“In God’s hands, the worst thing that happens to me can be transformed into the best thing that ever happened to me.”
~Grace Imathiu
I am so grateful for Grace Imathiu, one of my colleagues in the Academy for Spiritual Formation. Along with Brene Brown, Maggie Ross and others, she continues to teach me what it means to live with courageous faith: to move forward—even when life pushes back. I’m learning that God has a knack for turning around the “bad stuff” in surprising ways. Part of what it means to live with courageous faith is to live with a curious, more open perspective. To do this, I ask myself: “What does it mean to live with the eyes of my heart.”
In our scripture this Sunday from Luke 24: 36-53 the disciples are in panic, scared out of their minds—and their hearts. They wouldn’t know peace if it was standing right in front of them. Which, in Luke 24:36, it actually is! Scripture describes Jesus standing in their midst, and saying to them: “Peace be with you.” Their response: they continue with their hissy fit, thinking Jesus is a ghost rather than their risen Savior.
While the disciples are frothing, Jesus asks two questions that are still relevant today: “Why are you disturbed? Why do such ideas cross your mind?” (Luke 24: 38). These questions from Jesus cannot be fully answered in a few moments of superficial navel gazing or even in a half day workshop. Yet making these questions part of our ongoing inner work is one move to become free from the fears that reduce us. These questions can be a prompt to live with courage beyond disturbance and see new possibilities for peace with the eyes of our hearts.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
Reimagining Sunday Opportunities
Starting May 05, 2024, MCCDC will start new Sunday programs!
9AM
Music Engagement Hour with
Min. Diedre Gray
and Min. Daniel Scearce
Spiritual Engagement Hour with
Rev. Dwayne, Rev. Cathy and Special Guests
10AM
Friendship and Hospitality Time
10:30
UNIFIED WORSHIP SERVICE
12 PM
Ministry and Community Engagement·
Building Our Generous Home
MCCDC invites you to prayerfully consider ways to share your generosity in 2024.
Please click on the form below fill it our and email it to pastors@mccdc.com or mail it to 474 Ridge St., Washington, DC 20001 to share those ways with us.
Click here to print the Generosity 2024 Intention Form March 2024
Older Adult Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry will meet after worship on Sunday, -April 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Experts from Whitman-Walker Health attorneys,
DC Long Term Care Ombudsman’s Office, June Fan- a private estate planning attorney will join us to discuss wills and estate planning.
All are welcome!
Join in person at 474 Ridge Street, Washington, DC or via zoom link below:
· Click here to open Zoom Link
· Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 824 9552 3942
· Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
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
Wesley Seminary Survey
You’re invited to help Wesley Seminary Student Marshay Winston with her survey of parenting/Caregivers in the MCCDC community.
Please click here to start this short 15 min survey to help this seminary student.
If you have any questions, please email Innovation@wesleyseminary.edu or contact ev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com.
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #103 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Within the seed of gratitude lies the forest of abundance waiting to be discovered” ~ Anonymous
Dear God, thank you for this beautifully blessed week. There is vibrant life within us and around us in everything that you have created. We pray to continue being grateful in all things, to exercise faith and patience to endure, be willing to obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit and follow its guidance in all that you planned for us to be accomplished in the Spiritual realm, and in our lives. Thank you for your love that has no boundaries. Thank you for entrusting us to be good stewards of the abundance lavished upon us to help spread the gospel, support one another, and help others in need.
We are grateful for our spiritual gathering space, the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual worship places where everyone is invited to worship and sing praises to glorify You with thanksgiving. Everybody, wherever you are, is invited to be a part of such a wonderful and borderless worship. We are thankful that everyone shares generously of their talents, financial gifts, time, skills, and treasures. Thank you, God, in your many precious names! Amen.
“Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with celebration! Come before God with shouts of joy!. . .Enter God’s gates with thanks; enter God’s courtyards with praise! Thank God! Bless God’s name!” Psalm 100: 1-2, 4 (CEB)
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 * Veronica Franklin * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Anthony Goode ?Randy Punley * Marcus Garnett *Evelyn Jones * Steve Sloane * Jeffrey Luckenbach ? * Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa * Cynthia Melman *Kim Battle *Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac *Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * John Hylton * Summer Allen * Ruth Kappy Makekodunmi
“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
Join other MCCDC writers in our monthly Zoom Writing Ministry meeting.
This month’s meeting is 17 Feb at 10:00 am EST . For info, contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
