This Week’s Reflection
“The world needs all of our power and love and energy and each of us has something we can give. Find it and use it. Find it and give it away. So there will always be more” ~June Cotner
At MCCDC we welcome people home. People find home at MCCDC through friendship, warm hospitality, learning together, worshipping as community and shared purpose. Another gift of MCCDC to our community is the gift of healing. Many of you have shared how MCCDC has supported your healing. My prayer is that we would be a home where the grace of healing flourishes.
What healing do we seek? We live in a world where oppressive realities, including racism and other forms of violence, have created cultures of fear. In our text for Sunday from Mark 1:21-28 Jesus confronts the harm of oppression with his first of eighteen miracles in the Gospel of Mark. Thirteen of the miracles relate to healing, and four of these are healings from oppressive forces. Mark’s account of the life of Jesus could be described as the Gospel of Healing.
This Sunday at 9AM and 11AM EST in the Sanctuary, online and later on demand we will explore the power of Jesus to take on the oppressive forces of his day. Mark presents a beautiful picture of Jesus. What we see in Jesus is strength centered in love. Jesus is the embodiment of loving strength and healing. The strength of Jesus is without domination. And the power of Jesus is authority without abuse.
As we pray about who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do, I see Jesus as both our example and our partner in this calling. Jesus acts with compassion that opens new possibilities for transformation and healing. Jesus invites us to welcome people to a home of healing. And Jesus extends his power to MCCDC to build a home of healing.
In preparation for Sunday I invite you to join me in reflection on Jesus’ teaching from John 14:12: “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Creator.”
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 is 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
Community, MCCDC, and Volunteers of America Forum with ANC Commissioner Rachelle Nigro
This Saturday, January 27th at MCCDC, 1PM – 2PM, (In Person) Topic: MCCDC is partnering with Volunteers of America and other community partners for a Spiritual Colloquium on People of Faith Addressing Gun Violence.
?The Spiritual Colloquium is on March, 9th. However, to prepare for March 9th, it is important that we include our neighbors and community in this conversation, with openness to concerns and questions. This Saturday is also an opportunity for our congregation and neighbors to engage together on an important topic that impacts us all.
For more information about this event contact Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson at revdwayne@mccdc.com or Rev Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com.
People of Faith Addressing Gun Violence Gathering/Spiritual Colloquium
On Saturday, 09 March, 1 pm EST, Metropolitan Community Church of DC (MCCDC)474 Ridge Street NW | Washington, DC the Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (VOACC) will be leading this gathering for faith leaders and people of faith passionate about making a difference in the community!
The focus of this event will be discussions on gun violence, and how to do more than just give our thoughts and prayers at Metropolitan Community Church of DC (MCCDC).
Click below to Read Notes from 10 & 17 Jan Gatherings
For more information about this event contact Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson at revdwayne@mccdc.com or Rev Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com
Click here to register for this FREE event
Email Scam Alert
Someone has been sending email claiming to be Re. Cathy and requesting people buy gift cards. This is a scam! (Rev. Cathy 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!
Mary’s House Workshops
Join The Villages at Mary’s House for one of their?FREE ONLINE workshops?listed below on key topics:
January 31–Isolation and Self-Care Presented by Valerie Lemon, Licensed Professional Counselor Time: 1:00-2:00 PM EST
Meeting ID: 850 3826 7609, Passcode: 323466
Join older adults for important information and lively conversation, together! For more information, please contact: Darryl Walker, dwalker@maryshousedc.org or Dr. Carla Sherrell–Program Manager, csherrell@maryshousedc.org
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
