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It's that time of year!
Don't forget to turn your clocks back 1 hour on Saturday night! |
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Read Ahead
November 7, 2010
First Reading
Job 19: 23-27a
Second Reading
From Guy Finley in "If You Know the Content of Your Own Heart"
Reflection
"Whad'ya Know?"
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos,
preaching
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| From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma... | | |
 Seasons of Change and Possibilities
Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the colors-deep oranges, bright reds, mellow yellows. I love the temperature-chilly enough to wrap something or someone around you, but not so cold as to be uncomfortable. I love the landscape's dramatic transformations-parking lots and footpaths covered with leaves as if Mother Nature had moved through like a flower girl dropping rose petals at a wedding; sky made more vast and clear as all of those things blocking our view have released their hold and surrendered to the wind; branches, beautiful and bare, swaying and praying like liturgical dancers in mid-air. The sights and sounds (and soups) of Fall arrive for me as gifts of a God who delights in change, who calmly plods along year after year constant and faithful, playful and wise. While all seasons have their unique signs of change, Fall for some reason makes me pensive and more open to reflection about what's going on in the world around me and-when I'm feeling a bit more brave-in myself and in the relationships, friendships, and communities I hold dear.
Continue reading... |
| From the Hearts of the Community | | |
30 Days of Focused Community Prayer
by Cathy Alexander
Bottom Line Up Front: Let's pray together as a community in a focused and intentional way during the month of November 2010.
- Although penned under very different circumstances and context, I think the words and sentiment of 2 Chronicles 17:14-15 rings true. In paraphrasing the passages' perspective of God's words: If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, I will hear, I will heal, my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
- There are many decisions that face MCC NOVA in the near future including follow up decisions from the "Size Summit", staffing changes, next year's budget discussions and follow up decisions, congregational meeting decisions, board elections, space/facilities decisions (all normal changes in the life of a church). With all this happening, there may be a sense of anxiety, apprehension about the future, and even fear for some; and there may be a sense of wonder, excitement, and opportunity for others.
Read on... |
| A Reflection by Clergy Intern DeWayne Davis | | |
 What Has the Bible Got to do with Anything?
In the biography of Sylvester, the soul and disco drag singer and performer of the 1970s and 1980s, it was reported that toward the end of his life as he was dying with AIDS, he would sit in his rocking chair with his Bible, reading familiar and comforting passages he had come to know during his formative years in the Pentecostal church. He would find solace in the same Bible that was used by members of his church to condemn him and turn him away because of his gender nonconformity and his uncompromising embrace of his sexuality. Despite all attempts by so-called religious people to withhold the life-giving and life-affirming witness of the Bible from him, Sylvester would find within its pages his rightful claim to the humanity and dignity they sought to deny him. |
| Annual Giving Campaign | | 
Annual Giving Campaign Concludes This Sunday!
MCC NOVA depends on your generous support to be the church God has called us to be and to do the work God has called us to do. Thank you so much for your generosity in the past year. Your gifts have made it possible for us to minister to and within our congregation, and-quite literally-around the world, as part of the wider global ministry of MCC.
Won't you consider making a pledge of support so we can do even more together in 2011?
What MCC NOVA Supporters Are Saying
(this is a large file that may take a couple of minutes
to load. It's worth the wait!)
Download a Pledge Form
Give Online
(visit the DONATE NOW button
in the left hand column)
Thank you |
| What's Happening at MCC NOVA | | |
THIS SATURDAY!
 Annual Basket Auction and Dessert Social
Doors Open at 7:00 pm
Know your target audience. Who are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why? Know what is important to them and address their needs in your newsletter each month. Include a photo to make your newsletter even more appealing.
2010 Fall Food Drive
It is time once again to begin gathering non-perishable groceries and other necessities for our annual food drive. This year we will be partnering with Our Daily Bread and D.C. Central Kitchen. Please check the information table for a shopping list of suggested items or contact Jeanne Bailey at jbailey@fairfaxwater.org.
THIS SUNDAY! Potluck Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the generosity of our community and the conclusion of our Annual Giving Campaign. Please plan to bring a dish to share. Everyone is welcome!
 Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National MallSaturday, November 20, 8:30 pm
Relocation Update!
The Building and Capital Development Teams are finalizing their assigned pre-assessment tasks and will be presenting important and exciting information to the congregation very soon. Our consultant Tom Melzoni will begin conducting the congregational assessment in the next 60 days. During that time, he will want to meet privately approximately 12 individuals and/or couples, as well as hold a focus group with 12 to 25 people. Once dates are announced, if you would like to be part of one of these groups, you will have an opportunity to volunteer, as well as take part in an online survey. This is a critical step in our relocation process. Please stay tuned for additional details.
Continuing...
Fall Spiritual Formation Opportunities
Contemporary Applications of the Bible
Through November 21
Sundays 9:00 - 10:30 am - Church Library
Leader: DeWayne Davis, Clergy Intern
Holy Conversations: What's Theology Got to Do with It?
Through November 17
Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm - Church Library
Leader: Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos
Sundays, Through October 24
(Sorry Creative Encounters is Full)
Want to Help Out? Volunteer Needs...
Cleansing Spirits
The volunteer crew that cleans the church each week, is in need of more volunteers to serve our community. If you can help out in this ministry, please contact Elethia by phone, 703 638-9751, or by email, iamelethia@yahoo.com. or in person on a Sunday morning.
Do You Have the Gift of Hospitality?
Like to bake? Or shop? Or make coffee? NOVA's hospitality team is looking for a few folks to help with the hospitality table? All you have to do is bring a few goodies, set up the coffee (instructions provided), and clean up afterward. And you don't have to do it alone. Grab your friends, family or ministry team and sign up on the sheet in the Sacristy or contact Yvonne Hansche at yhansche@aol.com. |
| Coming Up | | |
MCC NOVA's Fall Social Justice & Action Programs
"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
If you can help for just a couple of hours a week, you can make difference. Please use the contact information below if you'd like to help.
Fall Food Drive - Sunday, 10/31 thru Sunday, 11/21 to stock food shelves at Our Daily Bread and DC Central Kitchen, Contact: Jeanne Bailey,
jbailey@fairfaxwater.org
Help the Homeless Walkathon- National Mall - November 20, 2010 www.helpthehomelessdc.org Walk or Donate. Team: MCC NOVA
Holiday Clothing Drive- Sunday, 11/28 thru Sunday, 12/19 to benefit those served by the Community for Creative Non-Violence in DC. Contact: Jeanne Bailey,
jbailey@fairfaxwater.org
Holiday Ornament Sales - Sunday, 11/28 thru Sunday, 12/19 to benefit NOVAM, Contact: Jeanne Bailey, jbailey@fairfaxwater.org
Holiday Gift Card Drive - Sunday, 11/28 thru Sunday, 12/19 to benefit children & families served by NOVAM, Contact: Jeanne Bailey, jbailey@fairfaxwater.org
Hypothermia Prevention Shelters with FACETS and Neighboring Churches (December thru February), Contact: Pat Monahan, pmmonahan@cox.net
Feed the Homeless The first Sunday of each month, MCC NOVA delivers breakfast to Fairfax homeless. We prepare the food Saturday from 4:00 to 5:00. We deliver the food on Sunday morning from 7:30 to 9:00. Contact: Pat Monahan, pmmonahan@cox.net
SAVE THE DATES!
Congregational Budget Forum
Sunday, December 5, following worship
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 12, following worship
Anniversary Update
The dates for MCC NOVA's 30th Anniversary celebration are set for March 11-13, 2011 and time is flying by! The Anniversary Leadership team will soon be recruiting teams to help with ticket sales, merchandising, sponsorships, hospitality, decorating and more. Mark your calendars! |
| Special Thanks to... | | |
Jane and Cathryn for their organization of the Basket Auction, to all who donated and helped put baskets together, and to everyone who purchased baskets or invited friends to the auction! Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Tracey for her tireless efforts to construct and publish our electronic newsletter and weekly e-Updates. We are grateful to you for all you do to keep us in communication with one another and our greater community. If anyone is interested in joining the communications team, please see Tracey or Kharma.
Cathryn and Michele for leading our Children's Ministry and to all who volunteer their time and talents to help teach and nurture our children. Thanks to Pepe for his initiative in adding a session for older youth (12+) every other week, and to those who have volunteered to assist.
Jean Gralley, Gail Minnick, and Jane Bennett for serving as our lay delegates and alternate lay delegate for the past term. Thanks to all of those who contribute so generously to the work of MCC NOVA and through us to the greater work of MCC in the world. |
| Lay-Ups: News from your Lay Delegates | | |
What's New Around the Fellowship? Affinity Groups!
NOVA is one starship in a starfleet called MCC (or the fellowship of "Metropolitan Community Churches"). We relate to others in NETWORKS, clusters of churches in our corner of the universe, something like the one-time "districts" and "regions" systems. But a newer, more exciting possibility is the recently-envisioned AFFINITY GROUP. This is a voluntary, self-defined network of churches and/or individuals across the entire fellowship who have an interest or identity in common. The possibilities? They're limited only by our imaginations.
Examples given have been People of African Descent, Transgendered Ministry Team, Disabilities Forum, and Large Church Pastors. Why not an affinity group of artists across the fellowship? Or queer theologians? Or musicians and composers of new liturgical music? The purpose of an Affinity group is to share and strengthen our interests with mutual support, information, even collaboration on special projects.
An affinity group may invite an Elder to participate in or to support the affinity group but it's not necessary to have an Elder involved. No formal approval will be needed to create an affinity group, unless the affinity group wishes to gain official recognition by MCC and be able to use the MCC name and logo. Recognition of affinity groups may be granted by the Council of Elders.
This is creative space to be innovative and take our personal MCC experience deeper. If you have ideas, contact your local lay delegates, Jean Gralley or Gail Minnick. We're excited about the possibilities, too!
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Gralley |
| Community Notes | | |
FLY! (Fairfax LGBTQ Youth)
FLY! is affiliated with Metro DC PFLAG and is specifically for LGBTQ teens and allies, grades 7-12. FLY! is a great place for LGBTQ youth to meet their peers, express themselves in a safe, affirming environment, share their experiences, fears, and concerns, mentor others, make friends, and have fun. The group (including adult facilitators) meets twice each month: on the First Tuesday, 7:30-9:00 PM, and on the Third Sunday, 3:00-4:30 PM. The meeting place is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124. The key person to contact is Carol Lewis at wf.pflag@gmail.com. Click here for more information.
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, 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
7. FLY! (Fairfax LGBTQ Youth) meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30-9:00 pm and on the third Thursday 3:00-4:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd, Oakton, VA 22124. For more information, contact Carol Lewis at wf.pflag@gmail.com
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