| THIS WEEKEND! |
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BIG WEEKEND COMING UP
AT MCC NOVA!
AIDSWALK WASHINGTON
Support Team MCC NOVA!
On October 4th, 2008, we will join thousands of other people in the 22nd annual AIDS Walk Washington to help fight against HIV/AIDS. This event is a 5K fundraising walk/run, benefiting and produced by Whitman-Walker Clinic.
Support Team MCC NOVA by clicking AIDS Walk Washington to join our team and/or to make a donation. All contributions are 100 percent tax deductible. If you have any questions about AIDS Walk Washington or Whitman-Walker Clinic, please don't hesitate to contact Team Captain Chris Fink. Thank you so much for your support and generosity.
FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY
1968 - 2008 Celebrating 40 Years of MCC
Join us as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of our denomination, Metropolitan Community Churches.
Each year, on the anniversary of MCC's founding, local churches have the opportunity to receive a voluntary offering to support Fellowship initiatives.
This year's Fellowship Offering will be invested in five key areas focusing on children and youth: To provide more training to our local churches, preparing them to invest in families with children and in children's programming; To expand the work MCC is already doing around the world to train a new generation of young activists; To support the growing number of MCC youth who are longing to be involved in ministry; To train churches to use MCC's new Teen Curriculum; To develop creative and effective ways to reach out to LGBT youth in our communities who need MCC's message and ministry.
We hope you'll join MCC NOVA next Sunday as we celebrate our MCC roots and support this important work on behalf of our children and youth.
MINISTRY FAIR--COME ONE! COME ALL!
Sunday, October 5, after service
Join us next Sunday after service for our annual ministry fair! There will be food, fun, games and a chance learn about the many ministry opportunities in our community. You won't want to miss this unique chance to find out more about what MCC NOVA can offer you as we 'build our future--step by step!
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| FROM THE HEARTS OF THE COMMUNITY |
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LGBT People: Finding Spiritual Meaning and Purpose in our Lives
By Paulette Armstead
Do Not Worry.
The problem - So many of us spend an enormous amount of our time "worrying". We worry about a lot of things - current things and future things. For example, we worry about our health and the high cost of medications and medical treatment. We worry about not having enough money to pay our bills and living expenses. With outsourcing and corporate cutbacks, we worry about keeping our jobs and benefits. We worry about our safety and the safety of our children. We worry about terrorism and war.
Continue reading |
| SAVE THE DATE! |
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Join us Sunday, November 2
as we welcome Rev. Kharma home from Sabbatical! |
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NEWS & EVENTS |
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NURSING HOME MINISTRY
Sunday, October 12, 2 - 3:30pm.
Set aside an hour and a half and join the Nursing Home Ministry for this month's visit to Fairfax Nursing Center. Go on your own or pair up with someone to make your round of visits. We are a group of 11 of your church friends and we always welcome more of you to join with us. Read to someone, share stories about life or current events, and more. The time we spend at the center is short, but makes a difference in the lives of those who may find themselves with limited opportunities to socialize. More details, Grace at agentgrace@mris.com or Pat at pmmonahan@cox.net.
ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY GREENERY
FROM CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Now through November 2
Children's Ministry once again offers fresh Christmas wreaths, garlands, centerpieces and door swags. Sales begin Sunday, September 28 and continue through November 2. Greenery will be available for pickup on November 23. Watch for flyers and order forms at church beginning this Sunday or call the church office at 703-691-0930. Cash and checks accepted. All proceeds benefit MCC NOVA.
SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY RESUMES
Beginning October 19, 9:00 - 10:15 am
A Bible study series for adults begins a new series beginning Sunday, October 19 at 9:00 am. This series will run for 10 weeks and will meet in the upstairs library. For more information, contact Cathy A, Frank, or Bobby.
WORLD RELIGIONS CLASS CONTINUES
Tuesdays, through October 21, 7:00 pm
We will explore some of the great religious traditions of the world for seven weeks on Tuesday evenings from September 9 through October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at MCC NOVA. Virginia Miles will lead the series. She is a Wesley Theological Seminary graduate and a former pastor of the Open Door MCC.
Feel free to drop in, as you are able.
DiMENSions MEN's BIBLE STUDY
Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 pm
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20
DiMENSions will gather at 7516 Chrisland Cove, Falls Church 22042 (Scott Brna's and Chris Fink's house) at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, October 28. Over dinner together, our informal Bible study group for those identifying as men provides 90 minutes of fellowship with Our Savior and with each other. Please join us as we share our experiences and grow along our spiritual paths with the Lord, regardless of your church affiliation or beliefs. For further information or travel assistance, please contact Kyle White at KyleChas@aol.com or 703.200.9503.
SAVE THE DATE!
MCC NOVA's ANNUAL BASKET AUCTION!
Saturday, December 6
This is the perfect time and place to start (or finish) buying your Christmas presents. Also, please begin thinking about the basket(s) you want to donate to this fabulous fundraiser and sign up on the sheet at church. More information to come - just remember to save the date. Any questions see Jane Bennett or Cathryn Krebs.
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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
Nursing Home Ministry On-going
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 our friend Rev. BK Hipsher for twice sharing the message with us during this Sabbatical journey.
To our Director of Music, Daniel Scearce, for his continued excellence and hard work in leading the Music Ministry and for his support during the Sabbatical.
To Bobby Hopson for creating our beautiful altar during the Sabbatical period.
To Lisa Shannon for her perseverance in completing our website cleanup.
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| NEWS & EVENTS FROM MCC |
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ATTEND MCC REGION 3 SUBREGIONAL GATHERINGS
Central: November 14 / 15
Location: Open Door MCC Boyd's, MD
Plenary: Affirming Our Spiritual/Theological Diversity
OR
Spiritual Journeys Go In Different Directions
And That's OK, No Reason To Get All Bent Out Of Shape
If Yours Is Different Than Mine And Mine Is Different Than Yours!
Rev. Dr. Mona West
Southern: October 24 / 25
Location: St. John's MCC, Raleigh, NC
Plenary: Practical Strategies For Stewardship and Spiritual Formation
At The Congregational Level
Rev. Jeff Miner
Cost: $25 per person
For more information, contact jenniferglass@mccchurch.net
 MCC MEN'S RETREAT ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS February 21-24, 2009
Adam's Mark (Sheraton) Hotel
Dallas, TX
Conference Registration $90
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| 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 |
IMPORTANT TRANSGENDER SURVEY OPPORTUNITY
If you identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming, please consider taking a few minutes to complete a national survey on transgender/gender nonconforming experiences of discrimination in the U.S. This the only national study of its kind and is an important opportunity to let your life speak. Click on https://online.survey.psu.edu/endtransdiscrim to take the survey.
HOPE CHURCH UCC 2nd ANNUAL LUAU
Our friends and supporters at Hope Church UCC in Alexandria extend an invitation to attend their second annual Hawaiian Luau on Saturday, October 11, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. For ticket information and directions, go to www.hopeucc.org.
HAVE A ROOM TO RENT?
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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| SUPPORT MCC NOVA! |
DO YOUR SHOPPING ONLINE AT iGive.com and a percentage of your purchase goes to MCC NOVA
Shop at any of the more than 600 stores at i.GIVE.COM and a percentage of your purchase goes to MCC NOVA! Tell a friend about iGive.com and MCC NOVA gets $5.00! Its easy, just click on iGive.com to sign up.
SHOP AT THE MCC NOVA SPIRIT-WEAR STORE!
Now you can proudly wear t-shirts, sweatshirts and more emblazoned with MCC NOVA's new statement of calling logo! Simply go to our website at www.mccnova.comand click on the link to our online Spirit-wear store or go directly to www.cafepress.com/novacom2
TO SUPPORT MCC NOVA DIRECTLY, YOU CAN MAKE
A SECURE, TAX-DEDUCTIBLE  CONTRIBUTION BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK: | |
And here we are on the homestretch of our sabbatical journey together. Just four short weeks and Rev. Kharma (and Kala) will return from their time away. Let's continue to hold them in prayer as they seek to not only deepen their relationship to the Divine, but in traveling and having time together that they find deep nurturing and renewal in their relationship with each other. Are you still asking yourself what it is you long for? It isn't too late and even after Rev. Kharma returns, anytime is a good time to spend reflecting on that question. Bring what you long for in prayer to God. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me in this says the Lord of hosts: Shall I not open for you the floodgates of heaven, to pour down blessings upon you without measure?" (Malachi 3:10) I interpret this to read that whatever I ask for in faith and in turn open myself and my life as an offering to God, God will not be outdone in generosity. Don't be afraid to ask, but as they say - be careful what you ask for; you just might get it! God is full of surprises!!!
