MCC NOVA Weekly Update  

APRIL 2, 2015




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

 

 

Spring Cleanin' Time!

 

            I will bet there are people reading this article who remember the annual ritual known as "Spring Cleaning." Who knows? Maybe some of us still observe this age-old tradition.

 

            In my much, much younger years, I remember around this time every year my mother would spend at least a week (or two, if she went on a painting binge) pulling down every curtain in the house for washing and ironing, washing windows inside and out, shampooing the living room carpet, stripping-then re-waxing-all the other home floor surfaces, and going through what seemed like gallons of Pine-Sol, as she washed every floor board, window sill, and crown molding in the house. And believe you me, once my sister and I were old enough to handle one of those heavy string mops and climb ladders safely, we were pressed into service, giving Mom more time to do things like defrost refrigerators, freezers, and pull out all the kitchen appliances so she could scrub the floors and walls where they were located.

 

 
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MCC NoVA

 

A Note from the Pastor:

 

 

I am happy to report that the Board of Directors unanimously voted to explore a mentoring relationship with Ministry of the Beauty Way, a soon-to-be emerging church of MCC which will be located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and pastored by the soon-to-be ordained Pat Spears. So what does this mean?

 

2% of our monthly assessment to MCC will be set aside to support this work, which means no additional financial obligation for MCC NoVA to help support this project. We will provide assistance in the form of presence at special events and administrative mentoring as well as training opportunities and shared ministries when it is possible for us to do so.  

 

Our first opportunity to support this effort is Saturday, April 18th, by attending the ordination service of Pat Spears. The service will be held at 1p.m. at The Lord's Chapel, Winchester, VA. There will be a time of fellowship afterwards.

 

I encourage us to take advantage of this opportunity to share and be a positive presence in this effort to birth a new MCC community in West Virginia!

  

OK, the Pow Wow's Are Done.  

What's Next?

   

Thanks to everyone who was able to participate in our recent Pow Wow with the Pastor sessions! As a result of those meetings and your feedback, we have determined there is sufficient interest and energy to move forward with the reinvention of MCC NoVA! So what's next?

 

There are three small group sessions scheduled in April: Thursday, April 16th 7:00 p.m. at the home of Ginny Reed and the Rev. Gail Minnick; Saturday, April 18th 7:00 p.m. at the home of Frank Vance; and Sunday April 26th, immediately following service.  We ask that people from the Reston/Herndon area try their best to attend the session at Ginny and Gail's (limit12, please). Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church folks, please try to attend the session at Frank's. The session at church is the "catch all" for everyone who cannot attend one of the other sessions.   

 

In each 1-2 hour session, we will complete one exercise to help us discover MCC NoVA's primary spiritual identity. Then, as we move forward with discovering what's next for our church, whoever we decide to be, and whatever we decide to offer in the way of celebration services, education and to the community, will come from that identity-a place of spiritual authenticity.

 

Please sign up! ~ There are sign-up sheets for each meeting in the Fellowship area!

 

DRUMMING!

April 22, 7 pm   Come join us for an evening of drumming on Wednesday, April 22nd at ...7:00 at MCC NOVA. This also happens to be Earth Day and I think we will drum, at least partially, for the healing of our wonderful mother earth. Any questions, please contact Gail Minnick at 703-969-3008 gailminnick@msn.com. If you need a drum or have an extra djembe, please let Gail know. It's been too long since we have drummed...
      
 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

 

As a gift to MCC NoVA, Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister of Sunshine Cathedral, will be visiting MCC NoVA May 16th and 17th. Planning is in progress for a one-day retreat to be led by Rev. Dr. Watkins on Saturday the 16th, and he will be preaching on the 17th! So mark your calendars now, and prepare to be blessed!

  

DID YOU KNOW?

 

There is a lot more happening  

at MCC NoVA than meets the eye!

 

For example, in the month of MARCH:

  • Volunteers logged approximately 35 hours in the office and cleaning the church
  • Seven members and friends helped prepare and deliver 42 bags of food as part of our monthly Feed the Homeless Ministry.  
  • A total of 34 people attended our Second Fridays and Fourth Fridays transgender support groups
  • A total of 10 people attended two book discussion sessions.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

    

         APRIL 5           

11:00 am

 

First Reading 
 Luke 13: 21  
         
 Second Reading
from Martin Luther

 

  Third Reading  

 from Deepak Chopra  

      
Reflection:
 
"What IS That Smell?"
 

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