| SABBATICAL NEWS |
Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Kharma Amos is away on sabbatical until November 2. The Sabbatical Committee has prepared a Sabbatical Guide that includes an overview of sabbatical, a list of frequently-asked-questions, and a list of resources. Hard copies can be found on the information table at the church and the electronic version can be accessed by clicking here. Please continue to check our newsletters and the Sunday church bulletin for ongoing and upcoming events!
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NEWS & EVENTS |
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THIS SATURDAY! MCC NOVA YARD SALE
Saturday, August 2, 7:00 am
On Saturday, August 2nd at 7 am, we are having a church-wide yard sale at MCC NOVA. Proceeds will go to our General Fund.
Sales volunteers are needed beginning at 7 am and ending at Noon on Saturday. Additional volunteers are needed to close and clean up from 11 am to 2 pm. Please contact Ginny Reed at 703-648-9327 (home) or 703-969-8883.
FOOD DELIVERY TO FAIRFAX HOMELESS
MCC NOVA will deliver breakfast to Fairfax homeless individuals before Service on Sunday, August 3. We will shop and prepare the food on Saturday, August 2nd. If you have an hour to spare to help in the preparation on Saturday, we'll find a spot for you. Or, if you're available on Sunday morning, and have a sense of direction and a van, an SUV, or a station wagon, you can help. Also, please note these food delivery dates for the rest of the year:
September 7, 2008
October 5, 2008
November 2, 2008
December 7, 2008
If you can help with preparation the Saturday prior, or delivery on any of these dates, please contact Pat Monahan at (703) 684-7947 or pmmonahan@cox.net.
DONATIONS TO FAIRFAX COUNTY
ANIMAL SHELTER
The Pet Ministry would like to kick off its "good works" with a call to all of our church members to donate an item or two (or as much as you would like) to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. Members of the Pet Ministry will collect these items on Sunday August 3 and take our bountiful donations to the Animal Shelter during the week of August 4. There will be a collection box in the fellowship hall. This is a great project for our young people too. Please donate:
Towels or small blankets (They are in desperate need of towels and blankets!!)
Newspaper and paper towels
Treats (for cats, dogs, birds, little animals)
Toys, leashes, collars, dishes, crates, cages
Small animal supplies (rabbit, bird, guinea pig, hamster cages, & foods)
Flea medications such as Frontline or Interceptor
Round fleece cat or dog beds
Carefresh litter for rabbits and rabbit food
Timothy hay
New batteries (AA, AAA)
Books on animal care and training
Detergent, fabric softener, latex gloves
Shelter food: Nutro (canned and dry)
BIBLE STUDY
Continues through August 10
A 6 week adult Sunday School session will be held from July 6 through August 10 from 9:30 to 10:30 am. The topic: The Bible. The Bible study will examine the bible itself as inspiration, literature, poetry, sacred text and more. We will also be discussing several specific stories in the bible. If you are interested, please sign up on the sheet by the front door or just show up. If you have any questions please see Bobby, Frank, or Cathy.
SPECIAL DiMENsion's AUGUST POOL PARTY
Wednesday, August 13, 7:30 pm
Rev. Tim Agar will moderate DiMENSions at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 13, at 7823 Holmes Run Drive, Falls Church 22042. (This is the home of Ed Kenney, located just inside the Capital Beltway off Gallows Road.) Over dinner together, the DiMENSions Bible study group provides 90 minutes of fellowship with Our Savior and with one another. All who identify as a man are encouraged to attend as we share our experiences and grow along our spiritual paths with the Lord. As a special blessing, Ed's swimming pool is available both before and after the meeting, so bring your towel and swim trunks, and please feel free to arrive early or stay later! For further information, contact Ed at 703.560.2367 or Tim at 415-812-5344.
SAVE THE DATES! WORLD RELIGIONS CLASS
Tuesdays, September 9 - October 21, 7:00 pm
Christianity is one of the great religions of the world. Most of us at MCC NOVA have probably grown up as Christians or were at least greatly influenced by the Christianity that permeates our culture. In today's America, however, we meet more and more people who ascribe to other religions or spiritual traditions. There is also much interest in other religions and alternatives to Christianity that appeal to modern Americans who may no longer find their Christian tradition as meaningful as it once was. There is great spiritual longing everywhere in our culture despite impersonal technology and the drivenness of so much of modern life. Human beings everywhere hunger for that which provides meaning and for a connection with something greater than our individual selves. We can learn much from other religions that can enrich our own spirituality and practice or can teach us understanding and acceptance of other traditions.
If you are interested in looking briefly at some of the great religious traditions of the world, we will explore them for seven weeks on Tuesday evenings from September 9 through October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at MCC NOVA. We will discuss early and indigenous religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Taoism along with a brief overview of Christianity and Judaism. Virginia Miles will lead the series. She is a Wesley Theological Seminary graduate and a former pastor of the Open Door MCC.
A sign up sheet is located near the front door or you may sign up with Emma in the church office at info@mccnova.com.
NURSING HOME MINISTRY ON SUMMER BREAK
The Nursing Home Ministry will resume September 14. Watch the space and the Sunday bulletin for more details. |
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MICAH MINISTRIES CALENDAR |
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Micah Ministries is MCC NOVA's social justice ministry. Below are our current plans for this calendar year. Please let Micah know what you would like to participate in. Judith Raleigh is the team lead and she would love to hear from you.
Our Daily Bread Food Drive On-going
AIDSWalk Washington October 4, 2008
Homeless Shelter Meals On-going
Foot Ministry to Homeless TBD
Global Outreach (Costa Rica) February 14-22, 2009
DID YOU KNOW?
That MCC NOVA hosts Civics Class for immigrants organized through Liberty's Promise?
Liberty's Promise supports young immigrants in need while encouraging them to be active and conscientious American citizens. Their programs aim to make the immigrant experience an affirmative one for young newcomers while instilling in them a sense of pride and support for American ideals of democracy and freedom. By doing so, Liberty's Promise seeks to reaffirm our fundamental egalitarian and democratic traditions for future generations. MCC NOVA is proud to partner with Liberty's Promise. |
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 Special Thanks to the Following:
To the Sabbatical Committee: Sarah, Ben, Frank, Tracey, and Cathryn for the work they have done to prepare us for Kharma's sabbatical.
To those who helped Rev. Tim move his "stuff" into his new place. We're grateful to you for your generosity and brawn.
To Gail M. for organizing the Softball game, and for ALL of you who came out to the old ball game to play. What a wonderful day of celebration! We're grateful for your participation and your joy.
To Pat M., Jean G. and Gail VB as they finish their respective roles as Worship Coordinators for this past quarter and to Ben M. (Readers), Steve L. (Community Prayer) and Jeff Y. (Communion) as they begin their role as Worship Coordinators for this next quarter (Aug thru Oct) and for all who so generously contribute to the worship life of our community. |
| HOW DO I GET IN HERE? |
 To place a ministry-related announcement in our weekly e-update or monthly e-Newsletter or for more information about placing a community announcement, please contact Tracey Kennedy at mccnovacom@earthlink.net. For church bulletin announcements, please contact Emma in the church office at info@mccnova.com
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| COMMUNITY NOTES |
Please let us know. We often have people who are looking for housing and would love to know about your resource. Contact Rev. Kharma.
CAPITAL HOSPICE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Are you interested in making a difference? Adult daytime, evening, and weekend volunteers are needed to visit hospice patients at home, work in our Van Ness office, join our Speakers Bureau. We also need volunteers with cars, language skills, a strong desire to work with people. Patient Care Volunteer Trainings are held three times a year. Volunteers will learn about Capital Hospice services and programs and techniques in caring for and communicating with hospice patients. To apply, please contact Volunteer Services at 202-244-8300 or visit www.capitalhospice.org
AREA PFLAG GATHERINGS (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
1. Annandale-Little River United Church of Christ, 3rd Sunday, 4:30 pm.
2. Falls Church--Temple Rodef Shalom at 2100 Westmoreland Street on the 2nd Thursday at 7:30 pm.
3. Manassas --Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 4th Monday at 7:00 pm.
4. Western Fairfax -- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, MD 22124
5. Bethesda MD-2 separate meetings at 2:00 pm on each 3rd Sunday: one focused on Trans-people and their families-Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church.
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The Bible Study group that has been meeting on Sunday mornings turned to the Book of Acts this past Sunday; the first and second chapter which focuses on the birth of the church. What struck me during our discussion was how some of us might be experiencing some of the feelings the followers of Jesus experienced as he was taken up into heaven before their eyes, leaving them with the promise of the Holy Spirit that was to come at that first Pentecost. 
