METROPOLITAN CHURCH
A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
February 8, 2016 Volume XXVI, No. 2 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion 7:30am Service at Metropolitan Memorial Noon Service at Wesley (5312 Connecticut Ave., NW) 7:30pm Service at Metropolitan Memorial
Contemplative Communion Service Sunday evenings February 21 and 28 March 6 and 13 7pm in the Great Hall
Approaching Lent in Silence… The Art of Holy Listening
We enter this season beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 10. This is a wonderful time to reclaim a spiritual discipline most likely lost through the rush of the holidays and New Year activities. Our theme includes “Holy Listening” taking time to slow down, stop talking and listen. Listen to our families, friends and coworkers, listen to those whose political beliefs are different than ours, listen to what God is saying. In the words of Pope Francis, “Let us hear the Holy Spirit, let us listen to the Holy Spirit and may we move forward on the path of love, mercy and forgiveness. We must listen to the Holy Spirit who is within us.” What strong and powerful words to begin our journey through Lent. Learn more about our Lenten Sermon Series below!
Lenten Contemplative Services: “Holy Listening, Holy Speaking” Sundays, February 21, 28 and March 6, 13 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Metropolitan Memorial
Lenten Devotional
We are also offering a Lenten Devotional prepared by the Society of St. Andrew’s. Copies will be available in the narthex, side chapels, and foyer. You can also sign up at endhunger.org/ lent to have the daily devotional emailed to you.
Join Senior Pastor Charlie Parker and Drema McAllister-Wilson, Minister of Congregational Care, for a Lenten journey centered on Holy Listening, Holy Speaking. Metropolitan once again presents a series of Contemplative Communion Services on four Sunday evenings in Lent: Feb. 21, 28 and March 6, 13, at 7pm in the Great Hall. This healing worship integrates scripture, prayer, music, silence and reflection into a deeper experience of the Living Word and the Holy Sacraments. Charlie and Drema will explore how to grow in understanding through mindful listening and speech using the spiritual practices of breath, music and prayer within a supportive spiritual community. Choirmaster/organist Bruce H. Caviness joins a team of skilled musicians (Douglas Bell on cello, Kerm Towler on flute, and Jennifer Rutherford as cantor) to guide this healing ecumenical service, offered for all who seek a closer and fearless encounter with the Divine Presence.
Vacation Bible School - Register Now! July 11-15 Join us for a week of music, arts and crafts, games and Bible storytelling.
Metropolitan’s VBS is geared toward kids age 4 to rising 5th graders. Rising 6th graders may enroll and serve as junior counselors. The program runs from 9am till Noon and costs just $75. We’ll offer an extended day option (till 3pm), at an additional cost of $100, if we have a sufficient number of registrations by April 1. VBS kicks off with a family event, including a pot-luck dinner, on Sunday evening July 10. Vacation Bible School is open to all. This year’s program, Abundance Orchard, focuses on the Hebrew Bible’s stories of food and faith and aligns with Metropolitan’s effort to help end hunger in our city. Register now at nationalchurch.org/vbs!
Life at the Metropolitan Church
Lent 2016 Sermon Series From the birth of Christianity, Lent has been a significant time in the life of the church. It is a time when each of us has an opportunity to pare back and refocus on the presence of God in our own lives. Our theme this Lent will be Holy Listening, Holy Speaking. There are a number of reasons that this topic feels important to me right now. •
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First, for a number of months, we have been looking at issues of race and bias, which require a profound ability to hear the pain and disenfranchisement of our brothers and sisters of color. Second, we are continuing that process in our new program of Trust Circles, which is about creating safe space for people to speak and be heard. Finally, we are moving quickly to our time of General Conference in May, which is the place that we should be listening most carefully to each other, and often do the least.
At the core of what it is to be Methodist is John Wesley’s concept of “Holy Conferencing,” in which we affirm that the Spirit works with us in our discernment when we engage in healthy conversation with one another. As is our practice during Lent, we will use the Lectionary texts each week in worship. On February 14th, the sermon will focus on Listening behind the Words, and the Biblical texts will be Romans 10:8b-13 and Luke 4:1-13. As we begin the journey of Lent, we again accompany Jesus to the desert for his forty days of fasting. The purpose of this time of silence and fasting is to let go of the clutter and noise and learn to listen more closely. Jesus’ ability to listen to God more closely, interestingly also allows him to hear Satan more closely. As Satan offers his temptations to Jesus, Jesus listens past the actual words and responds to the temptation behind them. In this sermon, I will lay out the theme of our Lenten journey, and explore how Jesus listens even to his great enemy. On February 21st, the sermon title is Speaking with Authenticity, and the Biblical texts will be Genesis 15:112, 17-18 and Luke 13:31-35. One recurring theme in poor communication is our own disinclination to speak our own truth with clarity and authenticity. Whether it is because we are not always in touch with our own feelings, or we want to protect the feelings of others, or we are speaking in a way that is aimed at manipulating them, our speech is often very opaque. In both of our readings this morning, we see Abraham and Jesus modeling clarity and directness in a way that allows real truth to be told. Abraham voices his sorrow and frustration with God that God has not provided an heir, and Jesus responds very forcefully to Herod’s threat. On February 28th, the sermon focus will be on Listening for Bias, and the Biblical texts will be Isaiah 55:1-9 and Luke 13:1-9. One of the deeply challenging aspects of healthy listening and holy conferencing, particularly in a multi-
cultural setting, is hearing the imbedded understandings of others – understandings and biases about which they may be unaware themselves. Isaiah reminds us that our good news is intended to be good news for the whole world, not just for “our people.” And Jesus models a wonderful ability to hear the implied theology behind his listeners’ words and speak directly to the place where their understanding of God needs to grow. On March 6th, the sermon title will be Speaking Words of Repentance, and the Biblical texts will be Psalm 32 and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. Very little has more power to “unblock” communications than acknowledging where we have been wrong. And very little is as emotionally difficult. Whether in our individual relationships, our communal relationships, or our relationship with God, the place where communication often comes to a standstill is when there has been unacknowledged hurt or brokenness. Being willing to own our own responsibility for that brokenness often frees up our conversation partner to engage us in new ways and frees us up to hear and engage in new ways as well. On March 13th, the focus of the sermon will be Listening with the Spirit, and the Biblical texts will be Isaiah 43:1621 and Philippians 3:4b-14. In the midst of challenging conversations and conflict, we often miss the opportunity to invite in the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. And while, on some level, it is obvious that God is part of our relationships, we often do not bring that awareness into our “holy conferencing.” Our Hebrew Scripture lesson reminds us that God is always at work doing “a new thing” in our midst. And Paul reminds us that ultimately all of our own efforts are meaningless until we ground ourselves in the work of Christ. On Palm Sunday, March 20th, the sermon title will be Submission, and the Biblical texts will be Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, and Luke 23:1-49. All of the Scripture lessons for Palm/Passion Sunday are about Christ willingly relinquishing his own power and glory to submit to the will of God and the (unjust and vindictive) will of the people. Too often our conversations focus on our “winning” an argument, and proving the “rightness” of our position. On Palm/Passion Sunday, we are reminded that it is less important to be right than to show love. We will gather on Easter Sunday, March 27th, with a focus on Hearing a New Story, and the Biblical texts will be Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 24:1-12. We will hear again the powerful story of God’s incredible love for us and the Resurrection story. I hope that you will join us in Holy Listening, Holy Speaking on our Lenten journey this year as we explore together where God is using ancient texts to speak to us today as we undertake healthy conversations with each other. Blessings,
Charlie Parker
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The Arts at the Metropolitan Church Jazz@wesley Saturday, February 27 6:30pm, Wesley*
Jazz@wesley presents “Bobby Felder and the Capitol All Stars Big Band” featuring Vocalists: Tiya Ade, and Dick Smith. Tickets available at the door and at instantseats.com. Entry $10 I $7 Seniors I Children 12 and Under Free. For more information, email wesleyinfo@nationalchurch.org or call 202-966-5144, ext. 325. Bring a non-perishable food item to jazz up someone else's life. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Two Titans, Two Titanic Sonatas One Pianist Sunday, March 6, 3pm, Sanctuary
Metropolitan's Arts Council is not easily deterred. After being forced to cancel our January 24 concert because of what has politely been called "inclement" weather, we are planning another concert for Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m. The brilliant pianist Carlos Rodriguez will be playing two major pieces: Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata and Liszt's Grand Sonata. Carlos Rodriquez made his recital debut in his native Venezuela at age 5 and shows great flair for Hispanic and Spanish music. But he is also an exciting performer of nineteenth-century Romantic composers, as we will hear in March. After moving to the United States, Carlos earned a Master's from Julliard and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree summa cum laude from the University of Maryland. He is a member of the piano faculty at Levine School of Music and a guest artist and coach for the Domingo/Cafritz Young Artist Program with The Washington Opera. We're confident that March 6 will be a day of unusually clement weather, so please plan to join us for the concert and the reception that follows. The beautiful paintings by Elise Ritter that were hung in January will still be on view in the Great Hall. And later in the season we hope to get to hear our snowed-out performers, the Army String Quartet. The Arts Council will be co-sponsoring the concert with Levine Music, and there will be a small admission charge ($15 @www.levinemusic.org/events, $20 at the door).
Congratulations •
to Casey (Elliott) and Kevin Campbell on the birth of their daughter Eliza North Campbell on January 30
Pancake Supper Tuesday, February 9 6pm - 7:30 pm, Vestry
The annual Pancake Supper is coming up! The event is free. There will be crafts for the kids as well as all you can eat pancakes, bacon, sausage, egg casseroles, and a performance by the Cherub choir.
Sunrise
Arts Council Exhibition: Luminous Grace Exhibition Dates: Now – March 19, 2016 Exhibit Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm Sunday, 9am - 12:30pm
Our congregation has been visiting and enjoying the most recent Arts Council exhibit “Luminous Grace.” Recently a magazine with national reach has asked to feature the show in their June issue. Pastoral Liturgy has contacted Elise Ritter to talk a bit about her work and to put six of her paintings in the exhibit in their article. Being able to look at Elise’s work and her concept of “grace” has been special for our congregation. We hope that “Luminous Grace” will engage other congregations in an exploration of the concept of “grace.” Congratulations to Elise!
Creativity Call: Think About It - October 23
The Arts Council wants everyone to have plenty of advance notice of the following fall event (i.e., no excuses!). On October 23, the Arts Council wants to show the work of our members and friends in a Congregational Craft and Art Show. Among the handmade things we're interested in showing are: fabrics, jewelry, knitting, crocheting, wood carving or fabrication, photos, paintings, drawings, glass, ceramics, baskets, weaving -- and this is not a complete list. The items that can be hung on walls will be left in place for a few weeks, but the three-dimensional pieces will be on view for only a single day. You don't need to do anything now except keep this show in mind. For more information, contact Carol Schleicher at rschlei@verizon.net, Marilu Wood at shedelwood@gmail or Carol Griffith at carolgriffith33@hotmail.com.
Metropolitan Book Club Monday, February 22, 7:30pm, Parlor
Please join us for our discussion of the book “In the Heart of the Sea.” We welcome new persons who enjoy reading and talking about the books we read. In March we will read “The Girl in the Spider Web.” Come join us for a fun evening! Contacts: Joan Topalian, topajoan62045@gmail.com or Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@aol. com.
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Serving at the Metropolitan Church Homeless Ministry Update
This past fall, Metropolitan House transitioned to a new ministry model which provides an independent living environment for up to four women who are transitioning toward employment and permanent housing. This new approach mirrors many features of the men’s shelter program at St. Luke’s House, which has proven highly successful in moving a larger number of individuals toward independence in a shorter length of time. Now, at both Metropolitan House and St. Luke’s: • All residents are clients of Friendship Place’s AimHire Program. This program provides intensive support for homeless individuals reentering the job market. • Residents have access to the shelter space 24 hours a day. Previously, both programs were night shelters where residents were expected to be in by 7pm and out by 7am. Now, there is access to the living space during daytime hours and flexibility to accommodate the variable schedules of those working or searching for employment. • Residents have more autonomy in an independent living environment. Both Friendship Place staff and Metropolitan’s homeless ministry leaders provide oversight through house meetings, case management contacts, spot checks, and emergency response. • Residents are encouraged to take more responsibility for their own food needs and meals. This transition also brings changes to the management of both Metropolitan House and St. Luke’s House. Since 2012, Metropolitan has contracted with the AimHire Program to operate the shelter at our St. Luke’s Mission Center. Going forward, the Metropolitan House Board will take responsibility for the operation of both shelters, giving our church a more hands-on role at the St. Luke’s shelter. In both locations, however, the close working partnership between Metropolitan and Friendship Place will continue, with Metropolitan responsible for the operation of the shelters and Friendship Place primarily responsible for working with the residents. Getting Involved. This new approach offers some new ways for church and community members to be involved. • Resident Relationships. Metropolitan leaders hold one-on-one meetings to welcome each resident as they enter the shelters and conduct regular “house meetings” in both shelters. This is a wonderful way to get to know the residents and hear their stories. To volunteer, contact Dick Schleicher, rschlei@verizon.net or Ann Michel, amichel@wesleyseminary.edu. • Donate Meals and Groceries. The popular meal donation program is ongoing at St. Luke’s House and is resuming at Metropolitan House, but not every night of the week. Volunteers can also contribute a set list of weekly pantry items that residents can use in preparing their own meals. Sign up to donate meals or groceries at nationalchurch.org/servenow.
Sing Out for Shelter Concert Saturday, February 20, 8pm, Sanctuary
Join us for the 24th Annual Sing Out for Shelter (SOS) concert. Organized by the Augmented Eight, a local men’s a cappella singing group, the concert raises funds for Metropolitan’s homeless ministries as well as two of our local ministry partners – Friendship Place and Christ House. Over the years this popular fundraiser has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars to help the homeless in our city. This year’s performing groups are: The Augmented Eight; The Whiffenpoofs; The Deltones; Supreme Chord; and Five O’Clock Shadow. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at augmented8.org/sos-2016. Tickets: Patron $100 I Preferred Seating $50 I General Admission $25 I Seniors $15 I Students $10 I Children under 12 Free.
Homeless Ministry Update Sunday, February 21, 10:10am, Great Hall
Learn More! Get Involved! Metropolitan homeless ministry leaders and Friendship Place staff will provide a briefing on our shelter ministries at Metropolitan House and St. Luke’s House. Come hear about improvements in the programs and how you can be involved.
Grate Patrol
February 28, 10:10 am, Vestry February 29, 6:30 pm, St. Luke’s Mission Center*
On Sunday at 10:10am, help make sandwiches and prepare meal bags in the Vestry. On Monday at 6:30 pm, volunteers are needed at the St. Luke’s Mission Center to load additional meals prepared by Campus Kitchen into the Salvation Army van and distribute them throughout downtown DC. If you can volunteer to put together meal bags on Sunday, just show up in the vestry or, if a group, contact Anita Seline, amseline@aol.com. If you can go out on the van on Monday night, volunteer at nationalchurch. org/servenow! *3655 Calvert St., NW.
March 6, 6pm, St. Luke’s Mission Center*
Join us to help assemble the meal (provided by our Campus Kitchen Program) in to-go containers. Then volunteers are needed to load meals into the Salvation Army van and distribute them throughout the city. You can volunteer to put together meals, serve meals by going out in the van, or both. No experience necessary. Volunteer at nationalchurch.org/volunteerhub! For more information, contact Rev. Dottie Yunger. *3655 Calvert St., NW.
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Serving at the Metropolitan Church Supporting Better Housing for DC’s Homeless Families
As many as 600 homeless children and 372 homeless adults are currently being sheltered at the old DC General Hospital. Initially intended as a temporary solution, vulnerable families there are subjected to deplorable, even dangerous, living conditions, including rodents, bed bugs, bad food, lack of heat, open drug use, peeling paint, mold, and personal security threats. The lack of staff oversight and poor management led to the disappearance and presumed death of Relisha Rudd in 2014. Mayor Bowser has pledged to close the shelter at DC General by 2018. Her plan calls for a creating several smaller, more supportive facilities to provide short-term emergency housing to homeless families. This short-term family housing will be scattered across the city, in all eight Wards, including Ward 3, and will help them transition to a better housing solution. Working through the Washington Interfaith Network, Metropolitan has pledged to mobilize support for shortterm family housing in Ward 3. An announcement from the Mayor’s office with the specific location is expected in early February. To learn more or help, contact Linda Davenport, linda@davenport-associates.com.
Plastic…Give it Up for Lent!
Metropolitan’s Green Team invites you to join with our brothers and sisters at the National Cathedral in giving up plastics for Lent, and in doing so, being mindful this season of our relationship with God, with each other, and with all of creation. Plastics are forever. Every piece of plastic we have ever used is still here today. It is not biodegradable. Millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean yearly. The sun and waves break it up into smaller pieces, creating vast concentrations of flotsam in the ocean. Up to 80% of rubbish in the oceans comes straight from beaches and storm water. Most of it is plastic. It sickens and kills fish, birds, whales and turtles, up to one million animals a year. Plastic has insinuated itself into our lives and is ubiquitous. It’s a huge effort to give it up completely, but we can begin to take small steps towards eliminating it from our lives. Developing an awareness and desire to do better is the first step, a prayer in itself. Steps to Consider: Buy food in glass, not plastic, jars; Use cloth shopping bags; Buy detergent in boxes, not plastic. Discover more steps to consider on our blog at nationalchurch.blogspot.com.
Reconciling Ministries BWARM Meeting Saturday, February 13 9:30am, Northwood-Appold UMC*
Scientific understanding is part of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, the method by which the denomination understands and debates issues within the church. Join us at 9:30am for fellowship and from 10am - noon for worship and a meeting. Worship with communion will be led by Rev. Dr. Cecil Gray, Pastor of Northwood-Appold UMC. Our guest speaker is Dr. Jeffrey Diamond, Senior Investigator at the Porter Neuroscience Research Center (a division of NIH), who will speak on "The Science of Sexual Orientation." You don’t have to be a member of BWARM to attend. You needn’t even be United Methodist. The table is open to all. *4417 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21218”
RUM Membership Drive Sundays After Worship, Business Office Lobby
The Reconciling Team invites you to become a RUM! What's that, you say? A RUM is a Reconciling United Methodist--someone who has become a member of the Reconciling movement as an individual. This is important, because the Reconciling Ministries Network counts individuals separately from congregations. Metropolitan is a participating congregation, but our membership is not counted as RMN membership. And, as our denomination moves toward General Conference 2016, the strength of both individual members and congregations may be important to our hope for change in the policies of our denomination toward LGBTQ persons.
Throughout February, members of the Reconciling team at Metropolitan Memorial will rejoice to meet you in the Office Lobby following our worship services to answer your questions, and sign you up as a RUM! Financial contributions to RMN are not required, (although welcome). New members will receive a small Rainbow Cross to wear as a symbol of their commitment to LGBTQ equality and inclusion in the United Methodist Church. We also invite you to become part of our mailing list. This will enable us to share information about proposals to General Conference, and articles or other information that will help you stay up to date on the advocacy work being done to prepare for General Conference. To be added to our list, contact Ellen Bachman, ellenbachman@ comcast.net or Kerm Towler, flautobasso@yahoo.com
Save the Date! Campus Kitchens DC - Help us "Raise the Dough!" - February 19 -26
The Campus Kitchen at Washington DC (CKWDC) empowers young leaders to create change in their community, while addressing hunger. Our Campus Kitchen, located at our St. Luke’s Mission Center, recovers monthly around 5,000lbs of high quality produce and protein from commercial food operators, food that would otherwise go to waste. With our chef and volunteers from colleges, our church community, and the surrounding community, we make and deliver around 1,800 meals every month. From February 19-26, CKWDC is competing against other Campus Kitchens across the country in the Raise the Dough Challenge to raise money and awareness for our program. The Campus Kitchen that raises the most money will receive a cash prize to go toward their efforts. That funding would mean we are able to build long-term solutions to hunger and food waste, so we’re reaching out to YOU to help us win! Watch our website and the Metro Update for more information on how you can help!
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Caring Ministries Life Transitions: Chronic Illness and Caregiving Wednesday, February 17, 7pm, Fireplace Room
If you are living with a chronic illness, you know that it can affect you physically, emotionally, intellectually, vocationally, socially, and spiritually. Both those experiencing chronic illness and the people who are caregivers are invited to join our support group. Contacts: Susan Roach, susanroach2@gmail.com and Nancy Cherney, nancy@ nutritionmattersnow.com.
Lunch and More Thursday, February 18 Noon, Great Hall
Join us for Lunch and More! After eating together, we will have the opportunity for playing a game like Banana-grams, Trivial Pursuits, bridge or watch a movie. Our movie this month is “Antwone Fisher.” The touching story of a sailor (Derek Luke) who, prone to violent outbursts, is sent to a naval psychiatrist (Denzel Washington) for help. If you committed to bringing a game, please don’t forget! Contacts: Phyllis Kokus, PKokus@aol. com and Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Sunday, February 21, 12:30pm, Parlor
Come and enjoy a time of needlecraft, fellowship, ministry and fun! If you are interested in joining, contact Barbara Tate, Bdtate@verizon.net.
Life Transitions: Creative Aging Wednesday, February 24, 7pm, Fireplace Room
You are invited to a conversation about aging well and creatively, as we share our own experiences about retirement and the challenges and opportunities in this life season. Contacts: Susan Elliott, overlookzoo@verizon.net or Ann Cochran, ann@annpcochran.com.
Life Transitions: End of Life/Bereavement A Family Undertaking Wednesday, March 2, 7pm, Fireplace Room
You are invited to a conversation about last things and how to prepare ourselves as we explore varying topics about end of life through film, articles, poetry, and education. On March 2nd, we will watch the DVD “A Family Undertaking” which describes how to care for our dead at home. Come to any or all sessions. Meets the first Wednesdays of the month. For information, contact Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202.363.4900 ext. 104.
Weekly Meditation Practice Wednesdays, 9am, Sanctuary
Nurture a sense of inner peace, calm and balance with guided and walking meditation. All are welcome. Contact: Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net.
Gentle Yoga for Well-Being Thursdays, 4pm, Great Hall
Join us for Gentle Yoga. Class meets every Thursday and is open to all who are interested. Contact Cathryn Gunnerson, Cathryn@yogawell-being.com or 301-642-3889.
Study Group Forming Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer Wednesday, March 2, 10:15am, Great Hall
Metropolitan Memorial Wellness Team is forming a Dan Buettner’s “Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer” study group. To RSVP and reserve Blue Zones study guide, contact Janet Burkhart, janetburk@hotmail.com or Emily Best, mybeste17@comcast.net. Meets the first Wednesdays of the month. Drop-ins welcomed. See flyers in Wesley and Metropolitan foyers
The United Methodist Women United Methodist Women Book & Bake Sale March 5, 8am - 3pm, Vestry
It's time to support reading and recycling by donating your used books now to the United Methodsit Women’s Book & Bake sale! This year, the UMW is pleased to announce that the net proceeds from the sale will benefit the DC Diaper Bank, which provides diapers and baby supplies to families in poverty, and Bright Beginnings, a program for homeless children. We are having a special collection day at Metropolitan Memorial on Saturday, Feb. 27 between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm. Drive up to the church with your books and volunteers will be there waiting in the parking lot to off load your boxes of books. Or get a jump on your spring cleaning now by bringing them any time to the hallway off of the Vestry and place them on the silver shelves in front of the UMW closet. Please tell your friends and neighbors that the UMW is collecting books. No cassette or VCR tapes, textbooks or magazines please. Please box the book donations if possible, or use the empty boxes found at the closet drop-off area. If you can help us publicize the book sale by posting a flyer locally or sending it to your neighborhood list serve, please contact Anita Seline at amseline@aol.com and she can point you in the right direction. Publicity (especially the free kind) can't be done too early or too often, so please help us spread the word. The UMW Book & Bake Sale will be held Saturday, March 5 from 8 am to 3 pm in the Vestry. Please check out our popular Bake Sale table loaded with brownies, cookies, quick breads, and new this year, homemade chicken soup to go. Sunday, March 6 will be our remainders sale until 11am when clean up begins. Join us for the UMW Book & Bake Sale. It's almost as much fun as the Bazaar!
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Study at the Metropolitan Church Food for Thought Wednesday Evenings Dinner - 6pm, Vestry Classes - 7pm
Feed your mind, body and soul! Community dinner: $8/person I Students pay what you can. RSVP at nationalchurch.org/ foodforthought! For more information, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115. Classes include: • Bible Study: Song of Songs. Whether or not anyone sends you flowers on Valentine’s Day, God loves you passionately. The Song of Songs is passionate love poetry that has traditionally been interpreted as an allegory of God’s love for Israel, and for all people. (Led by Rev. Charlie Parker and Bob Olson). •
Topical Study: Mysterious Millennials? Myths and Realities About Young Adults and the Church. Come and discover what members of the largest and most diverse generation in U.S. history think about faith, family, and community; and how the church can relate and share journeys with the Millennials in our midst. (Led by David Finnegan-Hosey and Patrick Landau).
Racial Justice Discussion Group Wednesday, February 17 and 24, 7pm, Library
Join us Wednesday evenings in February for a discussion group on Racial Justice. Come and help us plumb the depths on issues of white privilege and the continuing racial divide in our society. For more information, contact Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo.com.
Inter-generational Bible Story Hour at Wesley Sunday, February 21, 9:30am, Wesley*
Join us on the first and third Sundays of the month for a more in-depth look at the stories in scripture we’ll be reading in worship at Wesley. We’ll sing, tell stories and reflect on the story using different art mediums--drama, drawing, painting, modeling clay, journaling. This is a time for all of us to gather--no matter what age--for some Wesley family time in exploring scripture together. Contact Pastor Kate with any questions or ideas. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
"Meal from Below" Bible Study Wednesday, February 17, 7pm Wesley Library*
Are you Hungry? Join us for “Meal from Below,” a 40 week shared journey centered on the words of Jesus when he “took the bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, ‘this is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me.’” In the same way, we too are taken, blessed, broken, given and spoken in God’s love – that we might become instruments of peace in a hurting world. As we journey together we will also rely on St. Ignatius’s form of prayer called the Examen as an anchor and model for prayer, discernment and action. Contact: Duncan Wilson, duncanscottwilson@yahoo.com. *5312 Conn. Ave., NW.
Join the Journey Sundays, 10:10am, Room 106 Thursdays, 7pm, Wesley Library*
Interested in joining our church? Want to learn more about the Christian faith, Methodist Church, and us here at Metropolitan Memorial, Wesley, and St. Luke’s? Rev. Dottie Yunger leads a group at Metropolitan Memorial on Sundays during the 10:10am study hour in Room 106. Rev. Kate Payton leads a group at Wesley on Thursday evenings at 7pm in the Library (5312 Connecticut Ave. NW). For more information, contact Rev. Kate Payton, kpayton@ nationalchurch.org.
Youth Ministries Save the Date! ASP Auction: April 24, 2016 ASP 2016 Trip: July 2-9
Join us for our annual Youth in Mission Auction! This year we will be celebrating 42 years of service in Appalachia through the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Funds raised at this event will go towards supporting our high school students on ASP and our middle school students on Youth 4 the DC Cause. Your generous support allows us to offer these experiences for no cost to our tweens and teens. For more information, contact Patrick Landau, Director of Youth Ministries, plandau@nationalchurch.org Our 2015 ASP Team in Tennessee
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Our Mission: Building an inclusive, caring Christian community that invites all into a deepening relationship with God and challenges all of us to grow as disciples, seeking justice and joy for the transformation of the world. Our Vision: Extending radical hospitality, transforming lives, and pursuing justice. Reconciling Statement: Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church affirms that all individuals are of sacred worth without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, marital circumstances, economic status, physical and mental condition, or criminal history. We declare ourselves in support of the reconciling movement and welcome the full participation in the church of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered persons and their families, as a reflection of God’s unconditional love. At the same time, we recognize differences of opinion on issues of sexuality and seek to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect.
Pastoral and Administrative Staff - 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, DC - 202.363.4900 www.nationalchurch.org - Pastoral Emergency Number - 202.510.8555 Rev. Dr. Charles Parker –– Senior Pastor, ext. 108, cparker@nationalchurch.org Rev. Kate Payton — Associate Pastor, Sharing, Lead Pastor at Wesley UMC, ext. 110, kpayton@nationalchurch.org Rev. Dottie Yunger –– Associate Pastor, Service/Advocacy, ext. 111, dyunger@nationalchurch.org Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson — Minister of Congregational Care, ext. 104, dwilson@nationalchurch.org Rev. Janet Craswell—Director of Christian Education, ext. 115, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org David Finnegan-Hosey - Campus Ministry Coordinator, dhosey@nationalchurch.org Princess Bethea — Office Coordinator, ext. 102, pbethea@nationalchurch.org Bruce Caviness — 11a.m. Organist-Choirmaster, ext. 152, bcaviness@nationalchurch.org Jeff Clouser — Director of IT and Communications, ext. 113, jclouser@nationalchurch.org Dona Collary — Pastoral Care Assistant/Wedding and Funeral Coordinator, ext. 106, dcollary@nationalchurch.org Patrisha House — Director of Worship, Music and Arts, ext. 114, phouse@nationalchurch.org Patrick Landau — Director of Youth Ministries, ext. 112, plandau@nationalchurch.org Bill Potts –– Executive Director of Operations, ext. 101, wpotts@nationalchurch.org Rafael Reyes — Director of Building and Grounds, ext. 116, rreyes@nationalchurch.org Helen Simon — Executive Assistant to Dr. Parker, ext. 109, hsimon@nationalchurch.org Linda Smith — Director of Nursery School, 202.362.8746, lsmith@nationalchurch.org
The Messenger is published by The Metropolitan Church - A Multi-site United Methodist Community Metropolitan Memorial - 3401 Nebraska Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20016 Tel: 202.363.4900 St. Luke’s Mission Center (3655 Calvert St., NW)/Wesley UMC (5312 Conn. Ave., NW) Fax: 202.686.2056 E-Mail: jclouser@nationalchurch.org website: nationalchurch.org
NEXT ISSUE: March 14, 2016
NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on March 8, 2016