March 2015

METROPOLITAN CHURCH

A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY

March 9, 2015 Volume XXV, No. 2 Nationalchurch.org

The Messenger Holy Week, Holy Time

As March draws to a close, so will our Lenten journey. We mark the end of Lent with Holy Week – the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

Palm/Passion Sunday Worship at Metropolitan Memorial* 9am & 11:15am Procession with EcoPalms and Children’s Choirs Worship at Wesley* 9:30am Breakfast & 11am Procession & Worship (5312 Conn. Ave., NW) Maundy Thursday Worship at Metropolitan Memorial* 7:30pm Worship with Communion and Chancel Choir Good Friday Services Worship at Metropolitan Memorial Noon – 3pm “Seven Last Words” 7:30pm Worship with Dayspring Choir* Worship at Wesley* 7pm Tenebrae Service (5312 Conn. Ave. NW) Easter Vigil Noon - Meet at our St. Luke’s Mission Center (See page 3 for details) Easter Sunday– April 5 Worship at American University Sunrise Service at Kay Spiritual Life 6:15am - 4400 Mass. Ave., NW Worship at Metropolitan Memorial* 9am & 11:15am - Festival Choirs, Brass, Timpani, and Handbells Brunch after each service Rockin’ Gospel Worship at Wesley* 11am - 5312 Conn. Ave., NW *Free Childcare Available

Holy Week is a beautiful time of mystery and awe. It is a time to relive the final moments of Christ’s human experience. Christmas is usually the time when we talk about incarnation – how God became human in Jesus Christ. But Christmas is just one bookend to the incarnation story. The other bookend is Holy Week. It isn’t something we just tolerate to get to the good stuff of Easter. Holy Week represents intentional time in our calendars to remember that God loves enough to live our lives, suffer our suffering, and die our death.

Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, with the crowd waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” The entry into Jerusalem was a political act: the donkey contrasted with Roman chariots, but was also a symbol of the Davidic king prophesied in Zechariah 9. Palm branches were a traditional way of celebrating Judean kings, much like we wave American flags for our parades today. “Hosanna” literally means “save us,” but when the crowds shouted it they were implying that they believed Jesus was capable of saving them. When we cry “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday, we assert the same thing – Jesus can and does save us.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week do not have any special worship services attached to them in Methodism. Orthodox churches have special Christ the Bridegroom liturgies for these days that combine the parable of the ten bridesmaids from Matthew 25 with the image of a bloodied Jesus, wrapped in a purple robe, being mocked by the Roman soldiers. Christ the Bridegroom dons this humiliating garb to claim his bride, the Church.

Maundy Thursday marks Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The word “maundy” comes from a misunderstanding of the Latin mandatum, or commandment.

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another” (John 13: 34). We mark Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion and foot washing, experiencing and remembering Jesus’ final actions with his gathered friends.

What is good about Good Friday? Linguistically, nothing: the “Good” in Good Friday is a corruption of “God” (just as Good-bye is a corruption of the phrase “God be with ye”). But the resurrection follows the horror of Good Friday; the ultimate example of how God can use a bad situation to bring about something good. We mark Good Friday with worship centered on Jesus’ last words from the cross, words of pain and abandonment, but also words of forgiveness and love.

I invite you to take time during Holy Week to worship, pray and contemplate the final week of Christ’s human life. (Worship times at Metropolitan are listed in the sidebar.) Allow the mystery and awe of Holy Week to bring you closer to the God who loves you.

Blessings, Rev. Janet Craswell

We Are An Easter People! Easter Brunch Following Worship - Sunday, April 5

We at Metropolitan have a long established tradition of celebrating Christ’s Resurrection with joyous worship, music and celebration in community with a festive brunch. At the same time that we receive into our hearts that message of new birth and renewal accompanied by the hyacinths and daffodils that have slumbered over the dark days of winter, we also give up our fasts and penance and indulge in a naughty brunch. We invite our members and guests to join in this communal feasting after each service.

We gather in the Great Hall for a sit down meal together. If you can assist the Caring Team with the brunch, contact Suzanne Forsyth, 202-320-6274; suzanneforsyth@aol.com

Life at the Metropolitan Church Honoring Dona Collary for her 20 Years of Service

On Sunday, March 1, we honored Dona Collary for her 20 years of service during worship and at a special reception in the Great Hall. To learn more about Dona’s contributions to Metropolitan, read the February 2015 edition of The Messenger.

Guests at the celebration included Dona’s family

Dr. Parker presents Dona Collary with a set of commemorative pictures

Thank you, Thank you

With deep gratitude, I thank the planning committee for making my 20th Anniversary celebration a day I will cherish forever. Bill Potts, Helen Simon, Connie McWorkman, Susan Elliott, Sue and Bill Roach and last but not least my beloved boss, Drema McAllister Wilson, planned a wonderful celebration. In fact, we have all decided, if Drema wants a second career, she would make a terrific stand up comedian!

20 years have flown by. We have seen many changes in those 20 years. It has been a pleasure to have served this congregation. Years ago someone asked me who I thought I worked for. At first I thought, is this a trick question? But I looked him straight in the eye and said I report to the Senior Minister but I work for the entire congregation. We have laughed together and cried together. As I said on Sunday none of the positive changes would have been possible without the love, support and dedication that came from our congregation. My dear friends, I am forever grateful.

Love, Dona

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” 2015 Church Council Retreat There are few things more important in the life of a church then setting the vision. A strong vision draws us together on a common journey, led by the power of the Spirit. On February 22 and 23, 44 people -- members of the Church Council joined other members of our Metropolitan church family -- in a visioning process to address our greatest hopes for the church in 2015 and beyond. In advance of the retreat, our programmatic Pillars (Praising, Learning, Caring, Sharing, and Serving) identified both Pillar-specific and broader goals, and folks across our Metropolitan community were invited to provide their hopes for our church in the next few years.

The retreat was structured and coordinated under the able and skilled leadership of Christie Latona, Washington Regional Strategist for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Through a series of small groups, the retreat participants reflected on all of the hopes and dreams for our church that came out of the pre-retreat process, and talked Christie Latona about where there was common energy and led the retreat a sense of call.

Out of those conversations, two areas emerged as having the broadest consensus, and the participants drafted two goals for this year and beyond: • Create boundary-breaking partnerships in the areas of hunger, homelessness, sustainability and reconciliation across our multisite congregation and our city.

• Build, refine, and sustain systems that meet and connect people wherever they are on the spiritual continuum into the life, relationships, and mission of the church.

The final wording of these goals will be developed by a Task Force appointed by the Church Council. This Task Force was also charged with looking at cross-Pillar issues including staff and lay communications; staff and lay leadership structures and responsibilities; and integration across our three campuses of Metropolitan Memorial, Wesley, and the St. Luke’s Mission Center.

In addition, particular events were identified by some of the Pillars that they felt took their focus and energies away from the central mission of their Pillar. The Task Force will look at these events and provide recommendations on whether these events will be dropped in future years or be handled in a cross-Pillar or administrative way. The Task Force will study all of these issues over a three-month period and provide recommendations to the Church Council at a future Council meeting.

This was a very successful two days for our church, and we are very grateful to Christie and all who participated in the Retreat, and look forward to working together in answering God’s call to our Metropolitan community of faith.

Blessings, Rev. Charlie Parker

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Life at the Metropolitan Church Our prayers go out to...

• to the family and friends of Virginia Thompson who died on March 4 • to the family and friends of Billie Webster who died on March 1

Congratulations!

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to Melissa and Glen Lauber on the birth of their grandson, Abram Wallace Lauber on February 24

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to Caroline and Joseph Evans on the birth of their daughter Madison Rae Evans on February 9.

Tech Volunteers Needed!

Metropolitan Book Club Monday, March 16, 7:30pm, Library

Join us as Karen Howard leads our discussion of The Heist

by Daniel Silva. On April 20, Regula Guess will discuss Gray Mountain by John Grisham The Book Club is open to all who enjoy sharing comments about the books we read. Contacts: Joan Topalian, jtopa62045@gmail.com or 202-363-8797 or Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@aol.com or 301-530-8818.

Lenten Contemplative Services Sundays, Now - March 29, 7pm, Sanctuary

Calling all tech-oriented high schoolers, college students and adults. The volunteers who run the sound and light systems for Metropolitan’s services would love to welcome new members into their clan! This is a great way for those with theater or technical interests to further skills while making a useful contribution to Metropolitan.

We rotate responsibilities among our crew and are very flexible with scheduling. For more information and a noncommittal tour of our setup, contact David Sproul, davidasproul@gmail.com or 202-213-7076.

Join Rev. Charlie Parker and Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson for a Lenten journey centered on Transforming Fear as a Path to God. This healing worship integrates scripture, prayer, music, silence and reflection into a deeper experience of the Living Word and the Holy Sacraments.

Easter Vigil Saturday, April 4

Join us Holy Saturday during the afternoon, exact times pending, to pray for and anticipate Christ's resurrection.

We will begin at our St. Luke’s Mission Center and travel to various points across our city. Like those on the Road to Emmaus, we will study the scriptures and Christ's teaching, share our concerns over the brokenness we see, and pray for the hope of resurrection. For more information and to reserve a seat on the bus, contact Pastor Kate, kpayton@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 110.

Check out our blog at nationalchurch.blogspot.com!

Overflow parking is available on Sundays in the School of International Studies (SIS) parking garage across the street at American University.

Remembering Others at Easter

Remember family and friends this Easter by donating Altar flowers!

I wish to donate: # ____Easter Lillies ($30 each) # ____Hydrangeas ($30 each) $ _____Toward the Cut Flowers In Memory of:________________________________________ In Honor of:__________________________________________ oI will pick up these flowers following 11:15am worship oI wish to donate these flowers to the church for distribution to church members by the Visitor Corp All donations will be listed in the Easter Sunday Bulletin. The deadline for gifts is Monday, March 30.

Please drop off or mail your form and payment to the church office. Orders cannot be taken by phone.

My Name: _____________________________

Phone: ______________

Address: ______________________________

Total Enclosed: $___________

Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016

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The Arts at the Metropolitan Church Jazz@Wesley March 27 and 28, 6:30pm, Wesley*

Concert & Art Exhibition Sunday, March 22

Concert - 3pm: Spring, Love, etc.!

Spring may not be “bustin’ out all over” on March 22. Nonetheless, it will be two days after the official start of that glorious season, and the six more weeks of winter predicted by our national prognosticator Phil on February 2 will be history.

So plan to celebrate with us that Sunday afternoon at 3pm at a concert called “Spring, Love, etc.! Songs from Broadway and Beyond.”

The performers will be members of various military ensembles, out of uniform. Some participate in our early-service music program. Others are friends and acquaintances of theirs. They will be presenting songs from musical theater, written by composers ranging from Broadway legends such as Rodgers and Hammerstein to modern musical-theater figures such as Jason Robert Brown. There will be a mix of classic and modern Broadway songs, from the well known to the somewhat obscure.

The performers are excited about doing this program. You’ll certainly want to be in the audience to hear them. Who knows: it might be almost like being in love! The celebration will continue at a reception and the opening of a beautiful photography show in the Great Hall.

Art Exhibition - 4:30pm: Visible but Unseen Photographs by James and Kathryn K. Steele “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” The truth of this statement is found in our new show which showcases the work of two area photographers: both find beauty in the world around us; both define beauty differently.

For Kathryn Steele, beauty is in the world of nature. Where we might see just trees or water or desert, Kathryn is open to finding beauty in ordinary places. There are photographs where we would never have seen something interesting until Kathryn saw it. Nature’s Paisley is one of those images.

Kathryn saw the possibilities in those blue swirls, cropped a section of the water, and then gave a name that is perfect for highlighting the beauty in that photograph: Nature’s Paisley.

On the other hand, James Steele says, “I have recently come to realize that flowers that are not freshly cut and in full bloom are entering a more visually interesting phase. . . In showing the flower pictures, I am struck by how many folks comment that they didn’t realize that declining flowers could be so beautiful. Maybe this is a result of seeing them large where small details are made visible.”

Come and engage with the natural world, stretch your minds and discover a hint of the warmer days to come. Enjoy! Exhibition runs from March 22 - April 26. Sundays (9am - noon), M-F (9am - 5pm). See the receptionist in the church office for weekday entrance.

Enjoy a weekend of Jazz featuring the Gabrielle Murphy Quartet and Taylar Lee with the Savannah Harris Trio. On Friday night, straight-ahead saxophonist Gabrielle Murphy brings her quartet to perform her fiery brand of jazz standards and new tunes.

On Saturday, the Washington Women in Jazz Festival 2014 Young Artist, Taylar Lee, joins with the Savannah Harris Trio for an evening of swinging music that belies their young ages. Entry $10 I $7 Seniors I Children 12 and Under Free.

Purchase tickets at instantseats.com. Bring a nonperishable food item or lightly used coat for those in need. Call the Jazz@Wesley Info line, 202-966-5144, ext. 325 or email WesleyInfo@nationalchurch.org. *5312 Conn. Ave., NW.

“Share the Music” Concert Sunday, March 28 2pm, Sanctuary

The Children’s Chorus of Washington (CCW) presents “Share the Music” with CCW’s Young Men’s Ensemble and our visiting guest Brooklyn Youth Chorus’s Men’s Ensemble.

After a day of music sharing singing for each other and together, both Men’s Ensembles will present an hour-long concert sharing inspiring music with the audience. Each ensemble will first present its individual program of mixed repertoire before combining their voices for two final songs: Edvard Grieg’s “Brothers”, “Sing On!” and an a capella piece titled, “Silhouettes” arranged by Ed Lojeski. Free and open to the public. Learn more at childrenschorus.com.

Sing Out for Shelter Concert Saturday, March 28, 8pm

For over 20 years, The Augmented Eight, a local men’s a cappela group, has organized this popular benefit concert which provides funds to Metropolitan House, Friendship Place, and other local homeless service providers. In addition to the Augmented Eight, this year’s concert will feature performances by The Capital Hearings and Gracenotes.

Tickets available at the door: $25/person; $15/Seniors, $10/ Students; $50/patron or online at augmented8.org/sos.

Save the Date! Metro Players Present "Enchanted April" by Matthew Barber April, 24, 25 and 26

The Metro Players begin its 30th anniversary season with the 2003 Tony Award nominated play “Enchanted April”

by Matthew Barber, directed by Bob Benn. “A comical, restorative journey of discovery...from darkness to light, from inhibition to unrestrained joy. Beautiful and theatrically rewarding.” - Daily Variety. To learn more or become involved with the Players, contact Bob Benn, rjb2graphicdesign@yahoo.com.

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Adult Study Food for Thought Wednesdays, 6pm - Dinner, 7pm - Study

Join us for a chef-prepared dinner followed by a choice of classes. Dinner is $7/adult, $4/child ($20/family maximum).

AU students pay what you can. Reserve your spot for dinner at nationalchurch.org/foodforthought (requested but not required)! Classes include: Luke - Led by Rev. Charlie Parker and Bob Olson. From birth to resurrection, the Gospel of Luke presents Jesus of Nazareth as the savior of the entire world, and focuses on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Luke offers parables such as the prodigal son, the shepherd and the lost sheep, and the woman with the lost coin to show the great extent to which God will go to reclaim the least, the last, and the lost.; Topical Study: “Worthy Before God: An LGBTQ-inclusive theology.” Led by AhnnaLise Stevens-Jennings. Explore the theological basis for being a reconciling community through study, service and conversation. For more information, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115.

Bible Study The Gospels and the Kingdom of God Wednesdays, 7pm, Wesley Library*

Join us at Wesley as we explore the gospels and the stories and passages that were included, left out, or misinterpreted.

Come and discover what they have to say for us today. For more information, contact Rev. Kate Payton, kpayton@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 110. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.

Mondays at the Parsonage Monday, March 16, 6:30pm, Parsonage*

Come to the parsonage for a potluck dinner and reflection on how we make space for God. We will use Don Postema’s Space for God as a guide to deepen our practice of spirituality and prayer. Be ready to share your stories about connecting with God! Contact: Rev. Kate Payton, kpayton@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, 110. *3311 Nebraska Ave., NW.

College Bible Study Wednesdays, 7pm, AU Lounge

All college-aged folks are welcome to join us on Wednesday nights for Bible study on "church words": Language that Christians often use that we often don't define or reflect on.

We'll examine words like "fellowship," "discipleship," and "blessed," to see what they might have meant in their original context and what they might mean for us today. Dinner at 6pm in the Vestry, followed by study and conversation at 7pm.

The Rhetorical Jesus Goes to Church Friday, May 1, 7:30pm l Saturday, May 2, 9:30am Registration Begins April 17!

The Jesus Seminar on the Road presents “The Rhetorical Jesus Goes to Church,” with Professors David Galston and Bernard Brandon Scott. Jesus of Nazareth used irony, hyperbole, paradox and other rhetorical devices to speak of God and God’s kingdom. What can we learn about the historical Jesus through the study of his rhetorical “voiceprint”? What does this scholarship mean for the life of the church? Friday, May 1, 7:30pm - 9pm; Saturday, May 2, 9:30am - 4pm. Registration: $60/before 4/17; $75/after 4/17.

To register go to westarinstitute.org/regional-programs/jsorregistration.

How We See Jesus: A History Sunday, April 19, 12:30pm, Vestry

Rabbi, rebel, healer, miracle worker, sage, mystic, prophet, Son of God, Son of Man, savior, Christ, Lord, Mary’s son ...Jesus of Nazareth has been known by many names and through many lenses over the years. On the weekend of May 1, Metropolitan Memorial will host “The Rhetorical Jesus Goes to Church,” a presentation of the Jesus Seminar on the Road (JSOR). The Jesus Seminar focuses on ‘historical Jesus’ scholarship – an attempt to discern what we can learn about Jesus of Nazareth behind the text of the New Testament. To frame the JSOR discussion and to better understand traditional Christian teaching, join us Sunday, April 19 for lunch and a lively romp through 2000 years of Christology (stuff we say about Jesus Christ). Augustine, Calvin, John Wesley, the fundamentalists, Bonhoeffer, liberation theology, historical Jesus scholarship and more – all have shaped how we see Jesus. Led by Rev. Charlie Parker and Rev. Janet Craswell. For more information, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-3634900, ext. 115.

College Students! Free Food Friday Fridays, 11am, AU Lounge

Our ever popular Free Food Friday is back for the spring semester! All college students are welcome in the AU Lounge (across from the Parlor) from 11am - 2pm for free pizza, veggies, snacks, drinks, and great conversation.

Bring your appetite and a friend!

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Serving Ministries

Grate Patrol March 1, 5:30pm, St. Luke’s Mission Center*

During the week of February 20, 24 Campus Kitchens across the country competed against one another to see who could raise the most money to support their hunger-fighting work.

They galvanized hundreds of student, congregation, and community supporters – 943, to be exact – with impressive results. Together, they raised $56,293 to support their innovative student-powered hunger relief efforts.

The Campus Kitchen at Washington, DC (CKWDC) raised $12,715, thereby winning an additional $1,000 prize for raising the most “dough” of any Campus Kitchen. CKWDC will use the funds they raised to support their food recovery and meal production efforts – we plan to create 15,000 healthy, balanced meals for Washington, DC residents this year alone. Further, the Campus Kitchen is aiming to expand their services to an underserved community east of the Anacostia River to provide fresh produce and healthful meals in an area considered a food desert. Thank you to all who support us!

Join us at the St. Luke’s Mission Center to help assemble the meal (provided by our Campus Kitchen Program) in togo containers. Volunteers may also gather to receive communion, light a candle, say a prayer at the prayer stations in the St. Luke’s sanctuary. Then at 6:45pm, 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; 4-6 volunteers are especially needed to ride in the van from approximately 6:45pm - 8pm. No experience necessary.

Contact: Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 111. *3655 Calvert St., NW.

Campus Kitchen Volunteer Shifts

The Campus Kitchen Project (CKP) is a national leader in community service for students and is the future of hunger relief. CKP is empowering the next generation of leaders to implement innovative models for combating hunger, developing food systems and helping communities help themselves.

The Campus Kitchen at Gettysburg College came in second place, raising $10,537 and winning an additional $500 grant.

Students with the Campus Kitchen at Saint Peter’s University raised $6,000 to come in third, winning an additional $250.

Finally, a $750 prize was also given to the Campus Kitchen at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore/Shady Grove (who raised $5,020) for engaging 159 donors – the most of any competitor.

We now offer several shift days and times to choose from.

Come and help out at one or all three options: Wednesdays: 3:30pm - 7pm; Fridays: 2pm - 6pm; and Saturdays: 11:30am - 3:30pm. To volunteer, go to our Campus Kitchen online resource, nationalchurch.org/volunteerhub.

A giant “thank you” goes out to all of our donors and to all who shared our challenge with their own networks. Your support makes all the difference in powering our lean and sustainable solutions to hunger. Thank you for investing in our work!

Sign up for our many ongoing parish service activities! It is easier than ever for you to get connected with our online volunteer scheduling system at nationalchurch.org/servenow!

Serve Now!

Blessings, Rev. Dottie Yunger

Vacation Bible School 2015 - Register Now!

Splash! What could be more fun than a Vacation Bible School (VBS) camp all about water?! This year’s VBS (July 13-17, 9am - noon) is for kids age 4 through rising 5th graders. Youth helpers from grades 6 and up are welcome. To better accommodate more families, we’re offering extended day from noon to 3pm for a limited number of children.

The theme is Splash in God’s Word. Immerse your child in scripture through faith-filled games, science activities, crafts, music and more! Splash in God’s Word includes the stories of Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Big Fish, Walking on Water, Woman at the Well and Lydia. For the extended day option, learning and play related to the theme will continue. Children will bring their own lunch, watch a video from the Splash program, do a service project at the church, and have free time for crafts and games. Cost for the half-day camp is $60. Extended day option is an additional $100 ($160 total). Online registration is now open at nationalchurch.org/vbs.

Adult and youth volunteers are needed for all aspects of the program. Opportunities for paid college-age students are available in the afternoon (see page 11). For more information, contact Courtney Leatherman, c_leatherman@ix.netcom. com or Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115..

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Serving Ministries "Lent is a time to repent, reflect, sacrifice, and listen for God. This year, The Green Team suggests that we all join with many others in taking on a Lenten Carbon “Fast.” May this season serve as a wake-up call to be mindful of the ways that our daily choices impact everyone, especially people living in poverty. Each of these actions will reduce our production of climate pollution and help to preserve God’s great gift of Creation.”

The Green Team would like to share with our community the Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar (see below) for the rest of Lent offered by our friends at Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light. Each day of the calendar gives suggestions for how to Care more for Creation bit by bit. Here is an opportunity to explore new activities that will “nudge” us toward a more sustainable future for all.

The Green Team would also like to report that we have now saved nearly 4000 disposable water bottles from landfill or the waterways by using our two water bottle filling stations at the water fountains next to the office and the Great Hall at Metropolitan! Great work by all!

April will include Green Team sponsored speakers at Food for Thought: Topical Study: A Hopeful Earth: Faith, Science and the Message of Jesus by Sally Dyck and Sarah Ehrman. Led by Rev. Dottie Yunger.

This study pairs the Christian faith of Bishop Sally Dyck and the scientific world of her niece, Sarah Ehrman, as they discover how the church can reach the younger generation by joining them in the race to save the environment that God created.

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100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide April 24, 1915 to April 24, 2015

by Joan Topalian In 1915, leaders of the Turkish government set in motion a plan to expel and massacre Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire. There were about 2 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire at the time of the massacre. By the early 1920s, when the massacres and deportations finally ended, some 1.5 million of Turkey’s Armenians were dead, with many more forcibly removed from the country. Today, most historians call this event a genocide—a premeditated and systematic campaign to exterminate an entire people.

However, the Turkish Government does not acknowledge the enormity or scope of these events (My mother was a survivor of the 1915 genocide living in Adana, Turkey with her mother).

The Armenian people have made their home in the Caucasus region of Eurasia for some 3,000 years. For some of that time, the Kingdom of Armenia was an independent entity— at the beginning of the 4th century ad, Armenia became the first nation in the world to make Christianity its official Religion. During the 15th century, Armenia was absorbed into the mighty Ottoman Empire.

The Ottoman rulers, like most of their subjects, were Muslim. They permitted religious minorities like the Armenians to maintain some autonomy, but they also subjected Armenians, who they viewed as “infidels,” to unequal and unjust treatment. Christians had to pay higher taxes than Muslims, for example, and they had very few political and legal rights.

In spite of these obstacles, the Armenian community thrived under Ottoman rule. They tended to be better educated and wealthier than their Turkish neighbors, who in turn tended to resent their success. This resentment was compounded by suspicions that the Christian Armenians would be more loyal to Christian governments (that of the Russians, for example, who shared an unstable border with Turkey) than they were to the Ottoman Caliphate.

These suspicions grew more acute as the Ottoman Empire crumbled. At the end of the 19th Century, the despotic Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid II –obsessed with loyalty above all, and infuriated by the nascent Armenian campaign to win basic civil rights—declared that he would solve the “Armenian Question” once and for all. “I will soon settle those Armenians. I will give them a box on the ear which will make them…Relinquish their revolutionary ambitions.”

Between 1894 and 1896, this “box on the ear” took the form of a state-sanctioned program. In response to large scale protests by Armenians, Turkish military officials, Soldiers and ordinary men sacked Armenian villages and cities and massacred their citizens. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians were murdered.

In 1908, a new government came to power in Turkey. A group of reformers who called themselves the “Young Turks” overthrew Sultan Abdul Hamid and established a more modern constitutional government. According to them, non-Turks— and especially Christian non-Turks—were a grave threat to the new State.

In 1914, the Turks entered World War I on the side of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire (at the same time, Ottoman religious authorities declared Jihad, or Holy War, against all Christians except their allies). Military leaders began to argue that the Armenians were traitors: If they thought they could win independence if the Allies were victorious, this argument went, the Armenians would be eager to fight for the enemy.

On April 24, 1915, the Armenian Genocide began. That day, the Turkish government arrested and executed several hundred Armenian intellectuals. After that, ordinary Armenians were turned out of their homes and sent on death marches through the Mesopotamian desert without food or water.

Frequently, the marchers were stripped naked and forced to walk under the scorching sun until they dropped dead.

People who stopped to rest were shot.

At the same time, the young Turks created a “special organization,” which in turn organized “killing squads” or “butcher battalions” to carry out “the liquidation of the Christian elements.”

Records show that during this, “Turkification” campaign government squads also kidnapped children, converted them to Islam and gave them to Turkish families. In some places, they raped women and forced them to join Turkish “harems” or serve as slaves. Muslim families moved into the homes of deported Armenians and seized their property.

IN 1922, when the genocide was over, there were just 388,000 Armenians remaining in the Ottoman Empire.

After the Ottomans surrendered in 1918, the leaders of the young Turks fled to Germany, which promised not to prosecute them for the genocide. The Turkish government has denied that Genocide took place. Today, Turkey is an important ally of the US and other western nations, and so their governments have likewise been reluctant to condemn the long-ago killings. In March 2010, a US Congressional Panel at last voted to recognize the Genocide.

The American Ambassador, Henry Morganthau, Sr, was outspoken about what was happening during the genocide.

In his memoirs, the Ambassador would write: “When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to a whole race; they understood this well, and in their conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the fact.” A telegram sent by Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Sr., to the State Department on 16 July 1915 describes the Massacres as a “Campaign of Race Extermination.”

We will remember the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide during the “Joys and Concerns” on Sunday, April 19.

Sources: Relatives The New York Times “Armenian Genocide of 1915: An overview” by John Kifner Armenian Genocide – Facts & Summary – History.com Armenian Genocide – Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

The United Methodist Women The UMW Book and Bake Sale Approaches Saturday, March 14, 8am - 3pm

We look forward to seeing all book lovers and cookie monsters at the UMW Book and Bake Sale Saturday, March 14 from 8 am to 3 pm, with a special, congregation-only sale on Sunday March 15 from 10 am to 1 pm in the Vestry.

Thank you to the many, many people who have donated books to our upcoming used book sale. As you might expect, our UMW closet is overflowing! If you intend to donate more books, please consider bringing them to Metropolitan on Thursday, March 12 to the Vestry. That will mean fewer books for volunteers to move during set-up.

Speaking of volunteers, this year, we are using an electronic sign-up system to organize ourselves for the upcoming Book and Bake Sale. The system is through an organization called Sign Up Genius and it's easy to do. Click the link below, and add your name to the slot(s) when you can work. You do NOT need to set up a Sign Up Genius account to do this. Or, if you prefer, contact Anita Seline, at amseline@aol.com and she will be happy to sign you up. Even an hour or two of your time will help us make the Book and Bake Sale a success. We are in need of set-up help, clean-up help, and bakers. There are many ways to plug in.

Here is the link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e4da8a6238-march Finally, help us publicize the book sale. Are you a member of a local neighborhood list serve? Do you frequent a coffee shop that has a community bulletin board? Do you know anyone who likes to find a bargain and to read a good book? Please help us publicize the upcoming Book and Bake Sale, posting an announcement on your list serve, and telling your friends about the event. Publicity (especially the free kind) can't be done too early or too often. We have a flyer you can use, please contact Anita Seline at amseline@aol.com and she'll forward you an electronic copy. Please help us spread the word.

The Women’s Retreat at PriestField 2015

The UMW-sponsored Women’s Retreat drew 32 women (including 10 first-time attendees) out to Kearneysville, WV, for its annual retreat over February 6-8. The Friday night ice-breaker involved a paper “snowball fight”, which culminated in lots of laughter and no serious injuries. Our retreat leader, art therapist Martina Martin, helped each of us address our “compassion fatigue” through different art projects, including silk mandalas and “passion purses”, which incorporated elements of our best and most discouraged selves. On Saturday afternoon, Kate Payton led drumming circles and Pat Simpich offered Feldenkrais sessions. Sunday morning worship A Silk Mandala was led by Dottie Yunger with Communion offered by Kate Payton. Below are some thoughts shared about this year’s retreat: “What I love most about these retreats is the opportunity to separate myself from home and work (well, mostly) and relax with people I usually see in passing. I love catching up with old friends, but I find it rewarding to sit at meals and activities with people I don't know well, or at all, seeing the divine in them as I hope they see a glimmer of the divine in me.”

“I loved the making of the Passion Purse, the company, the food, and the Feldenkrais. The retreat location is also lovely!! It was so nice to get away and focus on our best self. It was all too short a time.”

“I liked the fellowship the most. Wonderfully enriching - and the opening ice-breaker should be an annual event!”

Fellowship in the PriestField lobby

Mary Jo Marchant and Gail Crane work on “passion purses”

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Caring Ministries Healthy Coping Mechanisms March 22, 12:30pm, Great Hall

On Sunday, March 22, Louise Stewart will give a presentation on Healthy Coping Mechanisms sponsored by the Ministries for Life Transitions. This seminar explores the many ways people cope in stressful situations. There are unhealthy coping mechanisms such as denial, avoidance, fantasy as well as healthy coping mechanisms such as problem solving, relaxation, meditation etc. We will be looking at several healthy coping skills to incorporate when faced with a stressful situation. We will share with each other some stories when a healthy coping mechanism or skill was engaged.

Stress, unfortunately, is a part of life. It is vital to know what to do when faced with a wild and wooly situation. There is negative stress, such as loss of a job, or loss of a loved one.

There is also positive stress, such as birth, the wedding day etc.

Louise writes about herself: “I have been going to Metropolitan Church since 1966, the year my family moved to Washington, DC. My job title at Asbury Methodist Village is Move-In Coordinator and Community Outreach Coordinator.

I feel that it is God's plan having me work at Asbury where my parents reside. I can keep an eye on them and they can keep an eye on me. I can't act up, that's for sure. I have several interests; writing poetry, dance, comedy. I used to do stand up comedy back in the 80's and even tried out for Star Search.” A light lunch will be served. To sign up for lunch, contact Barbara Green, bgreen@nationalchurch.org or 202363-4900, ext. 105.

Ministries for Life Transitions

Four groups are continuing to meet to address specific transitions the members are going through in their lives. New participants are always welcome. The groups and their leaders are: • Creative Aging – Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at “Food for Thought” at 7pm in the Great Hall. Led by Susan Elliott, overlookzoo@verizon.net • Chronic Illness and Caregiving – Next meeting: March 25, 7pm at “Food for Thought” in the Fireplace Room. Led

by Susan Roach, susanroach@verizon.net and Nancy Nelson, nnelson5758@yahoo.com.

• End of Life and Bereavement – Bereavement Support Group meets on March 11, 18, 25 and April 1 at “Food for Thought” at 7pm in Room 206. Led by Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202363-4900, ext. 104.

• Careers – Next meeting date TBD. Led by Suzanne Forsyth, suzanneforsyth@aol.com.

Lifestyle Renewal Mondays, Now - March 30, 10am or 7pm, Great Hall

Join our Lenten journey towards a healthier body, mind and spirit with traditional interfaith and research-based guidance on healthy eating, exercise, and stress management. Sponsored by the Caring Ministries. Contacts: Jane Ward, jane@rideforsaferoutes.com, Nancy Nelson, nancy@nutritionmattersnow.com or Pat Simpich, pat.simpich@verizon.net.

New Feldenkrais Series - Experience the Magic Now - March 30, Mondays, 1pm Thursdays, 7pm, Great Hall

Join Pat Simpich as she offers Feldenkrais lessons during our Lenten Lifestyle Renewel (see above). The Feldenkrais Method helps develop one’s awareness of movement resulting in improved range of motion, flexibility and posture. Bring comfortable clothes and a towel or mat. RSVP to Pat Simpich, pat.simpich@verizon.net.

Prayer Shawl Ministry March 15, 12:30pm l March 17, 1:30pm

Enjoy a time of knitting, crocheting, fellowship, ministry and fun in the Parlor! If you are interested in joining, contact Barbara Tate, Bdtate@verizon.net.

AARP Meeting Monday, March 16, 12:30pm, Vestry

Please join us as we kick off our spring programs. Don Turnbull will tell us about his and Bobby’s trip to Australia last fall.

Social time is at 12:30pm, and the meeting starts at 1pm.

Refreshments will be served.

Lunch and More March 19, Noon, Great Hall

Join us for “Lunch and More” as our guest speaker, Louise Stewart, presents “Laughter.” Louise is a member of Metropolitan Memorial and the daughter of Alma and Charles Stewart. Questions?

Contact Phyllis Kokus, PKokus@aol.com, Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net or Rev. Drema McAllisterWilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext.

104.

Care for the Soul While Living with Loss: Gentle Movement & Writing for Grief Saturday, March 21, 10am, Community Hospice of DC*

Loss can shatter our world: our hearts, our spirits and even our bodies. In this workshop we’ll use gentle movement, guided breathing and journal writing exercises to examine our relationship with grief and restore our ability for self-care. Coffee, tea and a light breakfast will be served. Teachers include: Yael Flusberg, an award-winning poet and integrative yoga therapist. (since 2007, she’s married these two loves through her Pen & Pose series, leading yoga and writing workshops. Learn more at yaelflusberg.com) and Carmen Calatayud, LPC is a licensed professional counselor and a bereavement coordinator for Community Hospice. She is a published poet, writer and yoga practitioner who shares mind-body approaches and creative arts to support people living with loss and seeking self-growth.

Please wear comfortable clothes, bring a notebook and pen, and an open heart. RSVP to ccalatayud@communityhospices. org or 202-895-2641. *3720 Upton St. NW.

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Youth Ministry Youth In Mission Auction Sunday, March 22, 12:30pm, Vestry

Join us for our annual Youth in Mission Auction. This year we will be celebrating 41 years of service in Appalachia through ASP. We will have lunch, an auction, and a talent show featuring our youth choir. This year, we will be taking 30 youth with us to Tennessee, which may be our largest group ever. Funds raised at this event will go to support 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.

This is a silent auction, and we welcome your donations.

In the past, we have had restaurant gift cards, weekend stays at vacation homes, landscaping, dinners, physical trainers, and other services. To donate items, please contact Patrick Landau at plandau@nationalchurch.org or stop by the church office.

Lunch will include both a gluten free and vegetarian option.

The 2014 ASP Mission Team

Children & Youth Ministry The Power to Parent 1: The Vital Connection March 13 l April 3, 17 and 24 May 1 and 8 9:30am, Christie Room

Join Meghan Leahy, certified parent coach for topics including: Dealing with resistance and oppositionality in children; Addressing the roots of aggression; Disciplining in ways that do not divide; and Addressing separation problems and anxieties.

Meghan Leahy is the mother of three and holds a master’s degree in school counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

Learn more at positivelyparenting.com. Cost is free. Space is limited (first come, first served). RSVP to Gwen Castleberry, gwen@zirtual.com. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Memorial Nursery School.

Temporary Summer Child Care Position

We are looking for help from 12pm - 3pm the week of July 1317 at the extended day child care program after Vacation Bible School at Metropolitan Memorial. You would be part of a fourperson adult team supervising up to 20 children from ages 4-9 during lunch, service activities, crafts and games. Pay $15/per hour. Must be 18. Ideal for college students. Contact Rev. Janet Craswell, Jcraswell@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115.

Sand Box Summer Camp May 28 - July 2 9am - 12:30pm Daily 4 Full-Week Sessions or 2 Abbreviated Holiday-Week Sessions

Sandbox Summer Camp is designed to provide a happy, exciting, and fun camp experience for children ages 3 through 5. Experienced Metropolitan Nursery School staff will provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, with time to explore and discover and to play and make friends. Weekly music and movement as well as other special programs are also provided. We will give the children a morning snack.

Children bring their own lunch except on special lunch days.

Enrollment Information: • Tuition for summer camp is $225 for each full 1-week session and prorated for abbreviated sessions.

• Applicants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Children who have turned 3 by June 1, 2015, are eligible to attend.

• There will be no refunds.

• Total camp enrollment is thirty children per week.

Register at nationalchurch.org/Learning/summer_camp!

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Prayer Concerns Hospitals: Roscoe Dellums (Suburban surgery on March 17); Bob Younes (Georgetown); Gwen Loftin (Shady Grove); Alma and Charles Stewart (Kindley Assisted Living) Prayers for Metropolitan: Chris Brown; Sophia Posner Brown; Jim Griffith; Jean Ney; Bill Owens; Mary Rynearson Prayers of Celebration: for the birth of Abram Wallace Lauber born on Feb. 24th, grandson of Melissa and Glen Lauber; for the birth of Madison Rae Evans born on Feb. 9th to Caroline and Joseph Evans Prayers of Sympathy: for the family of Virginia Thompson who died on March 4; for the family of Billie Webster who died on March 1; for Stacy Krogh on the death of her aunt, Penny Bailey; for Vineet Kalucha on the death of his father; Extended Family: Jan Agricola (Angela Carpenter Gildner’s friend); Keith Bodamer and Al Balavage (Tates’ friends); Gail Carter (Glen Lauber’s friend); Mars Fletcher (Bobby Turnbull’s friend); Mary Ann Gerono and Nina Gagnier (Susan

McLain’s friends); Bill Hardin (Tom DeBolt’s brother-in-law); Carol Potter (Grace Cranick’s sister-in-law); Allie Siefkin (Ann and Chuck Cochran’s friend); Carmen Ruiz (Anita Seline’s step-mother); Ruth Vermilyea (Brian Boyle’s mother); Margaret Wood-Hays (Marilu Wood’s mother) Wesley Community Prayers: Nancy Connors’ father; Debbie Hines’ sister, Elizabeth; Darit Gordon; Barbara Barnes Allen; Julian Blair; Frances Davis; Ina Morgan; Mary Kitt; Ann Michel’s father; Noah Reynolds; Pastor Kate’s grandfather; the Pollock’s nephew, Neil; Eli’s friend, Abby; Tori Selimis; Michael Constantine; Irving Agnew; Liz and Elizabeth Whitlock; Darrell and Lea; Jebby; Tawanna Isler; Deborah Shelton Finley; Yvonne Parks; Dee Bryant; Dorothy Williams; Valerie Latham; Audrey Thomas; Ronald Almer Carroll; Iris Johnson; Anne Burton; Nellie Ealy; Janet Burkhart’s grandson, Trent, granddaughter Crystal and friend Jennifer; Nat McMaster’s grandmother and cousin and Uncle Tom; Ysaye Barnwell; Dot Thomas; Travis Rice; Richard Jones.

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 with-

out 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 Rev. Barbara Green – Minister of Life Transitions, bgreen@nationalchurch.org, ext. 105 David 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 Communications and Outreach, ext. 113, jclouser@nationalchurch.org Dona Collary — Pastoral Care Assistant/Wedding and Funeral Coordinator, ext. 106, dcollary@nationalchurch.org Casey Elliott — Dayspring Choir Director/9am Worship Leader/Youth Choir Director, ext. 151, celliott@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: April 13, 2015

NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on April 7, 2015