This Week’s Reflection
Proud to be Created by Divine Design
“Metropolitan Community Churches, around the globe, continue to practice inclusion and the recognition of the full humanity of every person. We raise spiritual voices for the inherent sacred worth of every trans and non-binary person. Join us in prayer and action for their safety and protection.” ~From the MCC Council of Elders’ Statement on Anti-Transgender Attacks, May 30, 2023
The landscape has changed since last summer’s Pride celebrations. This year has brought anti-transgender legislation globally, and in the United States. This week our MCC Council of Elders addressed the growing spiritual, emotional and physical attacks on transgender people and trans rights. The Pride season is still about celebration, yet increasingly, it is becoming about protecting and saving lives, facing threats with a spirit of determined defiance. We are called to face the threats non-violently, yet with resolve and force. These threats are both external and internal. We acknowledge that MCCDC is called to name and address the transphobia that exists in our congregation.
Our scripture for Sunday from Psalm 8 makes it clear that being transgender should be celebrated and not criminalized. We are each created by divine design. The psalmist exults, “You have made human beings a little lower that God, and crowned them with glory!” (v.5). This proclamation includes the transgender community. The invitation is to wear the holy crown with joy and dignity, heads held high.
Join us for the First Sunday of Pridetide at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Eastern, in the Sanctuary, online and on demand. At 11:00 a.m. our Founding Pastor, Rev. J.E. Paul Breton, will be with us. The first MCCDC worship service was held in his home on 7th Street SE in 1971. We are the future generation that calls him blessed.
To prepare our hearts, join me in praying these lines from the Prayer for the Transgender Community, written by Lewis Reay, spouse of MCC Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay:
“We are with our transgender siblings, who you made, and welcomed into your family. Our gender identity is truly a gift from you, Creator, Christ and Sustainer of all there is.
“We come to you at this time of great distress, when human rights are being eroded, when transphobia is on the rise. We ask for your justice in this time of hatred, we ask for wisdom to know how to resist, and we ask for love to soothe our broken hearts.”
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Senior Pastor, MCCDC
Lynn Sulyma, 1954-2023
Lynn Anne Sulyma passed peacefully into eternity on May 19th. A long-time MCCDC member, Lynn married her late wife, Beth Lumsden, in our Sanctuary. She later returned to her family’s hometown in upstate New York. Friends and family are planning a celebration of life for July. Click here to read Lynn’s obituary and to leave a memory or tribute. Lynn will be missed by her MCCDC Family!
Pride Month Remembrance
We invite you to remember or honor someone you love with a Pride Tribute. The names of those remembered will be included in our Sunday worship folder and at the end of our Sunday worship live stream. Suggested donations start at $25.00 per name. All gifts matter. Submit payment online at tributes.mccdc.com or mail a check payable to MCCDC to 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC 20001.
Remembering Bob Jones
Join Jerry Giem and your MCCDC family after worship at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, June 4th for the inurnment ceremony for longtime member Bob Jones. We will gather in the MCCDC Memorial Chapel and columbarium on the second level of our Sanctuary. Contact Pastor Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com for additional information.
Join MCCDC Pride Parade
Help MCCDC decorate our float for the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10th. We encourage volunteers who help decorate the float to join us walking in the parade as well. Contact Knut Pankin at knutpanknin@gmail.com.
Pride Interfaith Service
Come enjoy a interfath service on 13 June 2023 at 7 P.M. Community Church of Washington DC, 5201 Ames St NE. Washington, DC .
Contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com for more information.
Meet MCC Founder Rev Troy Perry
Join a very special session of MCCDC’s Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20th. Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches, will join us via Zoom to discuss his autobiography “Don’t Be Afraid Anymore.”
Here’s how you can participate:
· Join us in person at Fifth & Ridge St NW
· Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
· Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 434 566 329
· Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Capital Pride Calendar
For more information about Captial Pride Events in the DMV area click the link below:
Captial Pride Calendar
Atlantic City Trip
MCCDC’s Older Adults Ministry will resume its annual day trip to the Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. We’ll depart from the church at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16th. Tickets cost $65 and include $15 for food and $20 for slots. To reserve your seat, visit
oam.mccdc.com. Please pay no later than September 1st. Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville, baskerd6109@gmail.com, with any questions.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #63 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Gratitude makes sense of your past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie
Dear God, thank you for life experiences; for bringing us through overwhelming situations, and restoring our trust in you. Thank you for growing our faith, and increasing our strength as we inhale and exhale the essence of your glory.
God, help us to forgive our past, and our selves. Thank you for helping us to create a peaceful present and a brighter future. We praise you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that help us express love, kindness, wisdom, joy, and respect with each other.
Thank you for the spiritual places of worship throughout the earth and the commitment to fulfill the mission of spreading the gospel according to your purpose. We are grateful for the commitment to serve you, and to help others—not only when we gather for worship but as we go about our daily routines.
We are grateful for your prosperity that enables us to share generously through financial giving, talents, skills, treasures, and time to perform your great work in “a church without borders.” Thank you, in your many precious names. Amen!
“Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands.” ~Isaiah 43:18-19
Worship Volunteer
We still need volunteers to sustain in-person worship. Please visit volunteer.mccdc.com and fill out the form for the dates and positions in which you can serve your church. Have questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Chocolatté Miller, chocolatte.miller@outlook.com
Support for Tim Helm
Beloved longtime MCCDC member Tim Helm is recovering from spinal and back wound complications at BridgePoint Hospital on Capitol Hill. Tim welcomes your calls in the afternoon and evening at (202) 368-9877.
Tim, our love and prayers are with you!
~Your MCCDC Family
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Johanna Hardy• Jerry Giem • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Bill Campbell • Denise Wright, her mother Lucy Mae Coombs and her Aunt Lottie Mae King. • Rose Williams• Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health• Delores Fowler • Vernessa D. Wilson • Family of Ms. Brittany Harrell • Veronica Franklin• Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline • Glenn Conway • Michelle Lax •Anthony Goode • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • George Kerr, III • Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Evelyn Jones• Steve Sloane • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Cynthia Melman •Kim Battle • Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s recnet loss of her mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Mike Washington •Carol Washington mother’s health •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery • Lost of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore •Kia Murphy • Doris Carter Washington of Alexandra, Va. request prayer • Loss of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore • Patricia Ryan due to the loss of her brother Mickey
•John Hylton • Summer Allen • Healing and recovery for our 9:00 a.m. interpreter Ashley P.
“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
Writing Ministry
Meets Monthy
For more information, contact Jacqueline Laughlin at yemayah@icloud.com.
Barnabas Culture Sessions
Barnabas Culture, Session 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights. For more information contact MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart at Email preachertygart@gmail.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
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