MCCDC is ALIVE with many active ministries, opportunities to serve and for spiritual growth and renewal. You will find our ministries here. Don’t find something of interest and have ideas on new ministries, want to know how to get involved or have other questions? Contact Rev. Cathy Alexander at RevCathy@mccdc.com.
Worship Arts Ministry
Choir
The choir of our Worship Arts Ministry (WAM) is a regular feature in Sunday worship and special concerts throughout the year. MCCDC choir, ensembles, and soloists have performed at community and citywide events through-out the metropolitan area, at Pride Events and LGBT justice meetings. Our choir rehearses on Thursday evenings. We welcome all voice parts and all vocal abilities.
Dance Ministry (Moving Spirit)
The Dance Ministry exemplifies MCCDC’s commitment to worship excellence by offering a diversity of worship experiences. The team’s diversity of experience and training is not only a testament to their abilities; it is the source of their inspiration (as a ministry and for the congregation). Their liturgical dance adds a fascinating layer to worship that allows us to give God our praise through creative ways. This ministry is always looking for more dancers to join them in praise.
Drama Ministry
As the MCCDC Drama Ministry Team, we nurture and utilize our talents to bring glory to God. We enhance and empower our spiritual community through innovative means of drama, story-telling, music, dance and mime. We contribute our creativity for the outreach and growth of the church. The Drama Team is under the direction of Jules Christian and practices on Mondays at 6:30 PM and performs the second Sunday of each month. In addition, the Drama Ministry is planning to expand, to include an annual dinner theater and to further collaborate with other ministries in the church.
Eclectic Praise
Eclectic Praise is a different kind of band that ministers monthly for morning worship, and at special events and concerts. This ministry includes musicians and singers who strive to share their gifts in the form of music as an act of praise and worship to God and to help facilitate the praise and worship of others through music. Eclectic Praise strives to support and encourage one an-other in developing and expanding each person’s musical abilities and spiritual growth through the ministry of music. We aim to reinforce and strengthen a supportive environment for growth both musically and spiritually.
Soundboard
The Soundboard Ministry is one of the foundational supporting ministries within MCCDC. The Soundboard Ministry uses an up to date sound system to help enhance the worship services. This outreach ministry also provides sound for events such as weddings, funerals, concerts, and special occasions.
Worship Support
Communion Celebrant Ministry
The Communion Celebrant Ministry mission is to prepare and bless the altar, and provide the holy sacraments to the congregation during each church service. During this time, the communion celebrant also prays with each person after serving him or her the sacrament. This pray time is intent to enhance the worship experience for all those who are participating in the service. Training for communion celebrant is annual.
Communion Serves and Communion Holders Ministry
The communion server and holders ministry mission is to serve the holy sacrament to the congregation during each church service. Communion Servers pray with each person after serving the sacrament. Communion Holders simply hold the communion cup and bread for distribution during the service. This pray time is intent to enhance the worship experience for all those who are participating in the service
Hospitality Ministry
Understanding that God’s hospitality extends welcome to the entire community, the Hospitality Ministry provides arms and feet to that welcome. The ministry is responsible for coordinating food and welcome during the social time after services and other special church events.
Information Station
The volunteers at the information station coordinate the sharing of information about ministry activities, events and directions. They extend the hospitality of welcome to everyone who has questions and require assistance.
Scripture Readers
Public speaking is not for everyone, but for those who are either not intimidated by it, or are willing to step out of their comfort zone and participate in a fulfilling way in the service, presenting the Scriptures during services is an incredible spiritual experience. The scripture reading team provides training and support for this ministry.
Ushers
The ushers are our literal hands of God, in our worship services and special events. Ushering is among the oldest lay ministries in the organized Christian church. They are our ambassadors of hospitality as first impressions are so very important. Our service is making members, visitors, and guests feel welcome and comfortable during our worship SERVICES and programs. We are friendly people who welcome all, and our faith enables us to see Christ’s presence in all.
Outreach
AV Ministry
The AV Ministry serves to take the worship services and other events outside of the church walls through livestreaming and videography and works closing with the Soundboard Ministry. Communications Ministry Team The Communications Ministry Team extends the ministries of the church beyond the church walls by maintaining, producing and administering our Website, social media, Eblast and other forms of communication.
Education and Spiritual Growth
Bible in 90 Days
Every other year (odd years), MCCDC embarks on a 90-day journey, reading the entire Bible cover to cover.
Creating a Life that Matters This intensive 18-week course engages the participants to learn, live and experience God, Self and their passions at a deeper level. The commitment of time and energy will reap lifelong spiritual benefits.
Tuesday Night Bible Study
So the question is: What is in your Christian tool kit? Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The Tuesday Night Bible meets year round to see what tough questions scripture poses to us as people on a faith journey. The work extends beyond only the Old and New Testaments and has examined such non-traditional texts as “40 Day Journey with Maya Angelou”, “Forgiveness: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone for Everything”,Iyanla Vanzant and “Wrestling with God without getting Pinned”, Rev Durrell Watkins and “Don’t Be Afraid Anymore “, by Rev. Troy Perry. The group has skype with many of the authors during their book study and spoke with them about their book.The group also goes outside the churches wall and review movies like The Shack” by W. M. Paul Young and Christen Plays such as “Jonah” at Sight and Sounds Theater, located at Lancaster, Pa . The curriculum is de-signed so that you may participate, as you are able. The group is lead by a very diverse team of facilitators (Laity and Clergy) with various approaches to Christian education. All are welcome to come explore the 66 wonderful books we call the Bible and how it applies to our daily lives.
Children’s Ministry (Pending)
The MCCDC Children’s Ministry provides Children’s Church and Youth Activities for children age 2-12 years old. Children’s Church is held every Sunday morning at 11:15 AM. Children’s Church is a time for the children of the church to learn the same spiritual lesson as their parents and guardians in a child friendly way. The Children’s Ministry also coordinates other youth activities, such as Youth Sunday and the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The mission of the Children’s Ministry is to instill spiritual growth in the children of MCCDC through fun activities and service to the church and community. The Children’s Ministry pro-vides a fun and safe space for children to learn about spiritual values, while valuing each child’s unique talents and abilities.
Community Support
Walk to End HIV
Each year the MCCDC Team participates D.C.’s Walk & 5K to End HIV. The event benefits and is produced by Whitman-Walker Health, a non-profit community health center providing culturally competent and accessible care to all, with an expertise in HIV care and LGBT care. All are welcome to participate by walking, running, or even sleep-walking (yes!) to help us raise funds for this organization which is a DC landmark in the LGBTQ+ community.
Breast Cancer Walk
MCCDC assembles a team to participate in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to end breast cancer. Each year we raise money to benefit this worthy cause as so many in our community have been touched by cancer. All are welcome to join the team.
SHARE Program
MCCDC participates in the SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) program. The program helps to de-fray the costs of top quality grocery food items, for a fraction of the price of commercial grocery stores. We literally are feeding the City. SHARE food purchase opportunities are offered to ANYONE regardless of their relationship status with the church or income level. The food is distributed on a monthly basis.
Ministries
Deaf Ministry
Our deaf ministry focuses on spiritual learning, understanding, social connections, and communication for the deaf. In addition, this ministry sponsors periodic ASL classes and church wide social gatherings. The 9 am worship service has ASL interpreters provided.
Older Adults Ministry
The Older Adult Ministry is dedicated to exploring how we continue to find meaning and purpose in life by staying connected with ourselves, others, and the larger world AS OLDER ADULTS. As we engage in our spiritual journey, we will find ways to support experiences and programs that help take spirituality into these programs. We currently provide this means of exploration through social, educational, health and wellness activities. This ministry also works to bring these gifts of aging and our connections to our own moments of spiritual insights to the entire worship community. The ministry meets the first Sunday of the month after the 11:00 am service.
Pride Outreach Ministry
The Pride Outreach Ministry is changing lives by sharing its message of God’s inclusive love for all people. Our mission is to increase the visibility of faith-based organizations in the LGBTQIA community and DC Pride activities: Youth Pride Day, TransPride, Black Pride, Latino/a Pride, and Capital Pride. We want to reach people who have not heard of MCC before, who are hungry and thirsty for a place of worship that is inclusive, loving and accepting each individual as they are – beautifully made in God’s image, deserving of love and respect.
Middle Adults Ministry (Pending)
The Middle Adults Ministry is a newly forming group that provides opportunities for fellowship and social gatherings to persons of any age, but those who are typically between Young and Older Adults. Our desire is to deepen relationships and open avenues for connection and belonging.
UNID@S – Spanish Speaking Ministry (Pending)
MCCDC Unid@s is an outreach ministry to the LGBT Hispanic/Latino community. Unid@s engages in activities that nourish those who already participate in this ministry and reach out to those LGBT Hispanic/Latino people within and outside MCCDC’s walls. MCCDC Unid@s holds services in Spanish on the first Sunday of each month as well as periodic prayer groups on Sundays at 12:30 pm. We also have a Unid@s Face-book group, and you do not need to speak Spanish to join this ministry.
MCCDC Unid@s es un ministerio para la comunidad Hispana/Latina LGBT. Unid@s participa en actividades que fortalezen a las personas que estan participando en el ministerio y alcanza a aquellas personas Hispanas/Latinas LGBT en nuestra comunidad y afuera de la iglesia de MCCDC. MCCDC Unid@s organiza servicios religiosos o misas en español el primer domingo de cada mes a las 6pm, tambien grupos de oraciones esporadicas los domingos a las 12:30pm. Tambien los invitamos ha hacer parte de el grupo de Unid@s en Face Book, y no es req-uisito que usted hable español para ser participante de el ministerio.
Young Adults Ministry (Pending)
This is a ministry for the young people that attend MCCDC to come together and grow. We create space where we can grow closer to God, closer to each other and in self-awareness. Our lives are our ministry, and we seek to create a community that recognizes and nurtures the Divine in all of us and all we do. We seek to strengthen our connections to the young LGBT community growing outward, channeling our spirituality into service and empowering our community to do more together. We have monthly meetings and brunch at a local restaurant where we get to know one another better and talk about upcoming events and plans. Before brunch we meet in the church fellowship hall after the 11:00am worship service. For most events and activities, unless they are after worship service, we send out emails to our members as well as post the event on Facebook where we plan to meet. If you attend MCCDC and are age 18 to 40 and would like to join the Young Adults Ministry you can find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Women’s Ministry
The ministry is designed to bring together those who identify as women to provide spiritual support, instruction, (and) an examination of multiple forms of spirituality, spiritual practices. We also come together to form community in women’s space. We currently meet quarterly.
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Our Pastoral Care Ministers offer support and prayer to and for the congregational body. They make home and hospital visitations as needed, and they serve as conduits for open lines of communication and dialog with congregants. MCCDC’s Pastoral Care Ministry also seeks to empower the community as they travel along their spiritual journeys, be that by telephone, text messages, emails, and/or other means. In engaging the larger community, Pastoral Care Ministers serve as a referral ministry to outside professional and community–based service organizations for counseling, financial services, and any other services that are not currently being performed by other MCCDC ministries.
Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT)
The Intercessory Prayer Team (IPT), is a Spirit-led time of corporate prayer. Everyone can pray, but IPT is for those who feel called to the ministry of prayer. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM to lift up the needs of our church, the DMV, our Nation and the World. IPT also hosts quarterly Prayer events for the church. We would love for you to join us in prayer!
MCCDC Governance/Management
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are responsible for providing the church with a set of Bylaws, which are subject to approval by Congregational Meeting and the MCC Office responsible for Bylaw changes. The Board of Directors also have charge of all matters pertaining to the documents of legal organization and incorporation, risk management, and physical and financial affairs of the church. The Board of Directors is also responsible for collecting and disbursing funds, keeping adequate church records, and making timely reports to the Congregation and MCC.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee assists the Board of Directors in developing the annual church budget for approval by the Congregational Meeting.
Lay Delegates
The MCCDC Lay Delegates are elected for connection. As stated in MCCDC Bylaws Article X, the church shall elect one (1) lay person for every one hundred (100) Members in good standing, or part thereof, to serve as Lay Delegate. The Lay Delegate shall be a Member in good standing of this church. Delegates are elected at the next regular Congregational Meeting following each General Conference with a majority of votes cast. Their duties are to represent the congregation at General and Network Gatherings Conferences, and to communicate with the congregation regarding MCC concerns and policies.
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee is created by the Board of Directors to recruit qualified candidates for the Board of Directors and Lay Delegates. The Committee presents a slate of candidates to the Board for approval and is then presented at the Congregational Meeting.
Trustees of the Buchanan Memorial Building Fund
The Trustees of the Buchanan Memorial Building Fund are responsible for matters pertaining to the maintenance and subject to approval of a Congregational Meeting, the acquisition and disposal of church real property. Trustees shall keep adequate records and make timely reports to the Board of Directors and the Congregation. Trustees serve for 2-year staggered terms and are appointed by the Board of Directors.
