“I know that at times I will be troubled, I know that at times I will be belabored, I know that at times I will be disquieted, but I believe that I will not be overcome. Amen. ” ~Julian of Norwich
It takes courage to live the spiritual life. It takes faith to live with courage. Courage and faith are intertwined in a spiral of hopeful action. It is easy to get pulled into the negative compulsions of ego, greed and violence in thought, word and deed. We live in troubled times that threaten to overtake our souls. In the current season of disquiet, where do we go to be quiet and know that God is God? What inner courage will be required to go to that place?
In our scripture for this Sunday from Hebrews 12:1-2 we are called to run the race that is laid out in front of us, encouraged by the great cloud of faithful witnesses that have gone before us. We are called to let go of baggage and the distractions that trip us up. We are called to focus our eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of faith.
Jesus’ entire life was an invitation to courage. Jesus called his followers then and now to do the right thing even when the right thing is inconvenient. The followers of Jesus in ancient times were living under the toxic imperial power of the Roman Empire. Each day they faced the threat of weapons and arrest. Jesus knew that the only thing greater than such force was courageous faith centered in love.
He made it clear to them that they were not alone in the call to courage. He bolstered them with a promise: “I will ask the One who sent me to give you another Companion, another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:17).
I recently read the excellent bestseller “Eleanor: A Spiritual Biography” by Harold Ivan Smith. I was struck by the courage of Eleanor Roosevelt to bring hope to the oppressed by facing racist and political oppression through both word and action. “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
As Jesus taught his followers, and as Julian of Norwich and Eleanor Roosevelt embodied, we can move with courage because we do not move alone. We move together by faith.
By Faith,Rev Elder Dwayne
“UP COMING EVENTS”
MCCDC Young Adult Innovation Hub Team
Your MCCDC Young Adult Innovation Hub Team presents an opportunity for all to learn what our team has been learning this last year. We have been invited to offer this chance for all to participate and learn.
Design Thinking Crash Course: Saturday, August 17 9:00-5:00
Design thinking focuses in on rapid idea development with a particular focus on the people the ideas, programs, ministry, and programs are being developed for. Learning these principles will help propel you forward in all areas of your life.
Breakfast provided at 8:30; class begins promptly at 9am – snacks, lunch, hydration, learning. (location: National UMC, 3401 Nebraska Ave NW Washington, DC 20016)
If you are interested, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
National Trans Visibility March Benefit Concert
Live August 23, 2019, 7:30-9 pm
Join us on August 23, 2019 live from the Historic Grace Reformer Church in Washington, DC as we kick-off the first National Trans Visibility March activity.
Tickets are $25.00
Click Here for Event Information and to buy Tickets
8TH ANNUAL BACKPACK 4KIDS
In partnership with the community outreach program at NBC4 Washington, we are collecting backpacks and supplies (or financial donations that would allow us to purchase those items).
It only takes $20 to equip one student with a backpack and supplies for the school year. Our goal is to provide 300 kids with backpacks and supplies for the coming year. We are also encouraging our neighbors to help with the backpack program by donating supplies! You can also reach out to folks at work or send donation requests to family and friends!! Help MCCDC help kids in our community!!
Here’s how you can help:
• Donate a new backpack stuffed with school supplies or
• Donate securely online at www.mccdc.com/donate (select the “Donate” tab near the top, and choose “Backpacks 4 Kids” in the dropdown menu). SPONSORING 5 KIDS IS JUST $100!!!
If you would like to donate a backpack, the school supplies needed per backpack include:
• New backpack
• Two packs of loose leaf notebook paper
• Two dozen #2 pencils
• Two packages of cap erasers
• Three spiral composition books
• One yellow highlighter
• Two composition books
• Paper glue
• Box of Kleenex • 2 packs of copy – white paper
• 12-inch ruler
• Calculator
• 8 plain folders with pockets and brads or loose leaf binder with dividers
• One package of 24 crayons and/or one package of colored pencils
• Small pencil or supply box or zippered supply pouch
We have big blue tubs in the Welcome Hall. Drop-off your donations during the week and before or after the Sunday Services. If you need more information, please contact the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com
Timeline:
• Last collection date: Sunday, August 25th
Lauren’s Ordination, 4 pm on Saturday, August 31st
Join in the celebration of Lauren Bennett’s ordination with Metropolitan Community Churches!
Come 4 pm on Saturday, August 31st at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC (MCCDC) 474 Ridge Street NW, a reception will follow immediately after the close of the service catered by Sakina Halal Grill (yum!).
Click here for Event details and RSVP/ Registrar for catered head count!
Walk it Out! Join your MCCDC family in the walk to end breast cancer. All are welcome to join the team.
2019 Komen Washington DC MORE THAN PINK Walk
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
7:00 AM-Registration and T-shirt Pick-up Opens
8:45 AM-Opening Ceremony
Survivors and Those Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer Strut to the Opening Ceremony (line up at 8:30 in the Hope Village)
9:00 AM-Walk Start
For more information, please contact Rev Cathy Alexander at revcathy@mccdc.com or call (202) 638-7373.
“CHURCH NEWS”
Atlantic City Resort Hotel and Casino Bus Trip 14 Sept 2019
This event is sponsored by the Older Adults Ministry, but anyone is warmly invited to join!
Departs MCCDC promptly at 7AM and returns at 11 PM.
The cost is $50 and must be paid in advance. The deadline for sign up is Sept 1st. For more information please contact Ace Barbari at 703-303-2934.
Innovation by Design I: Saturday, September 21 and November 16, 8:30-4:30
Location: Wesley Seminary, 4500 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20016
Open to anyone in MCCDC who leads, or is interested in learning how to design ministries relevant to your community- ONE complimentary registration to audit
This course will appeal to the natural evangelists, disciples, creators, and entrepreneurs in your congregation. Maybe there is someone in your community who benefits from one of your ministries and a certificate of completion from seminary will give them confidence to flourish in new and beautiful ways.
Registration form attached. If you are interested, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Join your MCCDC family in the walk to end HIV AIDS Walk All are welcome to join the team.
Click Here to Donate to MCCDC Team or Join the TEAM!!!
Saturday, October 26.
Location: The Walk & 5K to End HIV
will begin and end at Freedom Plaza
(Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th Street, NW)
5K timed run begins promptly. 9:15 am
Walk to End HIV steps off. 9:20 am
Click here for Registration
Fees:
General Walk Registration: $25
Student / Senior (60+) Walk Registration: $15
General Timed Run Registration: $35
Sleep Walker Registration: $40
Event Information
Click here For Detail Event information
T-shirt pick -up on-site the morning of the event beginning at 7:30 AM
For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville baskerd6109@gmail.com or call 202-638-7373.
Revival! Revival! Revival!MCCDC will celebrate revival on September 20-22.
Please mark your calendars. If you would like to join this years’ revival planning team, please contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373
THE TIES THAT BIND US! THE NATIONAL TRANS VISIBILITY MARCH, SEPTEMBER 28, 2019, Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC 11 am-1 pm
We must show that Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary Lives Matter More than Ever!!
The National Trans Visibility March is HISTORIC-This is the First National Trans March!!
If you are interested in forming an MCCDC team please contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
NATIONAL TRANS VISIBILITY EVENTS, WASHINGTON, DC
The National Trans Visibility March is of critical importance at this time. With the Equality Act of 2019 being threatened by the Senate and the continuation of the Trans military ban implementation, there is a need to mobilize America to recognize and fight for the rights of TGNC/NB people. Although the current administration has intentionally rolled back efforts to prevent inclusion of transgender communities in the upcoming 2020 Census, individuals from the TGNC/NB communities have mobilized and issued a call to action to dismantle the social structures that have oppressed and disenfranchised the TGNC/NB community for far too long.
March with us at the National Trans Visibility March to show the world that our lives matter, that our health matters, that our present and future matters, that our voices matter, that our minds matter, that our feelings matter. March with us to demand justice for our sisters and brothers whose lives were taken through senseless murders, violence and systemic oppression. March with us to demand financial equity and employment opportunities. March with us to fight for health equity. March with us to show the world that no decisions are made about us, without us.
Schedule of events:
August 23, 2019 7:30pm National Trans Visibility March Benefit Concert-Washington, DC Watch Parties across the country
September 27, 2019 1-5pm National Trans Visibility March Community Rally Workshops 7:30-10pm National Trans Visibility March Torch Awards, Crystal City Gateway Marriott
September 28, 2019 9am-11am National Trans Visibility March Rally, Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC 11am-1pm National Trans Visibility March Freedom Plaza to U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC
For more information visit their website at Click here for More Information on these event
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Stay current on our video postings .
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
Inspiration Videos, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC
“Ministry Spotlight”
MCCDC Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the Welcome Hall
For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at the churchoffice@mccdc.com or call (202) 638-737.
Click Here to See MCCDC Bible Study Schedule 2019
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Prayer Corner
Please continue to hold in your prayers Keith Richardson who is in a Nursing Home.
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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