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Read Ahead
January 8
First Reading
Mark 1: 4 - 11
Second Reading
"Just Add Water"
by David J. Ford
Reflection
Water, Water, Everywhere!
Jeanne Bailey,
preaching
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DONATE TO MCC NOVA
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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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A Message from Your Vice Moderator
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 RESOLVE TO BE COMMUNITY
Happy 2012! Here we are at the beginning of a new year, a time of anticipating things to come, and of course that time when tradition tells us we should resolve to make positive changes in our lives. If you are like me, you may have grown weary of the hype, the insistence that we MUST resolve to do...better. This is, to be sure, related to many tried and failed attempts at some personal improvement, but I also believe my impatience with this custom is the notion that this is a once-a-year exercise. Shouldn't this kind of reflection be a continuous process?
So, that was a round-about way of saying that I've been thinking MCC NOVA and what is to come in 2012 and beyond. Specifically, what might we as a community of faith resolve to accomplish during our continuing period of transition? And, aside from the obvious nitty-gritty related to giving, attendance, etc. what has drawn my focus is the word 'community.'
Continue reading...
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Transition News & Resources
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As we move forward with plans for transition, we will keep you updated on news, events and opportunities to help.
WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
During the transition period, the following contacts have been established, and may be subject to change upon the arrival of an Interim Pastor. More information and additional contacts will follow.
Worship Coordinator - Stephanie Burns revsburns@msn.com
Benevolence/CSA requests - contact church office 703-691-0930
Congregational Care concerns - contact church office
Personnel Director - Tracey Kennedy crkscrw@msn.com
Sunday Announcements -Tracey Kennedy or designee
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"Finding Yourself in the In-Between," A transition resource from the Alban Institute. |
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What's Happening at MCC NOVA
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 MUSIC NOTES
As you know, the music ministry is also in transition, so this is a perfect time to put out a call to anyone who has ever thought they might want to sing. We need your help! In order to continue to  bring good music into your worship experience, we need people willing to give your time and talent to rehearsal and performance. We practice Sundays after church at 12:30, so you don't even have to come out another day in the week. So, if you have ever thought about singing with us, or have sung with us in the past, I can't think of a better time!
APPRECIATION
After many years as our accompanist, Darius Smith has decided to to move on. We thank Darius for sharing his tremendous gifts with our community and helping to build our Music Ministry. He will be greatly missed, but we have no doubt that we will see him one day on Broadway! January 8 is Darius' final Sunday with us. Please drop by to thank him and wish him well.
FOOD AND CLOTHING DRIVE Concludes January 8, 2012 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead It's easy to feel powerless when faced with the statistics about homelessness: In Washington, D.C., alone, over 6,500 people are homeless, 1,620 of them children. This winter, MCC NOVA will volunteer in church shelters, cook meals, and collect food for the DC Central Kitchen and clothing for the Community for Creative Violence (CCNV) in Washington, DC. CCNV is the biggest shelter in the country. They need coats, clothes, shoes, and other items. If you would like more information, click here. (http://www.theccnv.org/) DC Central Kitchen will accept all non-perishable items For more info about DC's Central Kitchen, click here.(http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/). MCC NOVA is a small but effective group in our community. Join us as we combat homelessness this winter. Contact: Pat Monahan pmmonahan@cox.net ELDER CARE SUPPORT GROUP January 15, after worship. Upstairs Library
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.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Tuesday, January 17 , 6:30 pm
Upstairs Library
Everyone is welcome!
SAVE THE DATE!
RETREAT REUNION & CHECK-IN
Saturday, January 21, 10 am
More information coming soon!
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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Coming Up
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HOLY CONVERSATIONS:
WHAT'S THEOLOGY GOT TO DO WITH IT?
January 11 through February 15, 2012
Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm - Church Library
Leader: Virginia Miles
Put simply, "theology" is "God talk." Since our beginning, MCC has been talking about God as we have claimed that one can be LGBTIQA. and Christian. As MCC enters into its fifth decade, the need for theological discussion, both within and outside of the church, has never been greater. While language can never fully capture the mystery of God, careful thinking and speaking about God can increase our understanding.
Metropolitan Community Churches have always been ecumenical in nature, drawing together people from diverse theological backgrounds. We believe that our theological diversity is one of our greatest strengths. In a world increasingly divided by claims of theological orthodoxy and religious fundamentalism, our ability to intentionally engage our differences within a context of unity is one of the God-given gifts we have to offer the world. In a world increasingly bereft of hope due to indifference and secularism,MCC bears witness to the life transforming nature of God's inclusive love.
"Holy Conversations" is a program released by MCC's Theologies Team that is intended to help facilitate and promote healthy theological dialogue in local congregations on a host of different topics. These conversations hope to build bridges across our theological differences that empower all people to do theology, and to use theological reflection as a relevant, positive, and practical resource for living and growing spiritually.
Each session will include background readings, testimonies, and scriptural references; engage participants in personal reflection and group sharing; and conclude with a shared ritual. These are some of the questions we'll explore: What do you believe? What have your experiences been? How do we make sense of what God is up to if we have different answers to these questions? Come and engage in a conversation that is holy!
Session Outline:
January 11 - Ministry January 18 - Sexuality & Spirituality January 25 - Ecumenical/Interreligious Issues February 1 - Trans-formations & Trans Experiences February 8 - Communion February 15 - Who is Jesus? |
| Special Thanks... | | 
To Darius Smith for sharing his magnificent musical gifts with us.
To Cathy Alexander for sharing the message with us on New Year's Day.
To Mark Fox for his dedication in helping coordinate worship.
To Pat Monahan and Carolyn Dozier for heading up the Food and Clothing Drive and to all who contributed.
To Vicky Bowman for coordinating the NOVAM Christmas Ornament sale.
To Krystal Kimrey for her service on the Board of Directors.
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| 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 |
| How Do I Get in Here? | | 
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