MCC NOVA Monthly Update
January 2015

Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, Senior Pastor

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

Blank Slates?

January 1st-new year, blank slate. Time to get serious about quitting smoking, losing weight, exercising, reducing (or eliminating) our alcohol consumption; heck, we might even go to church more often!

Then again, let's not get crazy about it all, right?

A lot of folks use January 1st as a target date to start-or restart-healthy lifestyle changes. And that's great! From what I read, setting a target start date to make a positive change or start a program of some type is one way taking such commitments "out of our heads and mouths" and bringing them one step closer....

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MCC NoVA

JOIN the 'LUNCH BUNCH'!

THIS SUNDAY 12:15pm Everyone is invited to join us at our twice-per-month Lunch Bunch gathering. This a time of great food and conversation with our friends. This is an especially good time and place for people who are new to our church to become better acquainted with our congregation. Currently, we are meeting at Buffalo Wing University because it is so easily accessible to the church. We generally meet at 12:15 pm and are usually done by 2:30 pm. We'd love to have you join us! If you have questions or need additional information, feel free to contact Kim Habermann or John Corbin.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

OPPORTUNITIES

MCC NOVA invites you to attend

these Christian Education Opportunities in 2015.

A series of 3 films
offered through the UFMCC Office of Emerging Ministries:

A Justice That Heals by Jay Shefsky is a documentary that explores the aftermath of a senseless murder of a 19-year-old man, Andrew Young, by 18-year-old Mario Ramos. It centers on Mario's parish priest, Fr. Bob Oldershaw, as he confronts the reality that this terrible act was committed by a member of his church and that the family of the victim lives in the very neighborhood of the church.

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 7:00.

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North in which the producer, Katrina Browne, tells the story of her forefathers, the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. Given the myth that the South is solely responsible for slavery, viewers will be surprised to learn that Browne's ancestors were Northerners. The film follows Browne and nine family members on a remarkable journey which brings them face-to-face with the history and legacy of New England's hidden enterprise.

Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 7:00.

TRANS by SexSmart Films is an extraordinary documentary feature film about men and women...and all the variations in between. Inspired by the incredible story of Christine McGinn, and her important work as a transgender surgeon. TRANS provides an up-close and very personal view into the lives, loves, and challenges of a remarkable cast of characters of all ages and from all walks of life.

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 7:00.

Following each of these films we will have a discussion of the issues presented and your responses to the films.

Please sign up for these opportunities with the church office or on the sign-up sheet that will be located on the literature table in the fellowship hall. We will require at least 4 participants to offer these opportunities for your engagement with these challenging issues.

Please plan to come!

The next offering will be on Thursdays,

beginning February 12th for five weeks.

We will work with the book :

Saving Jesus from the Church:

How to Stop Worshiping Christ and Start Following Jesus

by Robin R. Meyers.

Additional information

will be provided in future announcements.

On-going

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

The Choir practices at 9:00 am Sunday mornings. If you're interested in participating in the choir and/or our music ministry, please contact our volunteer Music Minister, Kurt Jaeger; jaegerkp@netscape.net.

WORSHIP PARTICIPATION INVITED

Are you interested in participating in Worship as a Reader, Community Prayer, Offering Appeal, Communion Minister or Acolyte? Please contact the office @ info@mccnova.com or Mark Fox @ mfox227@yahoo.com or sign-up in the Sacristy outside the Fellowship Hall. Our MCC NOVA Worship experience needs you!

The FEBRUARY Celebration schedule is posted on the Sacristy door - please sign up for FEBRUARY today!

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.

HELP THE HOMELESS PROGRAMS

DECEMBER 2014 THROUGH JANUARY 2015

Over the next 2 months, MCC NoVA

will have a few opportunities to serve area homeless:

From January 4, 2015 to January 10, 2015, St. Andrews, 6509 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke, VA 22015, is hosting area homeless. We are making dinner on January 10th and sending volunteers during the week.

From January 3, 2015 to February 1, 2015, we are collecting clothes, coats, blankets, shoes, and other items for the Community for Creative Non-Violence shelter in D.C.

We collect food for the United Methodist Church in Herndon. Gail Van Buren takes the food to the pantry on the first Sunday of the month.

We are also collecting books for ESL students from kindergarten - 6th grade.

If you have any questions, please contact Pat Monahan, pmmonahan@cox.net.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE NEEDS?

Do you have a care need? Prayer, hospital or home visit, a ride, assistance in your home, or just a friendly face to talk to?

The Pastor is leader of Pastoral/Congregational Care Ministry, and you can contact the office at 703-691-0931 or info@mccnova.com when Care is needed.

Community News

Ed Kenny

We are saddened to announce that Ed Kenny died January 1, 2015, at 6:20 am. Donations in honor of Ed may be sent to the following address:

Hospice House of Beckley

456 Cranberry Drive

Beckley, WV 25801

RE: In Memory of Ed Kenny

Check This Out!

DO YOU SHOP AT AMAZON.COM?

WHO DOESN'T, RIGHT?!

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support MCC NOVA every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to

MCC NOVA! It's easy. Just click on the 'smile' icon and sign up using your Amazon login and remember to start at smile.amazon.com when you shop!

P.S. If you prefer to shop directly at individual online retailers, check out the iGive.com link in the column to right for a similar opportunity.

Register Now!

Mark your Calendar for General Conference, 4-8 July 2016!

Be a part of this historic Conference, where we will:

Celebrate the ministry and retirement of our Moderator Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson;

Elect and welcome the new Moderator;

Elect a new Governing Board; and

Decide on a renewed Statement of Faith!

____________________________________________

Start making plans today to secure your spot in Victoria, B.C., Canada, for General Conference XXVI, 4-8 July 2016. General Conference will be packed with exciting sessions all day, starting at 8am on Monday, 4 July, and ending at approximately 10pm on Friday, 8 July, with a beautiful worship service
and closing reception.

Promo rates are only available until 31 March 2015.

Register Here!

How Do I Get In Here?

To place a ministry-related announcement in our weekly e-update or monthly e-Newsletter or for more information about placing a community announcement, please contact church office at newsletter@mccnova.com. For church bulletin announcements, please contact the church office at info@mccnova.com.

Read Along

SUNDAY WORSHIP

January 11

11:00 am

First Reading

Acts 19:1-7

Second Reading

from
from C.Joybell C

Third Reading

from

Leonard Cohen

Reflection:

"A Cracked Faith"

Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, preaching

Links

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Church Calendar

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Support MCC NOVA

Did you know that you can do your shopping online at more than 900 great stores and up to 26% of your purchases goes to MCC NOVA?. Click on the iGive.com link above to start shopping and sharing!

2015 Stewardship Letter Pledge Form

DONATE TO

MCC NOVA

Click on the link above to make a tax-deductible donation to MCC NOVA via Paypal or your credit card

___________________

NEED SPACE?

For a meeting or event?

Contact the Church Office at 703-691-0930
or info@mccnova.com
for more information on space rental

________________

Church Staff:

Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Danny Spears

Office Manager

Rev. Emma Chattin

Keyboard Accompanist Jorge Martinez

Board of Directors:

Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, Moderator

Frank Vance,

Vice Moderator

Kurt Jaeger Clerk

Mark Fox,

Treasurer

Ginny Miles,

Assistant Treasurer

Kim Habermann,

At-Large