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Spirit. Community. Action. Inside & "Out" |
March 2010 |
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From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma
Seven Habits
of
Highly Ineffective Travelers
This Lenten Season, our theme is "Led by the Spirit: Reading the Road Signs of Life." We'll be reflecting on what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit on our journeys through life, and how we might best engage in the practice of discernment, actively listening for the voice of God and trying to correctly interpret the signs Spirit shows us as we travel. It's not as easy as it might seem to always walk in the ways of God or to faithfully and authentically make the journey that is ours to make. There are a lot of potential obstacles and it can be easy to veer off course from time to time. Lent is a season in which we are invited to spend time intentionally working to do our best to journey with Spirit, and to make any course corrections we think necessary.
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From the Hearts of the Community
My Experience at a Hypothermia Shelter
by Jean Taczak
In February, during one of the worst snow storms this area has ever had, two of us from MCC-NOVA volunteered at a Hypothermia Shelter at the Fairfax United Methodist Church. This is the 5th year that shelter is provided at over 20 faith communities coordinated by FACETS - Fairfax Area Christian Emergency and Transitional Services. This service, the Hypothermia Prevention Response Program, ensures that individuals who are homeless have a warm place to sleep throughout the winter, as well as hot nourishing meals, and fellowship with friends.
Our roles as volunteers included interacting with the "guests" as the homeless were referred as. We helped to set up for meals, to prepare meals, to serve meals, and to clean up after meals. We watched the Super Bowl with the guests. We monitored the guests inside the church in the game rooms, in the sleeping quarters, in the dining rooms and helped them in any way that we could. We patrolled the facility and the property outside for any suspicious activity and to make sure no one was sleeping inside cars. As we stayed overnight, we took shifts sleeping, as at least one male and one female volunteer needed to be awake at all times.
There were over 30 guests the night we stayed. Each one unique in their situation. Each unique in their character. We got to know quite a few by listening to their stories, their philosophies, their hopes.
It was a humbling experience to see the lives of the homeless. A large majority of them have mental illnesses. Volunteers are expected to be good listeners and to treat each guest with respect.
We hope that each of you consider giving some time to helping others.
If you are interested in volunteering this month, please contact Pat Monahan, pmmonahan@cox.net or (703) 684-7947.
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Join us as we Journey through the Season of Lent. Lent is a season of preparation and reflection, and we will be focusing on the interpretive work of seeking guidance from the Spirit. "Led by the Spirit: Reading the Road Signs of Life" is our theme, and we'll be spending time thinking about the various "traffic signs" we are given by God - sometimes directly, sometimes through others, sometimes through the stuff of life that comes at us whether we are ready or not. It takes work to stop, reflect, and discern the guidance of the Spirit who leads us ... and that work is often enhanced and made easier when we do it together in community. Join us for worship on Sundays at 11 am.
LENT 3 - March 7
LENT 4 - March 14
LENT 5 - March 21
PALM SUNDAY - March 28
HOLY THURSDAY - April 1
GOOD FRIDAY - April 2
EASTER - April 4 (Off-site)
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 The Wall of Bethlehem
A Reflection by John McLaughlin
In January 2010, I traveled to Israel and the West Bank with twenty-two of my seminary colleagues. We had prepared for the trip during the Fall of 2009 by reading books, watching videos, listening to guest speakers and trying to become as informed as possible about the land that continues to be a source of conflict as generation after generation seeks that elusive "Middle East peace." So by the time we arrived in Tel Aviv on January 7 I felt I was a pretty well-informed traveler and devotee to peace and justice. But that didn't prepare me for the reality of The Wall.
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| Upcoming Events |
 BINGO IS BACK!
Saturday, March 13
Tired of the cold weather? Well, the surfs up so why not grab your boogie board and join us for Beach Blanket Bingo! Doors open at 6:00 with games starting at 7:00. Tickets are just $10 and that will buy you 10 fun games of bingo. Food will also be available. Everyone is welcome! For information CLICK HERE. For tickets, please contact Ken Williamson at KRWilliamson@gmail.com or by calling 202-277-7337. Hope to see you there!
MCC NOVA REMEMBERS THE HOMELESS AND HUNGRY
"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat". Mother Theresa
The first Sunday of each month, MCC NOVA delivers breakfast to Fairfax homeless. We shop on Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 and prepare the food from 4:00 to 5:00. We deliver the food on Sunday morning from 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Through March, Fairfax churches take turns hosting the homeless to prevent them from getting hypothermia. Though MCC NOVA is unable to host, we send volunteers to churches that have big enough facilities but are short-staffed.
Volunteers may drive the guests, prepare and serve meals, and hang-out with the guests - playing games, watching television, or just chatting. There are afternoon, evening, overnight, and morning shifts. If you can take at least a 2-hour shift at the hypothermia shelter, before March 30th, please contact Pat Monahan at 703-684-7947 or
pmmonahan@cox.net
Remember the homeless today.
MCC NOVA to PARTNER with BEADforLIFE
 BeadforLife is a nonprofit organization that works to eradicate dire poverty in the war torn country of Uganda in Africa. The women make beautiful beads from rolled up magazine paper. They then create ornate and surprisingly durable paper beaded jewelry. The women market the beads to the Western world by hosting Bead Party's whereby people can purchase the lovely necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Give the women of BeadforLife an opportunity to move out of this extreme poverty and come to one of MCC NOVA's upcoming BeadforLife Events.
BeadforLife Events
Saturday March 6, 2 pm @ Betsy Harman's house BFL Bead Party
Located @ 30 Carolina St Sterling VA 20164. There will be displays showing the women from Bead for Life, stories of the women on DVD, as well as beads and jewelry for sale. Eighty cents of every dollar goes directly to the women of Uganda to eradicate poverty in the struggling nation of Uganda. There will also be food native to Africa and Uganda PLEASE RSVP to Irene Konow @ 703-496-0119 and bring your checkbooks and a giving heart.
Date: TBD Event: Southern Region BFL BEAD PARTY
Location TBD
For more information about Bead for Life, please click here.
 MCC NOVA YARD SALE!
Saturday, March 20 7AM to 2PM Come join us for a wonderful time of community while we make some money for the church! Volunteers needed!Donations will be accepted on March 14th after church, but if anyone needs to drop off at a different time, please contact: Jeff Young 240 425 2681 movieguy1982@aol.comhttp://www.facebook.com/jeffreyyoung82
 Sabrina Diz, one of our young adult's here at NOVA, is participating in the 2010 Soulforce Equality Ride.
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First Reading
Luke 13:1-9
Contemporary Witness
Reflection
"Expect Delays"
Rev. Tim Agar, preaching
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LAY-UPS: A MESSAGE FROM YOUR LAY DELEGATES
 General Conference is almost here...
As your lay delegates, we want to encourage you to consider attending our denomination's general conference in July 2010 in Alcapulco, Mexico. If you have never been to a general confernece, this one is going to be wonderful. There are some amazing preachers to be heard, insightul workshops to attend, and new friends to be made! What's stopping you from coming? If you want to know more, just CLICK HERE or ask Jean or Gail for more details.
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 SPECIAL THANKS TO:
...Sarah Fershee for her leadership of the Lenten Day Retreat, to Kala for providing musical leadership, to Ginny, Elethia, and Elaine for set-up and clean-up guidance, and to all of you who took time out of your schedules to stop for directions as we begin this Lenten journey.
... Cathy Alexander and David Patton for their participation in the planning for the Ash Wednesday services.
... Elethia for her sharing in worship last Sunday.
...Daniel and Darius and our Music Ministry...to the members of the Choir (Jane, Chanda, Grace, Jeanne, Kala, Kharma, Elethia, Yvonne, Terry, Byron, John and Kurt)...to the members of InCluesion (Cathy, Kathleen, Kala, Donna, Gail, Jeff, Pepe, Yvonne, Tim and Ken)...for the many ways you enhance our worship experiences here at NoVA each week. We are so grateful for your gifts and your willingness to share them.
...Those who gathered at the Fairfax County Courthouse this past week for the Valentine's Day witness for Marriage Equality.
...The Worship Planning Team (Tim, Stephanie, Daniel, Jeanne, Kathleen, Jean, David, and Cathy) for the ongoing work they do to plan our worship.
...Cindy Giese, who has been coordinating our Communion Ministers for the past year. We are so grateful for your service.
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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: |
 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 |
| Contact Information |
MCC NOVA
703-691-0930
mccnova.com |
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