This Week’s Reflection
Life can only be understood backwards, but it can only be lived forwards.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard
This Sunday is the Seventh Day of Christmas. MCCDC will complete 2023 with one service at 10a.m. EST. The theme is “AMEN SUNDAY: Let it Go—Write the Vision.” We will gather in the Sanctuary, online, and later on demand.
This experiential and interactive service will weave together song, psalms and word to lovingly let go of 2023 and to welcome 2024. Thanks to Min. Diedre Gray for designing the service and our Pastoral Care Ministers for participating in prayer and leadership.
Together we learn from the realities of 2023 and we look forward to 2024. We are grateful that we have the support of our MCCDC community to be with us, whatever life may bring. The poet of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “There is a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens” (3:1). For some in the MCCDC community, this New Year is a time for giving birth. For others it is a time for searching. Among us there are those living the range of times: “a time for crying and a time for laughing, a time for mourning and a time for dancing. . .” (3:4-5).
Through tears, laughter, mourning and dancing, we are here for each other. Wherever you find yourself during this time, life can only be lived forward. Living forward, during low times or high times, is a choice.
MCCDC is here to partner with you through the seasons. We are also here to strengthen your spiritual tools to empower you to make consistent choices for a stronger future. We are here to support each other. Looking ahead to 2024, what no longer serves you and needs to be released? What new choices will help you move forward? Let us continue to celebrate our spiritual home. And let us each offer support to strengthen our MCCDC home of love and wholeness.
In preparation for Sunday, I invite you to join me in reflecting on these lines from a Sanskrit poem, written over 2,000 years ago. The wisdom offered is timeless.
For yesterday is but a memory,
and tomorrow a vision
but today well-lived
makes every yesterday
a memory of hope
and every tomorrow
a vision of hope.
In Christmas Hope,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC New Year Eve Morning Service!
Please join us 31 December, 10 am EST, New Year’s Eve Morning! Join us in person at 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC or live stream at live.mccdc.com
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 board@mccdc.com with questions.
2024 Wisdom Gatherings, “Reimagining What it Means to Reimagine Church”
We welcome your voice as we seek God’s direction for our future.
There are 3 sessions plan :
#1: Reviewing and Renewing the MCCDC Cultures(s)
What Kind of Church Are We and Who Are We Called to be?
Zoom only:
Wednesday January 10, 2024 from 6:30p.m. to 7:45p.m.
#2: Ministry and Programing Inward and Outward
Zoom only:
Wednesday January 17 from 6:30p.m. to 7:45p
#3: Moving Forward and Mobilization
Zoom AND In Person
Sunday January 28 from 12:30p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
End of Year Gift
Make your End of Year Gift TODAY! Help MCCDC to go into 2024 year strong.
Go to donate.mccdc.com and select End of Year Gift from the menu. This gift will count toward your tax-free contribution for 2023.
Writers’ Ministry
Is writing important to you.???? JOIN US Saturday morning! 30 Dec 2023, 10:00 AM. Share with your MCCDC WRITERS and Friends! Gather on the last Saturday 2023 to say goodbye, letting go and setting intentions for 2024.
Here are two ways to participate :
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 7477593852
Older Adult Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry will be holding it monthly meeting In Person, 2nd floor Chapel or Join via Zoom. 14 January 2023, at 12:30 PM. This month we will discuss 5 wishes and how to plan for that time..
Here are three ways to participate :
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Call In, 301-715-8592, Meeting ID: 824 9552 3942
In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001
Save This Date !
MCCDC will have their Black History Concert on Saturday, 24th February at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Here are two ways to participate:
In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001 or join us live stream at live.mccdc.com!
Gift Card Give Away!
Enter to win a Amazon gift card by registering for the book study via email to Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com.
Email must be received by 12/NOON On Friday 29 December. A drawing will be held on Sunday 31 Dec2mber 2023 during worship Service
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.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #91 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” ~Emily Dickinson
Dear God, thank you for hope that gives wings to faith and trust in you for all things. We celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, your most precious gift you gave to save the whole world. Jesus was a most prosperous being who did not need for anything. He knew You as his Provider for anything that he needed. He knew who he was and his purpose for being born into a hopeless world. He performed miracles—turned water into wine, healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed five thousand people with two fish and five loaves of bread, just to name a few.
We are filled with gratitude for your blessings upon Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship where everyone gathers to be a blessing to others, obey your word, and find purpose for their lives. Thank you for instilling a generous spirit within us to share and give of ourselves in dedication to building a prosperous and beloved community to perform great works in your name. We willingly share generously of our financial gifts, service, time, talents and treasures to help grow a better world. We are thankful for your generosity of gifts—peace, love, joy, grace, faith, trust, perseverance, endurance, hope. . . Thank you in your precious names! Amen.
“And such a hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 (The First Egalitarian Translation)
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!
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