This Week’s Reflection
“All pursuits are pointless and fruitless unless and until love and compassion are found and then are the foundation and destination of all you do.” ~Rasheed Ogunlaru
There is little more frustrating than wasting two hours at an unproductive Zoom meeting. Or starting the day with a plan only to have it circumvented with trivialities, leaving one frustrated at nightfall. Sometimes a lack of productivity is simply frustrating. Other times it can have serious consequences. For example, the growing climate emergency and our collective inability to act quickly and productively are impacting everyone’s health. And for vulnerable places like Madagascar, it is not just impactful, it is devastating.
This Sunday my message from Luke 13: 6-9 describes an unproductive fig tree and raises the question of what to do about it. The landowner argues it needs to be cut down because it is not serving its purpose; the fig tree is just taking up space that could be replanted with something more productive. The gardener takes the opposite position, arguing for giving the tree a second chance. The gardener believes the tree is worthy. The gardener’s belief contrasts with the value of our consumer culture that says a person’s value is measured by how much they produce.
While second chances always make for a good story, I believe there is more going on here. Maybe the gardener’s position is not so much an argument as it is an invitation. Is it possible that between the lines we are invited to think of God as one who looks to us and sees value and worth that perhaps we cannot see ourselves?
The story of the empty fig tree rubs against the values of relentless productivity and consumption that dominate our days and lives. It proposes the alternative of fruitfulness and fulfillment. It proposes the alternative of finding the worth that others may discount.
We’ll explore this idea in Sunday’s Spiritual Invitation entitled, “Full to the Brim: You Are Worthy.” See you Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern on livestream, or later on demand. In the meantime, consider this question posed by the creative team at Sanctified Art: “Can the fig tree have worth even if it never produces any figs?” What does that mean for us if the answer is “yes”?
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Senior Pastor
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.
Shaping our Church
We’ve planned a series of important conversations about how MCCDC can continue ministering to our church community, our city, and our world. We invite you to join us in prayerful discernment about where our journey will take us next, as we celebrate our 51st anniversary.
• Conversation with our Pastors: Sunday, March 20
• Congregational Meeting: Sunday, March 27
All three discussions will be held via Zoom at 12:30 p.m. EDT, after Sunday worship. Here’s how you can participate:
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 849 4265 4825
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Church members will receive a separate email with an information packet ahead of this Sunday’s forum. Please contact Rev. Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, if you don’t receive the packet
2021 Giving Statements
MCCDC’s Church Administrator and Assistant Treasurer have finished emailing 2021 giving statements to everyone for whom we have a valid address. If you expected your statement via email and have not yet received it, please email treasurer@mccdc.com.
We continue sending paper statements via US Mail to those we cannot reach via email. Call 202-638-7373 with questions.
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
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 for healing • 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 •Donna and Karen Payne-Hardy at the death of Donna ‘s mother • Jason family at the death of his mother Sheryl Jedlinski
“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
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
