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News from MCC NOVA

Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, Senior Pastor

 

Read Ahead

 

January 9, 2011


First Reading

 

Amos: 1:1; 5:21-24

 

Second Reading

 

Matthew 3:13-17

 

Third Reading

 

From Gary Holthaus in "Gift of the Earth: God Speaks Again" from the Unauthorized Bible

 

Reflection

 

"Like a Wish Out of Water"

 

Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos,

preaching

 

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!

 

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January 2011 
From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma...

 

kharma2009RESOLUTIONS REVISITED

 

One of the problems I have with the practice of making resolutions is that I forget I made them if I do not revisit them fairly frequently.  It turns out I made some pretty fantastic resolutions for the new decade that began in 2010 that most assuredly still apply.  Until I opened my long-since forgotten newsletter article from January of last year, however, I did not realize I needed to revisit them right about now.  Following is a reprise that I hope will be as helpful to you as it was to me. 

 

Continue reading...  

A Reflection by Clergy Intern DeWayne Davis

 

DeWayne Davis

   
MAKE A RESOLUTION...

GO AHEAD...IT'S OKAY

  

I have always been ambivalent about making resolutions for New Year's Day.  I have rarely kept any of the number of resolutions I have made over the years beyond March.  Apparently, that is also the case for millions of others who make resolutions.  This time of year, magazines and newspapers feature articles listing the most popular New Year's resolutions gleaned from person-on-the-street interviews and mockingly reporting how quickly and how often the respondents abandon their resolutions.  The failure to keep the resolutions I have made has often left me feeling guilty and undisciplined so I decided to stop making them a few years ago to avoid that feeling of failure.  But recently, I have been rethinking the practice of making the New Year's resolution.  I have concluded that making resolutions isn't necessarily a bad or ill-advised act. 

 

Read on... 

 

Introducing the 2011 Water Justice Initiative:
 
waterFilling Up Our Social Justice Cup

 

A strong thirst for social justice is unmistakable at MCC NOVA, as evidenced by our mission statement, which emphasizes social action, and by the vibrancy and energy of the Micah Ministries (think AIDS Walk, outreach to the homeless, service trip to Costa Rica). Even so, we know we can do more both as individuals and as a congregation. The question is, how?

 

One answer is to focus on a specific justice issue that can augment our social action programs while unifying our efforts and thereby multiply our results. The question is, which issue can unite us and have the kind of impact for which we thirst?

 

The answer is, aptly enough, water.


continue reading...


What's Happening at MCC NOVA
    
HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION PROGRAM

On January 8, MCC NOVA will be sending volunteers to neighboring churches who are sheltering the homeless. As volunteers, we cook, clean, walk the grounds, and most importantly, hang-out with the guests. If you can take an evening, overnight, or early morning shift, please contact Pat Monahan, [email protected].

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, [email protected] 

 

 

WORSHIP PARTICIPANT TRAINING

Sunday, January 23, 2011 following worship

 

 

Would you like to be a reader, acolyte or prayer leader during worship (and what exactly is an acolyte anyway??)...would you like to learn how to serve communion and be a worship participant?  If you would like to become a member of the worship participant team or already are an active participant, please plan on attending our Worship Participant Training on Sunday, January 23rd following worship.  All current participants and ushers are highly encouraged to attend.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Burns, revs[email protected]

     

 

MCC NOVA 30th ANNIVERSARY TICKETS ON SALE NOW!30th Anniv. Logo

ONLINE ORDERING NOW AVAILABLE!

  

Tickets for the March 12th Dinner Celebration are on sale now.  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.  PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE NOW VIA CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL.  VISIT OUR EVENT WEBSITE TO ORDER.  Tables can also be purchased for $1,000 which includes reserved seating for 10 and autographed CDs from our special musical guests, Gaye Adegbalola and Roddy Barnes.

MCC NOVA's 30th ANNIVERSARY ON-LINE STORE IS NOW OPEN for business, just in time for holiday shopping!  CLICK HERE to check out our new anniversary apparel and accessories - Christmas ornaments, shirts, hats, water bottles and even I-phone cases!  Any questions, please contact the Anniversary chairs, Stephanie Burns ([email protected]) or Mark Fox ([email protected]).



THE CUP OF OUR LIFE
January 12 - February 23

On the verge of a new year, many of us think about making resolutions that will help us change our lives in significant ways; ways that make our life healthier or happier or more fulfilling.  Some of us resolve to eat better, get more exercise or have more  quality time with family and friends.  Some of us have a desire to feel closer and more connected to God and look for ways to make that happen.

 

Join us in January for a seven week spiritual growth process that includes a daily discipline that will take from 15 to 30 minutes and a weekly gathering for worship and sharing. 

 

This is an opportunity to participate in an inward process of growth called, "The Cup of Our Life."  Our spiritual journey is a constant process of emptying and filling, of giving and receiving, of accepting and letting go.  The symbolism of the cup is a powerful teacher for our inner life.  The ordinariness of the cup reminds us that our personal transformation occurs in the common crevices of each day.  It's a reminder of our spiritual thirst; a reminder that it is through our ordinary human experiences that our thirst for God is quenched.

 

This time together will inspire us to grow in our relationship with God and will fill our cup of life to overflowing. For more information, see Elethia.



SAVE THE DATE!
WINTER DAY RETREAT
Saturday, February 12, 2011

Details coming soon! 

 

Special Thanks to... 

spotlight

Jeanne, Karen, Sarah, Gail S., Ginny M., Pat, Vickie, Elethia, and Irene for their initial energies and brainstorming about our 2011 focus on Water Justice.

Daniel, Darius, the Choir, InCluesion, the Sound Team, and all who helped support the Christmas Musical last week.  We are blessed by your gifts and your generosity in sharing them.

Chris Fink and Errol Waits for their faithful service on the Board of Directors-we will miss you terribly!  Special thanks to Gail Minnick and Jean Gralley for their faithful service as Lay Delegates-you have represented us so well!!

Community Notes

HELP WANTED

 

The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy (www.imtd.org) needs someone to build a large frame on plywood.  We need to frame some ceramic name plates.  We will cover the cost of the material and labor.  Anyone interested should call Karen Dickman at 724.518.6660.

 

 

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 [email protected] 

How Do I Get in Here? 
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