MEMBERSHIP CLASS SUNDAY, FEB. 9 Membership Class will be held on Sunday February 9 FROM 12:30-2:30PM in the lower level conference room. If you have any questions about becoming a member of MCCDC or simply desire more information, please come out and join in. Lunch will be provided. Please sign up Rev. Cathy so that we can have the right amount of food and materials.[email protected] or 202-638-7373. JOIN THE MCCDC STEWARDSHIP TEAM Stewardship means investing your time, talent and treasure. If you have a generous heart, creative ideas, and a willingness to serve, we are looking for you. The stewardship team will assist in coordinating congregational events, activities and communications related to our stewardship. If you are interested, please contact Rev Cathy Alexander for more information.[email protected] or 202-638-7373. PASTOR'S GROUP TO EXPLORE THE LIFE, WRITINGS, AND RELATIONSHIPS OF HOWARD THURMAN, THURSDAY, FEB. 13  In honor of Black History Month the Pastors discussion group will explore the life, writings and relationships of Howard Thurman. Howard Thurman, who was born on November 18, 1899 and died on April 10, 1981, was an influential African American author, philosopher, theologian, dynamic preacher, educator and civil rights leader. He was Dean of Chapel at Howard University and Boston University for more than two decades, and in 1944 helped found a multicultural church.
Thurman was a prolific author, writing 20 books of ethical and cultural criticism. The most famous of his works, Jesus and the Disinherited (1949), deeply influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders, both black and white, of the modern Civil Rights Movement. He served as spiritual advisor and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Please join us on Thursday, February 13 at 7PM in the Welcome Hall. Contact Rev Cathy for additional information at [email protected] or 202-638-7373. JOIN US FEBRUARY 15 FOR A GREAT WEEKEND OF HISTORICAL  
TWO GREAT MCCDC EVENTS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Join your friends at MCCDC February 15 and 16 for two great events. On Saturday, February 15 at 2pm, we will take a tour of the Frederick Douglass Home and on Sunday, February 16 at 2pm, we will take a journey South for the musical "Violet" at the Ford's Theatre. The cost for the two events is $20. You can reserve a spot by going online to www.mccdc.com/donate or email Rev. Cathy at [email protected]M. Seats are limited and we must know by Tuesday, February 11.
Frederick Douglass Home
Saturday, February 15, 2PM
 "I will unite with any one to do right, and with no one to do wrong!"
Walk the halls of Cedar Hill, home of the famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Born into slavery, Douglass escaped to spend his life fighting for justice and equality for all people. His tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity continue to inspire and sustain people today.
Violet
Ford's Theatre
February 16, 2PM
A touching story of love, hope and healing.
In the early 1960s, a young woman travels across the South in search of a miracle. On her journey, she meets two young soldiers who help her learn about courage, beauty and her own self-worth. Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change, Fun Home and Thoroughly Modern Millie) returns with a dynamic score of bluegrass, gospel, country and rock. Directed by Tony-nominated Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies).
WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRIES TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH CULMINATING IN A CONGREGATIONAL CONCERT MARCH 2, 3PM
Each Sunday in February the Worship Arts Ministries will be celebrating Black History Month through special music and spoken word. Black History Month with culminate on Sunday March 2nd @ 3pm with our Celebration of Black History Month Concert. We will be joined by special guests B.E.L.I.E.V.E - an ASL (American Sign Language) performance group. Please plan to stay after services on Sunday March 2nd for a time of food and fellowship followed by our annual Celebration of Black History Month! OLDER ADULTS MINISTRY SPONSORS MICROSOFT OFFICE COMPUTER CLASSES The Older Adults Ministry will be sponsoring Basic Microsoft Office Classes. Microsoft Word 2003 Essentials will take place February 8 and 22 from 10am-12noon, Microsoft Powerpoint 2003 Essentials will take place March 8 and 22 from 10am-12noon, and Microsoft Excel 2003 Essentials will take place April 19 and May 3 from 10am-12noon. Sign-up sheets are at the Information Station. JOIN MCC NOVA FOR A 'WITNESS IN LOVE" DEMONSTRATION ON FEBRUARY 14 The People of Faith for Equality in Virginia (POPEV) are organizing a "Witness for Love", a demonstration for marriage equality for LGBT, at sites across Virginia. MCC NOVA and our faith partners are gathering at the Fairfax County Courthouse, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, at 1:00 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Friday, February 14. Sarah Fershee and Ginny Miles will apply for a marriage license. It would be awesome if parishioners from MCCDC could join us as we give witness to Sarah and Ginny. Please RSVP to [email protected]. HELP MCCDC WITH MAUTNER PROJECT GALA SPONSORSHP-TICKETS AVAILABLE MCCDC will be a Ruby Red Sponsor at the Mautner Project Gala, March 8, 2014. The Gala will be at the JW Marriott. MCCDC has 10 tickets for the Gala. Tickets are $250.00. Proceeds will go to paying the sponsorship costs for MCCDC.  READY TO CARE? WILLING TO SERVE? Do you have a flexible schedule with time to commit? Do you have a consistent prayer life? Are you able to honor confidentiality? Are you on the journey of spiritual maturity? Are you comfortable visiting hospitals and care facilities? Are you able to set healthy boundaries? Is I Corinthians 13 one of your favorite scriptures? If you answered yes to the above questions maybe PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY is for you! UPCOMING PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY MEETINGS: Informational Meeting Thursday, March 6th Training and Discernment Meetings March 20th & April 10th Commissioning for 1 year term Sunday, May 4th "These are the words of the Lord God: Now I myself will ask after my sheep and go in search for them . . . and rescue them, no matter where they were scattered in dark and cloudy days . . . I will search for the lost, recover the straggler, bandage the hurt, strengthen the sick, leave the healthy and strong to play." ~Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16; NEB 
SHARE PROGRAM
PLACE YOUR ORDERS THIS SUNDAY
"If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."
Luke 3:11b (The Message Bible)
With great excitement, the Pastoral Care Ministers of MCCDC will offer food value packages through the "SHARE" Food Network Program. Everyone is invited to participate. You can purchase one of these wonderful food value packages, by seeing one of our Pastoral Care Ministers.
You also can become a caring share financial sponsor for someone else. Let one of the Pastoral Care Ministers know if you want to provide a tax deductible donation to MCCDC's "Share" Program Ministry. Volunteers are needed to assist with picking up the food subsidy items, from the Share Warehouse. The food distribution will take place, here at the MCCDC.
This "SHARE" Program Ministry is also a great opportunity for high school students to receive community service credit hours. The Pastoral Care Ministers received official training in providing the forms and verification high school students to receive credit for community service hours.
The FEBRUARY Share Program schedule is listed below:
Sunday, February 9-Place your orders
Sunday, February 16-Pay For Your Order
Saturday, February 22-Pick-up your order in the MCCDC Welcome Hall-10:30am
For more information, please contact a Pastoral Care Minister or James Newkirk at [email protected].
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If one of the most under-rated spiritual writers of the 20th Century, Howard Thurman, looked at our tree he would remind us that there is more going on than meets the eye. He would say "roots are silently at work in the darkness of the earth against a time when there shall be new leaves" calling us to hope. Through God's grace, even the most barren places are places of hope.
Thurman's teachings echo the teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, including this Sunday's scripture from Matthew 5:13-14 where Jesus says, "You are the salt of the earth. . .You are the light of the world." My message this Sunday will offer ideas on living with a growing edge, even during barren times and barren places. We may look at our tree. . .or at situations in our lives and ask "is there life there?" The life of Jesus inspires us to respond with affirmation.
