“The greatest risk of all, it turns out, is not to risk anything, not to care deeply and profoundly enough about anything to invest deeply, to give your heart away and in the process to risk everything. The greatest risk of all, it turns out, is to play it safe, to live cautiously and prudently.”
~ J. M. Buchanan
We have been given much. What will we do with what we have been given? Will we protect it or risk it? In our Gospel for this Sunday from Matthew 25: 14-30 there are more questions than answers. Yet beyond the questions, on the horizon of risky action, there is the promise of more than any of us can imagine: “Well done! You are a good and faithful worker. Since you were trustworthy in a small matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share my joy!” (Matthew 25:21)
The invitation to follow Jesus is an invitation to an adventure of faith. There are no promises that it will be easy. The one who had no place to lay his head lived and taught with an open heart. Jesus called those who found their security in fishing nets, to release what little they had for a venture of faith that opened the way to new possibilities, for themselves and for others.
The call of Jesus is a call to invest deeply. It is to care deeply. It is to give our hearts away and to risk everything on God. To lose is to gain, says Jesus, as he invites us to ponder such paradox even while moving forward in holy ambiguity.
As you mediate on Matthew 25:14-30 in preparation for worship on Sunday, I encourage you to consider these questions: In what ways are we being called to risk as individuals? As a congregation?
And, I invite you to reflect on this quote by J.M. Buchanan: “Here Jesus invites us to be his disciples, to live our lives as fully as possible by investing them, by risking, by expanding the horizons of our responsibilities. To be his person, he says, is not so much believing ideas about him as it is following him. It is to experience renewed responsibility for the use and investment of these precious lives of ours. It is to be bold and brave, to reach high and care deeply. So the parable is the invitation to the adventure of faith: the high-risk venture of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
By Faith, Rev Elder Dwayne Johnson
“UP COMING EVENTS”
MCCDC’s Congregational Meeting, after 12:30 am on November 19th
The Congregational Meeting will be held at 12:30 on November 19th. If you have questions, please email Board@mccdc.com.
Click Here To Read CONGREGATIONAL FORUM 2017 compiled packet_final
Click Here To Read Lay Delegate Report Addendum, Oct-2017_
Transgender Day of Remembrance Service, Monday Nov 20th at 6 PM
Monday, November 20th, at 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington is honored to host the Transgender Day of Remembrance service. Nationally, this is the 17th annual observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which commemorates those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred. Please plan on joining us for this honor occasion.
Join your MCCDC family in Decking the Halls.
We will decorate the sanctuary and welcome hall on Saturday Nov 25th from 10 until 3. Lunch will be provided. Please plan on joining in on the fun. For more information please contact Rev Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com or 202.638.7373.
CHURCH NEWS
MCCDC Worship Arts Award Dinner, December 01, 7 PM
All are welcome to come join us in recognizing worship arts members for their hard work. Dinner will be provide. This is a no cost event. RSVP to Sonia Grant at (202) 638-7373, or email churchoffice@mccdc.com with number of people who will be in your party.
Come Join Us! December 02, 5 PM MCCDC Christmas Concert,
Come and let your heart be ABlaze with Christmas Praise! We look forward to seeing you! This is a free event. Contact Sonia Grant at (202) 638-7373, or email churchoffice@mccdc.com with any questions.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
MCCDC: Together Rising: Who We Are — May 2017
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.”
MCCDC Thanksgiving Worship Service, Wednesday, November 22nd, 7 PM.
We will celebrate a Thanksgiving worship service on Wednesday November 22nd at 7PM. All are welcome to participate and offer thanks for God’s presence.?
MCCDC SHARE Angel
Looking for a more meaningful gift this holiday season? Become a SHARE Angel and sponsor a friend, family member, or neighbor for next month’s SHARE box. The SHARE box provides 3 weeks’ worth of healthy, delicious food and will be far more appreciated than another cat sweater.
See SHARE booth in the fellowship hall for more information or contact Sonia Grant at 202-638-7373 or email churchoffice@mccdc.com
Join MCCDC AV ministry
If you have questions, please contact Johanna Hardy at nerd4mit@aol.com
MCCDC Thanksgiving Potluck, November 26, 2017, 6 PM
If you have questions, please contact Lauren Bennett at laurenbennett@mccchurch.net.
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 Hand Dancing Classes
Come out and have fun learning Hand Dancing! Classes will be held at MCCDC on Saturday, November 18, 12 PM. The cost is $5 per class. For more information contact Robin Anderson at 252robin@gmail.com.
Please continue to keep Tyrone Washington in prayer who has been hospitalized or home bound for some time.
Lay Delegate Corner
Greetings MCCDC,
On behalf of all your Lay Delegates, I would like to inform you of some changes to the structure of the MCC denomination offices. In the following letter from Rev. Elder Rachelle Brown you will see that we have a new office, some structural changes, and some new and old names on staff. As a denomination we are working hard to make changes that will help us to touch more lives and spread God’s love for all. As you read the letter and move forward with your days ahead, I would like to ask that you keep the MCC staff in your prayers as they all continue the hard work they do for the denomination.
Peace & Blessings, Chocolatté Miller
Please click here to view the first letter.
Please Click Here to read Letter Two
MCCDC Drama Ministry
The MCCDC Drama Team needs your help. We are looking for anyone interested in helping with props, set décor, music. lighting, clean up, etc. If you have a passion and artistic flare for behind the scenes work and would like to join the drama team, please contact Jules at enjoyingtoday@hotmail.com or 336-419-7579.
Our first practice will be on Monday, July 31st @ 6:30 PM!
Theological Study to Liberia
Help Lauren’s Angels travel to Libera by donating to her travel:
Join Lauren’s Angels:
Our Intern, Lauren Bennett is going to Liberia as a part of her MDiv at Wesley Theological Seminary. This immersion trip will be led by Rev. Dr. Asa Lee. Founded in 1820 by American emancipated slaves, students will learn about Liberia’s deep and intertwined history with the US and the American Protestant church; from support in the 19th Century from benevolent Christian missionary societies to contemporary support in the face of Civil War, poverty, and Ebola. The pivotal role of the church in areas of economic development, healthcare and education will be of central interest on this immersion and Liberia’s resilience and perseverance will be instructive and formative to participants in this immersion. When Lauren returns she will host an event to share of her time abroad.
You can help her raise the $3,600 needed for the trip by becoming one of her angels. Angels will receive special updates and readings before and during her immersion. Anyone can become an angel at any level $1 to $1,000!
Thank you for your support through prayer and finances!
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.