News from MCC of Greater Dallas

Touchstone meets on Sunday, March 16 at 6 pm for a conversation - "Let's Talk: Sex, Sensuality and Me." The conversation will be facilitated by Rev. Colleen Darraugh. There will also be a sumptuous meal offered for a donation. Please RSVP your attendance to reserve your meal! Touchstone is a spiritual community with an intentional outreach to those under 35 yet with a welcome to everyone!

PUTTING FEET TO OUR FAITH: A MISSION PROJECT

This is our last week to collect gently used or new running shoes to be given to the homeless.

During the winter, we helped with coats, sweaters and blankets. For the spring and summer we can help with shoes as we put feet to our faith! Ask your friends, family and co-workers for their gently used running/tennis shoes or for donations of new ones. Bring your donations to the church any Sunday during Lent. Please do not bring dress shoes on this drive! Think walking shoes!

ATTENTION EXCEL ALUMNI

After several years EXCEL has been revived in North Texas. This is an international movement and the name of the local group is EXCEL of The Rising Starz. We are starting our planning sessions for our first retreat, which will probably be in the spring of 2009. All EXCEL Alumni are invited to become a part of the Team. If you have a deep desire to serve and are willing to commit to at least one Saturday a month, we would love to have you join us. We meet alternating months at Promise MCC and MCC of Greater Dallas. Please contact Alex Alexander at

alexolddog@yahoo.com for more information. We need to lock in dates for this first retreat so we need to have your commitment by April.

FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS - HOLY WEEK

Following the Footsteps of Jesus
leads us on the Path of Palms to the Path of Passion to the Path of Life. Through the 40 days of Lent, we discussed "Putting Feet to our Faith" which moves us beyond belief into discipleship. Now we follow Jesus even more closely walking the paths of celebration, betrayal, pain, death and resurrection. Following the Footsteps of Jesus ultimately leads us into resurrection here and now as well as eternally. Join us as for Holy Week following the footsteps of Jesus into life!

Join us for Palm Sunday as we walk The Path of Palms into the Path of Passion. Sunday, March 16, 10 am.

Wednesday, March 19 - 6:45 pm - A service of the Rosary. Learn about this ancient prayer or rekindle a memory. Use this as a time of focused prayer.

Thursday, March 20 - 6:45 pm - The stations of the Cross. Follow the Footsteps of Jesus through the Garden of Gethsemane, betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion with images, reflections and silent prayer.

Friday, March 21 - 6:45 pm - Good Friday Observance. The Footsteps of Jesus pause at the Cross. Follow, remember, reflect, observe, pray.

Sunday, March 23 - 7:30 am - Easter Sunrise Service

8:30 am - Easter Breakfast

10:00 am - Easter Worship Celebration

GOOD FRIDAY
WALK OF FAITH

For the third consecutive year, the Dallas Area Christian Progressive Alliance will remember the teachings of Jesus on the day of his death. The theme of this year's Good Friday Walk is, "The Last Shall Be First and the First Shall Be Last." (Matthew 20:16)

Two of those who will offer meditations are Sister Patricia Ridgley of Holy Cross Catholic Church and Rev. Colleen Darraugh of MCC of Greater Dallas. Others are pending.

10:15 am:

Gather for reflection at Lakecliff Park, Colorado Avenue just east of I-35 and south of downtown Dallas; walk into downtown over the Trinity River

11:45 am

Walk ends at Ferris Plaza, intersection of Houston and Young St., downtown Dallas

The Dallas Area Christian Progressive Alliance (DACPA) was founded by grassroots Christians with a mission to live the radical love, compassion and justice of Jesus and to promote these values in religious and public discourse. DACPA provides information and education focusing on the teachings of Jesus and the Hebrew prophets, and engages the community in discussion through programs, presentations, and witness involving lay and religious leaders from various congregations and faith traditions.

www.DallasChristians.org

WOULD JESUS DISCRIMINATE? WOULD YOU? A ONE-DAY INTENSIVE STUDY, SAT., MARCH 29

9 am - 4:30 pm $10 for lunch and snacks

If you have not been able to attend one of the groups doing this study, here is a chance for you to complete the entire study in one day with Rev. Colleen Darraugh. Please register with the office so we may prepare materials and food.

office@mccgd.org 972-243-0761

THIRD DAY CONCERT AND RANGERS GAME, - SAT., APRIL 12

Influenced by the Southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other artists such as U2 and Rich Mullins,

Christian rock band Third Day has produced 12 albums, garnered seven Dove Awards and three Grammy Awards. Third Day's tendency to dwell on matters of faith and relationship with God has served to create an ever-present, underlying sense of worship in their songs that audiences have been quick to connect with.

Be inspired by Third Day in a lawn concert and then share in the fun of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays, all at The Ballpark in Arlington and all for $15! This event is being promoted by "Touchstone", a youth outreach of MCCGD, and is open to everyone. Purchase your ticket ASAP. They will go quickly! (Contact office@mccgd.org or call 972-243-0761)

Please note that the date for this event is Saturday, April 12. Last week's E-News inadvertently published the wrong date. Apologies to all for the error!

Join us on Sundays at 10 am for worship and Wednesdays at 7 pm for our Wednesday Night Dialogue.