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News from MCC NOVA 

Rev. Onetta Brooks, Interim Pastor  

 

Read Along

 

 

November 4   

 

TransParent Day    


Readings

 

Ruth 1-19   
 
Adapted from Father Richard Rohr in "Hope Against the Darkness: The Transforming Vision of Saint Francis in an Age of Anxiety." 

         

Reflection

 

Things Change 

 

Rev. Emma Chattin,  

preaching

   

 

Links
 
 
 
 

 

 

Find us on Facebook

 

 

 

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


  

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November 2012
 

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Don't Forget to Turn Your Clocks Back One Hour at Midnight on Saturday! 

HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE
LOCAL IMPACT

 

If you have been affected or know any members or friends of MCC NOVA who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy, please let us know by contacting the church office at 703-691-0930 or [email protected].

 

IMPACT ON OTHER MCC's

 

MCC Moderator Nancy Wilson communicates the following:

 

We have been in touch with churches and networks in the areas most impacted by Sandy, and wanted to update you on a couple of situations.

 

1.       Open Door MCC, Boyds MD has had major damage to the roof of their building.  Nancy has been in touch with the pastor, and we are working out what their immediate needs are to be able to provide assistance.

 

2.       MCC NY - Rev Pat and Mary Jane are without power or water in their home, in a high-rise, so they are struggling until that situation gets resolved.  The church building seems to be ok.  However, as you may imagine from the news coverage there is great human need in New York.  The church is trying to assist staff and church members as best they can, but they need some resources to help them do that.  In addition, MCCNY's food pantry deliveries are being delayed, and they are not sure when they will be able to get more food.

 

Please keep these communities in prayer and we will relay further information about how you can assist them directly.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP IN THE WIDER RELIEF EFFORT

 

American Red Cross
 
The Red Cross is providing shelter, clothes, supplies, food and blood, as needed, for the victims of Sandy. You can donate blood, but in terms of items, you'll be doing more for those in need by donating money instead of physical goods.

Text message: Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. As in the case with other donations via mobile, the donation will show up on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your balance if you have a prepaid phone. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way. (If you change your mind, text the word STOP to 90999.)

Phone: 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 800-257-7575; for TDD,  800-220-4095.

To donate blood: Visit this Red Cross Web page.

Online: www.redcross.org

 

Salvation Army

 The Salvation Army is providing meals and shelter. "At this point, in-kind donations, such as used clothing and used furniture, are not being accepted for hurricane relief. However, these items are vital to supporting the day-to-day work of your local Salvation Army," the organization said Tuesday in a press release.

Text message: Text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation. To confirm the donation, respond with the word "Yes."

Phone: 800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769)

Online: www.salvationarmy.org.

 

Humane Society of the United States

 Many pet owners were able to take their pets with them, but for those who were not, the Humane Society's Animal Rescue Team is assembling staff and equipment to help rescue pets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Phone: 301-258-8276

Online: Humane Society of the United States

 

American Humane Society
 
The association is helping animals that may need rescue or shelter.

Text message: Text the word HUMANE to 80888 to donate $10.

Phone: 866-242-1877.

Online: The AHA's website for donating is here.

 

Habitat for Humanity
 
Habitat, an international organization, helps those in need rebuild their homes after disaster strikes.

Phone: As of Tuesday morning, Habitat's online donation system was not available. If you want to make a donation, you can call Habitat's Partner Service Center at 800-HABITAT (422-4828). Press "0" when prompted and representatives will take your donation information over the phone.

Online: This is Habitat for Humanity's main website.

What's Happening at MCC NOVA! 

  

MCC NOVA'S NEXT TOP DESIGNER

 

Rev Onetta is looking for a few creative decorators to assist in preparing our Sanctuary for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. If that's you, please contact Rev Onetta or the office manager.

 

 

BIBLE STUDY

November. 14 and 28, Dec. 5, 12, and 19

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

After our recent break, MCC will continue our Bible study in November - December.  We will continue with the gospel of John, Chapter 7.  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.

 

 

HAVE YOU MISSED CHURCH RECENTLY?  

 

You may have missed church recently.  You may not realize that we are are counting on you and your donations to keep our lights burning, the heat pumping, and our payroll obligations met.  As the saying goes, it takes a village, or at least a whole congregation, to keep our church alive and healthy.  Won't you please consider sending a donation to your church, either by snail mail to the office, or by using our PayPal link, and help us keep our lights on?  Thanks, The Board of Directors

 

  

YOU ARE INVITED!

 

You are invited to attend the Ordination Service for DeWayne Davis on Saturday, November 17 at 1 pm at MCC DC.

 

 

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 final session on November 8th will be on "Praying with the Body", praying through the use of our bodies and letting them speak for us. This will be a very gentle service using simple body positions. "It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart." - Mahatma Gandhi, preeminent leader of the Indian nationalism in British-ruled India who employed non-violent civil disobedience.

 

  

THANKSGIVING POTLUCK

Sunday, November 18

 

Join us for worship, followed by our  Thanksgiving potluck celebration.  Any Ministry team that is willing to coordinate this effort, please notify the Pastor or the office.

 

 

candle  TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

 

Transgendered Woman Stoned to Death in Brazil

We Will Remember

 

 "A transgender woman in Brazil has died after being stoned by a group of attackers last week, reports Gay Star News."

 

This was the lead paragraph in a story reported online by the Advocate on October 26, 2012.

 

The name of the woman, who was pelted with cobblestones by multiple attackers, was Madona. She died of traumatic head injuries.

 

Madona's story does not have to end there. Not if we reclaim it for her. The TransFormations Ministry Team is giving us the opportunity to do just that as part of the Fourth Annual Northern Virginia Interfaith TransGender Day of Remembrance Service. Madona and the scores of other transgendered individuals who were murdered in 2012 will be remembered in love at the service, entitled "Our Stories."

 

The service will take place on Tuesday, November 20, starting at 7:00 P.M., in the MCC NOVA sanctuary.

 

Attendees are invited to bring a canned good and/or an article of clothing for donation to TransGender Health Empowerment (T.H.E.) in Washington, D.C.

All are welcome. Please come!

 

 

JOIN US AS WE PRAY FOR MCC NOVA!

  

Join us as we 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

 

 
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 & POTLUCK

Sunday, December 9, after worship.

 

Please join us for this important meeting. Bring a dish to share.

All are welcome.

 

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 

Tuesday, November 13, 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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