News from MCC Northern Virginia

Spirit. Community. Action. Inside & "Out"

November 2009

I'm choosing a line from one of Mary Oliver's most recent poems as my mantra for this month in which we celebrate thanksgiving: "Hallelujah, anyway I'm not where I started!" There are so many things to be thankful for about the adventure of life and the journey of faith ... and one of them is that we are always in motion. Sure, it might be one step forward and two steps back ... it might be a slow, sideways ramble rather than a straightforward sprint ahead ... and, yes, sometimes a few U-turns are required; but as long as we are living, we are moving and that movement itself is a blessing. If for no other reason (and, for the record, I can think of myriad other reasons), this alone is worth being very grateful for.

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Lay-Ups

from your Lay-Delegates

As your lay delegates, we (Jean Gralley and Gail Minnick) want to update you on news from around MCC. So, welcome to our first "Lay-Ups!" It will be a regular column, featuring short news items with links to more information.

Who's the friendliest church around? As hosts of the first-ever "Cluster Meeting" in this region, we here at Nova would like to set a precedent of hospitality. Can you spare a couch or extra bed on Friday night, November 20? By opening our homes we make it easier for more folks to attend this sub-regional mini-conference. It's also a great way to get know other MCCers better. Let's show them what a warm church family we have. To volunteer or inquire about hosting... gailminnick@msn.com

What's a cluster conference? It's a good thing! Our own Region 3 has been subdivided into smaller units and ours, the "Central Cluster," will meet for the first time at MCC Nova the evening of Nov 20-21. It will be a time of music, sharing, worship and getting to know MCCers from Rehobath to Roanoke. Our Regional Elder Darlene Garner will also be there! For more information about the event... please see the article below.

Meet Rev. Troy Perry! Troy founded the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) 41 years ago. On Saturday Nov 14 Open Door MCC will host a special luncheon at which he will speak and sign books; on Sunday Troy will preach. Cost for the Saturday event is $25. This is a rare opportunity to meet the founder of MCC! For more information...

Let Your Voice Be Heard! The MCC Structure Review Team has been charged with the responsibility of reviewing the denominational structure that was overwhelmingly passed at MCC's General Conference in 2001. We want to invite you to join the Structure Review Team in a Holy Conversation about our denominational structure and systems by responding to the survey link below. Please complete the survey by November 16. Thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=TVjB1yPCj8k_2bFwAzzoc5hw_3d_3d

Thought About NOVA's Board of Directors Lately?

This year we will have three openings on the MCC NOVA Board of Directors and we are looking for committed individuals willing to serve a two year term as members of the Board. If you are interested in getting involved in the business of our church, please submit your letter of intent to the Pastor by November 21st, so that it can be included in the general mailings/notice given to members and friends informing them of our Congregational Meeting on December 13, 2009." The letter of intent should state your intention to stand for election, why you feel called to stand for election, and any skills or experience you bring. CLICK HERE to see a sample letter of intent. If you have questions, please see Rev. Kharma or any Board member: Tracey, Chris, Ginny R., Kate, or Errol.

Supporting the Vision:
Pledge Drive 2009

We are currently in the midst of our 2009 Pledge Drive in which we show our support for this spiritual community and what it means in our individual and collective lives. This year, we have set ambitious but attainable goals: 125 pledgers and $250,000. With our combined faithfulness, we can reach these goals and Support the Vision: Spirit, Community, Action-Inside & 'Out'. Remember, every pledge of support is important, regardless of size.

If you have not received your Pledge Drive packet, you can pick one up at church or call the church office. You can also Click here for a pledge form. Please return the form by November 22. Thank you.

Want more information about what your pledge supports? CLICK HERE.

Click here to see our video "Why I Give to MCC NOVA."

"Soul2Soul"

A Region 3 Central Cluster Event
Celebrating our MCC Connection
November 20-21, 2009
MCC NOVA

Get acquainted with neighboring MCCs within our 'cluster.' Join us here at MCC NOVA as we host churches from around our region.

Friday, November 20
6:30 pm - Transgender Day of Remembership Worship
8:00 pm - Musical Concert featuring MCC Musicians (this is open to anyone who would like to share a musical selection (volunteers to run the sound board are also welcome). To participate, please contact: Cathy Alexander at alexcd@aol.com; please note "MCC Central Cluster Concert" in subject line

Saturday, November 21
9:00 am - Gathering/Registration
Cost: $10/per person includes coffee, snacks, lunch
9:30 am - Soul Sharing: A Time for Worship
10:00 am-Soul Shaping: How are we as a movement being shaped spiritually?
Reflections by Rev. Darlene Garner, Regional Elder
10:45 am-Break
11:00 am-Soul Shaping: Hearing Stories of our Churches and how we are being shaped spiritually
12:15 pm-Soul Food: A Time for Lunch
1:15 pm - Soul Shaping: Sharing of Spiritual Practices by Clergy and Laity
2:30 pm - Soul Sharing: A Time for Worship
3:00 pm - Sending Forth

Cost is $10.00 per person. Please RSVP to namastejoe@gmail.com by Monday, November 16.

In This Issue

From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma

Lay-Ups

Thought About the Board of Directors?

Pledge Drive 2009

Read Ahead

Spotlight on Ministry

Read Ahead

November 8

First Reading:

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

Second Reading:

From Adrienne Rich in "Twenty-One Love Poems: XIII"

Reflection:

"It's Complicated"

Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, preaching

Quick Links

Visit our website

Our Calendar

MCC Worldwide

Upcoming Events

MEMBERSHIP/INQUIRER'S CLASS

Sunday, November 8, 12:30 pm

The next MCC NOVA Membership / Inquirers' Class will be held at 12:30 pm, on Sunday, November 8, and will include a pizza lunch. This class is for anyone who is interested in finding out more about MCC worldwide, about our congregation of MCC NOVA, or about the spiritual community we are trying to build here. Whether or not you are interested in becoming a member, come and find out what membership is all about! Please sign up on the sign-up sheet located on the Welcome Table. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

NURSING HOME MINISTRY

Sunday, November 8, 2:00-3:30 pm

The nursing home ministry will make another visit to Fairfax Nursing Center on November 8, 2-3:30pm. We welcome you to join us on this 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

BINGO IS BACK AT MCC NOVA!

Saturday, November 14

Come and join the fun as Bingo comes back to MCC NOVA.

Prizes, food and fun await you.

Doors open at 6:00

Games begin at 7:00

For tickets, please call the church office or contact Ken Williamson

KRWilliamson@gmail.com 202-277-7337

FALL FOOD DRIVE

Through November 22

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. 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).

LIVING THE QUESTIONS 2.0 continues...

Tuesdays, through 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. Each session lasts 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. Contact Rev. Kharma if you have any additional questions.

MCC NOVA COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING!

Thursday, November 26,

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. To volunteer, see the sign-up sheets at church or contact Rev. Tim, Jeff Young, or Pat Monahan for more info.

LET THE MUSIC MOVE YOU!

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.

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@verizon.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.