“Being open allows the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, to direct us and give us courage to respond to God’s voice and vision for our work in ministry.”
~ K. R. Hayden
In our scripture for Sunday from Acts 16:9-15 Paul is stalled. He has plans to bring the message of Christ to Asia. He is prevented from doing so. What next? He waits and prays, probably with some impatience. Then, one night (in God’s time!) Paul has a vision: “A Macedonian stood before him and said, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us'” (Acts 16:9). Paul and his partners in ministry respond immediately, and move forward on a Spirit-led adventure.
Though moved to a surprising new place, Paul continues with the spiritual practices that have brought him this far by faith. He looks for a place to pray in this unfamiliar territory. Down by the riverside outside the city gates he finds such a place-and a group of women who have also gathered there. As they talk, the Spirit joins the conversation, and Lydia, a businesswoman in the group is changed forever as described in Acts 16:14: “As she listened, Christ opened her heart.” It is a simple yet powerful moment of change. She becomes a spiritual force for good in the lives of those around her.
Sunday at 9AM and 11AM we’ll look further at the spiritual power available to each of us as we seek guidance from the Holy Spirit—and how following such guidance will create openings for change in ourselves and others. Dare we even seek a vision from the Holy Spirit?
In preparing our hearts for worship on Sunday, I invite you to join me in praying this prayer:
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
THIS WEEK APRIL 2016
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT,April 28 at 7pm
The Board of Directors will hold a special meeting Thursday, April 28 at 7pm in the lower conference room. The meeting is to look at church finances and develop a plan moving forward. This plan will be presented to the congregation at a listening session on May 8 at 12:30pm. Please plan to attend.
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.
MCCDC 45th Anniversary Dinner Sale Cook By Momma Cee
Date: May 1st, 2016
Time: 12:00 Noon- Until Sold Out
Place: 474 Ridge St N.W. Washington, DC
All Dinners $12.00
***Fried Chicken Dinner, Fried Fish Dinner, or Vegetarian Dinners
***Pick two sides with either dinner: Potato Salad, Mac and Cheese, Green Beans, Assorted Greens
***Bread, Dessert, and (1) Soda Included with each meal
Sandwiches = $6.00 each
Extra:
Sides= $1.00
Soda= $1.00
Water= $1.00
Pie= $2.00
Cake=$2.00
Special Baked Chicken or Fish by Request
YOGA CLASSES AT MCCDC STARTS 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. Final class will be held on May 2ndThe class is donation-based. 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”)
SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE
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. TEAM MCCDC has 7 members and has exceeded our goal of $1000. You have generously donated $1,435.00 thus far. Thank you for your support. Please continue to pray for the walkers and for the cause of curing breast cancer. It’s not too late to give. You can find TEAM MCCDC at komendcrace.info-komen.org For more information, please contact Linda through the church office at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC 45th Anniversary Gala Silent Auction-News
The Silent Auction will be just one of the many highlights of the May 21st Gala. Here’s a sneak peak of some of our wonderful donations:
*** Olivia Travel- 2 for 1 Olivia’s Pacific Coastal Cruise
*** Sony DVR and Blue Ray Player
*** Colorful Painted Art Work
*** Wedding Photography Package
The 45th Anniversary Committee would like to thank everyone for their generous donations and there is room for more. If you have an item to donate for the auction, the deadline is May 15,2016
Please contact Arie Gray at 240-432-5996 or Anniversary45@mccdc.com for more details.
45th Anniversary History Project, THERE IS STILL TIME!!!!
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 –
MCCDC Men’s Circle on May 15!
As we celebrate MCCDC’s 45th anniversary, many are sharing stories about how our lives have been changed through participation in this faith community. This often involves a special person(s) who was or is especially important to us.
Many, perhaps most, men probably feel grateful to a special person who helped them along life’s way. It might be a parent, or a sibling, an uncle or aunt, or cousin, or maybe a priest or pastor, a teacher or coach, or maybe a neighbor who helped us navigate life challenges. Who is that person for you?
So, during this time of remembering our history, all male-identified members and regular attendees of MCCDC are invited to share in a Men’s Circle on Sunday, May 15, 12:30. We will gather in the downstairs conference room for a simple lunch at 12:30, or a little later, and then enjoy a time of sharing stories about people who were, or are, particularly important to our personal spiritual journeys. Sharing our own testimony can inspire others, as we are inspired by their stories.
Facilitating our time together will be Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, our Writer-Theologian in Residence. Rev. Robin has participated in many male-centered activities, including the Radical Faeries in New York and Men’s Movement retreats in Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. He also has written about male embodiment and Christian faith. Rev. Robin will be assisted by Greg Snyder, Jerry Giem, Bob Jones, Dale Curtis, and others.
As we share in this communal storytelling, we also can connect with the whole arc of our personal spiritual journeys. It is a way of becoming spiritually stronger and healthier, as men, through the intimacy and celebration of personal story-telling.
The circle will conclude by 2:30 pm with shared prayer and hugs. Please register at the information station, or at revrobin@mccdc.com or call 202-638-7373.
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.
~ 5/22 Twitter
~ 6/19 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
~ 7/17 Home Computer Security Basic
~ 8/21 Using Droid Smart Phones & Tablets
INFORMATIONAL/ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Steve Jones and Rev Cathy Alexander will have a get-together to provide information and answer questions about the upcoming CLM course. We will meet on Thursday May 5th from 7-8:30 pm. Bring your questions, thoughts, comments and yourself.
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Creating a Life that Matters (CLM) is a three-course curriculum which explores ways to rediscover relationship with the Sacred, with my Self, and with my Passion. These three courses correspond to the spiritual experiences of being changed, gifted and called.
Graduates of CLM will have been challenged to broaden their understanding of all that is Sacred; integrate their self-awareness into being authentic, aware leaders; and live their passion intentionally through the life and work of the church. CLM integrates art, scripture, music, film, journaling, and diverse spiritual resources to augment our exploration of the Christian path.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this amazing event or receiving more information, please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@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
Click here to see Candidates Videos
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.
