MCC NOVA Weekly Update  
FEBRUARY 12, 2015
 
 




    

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

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MCC NoVA

POW WOW WITH THE PASTOR
This Sunday February 15th - CONFIRMED

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:

This Sunday February 15th - CONFIRMED

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

MOVIE NIGHT IS BACK!   

At Frank's House in Alexandria (off Columbia Pike)!

February 20, 7 pm   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.  Everyone is welcome! Please RSVP to Frank at 703-577-6806, or see him personally at church to get directions! 

 

 

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 [email protected] or 202-236-5452.  Pre-registration is required.

 

 

   

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!!

   

 

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; [email protected].

 

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 @ [email protected] or Mark Fox @ [email protected] 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 [email protected].

 

 

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, [email protected].

 
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  [email protected] 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

 

   

 

From Our Lay Delegate
Jane Bennett-Bailey

Our domination will be electing a new moderator at the July 2016 General Conference.  Therefore we (Laity & Clergy) are being given the opportunity to submit nominations for consideration.  I would like your input on nominations.  Please follow this link to learn more about the process for nominations.

Nominations may be submitted from 1 February through 15 March 2015. All nominations will be considered by the Moderator Nominating Committee as it works to develop a targeted list of applicants for our Invitation to Apply for the Office of Moderator.

If you have someone who meets the qualifications and you'd like to nominate them, please send me their information by Wednesday, March 11th so I can write up the nomination and send it in by the deadline.   

 

If you have a nomination, please be sure to speak with that individual to see if they are interested before forwarding their name to me.  I appreciate your input.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at

[email protected].  


 

 

 

 

 

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 [email protected].  For church bulletin announcements, please contact the church office at [email protected].

 Read Along

 

SUNDAY WORSHIP

    

         February 15               

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

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igive 

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___________________ 

 

NEED SPACE?
For a meeting or event?
Contact the Church Office at 703-691-0930
or [email protected]
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