“Center in your true identity without guilt, defenses, or apologies. ” ~Iyanla Vanzant
How do you define yourself? How do others define you? How do you define others? Do you resist or accept your self-definitions or the definitions imposed on you by others?
John 9 swirls with questions, many of them related to identity and projection. A key person in the story is one who has been stigmatized by the community with a stark, confining description: Blind Beggar. Like the one described as the Samaritan Woman in last week’s text from John 4:5-42, this one is not identified by name. This is important, because in many ancient cultures one’s name held deep significance. Were they deemed not worthy of a name by the gospel writers? If so, why? Is it because both the Blind Beggar and the Samaritan Woman were cruelly viewed as sinners?
The first question of many questions in the text is based on an assumption that this one is blind due to punishment from God. The disciples ask: “Jesus, was it this individual’s sin that caused the blindness, or that of the parents?” (John 9:2). Jesus immediately confronts this toxic, victimizing theology by stating that the physical blindness “wasn’t because of anyone’s sin—not this person’s nor the parents” (John 9:3).
Jesus makes it clear that physical blindness does not define one as being less abled than others. This is also true of other physical conditions. The ultimate triumph of this story is how the one born physically blind becomes a powerful witness to deeper perception, bolder insight, and curious openness.
When Jesus touches this one, those in power are unable to accept or celebrate the miracle. As the story unfolds, it takes great inner courage for the one healed to hold true to his new identity and spiritual power. He refused to be defined by others.
How do we center ourselves in our true identity? We’ll consider this question, a question so important it helps determine the trajectory of our lives. MCCDC is a safe place to grapple with life defining questions.
This Sunday, join your friends and family for Borderfree Worship in the Sanctuary at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m ET, online, or later on demand.
Grace and peace,
Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
Writers’ Ministry
MCCDC’s Writers’ Ministry will gather via Zoom at noon Eastern this Saturday, March 18th. Greg Snyder will facilitate as we mourn the end of Winter while welcoming Spring and prophetic visions of cherry blossoms. No matter where we have traveled, we return home!
Here are two ways to participate:
Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 747 7593 852
Whether you are an experienced writer or want to begin writing, contact Jacqueline Laughlin at yemayah@icloud.com.
Congregational Meeting
Thank you to all who joined our Congregational Forum on Sunday. We will gather again after worship at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, March 26th for our Congregational Meeting, when we will ask active church members to approve the Ministry Action Plan.
Here’s how you can participate:
Join us in person at Fifth & Ridge St NW after worship.
* Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
* Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 849 4265 4825
* Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
Spring Cleanup
We invite you to join us on Saturday, April 1st at 9:30 a.m. to clean up our church grounds in anticipation of Spring. Please bring your own yard tools to help with the cleanup. Contact Church Administrator Melvin Moore Adams at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com with questions.
Holy Week Services
We invite you to plan ahead for Holy Week and put these worship services on your calendar…
* Palm/Passion Sunday: April 2nd at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., youtube.mccdc.com
* Maundy Thursday: April 6th at 6:00 p.m., Click here to Join via Zoom
* Good Friday: April 7th at 6:00 p.m., Click Here to Join via Zoom
* Resurrection Sunday: April 9th at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., youtube.mccdc.com
All of these Borderfree Worship services will be offered virtually as well as in-person at our Sanctuary at Fifth and Ridge St NW.
Annual Giving Statements
We have finished sending out giving statements for the 2022 tax year. If you did not receive yours via email or in person, watch for it this week via US Mail. Contact Chocolatté Miller at chocolatte.miller@outlook.com with questions.
Worship Volunteer
We still need volunteers to sustain in-person worship. Please visit volunteer.mccdc.com and fill out the form for the dates and positions in which you can serve your church. Have questions about roles and responsibilities? Contact Chocolatté Miller, chocolatte.miller@outlook.com
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #53 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” ~Pauline R. Kezer
Dear God, thank you for the vision to carry out your purpose here on earth. We are the branches and you are the vine that gives us life to grow and prosper. You are the One who gives us the strength, courage and the wisdom to do your will and glorify your name. Lead us into a deeper faith to trust the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and the willingness to carry out what you have planned for us as a beloved community, for without You, all our efforts are in vain.
We are grateful for Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC and all places of spiritual worship where people gather to be fed spiritually and led to do even greater things in your name. Thank you for blessing us to share generously of our financial gifts, legacy, talents, time, and treasures used for the sake of your realm, and helping others in need. Thank you in your many names, Amen.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abides in me, and I in them bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 (RSV)
Support for Tim Helm
Beloved longtime MCCDC member Tim Helm is recovering from spinal and back wound complications at BridgePoint Hospital on Capitol Hill. Tim welcomes your calls in the afternoon and evening at (202) 368-9877.
Tim, our love and prayers are with you!
~Your MCCDC Family
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Johanna Hardy• Jerry Giem • Tim Helm • Min. Diedre Gray • Bill Campbell • Denise Wright, her mother Lucy Mae Coombs and her Aunt Lottie Mae King. • Rose Williams• Cecilia Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith’s health• Delores Fowler • Vernessa D. Wilson • Family of Ms. Brittany Harrell • Veronica Franklin• Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline • Glenn Conway • Michelle Lax •Anthony Goode • Valeria Myers’ children Chantelle & Donald • George Kerr, III • Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • Marcus Garnett •Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Evelyn Jones• Steve Sloane • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Cynthia Melman •Kim Battle • Joshua Benkins’ father Isaac •Elaine Durden-Hunter’s recnet loss of her mother Earline • Angela Terrell • Mike Washington •Carol Washington mother’s health •Angela Dodd for healing •Buck Carlson •Lolita Gleaton for healing from her cancer • Mezyi Choi request prayer for her success healing from surgery • Lost of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore •Kia Murphy • Doris Carter Washington of Alexandra, Va. request prayer • Loss of Melvin Moore Adams’ sister Krissandra Moore • Patricia Ryan due to the loss of her brother Mickey
•John Hylton
“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
Meets Monthy
For more information, contact Jacqueline Laughlin at yemayah@icloud.com.
Barnabas Culture Sessions
Barnabas Culture, Session 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday. Click Here to Join The Zoom Thursday Nights. For more information contact MCCDC Ministry Intern Rev. Teresa Tygart at Email preachertygart@gmail.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
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