INDEX:
v Special Services for Holy Week
v Membership/Inquirer’s Class
v Easter Lily Sale
v Sacred Places
v Journey Rhythms: A Sacred Community Drumming Circle
v Building a Vocal Community
v News from the Care Team
v Communications Team Meeting
v News from Micah Ministries
v From Children’s Ministry
v Spring Self-Growth Workshops
v Updated! Spiritual Retreat
v Save the Date: UFMCC General Conference
1. From the Laptop of Rev. Kharma
Don’t Forget to Check Your Bags!
You may have noticed that we’ve been talking a lot about baggage this Lenten Season. Jean and Kathleen, two of the creative members of our Worship Planning Team, have been presenting our theme of “losing luggage†in very amusing fashion each Sunday. But beneath the laughter about our “Baggage Elimination Serviceâ€, there’s a lot of substance to this. We tend to carry so much with us through life that we don’t really need – preoccupations, hang-ups, regrets, insecurities, fears, stresses, and a host of other issues that distract our attention from the things that really matter. Our invitation in the season of Lent is to give up some of that baggage, and to refocus ourselves on the essentials of our lives and our faith.
I’ve been thinking about what hard work that is.
Sometimes when we leave behind something that had been constant for us (whether or not it was good or bad), we can really feel the void it leaves behind. And, it can be uncomfortable to sit with the Spirit in the midst of that space. However, if we use the space creatively, resist the urge to quickly fill the void with other baggage, and wait patiently and prayerfully for the new life God promises … it can happen. I don’t know if you needed to be reminded of that, or if it’s just me. We’re about half-way through our Lenten journey. Perhaps, like me, some of the baggage you thought you’d dropped off has made it back into your life in one way or another. If so, fear not, there is still time … and, gratefully, there is still grace.
I encourage you to take some time today (even just a minute or two) to pause from your busy-ness and just sit in the quiet with an open heart. Make a mental note about the things, the people, and the relationships that really matter in your life … and then make a note of the things that distract you from giving those the attention you wish you could. The next time you’re here, fill out a baggage claim check with those distractions and drop them off. Let doing so be for you ritual, intention, symbol, prayer … and live these next few weeks of Lent less encumbered, ready and open for the new life we await.
Blessings & Peace,
Kharma
P.S. I want to share with you a meditation that I’ve found helpful this season, and that I hope will be a source of blessing for you as well. It was written by a Czech minister named Norbert Capek, who was arrested by the Nazi Gestapo in 1941. The following was written in 1942 as he was in Dresden Prison, where he was detained before being sent to Dachau.
In the depths of my soul
There where lies the source of strength,
Where the divine and the human meet,
There, quiet your mind, quiet, quiet.
Outside let lightning reign,
Horrible darkness frighten the world.
But from the depths of your own soul
From that silence will rise again
God's flower.
Return to your self,
Rest in your self,
Live in the depths of your soul
Where the divine and the human meet.
Tune your heart to the eternal
And in the depths of your own soul
Your panting quiets down
Where the divine and the human meet,
There is your refuge.
â–¼
Your Thoughts Here…
From the Hearts of the Community --
At MCC NOVA, we believe that being in spiritual community is a source of blessing ... and that one of biggest blessings is the opportunity to share our spiritual journeys with others ... and to become a part of the spiritual journeys of others. In the sharing of our experiences and insights with one another, we often find opportunities for spiritual discovery and growth. In this new section of our newsletter, we are inviting members and friends of MCC NOVA to submit their original articles, thoughts, poems, reflections, etc. to share with the community. If you have something that you would like to contribute to our newsletter, please contact Rev. Kharma. â–¼
2. Special Notices
Sheri Abrams is preparing a memory box for Andrew so that he can collect some memories of his mother, Sarah Hogan. Sheri is asking the members/friends of MCC NOVA who knew Sarah to write down their memories - short/long and of any sort - to keep for Andrew. You can submit memories to Sheri directly, or leave them at the church office and we'll pass them alongâ–¼.
~Special Services for Holy Week~
As has been our tradition in the past couple of years, several of our ministry groups will be working together to creatively plan and lead our Holy Week services. Please mark your calendars now to attend these wonderful opportunities for worship, celebration, and growth!!
Sunday, March 20, Palm Sunday, 11:00 am Worship
The Children’s Ministry will be highlighted in this special celebration to mark the beginning of Holy Week. Come celebrate with us Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The children will be distributing palms, serving as worship leaders, and preparing a brief dramatization to enhance our worship experience.
Thursday, March 24, Holy Thursday, 7:30 pm
Join us for a special service planned and led by the Congregational Care and Welcome Teams. We‘ll share a meal together and participate in a time of worship to include a traditional foot washing ritual.
Friday, March 25, Good Friday, 7:30 pm
“Dying is both a private act and a community act.†(Morrie Schwartz, from Morrie: in His Own Words)
For our Good Friday service, members of our Micah (Social Justice) Ministries and Sacred Places have joined forces to plan a reflective service focused on the events of the Christ’s passion. A combination of scripture and contemporary witness/reflections will inform this evening’s observance.
Sunday, March 27, Easter Sunday, *TWO worship times: 9:00 am & 11:00 am
The Music Ministries of MCC NOVA, including the choir, InCluesion, and others, will be leading us in our Easter Celebration. Come and share the Experience of Resurrection in Word & Song with our community. This special service will consist of music, dramatic readings, prayer, and sacrament. This year, we’ll be having two Easter services at 9:00 & 11:00 in order to accommodate the number of worshippers we hope will join us for this celebration. There will be a fellowship time at 10:30 for those who attend both services to mingle. Please note that the Children’s Ministry will only be offered at the 11:00 am service.
â–¼
Sunday, March 6, approx. 12:30 - 3:00. We will be holding a class for those interesting in learning more about MCC NOVA or who are interested in becoming members. Pizza will be served! There is a sign-up sheet located on the Welcome Table (inside the main sanctuary door). â–¼
Dedicate an Easter lily to a loved one and help decorate the sanctuary for Easter. Lilies may be ordered now through March 20 for $15 each. Order forms are available on the information table. â–¼
Sunday, March 6 at 6 pm. Sacred Places is an evening meditative service designed to encourage individuals to explore sacredness and spirituality in ways that may be new to them. It is specifically designed to facilitate meditation on a selected topic. Our Creator has blessed us with many gifts. This is a time to reflect on them and all of their blessings. Join us for a time of meditation and reflection. The topic for March will be “Where is Winter?†What will happen to us if we are de-seasoned? If winter ends will we survive? Is the loss of seasons a sign of global warming? This mediatation will reflect upon the writings of Gretel Ehrlich in "The Future of Ice." The author seeks out snow, ice, and glaciers and questions what would be the impact if we lost the season of winter. What would happen to our glaciers, our animal migrations and to our sources of water and food? Join us in re-thinking the season of winter, the life of a glacier and the earth's need for ice and cold. For more information contact Ginny Reed (703 648-9327). ▼
We’re back for our second year of drumming! Again, we will be meeting on a quarterly basis around the dates (loosely) of the solstices on Saturday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, in the MCC-NOVA sanctuary. The dates for 2005 are: March 12, June 18, September 17, and December 17.
Drumming has been used by indigenous people all over the world for thousands of years as a powerful spiritual tool. Native Americans, various African tribes, and ancient Hindu and Buddhist cultures (to name just a few) have long been aware that drumming can have profound therapeutic effects on individuals, communities, and the world in general. Many of these cultures believed the drum to be a spiritual vehicle that could allow one’s intentions (prayers) to be released to the Creator or the creative force of the universe.
In recent years, many Community Drumming Circles have come into existence as a way for people in our time to capture some of that ancient tradition and experience the benefits of it. These Circles typically borrow some of the concepts and practices of the ancient traditions, but are more flexible and require no special training or talents in order to participate. Our Drumming Circle is based on these concepts.
Anyone is welcome to attend these gatherings. No special talent or experience is required. If you have drums or other rhythm instruments, please feel free to bring them. Extra drums and instruments will be available for those who do not have their own. We hope to see you there! If you have further questions, you may e-mail Turtlekala@aol.comâ–¼
v BUILDING A VOCAL COMMUNITY
Saturday, March 26, 9 am - 5 pm. Join Wellspring UCC and MCC NOVA on for a day-long workshop led by Dr. Ysaye Marie Barnwell -- Singer, Activist, and Member of "Sweet Honey in the Rock". The cost for this workshop is $30 and includes a soup-n-bread lunch. The workshop will be held at 5856 Old Centreville Road (near Lee Highway) in Centreville. There is limited space available. Call Rev. Kharma at 703-691-0930 for more information, or to find out if there is still pre-reserved space for MCC NOVA (a few slots are currently available at a reduced price of $25). You may also pre-register directly with Rev. Jeremy McLeod, Pastor of Wellspring UCC, at 703-257-4111. â–¼
v Attention Congregation! A message from your friendly care team...
Less than a month to go and spring will be upon us. We just wanted to let you know what services the care team has going on for you:
· Martial Arts Classes – Rise and Shine! We are at MCC NOVA Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings. Class starts at exactly 5:45 AM (this is to facilitate the working folks). Class runs for 60 minutes…The only thing needed is a positive attitude. All physical fitness levels accepted. Join us if you are willing to increase your flexibility, physical fitness, and self image! To participate you must be willing to sign a waiver. See you there; of course there is no charge for this service.
· CD’s (compact disc’s) of the Sunday services. Please let us know if you would like a copy of the services in lieu of your attendance.
Upcoming events:
· We will be hosting services along with the Welcome Committee on Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday) on the evening of 24 March. Please join us as we cleanse and of course feed together.
· We’ll be hosting a spring fling!!!!!! Lot’s of food and fun! More information to follow.
· Just in the planning stage……A monthly Sunday walk in the park (weather permitting). What do you think? Contact Judith if you are interested. ▼
v Communications Team MEETING
Sunday, March 13, 12:30 pm. If you have technical (computer, networking, web, etc) and/or creative skills or experience (writing, graphic design, creative ideas) to share, the Communications Team will be meeting right after service on March 13 to discuss, among other things, the status of computer/IT upgrades in the church office, ideas for the design of a new website, updating our church directory, and print advertising options. In the meantime, if you have questions please contact Tracey Kennedy at crkscrw@msn.com. â–¼
v NEWS FROM MICAH MINISTRIES
August 6-13 Micah Ministries is sponsoring a "service vacation" to Appalachia this August. We're looking for 20 volunteers to travel to the town of Beard's Fork, WV, and work with local residents on construction and education projects. We're excited about the opportunity to use our gifts to help an impoverished community as well as to experience firsthand how we can be a living testimony to faithful service and good works. Please see Cindy Allan for details. (703) 725-3774 or cindalee8@yahoo.com. (Note: although it is technically possible to sign up online, please don't; all applicants will be processed by a special coordinator and online registration confuses things. Thanks!)
Volunteers, please!
· On April 30, MCC NOVA will host our third annual IMAGINE dinner to benefit Northern Virginia AIDS Ministries (NOVAM). NOVAM volunteer hosts hold dinner parties in their homes and invite their friends to attend and to make a contribution to NOVAM. Later that evening, participants gather with guests and volunteer hosts from other dinner parties at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria for dessert, drinks, dancing, and a silent auction. So, in order to pull off another fabulous meal, we need you. In the next few weeks, we’ll be forming a team to plan the dinner theme, menu, and assorted logistics.
· Metro DC PFLAG is seeking volunteers to support its Stay Close campaign, which reminds people that relationships with those we love are too precious to jeopardize because someone is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Volunteers are needed to help sell raffle tickets and distribute posters and brochures.
If you’re interested in either activity, see Cindy A. for details (703/ 725-3774; cindalee8@yahoo.com).▼
v FROM CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
The Children's Ministry is pleased to announce that we have two new teachers -- Cathryn Krebs and Kelli Butler! Welcome to the team!
The children have been learning about the disciples and how they followed Jesus. During one lesson, the children learned that Jesus went fishing with the disciple named Andrew. Our own Andrew Abrams, kept saying, "No, Jesus wasn't there! Just me and Mommy!" We all had a great laugh! If he only knew!
Each Sunday, children of all ages are invited to convene in the Children's Room for a special time together. Children are released at the beginning of the sermon and rejoin our corporate worship in time to receive communion with their families. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are working with children during this time to create meaningful and age-appropriate learning opportunities through exciting lessons and hands-on activities. If you know of children who would benefit from this exciting ministry, please extend an invitation to them. For more information about the children's ministry or to volunteer to teach or assist, please contact Sharon or Lisa Dravvorn. â–¼
v Spring Self-Growth Workshops
At MCC NOVA on the following Saturdays From 9:00 until noon
March 12 Setting Healthy Boundaries
April 9 Building Self-Esteem
May 14 Becoming Assertive
June 11 Feeding Your Soul
In this series of four workshops you will learn to:
Presented by:
Diane Puckett, Licensed Professional Counselor ,Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, 703-405-2582
Loretta Schulz, Licensed Professional Counselor, 703-969-0213
Registration forms are available on the information table or by calling one of the above numbers. â–¼
May 6 – 8. This is the theme of MCC Nova's spring retreat -- a time to step away from routine and make space for God to come in fresh ways in the midst of supportive community. As we settle into the charming campus surrounded by Virginia's rural hills, we will be offered a variety of opportunities: small and large groups, free time, worship, playtime, even a fire circle and of course drumming! Registration forms will be available at the church beginning March 3, 2005. If you have questions, please call Sarah Fershee 703-648-9598 or email her at sarahfershee@aol.com or see Rev. Kharma.
Dates: May 6-8 (Friday dinner through Sunday brunch)
Place: Sevenoaks Pathwork Center in Madison, VA www.pathworkmidatlantic.org
Cost: $160.00 (some scholarships available)
Designed specifically for adults.
â–¼
SAVE THE DATE! |