This Week’s Reflection
“What culture do we want to build? And how shall we do it? Culture is communal embodied identity. It is cultivated with words and actions, thoughts and behaviors, theory and practice.” ~Keller Hawkins
Today I’m pondering Keller Hawkin’s question: “What culture do we want to build?” In our four-part November series, “Creating our Generous Future” we are laying the groundwork to reimagine what it means to reimagine church. Reflecting on our MCCDC culture is part of the landscape of reimagining.
The world around us continues to shift, sometimes explosively and sometimes subtlety. At MCCDC, this is a time that calls for increased awareness. It is a time to live the questions, pray deeply, and consider what God is calling us to do and who God is calling us to be.
As we seek to minister to human need, we ask questions to help us focus on our callings. What parts of our current MCCDC culture do we most value? How might these values be refined and deepened for positive impact? Are there some aspects of our current culture that need to be released, perhaps a scarcity culture? What culture shifts do we need to consider for the future? Perhaps necessary shifts are in order to support membership growth and spiritual growth.
Our gospel from Matthew 25: 1-13 is an invitation to explore our future. It invites us to reflect on the rhythms of rest, the joy of celebration, and who is included and who is not. It also invites reflection on being ready for the next challenge in these unpredictable times. What if what we are expecting doesn’t happen? Matthew 25:13 says, “So keep alert, for you don’t know the day or the hour.” There is a lot we don’t know. Yet we do know we are called to be an alert, awake and active church for such a time as this.
In preparation for our worship on Sunday at 9a.m. and 11a.m. ESTand online/on demand, join me in reflecting on Nan C. Merrill’s poetic expression inspired by Psalm 78-1-2:
“Keep awake to the inner promptings of the Spirit. Let Silence enter your house that you may know. For within your heart God speaks: not with words of deceit, but of spiritual truths to guide you upon the paths of peace.”
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
MCCDC Leadership Opportunity
Are you looking for a new way to serve your MCCDC community? Can you envision yourself in a leadership position? Then we might have just the right opportunity for you!
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 resumé and letter of interest to revdwayne@mccdc.com and churchoffice@mccdc.com.
2023 Forum & Congregational Meeting
We will be holding our annual Form and Congregational Meeting at 12:30 EST on the below dates:
12 November: Forum In-Person & Zoom
19 November: Congregational Meeting In-Person & Zoom
We invite you to join other MCCDC members in electing new Board Members, recapping 2023 and planning how we’ll grow our generous home in 2024.
Here are four ways to participate:
* Attend the forum in person at 474 Ridge St NW
* Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
* Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 868 1921 1447
* Dial 1 301 715 8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
MCCDC Seasonal Services
Please join us for the following Seasonal Services:
• 22 November at 06:30 pm EST Wednesday,Thanksgiving Eve Join Us on Zoom ONLY
• 24 December, 10 am Christmas Eve Morning
• 24 December, 5 pm EST Christmas Eve with Candles
• 31 December, 10 am EST, New Year’s Eve Morning
Join us in person at 474 Ridge St NW, Washington DC or live stream at live.mccdc.com
CHRISTMAS HOPE
Come Join MCCDC for our holiday concert on 2nd December at 5:00 p.m. Saturday!
You can attend in person at 474 Ridge street NW, Washington DC or watch it live stream at: live.mccdc.com
End of Year Gift
Make your End of Year Gift TODAY! Help MCCDC to go into 2024 year strong.
Go to donate.mccdc.com and select End of Year Gift from the menu. This gift will count toward your tax-free contribution for 2023.
37th Walk & 5K to End HIV
Please plan to join MCCDC in the 37th annual Walk & 5K to End HIV on Saturday, December 2nd at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Gateway DC Pavilion, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE. You can still participate virtually as well. Click here to donate or join MCCDC Team. Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com for more information
Mary’s House Lunch and Learning Workshop
Join Mary’s House for one of their FREE workshops listed below on key topics:
• November 15 – Legal Hotline Services
FREE Lunch will be provided. Please email Dr. Carla Sherrell, csherrell@maryshousedc.org Your email is REQUIRED to CONFIRM your registration and your lunch.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Join us for this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, and help us spread the word that we are returning to an in-person service with a virtual option.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Commemoration
Monday 20 November 2023
Metropolitan Community Church DC
474 Ridge Street NW
Doors: 5pm Program: 6-7:30pm
Join Live stream at: live.mccdc.com
Pathways 2 Generosity, Prayer #84 by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
?“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” ~ Cesar Chavez
Dear God, thank you for all blessings—our biological families and relatives (our first testing ground to exercise true love), for spiritual meeting places where everyone can gather to worship you in thanksgiving and communicate with one another. The list of blessings is so great that it cannot be exhausted. Creator, we are grateful that you have gifted us with eternal life, and that You, in your grace give us the choice each day to choose good or evil. This generous gift is so precious that you never force anyone to do your will but you wait patiently for us to trust and rely on you.
We pray to continue faith-building in unlimited ways—loving everyone, being kind and helping others, praying and encouraging each other; and sharing generously of our financial gifts, talents, time, skills, and treasures for the edification of your spiritual community here on earth. Help us to recognize the opportunities (our daily bread [ideas]) and follow your guidance in expressing prosperity in its many creative forms to help us perform the great works that you have placed within our hearts. Whether or not we have five talents, or one talent, let us be wholehearted in its expression, and be overcome with gratitude! We thank you in your many precious names. Amen.
“Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift [that each] received from God.” ~ 1st Peter 4:10 (TEV) [Today’s English Version]
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * 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 * Anthony Goode * Randy Punley * 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 * Mike Washington * Buck Carlson * Johanna Hardy * Doris Carter Washington of Alexandria * Melvin Moore Adams* John Hylton * Summer Allen
“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.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
Watch on YouTube
