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MCCDCEBLAST
In White House gardens following President Obama's signing of today's executive order barring federal contractors from LGBT employment discrimination. A great day for religious freedom, justice and equality! - at The White House.
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, MCC Moderator; Rev. Harry Knox, RCRC President/CEO; Rev. Susan Russell, All Saints Episcopal, Pasadena; Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston, Disciples Justice Action Network; Bishop Gene Robinson, Retired Episcopal Bishop of NH; Rabbi David Saperstein, Director/Counsel Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rev. Rob Keithan, RCRC Policy Director; Rev. Fred Davie, VP at Union Theological Seminary.
Photo courtesy of Rev. Rob Keithan.
REMINDER:
COMMUNITY PICNIC
AUGUST 3, 12:30PM
ROCK CREEK PARK
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METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, DC
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JULY 24, 2014
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FROM SEEDS TO EXPANSION
"As a Christian, I follow Jesus, who put people before the law and mercy before judgment. As a member of the human community, I pray that we all live together in peace and freedom. It doesn't come easy, but do not fall asleep at this critical time. Stay awake! Stand up for freedom-not just for yourselves, but for all people."
~ Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
 Sometimes seeds that are planted never grow. Other times the seeds expand into outcomes we can celebrate. That was true this past Monday (July 21) when our own Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson was in the East Room of the White House as President Obama signed an executive order barring anti-LGBT discrimination among federal contractors and in the federal workforce.
Metropolitan Community Church has been planting seeds for this moment since our pre-Stonewall founding on October 6, 1968. Moderator Wilson was especially pleased that the order did not include sweeping religious exemptions: "religious exemption from the law is a dangerous by-product of religious bigotry, not religious liberty. Now we see the harm . . .In my decades of ministry within MCC I have seen the harms of discrimination-the alienation from families, from faith traditions, and even from our own bodies through self-destruction."
 It is significant that this historic executive order includes the "T" in LGBT. President Obama specifically included the "T" in his statement: "It doesn't make any sense, but today in America, millions of our federal citizens wake up and go to work with the awareness that they could lose their job, not because of what they do and fail to do, but simply because of who they are-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-and that's wrong. We're here to bend that arc justice just a little bit in the other direction."
Let us take time to celebrate this victory. Then let us get back to work planting seeds and expanding the arc of justice beyond what we've previously conceived. In my message this Sunday, we'll see how in Matthew 13 Jesus describes expansion through powerful images such a seeds, yeast and a treasure hidden in a field.
See you Sunday at 9am and 11am.
Faithfully,
Rev. Dwayne
Fringe Festival
A LESBIAN BELLE TELLS. . .
Only two shows remain of one of the top shows of the 175 presented in the Fringe Festival. Of all the shows, this is the only lesbian solo show. Reviewer Kim Moeller says Elizabeth McCain "tells of love and loss with a mix of pathos, playfulness, and sincerity."
The show is directed by Tanya Taylor Rubinstein. Elizabeth is a friend of MCCDC. In describing the production Elizabeth says, "In addition to OUTrageous stories about growing up as a Mississippi belle, and then coming out in DC and at family funerals, I also have some serious stories about healing from family estrangement and loss, that I think many LBGT folks will appreciate."
The final two shows are Friday night (July 25) and Saturday. I have tickets for the Friday night show and hope many of you can join me. Shows are at the Goethe Institut-Main Stage at 812 7th Street NW. Get your tickets at www.capitalfringefestival.org
~Rev. Dwayne
RIDGE STREET GATE CLOSURE!
Due to construction at 462 Ridge street and in the back of the back portion of the parking lot, the Ridge Street Gate will be closed at times to accommodate equipment and the construction project. Please follow the signs and be respectful of others who use the parking lot.
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MCCDC ACTION FORUM
"Our Families, Our Faith, Our Experiences;
Conversations to Share with Your +1."
Thursday July 31st at MCCDC from 6:30-8:30PM
Action forums are gatherings that are designed to individually and collectively expand the possibilities to be increased forces for justice and integrity in our community. These possibilities are intended to be experienced through the lens of faith. Through speakers, film, concerts, creative partnerships, and community engagement the forum will actively integrate the role of this community of faith in social circumstances by putting ethical tools and resources into the hands of friends and members who seek to be at work in the local and global community today.
This will be an evening for community to share their experiences and hear each other's' stories of coming out, acceptance, embrace, and struggles of the LGBTQIA community that echo across the world.
Please bring someone, your "+1"; this could be a family member, confidante, or conflicted relative. It will be a safe space where your guests are more than welcome to share their stories, or even just sit and observe." Also please bring a pillow.
Our featured conversation partners will be visiting global HRC fellows who have a passion for community engagement, family and equality.
JANE (TJAY) WOTHAYA THIRIKWA
NAIROBI, KENYA
TUSHAR MALIK
NEW DELHI, INDIA
COME ONE, COME ALL
MCCDC PICNIC, AUGUST 3, 12:30PM
You are invited to an MCCDC picnic sponsored by the Older Adult Ministry.
Get ready for fun in the sun and under the pavilion. The picnic will be held at Rock Creek Park Loop 013 area. Maps and sign-up sheets will be located at the information station.
FOR A SPIRITUAL WORKSHOP
The Spiritual Workshop for Couples (SWC) is a one day, 8 hour intense workshop developed by Dr. Veronica Franklin who is a licensed professional counselor who practices psychotherapy in Washington D C, and Baltimore. The SWC is designed for couples in the GBLTQ community who have a spiritual background and are looking to improve their relationship. The workshop provides each couple with individual techniques to get back to the place of love, rekindle old romance and develop new skills to sustain the relationship during difficult. The retreat will be held on August 30th from 8 AM to 5 PM at MCCDC. For more information please contact Rev Cathy at [email protected] or 202-638-7373. The cost is $100 per couple. "Only a FEW space remain so if you are interested, please sign up now."
�Adoremos y Alabemos a Dios!
Nosotros, ICMDC Unid@s, adoremos
y alabemos a Dios!
On Saturday, July 26, Unid@s, the MCCDC Hispanic/Latin@ outreach ministry will once again hold its monthly worship service at 6pm in the sanctuary here at MCCDC. We will have wonderful music, liturgy, great food and fellowship. Tom Simmons, clergy intern, will be our celebrant and preacher who will deliver Jesus' Good News of radically inclusive love.
The service will be mostly in Spanish; however, the Scripture readings and the sermon are usually translated into English. So whether or not you are a Spanish speaker, please come and celebrate this joyous occasion with us! For more information, contact Tom Simmons, Ministry Intern, at [email protected] or (202) 638-7373.
C�rculo de Oraci�n
"Donde est�n dos o tres reunidos en mi nombre, all� estoy yo en medio de ellos." Mateo 18:20
Every Sunday at 12:30 pm in the MCCDC chapel on the second floor, Unid@s has a regular prayer group. Come and pray with us! All are welcome!
Reuni�n
Unid@s, the MCCDC Hispanic/Latin@ outreach ministry will have its monthly business meeting on Saturday, July 12. All are welcome to attend! For more information, contact Tom Simmons, Ministry Intern, at [email protected] or (202) 638-7373.
Paz y Bendiciones de Cristo+
MCCDC Welcomes Visiting Artist
Cassandra White
Sunday August 10
9am and 11am
A native of Houston, Texas, Cassandra White is renown locally, nationally and internationally for such vehicles as her performance as Liza Hughes in the Broadway Production of Civil War, performed at the St. James Theatre in New York and prior to that at the Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas, A featured singer with the Harlem Gospel Singers, Ms. White has performed in France, Germany and Switzerland in the show The Best of Gospel - Rock My Soul.
Cassandra began her vocal career singing in the church at the age of five. A graduate of High School of the Performing and Visual Arts and Texas Southern University, Ms. White is a soprano beyond parallel.
She is currently teaching Elementary Music, and directing Resurrection MCC's Gospel Ensemble, an internationally known multi-cultural gospel choir. She has also directed the conference choirs for several People of African Descent (PAD) conferences. Her CD projects include Remembering the Spirituals and Twisted Torch: A Celebration of Life! Click to view Cassandra singing Picture Yourself, a song she composed for Twisted Torch: A Celebration of Life!
Click here to listen to Cassandra on YouTube.
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PRIDE BIBLE STUDY TUESDAY, JULY 29, 7PM
PRIDE BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES
THROUGH TUESDAY, JULY 29, 7PM
"This year's Bible Study Theme is "Applying Our Faith". Our PRIDE Bible Study Series will focus on Spiritual defensive ". Come join us as we discuss the following topics:
- June 3-July 29: Book: BulletProof Faith- by Rev Candace Chellew-Hodge (During this study, the author of the book is scheduled to Skype with the group and answer questions.")
In two short years, people who attend MCC churches from around the world will gather at our next General Conference in Victoria, BC Canada, to elect the next global leader of Metropolitan Community Churches. The MCC Moderator Nominating Committee is asking that all members and friends of the MCC participate in Moderator Search Process as follows: Take a 15-minute survey in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or German: http://bit.ly/MNCsurvey
Share your thoughts about the characteristics, opportunities and challenges facing the next global leader of MCC! It is important that we hear from the many diverse voices that make up the global movement that is MCC! Nearly 500 people have responded to the MNC survey so far; we are hoping that you can help us keep the momentum going!
Please hold the MCC Moderator Nominating Committee in your prayers as we shepherd the search process over the next two years.
You can find out more about the search process on the MNC home page: http://bit.ly/MNChome
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance!
The MCC Moderator Nominating Committee
SHARE PROGRAM
JULY SHARE PROGRAM
PICK-UP YOUR ORDERS THIS SATURDAY!!
"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.
JULY SHARE DATES:
*Pick up orders-July 26, 10:30am
For more information, please contact a Pastoral Care Minister or James Newkirk at [email protected].
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MCCDC CHURCH INFORMATION
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, DC
MCCDC
202-638-7373
MCCDC WEBSITE
www.mccdc.com
MCCDC ONLINE GIVING MCCDC TEXT GIVING 202-999-3841 MCCDC CONTACT INFORMATION: 800-Church Office801-Senior Pastor802-Minister of Connections804-Bookkeeper
806-Music Minister
SPANISH SPEAKING WORSHIP SERVICE
JULY 27
9AM /11AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
REV. J. DWAYNE JOHNSON
"FROM SEEDS TO EXPANSION"
TUESDAY,
JULY 29
BIBLE STUDY
7PM
THURSDAY,
JULY 31
MCCDC ACTION FORUM
6:30-8:30PM
MCCDC SANCTUARY
SUNDAY,
AUGUST 3
MCCDC PICNIC
12:30PM
ROCK CREEK PARK
SUNDAY,
AUGUST 10
CASSANDRA WHITE
9AM & 11AM
SERVICES
SATURDAY,
AUGUST 30
COUPLES RETREAT
8AM-5PM
MCCDC
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 INFORMATION STATION
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STOP BY THE
INFORMATION STATION:
1. Pick-up your Sunday Bulletin
2. Complete your attendance card
3. Stop by the Giving Kiosk
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METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WASHINGTON, DC * 474 RIDGE STREET NW * 202-638-7373
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