MCC NOVA ASSESSMENT SURVEY - LAST CHANCE!
MCC NOVA is near completion of its formal Assessment ofReadiness to move forward with building expansion/capital campaign. Thanks to all of you who participated in the individual interviews and focus group with our consultant, Tom Melzoni of Generis. The final component of the assessment is an online survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CFDHMVB to collect your opinions and feedback. The survey will conclude at midnight, February 7. Please take a few minutes of your time to answer a few questions and provide Tom with the information he needs to provide us the best counsel for our future plans.
REGISTRATION DUE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6!
Sometimes the chill of winter can remind us of a chill in our own spirits; the frozen world around us can alert us to aspects of our own lives that may seem immobilized. Yet even mid-winter holds the promise of Spring. Just as the seeds buried deep in the earth yield new life again, so too, the seeds of our faith can be nurturedtoward full bloom.
Join us for a day of spiritual retreat as we pause to reflect together on questions such as these: What in us may need to melt away in order for new growth to occur? What fears might be blocking us from the abundant life to which God calls us? What seeds might we want to plant now in order to tend more intentionally to our spiritual growth and move toward the life we long for?
When: Saturday, February 12, 2011
10 am - 4 pm
Where: Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax VA
Cost: $10 per person to cover lunch
Click here for a registration form or contact the church at [email protected]. Please register by February 6. Payment can be made on the day of the retreat.
LET JUSTICE ROLL LIKE WATER...
Sunday, February 6, after worship
MCC NOVA has chosen this year to focus on water as the organizing principle for justice work. Using action and education, we will embark on a journey of improving our stewardship of the gift of water through sustainable use of such a precious resource. Join DeWayne Davis on February 6 at 12:30pm to discuss the first action item on the list of potential water justice activities discussed at the first meeting-the elimination of water bottles. Bottled water makes a huge impact on human life-the resources used to pump, bottle, and ship it have troubling environmental impacts. We will develop and consider a list of potential options ready for further action by the congregation to respond to our use of bottled water.
A NOTE FROM THE MUSIC MINISTRY
I hope you have all enjoyed this winter seasons musical selections form the choir and Incluesion. It is our goal to put together music that will inspire and uplift you. If you are sitting out in the congregation, and you would like to join our musical family, or just explore the idea that you might like to some day participate, I would love to discuss it with you. We have a lot of fun and we would love to have you, whether you are a bass, alto, tenor, soprano or even a bi-sectional you are welcome!!! Joyously, Daniel.
HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION PROGRAM:2 MORE WEEKS!
From Sunday, 2/27 through Sunday, 3/6, MCC NOVA will be sending volunteers to Holy Trinity Lutheran in Falls Church. Holy Trinity is hosting area homeless that week. As volunteers, we cook, clean, walk the grounds, and most importantly, hang-out with the guests. Currently, volunteers are needed for the following shifts:
Evening hospitality (5 to 11 pm)
Overnight Supervision (11 pm to 7 am)
Morning Clean-Up (7 to 8 am)
We are also sending volunteers to Fairfax Baptist, 10830 Main St, Fairfax, from Wednesday, 3/9 - Tuesday, 3/15 for the following shifts:
Evening Hospitality (5-10:30 pm)
Overnight (10:30 pm -4:00 am)
Morning (4:00-8:00 a.m)
If you cannot take an entire shift, we can split them. Please contact Pat Monahan at [email protected] or (703) 684-7947 to sign-up. Thank you!
MCC NOVA to HOST VIRTUAL BOOK STUDY
in SECOND LIFE
From Thursday, February 17 through May 26, MCC NOVA will host an online virtual study of Karen Armstrong's new book 12 Steps to a Compassionate Life (published in December of 2010). Join Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos and Rev. BK Hipsher (Virtual Chaplain of the MCC in Second Life) for a 15-week study. In this book, Karen Armstrong steps away from her typical role as a religious historian into the place of a spiritual teacher offering concrete tools for developing a spiritual practice of compassion that can change us and make the world a better place.
In addition to MCC NOVA's other Spiritual Formation programs, this study will explore the benefit of virtual technology to enhance the connection and growth of our local congregation, as well as other MCC residents of Second Life. We hope this will appeal to the regular participants in our spiritual formation programming, and also to those who may not be able to physically attend evening classes.
What's Second Life?
Second Life (SL) is a Virtual World in which you create an avatar that represents you. Your avatar will then join others at the Sunshine Cathedral MCC in Second Life, which is graciously hosting our virtual study. You can listen to the audio presentation, chat with others by text and voice, and do all of this from the comfort of your own home. For more information, visit www.secondlife.com.
If you're interested in exploring this model of interaction with us, but new to Second Life, never fear. We'll be doing a promo of the Second Life interface immediately following worship on Sunday, February 13th at 12:30 pm here at MCC NOVA. We'll also offer assistance if you need help setting up your avatar and learning the basics of SL.
The book can be purchased independently, and is available for Kindle for less than $10. The software for Second Life is available for free download. Please let us know if you have questions or want to sign up (email [email protected] Also, click here for more information.
FEED THE HOMELESS
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].
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Tuesday, February 15, 6:30 pm
Upstairs Library
Everyone is welcome!
COUNTERS NEEDED
The Board of Directors is seeking volunteers to assist with the Sunday offering count. This important task will take approximately 30 minutes of your time immediately following Sunday worship, once every 4 to 6 weeks. Primary responsibility is assisting a Board member with the count, documentation of donations, and preparation of the bank deposit for monies collected each Sunday. Training will be provided. If you are interested, please contact Krystal Kimrey at [email protected] or 703.732.2932 or another Board member.
CALLING ALL BINGO VOLUNTEERS
It is time to beginning planning our 2011 Bingo events. If you are interested in assisting and would be willing to work on a planning committee, please contact Elaine Gamble [email protected].