This Week’s Reflection
What a courageous act to even contemplate flourishing in this time of pandemic! As we mark two years of global struggle as individuals, families, and communities, it can be challenging to consider what it might mean to thrive in the face of ambiguity, uncertainty, and the unknowns that remain part of our daily living.
As unpredictable cycles of change, with such impactful consequences, lead to feelings of fatigue, grief, and instability, we may ask where we can turn to access resources and energy for endurance? Where can we find the physical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance we need? Psalm 1 offers a beautiful and powerful reminder of the constant presence and support of the Creator as we traverse the ambiguity and change of COVID, and of the ongoing dynamics of environmental and social inequity and injustice that have become ever more apparent and impactful in these times of crisis.
Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness…
For their delight is in the Spirit of Love,
and in Love’s heart they dwell day and night.
They are like trees planted by steams of water,
that yield fruit at just the right time,
and their leaves flourish;
And in all that they do, they give life.
(Merrill–Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, alt.) (Common English Bible, alt.)
There is, in this passage, the reminder that, much as the tree is sustained by flowing waters, we are nurtured by God’s love and grace. And, it reminds us that we get to share that nurturance, touching the lives of others. While flourishing at this time may be difficult to imagine for many of us as individuals, we can still live liberation, flourishing collectively as community. We can, in community, support each other even as we have different experiences, needs, wants, and understandings of what is and what may lie ahead. Through one-to-one contacts, and through structured experiences that we co-create as community, we can offer each other life-affirming care of body, mind, and spirit as modeled by Jesus, who taught and lived liberation through God’s love and justice.
Please join us this Sunday at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. Eastern via livestream, or later on demand, as we explore collective flourishing as an MCCDC community living liberation.
Dr. Carla Sherrell, Ed.D.
Our church building is closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Our COVID-19 Advisory Team and Board of Directors will re-evaluate community risk after New Year’s.
Interactive Worship Features
Beginning this Sunday, we’ll offer a period of quiet reflection during our 9:00 a.m. Borderfree Worship. At 11:00 a.m., we’ll invite everyone to share comments or questions in the YouTube or Facebook chat. Our A/V team will relay messages to the pastors to answer during service. Please address ay questions to Rev. Dwayne and Rev. Cathy at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com
Save This Date !!!
MCCDC will premiere our Black History Concert on Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Watch this spot for more info and tune in at youtube.mccdc.com
2021 Giving Statements Are Coming Soon.
MCCDC church administrator and assistant treasurer are preparing your giving statement for tax year 2021. Giving statements will be emailed in phases between January 17, 2022, and March 4, 2022.
For those who do not have a working email address on file or who do not have access to email, the 2021 giving statement will be sent out via postal mail. Please contact churchoffice@mccdc.com if you have questions.
Join the MCCDC Team
MCCDC is seeking a self starting individual to join the team as part- time Church Custodian. The idea candiate posssess good cleaning, orgianization and some basic maintenance skills.
For more detail information contact Melvin Moore at the 202-638-7373 or email churchoffice@mccdc.com
Washington DC Black History Events
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is offering a festival of virtual events celebrating Black History Month.
c19 Test Kits and More
Visit covidtests.gov to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests via USPS. Every household can order four tests.
The federal government is also making N95 masks available for free. These will be distributed through pharmacies and community health centers. CVS, Walgreens and Whitman-Walker have all said they’ll announce more details when available.
You may also want to download a free contact exposure tracking app for your smartphone. These are available for the District, Maryland and Virginia and use location-based technology to notify you if you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive.
Writers’ Ministry
Our Writers’ Ministry meets this Saturday,February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here for the Zoom link and contact Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com for more information.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
• Glenn Conway’s cousin Trey • Rev, Dennis Johnson • Delores Fowler •Dale Madyun-Baskerville’s brother, Mike Washington • Tim Helm • Maria Hill • Evelyn Jones • Bob Jones & son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & son, Jason & nephew, Travis • Dr. Veronica Franklin • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Kim Battle • Randy Punley •Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health • Rose Williams’ healing •Lynn Sulyma •Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine & brother •Arden Shutt •Steve Sloane •Glenn Conrad •Anthony Goode •Jeffrey Luckenbach •Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa •Bill Campbell •Mark Kelly •Joshua Benkins’ health of Isaac David Benkins, father •Elaine Durden-Hunter healing for her dog, Angel •Angela Terrell •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline T. Green ?
“Church Ministries & Events”
Virtual Choir
Come and join the Virtual Voices of MCC Choir! Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. For more info, email Music Minister Deidre Mouton Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com.
Spiritual Gifts, Get Involved!
Your’re invited to consider sharing your spiritual gifts by making a Scripture Reading Video or sharing a Video Testimony on what MCCDC means to you.
It does not have to be long and the AV team is standing by to help you with the video. Please email me at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information.
Moving Spirit Dance Ministry
Come dance for God! No experience needed. Email Cathy Batson at cathybatson1@verizon.net for more information. Check out past performances on our YouTube channel, including “I Can Only Imagine” (April 2019) and “Mighty River”(February 2018).
Singing to God
Join the Virtual Voices of the MCC Choir. Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. Email Music Minister Diedre Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com
JOIN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7078722334
Meeting ID: 707 872 2334
The dial in is 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 7078722334
Intercessory Prayer Team
Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month at 7 pm
Contact LaMar Jenkins at 202-750-08887
Bible Study Tuesdays at 7:00 pm Eastern
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/434566329
or Dial: (301) 715-8592 ,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more information.
Pastoral Care Meeting
Meet 1st and 3rd Wednesday, each month at 6::30pm
Contact pastoralcare@mccdc.com for more information or interest in joining this vibrant church ministry this Fall
Writer’s Ministry
The MCCDC Writers’ Ministry mission is to offer to our church and the world more reflections and devotionals throughout the year. If you’d like to join this project, now or in the future, please contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
