| LENT AT MCC NOVA |
|
On Ash Wednesday, we began our journey through the season of Lent. This year, we'll focus our reflections on the question of how we can (en)-lighten ourselves by lightening the sometimes unnecessary burdens we carry. In many traditions, the season of Lent is associated with a discipline of "giving up" something. We'll approach this by asking ourselves what extraneous worries and distracting practices we might need to give up in order to lighten our load and make room in our lives for enlightenment and spiritual transformation. Would you consider adding an intentional Lenten Spiritual Discipline?
We suggest Random Acts of Kindness. One way that we might be able to (en)-lighten ourselves is to help lighten the burden of others. We would like to encourage everyone to spend time this Lent practicing random and anonymous acts of kindness for others (e.g., a stranger, a friend, another church member, a co-worker, a family member, etc.), and to keep a "kindness journal" to track these actions and the difference they make for others and for us. Your anonymous acts of kindness will be recorded throughout the season and will appear as a growing list in the sanctuary so we can see the collective impact of our individual actions. Watch for additional details on these Lenten and Easter observances:
Holy Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday
April 9, 7:00 pm April 10, 7:00 pm April 12 |
| A MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION |
|
What if EVERYONE came to church on Easter Sunday
and brought a friend?
a) Someone's Easter bonnet could get crushed.
b) MCC NOVA's Sanctuary would be very crowded.
c) We would need more cookies for Fellowship Hour.
d) MCC NOVA will need to hold Easter worship in a larger space.
e) All of the above
Answer: e) all of the above
Find out more after service on March 15 |
|
|
|
| THIS WEEK @ MCC NOVA |
FEED THE HOMELESS TEAM HOSTS
TIGER WOODS GOLF WARM-UP
Saturday, March 7, 7:00 pm
MCC NOVA's Feed the Homeless Team, part of our Micah Ministry, is hosting a "get over the winter blues" golf outing/fundraiser on Saturday March 7 from 7:00 to 9:30 pm at the Top Golf`Center in Alexandria. Play golf from a heated/covered driving range where your score is derived from a computerized scoring system or enjoy miniature golf on an interesting and fun 18 hole course. Whether you're a Tiger Woods/Lorena Ochoa clone or someone who just likes to limber up the muscles and enjoy the outdoors this will be a great opportunity to have fun, meet some members of our church family, and raise money for the church as it continues to support our monthly feed the homeless ministry. No need to bring clubs or golf balls. Costs start at $5 for mini golf; $20 for driving range. Contact either Matt Huggins (703) 372-3908 or Pat Monahan (703) 684-7947.
NURSING HOME MINISTRY
Sunday, March 8, 2:00-3:30
The nursing home group will make the monthly visit to Fairfax Nursing Center this Sunday, March 8, 2 - 3:30 pm. Please also note that there will be no visits in April and May but we will resume on June 14. For further information, contact Grace Borell at AgentGrace@mris.com or 301-514-3772 or Pat Monahan at pmmonahan@cox.net or 703-684-7947.
MCC NOVA CARE TEAM Presents:
Providing Care for the Elderly and Disabled-
Considerations in Confidentiality and Privacy
Thursday, March 12, 7:00 pm
If you have an elderly parent, sibling, or spouse or concerns about your own care in the future, this evening will have lots of information for you. It will also address the ongoing issues related to confidentiality and privacy as it pertains to care for the elderly and disabled. For more information, contact the Church Office.
NOVA's A.A.R.P. (All Ages (Over 50) Ready to Play)Saturday, March 14, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Okay, so the name might be a little silly, but the idea is to come together and have some fun with our friends here at NoVA who happen to share our common interests, challenges and all right - general age! Mark your calendars now for the first gathering of NoVA's A.A.R.P. for an Anniversary Game Day on Saturday, March 14th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. here at MCC NOVA. A host committee for this first event is forming now to plan this fun-filled get-together. Save the date and watch for more info.
Grieving the loss of a loved one is an individual process. Everyone's grief is different. Grieving is especially difficult in the first year. However, we face the grief at different times all throughout our lives, months/years later. If you have a need to talk to someone in a healthy, safe, confidential space, please contact Jean Taczak at jtaczak@att.net or
703-262-0126 home or 571-228-3536 cell or talk with Reverend Tim or Reverend
Kharma. Jean will meet with you individually at an agreed upon place. |
|
COMING UP! |
|
DiMENSions MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30 pm
Frank Vance will host DiMENSions at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, March 24, at his home at 4105 Morin St, Alexandria 22312. Please join us as we bond together in the Body of Christ and grow along our spiritual paths, regardless of your beliefs or church affiliation. Over a shared meal, we extend the right hand of fellowship with one another and with Our Savior for 90 minutes. Please contact Frank Vance at frank.vance@cox.net or 703.642.2021 for further information.
SAVE THE DATE! BINGO IS BACK AT MCC NOVA! 
Saturday, March 28, 7:00 pm
Join us for Food, Fun, and Prizes Galore! Must be 18 or over to play. Tickets will be available beginning March 8 and seating is limited. For more information, please contact Ken Williamson at 202-277-7337 or KRWilliamson@gmail.com.
For anyone interested in helping, there will be a short meeting after church on Sunday, March 8.
CAMPOUT VA'S WOMEN'S MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 22-24, Louisa, VA
Women of MCC NOVA are invited to a Weekend of Camping, Music, and Fellowship. We had a fabulous time last year, and are looking forward to another wonderful experience. Activities Include: Camping, Concerts, Workshops, Drumming Circle, Canoeing, Fishing, Swimming, Field Sports, DJ and Dancing. Location: CampOut Va, 95 acre private campground in Louisa, Virginia Cost: $100 (before 4/15/09) Includes Registration Fee, Camping, and required Membership Fee Food: Bring your own, or purchase vegetarian/non-vegetarian meals on-site ($20/day) Website for more info: http://www.campoutva.com/musicfest.html Look for Registration Forms on the church bulletin board. For any questions, or to turn in Registration Forms, contact Vanessa Lambert (shotguness@hotmail.com). |
|
MICAH MINISTRIES |
|
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.
WELCOME HOME COSTA RICA!
Meet the Team!  Ben Masters, Chris Fink, Errol Waits, Gail Minnick, Ginny Reed, Irene Konow, Jane Bennett, Judith Raleigh, Kala Payne, Karen Clark, Kate Felts, Kharma Amos, Kurt Jaeger, Margaret Rood, Michele Loyd, Pat Monahan, Scott Brna, Tim Agar & Tracey Kennedy. Watch for information about a presentation on our service project trip.
MCC NOVA COMBATS POVERTY
Breakfast Delivery, Walkathon, Meals on Wheels, Hypothermia Shelters
________________________________
Early one Sunday morning, we served breakfast to a young immigrant who had found herself suddenly homeless after separating from her husband. She knew MCC NOVA. Emma had just written her a check for food and she was very grateful. Your generous weekly donations aid people in crisis like this young woman.
MCC NOVA helps in other ways:
-
The first Sunday of each month, MCC NOVA delivers breakfast to Fairfax homeless. Typically, we prepare the food on Saturday afternoon. If you have an hour or two to spare, you can help.
-
Meals on Wheels helps the elderly and the disabled remain at home while they recover from surgery or short-term medical problems and helps those with long-term chronic illnesses avoid or delay institutionalization. Drivers are needed mid-day on weekdays. The time commitment is up to you.
-
In the winter, local churches take turns hosting the homeless to prevent hypothermia. While MCC NOVA is not equipped to host these individuals, we have sent volunteers to assist the other churches.
If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact Pat Monahan at (703) 684-7947 or pmmonahan@cox.net. Our Daily Bread Food Drive On-going
AIDSWalk Washington October 4, 2008
Homeless Shelter Meals On-going
Nursing Home Ministry Ongoing
Help the Homeless Walkathon November 22, 2008
NOVAM Angel Tree December, 2008
Holiday Food & Clothing Drive December, 2008 DID YOU KNOW?
That MCC NOVA recently contributed
- $500 to assist MCC Baton Rouge repair their hurricane-damaged roof.
- $500 to help Harbor MCC of Galveston, TX replace their hymnals after their church was destroyed by Hurricane Ike?
- $500 to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund?
- $500 to the Mother of Peace Orphanage for children of HIV/AIDS victims in Zimbabwe?
- $500 to assist an MCC Clergy person in South Africa with expenses related to a serious illness?
|
|
|
 Special Thanks to the Following:
To our office volunteer, Cindy Childs, for her dedication, flexibility,
and the gift of touch and careful folding that she gives to each and every bulletin.
To Leslie White for being the Board Liaison while the Board is away in Costa Rica.
A Global Thanks and Welcome Home to Team Costa Rica! Ben Masters, Chris Fink, Errol Waits, Gail Minnick, Ginny Reed, Irene Konow, Jane Bennett, Judith Raleigh, Kala Payne,
Karen Clark, Kate Felts, Kharma Amos, Kurt Jaeger, Margaret Rood, Michele Loyd,
Pat Monahan, Scott Brna, Tim Agar & Tracey Kennedy.
And many thanks to Judith For leading this global effort!
¡Muchas gracias al Equipo y la comunidad que los apoyaron!
Many Thanks to the Team and to the community who supported them! |
| FYI |
MCC GENERAL CONFERENCE ACAPULCO 2010 
REGISTRATION INFO & PAYMENT PLAN DEADLINES
Planning on attending MCC General Conference in Acapulco in 2010? MCC is offering an early-bird special savings of 50 percent ($225) on conference registration if you register by March 15, 2009! For more information, please click here.
SUNSHINE CATHEDRAL MCC presents SHARING THE LIGHT on YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/profile?user=SunshineCathedral&view=videos Sharing the Light is a talk show format webcast where progressive theology and ethics are frankly discussed. Watch whichever subject may interest you, or watch them all! Upcoming: Transgender Issues (February) - Rev. Robert Griffin, Rev. Durrell Watkins, Rev. BK Hipsher Integration of Sexuality & Spirituality (March) - Rev. Robert Griffin, Rev. Durrell Watkins, Rev. Elder Don Eastman A Progressive View of Salvation (March) - Rev. Robert Griffin, Rev. Durrell Watkins, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes
SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 25-27
MCC THEOLOGIES CONFERENCE
Written on the Body: Forty Years of Shared Theology in MCC
Union Theological Seminary, New York City
The MCC Theologies Conference, Written on the Body: Forty Years of Lived Theology, is an opportunity for the people of God - lay and ordained - to share their theological reflections with each other, with the academic world, and with other religious people within and outside the Christian tradition.
Written on the Body is about the forces that have shaped our theological past, and how our God-talk has impacted the world. Written on the Body will also be a space to reflect on what is fermenting in our theologies; the new propositions we may offer to the world during the next few years.
So save the date on your calendar now for this important conference. More information will follow on registration and special speakers.
|
| 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
|
| COMMUNITY NOTES |
SURVEY OPPORTUNITY
A Research Study Focusing on Same-Sex Romantic or Intimate Relationships
You are invited to participate in a study focusing on same-sex romantic or intimate relationships. Please read the following to see if you are eligible for this study.
Have you been in a relationship that was hard to end? Did you or your ex-partner have a difficult time letting go of the relationship? Did you or your ex-partner continue to try to maintain contact with the other or attempt to reconcile the relationship repeatedly? If either you or a former partner had difficulty letting go of a relationship, you are eligible to participate. For more details about the study, see the first page of the survey. Your responses will be completely anonymous.
If you complete the survey, you are eligible to enter a raffle. Thirty-five participants will be randomly selected to receive $100.
The research is sponsored by the Psychology Department at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. Dr. Val Derlega, e-mail: vderlega@odu.edu or phone: 757.683.3118. The link for the survey is https://periwinkle.ts.odu.edu/surveys/VK5GVK
Especially During Tough Economic Times...
2-1-1 CONNECTS THOSE IN NEED TO HELP IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGION
It seems no one in Northern Virginia is free from the impacts of the economic downturn, the credit crisis, home foreclosures and layoffs. Faced with those disasters, more people than ever are seeking information about health and human services and other assistance programs, but don't know where to call. Now, there is one convenient number which is answered seven days a week, around the clock: 2-1-1. The call is free and confidential and operates throughout Northern Virginia and all other parts of the state 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers to 2-1-1 may request referrals to services for abuse and neglect, HIV/AIDS, disabilities, domestic violence, health care, housing, mental health, senior citizens, and shelters, among others. For more information about CrisisLink and
2-1-1, check out crisislink.org or contact Carol Loftur-Thun at 703.527.6603.
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, and join our Speakers Bureau. We also need volunteers with cars, language skills, and 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.
|
| 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: | |
Reflections on Recent Marriage Equality Action
