“God is here. In the midst of life, breaking through the commonplace, glorifying the ordinary, the Great, High God is near. One should tread the earth with a deeply lying awe and reverence—God is in this place.” ~Howard Thurman, “Barren or Fruitful?” (1932), as recorded in his book A Strange Freedom.
How does one move forward while staying in place? The pandemic has many feeling stuck. For most of us, our physical movements are limited and it may be frustrating, confining, lonely, and decentering. Others have embraced this as a season of sanctuary, learning and growth. The pandemic presents the choice of being stuck or moving forward.
In Matthew 21:23-32, Jesus is confronted by some people who are stuck. For them the issue is not pandemic. Rather, they are stuck on religious hierarchy that has been distorted into domination. They try to stick Jesus with their stuckness. They see Jesus as a threat. Mired in fear and mired in the past, they question Jesus’ authority. He turns the question sideways and keeps pointing forward. He shows them a new way. Jesus’ integrity is grounded in actions rather than words. Indeed, there is no integrity without action.
Like the people in our scripture, a sticking point for many of us is the past. For some, the past is a big NO that blocks the way to a life giving YES. The past can be a container for fear, resentments, and excuses. Or with creativity and grace, the past can be a pivot point to a new futu
Jesus’ response to the question of spiritual authority poses a question for us: how do we live with spiritual authority, the kind of authority that keeps us from getting stuck? Jesus offers good news on this question and invites us into a movement of healing, revival, and restoration. And there is more good news: even when physically distancing we are never alone as we move with our God who makes all things new. We navigate the growing edges of this time with “awe and reverence” knowing that “God is in this place” and in this time, even this season of pandemic.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
MCCDC Announcements
Vote for Rev. Dwayne
Our senior pastor, Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson, is one of five individuals nominated for the “Best Clergy” category of the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay DC Readers’ Choice Awards. Click here to vote. You’re able to submit one vote per day, per email address, from now through Sunday, Sept. 20th.
Join MCCDC Team HIV Virtual Walk & 5K to End HIV
On Saturday, October 24, We are participating in the 34th annual Walk & 5K to End HIV benefiting the HIV programs and services of Whitman-Walker Health.
While we may not be able to walk side-by-side this year, we can come together virtually to share stories, support one another, and raise money to save lives.
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020
Time: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Virtual Walk
Click Here For More Information and Join The team
MCCDC Leadership Opportunity
Are you looking for a new way to serve your MCCDC community? Can you envision yourself in a leadership position? And do you have a passion for innovation and hands-on implementation during this challenging time? Then we might have just the right opportunity for you!
The Board of Directors is looking for motivated and qualified candidates to run for seats on the Board of Directors this year. Two positions will be open due to term expirations in 2020. We are looking for a diverse group of people with the spiritual gifts of leadership, discernment, and compassion. We are especially looking for people with practical experience in strategic planning, financial management/fundraising, policy development, program oversight, or legal matters.
If you feel called and have been a member of MCCDC in good standing for the past six months, you are eligible to run. Please submit a brief bio and a letter of interest to the Board
You are also encouraged to talk to Senior Pastor Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson or Board Member Knut Panknin if you have questions or would like to receive more information.
Join MCCDC’s Bible in 90 Days Journey 2021!
Click Here to Join the MCCDC Slack Community
Click Here to Order B90 Bible:
Older Adult Ministry
Our Older Adult Ministry will meet via Zoom one week from Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. October 4th. We’ll reviewing upcoming OAM 2021 events. Your input is important. Please attend. Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more info.
“CHURCH NEWS”
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
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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).
MCCDC Virtual Ministry Working Group !
A Virtual Ministry Working Group is forming now and you are invited and encouraged to join!
It is important, now more than ever, to develop our strategy for online ministry and membership – even when we are able to meet again in-person, the work we do now will help us as a community ensure we can re-imagine our ministry in a way that welcomes and engages everyone – regardless of whether they can participate in person or virtually.
If you are interested in joining the working group, or have questions, please contact Ministry Intern Dr. Carla Sherrell at drcarla@mccdc.com.
JOIN REV. DWAYNE IN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Phone Number: 646-558-8656, Code: 407 740 6668
Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Via FREE ZOOM Video Conference Call
Click here to see the MCCDC 2020 Bible Study Schedule
Phone Call in number is: 301 715 8592 US,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Password: Email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for login invitation
“Ministry Spotlight”
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
LiveStream Volunteer’s Needed!
Volunteer! No experience is required. We will train you or someone you recommend. (Perhaps a student interested in picking up new skills?) Opportunities include:
o Producing the livestream itself on Sundays and for special events (greatest need)
o Assisting on Sundays by video recording and managing cameras
o Video editing (this requires access to your own computer and video editing software)
Share our message! Inspired by Rev. Dwayne’s spiritual instruction? Moved by a praise & worship song? Post it on Facebook. Send a link to friends and family. They can tune-in to our livestream or watch worship services on demand at livestream.com/mccdc, through our website at mccdc.com, or browse clips on our YouTube Channel.
Click here to visit MCCDC YouTube channel
Email Johanna at mccdclive@gmail.com or talk to any one of the AV team members to volunteer or for more information
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9 am and 11 am services. No experience needed!
You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard and learn how to set up mics for services.
Ideally, you will train at the 9 am service and continue training at the 11 am service, but we are flexible.
Please contact Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
* Jerry Giem’s Son, *Jason and Nephew, Travis * Valeria Myers’ daughter Chantelle * Michelle Lax *George Kerr, III * Mama Cee’s sister and niece * Rose Williams * Randy Punley * Lynn Sulyma * Esther Smith * Marcus Garnett * Renee Valentine * Rose Herring * Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, Earline * T. Green * Evelyn Jones * Valeria Myers’ son Donald * Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen * Steve Sloane * Glenn Conrad * Arden Shutt, * Renee Valentine’s brother, * Kim Battle, *Juanita Dara , * Jeffrey Luckenbach, * Anthony Goode,* Keith Richardson
