2. 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. ▼
Hi ya’ll. I was asked if I’d like to introduce myself to the NOVA community and tell you a little about myself. I’m originally from Williamsburg, VA, and both of my parents still live there, and I’m extremely blessed that they are kicking high (high enough for 80 year olds!)
I attended the workshop here not too long ago where despite the weather, a significant number of the church family gathered together to talk through how each person could serve God, accomplish his or her personal ministry, and serve our church community in a more effective way. It is encouraging to me when the body of Christ comes together as community. It reaffirms that God is a God of love and wants the best for each of us; God wants to walk in communion with us. What an exciting idea that this supporting community serves a loving God and can absolutely spread that message to the hurting and sometimes angry world in which we live.
One thing I wanted to share is that I really enjoy music as it lives in my soul and draws me closer to God. I’ve found that it is my spiritual worship, and God uses the words and the music to bring me closer in spirit and in community. That’s one reason that I get so excited about the music we use in public and private worship to get closer to God.
One of my favorite bible passages is Psalms 100 where we are encouraged to “make a joyful noise to God all the Land. Serve God with gladness and come into God’s presence with singing.” I believe that we encourage God’s heart when we lift our voices in joyful praise, and song can lift a weary heart, mind and spirit.
One of the sheer joys that I’ve experienced since starting to attend NOVA has been participating in InCluesion. Wednesday’s practices have become the highlight of my work week, a little respite right in the middle of the hectic days. We have tons of fun and we’re able to explore lots of musical stuff in a safe and supportive environment. That’s what I call community, and I believe that it’s stuff like this that makes church families thrive, and individual spiritual experiences meaningful. Creating community is, in my view, the harmony that makes the melody of the spiritual experience, sweet.
I think it’s fitting that I share a song with you written by John and Anne Barbour called “I Will Follow”. Over the years, it’s been important in that it speaks to me of hope, the promise of guidance, support in my spiritual calling, a suggestion in the need to listen, and follow. All of which have been major recurring themes for me.
Father always near, I wait for you here, resting in the love that vanquishes fear. Waiting not a care, silence everywhere, yet here in my heart a still small voice, bids me to come and I will follow.
Suffer me to come, risen wounded One, I’ve found shelter in your mothering arms. Suffer me to hear, Your voice in my ear, beckon me with words that draw me near, bid me to come and I will follow.
May Your dominion come, may Your will be done, Parent in heaven, lift my eyes to the sky. One day I will see, heaven’s royalty, till the day the trumpet rings in my ear, bid me to come and I will follow.
Please feel free to come up and say “Hey” in church sometime.
Peace,
Cathy A.
3. MCC NOVA News and Upcoming Events
v CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Field Trip!
Saturday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. Robin and her partner, Kris, have an Aviary at their home in Woodbridge and have invited the children and parents of MCC NoVA to come visit. Robin is a Certified and Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. She raises ducks, goslings and many other types of birds. Also, when a bird is injured, people call Robin and she nurses the bird back to health. The children will be able to hold baby ducks! She will give a mini lesson about how to take care of birds!
After our aviary tour, we'll plan to have a picnic in a local park. Bring a picnic lunch for your family.
Please RSVP to Lisa or Sharon Dravvorn (703-897-8897 or dravvorn1@aol.com) so we can tell Robin how many guests to expect! We will also give you directions to their home.
This will be an exciting date to mark on your calendar! Looking forward to visiting with the birds!
v FROM THE CARE TEAM
§ Sunday, May 15, After Service. Save the date for a Spring Fling at Burke Lake Park! Details to follow.
§ Monday, May 16, 6:30 pm. Care Team Meeting
§ Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday's, 5:45 am. Martial Arts classes continue. In the sanctuary.
§ Join the care team for a walk. What we are suggesting is a five mile walk on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. If you are interested please contact one of the care team members in the bulletin so that we can make this happen.
v A SPECIAL INVITATION
The University of Maryland--College Park announces that Gaetano Romano Lotrecchiano is a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnomusicology.
Commencement and conferral of degrees
Sunday May 22 2005
One o'clock in the afternoon
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Elsie & Marvin Dekelboum Concert Hall
College Park, Maryland.
A reception will be held at 4601 Josephine Ave, Beltsville MD at 4 pm.
RSVP to g1380@aol.com or 301 931 8764 by may 13, 2005
v Spring Self Growth Classes
A series of self-growth workshops are being presented by two area therapists, and will be held at our facility.
May 14, 9:00 am to Noon: Becoming Assertive
June 11, 9:00 am to Noon. Feeding Your Soul
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.
v MAY 29: "World Day of Prayer for Healing Homophobia"
On May 29, we will be joining other MCC churches and other faith communities to observe "World Day of Prayer for Healing Homophobia.” During our worship service on that day, we will join together to pray for an end to homophobia in our world.
With all of the advancements we have made in society over the past four decades, the reality is that millions of people around the globe are impacted daily by homophobia:
-- There are still countries around the globe where LGBT people receive the death penalty simply for being gay or lesbian.
-- Students who describe themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered are five times more likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe.
-- The vast majority of victims of anti-lesbian/gay violence - possibly more than 80% - never report the incident, often due to fear of being "outed.”
-- Due to sexual orientation discrimination, lesbians earn up to 14% less than their heterosexual female peers with similar jobs, education, age and residence, according to a study by the University of Maryland.
-- 75% of people committing hate crimes are under age 30 - one in three are under 18 - and some of the most pervasive anti-gay violence occurs in schools.
-- Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are at a four times higher risk for suicide than their straight peers.
Please join us on for this special observance on Sunday, May 29 as we recommit ourselves -- both individually and as a faith community -- to work for peace and justice and understanding.
v MTV'S LOGO NETWORK WANTS YOUR STORY!
Are you planning on coming out to someone in your life?
LOGO, the new digital network from MTV Networks and Viacom for the LGBT community, is developing a documentary project on coming out -- and wants to hear YOUR STORY.
Coming out is a lifelong process where the range of emotions and experiences vary from drama to lighthearted fun. Each story is as unique as the lives that live them. LOGO would like to hear as many stories from as many people as possible in order to capture the joys and tribulations of coming out.
There is a common misconception that coming out is an issue that only concerns youth when in reality, we, the LGBT community continue to come out throughout our entire lives. No matter how long you have considered yourself “out of the closet,” there is always someone to come out to, be it the pharmacist filling out your partner’s prescription or your childhood friends from your hometown. We'd like to illustrate the journey of coming out by documenting LGBT people’s experience of the many ways that we come out to the numerous people in our lives.
They are NOT looking for teen coming out stories. In fact, they would like to focus on how people at various stages are "living out loud" with their lives -- and they would love to find people in their 50's or 60's or 70's who would share their stories.
For example, if you are going to come out by:
§ Bringing your partner home for a family function
§ Going to a class reunion
§ Visiting your hometown
§ Moving in to a new neighborhood
§ To family or friends
And they want to carry MCC stories. This can be an excellent opportunity to share your life... your values... and your faith... with an international LGBT audience. And, of course, this is a wonderful opportunity to let the world know about MCC!
If you are selected, they will fly to your area, tape on-camera interviews with you, and spend a couple of days filming your life.
If you would like to share your experience on TV, send an email to: comingout@mtvn.com Write to us and tell us a little about yourself and who you plan on coming out to. Be sure to include your: Name, Where you live, phone number and e-mail, to whom and how you plan on coming out, and a photo of yourself.
v SAVE THE DATE!
Capital Pride Parade and Festival!
June 11 & 12
Planning is underway for MCC NOVA’s participation in the Capital Pride Parade and Festival. If you are interested in helping with the parade float or the festival booth, see Cindy A. or email her at cindalee8@yahoo.com.
4. Important On-Going Activities
Board of Directors: Thurs, May 12 at 6 pm. Our next meeting will be held in the upstairs boardroom/library. Meetings of the Board of Directors are always open to all.
Choir Practice: Tuesdays at 7:15 pm. Join in the Song! You need not be a member of our church to sing in our choir. All are welcome to join in this ministry of musical praise and celebration. If you are interested on singing with the choir, please join us. For more information contact Daniel Scearce at 703.491.5798 or DanScearce@aol.com.
InCluesion: Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. InCluesion is a band that provides different styles of music for worship, ranging from folk to praise to Contemporary Christian. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact Gail Minnick at (703) 648-9327, or just drop in on one of our rehearsals and check us out. You need not play an instrument to sing with us and make a joyful noise! We hope to see you soon
COMMUNION: SPECIAL NEEDS?
If you have any special needs to fully participate in our celebration of Holy Communion, please contact Rev. Kharma to discuss.
5. Spotlight on Ministry
Each week in Catch the Rainbow, we take time to say ‘Thank You’ to ministers in our congregation by focusing our “Spotlight on Ministry” that is being done by so many people in so many ways. The following were recognized this month:
v Special thanks to Jenny Banks for coordinating our NOVAM Imagine Dinner and to all who volunteered for and participated in this event.
v Special thanks to Margaret Rood for her extraordinary work in reformatting our MCC denominational brochures.
v Special thanks to Raymond and Wanda for their volunteer work in the church office.
v Special Thanks to Ginny Miles for preaching and leading our worship April 3.
6. Community Notes, Etc.
§ Want to Learn More About the Ministry and Churches of MCC Region 3?
This includes churches in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia and Puerto Rico currently. Want to share what is happening in your church? Hear about resources for ministry? Send an email to Ajoy1@aol.com and ask to be added to the MCC Region 3 E-Newsletter List. Everyone is welcome to join. ▼
§ Whitman-Walker Clinic Seeks Volunteers
Whitman-Walker Clinic has volunteer opportunities in a variety of capacities at all of its metro locations --NW, SE, Arlington and Takoma Park. If you can help, please contact WWC Volunteer Coordinator, Victoria Bruno at 202.797.4421 or vbruno@wwc.org▼
§ Whitman-Walker Clinic/Lesbian Services Program—Upcoming Events
Straight Partners Support Group
Starts May 5th, 7:00 pm, First and Third Thursdays
Straight Partners is a support group for heterosexual spouses and partners, current or former, of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning mates. Join us to share stories, consider options, give and get support. The group meets in Arlington and is co-led by professionally trained facilitators (male and female). Please call our voicemail at 703-531-4938 for recorded information or to
leave a confidential message. We hope you will join us. For more information on this topic, you may refer to the website of the
Straight Spouses Network at www.StraightSpouseNetwork.org
Sisters of the Yam
Starts May 16th
This 10-week support group for women who partner with women is based on the book Sisters of the Yam by bell hooks (1993). The book is about self-recovery and healing from the destructive life issues that particularly affect black women. The group, led by Michele Lewis and Monique Meadows, provides a community of support for each woman to be the most whole, healthy, and life-affirming woman she is capable of being. The group will be held at the Lesbian Services Program/Whitman-Walker Clinic, 1810 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC.
Please call Annie at 202-797-3586 or e-mail ashaw@wwc.org if you are > interested in participating in this community.
§ Area PFLAG Gatherings (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
- Manassas --Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St. Every 4th Monday at 7 pm.
- Reston --Washington-Plaza church, 1615 Washington Plaza (Lake Ann). Every 1st Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 ▼
§ Housing Needed
Samantha and her daughter are seeking housing in the Jeb Stuart school district. Please contact her at samantha5250@yahoo.com
... AND FINALLY, A REMINDER: The very latest news and information about MCC NOVA, as well as our ongoing calendar of activities and opportunities, can be found on our website at www.mccnova.com.
Please feel free to forward this to others who might be interested. If you received this from someone else, and want to be on our email list, please send an email to MCCNOVACOM@earthlink.net with SUBSCRIBE in the subject or body of the email. We welcome your feedback so that we can make sure we are meeting the needs of our community.
If you received this email in error or no longer wish to be on this list, please reply to this address with PLEASE REMOVE ME FROM THIS LIST in the subject or body of the email.
~ MCC NOVA ~
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
Stretching, Connecting, Celebrating...People on a Spiritual Journey
10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030-2505
(703)691-0930 http:\\www.mccnova.com
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