“Be bold! The powers of hate may cause us pain, sorrow, some suffering, but the power of love will and is already overcoming. Arise as we have not arisen before! Proclaim God’s millennial, timeless pride in us, in our communities — the eternal, sacred pride that comes with lovers, justice-makers and peace-seekers.”
~Rev. Elder Hong Tan, from a Pastoral Letter from the MCC Elders in the 90s
Our Aspirations for 2018-2021 are a bold invitation to new life for MCCDC. Our Aspirations are big enough that we cannot do them on our own. We need God’s help. Do we trust that God will help us to live out our Aspirations?
The bold work of MCC though our five decades of existence speaks to the power of what God can do through us. This Sunday, we are looking at the second decade of our history, when our trust of God was tested by the onset of HIV/AIDS. MCC ministered with tireless compassion in the midst of grief, fear and injustice. We fought to make the leaders of the world name and recognize the AIDS epidemic. We emerged with strong voices to proclaim: “God is greater than AIDS.”
During the 80’s and early 90’s, the story of the “Raising of Lazarus” spoke deeply to our movement. AIDS was a constant reminder that life is often overwhelming. Such is true in the multifaceted story of Lazarus. We see overwhelming grief and pain, mixed with confusion, accusations and unmet expectations. Jesus extends a call that lifts people beyond the overwhelming situation: “Unbind Lazarus and let him go” (John 11:44). It is the community action of unbinding through courageous love that leads to new life.
Today, we are called to unbind all that holds us back from fully living our Aspirations. “We pray for the power of Resurrection in the lives and persons and communities bound by the graveclothes of war, genocide, poverty, disease, dis-ease, systemic abuse, and systemic oppression” (Veronice Miles).
Through love, we unbind to renewed wholeness, well-being and health; we unbind from distorted perceptions, misplaced priorities, and fear. The power of love says yes to our Aspirations. We trust God.
By Faith,
Rev. Elder Dwayne
“UP COMING EVENTS”
LANDSCAPING DAY of SERVICE – 9am-1pm, SAT. Oct. 13th!
Join other MCCers to beautify our church’s property and get it ready for winter. We’ll rake and collect debris, trim bushes, pull weeds, plant flowers and make our church property prettier-and we’ll have some fun too! Join us in building community with each other. If you can, please bring your landscaping tools (rakes, brooms, clippers, etc.) and gloves.
We’ll have some light breakfast foods to fuel us. Please RSVP to Greg Snyder, gcsnyder01@aol.com, 202-427-6313, if you can join us.
MCCDC Openings for Board of Directors
Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to consider service on our Board of Directors?
This is an exciting time at MCCDC as we move forward to implement our Aspirations for 2018-2021.
MCCDC will be electing two Board Members at our November 18 Congregational Meeting.
Please contact RevDwayne@MCCDC.com for more information and/or the application process.
“CHURCH NEWS”
Come Join MCCDC Team Walk To End HIV, October 27, 2018
CHECK-IN BEGINS: 7:30 AM
5K BEGINS: 9:15 AM
WALK BEGINS: 9:20 AM
Registration:
General Walk Registration: $25.00
Student / Senior (60+) Walk Registration: $15.00
General Timed Run Registration: $35.00
Sleep Walker Registration: $40.00
Click Here to Donate or Join Our Team
For more information email Dale Madyun-Baskerville at baskerd6109@gmail.com or Rev Cathy Alexander at revcathy@mccdc.com or call or 202-638
MCCDC was chosen for innovative program through Wesley Theological Seminary to support young adult outreach and congregational development.
We now join with the other program participants for a two-year process of research, collaboration, and experimentation. An initial 10-month listening and learning process will enable MCCDC to consider the skills and interests of young adults in our neighborhood, understand our own congregational identity and gifts, and brainstorm ways to collaborate. We will then apply for a $20,000 grant to experiment with and track new innovations with young adults.
Team members Lauren Bennett, Rev Cathy Alexander, Elodie Huttner, Juan Garcia, Annie Kyle (Wesley), Robin Anderson (not pictured).
MCCDC Halloween Potluck Party ,October 27, 2018, 6 pm to 9 pm
A night of fun dancing, prizes, and dance contest
Hosted by: The Older Adult Ministry & Young Adult Ministry
Pizza will be provided
Please Bring/Donate the following items when you arrive at the door:
• Drinks: Water, Sodas, Juices
• Salads: Macaroni, Potato, Bean Salad
• Desserts: Cookies and Cupcakes
• Ice
Help in all areas needed:
Setup, Servers, clean up.
Questions/Comments Contact:
Dale L. Maydun-Baskerville – baskerd6109@gmail.com,
“NEWS ABOUT THE YAMs”
We regret to inform you that the Young Adults Ministry (YAMs) will be inactive until further notice. If you have questions please contact Rev. Cathy at revcathy@mccdc.com
Update on MCCDC’s Strategic Plan
The MCC Statement of Faith affirms that “Metropolitan Community Churches is one chapter in the story of the Church, the Body of Christ… We are people on a journey… We are part of an ongoing conversation on matters of belief and faith, shaped by scripture and the historic creeds, building on those who have come before us. Our chapter begins when God says to us: ‘Come, taste, and see.'”
Through his parables, Jesus teaches that we are stewards of our life and talents. In this time and place, each of us receives different gifts of the Spirit to be used for the greater good. In 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, St. Paul reminds us:
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Today, MCCDC must be about discovering our renewed aspirations – engaging our community in “our songs of imagining” who we can become, why we exist as a church, and what difference we can make in our challenging and often disheartening world.
We believe that the Holy Spirit will inspire many different voices to help MCCDC build upon our strengths. As we work to complete the MCCDC Strategic Plan over these next weeks, we ask for your prayerful discernment of how you personally can be part of shaping our way forward as a church.
MCC General Conference Registration is open. REGISTER NOW by clicking onthe link below.
Please click here to check out this amazing conference and celebration.
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Stay current on our video postings .
Click here to see more MCCDC Videos
Inspiration Videos, Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC
“Ministry Spotlight”
The Soundboard Ministry Needs YOU!!!
Soundboard volunteers are needed for 9am and 11am services. No experience needed. You will be trained on a state of the art soundboard, setting mics up for service and learning the technical side of handling the sound board. We would like to have you train at the 9am service and continue training at the 11am service but if your prefer to train only at one service you can.
Please contact me Michael Cunningham at mjcunningham2013@gmail.com or stop by to talk with any soundboard volunteer.
The Hospitality Ministry Needs Your Help!
If you have hospitality items that you would be willing to bring in and support Sunday hospitality, please contact Sonia Grant in the church office at
churchoffice@mccdc.com or 202-638-7373.. Items for consideration are:
Coffee
Paper Coffee Cups (No Styrofoam)
Cookies
Fruit
Cakes
Yogurt
Sugar
Coffee Creamer
Granola Bars
Veggie Trays
Kool Aide
Fruit Juice
Bottle Water
MCCDC Bible Study
A time of community, fun, learning, and sharing!
Tuesdays, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the Welcome Hall
For more information please contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at the churchoffice@mccdc.com or call (202) 638-737
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Keith Richardson is in a nursing home near the church.
Join our Worship and Arts Ministry!
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