“If you don’t define yourself for yourself, you’d be crunched into other people’s fantasies of you and eaten alive”.
~Audre Lorde“

I have a friend that knits as spiritual practice (and to make useful things). She tells me how comforting and centering it is. The feel of the yarn, the movement of the knitting needles together, the form of the pattern, and finally the finished product. Sometimes the stitch isn’t quite right, or the fit isn’t just so, and the threads are unraveled to redo.

Our scripture this week is Psalm 139 which speaks about God know each of us from the start and knitting us together. Our genetics, personalities, intellects, and gifts. What we do with that and how we develop what God has given to us is our responsibility. How we knit ourselves together as a beloved community of faith is also our honor, our service, and our responsibility. We each have purpose as individuals, and we as an MCCDC community have purpose to serve and live into God’s love and justice.

How are we living into our deeply held beliefs about God, love, equity, and justice; if we have thoughts and feelings about these things that impact our lives so directly.
I invite you to meditate on God’s justice and how we might, as it notes in Hebrews 13, show hospitality to strangers, maybe entertain an angel or two, and show radically inclusive love to our neighbor. During a time when grave uncertainty exists in Washington DC, and society in general, let us come together and honor Labor Day especially at a time when laborers are under attack. Let us remember as we each are the product of God’s knitting handiwork, we as a community can be knit together in purpose, hope and strength.

Join us on Sunday onsite or online at 1030 am ET or on demand at any time. If joining online have a candle, if possible, for a candle lighting ritual.

Peace,
Rev Cathy Alexander

9 am Spiritual Engagement Hour

Never Alone: “Seeing” God/Divine in These Times

We live in times that are impacting mental health. At MCCDC we offer support. We are aware of stigma and seek to create a space for open conversations to help us learn from each other in a spiritual context.

Psalm 139:1-6 (The Message)

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there,
then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—I can’t take it all in!

Our psalm tells us that God notices us and our lives, truly knows us, and is
an extravagantly reassuring presence. That we are never alone.
Join Dr. Carla as we meditate on and discuss this text and how we may be “seeing” and noticing God/Divine in our lives, communities, the world, in these times.
Please feel free to bring poems, devotions, other writings, songs, other art to share
(or an excerpt/a part).

 

MCCDC Chapel Onsite, Online & On demand.

Here are three ways to participate :

Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In, +1 301 7158592 Meeting ID:850 0797 0818

In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001

 

Membership Class

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of MCCDC, please plan to join our next membership class after worship on Sunday, October 05, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Onsite, MCCDC 2nd floor conference room
Online & On demand.

Here are three ways to participate :

Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In, +13017158592,,89602654435
Meeting 89602654435
In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001

Simply contact Rev. Dwayne, revdewayne@mccdc.com, or Rev Cathy, revcathy@mccdc.com, if you would like to attend or have questions.

Volunteer Worship Folder Coordinator

After many years of service Darryl Walker is stepping back as the Worship Folder Coordinator for MCCDC.

We invite you to share your talents in preparing worship Folders each week. This encompass gathering information, designing, and producing weekly worship folders or bulletins, which includes orders of service, hymns, readings, and announcements.

Pleases reach out to Rev Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com or revcathy@mccdc.com if you are interested in this position.

Music at Max Robinson

Join Whitman-Walker Health System on August 29 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Whitman-Walker’s Max Robinson Center, 1201 Sycamore Drive SE, Washington, DC for a free concert featuring various musical styles, from Go-Go and Jazz to violinist and cellist

Click here for more detail event information.

Join the Generosity Team

Help MCCDC Grow Financially, Spiritually and in Membership. Join the team on Thursday at 6:30 via Zoom.

Click here to open Zoom and join automatically

Call In: 13017158592,,84890359051#
Meeting ID: 848 9035 9051

Share your generous gifts and ideas with your church family.

For more information email RevDwayne@MCCDC.com or RevCathy@mccdc.com

39th Walk & 5K to End HIV

Join MCCDC Team on September 20,2025 for the 39th Annual Walk & 5K to End HIV at Anacostia Park 8 am.

WHERE: Anacostia Park (Adjacent to the roller skating pavilion )

1500 Anacostia Drive, SE

Washington, DC 20020

Free, on-site parking available

Click here to donate or join team MCCDC.

Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdchivwalk@mccdc.com for more information.

MCCDC NEW GIVING SYSTEM

MCCDC continues to transition to a new giving system called SubSplash.

This change is intended to be more user friendly than our current easy tithe system.

Some SubSplash Features are:

* Web Giving
* Recurring giving
* Text GIVE4UNITY to 1-888-364-GIVE (4483)
* And phone App giving (Android and iPhone Friendly)

Click here to see a video on Frequently Ask Questions for SubSplash Giving system.

Contact MCCDC Treasure Chocolatte Miller with any questions or concerns at treasurer@mccdc.com.

Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #155

by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter

“Those moments you fail are not the end, they are periods in which you recollect thoughts, ideas, and ambitions, and change direction.” ~ Benjamin Chapin

Dear God, create in us a clean heart and daily renew our minds to trust You during chaotic periods and not become complacent in peaceful times. In your generous mercy and forgiveness, lead us through the path that is now before us. Let not our feet stray away from your purpose for us as a beloved community. Thank you, God, for generously creating everyone in your image, a plethora of different races, different genders and ethnicities to commune with You and with each other. You created all living beings—plants, animals, and humans; and you said “It was good.”

We thank you for you mercy and grace that we are born into this world with the privilege of inheriting eternal life. We pray to remain loyal to your word for this gift that is given us. We are grateful for the opportunities to spread your love and the gospel to everyone, and to share wisely with people in need. We praise you for the willingness to share generously of our talents, time, financial abundance, and treasures in worship with You, and the gathering of souls into your spiritual realm. In your many precious names, may we let your Holy Light shine through us in every act undertaken to perform your great works. Thank you, God, for our journey of life on earth! Amen.

“Don’t open your heart to envy of those who sin, but be constant in fear [respect and trust] of Ywhw—for you are part of what is to become, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:16 (The First Egalitarian Translation)

MCCDC Bible Study Summer Break

MCCDC Bible Study is on summer break starting July 01,2025. Bible study will resume on September 09,2025. Email Dale Madyun-Baskerville, with any questions at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com.

 

Hospitality Ministry

MCCDC Hospitality Ministry needs your help!

Please donate:
· Donate/Volunteer your time once a month on Sunday to coordinate, setup or clean up during Hospitality time.
· Donate supplies:
· Food Items: Individually package cookies, Granola bars, Fresh fruit, Yogurt, Coffee, Sugar, Water, tea bags, and juices (Individually cartons)
· Dry Goods: Coffee cups, 8 inch plates, 6 inch plates, paper towels, Clorox Cleaning Spray, dish clothes and dish towels.

Drop off all supplies Sunday morning at the kitchen window. To Volunteer see Dale Madyun-Baskerville on Sunday morning or email oam@mccdc.com

Prayer Corner

Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:

* Daniel Scearce’s sister Ronda McBride * Clara Carter’s Health and her sister, Phyllis Carter Lewis
* Joe Dawson * Betsy Kramer * Palestinian People in Gaza * Ukrainian People * Cecilia Hayden Smith and Esther Smith’s health * Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * Delores Fowler * Vernessa D. Wilson * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Evelyn Jones * Earline Budd * Prayers for our country. * Prayer for the Hunter family * Kappy Majekodunmi,* Michael Cunningham * Dr. Rev Teresa Tygart and partner Sue for healing, *’Prayers for Rose William Family

 

“Church Ministries”

 

MCCDC Voices

Join us 9 AM onsite at 474 Ridge ST NW, Washington, DC to sing and rehearse for worship.
Make new friends and enjoy a sense of musical belonging.

“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~Colossians 3:16

Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.

Scripture Reading

You’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 oam.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).

Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.

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

Join other MCCDC writers in our monthly Zoom Writing Ministry meeting.

For more information contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.

 

Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!