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FROM THE HEARTS OF THE COMMUNITY |
MONTHLY FOOD MINISTRY TO THE HOMELESS CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND
by Arlene Puryear
MCC NOVA's social justice mission inspires me to want to act, participate, and be a part of the outreach. The monthly 4 pm Saturday food bagging of breakfast for the homeless quickly became a fixed part of my schedule. There are basically four parts to this service outreach. Pat Monahan does the coordinating with the volunteers at MCC NOVA and with the other churches that also feed the homeless. Chanda Brown usually does the grocery shopping, although I did that one time with Matt Huggins. Then the group gathers for the food bagging, and the culmination is the delivery on Sunday before church. I also did that one time with Pat, Matt and Vanessa Lambert. I like the immediacy of it: coordinate, shop, bag and deliver. With each step, you know you are contributing to the well-being of someone else's life. I've boiled eggs twice -- once I provided 1 1/2 dozen, and the second time I provided 1 dozen eggs. I particularly like doing this because I think eggs are so nutritious, and I imagine the great protein that the recipients are getting helps them live another day feeling more solid.
I know my contribution is just a little tiny piece of this MCC NOVA operation and of other efforts here and around the world. I know some people do so much more; so, I can't compare what I give to what they give. This ministry makes me happy. I like the social aspect, and I like the narrowly defined nature of the activity. Thank you to MCC NOVA, Pat, and everyone who provides an environment where I can make my little effort.
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MEET OUR NEW CLERGY INTERN - JOHN McLAUGHLIN |
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Greetings from Lancaster, PA!
I want to take this opportunity to tell you a little more about myself and what brought me to MCC NOVA as student clergy intern. I am currently in my final year of studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary working toward a Master of Divinity degree. I moved to Pennsylvania in the summer of 2008 to finish my degree after attending Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC for three years as a part-time student. I had lived in Washington, DC for 20 years and while it was hard to move away from my home, I am thoroughly enjoying my life in a new town with new friends and experiences. When I graduate in May 2010 I plan to complete a summer course for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) certification and then look toward ordination in the fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. My vocational goal is pastoral ministry within MCC. To achieve that goal I need to intern with an MCC congregation for one year. Having worshiped with you at NOVA on several occasions, and being friends with several members, I began discussions with Pastor Kharma last fall about internship possibilities. It was with great joy and humility that I accepted the invitation by the Board of MCC NOVA to be an intern for the 2009/2010 academic year.
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| NEWS FROM MICAH MINISTRIES |
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FALL HELP THE HOMELESS PROGRAMS
This fall, MCC NOVA plans to help the homeless - locally and nationally. We have four programs planned:
1) We'll continue our Sunday morning food delivery on the first of each month. The next delivery is October 3rd. The Saturday beforehand, this coming month October 2nd, we shop and prepare the food. If you have only one or two hours - you can help.
2) In November, we're having a clothes and food drive. We need donations and drivers. Again, only a small time commitment is necessary.
3) On November 21, MCC NOVA will walk on the National Mall in the annual Help the Homeless Walkathon. Allow extra commuting time. The walk takes about an hour and we often go out for lunch afterwards.
4) The week following the Homeless Walk, from November 22-29, begins the Fairfax Area Christian Emergency Transitional Service or FACETS Hypothermia Prevention Program. We'll send volunteers to a local church to set-up, prepare meals, chat with the guests, and perform other duties. Any time that you have - even two hours - would be a great help.
5) And for the first time MCC NOVA will host 'A Community Thanksgiving' on Thanksgiving Day right here at church. We anticipate serving 200 individuals from both our own community and homeless from throughout the local area. We will be serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with preparation before and clean-up after. Plan now to spend part of your Thanksgiving Holiday truly making a difference for others.
Contact Rev. Tim, Jeff Young, or Pat Monahan for more info.
NEW HUNGER MINISTRY LAUNCHED
Hunger. Its something we all have in some way. Sometimes it's a grumbling in our stomach for food, other times an ache in our hearts for something more. The Ministry Leadership Team in the gathering focused on 'Action' a few months ago choose 4 areas of focus to concentrate our energy on. One of those areas has become our Transgender Ministry and Outreach - Trans--formation. Now, we are ready to address another of those areas, hunger, with a Fall Food Drive. The new Hunger Ministry at NOVA will be accepting can goods and dry goods from October 18 until November 22 on behalf of Our Daily Bread ( http://www.our-daily-bread.org/), a local feeding program that has two food pantries, one in Fairfax and one in Vienna. With so many people struggling now through cutbacks and layoffs, when sometimes it comes down to paying rent or buying groceries, this is one way we can all help.
The Fall Food Drive is the kickoff of our Hunger ministry here at NOVA operating under the Micah Ministries umbrella of social justice. We are currently looking for volunteers to assist and join the Hunger Ministry. We can be the change we want to see in the world. Look for the festive Food Drive station coming soon!! Join us in our pursuit of feeding the hungry. If you would like to help, please contact Jeffrey Young (movieguy1982@aol.com, or www.facebook.com/jeffreyoung82) or Rev Tim Agar (timgagar@yahoo.com).
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AIDSWALK 2009--There is Still Time!
Saturday, October 3
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!
NURSING HOME MINISTRY
Sunday, October 11, 2:00-3:30 pm
The nursing home ministry will make another visit to Fairfax Nursing Center on October 11, 2-3:30pm. We welcome you to join us on this visit or plan to join us at a future visit by marking your calendar with the next scheduled visit on November 8. There will be no December visit. Everyone is welcome to join this ministry for occasional or regular visitations. Individuals wishing to join this ministry may partner with a member of the ministry on their first visit to learn the basics of being a volunteer. Training is required, however, and facilitated by the nursing center, for groups, and must be scheduled. More details, contact Grace, agentgrace@mris.com, or Pat, pmmonahan@cox.net
LITURGICAL DANCE
It doesn't matter if you are a dance expert or someone who has never danced, join us!! We are looking for a few brave souls that wouldn't mind learning a few dance steps and sharing those steps with our MCC-NOVA family. Not only is it fun to move to the music, it's exercise too!! So why not join us and let's move together!! For more information, please contact Kimberlee Williams at 703-372-5451 or williamskimy@yahoo.com. We are currently planning to incorporate some liturgical dance during the season of Advent, so let us know right away if you're interested.
PET BLESSING
Sunday, October 25
The Pet Ministry will be sponsoring a Pet Blessing Ceremony on October 25, at the Van Dyck Park located in Fairfax City. The Park is only a few minutes from the church. The Service will be lead by Rev. Kharma and Rev. Agar, and the ceremony will follow the blessing St. Francis prayed to all animals in Thanksgiving to God for all creatures. A pavilion has been reserved from 2:00 to 4:00 and the service will begin at 2:00.
There will be pictures taken of your pet receiving a blessing by Kharma or Tim, a certificate to the participant (your pet's name), a St. Francis medal given as a gift for such special pets, and home made pet treats (healthy treats, but tasty).
Please come on by with your beloved pet, bring a picnic lunch or your favorite fast food, sit at the Pavilion, and enjoy a special time to gives thanks to our furry, feathered, and everything else in between friends.
As a park rule, all dogs must be on leash, and all other pets much be in a safely confined carrier. Also, please plan to retrieve your pets from home after church, as we cannot accomodate animals in the building and it is unsafe to leave them in locked cars. Thanks!
Come and celebrate in the park on October 25!
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.  NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH
October 10-11
Tens (hopefully hundreds) of thousands will take to the streets in DC with one simple demand: equal protection for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. Now. The march is organized by National Equality March and is the beginning of effors to organize and empower people to fight for LGBT equality all across the nation. Check out the March's Facebook page.
BINGO IS BACK AT MCC NOVA
Saturday, November 14
Watch this space for details!
SAVE THE DATE !
MCC NOVA presents A COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Serving from 11 AM - 1 PM
Free and Open to the Public
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 22030
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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 SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:
To Cindy Giese, Michael Patrick, Kurt Jaeger, Elethia, and Chanda Brown for serving as the Teaching Church Committee for our new Clergy Intern, John McLaughlin.
To Sabrina Diz for co-preaching and for representing MCC NOVA so wonderfully through her work with the MCC Youth / Young Adults in the Dominican Republic, as well as her translation services for MCC's General Conference.
To Jean Taczak for the donation of "Welcome Home" pens in memory of her partner, Barbara Kraus. Thanks to the Congregational Care Team for sponsoring our potluck lunch, to Sharlette for construction of the photo backdrop, to Frank for his videography, to Krystal for the use of tables, and to all of you who have brought food and contributed in other ways to making Home-coming Sunday a wonderful celebration of community.
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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 |
YOU ARE INVITED!
TROY PERRY TO VISIT OPEN DOOR MCC
Saturday, November 14, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
We at Open Door MCC are very excited about the visit of the Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry to our church the weekend of November 14 and 15, 2009. We want to invite you and members and friends of your churches to a Sharing Time with Troy on Saturday, November 14 from 10 am to 2 pm at our church in Boyds, MD. The cost of this very special opportunity is $25 per person and lunch will be included.
The Sharing Time with Troy will be followed by a book signing from 2 to 3 pm, and again from 6 to 7 pm. Troy will preach at a special worship service Saturday at 7:30 at our church.
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! |
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A SECURE, TAX-DEDUCTIBLE  CONTRIBUTION BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK: | |
BRING IT ON! BASKET BONANZA!
