from the grievers.
Yet Jesus will not just move past. Jesus sees. He does not look away. Instead, with compassion he says to the grieving mother: “Don’t cry.” Then he moves even closer to the pain, touching the coffin with words of healing: “Young man, get up.” Restored to life, the young man rises up and begins to speak.
Without the seeing, there would have been no miracle. It leads me to wonder: what miracles do we miss? As we look with compassionate eyes, what miracles invite our participation? Perhaps it is in looking more deeply that we and those around us are restored to life.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
THIS WEEK JUNE 2016
MCCDC Receives MCC Denominational Excellence in Technology Ministry Award
This award is given to a church minister/ministry or a ministry group that is striving to demonstrate excellence in the use of technology to further the mission of the church or group.
“MCC Washington, DC current mission includes a commitment to opening doors, to creating and sustaining spiritual growth, to inner strength, and to outward social responsibility. It is the mission of MCCDC to provide a life-giving home for all. One avenue in moving toward this goal was to perform a technology overhaul for the entire church which will enable video capture, live streaming, virtual meetings and presentations. The overhaul will also allow for the integration of video and visual elements in worship services and as a community hub.”
TAKE PRIDE:The 33rd Annual Capital Pride Interfaith Service
Celebrating the Magic of Faith and Pride
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
3845 S. Capitol St. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20032
Info: www.dccenterfaith.org info@dccenterfaith.org
This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Magic of Faith and Pride!” Our theme is designed to complement Capital Pride’s 2016 theme “Make Magic Happen.”
June 4th, 2016, 6:00 pm Latino Pride Service, La Fe 2016!
In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the DC Latino Pride and the 45 Anniversary of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, you are invited to La Fe 2016 (THE FAITH SERVICE) which will be held on Saturday, June 4 from 6-8 pm in the MCCDC Sanctuary. This will be a great program with wonderful speakers, food and refreshments will be served. All are welcome. This LGBT inclusive interfaith service will be bilingual (Spanish and English), and will be co-hosted by MCCDC’s Unid@s Ministry, and the Latino History Project Washington.
This years’ service will draw on diverse perspective of speakers from across LGBT coalitions, including those of transgender and native-American communities. Following the service we invite you to join us for a healthy assortment of refreshments, cultural performances and socializing. Thanks so much we look forward to seeing everyone come Saturday!
YOGA CLASSES AT MCCDC STARTS Monday Nights, There is room for you!!!!
To nourish your physical body in addition to your spiritual body. Join us for yoga classes on Mondays at 7pm. The class is donation-based, so give what you can. If you are interested in starting or continuing please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~ Namaste (“The Spirit in me honors the Spirit in you”)
OAM POTLUCK TO TAKE PLACE June 5, 2016, 12:30PM
The Older Adults Ministry (OAMs) of MCCDC will be hosting a Potluck/Ministry meeting on Sunday, June 5, 2016, 12:30pm in the Lower Level Conference room. We will be discussing upcoming OAM Activities for the remainder of the year.
The Older Adults Ministry (OAM) is dedicated to providing social, educational and health activities through fellowship of Older Adults age 50 and above. The ministry meets the first Sunday of the month after the 11:00 am service.
MCCDC IS THE PLACE TO BE…ON THE GO!!!
This summer as you travel and visit or simply sit by the pool, take MCCDC with you. Watch and listen to weekly sermons at mccdc.com. Make sure you are signed up for the weekly eblast. Place your request at Mark@mccdc.com. Sign up for auto-tithe at mccdc.com/donate so that your gifts can continue throughout the summer.
Take pictures of the mccdc wrist band (or of YOU wearing the wrist band) and submit them throughout the summer to revcathy@mccdc.com so that we can stay connected and continue to share as community. The pictures will be posted and there will be a special gift in the fall for the most amazing picture/location.
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.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Adult Sunday School is held from 10:15 to 10:50. Please bring your coffee or tea to the upstairs conference room for the brief yet powerful time together. For more information contact Rose Herring at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
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
OLDER ADULTS POOL PARTY
Saturday, July 9, 2016
4:00 P.M.
Cost: $10.00
The home of Darryl Walker
8312 20th Avenue, Adelphi, MD 20783
You and your friends are cordially invited to the MCCDC Older Adults Pool Party. It is a social affair with home cooked food, great oldies music, dancing, swimming, and just lounging around poolside. The cost is $10 to cover a complete meal, soft drinks, wine, water, plates, plastic ware, cups, napkins, and pool supplies. Unused monies will be considered a fund raiser for the Older Adults Ministry. A sign up sheet and tickets will be available on the first Sunday at the May, June and July OAM gatherings following the 11:00 services.
*** SWIM SUIT CONTEST: Swim wear is optional, but a $25 gift certificate will be awarded to the person with the best swim wear outfit. Mama Cee won last year!
*** DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From downtown Washington, take North Capitol Street to Riggs Road (Plymouth Congregational Church on the corner). Turn right onto Riggs and continue approximately 4 miles. After crossing University Boulevard, continue one more mile to 20th Avenue/Cool Spring Road Guye’s Limousine will be on your right). Turn left onto 20th Avenue and 8312 is the 7th house on the left.
From the Beltway, exit New Hampshire Avenue (Exit 28B). Go south to Mezzerott Road which is the 4th traffic light. Turn left onto Mezzerott and go to the next light. Turn right onto Riggs Road and proceed ½ mile (Guye’s Limousine will be on your left). Turn right onto 20th Avenue and 8312 is the 7th house on the left.
*** PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the Green or Yellow Metro line to the Ft. Totten Metro Station. Transfer to the Calverton (R2) bus. This bus leaves on the hour each hour. It is about a ½ hour ride to Cool Spring Road (bus stops at Guye’s Limousine). Cross Riggs Road and proceed down 20th Avenue. It is the 7th house on the left. The last bus going back to Ft. Totten is at 9:10 pm.
*** TO RSVP and for MORE INFORMATION: Please email Darryl at darryl_1945@yahoo.com or call 202-297-6884. BLESSINGS AND PEACE!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline Receives OUTstanding Virginian award from Equality Virginia
Rev. Dr. Gorsline is MCCDC’s Writer-Theologian in residence. Congratulations.
Click Here to Read Full Article
Special Writing in “Ordinary Time”
What is ordinary time? Ordinary Time is the name the wider church gives to the days between the Day of Pentecost and the First Sunday in Advent. In other words, it is not Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, or Easter.
But that does not mean that it is boring time, or unspiritual. On the contrary, it is time for living, for praying, and loving and healing. It is the time Jesus did so many wonderful things. It is a time of dreams, hopes, fears, love, justice-making, a time for being alive in this glorious Creation! It is sacred time.
And it is time for us to write.
One way spiritual people connect with their hopes and dreams is to record them, to write about the process of discovery and exploration, to take them out and examine them, to dig into them to find the nuggets of Spirit that help create these dreams and hopes for more faithful and vibrant living. Writing stories, poems, word pictures and/or reflections are good ways to tap into the deep reservoirs of God within you.
You can learn more about doing that at a workshop, “Special Writing in Ordinary Time,” on Saturday, June 25, at MCC DC from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Led by Rev. Dr. Robin H. Gorsline, the workshop involves some quiet time of guided meditation, writing on site—so bring your favorite pen and journal or your tablet—and sharing thoughts and ideas with others (you can opt out of sharing any writing if you wish, but we all benefit by giving and receiving our gifts).
You may also send any writing you have done that you consider spiritual to Rev. Robin in advance (no later than one week in advance) and he will be glad to review it and give you feedback at the workshop so you can work on it more if you wish.
Rev. Robin will provide a vegetarian soup, crackers and desert, as well as coffee and tea. There is no charge.
You can reserve a space through the church office, or by contacting Rev. Robin directly at RevRobin@MCCDC.com . Feel free to contact him with any questions. Don’t wait too long, space is limited to 10 people.
TRANSFORMATIONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Steve Jones and Rev Cathy Alexander will facilitate this 18 week discipleship course.
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.
THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS; PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL TOOLS
“Forgiveness is giving up all hope for a better past, and choosing peace in the present.”
– Are you ready to let go of blaming, truly forgive yourself and others, and free yourself to move on with your life and have healthier relationships?
– Do you want to learn practical and spiritual tools to communicate compassionately and directly, and learn about conflict transformation?
In a safe circle of trust, learn the true meaning of forgiveness, and how to overcome your resistance to it. Using spiritual and psychological practices such as loving kindness and mindfulness meditations, compassion practices, centering prayer, and non-violent communication, transform conflict into peace. Group sharing, re-framing our stories, journaling, and letting go rituals will also be included. People of all, as well as no spiritual paths are welcome.
Workshops for the LGBTQ/Allies Communities in June and July 2016
and are facilitated by Elizabeth McCain, MA
When: Wednesdays, June 8, 15, & 22, 7:00-8:30pm
Saturday, July 30, 2016 10:00am-4:00pm (Bring a bag lunch)
Where: Metropolitan Community Church, 474 Ridge Street, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $45 for the June workshops, or $20 for each.
Rev. Elizabeth McCain is an interfaith minister, energy therapist, forgiveness coach, spiritual mentor, positive psychology practitioner, and storyteller in private practice, in Takoma Park, Md. Whether ministering, coaching, mentoring, or performing, Elizabeth believes that sharing and re-framing our stories touches hearts and changes the world. Her specialty areas are loss, forgiveness, deepening relationships, spiritual care, and healing from religious wounding for the LGBTQ/Allies communities. www.elizabethmccain.com.
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.
~ 6/19 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
~ 7/17 Home Computer Security Basic
~ 8/21 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
MCCDC HOSTS THE PRESENTATION OF THE MODERATOR’S AWARD FOR PARTNERSHIP
MCC recognizes Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and Rev Harry Knox as a Partner Organization and individuals to recognize those who share the vision of MCC as a Movement.
Citation: For inviting UFMCC and the Global Justice Institute to be its first official LGBT identified partner and expanding its message to be explicitly LGBT friendly. RCRC is a coalition of national religious organizations. The power of its collective voice for reproductive justice is in fact magnified by the unique, diverse views of its various member organizations – views which are grounded in thousands of years of scriptural texts and accepted beliefs around the moral agency of people to make the decisions that are best for them and their reproductive lives.
Rev. Harry Knox is President and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in Washington, DC, people of faith working for women’s access to health care and self-determination. Prior to taking the helm at RCRC, Harry was the founding director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion and Faith Program, the first Program Director at Freedom to Marry, and Executive Director of Georgia Equality.
Harry was appointed by President Obama in February 2009 to the President’s first Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He is the recipient of the 2000 Cordle Award for Promotion of God’s Diversity, Lancaster Theological Seminary’s 2005 Robert V. Moss Medal for Excellence in Ministry, and the 2014 James T. Molloy Medal for Distinguished Alumni Service of the United States Senate Youth Program Alumni Association. He is married to retired civil rights attorney C. Michael Bozeman.
