“In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for people who know the heart of God. The heart of God is a heart that forgives, that cares, and that reaches out and wants to heal.” ~ Henri Nouwen
Our world needs MCCDC. Our mission, unanimously adopted in our special congregational meeting on July 17, boldly proclaims: ”
We are creating a powerful inclusive spiritual community, working with God to make a positive difference.”
Our call includes to:
* Create a welcoming and safe space to experience belonging in community.
* Be fully engaged in our own spiritual growth and giftedness.
* Support the growth of others on their spiritual journey to hope, healing and wholeness.
* Actively promote equality and justice for all people.
* Follow the call the Jesus to “Come, taste, and see, “inviting all to the open table of Jesus’ beloved community.
In a world that brings so many down, our values, mission and vision aim to lift people up. The scripture for Sunday from Colossian 3:1-4 is a bold call to live our mission, with a daily awareness of our thoughts and actions: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above. . .Set your minds on things that are above. . .” (Colossians 3: 1, 2).
The message on Sunday will reflect on ways to center our lives on “Higher Things”—things that Jesus centered his life around. Jesus lived with higher thoughts and higher actions, lifting people up rather than bringing them down. His teachings stretched people beyond limiting beliefs, to compassion and abundance. I believe that as the people of MCCDC learn the ways of higher thoughts and actions, we will lift a world that longs for connection, forgiveness, caring and healing. See you Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
THIS WEEK AUG. 2016
Long term friend of MCCDC, Cynthia Powell, passed last week.
Her memorial service will be held on Saturday
July 30th at Pope Funeral Home located at 5538 Marlboro Pike, Forrestville MD 20747. A Wake will be held from 3-4 PM, and a memorial service from 4-5 PM.
Gender Neutral Restrooms coming soon (Finally)!
We are pleased to announce MCCDC will be implementing gender neutral restrooms. In early August, we will replace the “Men” and “Women” signs with signs indicating our restrooms are gender neutral. Some time ago, the Board approved moving to gender neutral restrooms for our church. The Trustees began working on implementing this decision.
They met and discussed developing new signage and the types of locks to put on the exterior doors to the main floor restrooms. As they were discussing these matters, a clear and strong consensus developed among the Trustees that we need to implement true gender neutral restrooms and simply replace the signage and not install locks on the exterior entrance doors to the restrooms on the main level. The trustees shared this approach with the Board.
Everyone should feel not only welcomed in our church, but each person should feel that they truly belong here. This decision reflects our mission. The plan is to install signage that clearly indicates our restrooms are available to everyone and will display a depiction of either two toilets or one toilet and one urinal. The signs will inform people of the types of facilities available in each particular restroom.
The two restrooms on the lower level will remain private (locking) single occupancy use for people preferring that option.
If you have questions or comments to share about this change, please share them with the trustees know at trustees@mccdc.com or feel free to visit with them when you see them at church.
“I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are. I just know if I have to pee, I don’t care where it’s going to be.” — Dolly Parton, in the Advocate, June 6, 2016.
PARKING LOT GATE
The parking lot gate is being repaired and is fully operational. The gate is coded and can be opened with your assigned code. The gate will be open on Sunday for worship service.
YOGA CLASSES CONTINUE JULY 11, Monday Nights, There is room for you!!!!
To nourish your physical body in addition to your spiritual body. Join us for yoga classes on Mondays at 7pm. The class is donation-based, so give what you can. If you are interested in starting or continuing please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
~ Namaste (“The Spirit in me honors the Spirit in you”)
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.
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC CHURCH-WIDE 3RD ANNUAL PICNIC COME ONE AND ALL OLDER ADULTS MINISTRY HOSTS MCCDC AT ROCK CREEK PARK, COME OUT AND ENJOY, ALL ARE WELCOME
DATE: Sunday · August 7, 2016
TIME: 12:30pm-6pm
WHERE: Rock Creek Park, Military Rd and Glover Rd NW (Site 013)
DIRECTIONS: From 16th St to Military Rd West
To left onto Glover Rd / Oregon Av
Site will be to your right
• Please sign up at the information station to bring items such as cups, plates, forks etc. or food items.
• Also, help is needed with the transportation of tables to site, setup and cleanup of site. Sign-up sheets for this are also at the information station.
• There is something for everyone to do!!!!
MCCDC BUS TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY HOSTED BY THE OLDER ADULT MINISTRY
Sept 17, 2016
Departs MCCDC promptly at 7AM and returns at 11PM.
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 for complete information and sign up.
MCCDC IS THE PLACE TO BE…ON THE GO!!!
This summer as you travel and visit or simply sit by the pool, take MCCDC with you. Watch and listen to weekly sermons at mccdc.com. Make sure you are signed up for the weekly eblast. Place your request at Mark@mccdc.com. Sign up for auto-tithe at mccdc.com/donate so that your gifts can continue throughout the summer.
Take pictures of the mccdc wrist band (or of YOU wearing the wrist band) and submit them throughout the summer to revcathy@mccdc.com so that we can stay connected and continue to share as community. The pictures will be posted and there will be a special gift in the fall for the most amazing picture/location.
Tom Simmons Service of Ordination
MCCDC’s most recent clergy candidate, Rev Elect Tom Simmons, has been approved for ordination at the July 2016 Victoria General Conference. The service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday August 27th. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to participate in the service by singing in the choir or ensemble, please contact Rev Cathy by Aug 16th. revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Partnership Month
The congregations of MCCDC and Unity Fellowship Church, DC will celebrate the anniversary month of their shared space partnership.
On Sunday August 14th Rev. Dwayne will be preaching at the 3 pm UFCDC service and Rev Abena McCray-Peters will be preaching at the MCCDC services. Please come out to support this partnership. For more information or to provide assistance, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS WORKSHOP
Under Armour, Marriott Hotels, HARPO Studious: all of these success stories started with the inspiration of one person. Do you have an idea for a business? or have you ever thought of starting your own business of dreamed of self-employment? Please join us for an informal – but informational – presentation on Saturday, September 10 from 1:00-2:30 on “starting your own business.” Several of us at MCCDC have been blessed to do so, and we want to share our tips/advice/thoughts on how you might do so as well. While this is a free event, we ask that you please RSVP to Quanti Davis at cue971@gmail.com. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on Sept. 10.
NEXT MEMBERSHIP CLASS TO TAKE PLACE AUGUST 21
If you have questions about MCCDC and what membership is about, class will be held on Aug 21st from 12:30 to 2:30 in the lower level conference room. All are welcome to attend. A light lunch will be served. PLEASE register so that we may have enough food and materials. Contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
KICK-OFF WEEK FOR THE BACKPACK 4 KIDS PROGRAM!
LET’S START STRONG MCCDC!!
ADOPT A KID, WHY NOT TWO OR THREE!
WE WILL BE ACCEPTING BACKPACKS, SUPPLIES, AND YOU CAN ALSO DONATE WITH CASH OR CREDIT CARDS!!
In partnership with the community outreach program at NBC4 Washington, we are collecting backpacks and supplies (and credit card or check 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. Why not adopt one kid, maybe two–how about 5!! Our goal is to provide OVER 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! We will be collecting supplies and donations over the next FOUR weeks! You can also reach out to folks at your work or send this eblast 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
Donate school supplies
Donate securely online at www.mccdc.com, and select the “Donate” tab near the top, and choose “Backpacks 4Kids” in the dropdown menu.
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
Eight 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
Two composition books
Paper glue
Box of Kleenex
2 packs of copy – white paper
12-inch ruler
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 Mark Kornmann at mark@mccdc.com.
