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News from MCC NOVA 

Rev. Onetta Brooks, Interim Pastor  

 

Read Along

 

 

October 7     


Readings

 

Genesis 32: 22-32  
 
Two Roads Diverged in the Woods by Robert Frost

         

Reflection

 

Get Ready to Jump 

 

Rev. Dr. Stephanie Burns,  

preaching

   

 

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Have you missed Rev. Onetta's Monthly Forums on our transition process and goals?


  

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October 2012
From the Pastor's Laptop
 

Autumn is here! "The autumn equinox is the time of balance between day and night, before night takes over and brings the coming winter, a time of darkness and death. This duality between light and dark exists within humanity, and in the work of spiritual transformation. All things must die before they can be born, all spiritual ascent requires descent first, and all those who long for light must firstly face their own inner darkness and overcome it."  The Good

 

News for us here at MCC NOVA is that we have been intentionally looking at who we have been and seeing how we came to be. Now we are spiritually assessing what fits us. As we processing this, we may experience some moments of darkness as we notice that some things don't fit us now, and yet we are celebrating our transforming narrative. During the month of October, I'll be preaching on our current vision, mission and core values at MCC NOVA. I hope this will be a wonderful opportunity to hear how God is still speaking through our vision, mission and core values in our spiritual community today.

 

Continue reading... 

 2013: The Year of Giving Dangerously
 

The "How To" of Giving Dangerously in 2013

 

In the past few weeks, the 2013 Stewardship Team talked about why giving is important (hopefully you have found YOUR reason) and what to give; namely, YOUR time, talent and treasure. This week we are exploring the different methods on how to give.

 

TIME: How do you give of your time? The easiest way is to be present at worship. That's how! Your time is valuable to you and to MCC NOVA and coming together on Sundays or other events shows that you care and are a part of this community. You can also pray daily for our church or volunteer to help out with one of the many ministries. Pick one. Any one, give it a try and see if it fits. Come in off the sidelines and dive right in. All you have to do is speak to one of the existing ministry leaders or talk with Rev. Onetta about what you would like to try.

 

TALENT: How do you give your talent? Well, it's more like sharing your talent. What is it that God has blessed you with? Is it planning, financial management, singing, teaching, administration, praying, writing...the list is endless. And we are sure that you probably have more than one skill and talent to offer. Think about what you do well and offer it up. Write it on a piece of paper with your name and contact information and toss it into the collection basket, or send an email to the church office, or again talk with Rev. Onetta about what you want to offer. We are all a part of a greater body and for each member that is contributing, the stronger, more diverse, and more complete the body will be.

 

TREASURE: How do you offer your financial gifs? In your pledge packet, there is a handout on "How to Give" which tells you about several ways; namely, (1) Online bill paying (Easy! Just like you would any other bill), (2) Credit card or PayPal (Easy! Use the DONATE button on our website. Remember this might also get you extra miles or points if your credit card has that capability.), (3) Sunday collection (Super easy! Place a check or cash in the basket. If you use cash, remember to put it in an envelope with your name on it.).

 

And please consider remembering MCC NOVA in your estate planning. This is your legacy to insure the future of this church. Pledge packets were distributed at service for the past two weeks. If you have not picked up your packet in person, it will be mailed to you this week. If you have any questions, please speak to one of the Stewardship team members, or simply shoot an email to Gail Schulte at [email protected]. We ask that you prayerfully reflect on your part in supporting this church community, and then return your pledge form by October 14th. Forms can be placed either in the offering basket at service or mailed to the MCC NOVA office.  There will also be a special surprise gift for everyone at service on the 14th.

 

Together we can do incredible things in this "Year of Giving Dangerously!"

 

Your MCC NOVA Stewardship Team,

Mark Fox, Krystal Kimrey, Gail Minnick, and Gail Schulte

 

2013 Stewardship Packet & Pledge Card

What's Happening at MCC NOVA! 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
26th ANNUAL AIDS WALK   

Saturday, October 27, 2012

 

DID YOU KNOW that we live in an area with the highest HIV infection rate in the country? Please help to Stomp-Out AIDS by participation in the 26th annual AIDS Walk in Washington, DC. This event is a 5K fundraising walk & timed run benefiting & produced by the Whitman-Walker Clinic. For further information or help in registering or donating, please contact Vickie Bowman ([email protected]) or Gail Schulte. Register or Donate Today at www.aidswalkwashington.org (be sure to add MCCNOVA as your team!).
 

 

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Moving Off the Map: A Field Guide to Changing the Congregation by Thomas G. Bandy

Wednesdays, September 26 through October 31, 2012

7:00 - 8:30 pm - Church Library
Leader: Virginia Miles

 

You are invited to attend a six week study of the above book which is a guide to churches who are experiencing significant change, as recommended by our interim Pastor, Onetta Brooks. We have purchased 9 books for use by participants, or you can purchase your own copy. If possible, we request that participants read Part I of the book prior to attending the first class, but feel free to come to the class even so. All are welcome. Ginny Miles will have copies of the book available for your use on Sunday mornings, so please request one from her. We anticipate that this guide will help us with our transition to a new phase of our life as a Church.

 

  

JOIN US AS WE PRAY FOR MCC NOVA!

  

Beginning Sunday, September 2, we will gather upstairs in the library from 10:30 - 10:50 am for a time of collective prayer for our church's ministries and future directions. This is not a class; you are welcome to come on the Sundays that work for you. In the quiet, we will lift our voices and we will listen for God's voice.

" Prayer leads you to see new paths and to hear new melodies in the air. Prayer is the breath of your life which gives you freedom to . . . find the many signs which point out the way to a new land." ~ from With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen


 

PRAYER PATHWAYS: Exploring Forms of Prayer

Thursdays, October 4- November 8, 6:30-7:30

Sanctuary 

 

You are invited to explore our new "Prayer Pathways" series beginning on Thursday evening October 4th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. Come to one gathering or to all six, whatever you feel comfortable with. Over the course of the six weeks, we will explore various forms of prayer such as drumming and devotional prayer walking. If you have any questions, please contact Gail Minnick on 703-648-9327 or by email [email protected].

 

The second session on October 11th will be on "Centering Prayer", a meditative form of prayer made popular by Father Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk of St. Benedict's Monastery. "By my definition, prayer is consciously hanging out with God. Being with God in a deliberate way." - Malcolm Boyd, author of 30 books, civil rights activist, and prominent gay clergy person during the civil rights movement.

 

 

BASKET AUCTION FUNDRAISER IS POSTPONED
  
MCC NOVA's Basket Auction Fundraiser, which had been tentatively scheduled for November 17 has been postponed. We are currently looking at late winter/early spring date. Stay tuned as details are finalized and keep imagining those creative gift basket ideas!

 

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR

UPCOMING BOARD ELECTION

 

The MCC Board of Directors has opened the annual nomination process for seats on the Board of Directors (BOD). Two members' terms are expiring this December, and we are soliciting candidates for these 2 seats. The current members are eligible to run again if they wish, and we are seeking any other active Members of MCC NOVA who may be interested in serving for the next 2-year term.

The Board of Directors is involved with and makes decisions where skills/experience such as; policy development and implementation, strategic financial management and planning, strategic planning and decision making, human resource management, information/multimedia technology, facilities planning , and previous board experience are desirable.

If you wish to express your interest in being nominated for a BOD position, please submit a letter of intent to any member of the Nominating Committee. You are welcome to address any questions about the process or the work of the BOD to any Member of the current BOD or the Nominating Committee.

The Nominating Committee members are Ginny Miles, 703-648-9598; Kim Habermann, 703-573-2120; and Matt Huggins, 703-646-4873.

 

We are grateful for your consideration to serve in this capacity.

 

 

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 [email protected].

 

   

MUSIC NOTES

 

Choir rehearsals have resumed on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. If you have questions about joining the choir, please see Daniel Scearce.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE!

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, December 9, following worship 

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 

Tuesday, October 16, 6:30 pm  

Upstairs Library

Everyone is welcome!

Community Notes

 

 

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 [email protected] 

How Do I Get in Here? 
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