Read Ahead

July 8   

MARK YOUR JOURNEY  

I can't believe it's been a month since I arrived at MCC NOVA! You have shown me such hospitality and it's great to have my home space settled now. Thank you! So what's next? It's time for us to write on our sanctuary walls!    

What do I mean, write on the sanctuary walls? We have an opportunity to capture our rich, diverse and challenging history of MCC NOVA from our various perspectives. How are we going to do that?  

Continue reading... 

What's Happening at MCC NOVA

IMPORTANT NOTE! 

SUPERVISED CHILDREN'S MINISTRY ON SABBATICAL

Our supervised Children's Ministry will be taking a sabbatical starting Sun, July 1 until further notice. We'll make efforts to have paper and/or coloring pencils available during the sermon period to help entertain our children. You're welcome to bring something for your child too! If you have any questions, please contact Rev Onetta.  

SAVE THE DATE!  

CONGREGATIONAL FORUM

Sunday, July 15, 12:30 pm

The Interim Pastor is calling a Congregational Forum on Sunday, July 15 at 12:30 pm in the Sanctuary. Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting as we continue to map our transition. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the Transition Timeline for MCC NOVA; Ministry Team Update; A Reflection on our Worship; Our Spiritual Leadership Retreat on Nov 2-4; our Snapshot Survey; Our Pastor Wall Journey and What's Next.  All are invited!  Pizza will be provided.    

After a short break, MCC will continue our Bible study in August - September.  We will begin the gospel of John.  All are welcome to participate in this study.  Participants will be expected to read identified chapters to be discussed.  If you are interested in participating, just come to class on Wednesday.  You do not need to attend all sessions.  Just come as you are able. 

CHAT ABOUT CHURCH

New to MCC NOVA in the past 5 years?  You are invited to meet with Rev. Onetta for a chat.  To make an individual appointment, please contact the church office 703-691-0930.    

MUSIC NOTES from DANIEL SCEARCE 

Well...  Its summer, and yes I have actually started planning the Christmas music program.  If you want to sing, there is no better time to start than now.  We would love to add your voice to the group.  No audition required, if can match a pitch, (in other words, you aren't tone deaf) and you want to sing with us, we'd love to have you.  We rehearse on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 - 2:00. Come talk to me if you have an interest. 

 

Make a JOYFUL noise!

 

 

HELP THE HOMELESS MINISTRY

First Sunday each month (Food prep on Saturday) 

 

Did you know that MCC NOVA helps feed the homeless in Fairfax City?  On the first Sunday of each month, volunteers provide breakfast at area locations.  Food prep happens on Saturday, the day before.  Interested in getting involved?  Contact Pat Monahan at pmmonahan@cox.net.    

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 

Tuesday, July 17 , 6:40pm  

Upstairs Library

 

 LAITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

 

Registration is now open for the

third U.S. Retreat!

 

The L.E.A.D. retreat will follow the Worship Summit, on October 21-24, 2012, at The Heartland Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

The L.E.A.D. Certificate Program provides MCC laity with an opportunity for spiritual growth and the development of leadership skills. Persons who complete the L.E.A.D. Certificate will be placed on a Leader List available to Elders, Senior Staff, and MCC Clergy, for the purpose of creating a leadership pool from which to choose trained laity to serve in leadership positions in MCC at the local, denominational, and international levels.

 

To participate in the upcoming L.E.A.D. Retreat, individuals should complete the program application in the L.E.A.D. manual found  HERE.  

 

The cost of the retreat is $450 USD for double occupancy and $550 for single occupancy, which includes tuition, three nights' lodging, and all meals.  The location of the retreat at The Heartland Presbyterian Center, is close to the Kansas City airport.

 

The deadline for applications to the program is August 1, 2012.

 

 

 

Click here to see the first newsletter of the MCC Theologies Team.  

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENT for NORTHERN VIRGINIA AIDS MINISTRY

Thursday, July 12 at 6 pm

 

Private reception followed by theater performance of The Normal Heart at the Arena Stage. As an Independent Affiliated Event of the 2012 International AIDS Conference, Arena Stage is staging a revival of The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer, which chronicles the rise of AIDS in NYC in the 1980s and the struggle to raise awareness about the epidemic. Tickets are $150.  Visit http://www.novam.org/ for more details.

 

INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE--FREE EVENTS

 

AIDS Quilt and Interfaith Prayer Service, July 21

 

There will be an interfaith worship and prayer service at the National Cathedral on Saturday July 21 at 7pm. The NAMES Project Foundation, AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed during AIDS 2012. The display will be launched with an interfaith service of prayer and healing commemorating the Quilt and those who have died from HIV/AIDS. You will need tickets for this event, but they will be free. Information on securing them will be provided in June.

  

National Faith in Action HIV & AIDS Coalition, July 22  

 

This workshop and rally will take place on the afternoon of the opening ceremonies for AIDS 2012. The rally will include a public witness for the important role of faith in the AIDS response and faith's active presence during the AIDS 2012 conference. Organizers expect over 300 clergy and faith leaders present. The event will culminate in clergy, in their vestments, processing out of the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church and over to the Convention Center (one block away) to enter the conference in a statement of solidarity. It begins at 2pm on Sunday, July 22nd.

 

Gospel Concert, July 23 (tentative)

 

Bishop Flunder is still planning a major Gospel Concert on Monday, July 23rd in the evening at Mount Vernon Place UMC in Washington, DC. This event is free, but tickets will be necessary. Ticketing details are forthcoming.

 

Global Village Faith Zone, July 22-27

The Global Village is open to the general public as well as AIDS 2012 participants and is expected to attract thousands of visitors each day. The Faith Zone will provide an inclusive, innovative and informative space where faith-based visitors can exchange ideas and experiences, and where all visitors to the Global Village can experience the breadth and depth of faith communities' work in response to HIV. There will be a podium for various events and speakers and comfy sofas for networking and relaxing.

    

 

  

 

2013 MCC GENERAL CONFERENCE NEWS

July 1-5, 2013, Chicago, IL

 

Click here for registration and hotel information.  

 

 

 

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