“Most of us have nicknames—annoying, endearing, embarrassing. But what about your true name? It is not necessarily your given name. But it is the one to which you are most eager to respond when called. Ever wonder why? Your true name has the secret power to call you.”
~Vera Nazarian
There is power in naming. In ancient times and in many ancient cultures extended prayer and thought went into the choice of a name for a child. Rather than consulting an online list of hot or trending names, our forebears thought about the character and meaning behind a name and their hopes for the life and legacy of the one receiving the name.
In our scripture for the Second Sunday in Lent ( Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16) Abram and Sarai are renamed Abraham and Sarah. Rising strong with new names, they give birth to a “people of the covenant” with a legacy that continues today and will continue for future generations.
In her reflection on this text, Barbara Brown Taylor asks, “If we were to ask God for a new name, what might that name be? What new purpose might that name signify?” I invite you to join me in pondering those questions in preparation for Sunday. Between now and Sunday, consider “trying on” a name that expresses your aspiration, your faith, or your hope. In doing so, like Sarah and Abraham, something new may be born through you.
Faithfully, Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
Ignite Sunday Service, 25 February, 3 PM
Join us for Ignite Sunday, 25 February at the National Portrait Gallery located at 8th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Meet us in the atrium (in the middle of the museum) at 5p.
During this worship service, we will explore an exhibit on Justice as we wrestle with what we actually need to be whole and what we might holding onto that keeping us from wholeness.
This service will be connected to the next worship service March 25th that will also be at the National Portrait Gallery, so plan to come to both services (though, if you can only come to one, you are welcome to).
Lauren’s Liberia Trip Presentation
Thank you for contributing to Lauren’s Angels and making the trip to Liberia a success!
Come, hear stories, experiences, and see photos from Lauren’s time abroad. Join us after worship on March 25th in the Lower Level Conference Room.
The MCC Interim Moderator Planning Session is February 25 at 12:30 PM
PLEASE HELP US PLAN For a Forum with the MCC Interim Moderator Rev. Elder Rachelle Brown
Contact Rev. Dwayne at RevDwayne@mccdc.com with questions or receive more information.We will be planning for the Forum which will be held on March 11 at 12:30 PM.
MCCDC Easter Remembrance
We invite you to remember someone you love with an Easter Remembrance. The names of those remembered will be included in the Sunday bulletin. Please use the kiosk inthe Welcome Hall, mccdc.com, or attach a check payable to MCCDC to this form and place it in the communication box (next to the front door) or mail it to the church (474 Ridge St, NW Washington DC 20001). A contribution of $15 per individual remembered is suggested. The deadline for being included in the bulletin is Tuesday, March 27th.
Protect, Sustain, Grow: Best Practices for Handling Your Church’s Money Conference & Livestream
This event provides practical advice, best practices, and resources for pastors, finance committee members, church treasurers, financial secretaries, and bookkeepers – all those charged with the sacred trust of protecting, sustaining, and growing the resources God has entrusted to your church.
Sessions: * The Ministry of Financial Management * Protecting Your Church’s Money through * Oversight and Integrity * Sustaining Your Church’s Ministry through * Paying Attention * Growing Your Church’s Money through New * Sources and Means of Giving
Summary of Board Meeting, January 2018
The Board discussed the proposal to sell the M Street NW lot and the establishment of the Far Reaching Faith Trust Fund. In preparation for the Congregational Listening Post and in follow up to concerns expressed at the Congregational Forum, the Board had consulted with SunTrust around the sale and the mortgage, scheduled a first Trustee meeting and prepared a presentation as a basis for discussions with the congregation and visits of all ministries. The Board also received an update on the strategic planning process, the visit of MCC’s Interim moderator, and discussed a proposal to rent church space for a day care center. The Board accepted the Treasurer’s report and authorized a payment to the pastors’ pension funds to cover 2017 obligations. Finally the Board voted that the 2018 Congregational Forum be held on November 4th and the Congregational Meeting on November 18th.
MCCDC Worship Arts Ministry Event, Saturday, February 24, 2018, 6 PM at MCCDC
HOW WE GOT OVER! Come Join us in our celebration of black history month.
Black History Month Theater Outing,February 25th @ 8PM
Stories & Songs from Music’s Revolutionary Women
Conceived and performed by Roz White
Acclaimed actor and MetroStage favorite Roz White pays tribute to Alberta Hunter, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Abbey Lincoln, Roberta Flack, and Nina Simone, depicting their hardships and challenges, and their revolutionary influence on music and pop culture. Empowered by their determination, talent and artistry each has a story to tell and music to be celebrated. If you are interested please Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.comor 202-638-7373. Tickets are $55 and due at the time of sign up. Deadline for sign up is Feb 20th
MCCDC MEMBERSHIP CLASS
If you have questions about MCCDC and what membership is about, class will be held on March 4th 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.
Older Adult Ministry Potluck/Meeting, March 04, 2018, 12:30 pm
Older Adult Ministry will be holding their monthly Potluck. Guest speaker this month will be Murray Scheel, LGBTQ Elder Services Network, Whitman-Walker Project who will talk about preparing your Will and advance directives. All age 50 and above are welcome to join. For more information contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at the church office 202-638-7373.
MCC General Conference Registration is open.
Please Click Here to Check Out this Amazing Conference and Celebration
Please click here to check out this amazing conference and celebration
Forum with MCC Interim Moderator Forum with MCC Interim Moderator REV. ELDER RACHELLE D. BROWN has been moved to March 11 at 1230.
he meeting with the MCC Interim Moderator, Rev. Elder Rachelle Brown, has been moved to March 11 at 1230. We encourage all of you who are able to attend to do so. Please contact Rev. Dwayne if you have any questions or concerns.
Security Awareness Training, March 03, 2018, 10am to 12 pm,
The Metropolitan Police Department will be conducting security awareness training to assist everyone in being more alert before, during, and after worship service?
This training will cover how to create a safer house of worship. Topics include:
Safety Team and Building Security
Responses to Active Violence
Crime Reporting
Emergency Preparedness
This training is OPEN to ALL!!!!
For questions or more information contact please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville or Rev. Cathy Alexander at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Communion Celebrant Training March 10, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Interested in altar setup, praying and distributing Holy Communion to the congregation during Sunday services at 9am and 11 am? Then Communion Celebrant Training is for you! For questions or more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
Usher Training, March 10, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Are you interested in welcoming and serving our congregation during church services? Consider becoming an Usher. For questions or more information, please contact Louis Hicks at churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.
CHURCH NEWS
Come Join MCCDC Bible Study to see the play “Jesus”
Sight & Sound Theatres
300 Hartman Bridge Road
(Route 896)
Ronks (Strasburg), PA 17572
800-377-1277
When August 18, 2018
Cost $79.00
Tickets can be purchase directly from Sight & Sound Web Site: Click Here To Purchase Tickets From Sight and Sound Sight
Leave from MCCDC Church at 11 am
Show Starts At 7 pm
Car Pool to and from location
Buffet Lunch is separate
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville :baskerd6109@gmail.com or 202 638-7373 for more information.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
MCCDC: A HOPE WITH A FUTURE IN IT
Stay current on our video postings and help us in our goal of more than 100 subscribers to qualify for a custom MCCDC link that will help us reach more people.”
The Information Station Ministry Needs You!
We are in need of Information Station volunteers for both 9am and 11am worship services. It’s a very easy commitment of one (1) Sunday a month. No experience needed just your time and willingness to serve. Volunteering includes: greeting & directing MCC attenders, providing information about church events, and more. Please sign up at the Information Station or contact Chocolatté Miller at Chocolatte.Miller@outlook.com.
Join MCCDC AV ministry
If you have questions, please contact Johanna Hardy at nerd4mit@aol.com
MCCDC Share Program Needs You!
LANDSCAPING DAY at MCCDC – 9am-1pm, Sat., March 24th!
Join other MCCers to beautiful our church’s property for Holy Week. Easter is early this year so we’re having a special day to pretty-up our church and grounds for Holy Week. We’ll rake and collect debris, trim bushes, pull weeds, and plant Spring flowers. This is a great way to connect to meet others and play in the dirt. If you can, please bring your landscaping tools (rakes, brooms, gloves, clippers, etc.).
We’ll also have another landscaping day on April 28th when we’ll do a more extensive cleanup around our church property. Watch for further announcements closer to that date.
Middle Adults Ministry
It’s Official!!! The Middle Adult Ministry, AKA The Yelders will have their first fellowship on Sunday, February 25th. We will meet for lunch after the 11:00 service (approximately 1:00pm) at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant at 425 7th St NW, Washington DC. Here we will get to know one another better and plan upcoming events. All are welcome to attend. ( If you cannot afford to come but would like to attend, please see Jules.) For more information or to add your name to our contact list, please contact Jules Christian @ enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
MCCDC Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT)
Are you a Prayer Warrior? Do you desire to connect and support others through prayer practices? Do you want to make a difference in our church, city, nation and world? Come join the Intercessory Prayer Team! The IPT will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM to have a Spirit-led time of prayer. We will also host a quarterly prayer event. For more information please contact Rev. Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
MCCDC Strategic Planning Ministry
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Please join the Tuesday Night Bible Study from 7-8 PM 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 LIVE STREAMING
MCCDC is live! We have an opportunity to use of our AV system to reach outside our walls to many people who may not be able to join us in person. To make this happen we must have a subscription service that will provide us the ability to stream our services, concerts and special events, and expand opportunities for participation in our bible studies and other activities remotely. The testing done so far with streaming has generated a lot of excitement, particularly by those who have been unable to visit our church.
You can be a part of making this happen in a number of ways: (1) pray for our reach beyond the walls of our church (2) join others in donating to cover the one-time annual cost of the service and associated AV training for our volunteers; and (3) consider joining the AV ministry.
Click to Donate!
You can contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
With EasyTithe, supporting the church is as simple as clicking a mouse or whipping out your smart phone.
Our new online system allows you to make a financial donation to the church with your credit card or direct debit from your banking account.
You’ll be asked to set up your MCCDC EasyTithe Account. You can set it up to make a one-time/anytime donation or make a recurring donation.
Click to Donate!
You also can give by text 202-999-3841. Please contact the church office with questions at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com.
