Beloved, we are not alone on this winding journey. May the companionship of sibling sojourners reflect the love of the One who—in becoming flesh—chose to journey alongside us.
One of life’s most essential lessons-simple truths-is that we are never meant to go alone. And yet, in many contexts we are pushed more and more into lonely silos. Recent studies show that
1 in 2 Americans struggles with social disconnection. This leads Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the Surgeon General of the United States, to call loneliness an “epidemic.”1 Loneliness hurts us individually, negatively impacts society as a whole, and can lead to isolation that undermine our mental and physical health.
In the northern hemisphere, as nights grow longer and the world seems to hush under the weight of winter, we often find ourselves secluded as we wait for the world to thaw. Those in the southern hemisphere may be connecting these experiences to the calendar year drawing to a close. And in these seasonal cycles, climate crisis informs us about the impact of minimizing and ignoring the truth of our interconnectedness within and across human and more than human relationships. Yet, in all of this, the season of Advent whispers an ancient truth: We were never meant to journey our paths alone.
But remembering this truth, acting against isolation, and building just relationships in community can be truly challenging. In this week’s text (Ruth 1), if Ruth had followed the pressures of norms and expectations, she would have gone home to her family of origin after her husband died, but instead, she commits herself to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Together they form a new family and covenant. Ruth and Naomi travel together to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, foreshadowing the journey Mary and Joseph will one day take to be counted in the census. Then, in that context 2000 years ago, and today, in a pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps power culture, choosing to live in belongingness and connection in the face of grief, loss, and hardship, as well as deeply felt love and joy, is both radical–and deeply faithful.
In our journeys, the flickering candles and twinkling lights of this season can indeed include loneliness and grief. Extending and receiving compassion is central to “not going alone.” The season of Advent also invites us to contemplate new beginnings of connection in community again and again.
What would it look like for you/for us as a church to foster deeper connections in this season—not just gatherings marked by exchanging pleasantries but by sharing your/our messy, holy, complicated life/lives?
Please join in, this 2nd Sunday of Advent, online, on-site, or later on demand as Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, MCCDC’s Writer and Eco-Theologian in Residence supports us in exploring kinship and connection, human and more than human, together in community.
Blessings,
Dr. Carla Sherrell
Adapted from: ‘We can’t go alone’ in “A Sermon Planning Guide for Advent-Epiphany” featuring Biblical commentary by Kayla Craig (she/her); Guide developed by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity (she/her)|A Sanctified Art LLC|sanctifiedart.org
Deepening Advent With Peace
Join us Onsite, Online and later On Demand for 9am ET Spiritual Engagement Hour.
This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of longing, including our longing for peace. Yet peace is not always quiet. Sometimes peace is disruptive: no justice no peace. Let’s share about our longing for peace, juxtaposed with the ways in which peace may have difficult dimensions.
In preparation, reflect on these words by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed (she/her) of SanctifiedArt.org
In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again?
Where do we start?
Let us begin together.
Let us begin arm in arm.
Let us begin by holding each other up,
Instead of tearing each other down.
Let us begin with words of peace.
+We invite you to share your writings, scriptures or other resources/ideas with the group.
MCCDC Chapel Onsite, Online & On demand.
Here are three ways to participate:
* Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
* Call In, +1 301 7158592 Meeting ID:850 0797 0818
* In Person 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, D 20001
Joy & Praise Christmas Concert
Advent Devotional: “Words for the Beginning”
Your invited to journey with your MCCDC family in our study of 2024 Advent Devotional Booklet “Words for the beginning”.
The booklet is arranged in weekly sections from the beginning of Advent through Epiphany (December 1-January 5) To access the Devotional Booklet, please sign-up to receive our MCCCDC Eblast at this link
The authors “A Sanctified Art, LLC for worship design “prohibits us from sharing the booklet link the on social media or posting
Click here for detail information on this Advent Devotional from MCCDC Worship Team.
2024 MCCDC Giving Statement
Year-to-Date Giving Statements for the 2024 tax year will be emailed beginning next week. Please review your statement, and contact drcarla@mccdc.com (Team Leader, 2024 Giving Statement Support) with any questions.
We purpose to email complete 2024 Giving Statements in phases beginning the week of January 13th, through March 1st.
For those who don’t have a working email address on file with MCCDC, or don’t have access to email, these documents will be sent via postal mail (USPS), or they can be picked up on-site after an MCCDC Sunday worship service.
38th Walk & 5K to End HIV
Please plan to join MCCDC in the 38th annual Walk & 5K to End HIV on Saturday, December 7th, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Anacostia Park
(Adjacent to the roller skating Pavillion)1500 Anacostia Drive, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Free, on-site parking available
Important Note: Roads into the park will close to traffic at 8:30am so plan your arrival accordingly.
You can still participate virtually as well.
Go to the below link to donate or join team MCCDC
http://www.walktoendhiv.org/goto/MCCDC2024
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at oam@mccdc.com for more information.
Children’s Christmas Toy Drive
MCCDC is holding a children’s toy drive for our own Early Learn Academy (Day Care) who shares the church during the week. during the week. Donations will be received from now through Sunday December 8th
What is needed:
* UNWRAP TOYS, GENDER NETURAL TOYS FOR AGES new Born TO 4 YEARS OLD.
* All donations can be place in the large gray container in the Welcome Hall of the church each Sunday.
* Volunteers are needed to sort the toys and give them out here at church on 14 Dec 2024 starting at 10 am.
If you are interested in giving out toys email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at oammccdc.com or talk with Dale after any church service.
Older Adult Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry will be holding its annual Christmas Potluck on 08 December at 12:30 pm
Bring your favor dish to share, paper plates cups, ice, water or soda.
Bring a gift of $5.00 or less for the annual White Elephant gift giving game.
Join in person at 474 Ridge Street,
Washington, DC, Main Sacturary
Christmas Tribute
This Christmas, we invite you to remember someone you love with an honor or remembrance tribute. Their names will be included in our Sunday worship folder and also displayed at the end of Sunday livestream worship throughout the Advent season. We suggest a donation of $25.00 per tribute. All gifts matter.
Click Here’s for online form to pay with credit card or electronic debit. You can also print this form and mail it to the church with a check.
Christmas Reflection
During the holiday season we reflect on many events that has occurred throughout the year.
Please join us on Tuesday December 3rd and 10th at 7pm, via Zoom for a Special Bible Study to gather, grieve, honor and remember those who have lost loved ones during the holiday season.
Come for a time of community gathering, support and encouragement. Please contact Rev. Cathy (revcathy@mccdc.com) and Dr. Carla (drcarla@mccdc.com)
Christmas Eve Service
Come join in and bring family and friends in a community celebration of hope, peace, joy, and love celebrating the coming of the Christ child.
Tuesday, December 24th at 6 PM Eastern Time,
Here are three ways to participate:
Join us Onsite: at 474 Ridge street NW, Washington DC ,
Online at: live.mccdc.com
On Demand at: live.mccdc.com
Writing Ministry
MCCDC’s Writing’ Ministry will gather on Saturday, 21 December, 10:00 am EST via zoom link listed below. Whether you are an experienced writer or want to begin writing, or do more, please consider joining. For more information contact Greg Synder at gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 865 7622 1632
Passcode: 146039
Pathways to Generosity, Prayer #123
by Clara Carter, MCCDC Prayer Supporter
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” ~Emily Dickinson
Dear God, thank you for hope that gives wings to faith and trust in you for all things. We celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, your most precious gift you gave to save the whole world. Jesus was a most prosperous who trusted his Father (Creator) in heaven for all things. You were our Savior’s Provider for anything that was needed. During Advent we praise you holy name for your generous and precious gift to save us from sin through Grace. We are thankful that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior was committed to your purpose to save a hopeless world the way to eternal life. We pray to commit ourselves to you for you committed your love and forgiveness for us. By your Grace we are renewed by hope and faith to trust your Word that was here from the beginning even before you created everything;
We are grateful Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC, and all spiritual places of worship where everyone gather to be a blessing to others, obey your word, and are committed to continue your purpose for us here on earth. Thank you for blessing us with a loving and cheerful attitude to help build a prosperous and beloved community, and growing our faith performing great works in your name. We are inspired to share generously of our financial gifts, service, time, talents and treasures to help grow a peaceful world. We are thankful for your gifts of grace, peace, love, joy, peace, faith, trust, perseverance, endurance, and hope. Thank you in your many precious names! Amen.
“And such a hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 (The First Egalitarian Translation)
About
Emily Dickinson’s poetry has been published in various editions and collections since it was originally published in the 1890s. Under current U.S. copyright law, any of those editions published before the year 1924 are in the public domain. This means those works are not subject to copyright permissions.
Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. While she was extremely prolific as a poet and regularly enclosed poems in letters to friends, she was not publicly recognized during her lifetime. (Jan 21, 2021)
Hospitality Ministry
MCCDC Hospitality Ministry needs your help!
Please donate:
· Donate/Volunteer your time once a month on Sunday to coordinate, setup or clean up during Hospitality time.
· Donate supplies:
· Food Items: Individually package cookies, Granola bars, Fresh fruit, Yogurt, Coffee, Sugar, Water, tea bags, and juices (Individually cartons)
· Dry Goods: Coffee cups, 8 inch plates, 6 inch plates, paper towels, Clorox Cleaning Spray, dish clothes and dish towels.
Drop off all supplies Sunday morning at the kitchen window. To Volunteer see Dale Madyun-Baskerville on Sunday morning or email oam@mccdc.com
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Joe Dawson * Betsy Kramer * Palestinian People in Gaza * Ukrainian People * Cecilia Hayden Smith and Esther Smith’s health * Michael Washington * Bill Campbell * Jerry Giem * Tim Helm * Rose Williams * Delores Fowler * Vernessa D. Wilson * Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline * Glenn Conway * Evelyn Jones * Earline Budd *Prayers for Clara Carter sister: Phyllis Carter Lewism *Steve Sloane *Doris Washington * Viola-Cleo Bradshaw * Cordelia Vogel * Ruth Kappy Makekodunmi *Prayers for Clara Carter sister: Phyllis Carter Lewis
“Church Ministries”
MCCDC Voices
Join us 9 AM onsite at 474 Ridge ST NW, Washington, DC to sing and rehearse for worship.
Make new friends and enjoy a sense of musical belonging.
“Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~Colossians 3:16
Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.
Scripture Reading
You’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 oam.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).
Please email at pastors@mccdc.com for more information.
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
Join other MCCDC writers in our monthly Zoom Writing Ministry meeting.
For more information contact gcsnyder01@aol.com.
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
