MCC NOVA Weekly Update  
FEBRUARY 5, 2015 
 




    
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, Senior Pastor 
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

 

It's Lent! Woo Hoo!  

(Yeah, Right)

 


We are rapidly approaching everyone's favorite season of the church year-Lent; that wonderful, uplifting season where we are reminded of our mortality-from dust we came, and to dust we shall return. In case you are not familiar with this season, Lent is a period of fasting (giving up a particular food, meal, or habit), repentance, and reflection traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations in preparation for Easter. The season lasts 40 days, and different churches calculate those 40 days in different ways. In Western Christianity, Lent typically begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter Sunday), not counting the weekends.

  

            Yep-fasting, repentance, and reflection; sounds like a party to me! Yeah, right!

Continue Reading 

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MCC NoVA


EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

 
BOOK STUDY 

  

Saving Jesus from the Church:  

How to Stop Worshiping Christ  

and Start Following Jesus  

by Robin R. Meyers

   

In his book, Robin Meyers takes the best of biblical scholarship and recasts the following core Christian concepts to encourage the church to purse an alternative vision of Christian life:

  • Jesus as Teacher, not Savior
  • Christianity as Compassion, not Condemnation
  • Prosperity as Dangerous, not Divine
  • Discipleship as Obedience, not Control
  • Religion as Relationship, not Righteousness

The book study is set to begin Thursday on February 12 and continue for 5 weeks, 7 - 8:30 pm.   

 

But don't worry if you can't attend ~ there is a Facebook Page for a broader discussion.  Simply look for "MCC NoVA Book Group" on Facebook and join the conversation!!

  

 
POW WOW WITH THE PASTOR
 
Join us after church as we examine our current "State of the Union" as it pertains to MCC NoVA's attendance trends over the past five years. We will look at explanations for those trends, as well as how those trends impact our present and future.

Please sign up for one of four identical "Pow Wow with the Pastor" sessions using the signup sheets in the Social Hall, or by calling the church office at 703-691-0930. Pastor Danny asks for a minimum signup of four people for a session to be held.
The current date(s) for these sessions are:

February 15th - CONFIRMED
Possible Dates
if Sufficient Number Sign Up:  
February 22nd 
March 1st
March 8th
 
If you plan to attend one of the above dates
but have not yet signed up for that date, please do so!

Thank you for your continued interest  
in the life and ministry of MCC NoVA!


We ARE Having an Ash Wednesday Service
on February 18th

February 18, 7 pm  Join us for a meaningful evening Ash Wednesday service in the style of Taizé, with readings, sung chants, and the imposition of ashes.


MOVIE NIGHT IS BACK!

    

February 20, 7 pm  Movie Night is back at Frank's House in Alexandria (off Columbia Pike)!  This month's selection is the new film, PRIDE.   What happens when a group of very openly gay activists journey to a small conservative mining town to offer support as the town copes with the hardships associated with a mining strike? The results are heartwarming and sure to generate much discussion.  Join us for a time of pizza and friendship as we watch this wonderful new film together.  Please RSVP to Frank at 703-577-6806, or see him personally at church to get directions! Everyone is welcome!

  

     

REIKI LEVEL 1 CLASS

February 28, 2015

12:00 - 4:00pm

 

February 28, 12-4 pm  Reiki is the Japanese name for an energy healing method which promotes healing by activating the relaxation response and helping the body to balance itself from a very deep level. Reiki is usually done by placing the hands in a series of positions over or slightly above the body. While everyone has the ability to heal, reiki provides a structure to increase the effectiveness of that healing.

 

Locally every cancer support program and hospice have an alternative/complimentary healing program which includes the provision of reiki. Most of these programs require that volunteers prove they were trained by a certified Reiki Master Teacher. This Reiki Level 1 class meets those requirements.

Researching reiki classes in the area one will find the cost averages $100-125. This class is being offered for $50 as a fund raiser for the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia. All proceeds will go to the church.

 

For more information and to register for the class, contact the instructor Duane Bowers RMT at duane@duanetbowers.com or 202-236-5452.

 

Pre-registration is required.

 

  

DID YOU KNOW?

 

Did you know there is a lot more happening  

at MCC NoVA than meets the eye?

 

For example, in the month of January:

  • Volunteers logged approximately 35 hours in the office and cleaning the church
  • Nine members and friends helped prepare and deliver 42 bags of food as part of our monthly Feed the Homeless Ministry
  • 12 members and friends helped prepare and serve food as well as staff two different hypothermia shelters
  • A total of 28 people attended our Second Fridays and Fourth Fridays transgender support groups
  • A total of 45 people attended our January Film and Discussion series

 

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 MARCH Celebration schedule is posted on the Sacristy door - please sign up for MARCH 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.

 

 

Helping the Homeless at St. Andrews

 

During the winter, area churches take turns providing Fairfax homeless people with warm meals and shelter.    Though MCC NoVA cannot host the homeless, we help other churches who have big facilities but insufficient  staff to cover a whole week.    

 

In February, we will be helping Holy Trinity in Annandale.    In March, we will be assisting Fairfax Baptist.   We will post the exact dates next week.

 

We also 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 - High School.

If you have any questions, or if you would like more info about our Help the Homeless programs, 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.

  

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.

 

DENOMINATION NEWS

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

General Conference ~ 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?
 
opendoor
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

    

         February 8              

11:00 am

 

First Reading
 Mark 1:40-45   
        
 
Second Reading 

from Elizabeth Gilbert in "Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage:"

 

Third Reading
from M. Scott Peck
    
       
Reflection:
 
"The Power of Choice "
 

Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, preaching

Join Our Mailing List!

Links


Visit Our Website

Find us on Facebook
 Visit MCC NOVA's Facebook page 
 
Support MCC NOVA

igive 

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!


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