Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to sleep Saturday night!  :)

 


MCC NOVA Weekly Update  

MARCH 5, 2015
 
 




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

And Jesus Said, "Seriously?!?"

 

 

     

From "The Message"  

(Mark 9:38-41):

 

John spoke up, "Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't in our group."

 

Jesus wasn't pleased. "Don't stop him.  No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down.  If he's not an enemy, he's an ally.  Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side.  Count on it that God will notice."

 

My first pastorate was in Corpus Christi, Texas. At that time, MCC of Corpus Christi was one of three churches that openly welcomed LGBT people into full participation in our community life. The other churches were affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Please note I said, "openly welcomed." There were a few other groups who had no real issues with LGBT folk; it was just their denominations didn't officially sanction the openness of these groups.

 

Continue Reading 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MCC NoVA

POW WOW WITH THE PASTOR

MARCH 8 Join us this Sunday 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.


CONFIRMED DATE - MARCH 8

Once these sessions have been completed
members may request a hard-copy
of the PowerPoint presentation.

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

   

 

DID YOU KNOW?

 

There is a lot more happening  

at MCC NoVA than meets the eye!

 

For example, in the month of FEBRUARY:

  • Volunteers logged approximately 37 hours in the office and cleaning the church
  • Nine members and friends helped prepare and deliver 40 bags of food as part of our monthly Feed the Homeless Ministry.  Thanks to Gail V., Susan, Pat, Ginny R., Duane, Rozi, Myriam, Jazzie and Pastor Danny!
  • A total of 36 people attended our Second Fridays and Fourth Fridays transgender support groups
  • A total of 14 people attended three book discussion sessions
  •  Two volunteers worked a total of 35 hours at hypothermia shelters. Plus, at the last minute, these same two volunteers spent four hours preparing and delivering dinners to a hypothermia shelter when the scheduled volunteer team cancelled.  Way to go, Jazzie and Jaime!

 

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

HELP THE HOMELESS MINISTRY 

First Sunday each month ~ Food prep on preceding 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 Holy Trinity 

 

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 March (1-8), we will be assisting Holy Trinity in Annandale. To sign up please contact  

Pat Monahan- pmmonahan@cox.net.  

 

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

 

   

 

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

girlybob@aol.com.  


 

 

 

 

 

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

    

        MARCH 8               

11:00 am

 

First Reading 
from Christopher Moore's book, "Lamb: The Gospel
According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal    
         
  
    
Reflection:
 
"When Jesus Has a Bad Day"
 

Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, preaching

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___________________ 

 

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