| FROM THE HEARTS OF THE COMMUNITY |
"Questions, Questions, Questions"
I spent some formative years in a big small church in Northern Maryland, a Bible-believing, tongue-speaking, saved-through-an-altar-call Assemblies of God church in a town called Hancock; a church that had very specific beliefs they lived their life by. MCC Nova has shattered my grip on some of those beliefs by shining truth and love into the prison of shame those beliefs held me in. In many ways I was still a newly saved 12 year old Christian boy that had started praying for God to change me when I first came to MCC NOVA. Now, a little more than a year later, I'm a man who has grown closer than ever to God, and have completely fallen in love with Him.
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| WISH LIST! |
The Music Department of MCC NOVA has been dreaming ... and we have a desire to increase the resources we have available for congregational singing by creating our very own musical supplement. This would be used in addition to our hymnal and allow us to create our own compilation of music from various sources, including original material. Our best laid plans begin with the purchase of a new software program that will allow us to create and print music. This software costs approximately $500 and while we don't currently have that in the budget, we thought we'd just put it out there and see if someone is feeling generous. If you're interested in "gifting" the music ministry of MCC NOVA and helping us make our dreams come true, please contact the church office at info@mccnova.com. |
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FROM THE LAPTOP OF REV. TIM |
 HOMECOMING - A CHANCE TO COME HOME
On Sunday, September 13th, members and friends of MCC NoVA will have the chance to celebrate a very special 'homecoming'. This word brings back fond memories of falls spent in my hometown in Minnesota or on my college campus participating in a reunion banquets, bonfires, snake dances - where people link arms and S'd their way down main street, homecoming kings and queens and always best of all - friends, lots of friends.
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YOUNG ADULTS HIT THE LANES SEPT. 11TH
 If you are out of high school, a college or graduate student, or if your not in school and between the ages of 18 and 25, you are cordially invited to join NOVA's Young Adults on Friday, September 11th from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. for a fun evening of bowling at Bowl America in Falls Church. We had a blast last month at the pool party and BBQ hosted by Ed Kenney and the group at that time decided that bowling was the next activity they wanted to do. Watch for the e-mails that will be sent out, but if you don't get one, it doesn't mean you're not invited - just that we don't yet have your e-mail. Feel free to contact Pepe Miller deadendshadow@hotmail.com, Sabrina Diz sabrinadiz@yahoo.com, or Rev. Tim timgagar@yahoo.com for more information. You don't have to be a member of MCC NOVA to participate in our events or even attend our church. All are welcome! See you on the 11th.
THE WELCOME MAT IS OUT AT MCC NOVA!
 Sunday, September 13
We've missed many familiar faces during the summer, but now it's time to welcome everyone back and invite others seeking a spiritual home into our community.
Come join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2009, as we celebrate the joy of homecoming through worship, fellowship, and a shared meal.
We'll reflect on what it means to create a family of choice and build a spiritual home that welcomes and celebrates us as we are. We'll also receive new members and host a community pot-luck lunch following service. Whether you've been out for awhile or you can't seem to stay away, we'd love to see you there. COME HOME TO MCC NOVA!
NURSING HOME MINISTRY
Sunday, September 13, 2:00-3:30 pm
The Fairfax Nursing Center visit this month is Sunday, September 13, 2 - 3:30pm. For more info on these monthly visits to the Center, contact Grace Borell, agentgrace@mris.com or 301.514.3772; or Pat Monahan at pmmonahan@cox.net or call 703.927.0093. Thanks so much for the time you share!
BIBLE SPEAK IS BACK!
Sundays, 9:00 am
After a short break, Bible Speak is back! We are beginning an interactive study of Psalms and Proverbs, and would love to invite you to read over those books and pick some passages that speak to you. Maybe you remember one or two from childhood, or maybe you will find a blessing in them if you were to reread them now with the eyes of a someone who has lived a little bit of life. Bible Speak meets Sunday mornings at 9 AM before church, upstairs in the Library. Thank you to all who have participated in the past, and invite everyone to come and share in this time of fellowship and seeking.
CARE TEAM MOVES TO MONDAY NIGHTS THIS FALL
NOVA's Congregational Care Team has been meeting on the second Thursday of each month since last fall. We will be making a shift during the fall months through next January and will instead be meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month starting on Monday, September 14th. It is our hope that a change in our regular meeting night might allow some of you who have been unable to share in the Care Team's ministry before to perhaps do so on this new night. The Care Team focuses on the congregational care needs of MCC NOVA's members, friends and family. Each month we lift the needs of our community in prayer, we send cards to those celebrating birthdays or with whom we have not seen in a while, as well as visiting those who are shut in at home or hospitalized. We provide grief support to those who have lost loved ones and training opportunities to assist us in providing the best care possible for our fellow community members. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Tim - timgagar@yahoo.com or 415-812-5344.
LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOME...
The Pet Ministry has collected some wonderful fun things for YOUR pets, and all you have to do is contact us and ask for the item(s). They're FREE .... unless you want to make a donation to the Pet Ministry. Members of the congregation have donated new or lovingly used, but very clean items, that would make your pet very happy. Don't buy something new when we might have what you need in our Pet "thrift store." We want to make life easier for our MCC pets by circulating these items to those who could really use them. CLICK HERE to see what has been collected. Contact De Raynes at deraynes@aol.com or Deb Ronemus to facilitate an exchange at church. If YOU have something you would like to put on our Pets Trading Post, let us know. It must be in good to excellent condition and very clean. AIDSWALK 2009--Sign Up Today!
 Please join MCC NOVA and other participating Capital Beltway MCC Churches as we walk in solidarity to Stomp-Out AIDS. On Saturday, October 3rd, 2009, team MCC NOVA will join thousands of other people in the 23rd annual AIDS Walk Washington. This event is a 5K fundraising walk and timed run, benefiting and produced by Whitman-Walker Clinic. Please visit our team page by CLICKING HERE. Once there you can sign up to walk and begin fundraising to help raise much needed money for this very worthwhile cause. Last year, MCC NOVA raised $8,886 and had 26 Walkers. Won't you help us reach this year's goals of having 30 walkers and raising $9,000? Isn't it time you put your foot down? Register or Donate Today!!
INTRODUCING LIVING THE QUESTIONS 2.0
Tuesdays, October 6 - November 17, 7:00 pm
LtQ2 is the completely revised and expanded version of Living the Questions - the popular video and internet-based introduction to progressive Christianity featuring premier religious voices of our day.
LtQ2 is an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers and instead strives to create an environment in which participants can interact with one another in exploring the heart of Christianity. Three seven week sessions include the following themes: Invitation to Journey, Reclaiming the World and Call to Covenant. LtQ2 includes weekly readings and discussion questions. Each session will last an hour and a half and will include 20-minute video segments that contain conversations with leading voices of faith, sermon and lecture clips, digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith, and concrete spiritual practices and disciplines.
More information about this series can be found at www.livingthequestions.com and by clicking here. Contact Rev. Kharma if you have any additional questions. Please email info@mccnova.com to sign up for the class!
SAVE THE DATE!
ANNUAL BASKET AUCTIONSaturday, October 24, 7:00 pm  The date for our ANNUAL BASKET AUCTION AND DESSERT SOCIAL has been set for Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 7 pm. We will be accepting pre-made baskets for the auction very soon. Please think about what type of basket(s) you'd like to contribute and stay tuned for more information coming soon! October will be here before you know it! This heads up gives you plenty of time to start going through your house and pulling together some ideas for terrific baskets to donate. We look forward to everyone participating in this phenomenal evening of fun, food and fund raising! Also, please consider helping out this year on the basket committee - we have a great time together creating this fun night. If you have any questions, please see Jane Bennett or Cathryn Krebs.
GRIEF/LOSS PEER SUPPORT
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.
BECOME A FAN OF MCC NOVA!
CLICK HERE to see our FaceBook page and become a Fan! |
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STAFFING NEWS |
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Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns joins staff of MCC NOVA as Volunteer Staff Clergy
The Board of Directors recently approved the official addition of Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns as Volunteer Clergy on our staff. MCC NOVA will be her "authorized, active, and accountability" (AAA) ministry for the purposes of credentialing in MCC, and she will work to support Rev. Kharma and Rev. Tim as our Pastoral Staff.
Since completing her work as the Pastor of MCC Fredericksburg, Stephanie has been an active member of MCC NOVA. She completed her Doctor of Ministry degree and has also been involved in a number of MCC related ministries such as working with the Church Planting Team, the Conflict Resolution Team for our Region, and consulting with some other local congregations. Stephanie has recently formed a consulting practice and is publicizing this to congregations in and beyond MCC. More details about this can be found on her website at www.churchrenewal.vpweb.com. At the same time as she is building this new ministry, Stephanie wants to continue to make MCC NOVA her church home and the place where she is actively engaged in ministry on the local church level.
In particular, she will continue her work of worship coordination and begin focusing attention on (a) assisting us in an assessment of our database and the development of a plan to more thoroughly utilize this tool for ministry and (b) helping us improve our ability to integrate new people into congregational life.
The role of volunteer staff clergy is uncompensated.
You can contact Stephanie at revsburns@msn.com or by phone at 540-424-5641.
Did You Know?
The compensated staff of MCC NOVA includes:
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos - Senior Pastor (Full Time)
Rev. Tim Agar - Associate Pastor (focus: Congregational Care and Social Justice Outreach) (Half Time)
Emma Chattin - Administrative Assistant (Three Quarter Time)
Daniel Scearce - Music Director (Part Time)
Darius Smith - Pianist (Part Time)
Jenny Banks - Facility Maintenance (Part Time)
If you have any questions, please contact Kharma at KharmaAmos@aol.com. |
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MICAH MINISTRIES |
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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.
MCC NOVA COMBATS POVERTY
Breakfast Delivery, Walkathon, Meals on Wheels, Hypothermia Shelters
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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.
AIDSWalk Washington October 2009
Homeless Shelter Meals On-going
Nursing Home Ministry Ongoing
Help the Homeless Walkathon November 2009
NOVAM Angel Tree December, 2009
Holiday Food & Clothing Drive December, 2009 |
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 SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:
To Ken Williamson, Daniel Scearce, and Mark Fox for their work producing the Stonewall Chronicles, as well as to all of the writers and musicians who put so much work into this musical celebration of LGBT and MCC history.
To Stephanie for her leadership of the Worship Participant Training session, to Cindy and Mark for their work coordinating worship leaders, and to all of those who generously offer their gifts to enhance our worship life.
To those who are serving on the Capital Development Team (Lou, Krystal, Cathryn, Brad, Chris, Tracey, and Errol) and the Building Team (Roxanne, Kay, Frank, Jane, Ginny M., Kate, and Ginny R.) and blessings on the important work they are beginning to do to lead us in the future.
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| FYI |
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 MCC GENERAL CONFERENCE ACAPULCO 2010REGISTRATION INFO
Planning on attending MCC General Conference in Acapulco in 2010? For more information, please click here.
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| HOW DO I GET IN HERE? |
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 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 |
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.
6. Alexandria, beginning Tuesday, May 12
The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hope United Church of Christ, an open and affirming congregation
6130 Old Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22310, For directions, visit www.hopeucc.org
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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: | |
Reflection by Rev. BK Hipsher 
