|
Read Ahead
December 5, 2010
Advent II
First Reading
Matthew 3:1-12
Second Reading
From Rabbi Eliezer Shore
Reflection
"Strange Sources of Wisdom"
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos,
preaching
|
|
Celebrating
Abundance!
Did you know that MCC NOVA is again topping the list of overall contributions in churches in our range (up to 150) and third of all North American churches in per capita giving?
Forget Your Pledge?
|
It's never too late to turn in your pledge card for 2011. MCC NOVA depends on your pledge to help plan for the coming year.
Pledge Card
Thank you!
|
|
| Links | |
Support MCC NOVA! Make a tax-deductible donation. Do your shopping at iGive.com and a portion of your purchase benefits MCC NOVA Shop at the MCC NOVA Spirit-Wear Store |
| Join Our Mailing List |  |
|
|
| From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma... | | |
 A Season of Understanding:
a practical reflection
The holiday season is not always recognizable as a "Season of Understanding." More often, it resembles a "Season of Chaos, Short Fuses, and Insensitivities." For many of us, this is a stressful time of juggling too many obligations and just trying to remain sane in the midst of overwhelming expectations and emotions-our own, those of family members or friends, our employers and colleagues, our broader community, etc. For some reason, I've been reflecting about how much understanding (i.e. "compassion" or "sympathetic awareness or tolerance") may be exactly what's called for in this season of incarnation.
|
| A Reflection by Clergy Intern DeWayne Davis | | |
What Do We Make of Advent?
As we journey through the season of Advent, I have been thinking a lot about hope, a major theme of the church season. I'm talking about hope that springs from an anticipation and expectation that God will do something big and unexpected. Despite periodic bouts of doubt and pessimism, we cannot shake the belief that God will intervene to renew and restore this world because we've made such a mess of it. Things simply won't be this way always.
Read on...
|
|
ADVENT 2010 | | 
Join us as we continue our celebration of the season of Advent. Our theme for this season of expectation is "Interrupted by God" and we'll be exploring together what an Advent spirituality might teach us about finding strength and connection with God in the midst of sacred surprises, overturned expectations, best laid plans altered, etc.
Also, save these dates ... We will interrupt our regularly scheduled order of worship on Sunday, December 19th for MCC NOVA's Christmas Musical. At the 11 am service, the Music Ministry will be leading worship, including a musical proclamation of the word in lieu of a sermon. You don't want to miss this event that our gifted and talented musicians have been planning for months already. Plan to join us and bring a friend!
Christmas Eve worship on Friday, December 24, at 7 pm.
Sunday, December 26 is the day after Christmas, and we'll be celebrating with a good old-fashioned (and likely remodeled) hymn-sing. Come and sing your favorite Christmas favorites while joining together with the MCC NOVA family for prayer, communion, and encouragement as we worship together at 11 am.
|
| What's Happening at MCC NOVA | |
THIS SATURDAY! Homeless Meal Prep Note
This week's food prep will be at Pat Monahan's rather than MCC NOVA because the facility is in use. Please call her if you plan to come. 703 684-7947.
THIS SUNDAY! Congregational Budget Forum
Please plan to attend this congregational forum where the Board of Directors will present a budget proposal for 2011. This will be your opportunity for questions and input prior to voting at the Congregational Meeting on December 12.
NEXT SUNDAY!
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 12, following worship
Please join us for this important meeting at which members will elections for Board of Directors and Lay Delegate will be held, voting on the 2011 budget, and updates on important activities in the life our our church will be provided.
Looking for Action?
More specifically: Are you looking for ways to put your faith in action? Do you want to find concrete strategies for reaching out and helping those in need? Are you passionate (or curious) about MCC NOVA's commitment to social justice? Would you be willing to help us think about the types of activities we undertake individually and as a body to make a difference in the world?
If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then please join us on Tuesday evening, December 14 at 7:00 pm for the next Micah Ministry meeting as we unveil an exciting new idea for organizing and energizing our social justice ministries in 2011. We are a gifted, generous, loving, and creative congregation ... and when we put our minds and hearts together, we can do so much. Please join us as we plan to answer God's call to do justice in the coming year! If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Kharma.
Holiday Clothing Drive
Sunday, 11/28 thru Sunday, 12/19Please bring gently used or new clothing to benefit those served by the Community for Creative Non-Violence in DC. Contact: Jeanne Bailey, jbailey@fairfaxwater.org
 2010 Christmas Gift Card Collection
(A.K.A. The easiest Christmas shopping ever!)
beginning Sunday, December 5
This year, MCC NOVA has partnered with the Northern Virginia Aids Ministry to provide gift cards to families and individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS. Join us in making this holiday memorable for others in our community by donating gift cards from local stores. Suggested stores are Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kmart, Sears, Giant Foods, Safeway (or other local grocery stores). There will be a collection tree in the fellowship area beginning Sunday, December 5th. Together, we can brighten our community!
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.
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
30th Anniversary Update
Tickets for the March 12th Dinner Celebration go on sale this Sunday, December 5th. Tickets are $65 each and can be purchased in person after Sunday worship by cash or check. A payment plan option is also available for $25 down and $20 due on January 15th and February 15th. Credit Card will also be accepted via pay pal through our event website, which will launch by December 15th. Additionally, tables can be purchased for $1,000 which includes reserved seating for 10 and autographed CDs from our special musical guests, Gaye Adegbalola and Roddy Barnes. And, our 30th Anniversary merchandise on-line store will be opening soon! Any questions, please contact the Anniversary chairs, Stephanie Burns ( revsburns@msn.com) or Mark Fox ( mfox227@yahoo.com). |
| Special Thanks to... | | |
TransFormations for leading an incredibly moving Transgender Day of Remembrance Service on November 20.
DeWayne for his leadership of the Contemporary Applications of the Bible series, which just concluded.
Jean for coordinating Creative Encounters, to our special guest facilitators, and all who participated in this time of spiritual discovery through artistic activities.
Elethia and Cindy for their constant ministry of support through their work as Office Volunteers. We are grateful to you!
Everyone who contributed to our potluck: to those who set up, brought food, set up tables and chairs, cleaned up, and stayed to share in fellowship and celebration.
|
| 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
|
| How Do I Get in Here? | | 
|
|
|
