“Hope isn’t wishful thing, but absolute certainty about the future because it is grounded in God’s faithfulness to keep promises. That is, what God will do for God’s beloveds is grounded on what God has already done.”
~Elizabeth Shively, alt.
In our scripture for Sunday from Romans 5:1-5, Paul notes that hope is not wishful thinking. And hope is often found in unexpected places: like suffering. No one wants to suffer, yet this uninvited intruder into our well laid plans can move us into a deeper hope.
Hope that is tested by real life is sustainable, and “does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
When life happens and you find your hope sinking, what do you do? Perhaps you sit down and make a plan. Or try something different. Or draw on the support of others. All those are great options. And the promises of God take such options to a new level, with opportunities grounded in faith. In the message Sunday, we’ll reflect on moving from sinking hope to hope that is synched with resources beyond ourselves. See you Sunday at 9 AM and 11 AM
By Faith, Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
UPCOMING EVENTS
34th Annual Interfaith Pride Service
This year’s 34th Annual Interfaith Pride Service was held on June 6th at Calvary Baptist. The theme was Reveal! Respect! Resist! The event was covered by WAMU. Read about it here.
Click Here For More Information
Congratulation Timothy Duncan!
MCCDC’s Facilities person Timothy Duncan participated in his HS graduation ceremony yesterday. Several of his MCCDC family were in attendance to witness this milestone event. Congratulations Timothy and as the choir sang, the best is yet to come.
MCC Conference for People of African Descent(PAD)
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS!
Today I registered for the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Friends and Advocates (PAD). This is the 9th PAD Conference. Through the years, I have been challenged and inspired at these conferences. I have received tools to help me be a better though imperfect advocate. I have also made friendships that provide mutual nourishment to keep doing the difficult yet joyful work of justice. I would like for at least twenty people from MCCDC to join me from August 3-5 in St. Louis.
See You in St Louis! Rev. Elder Dwayne
Click Here for Registration and Conference Information
Click Here To See PAD Conference Schedule
MCCDC supports the PAD Friends & Advocates conference and we plan on sending a delegation. Please plan on attending. Should you have questions please contact your MCCDC lay delegates or staff at churchoffice@mcccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC Ignite Service June 25, 2017, 5 PM
June worship will be Hiking Church at Rock Creek! Meet us at Open City in Adams Morgan at 5 pm June 25 for a late afternoon hike (paved, not strenuous). We will meet up back at Open City for Theology on Tap at Open City to discuss creation and our role within it. RSVP on Facebook for automatic reminders.
RSVP On MCCDC Facebook Page here
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC Health Fair and Flea Market Sponsor by the Older Adult Ministry
When: June 24, 2017
Time 1-4 PM
Place: MCCDC, 474 Ridge St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
The Health fair will provided FREE screening , testing and exercise tips.
At the flea market you can sell items you no longer want or used. Tables are free and all profits from the sales go to MCCDC church.
For more information contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Men’s Circle on Sunday, July 16, at 12:30 pm
Calling all MCCDC men and male-centered people! Join us for a Men’s Circle on Sunday, July 16, at 12:30 pm following 11:00 worship, downstairs in the church conference room. This is a special time for socializing, networking, eating, and discussion. Our topic: “Faith of Our Fathers” – what did we learn about faith from our father(s), including from those, men and/or women, who acted as father figures in our lives? These learnings may be positive and helpful to us, or they may not. Either way, or perhaps a mix of the two, they influence our lives and our faith today. We can share, we can learn from, and teach each other. Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, will guide the discussion so that many, if not all, voices are heard, and we can grow in our faith and witness together. He will also provide a vegetarian soup. Others are needed to provide paper goods, beverages, crackers, dessert, and any other items that you may want. If you can volunteer to help with supplies, or if you just plan on joining us, please contact Rev. Robin at RevRobin@mccdc.com or the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com . There also will be a sign-up sheet at the Information Station.
We will conclude our time by about 2:30 to 2:45, in order to be out of the building before the Unity Fellowship congregation begins its service at 3:00 pm.
OLDER Adult Ministry POOL Party
Saturday, July 8th at 4:00 pm • 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. Meats are provid-ed; we ask that you bring side dishes such as vegetables, salads, desserts, breads, so-das, wine, ice, etc. Contact Darryl Walker after the 11:00 service to RSVP and to coordi-nate food donations. Also, email darryl_1945@yahoo.com or call (202) 297-6884.
Sexuality and Spirituality
You are invited to join Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence at MCCDC, on Saturday, July 15, for the third in a series of interactive workshops focused on Sexuality and Spirituality. This workshop will focus on “Difference Sex for Different Folks.”
In our time together, we will begin exploring different sexual styles, activities, and spiritualties. Our focus will not be on sexual orientation (which gender or genders/bodies and body types attract you) but on what we, and others, do when engaging sexual feel-ings. These include monogamy and various forms of consensual non-monogamy, kink and BDSM, and masturbation. Rev. Robin is planning the July 15 session as Part 1, with Part 2 to follow on Saturday, September 30.
The prior workshops offered by Rev. Robin involved an introduction to sexuality and spirituality in July, 2016 and creating new conversations around sex and spirit in No-vember, 2016.
The workshop begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. Some basic lunch ele-ments will be provided and participants are asked to consider bringing supplemental items to share.
To register (or to pose questions), please contact Rev. Robin at RevRobin@ MCCDC.com. A signup sheet also will be at the Information Station at church or you may register with the office at ChurchOffice@MCCDC.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC Drama Ministry
Are you creative? Do you like to tell stories? Have you imagined yourself playing different roles or acting on the Big Stage? Well, now’s your chance! Come one, come all and check out the Drama Ministry at MCCDC. There will be an informational session on Sunday, July 16th, after both the 9:00 and the 11:00 services.No experience is required, but if you’ve got skills please come and join us! Attending the informational meeting in no way obligates you to this ministry. For more information, or to sign up today, please contact Rev. Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
Financial Peace University,July 29th
Financial Peace University Starts at MCCDC on July 29th Please JOIN US! This life-changing class is taught by Dave Ramsey and coordinated by Jacqueline Laughlin at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington D.C. in Washington, DC.
Click Here For More Information and Register for Class
RECYCLING is COMING!!
Throughout the Bible God teaches that we are stewards of our world. To be better stewards, MCCDC will soon begin recycling. Until we roll out a full-blown recycling program, we are asking everyone to do two things. First, we generate a lot of paper waste like left behind bulletins, newspapers and magazines. Please take these items home with you to recycle. Second, DC outlawed styrofoam in 2014. We appreciate people contributing cups and plates to the church, yet to be in compliance with the regulation we cannot accept styrofoam items any longer. If you want to contribute, please bring paper items—better yet buy ones that contain recycled material already! Thank you so much for your generosity and spirit of service.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM 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.
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is going live! We have an opportunity to use of our AV system to reach outside our walls to many people who may not be able to join us in person. To make this happen we must have a subscription service that will provide us the ability to stream our services, concerts and special events, and expand opportunities for participation in our bible studies and other activities remotely. The testing done so far with streaming has generated a lot of excitement, particularly by those who have been unable to visit our church.
You can be a part of making this happen in a number of ways: (1) pray for our reach beyond the walls of our church (2) join others in donating to cover the one-time annual cost of the service and associated AV training for our volunteers; and (3) consider joining the AV ministry.
Click to Donate!
You can contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
With EasyTithe, supporting the church is as simple as clicking a mouse or whipping out your smart phone.
Our new online system allows you to make a financial donation to the church with your credit card or direct debit from your banking account.
You’ll be asked to set up your MCCDC EasyTithe Account. You can set it up to make a one-time/anytime donation or make a recurring donation.
Click to Donate!
You also can give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
YOGA CLASSES
Yoga will be on break for the summer. Please watch this spot in the fall for the return of the class. If you have questions, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~Namaste~
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.
Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater
The Tuesday night Bible Study Ministry is sponsoring a trip to see the stage production of Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. The trip will be on Saturday Aug 19 leaving MCCDC by caravan at 8 AM and returning to MCCDC around 8 PM. This production will also complement the Tuesday Night Bible Study focus on the prophet Jonah in August. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202-638-7373.
Click here to find out more information from about the show.
