FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT: COME HOME WITH JOYFUL SHOUTS
“Joy is found through facing and enduring suffering until one is able, however briefly, to forget oneself through wonder at the world and service to others.”
~ Anne Ramirez
The season of Lent weaves together biblical texts that address such themes as purpose, endurance, temptation and the cost of love. Joy is an emergent theme in the scriptures for the 5th
Sunday in Lent.
“Joy,” writes Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” Our scripture from Isaiah 43: 16-21 evokes the presence of God, inviting listeners to not be mired in the past, but to look with a sense of wonder for new possibilities. Psalm 126 is both a shout of praise and a prayer of hope, as the poet sings, “Let those who go out, crying and carrying their seed, come home with joyful shouts (v. 6).
Discovering joy beyond or even in the midst of difficult circumstances is one way of coming home. It is forgetting oneself through praise and wonder, and therein finding unexpected Presence. Joy removes the boundaries of hope, opening a new way that previously seemed closed.
In preparation for Sunday and the continuation of this Lenten season, I offer this prayer:
“Loving and gracious God, deepen our understanding of joy throughout this season when we seek to move closely with Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, to suffering, and to life beyond death. Draw us from the fog of preoccupation to a renewed sense of wonder and service. Still us to remember the place in each of us that is protected from disturbance, the place where Your Spirit makes a joyful home in our hearts. Remind us to see the new sprouts of life all around us that inspire us to follow a better way. And so it is. Amen.”
See you Sunday at 9AM and 11AM for the Fifth Sunday in Lent.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
An Invitation from Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE SURVEY
In 2015 we worked with Rev. Elder Don Eastman to focus on our future. His work with us included several congregational surveys and retreat weekends. All that information was the foundation for a drafting team that included our consultant Rev. Elder Don Eastman, Associate Pastor Rev. Cathy Alexander, Dale Madyun-Baskerville, Steve Jones, and myself. We used your comments and participation to NOW present to you for further comment our guiding documents which include our Mission, Vision and Values..
Please click here to take survey!
Tell us what you think! Place your mark on the future of MCCDC, this Beloved Community. It will only take a few minutes, yet it will be very helpful to the drafting team as we prepare proposed guiding documents to present to the Board of Directors for consideration. Upon Board approval of our guiding documents, Rev. Elder Don Eastman will work with us on strategic implementation.
I invite you to join me in this next step of creating our future together!
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
THIS WEEK MARCH 2016
Notification From Holy Redeemer MCC: Minister Roy Link, who many in the MCCDC family may know, has passed.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, Wake 5-6 PM, Celebration of Life 6 PM
Marshall’s Funeral Home
4308 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland
Phone: 301-736-1616
Daylight savings Time
Don’t miss out, please remember to set your clocks ahead this Saturday night.
JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR A SNEEK PEEK OF THE 472 PROPERTY
Join us after each service for a sneek peek of the 472 property. We will enter the property through the back entrance off the church parking lot. We are scheduled to finish the property in the next couple of weeks and start renting in April.
Electronic Giving
You may give online at mccdc.com/donate or give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions. 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8pm 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.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Adult Sunday School is held from 10:15 to 10:50. Please bring your coffee or tea to the upstairs conference room for the brief yet powerful time together. For more information contact Rose Herring at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC’s 2016 Stewardship Drive
The Stewardship Drive provides a great opportunity for all of us to take time to reflect on how MCCDC is ministering to us, and pray about how we can best serve God and MCCDC through our time, talents, and treasure.
What is Stewardship? Stewardship can best be defined as behaving responsibly with something you have been given. It entails diligently seeking the best uses for the resources with which you have been entrusted.
How can I participate in this year’s drive? Simply complete a 2016 Pledge Form. The form will ask you to make a pledge regarding your contributions to the general operating fund for this year, as well as what ministry areas you are supporting or would like to participate in using your time and talents. Pledge forms can be placed in the offering plate or sent to the church office.
Click below for Pledge Drive form.2016 Stewardship Pledge Form Final
Please contact Rev Cathy should you have questions or require additional information. revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Let’s celebrate MCCDC’s 45th anniversary by pledging our support to the church and its ministries in 2016. Thank you for you participation.
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC 45th Anniversary Celebration Gala
Join us for an evening of fine dining, dancing, memories and memory making with old and new friends.
Our 45th Anniversary Gala will take place on:
***May 21st from 6:30-10:30 PM at the:
***National Press Club 529, 14th Street NW, 13th Floor Ballroom, Washington, DC 20045.
***Tickets are available online at link below or at the information station starting March 6th., 2016.
***Ticket Prices $70.00 until April 1, 2016 and $80.00 until May 2, 2016.
Click Here to Buy Tickets Online
45th Anniversary History Project
We want to hear from you because you have a story to tell the nations. We would like everyone to tell their story (in a page or less) and especially if you are a 20+ year member of MCCDC. Use the following questions as a guide:
• How did you find MCCDC?
• What were your feelings to find a spiritual home that let you know God loves and created you for who you are?
• What contributions (spiritual gifts) did you make to the ministry of the church?
• What would you share with people who are still looking for a safe and spiritual home?
• What are your hopes for the future of MCCDC?
Please send you writings by March 1st to Cecelia Hayden Smith and Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373. Cecelia Hayden Smith is at the church every Tuesday from 12:30 –
HAVE YOUR CAKE… AND EAT IT TOO!!!ORDER YOUR CAKE FOR PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY
PICK UP YOUR CAKES MARCH 20 – 27, 2016
A VARIETY OF WHOLE CAKES AVAILABLE!! SEE LIST BELOW! SIGN UP AT THE INFORMATION STATON OR CALL THE CHURCH AT 202-638-7373
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT MCCDC 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Regular Cakes $20.00
• Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing
• Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing
• Plain Coconut Cake
• Pineapple Coconut Cake
• Lemon Pound Cake
• Pound Cake
Special Cakes: $30.00
• Carrot Cake
• Red Velvet Cake
• German Chocolate Cake
Pies: $7.00
• Sweet Potato Pie
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH GATHERING
When: March 20th, 2016 (Palm Sunday) from 12:30-2:45PM
Where: MCCDC lower level Conference Room
Theme: “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government”
Inviting all who identify as female, to come to participate in this time of sharing, connection, and encouragement. We intend to honor those who we know little about in our personal and professional lives.
Bring a picture of yourself or a friend or family member or someone you admire who was in public service and tell a bit about them and how they impacted your life. Or bring a brief poem or writing. We will eat a light lunch, share and connect. For more information please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC JOINS TO SUPPORT THE MCC GLOBAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE WITH EASTER HONORS AND REMEMBRANCES
By participating in the Easter Offering Campaign for Global Justice, MCCDC will join hands with others around the globe to put our faith into action. Led by Rev. Elder Pat Baumgartner, the Global Justice Institute (GJI) has a bold vision for the coming year and the important work that our donation will jump-start:
Working with activists on the ground in Central Asia and Malawi to create and expand safe spaces and housing for targeted LGBTQI people;
Strengthening and expanding our programming reach at our satellite location of GJI in Kenya;
Collaborating with HIV/AIDS activists in Cuba;
Expanding partnerships between local MCCs and GJI projects.
With our contributions MCCDC is supporting the critical work accomplished through the Global Justice Institute at a time when the support is needed globally more than ever!
YOGA CLASSES AT MCCDC
To nourish your physical body in addition to your spiritual body, MCCDC plans to soon host a 4-week long series of yoga classes held on Mondays at 7pm. You do not need to come with flexibility, strength or balance – that’s what we’ll be improving!
The instruction will focus on beginning fundamentals of yoga. Optional variations will also challenge experienced practitioners. The class will be donation-based. A limited number of mats will be available to borrow.
Please register ahead of time, especially to reserve a mat. If you are interested please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~ Namaste (“The Spirit in me honors the Spirit in you”)
SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE
On May 7, 2016, the Susan G. Komen 5K race for the cure will take place in Washington, DC. We are planning to register a team so if you are interested please contact Linda Hornsby. The cost of the registration fee is $40.00. Included in the fee is a t-shirt.
If you are a cancer survivor you can select the color pink. Register by March 25th and save $5! (komendcrace.info-komen.org) Our team name is MCCDC. Although this would be our first walk as an MCCDC team, the event has been going on for a number of years. Our goal for this year is 15 team members and $1000 funds raised. For more information, please contact Linda through the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCC DENOMINATIONAL GENERAL CONFERENCE CORNER
The denominational Moderator’s Nominating Committee has announced the slate of candidates for MCC’s next moderator. General Conference’s Clergy House and Lay house will vote on our next moderator. The conference will be held July 4-8, 2016. Click Here to Read a message from the Moderator of the nominating committee and to see bios and statements from the 4 candidates:
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner
Rev. Elder Héctor Gutiérrez
Rev. Dr. Irene Laudeman
MCC Statement of Faith
A revision to MCC’s statement of Faith will also be voted on at this year’s general conference. The denomination’s Commission on the Statement of Faith has published the next installment of theological conversations contained in the statement. Please take a moment to read it. Please click here to read
The current draft of the Statement of Faith is also posted for your review and consideration and comment. Click Here to Read
MCC Governing Board Nominating Committee
MCC will elect 5 members to the Governing Board at the July conference, 3 clergy and 2 laity. The Board is responsible for the governance of the denomination between triannual general conferences. If you are interested in running for the board please read information from the nominating committee and contact the chair of the committee, MCCDC Vice Moderator Mark Kornmann at mark@mccdc.com.Click Here to Read
If you have questions about General Conference please contact your MCCDC lay delegates or Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
UNID@s SPANISH SPEAKING MINISTRY WORSHIP March 27, 2016 SUNDAY AT 1PM
Join the UNID@s Ministry March 27, 2016 at 1pm in the Chapel for worship services.
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY DISCERNMENT FOR 2016
Do You CARE?
Are You Willing to serve?
Are you on the journey of spiritual maturity?
Are you able to set healthy boundaries?
Do you have a regular prayer life?
Do you have some time to commit?
Are you able to honor confidentiality?
Are you comfortable visiting hospitals and care facilities?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions perhaps you can consider PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY!
Come receive information about the Pastoral Care Ministry
and assistance with your discernment.
Meetings are being held on March 16, April 20 and May 18 @ 6pm. For more information, please contact any Pastoral Care Minister or Rev. Dwayne.
MCCDC Computer Training
The computer training theme this year is Using Social Media!! The classes will be focused on the basic use of these very popular tools. We hope you will be able to join us in the Computer Lab on the lower level at MCCDC.
~ 2/21 Facebook Basics
~ 3/13 Twitter Basics
~ 4/17 Facebook Basics
~ 5/22 Twitter
~ 6/19 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
~ 7/17 Home Computer Security Basic
~ 8/21 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
LANDSCAPING DAY OF SERVICE : 9am-1pm, SAT., March 19th!
Join other MCC’ers to beautify our church’s property in preparation for Easter and Spring. We’ll rake and collect debris, trim bushes, pull weeds, plant flowers and make our church and neighborhood prettier for the Spring. We’ll have fun while we work … and it is a great way to connect with other MCCers! If you can, please bring your landscaping tools (rakes, brooms, gloves, clippers, etc.). We’ll have some light breakfast foods to fuel us. Please RSVP to Greg Snyder, gcsnyder01@aol.com, 202-427-6313.
CALLING ALL WHO LIKE TO SEW, CROCHET, KNIT…
If you like to make things with your hands, Rev Cathy would like to speak with you. There is a ministry of caring that you can accomplish from your home or in a group. Making prayer shawls, stoles or scarfs. If you are interested in pursuing your ministry passion in this way, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
