|
Read Ahead
March 6, 2011
Transfiguration Sunday
First Reading
Matthew 17: 1-9
Second Reading
From Frederick Buechner in Now and Then
Reflection
"Soul Shaping Experiences"
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!
|
|
| 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 30th Anniversary! Check-Up
This month's celebration of the first 30 glorious years of ministry in and through the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia happens to coincide with our receiving the results of the Assessment just completed by our consultant Tom Melzoni of Generis. In many ways, this assessment is like a health check-up (something I normally dread!). Tom (who actually does happen to be a doctor in this field of specialty) was chosen by the Capital Development Team after a lengthy search and interview process. He brings decades of experience working with churches of many denominations and of every size in helping them raise the capital resources to fund their ministry and growth. As we have been exploring the need for a building/mission expansion project, we have been planning for this assessment for quite some time.
In a nutshell, Tom's job was to ask "How healthy is this congregation?
continue reading...
|
| MCC NOVA Water Justice Initiative | | |
 Water Justice: So Many Choices
What if you decided you wanted to purify the water in your house to safeguard your family and guests' health? Would it be more responsible to put a filter on the kitchen tap or to hire a residential bottled water service? And what about drinking cups in the office: Would you buy disposable cups or supply washable ceramic mugs if you had the choice?
The Micah Ministry team wrestled with similar questions on February 6 as part of the MCC NOVA Water Justice initiative. The dialogue was energetic and productive, as several team members agreed to investigate some promising options. Stay tuned as the team's ideas for "greening the church" make their way from concept to reality.
Would you like to join the MCC NOVA Water Justice movement? Consider these choices:
§ March: Nominate a water-themed song that you would like the Music Ministry to perform at church this month. Daniel Scearce will take your nomination through the third Sunday in March and help pick the winning entry. Submit your suggestion on paper, on disc, or by email DanScearce@aol.com
§ April:Participation in the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. Check out this link as we work out the details: Click here for more information as we work out the details.
§ Spring: A tour of the Fairfax Water Treatment Plant: http://www.fcwa.org/education/the plant/index.html
|
| From the Hearts of the Community | | |
Thoughts from 'The Cup of My Life'
by Kurt Jaeger
I signed up for the class entitled "The Cup of Our Life" mostly because my friend Elethia was so excited about being able to share this material with me and others. I've been in enough of MCC NOVA's spiritual growth classes by now to know that if Elethia is excited about something, it's probably something I don't want to miss. That belief has only been reinforced by my experience with The Cup of Our Life. It's been a different sort of experience for me. Rather than studying and learning, The Cup has been a process of intentional reflection and meditation. It has been a time to be still and contemplate how I feel about the presence of God in my life and about the spiritual side of myself.
One of the very first things I noticed is that I don't take time to reflect and gather my thoughts and feelings very often. I am usually driven by my curiosity and love of learning. I spend a lot of time taking in new information, and not as much time thinking about it. I was surprised at how much there was to contemplate. When I let myself just sit and be present, contemplate what I already know, I found myself completely filled with a powerful presence, me/God! I am a part of God. God is in me, what a powerful feeling it is to be aware of that. Not only that, God is in everyone and everything around me and God is constantly filling me with his love through the actions of those I come into contact with. Wow!
continue reading...
My Journey to Music at MCC NOVA
by Jane Bennett
I began my love for music when I started taking piano lessons in the 3rd grade. I took lessons for 6 years, but unfortunately I didn't stick with it so my talents in that area are lacking. However, the piano lessons led to other areas of music and my appreciation for it. While learning the piano, one of my teachers felt it important that I began learning how to read music, not just play it. I found out I had a talent for reading music and decided to use it to start singing. I began singing in my church choir at a young age but never really got into it until learning to read music. Eventually, I began singing solos in church and was being asked to provide special music at weddings, funerals and other venues. I sang in two high school choirs - the general choir and the woman chorus where I had to try out and be selected to participate. My choir director in high school took an interest in my singing talent and would provide me with additional singing lessons and I learned other skills such as diction, breathing in the right spots, and how to read all those funny symbols on a sheet of music and what they all meant. I developed a true love for singing! Believe it or not, I was an alto until about 15 years ago when I started being able to hit those high notes and converted to the soprano range (which shocked me more than anyone).
continue reading...
|
|
A Reflection from Our Clergy Intern, DeWayne Davis | | |
Embracing Water Justice at MCC NOVA
Change is hard. The truth of this well-worn little nugget of wisdom is proven by how often people resist change. It is especially difficult to make changes in habits developed over many years or that may cause some inconvenience in our routine. For the past three years, I have been working on energy and climate advocacy, encouraging people of faith to embrace changes in their habits and choices in an effort to reduce the human contribution to pollution, global warming, and degradation of natural resources, such as water and forests. I would like to say that it has been a sweeping success, but it is difficult to convince people to make changes in their lives and habits. It is even more difficult to ask people to make changes to improve their stewardship over the resources of the natural world when the bounty of the earth seems so abundant and inexhaustible in our limited view of the universe.
When MCC-NoVA decided to embrace water justice, I did not know what to expect as I had become accustomed to resistance to change.
|
| What's Happening at MCC NOVA | |
FROM CARE TEAM TO CARING COMMUNITY
WE GOOFED! An error in the previously published survey link prevented us from capturing your responses. Please use the corrected link below to retake the survey or use this last opportunity to take it for the first time!
As MCC NOVA begins this New Year, we are making a revolutionary strategic change in how we approach Congregational Care. We want to shift from a caring team to A Caring Community. We are launching "Sharing Our Caring" with a focus on engaging our whole community in extending love and support to those who need us. The mission of the Care Team will evolve from providing care to equipping, facilitating, and empowering the congregation to care for one another. Over the next two months we will be communicating more about this. For now, we would like you to remember those times when you either received or gave assistance to someone in need, and ask that you remember the love that you experienced as a result of that act. To assist us in making this transition, please a few minutes of your time to fill out the CARE survey at this Survey Link. Thank you for your input!
If you have any questions about how you can be involved now in this, please see Rev. Kharma or any member of the old CARE Team.
HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION PROGRAM
On Sunday, March 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, March 9 - Tuesday, March 15for 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 pmmonahan@cox.net or (703) 684-7947 to sign-up. Thank you!
MCC NOVA HOSTING VIRTUAL BOOK STUDY
Thursdays through May 26
On Thursdays through May 26, MCC NOVA is hosting 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.
This week we'll continue with the First Step.
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
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 (email info@mccnova.com )
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, pmmonahan@cox.net.
DONATE TO HELP FEED THE HOMELESS
We are looking for donations of the following goods:
- Muffins;
- Granola bars;
- Yogurt;
- Fruit;
- Juice;
- Bottled water;
- Spoons;
- Napkins; and
- Plastic bags.
If you would like to contribute, please contact Pat Monahan, pmmonahan@cox.net .
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 pm
Upstairs Library
Everyone is welcome!
SAVE THE DATE!
BINGO IS BACK!
Saturday, April 9
Bingo returns to MCC NOVA on Saturday, April 9. Doors open at 6:30 and the first game begins at 7 pm. If you are interested in assisting and would be willing to work on a planning committee, please contact Elaine Gamble egamble2008@aol.com.
|
| 30th Anniversary Update | | |
30th Anniversary Update
Friday, March 11, 2011, 7 pm
A Celebration of NOVA - Starring You!
Join us for a Family Friendly evening celebrating our rich diverse talents. To join the stage - please contact Mark Fox mfox227@yahoo.com
@ MCC of Northern Virginia
Saturday, March 12, 2011, 6:30 pm
MCC NOVA's 30th Anniversary
Mardi Gras Dinner Celebration
Festive Attire
Cost: $65 per person, includes full dinner and cash bar.
@ PJ Skidoos
9908 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030
Please park on the side and or back of Regency Furniture store.
Sunday, March 6th - Last Day to Buy Tickets!
Sunday, March 13, 2011, 11 am
Marching Forward!
A Worship Celebration of 30 years and Beyond!
Special Guests: Rev. Pat Bumgarner, pastor MCC New York
& Rev. Elder Darlene Garner
@ Providence Elementary
3616 Jermantown Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-2999
BE A GEM! BECOME A 30th ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR
Individual Sponsors
Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping us to celebrate 30 years of Ministry at MCC of Northern VA and supporting the future life and ministry of our community.
Ruby $50 - Name in the Program
Emerald $100 - Name in the Program & Commemorative Ornament
Amethyst $250 - Name in the Program & Commemorative Ornament
Sapphire $500 - Name in the Program & Commemorative Ornament
Pearl $1,000 - Name in the Program, Commemorative Ornament
To become an anniversary sponsor the anniversary, please contact Rev. Stephanie Burns, revsburns@msn.com
30th Anniversary Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, March 12, 2011, 9 am @ PJ Skidoos
Help transform PJ Skidoos banquet room into a genuine Mardi Gras celebration - join the decorating team Saturday Morning!
Saturday, March 12, 2011, 4 pm @ PJ Skidoos
Be a Roadie!
Join us as we assist our entertainment in unloading and setting up their equipment.
Sunday, March 13, 2011, 8 am
(Don't forget to Spring Forward!)
@ Providence Elementary
Help us set and prepare for our wonderful 30th Anniversary Worship Celebration
|
| Special Thanks to... | | |
To our Children's and Youth Ministries for all the work they do to love, nurture, teach, and inspire our young people.
To Jane, Jeanne, Tracy H., Yvonne, James, Damon, Becky, Melanie and Carol for their hard work pre-Spring-cleaning. You did a tremendous job cleaning and organizing the sacristy and other cluttered areas of the church and we are grateful.
To Sarah for her work in planning and leading the Winter Day Retreat and to all of those who attended the retreat.
|
| Community Notes | | |
 MCC YOUNG ADULT MISSION TRIP
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JUNE 23-30, 2011
Applications are now being accepted for MCC's Young Adult Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic (D.R.)! The Mission Trip is scheduled for June 23 though 30, 2011. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 25. During the trip, MCC mission team members will spend several days working and worshiping with one of MCC's newest churches in Latin America, MCC Santo Domingo. In addition, the mission team will present a three day Bible School to 100 elementary school students attending the El Tamarindo School, located in an impoverished area outside of Santo Domingo. All successful applicants will be required to sign a Code of Conduct and to raise at least $1,800 (we have a great fund-raising program to assist you). Transportation to and from the D.R., lodging, some meals, and traveler's insurance are provided. The cost of some meals and money for snacks and souvenirs are the responsibility of the mission team member. To receive an application or for further information, please contact Mission Coordinator Tim Helm at tjhelm@aol.com. Applications must be received by March 7, 2011!
 2011 MCC People of African Descent Conference
May 19-21, 2011
The Fairmont Hotel, Washington, DC
The 2011 MCC PAD Conference theme LOVING OURSELVES INTO LIBERATION reflects our commitment to continue our rise from victimhood to victory and to lift others as we climb. To inform and empower us to reach higher heights, workshops and keynote speakers will focus on physical, political, and spiritual health and wholeness. Worship will inspire us to celebrate the fullness of who we are and to embrace the fullness of who God has liberated us to be. For more information,CLICK HERE.
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? | | 
|
|
|
