This Week’s Reflection
“Now is the time to climb up the mountain and reason against habit. Now is the time to renew the barren soil of nature ruined by the winds of tyranny. Now is the time to commence the litany of hope. Now is the time to give me roses, not to keep them for my grave to come. Give them to me while my heart beats. Give them today while my heart yearns for jubilee. Now is the time.” ~Mzwkhe Mbuli
One of our greatest gifts is the gift of time. It is both limited and limitless. It is more precious than money, power or possessions. All of those can be rebuilt. Lost time cannot be recovered. However invested time multiplies itself with exponential impact. How do we invest our time in ways that will bring fullness to our lives and the lives of those around us? How do we invest our time to be part of the fulfillment of God’s promises for our world? Our scripture for Sunday from Mark 1: 14-20 informs our approach to such important questions.
In our gospel Jesus proclaims the good news of God saying, “The time is fulfilled” (Mark 1:14). Then, Jesus invites Simon, Andrew, James and John to drop their fishing nets and follow him to the time of their lives. Immediately, the Scripture says, they shift their time investment from fish to people.
How we invest our time speaks to how much we love and what we most value. The invitation of Jesus is to follow him beyond mere time management into fulfilling the eternal promise each moment holds.
In preparation for Sunday, I invite you to reflect on this quote by J.S. Mogabgab: “As we hallow our time with priorities, commitments, tasks, and relationships that acknowledge and bless God’s presence in daily affairs, we will find holiness in time.”
I’m looking forward to sharing time with you in the presence of God this Sunday at 9AM and 11AM EST in the Sanctuary, online and on demand.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
2023 Giving Statements Are Coming Soon!
The treasurer and assistant treasurer are preparing your giving statement for tax year 2023. Giving statements will be emailed in phases during the coming weeks. For those who do not have a working email address on file or who do not have access to email, the 2023 giving statement will be sent out via postal mail.
Please contact treasurer@mccdc.com with questions.
2024 Wisdom Gatherings “Reimagining What it Means to Reimagine Church”
Help determine the future of MCCDC.
We welcome your voice as we seek God’s direction for our future.
There are one session left!
Moving Forward and Mobilization
Zoom AND In Person
Sunday January 28 from 12:30p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Here are three ways to participate:
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In, +1 301 715 8592 US, Meeting ID: 864 8711 8559
In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001
2023 Forum & Congregational Meeting
We will be holding our annual forum and Congregational Meeting at 12:30 EST on the below dates:
• · 10 March: Forum In-Person & Zoom
• · 24 March : Congregational Meeting In-Person & Zoom
We invite you to join other MCCDC members , recapping 2023 and planning how we’ll grow our generous home in 2024.
Here are four ways to participate:
· Attend the forum in person at 474 Ridge St NW
· Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
· Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 868 1921 1447
Dial 1 301 715 8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Email Scam Alert
Someone has been sending email claiming to be Rev. Dwayne and requesting people buy gift cards. This is a scam! (Rev. Dwayne has only one email address, revdwayne@mccdc.com). Delete the email or report it as spam to reportphishing@apwg.org. or CLICK HERE TO report to GMAIL.
Save This Date !
2024 Book Study: Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul
Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, invites you to join him on a 6-week book study starting on Thursday’s, 11 January and ending on February 15, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm EST.
The book “Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul” by John Philip Newell, a famous Celtic Christian writer and teacher, reviews the lives and writings of 9 important figures such as Pelagius, a second-century Christian writer.
• The book can be purchase online at Thriftbooks.com, Christianbook.com, Bookshop.org, and Amazon.com.
• Participants are asked to register first by emailing Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com who will email you the zoom information.
Bible Study, Labyrinths History & Walk
MCCDC’s Bible Study ministry will gather in person at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 16 March 2024 and resume our annual Labyrinths Walk.
Learn about our history and walk the MCCDC Labyrinths! We will also offer a virtual experience via Zoom.Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more information
Sight and Sounds Theater
MCCDC’s Older Adults Ministry is sponsoring a bus trip to see the play
Daniel at Sight and Sound Theater
, located at 300 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, Pa. We’ll depart from 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC at 1:00 p.m. and return at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Tickets cost $160 and include round trip coach bus ride, ticket for premium theater seats, and a stop at Amish Miller Smorgasbord Restaurant (MEAL COST NOT INCLUDED).
Payments can be made in three installments of $54 each, or one payment of $160. Anyone using the payment plan must pay in full no later than May 31, 2024.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE. Go to danieltrip.mccdc.com to pay
Questions? Contact Dale L. Madyun-Baskerville via email, oam@mccdc.com
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #92 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot
Dear God, thank you for this year of blessings that you bestowed upon Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship throughout the world. Thank you for creating everything and saying “It is good.” We have been made worthy of your grace through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray for peace and kindness within everyone’s heart to express your love to a world in need of peace. Help us to work willingly as your hands to continue feeding the hungry and healing the sick in your many names, teaching and preaching in gathering more souls for your spiritual realm.
We look to this year of 2024 with renewed faith and hope, trusting that you are with us always, in our triumphs, through periods of grief, and in all instances of our lives. We pray that our families be bonded by love—biological loved ones, church members, and family ties of people everywhere. Bless all that we live peacefully with each other and care for each other regardless of race, culture, color, nationality, or religious beliefs—that we unite together for a prosperous world of abundance, love, and peace that is so contagious it spreads from one soul to another infecting the world with nothing but goodness. Thank you, God, in your many precious names. Amen
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * 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 * Anthony Goode * Randy Punley * 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 * Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Johanna Hardy * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * Melvin Moore Adams* John Hylton * Summer Allen
“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.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Watch on YouTube
