“…[A] strange necessity has been laid upon me to devote my life to the central concern that transcends the walls that divide and would achieve in literal fact what is experienced as literal truth: human life is one and all men are members of one another. And this insight is spiritual and it is the hard core of religious experience.”
~ Howard Thurman, The Luminous Darkness
Howard Thurman, the late civil rights leader, educator and theologian was a mentor to many in the civil rights movement. His canon includes the famous, “Jesus and the Disinherited” which is credited as an influential work to many leaders of the Civil Rights movement including Martin Luther King, Jr. Thurman’s quote from “The Luminous Darkness” points towards the God beyond the walls, labels and ideologies that far too often work to divide rather than unite us.
In the Parable of the wheat and the weeds one might be quick to begin separating the good from the evil, the mature from the immature, the oppressed from the oppressor and, yet, Thurman points us to a deeper spiritual truth: “human life is one and all [people] are members of one another. How does our identity in Christ as recorded in the 4th chapter of Ephesians verses 4-6 inform our response and reaction to the parable of the weeds and the wheat? If “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and [parent] of all, who is above all and through all and in all,” how do we even begin to divide us against ourselves?
And yet, there are a multitude of examples we face on a daily basis as we live in a world of binaries and either/or thinking. How might we move beyond the binaries of male or female, good or bad, straight or gay to embrace the expansive both/and, neither/nor, fluid truth of most of our lives and certainly our identity as one body of many parts in Christ? And then, how might our adoption of the complexities of human experience thrust us into our call towards liberation from the binaries and expectations that bind us all and disproportionally cause harm and violence to our trans and gender non-conforming siblings?
Join us this weekend for a two part series entitled, “Holy Conversation on Transgender Action.” The series will begin on Saturday from 9:30 -2 with an introductory workshop exploring our own relationship/s to gender binaries, gender identities and gender expressions and wrap up with the 9am and 11am services on Sunday.
Angel Collie
Assistant Director, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
Duke University
UPCOMING EVENTS
MCC Conference for People of African Descent(PAD)
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS!
Today I registered for the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Friends and Advocates (PAD). This is the 9th PAD Conference. Through the years, I have been challenged and inspired at these conferences. I have received tools to help me be a better though imperfect advocate. I have also made friendships that provide mutual nourishment to keep doing the difficult yet joyful work of justice. I would like for at least twenty people from MCCDC to join me from August 3-5 in St. Louis.
See You in St Louis! Rev. Elder Dwayne
Click Here for Registration and Conference Information
Click Here To See PAD Conference Schedule
MCCDC supports the PAD Friends & Advocates conference and we plan on sending a delegation. Please plan on attending. Should you have questions please contact your MCCDC lay delegates or staff at churchoffice@mcccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
TRANS* ACTION
MCCDC is honored to host a Holy Conversation on Transgender Action. TRANS Activist Angel Collie will once again bring his brand of wisdom, knowledge and invitation.Our Holy Conversation on Transgender Action will serve as an introductory workshop that begins with thinking about our own relationship to gender identity and gender expression. Anchored in our own individual positionality to the conversation we will explore terminology, the ways privilege works to benefit some at a great cost to others, and best practices for creating true welcome. Participants will leave with a new understanding of language, resources, and strategies for creating trans celebratory faith communities. Angel will facilitate a workshop and conversation on Saturday July 22nd (lunch provided) 9:30 AM to 2 PM and bring the message on Sunday July 23rd. If you would like to attend, please let Rev Cathy know at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Financial Peace University,July 29th, 10 AM
Financial Peace University Starts at MCCDC on July 29th, 10 AM, Please JOIN US! This life-changing class is taught by Dave Ramsey and coordinated by Jacqueline Laughlin at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington D.C. in Washington, DC.
Click Here For More Information and Register for Class
Mark Your Calendars!!!MCCDC and UFCD Partnership Sunday
August 13th is MCCDC and UFCDC Partnership Sunday and Combined Church Cookout sponsored by MCCDC Older Adult Ministry and UFCDC
MCCDC and Unity Fellowship Church, DC will celebrate our 2nd Anniversary by having a joint worship service and cookout. Worship will begin at noon (NOTE WORSHIP TIME). The cookout will be followed by the service. For more information contact Robin Anderson at 252robin@gmail.com or contact the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com
or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
REVIVAL! REVIVAL! REVIVAL! It’s coming to MCCDC September 15 – 17th. SAVE THE DATES
Attention
The SHARE ministry has been paused until further notice. If you would like more information about this ministry or if you would like to volunteer, please contact the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC Drama Ministry
As the MCCDC Drama Ministry Team, we nurture and utilize our talents to bring glory to God. We enhance and empower our spiritual community through innovative means of drama, story-telling, music, dance and mime. We contribute our creativity for the out reach and growth of the church. You can contact Jules at enjoyingtoday@hotmail. com or call 336-419-7579
Our first practice will be on Monday, July 31st @ 6:30 PM!
Older Adult Ministry Atlantic City Resort Hotel and Casino Bus Trip
October 7, 2017
Departs MCCDC: 7: 00AM
Arrives At Atlantic City: 11 AM
Departs Atlantic City: 7:00 PM
Arrive back at MCCDC 11:00 PM
Cost: $50.00
MUST PAY IN ADVANCE
$25.00 Slots Cash dollars with
$25.00 FOOD VOUCHER
Make checks payable to George Barbari
DEADLINE: October 01, 2017,*NO LAST MINUTE CANCELLATION AND ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS*
Any First time Comers Please provide date of birth & home address with Check!
For more information – Call Ace Barbari Cell 703-303-2934
Theological Study to Liberia
Help Lauren’s Angels travel to Libera by donating to her travel:
Join Lauren’s Angels:
Our Intern, Lauren Bennett is going to Liberia as a part of her MDiv at Wesley Theological Seminary. This immersion trip will be led by Rev. Dr. Asa Lee. Founded in 1820 by American emancipated slaves, students will learn about Liberia’s deep and intertwined history with the US and the American Protestant church; from support in the 19th Century from benevolent Christian missionary societies to contemporary support in the face of Civil War, poverty, and Ebola. The pivotal role of the church in areas of economic development, healthcare and education will be of central interest on this immersion and Liberia’s resilience and perseverance will be instructive and formative to participants in this immersion. When Lauren returns she will host an event to share of her time abroad.
You can help her raise the $3,600 needed for the trip by becoming one of her angels. Angels will receive special updates and readings before and during her immersion. Anyone can become an angel at any level $1 to $1,000!
Thank you for your support through prayer and finances!
img src=”https://mccdc.com/wp-content/uploads/divider-bar.png” alt=”MCCDC – The Place To Be” />
Strategic Planning and Guiding Kickoff
Recently MCCDC redeveloped our mission and aspirations statement. We are now poised to continue that work to map out the specific path to achieve what God has for us next as a congregation. If you are interested in contributing to this team, please contact Rev. Dwayne at revdwayne@mccdc.com or Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
RECYCLING is COMING!!
Throughout the Bible God teaches that we are stewards of our world. To be better stewards, MCCDC will soon begin recycling. Until we roll out a full-blown recycling program, we are asking everyone to do two things. First, we generate a lot of paper waste like left behind bulletins, newspapers and magazines. Please take these items home with you to recycle. Second, DC outlawed styrofoam in 2014. We appreciate people contributing cups and plates to the church, yet to be in compliance with the regulation we cannot accept styrofoam items any longer. If you want to contribute, please bring paper items—better yet buy ones that contain recycled material already! Thank you so much for your generosity and spirit of service.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM in the Welcome Hall. A time of community, fun learning and sharing. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is going live! We have an opportunity to use of our AV system to reach outside our walls to many people who may not be able to join us in person. To make this happen we must have a subscription service that will provide us the ability to stream our services, concerts and special events, and expand opportunities for participation in our bible studies and other activities remotely. The testing done so far with streaming has generated a lot of excitement, particularly by those who have been unable to visit our church.
You can be a part of making this happen in a number of ways: (1) pray for our reach beyond the walls of our church (2) join others in donating to cover the one-time annual cost of the service and associated AV training for our volunteers; and (3) consider joining the AV ministry.
Click to Donate!
You can contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
With EasyTithe, supporting the church is as simple as clicking a mouse or whipping out your smart phone.
Our new online system allows you to make a financial donation to the church with your credit card or direct debit from your banking account.
You’ll be asked to set up your MCCDC EasyTithe Account. You can set it up to make a one-time/anytime donation or make a recurring donation.
Click to Donate!
You also can give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
YOGA CLASSES
Yoga will be on break for the summer. Please watch this spot in the fall for the return of the class. If you have questions, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~Namaste~
Adult Sunday School Taking a Vacation
Adult Sunday School is taking a Vacation Break for the summer and classes will resume after Labor Day. We look forward to seeing you in September!
Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater
The Tuesday night Bible Study Ministry is sponsoring a trip to see the stage production of Jonah at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. The trip will be on Saturday Aug 19 leaving MCCDC by caravan at 8 AM and returning to MCCDC around 8 PM. This production will also complement the Tuesday Night Bible Study focus on the prophet Jonah in August. For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202-638-7373.
Click here to find out more information from about the show.
