“There’s a video I like of someone doing laundry in North Africa’s Atlas Mountains. It’s just a man doing the wash on the bank. There’s nothing traditional or artistic about it, but the way he treads on the clothes looks like he’s dancing. There’s no sound, but you almost hear the sound of the clothes splashing in the water. It’s like witnessing the exact birthing moment of song and dance. ~Tomoko Niwa
Take notice. That’s the moment care is birthed. Too many people feel invisible. As I write this on November 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance, I think of my Transgender siblings who face the threat of being erased by heartless public policy that refuses to acknowledge the spectrum of gender diversity.
In a careless world, turning in on itself in fear and confusion, there must be communities like MCCDC that aspire to care deeply, even when caring is unpopular and inconvenient. “God invites us to notice people, care for people, and to advocate for a system that does not leave anyone behind” (David Lose). Our 2018-2021 Strategic Plan includes this call from our Aspirations: “We will work to cultivate and strengthen a congregational culture of care.”
This is not easy since our surrounding culture promotes competition and consumerism rather than care. Our call is boldly countercultural. How do we fulfill such a powerful calling? We turn to Jesus, the embodiment of care. The care of Jesus is the focus of this Sunday’s Gospel from Mark 1: 29-39. Jesus cares for Simon’s mother-in-law, deathly sick in bed with a fever. Then, later that evening, the whole town gathers near the door of the home where Jesus is staying, to receive his healing care.
Our worship this Sunday at 9AM and 11AM will inspire us to lift praise to our caring God, and then to experience God’s care as community. From there, our invitation will be to take that care into the world. As we take notice with hearts of care, we will experience life in new ways. Perhaps like Jesus we will notice a need and respond like he did. Or, maybe we will witness a birth of song and dance that previously we would have missed
By Faith, Rev Elder Dwayne
“UP COMING EVENTS”
Thanksgiving Day Service at 7 pm on Nov 21st
Thanksgiving Day service at 7 pm on Nov 21st. Featured speaker will be Rev. Jason Carson Wilson.
For more information please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
MCCDC Welcomes Rev. Jason Carson Wilson
Rev. Jason is our newest ministry intern and will serve as the Minister of Liberation Formation at MCCDC. Wilson previously served as Justice & Peace Policy Fellow at United Church of Christ, Justice & Witness Ministries’ Capitol Hill office. That time allowed him to do policy advocacy in D.C. as well as the United Nations, where he spoke alongside MCCNY’s Rev. Pat Bumgardner. He is seeking dual credentialing in the MCC. Wilson founded Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative in April 2018. He attended Chicago
Come Join MCCDC Team Walk To End HIV, December 01, 2018
CHECK-IN BEGINS: 7:30 AM
5K BEGINS: 9:15 AM
WALK BEGINS: 9:20 AM
MCCDC TEAM WILL MEET AT 8:15 AM NEAR REGISTRATION TENT. LOOK FOR MCCDC SIGN.
Registration:
General Walk Registration: $25.00
Student / Senior (60+) Walk Registration: $15.00
General Timed Run Registration: $35.00
Sleep Walker Registration: $40.00
Click Here to Donate or Join Our Team
For more information email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com or Rev Cathy Alexander at revcathy@mccdc.com or call or 202-638
Decorating The Sanctuary for Advent/Christmas on Dec 1, 9 AM to 2 PM and Dec 6th, 5 PM
Calling all helpers:
We will again be decorating the sanctuary for Advent/Christmas on Dec 1, 9 am to 2 pm and Dec 6th, 5 pm. If you are interested in assisting please contact Rev. Cathy at 202-638-7373 or revcathy@mccdc.com.
Also we are cleaning out closets downstairs. If you are interested in helping please contact Rev. Cathy
“CHURCH NEWS”
Estate Planning, December 9th at 12:45pm, Guest Speaker Michelle Profit
Join us on December 9th at 12:45pm at MCCDC where estate planner Michelle Profit with give a presentation about Legacy Giving. Learn about the wonderful ways that you can make meaningful gifts that reflect your beliefs and values while leaving a unique legacy to memorialize those values and beliefs by supporting them during your lifetime and beyond.
Upcoming Events: Active Threat Response Training & CRIAC Relief Public Meetings
Serve DC, The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism, will offer three Active Shooter Response Training opportunities, specifically designed for the faith community, that will help prepare congregations to respond to active shooter situations.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Temple of Praise
700 Southern Avenue S.E.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Asbury United Methodist Church
926 11th Street N.W.
If you or representatives from your house of worship are interested in attending one of the above sessions, please RSVP to religious.affairs@dc.gov.
Click Here for More Information
Christmas Toy Drive, Donations will be received from nowthrough Sunday December 10th
The children’s toy drive is under way. This year MCCDC is partnering with the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative to bring toys to children in Ward 7.
Click here to read more about the work of the Collaborative
All are welcome participate however you can. For more information please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CALLING ALL CREATIVE PEOPLE…YES THIS IS YOU!!for MCCDC’s 2018 Advent Daily Devotionals
During November and early December, we are seeking participants to create the content for MCCDC’s 2018 Advent Daily Devotionals. These Daily Devotionals will be simultaneously published on MCCDC’s Facebook page and distributed by special eblast. Our theme this year is “Calm and Bright,” celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the beloved Christmas hymn, Silent Night. The first day of Advent is December 2 and it concludes December 23, so we seek 22 devotionals, one for each day. Please contact Rev Dr. Robin Gorsline, MCCDC’s Writer-Theologian in Residence, at RevDrRobin@comcast.net 1 if you would like to participate, have ideas on how to broaden participation, or thoughts on how best to articulate the theme through words, music, or video. We hope a variety of forms will help these meditations touch many, if not all, of us, at this special time.
The Workshop facilitated by Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, “Writing as a Spiritual Calling” 8 December, 1 pm
This workshop was rescheduled to Saturday, December 8, 1-4 pm. For questions or to register, please contact Rev. Robin at RevDrRobin@comcast.net
In this interactive workshop we will explore how the words we write convey spiritual truths more deeply than appears from just seeing the words as words. In other words, writing is a spiritual practice, a spiritual calling-when we let ourselves be guided by divinely-inspired impulses and prompts to convey profound and beautiful truths.
We will use prayer and meditation, short writing exercises and conversation to help us deepen our spiritual writing journey.
Feel free to bring lunch-there will be some simple snacks available for mid-afternoon energy boost.
MCC General Conference Registration is open. REGISTER NOW by clicking onthe link below.
Please click here to check out this amazing conference and celebration.
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”
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU!!!
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9am and 11am services. No experience needed. You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard, setting mics up for service and learning the technical side of handling the sound board. We would like to have you train at the 9am service and continue training at the 11am service but if your prefer to train only at one service you can.
Please contact me Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
The Hospitality Ministry Needs Your Help!
If you have hospitality items that you would be willing to bring in and support Sunday hospitality, please contact Sonia Grant in the church office at
churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.. Items for consideration are:
Items that are needed:
White Paper Towel Rolls
Large Cans of Regular Coffee
Large Cans of Decaffeinate Coffee
Box of Coffee Straws
Paper Desert Plates
Paper Desert Bowels
Paper Plates 8 3/5 inches
Napkins
Fresh Apples
Fresh Oranges
Plums
Yogurt
Granola Bars
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
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Prayers!
Please continue to hold in your prayers Keith Richardson and Fannie Woody who are in Nursing Homes
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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