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Read Ahead
September 11
First Reading
Genesis 50: 15-21
Second Reading
From Desmond Tutu in
No Future without Forgiveness
Reflection
"Looking Back, Moving Forward"
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos,
preaching
A Litany of Remembrance and Hope
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Forget Your Pledge?
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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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DONATE TO MCC NOVA
using Pay Pal
Do your shopping at iGive.com and a portion of your purchase benefits MCC NOVA Shop at the MCC NOVA Spirit-Wear Store |
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From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma
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A Time to Remember
This month is the ten-year anniversary of one of the most defining moments in recent history for people in the United States and around the world. On September 11, 2001, we watched in surprise and horror as several thousand people died as a result of terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Arlington VA. Not long after, we began a war that is still being fought today in Afghanistan and Iraq. The events kicked off on that ominous day have shaped the world we now inhabit, and they have left a deep impact on many of us. The first thought many people had when we experienced the recent earthquake was not an image of nature but of human-made terrorism. This indicates a widespread loss of innocence and security. It also demonstrates how relatively newly exposed we are to a state of affairs that has long been common in many other troubled parts of the world.
Continue reading... |
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MCC NOVA Annual Spiritual Retreat
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UPDATED!
MCC NOVA SPIRITUAL RETREAT
October 21-23, 2011
Sevenoaks Pathworks Center, Madison, VA
Valuable relationships are essential to a rich, fulfilled, purposeful life; and they never happen by accident. Our relationships - with God, ourselves, friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, and our intimate loves - need to be nurtured. And there is no time like the present to enhance our nurturing skills.
We'll gather once again at the beautiful Sevenoaks Retreat Center, nestled in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Madison, VA (Approximately 2 hours from MCC NOVA). Sevenoaks offers comfortable meeting, worship, and lodging accommodations; an array of excellent meals; hiking trails, including a rolling river; and stunning natural views to stir your spirit.
The format for this year's retreat will differ from previous years. The schedule will still include time for personal reflection, small and large group discussions, worship, play time, and free time to spend as you desire. However, this year you will be able to personalize your retreat experience by choosing from a selection of focused workshop sessions. Each session will include prayer, presentation, reflection, discussion, and practical take-away tools. In addition, we'll hold our very own Variety Showon Saturday evening!!
Registration cost is $200 per person (includes 2 nights lodging and 5 excellent meals)
Registration deadline is September 18
For complete information on this year's Retreat format and activities-including a list of workshop options-please CLICK HERE to download a flyer and registration form or visit the Retreat website to register online using your credit card (via Paypal).
NEW! Click Here for a DESCRIPTION of workshop options and bios of workshop presenters.
Please note:
No children or pets can be accommodated.
Limited scholarships may be available.
Maximum number of participants is 50 (a waiting list is being developed if this is exceeded).
If you have concerns about physical accessibility, please contact us.
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Save the Date!
| |  THE DYNAMICS of SIZE at MCC NOVA Saturday, September 24, 10 am - 4 pm Late last year, several leaders of MCC NOVA attended the MCC Size Summit in DC. Rev. Elders Lillie Brock, Ken Martin, and Darlene Garner led an excellent presentation about how the dynamics of church size (i.e. average weekly attendance) has an impact of nearly every aspect of church life and growth. They also conducted a specific assessment of our congregation, based on survey results, interviews with leaders, and a review of our bylaws and procedures. Rev. Elder Lillie Brock led our assessment and provided numerous insightful comments about our unique challenges and opportunities as a congregation. We were so impressed, we wanted everyone at MCC NOVA to have a chance to learn more.
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, September 24 for a "Mini-Size Summit," as Rev. Elder Lillie Brock explores the dynamics of church specifically for MCC NOVA helps us address the opportunities and challenges unique to our congregation.
Additional details to follow. |
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MCC Theologies Team News
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TAKE THE MCC THEOLOGIES TEAM SURVEY!
We're excited to announce the launch of our new Descriptive Theologies project, designed with three goals in mind: 1.To provide an accurate picture of practices "on the ground" in our churches around the world; 2.To facilitate our understanding of who we are as a denomination/movement; and, 3.To help us identify areas where the MCC Theologies Team may assist our churches. Friend? Member? Clergy? Board Member? Elder? We want to hear from you! Our goal is to survey as widely as possible, soliciting responses from every individual associated with MCC in any way. Our short questionnaire has three sections for you to describe your experiences around baptism, to tell us what you were taught, and to tell us about your current beliefs around this important topic. Continuing on work begun at the 2007 General Conference in Phoenix and the Holy Conversations congregational resource, we've designed our first surveys around the Sacrament of Baptism. Visit the survey page, and choose the Baptism survey for individuals. The password for the survey is Baptism2011 (It is case sensitive, so make sure to use a capital B and lowercase letters for the rest). Thank you! |
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What's Happening at MCC NOVA
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ELDER CARE SUPPORT GROUP
Sunday, September 19 12:30 pm
MCC NOVA Library (upstairs)
Join us for this new support ministry at MCC NOVA - for anyone who is caring, supporting or dealing with an aging parent or loved one. This new ministry will give us the opportunity to share resources and information as well as provide a safe space to share feelings and concerns. If you are concerned about living situations, health concerns, finances, independence issues or any other challenges in supporting our aging loved ones - this ministry is for you. Bring your lunch for a time of safe sharing and support with no judgment. For more information contact Rev. Stephanie Burns at revsburns@msn.com.
REFERRAL SOUGHT As part of our on-going Building/Capital Campaign process, MCC NOVA is seeking contact information for experienced Commercial Real Estate attorneys. If know someone practicing in Virginia, please contact Ginny Reed at vhreed@msn.com. MENTORING OPPORTUNITY Adolescent and Family Growth Center seeks caring adults who are willing to make a difference in a foster teen's life. We are looking for trusted adults who are able to commit to a minimum of one year to provide fun activities and enrich the life of a foster teen. Foster teens often do not have a trusted person, outside of the treatment team, who is invested in making their lives more positive. The goal of the mentoring program is to enhance the teen's life through the mentoring relationship by providing consistency and developing trust between the mentor and mentee. Here are questions to ask yourself as you consider becoming a mentor: * Are you a good listener? * Do you like working with teenagers/young adults? * Are you dependable? * Are you willing to commit yourself to a long-term relationship? * Are you able to attend trainings? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a good candidate to become a mentor. For more information about the program, contact Maleka Walters at 703-425-9200 or mwalters@afgcinc.com. Pastor's Note: Maleka and I met to discuss AFGC and their need for mentors. She is fully aware of the mission and ministry of MCC NOVA, including our affirmative outreach to the LGBTQIA community. In fact, there may be some ways that youth who are struggling around issues of identity might benefit especially from a mentor relationship with an open-minded, secure adult who might serve as a role model. Matches are made very carefully between mentors and mentees based on a number of things, including proximity, scheduling, particular gifts, and the needs of the youth. If you think you might be interested in positively impacting the life of a young person, please contact Maleka to find out more information. This is a wonderful way to live out our own mission of Spirit, Community, and Action - Inside & "Out"!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Tuesday, September 20, 6:30 pm
Upstairs Library
Everyone is welcome!
Continuing... 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, plastic bags. If you would like to contribute, please contact Pat Monahan, pmmonahan@cox.net. Did You Know...? ...Sermons are posted on the MCC NOVA each week so that you (or those you'd like to share with or who are absent) can listen online. Visit www.mccnova.com. |
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News From Absent Friends | | |
Sabrina Diz, who left the NOVA area last year to work with a political campaign in Florida sends greetings to her MCC NOVA family. Sabrina is happy to announce that she will be entering a Master's degree program in Religious Studies at the Florida International University. Please keep Sabrina in your prayers as she embarks on this new journey. She sends thoughts of gratitude for the big difference MCC NOVA has made in her life.
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NEWS & NOTES from the CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM 
Several months ago, the Congregational Care Team announced our plans to include our entire congregation in our efforts to create a caring community here at MCC NOVA. This included a survey so that you can tell us what types of activities you might be willing to help with (e.g. sending cards, calling those in need, making meals, etc.). Thanks to those of you who already completed that survey. For those who may not have had a chance, it's not too late. Please follow this link. It should take fewer than 10 minutes.
Remember that we always have a box of cards on the prayer table as you enter the sanctuary. We encourage you to make it a regular discipline to take a card or two whenever you are here for worship or other events, think about someone in the community you may not have seen for a while or whom you know is experiencing a difficult time, write them a brief note to let them know they are in your thoughts, and then simply put their name on the envelope. We will do the rest to address and mail the card. You can place the cards in the offering plates or deliver them to the church office.
As we head into summer, with all of its associated vacations, it's even more difficult than usual to maintain our connections with members of our community. We want to be intentional about nurturing the bonds we share and reaching out especially to those in need. Speaking of which, if you have a special need for care or prayer, please let us know. The best way to do so is to email or phone the church office at info@mccnova.com or 703-691-0930. |
| Special Thanks... | | 
To the Children's Ministry, to Cathryn and Michele for their leadership, to all of those who teach and assist with lessons on Sunday mornings that offer spiritual formation for our young ones, our future. To Pat, Vickie, Lou, Irene, and Jeff for their efforts to help Frank Vance clean, repair, paint, and pack up the home of his parents. Thanks to all who contributed to help support this service project. Thanks to Susan and Starlene for their earlier trip to assist. And, thanks to all of you who routinely live your faith by supporting and encouraging others in their times of need.
To TransFormations for their leadership of worship, for their ongoing support of our Second Friday peer-led support group, and all the other gifts they give our community. |
| Community Notes | | |
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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