“Transformation without work and pain, without suffering, without a sense of loss is just an illusion of true change . . . You can’t do any of this on your own or even on your own terms. You were created by a community to exist in community, made in the image of a God who has never known anything except community. God a community? Always. ”
~ Wm. Paul Young, “Cross Roads,” 65, alt.
No one rises alone. One can sink alone, and many are sinking in our world as isolation becomes an increasing reality. Yet rising requires community. We really do need each other. That is the heart of the message for this coming Sunday.
To be connected to God and to each other is the foundation for a solid faith in a shaky world. We rise in solidarity with those around us, our tribe. We also rise with our forebears who have gone before us; as part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses they continue to uplift us (Hebrews 12:1).
I love how Saint Maya Angelou says it from “Our Grandmothers”: “I go forth along, and stand as ten thousand. The Divine upon my right impels me to pull forward at the latch on Freedom’s gate. The Holy Spirit upon my left leads my feet without ceasing into the camp of the righteous and the tents of the free.”
Our scriptures for the 4th Sunday in Lent are foundational for a congregation that seeks to rise strong as a healthy and healing community. Psalm 107:1-3; 17-22 describes how community can either be hurtful or helpful. Colossians 3: 12-17 describes a community where the peace of God is at rule in the hearts of the people. Galatians 5:22-25 describes a community that rises above individual egos to feast on such fruits of the Spirit as “love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control “(Galatians 5:22).
I believe that MCCDC can increasingly become a healthy and healing community, rising strong with solidarity. “O God, may our desires be your desires. Amen.”
Faithfully, Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
DAY LIGHT SAVING TIME IS HERE!!!SPRING FORWARD!!!
DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS
FORWARD ONE HOUR SATURDAY NIGHT.
Forum with MCC Interim Moderator Forum with MCC Interim Moderator REV. ELDER RACHELLE D. BROWN, March 11 at 1230.
In response to the letter sent to the Interim Moderator in December signed by 95 Members and Friends of MCCDC raising concerns and questions about the denominational restructuring and how issues surrounding racism and discrimination will be handled and addressed by the denomination, the Interim Moderator agreed to meet with us. The meeting, originally scheduled for January 28th, will be this coming Sunday, 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.
MCCDC 1st Sunday Singers,
Rehearsals will be held the last Wednesday of each month. Please come out and join us.
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.
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
Come and Join Life In The Middle for our next activity! March 13, 6 PM
The Middle Adults will be going to the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday March 13th.We will be seeing the poetic Jazz Collective called Irreversible Entanglements. The Concert is Free and is at 6:00 PM.
The address to the Kennedy Center is 2700 F St NW, DC 20566. If you are coming by Metro, take the Orange or Blue Line to Foggy Bottom/GWU and ride the Free Kennedy Center Shuttle from the metro stop straight to the Kennedy Center.
For more information please contact Jules Christian at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579 or go to: kennedy-center.org
Women’s Ministry Gathering, March 18th, 12:30
All who identify as woman are cordially invited to women’s space. We will come together to connect and share sisterhood. We will meet in the lower level conference room 12:20-2:30. If you would like to attend please contact the church office at 202-638-7373 or churchoffice@mccdc.com
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.
Ignite Sunday Service, Sunday, 25 March, 5 pm
Join us for Ignite Sunday, 25 March 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
Lauren’s Liberia Trip Presentation March 25,12:30
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
