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News from MCC NOVA

 

Read Ahead

 

April 8

EASTER SUNDAY 

 


First Reading

 

  John 20:1-18         

 

Second Reading

 

from
The Color Purple 
by Alice Walker  

      

Reflection

 

Not Here 

 

Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns,

preaching

 

 

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April 2012
A Lenten Message

 

changes 

THANK YOU!

 

We had a wonderful weekend getting to know Rev. Onetta Brooks!  Special thanks to Rev. Onetta for her time, energy, and attention, and to all of you who took time to meet with her on Saturday and welcome her on Sunday!  

 

The Board of Directors looks forward to updating you on the outcome of the weekend in the near future.

 

 

TRANSITION CONTACTS

 

During the transition period, the following contacts have been established, and may be subject to change upon the arrival of an Interim Pastor.   

 

Worship Coordinator - Stephanie Burns  [email protected] 

Benevolence/CSA requests - contact church office 703-691-0930 

Congregational Care concerns - contact church office

Personnel Director - Tracey Kennedy  [email protected] 

Sunday Announcements -Tracey Kennedy or designee

 

Church Staff:

 

Director of Music, Daniel Scearce

Office Manager, Emma Chattin

Volunteer Staff Clergy, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns

 

Board of Directors:

 

Tracey Kennedy, Vice Moderator

Marilyn Villanueva, Clerk

Ginny Reed, Treasurer,

Ginny Miles, Assistant Treasurer

Lou Brown, At-Large 

 


   

Holy Week at MCC NOVA  

 

 

Good Friday Observance, April 6, 7:00 pm 

 

   Easter Sunday Celebration, April 8, 11:00 am    

 

******** 


REMINDER! 

Annual MCC Easter Offering for Global Justice

 

Each year at this holy season, local congregations throughout MCC join hearts and hands to receive a special, designated Easter offering to strategically advance MCC's global justice ministry.

 

Together, we've supported our brothers and sisters across Eastern Europe as they made historic advances for religious freedom and human rights. We've joined hands with MCCers across Central and Latin America as they trained a new generation of spiritual leaders. You have helped plant indigenous ministries in Southeast Asia that are challenging injustice and intolerance, and your gifts continue to provide support for lesbian and transgender communities in Pakistan. You helped underwrite the first LGBT conference in Russia and publish the first book about LGBT spiritual rights in the Russian language. You helped create safe space for Ugandans, who face daily threats to freedom and life. And you made it possible for MCC to boldly march in the first-ever gay rights marches in such places as Jamaica and Romania.

 

This Easter -- during this holy season of new life -- you can participate in the birth of MCC's Global Justice Institute, which for generations to come will serve as the umbrella organization for our movement's justice ministries around the world. The Global Justice Institute is a joint project of MCC and The Fellowship, the churches of The Fellowship are also receiving an Easter Offering for Global Justice this year! Bishop Yvette Flunder recently commented, "We're partnering in the Easter Offering Campaign because justice work is Jesus' work. Whenever we stand with the oppressed, the marginalized, the rejected, the persecuted, we stand with Jesus and we minister to Jesus."

 

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson has announce that our 2012 denominational goal is to raise a minimum of $40,000 USD through special, designated local church Easter offerings, to be invested in birthing MCC's Global Justice Institute.

 

MCC NOVA has already committed to being a "pacesetter" church by participating in the MCC Easter Offering for Global Justice. In addition to collecting this special offering, MCC NOVA's Board of Directors has committed an additional $500 from our Christian Social Action Fund.

 

Please prayerfully consider supporting MCC's Easter Offering initiative with a gift during the special collection on Easter Sunday at MCC NOVA.  You can and do make a difference. Thank you.

 
 

 

What's Happening at MCC NOVA

 

water 

THIS SATURDAY! 

ACCOTINK CREEK CLEAN-UP!

Saturday, April 7, 12 pm

 

April gives us the promise of spring and invites us to roll up our sleeves and dig into the earth-and all things earth related. It's almost an irresistible urge, so why not give in and get busy for a great cause?  

 

You, your friends, and family members are invited to meet at the corner of Chain Bridge Road and Kenmore Drive in Fairfax City on Saturday, April 7, and pitch in for the second year with the Accotink Creek Cleanup Project. For two hours, beginning at 12:00 P.M., we will remove trash and debris from the creek, which flows through our community and is a vital source of clean water in Northern Virginia.

 

Plan to dress appropriately for walking in the woods (long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy footwear). And please bring wading gear, grab sticks, and rakes if you have them, since much of the trash is in the water. Waterproof shoes/boots and sunscreen would be a plus.

 

We will gather on the foot bridge at the corner of Kenmore Drive and Chain Bridge Road. If you have trouble finding the cleanup crew, call Gail Schulte at 571.830.0455.

 

From I-66 take Exit 60 onto Chain Bridge Road (123) south, go about one mile and turn left onto Kenmore Drive. Parking is on Kenmore Drive. Walk back to Chain Bridge Road.

 

From MCC NOVA, take Democracy Lane through to Whitehead Street. From Whitehead Street, turn right onto Chain Bridge Road (123) north and go approximately one-half mile. Turn right onto Kenmore Drive. Parking is on Kenmore Drive. Walk back to Chain Bridge Road.   A map is available here. 

 

See you there!

 


STARTING SOON! 

BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays April 11 through May 16, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Church Library
Leader: Virginia Miles

MCC NOVA will begin a study series of the Bible in April - May. Following a brief overview, we will begin a deeper study of the Hebrew Testament starting with the Book of Genesis--the study of beginnings. This first segment of a longer study will progress as far as feasible in the Hebrew Testament, and we will then take a break of several weeks. We will then do a 6-weeks segment on the New Testament. The goal is to balance offerings between these two Biblical categories.

 

Participants will be expected to read identified chapters of each book to be discussed. Timing will depend on the discussions and progress that we make, and the schedule will be adjusted as needed.

 

If you are interested in participating in this study, please sign-up on the sheet provided on the literature table. Signing up does require that you necessarily attend all sessions, but it does provide information about how many may attend, and allow for communication about any alterations to the schedule. If you wish, you may also notify Emma in the church office of your interest.


Session Outline:

April 11 - Overview of Bible, Historical Context, Interpretation, Books

April 18 - Hebrew Testament in cultural context

April 25 - Book of Genesis

May 2 - Book of Genesis

May 9 - Book of Exodus

May 16 - Book of Exodus


 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 

Tuesday, April 17 , 6:30 pm  

Upstairs Library

Everyone is welcome!
 

 

MUSIC NOTES

 

music notes
Ever considered singing in the choir? Well, this is the perfect time! 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, please join us as we make a JOYFUL noise!

On another note. A heartfelt "thank you" to all of you who faithfully listen to us. If you have a particular song you would like the choir to sing or a favorite hymn, please let me know and I will do my best to incorporate it. You can communicate it via email to [email protected] or just find me after church.
 

 

 

 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.

  

Special Thanks... 
spotlight  
To all of the leaders and teams who met with Rev. Onetta last Saturday

and to all who attended Sunday and forum afterward!

 

To Jane & Jeanne, Marilyn, Mark, Byron, Tracey & Stephanie, Damon, James, and Emma for tidying up the Sacristy and the upstairs office area.

 

To Gail Schulte for delivering a moving and inspirational message.  

 

To the Homeless Ministry for their continued dedication to feeding the homeless among us. 

Community Notes

 

mohaMOSAIC HARMONY CONCERT TIX ON SALE!

 

Mosaic Harmony's Spring Concert dates are set; Sunday, May 20 at 4pm at UUCF in Oakton and Saturday, June 2 at Convergence in Alexandria. Tickets prices are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, children 12 and under are free and need a ticket. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and a reception at the end of each concert celebrating the Director, David North, and Assistant Director Laura Romstedt for their 15 and 10 years of service, respectively. Please join us in our celebration. If you are interested, tickets can be purchased either online at www.mosaicharmony.com or through Kelly Miller up to the date of the events.

 

  

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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