The Messenger

The Messenger Peeking ahead to Pentecost…

Christ the Lord is Risen! What a great Easter celebration we had across the Metropolitan Cooperative Parish. There have been, there are, and there continue to be signs of resurrection and new life in our midst. Thanks be to God! While we don’t want to skip ahead too quickly through the Easter season, the Sharing Ministry team (evangelism) wants you to get excited about our plans for Pentecost--the day we rejoice in the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church--on May 27. We are going to celebrate Pentecost in a slightly different way this year.

Pentecost on the Plaza will replace the picnic lunch we've held in recent years. The main event will take place between the two services (at 10:10) with refreshments, including a birthday cake for the church, and games for the kids. We will also have special doves to make and take with you to share with others as we tell the story of God’s love for us. Refreshments and doves will also be available on the plaza following the 11:15 service. I hope you will join us on Sunday, May 27, for Pentecost on the Plaza as we celebrate this great day in the life of our church. And don't forget to wear red!

April 16, 2012 Volume XXII, No. 4 Nationalchurch.org

Vacation Bible School

Dare to Go Deep with God In just a few short months, Metropolitan will be transformed into an undersea world, ready for the children of Metropolitan and kids from the community to dive into a voyage of Bible discovery.

"Operation Overboard!" is this summer's Vacation Bible School program to be held June 25 to 29 and we hope it will be another successful outreach effort for our church community.

The VBS curriculum, developed by the United Methodist publishers Cokesbury, will explore five stories from the Bible. Each day focuses on a different story from the Bible, and features a scripture to memorize with arts and crafts, science time, recreation and music that emphasizes parts of the day’s lesson. “Noah Depends on God” will show how Noah trusted God. “Dare to Care” will be a lesson in loving thy neighbor. “John Proclaims Jesus” explores how Gold loved the world so much that he gave his only son.

“The Disciples Choose to Follow Jesus,” takes a lesson from the page of Joshua, “my family and I will serve the Lord.” The last lesson, “Paul Delivers the Good News,” urges us to go in world, proclaim the good news and change the world. VBS is for children who are at least four years old to rising 6th graders.

Vacation Bible School has proven to be a valuable experience for our children and our congregation. The children who attend our regular Sunday School get the opportunity to experience God's word in a more relaxed setting, and during the unstructured days of summer vacation. VBS is also is an important outreach effort. Last year, about 40 kids signed up for our program, with only about half of them hailing from our congregation.

Some attendees were from our nursery school, which helps to build stronger ties to that community. Some kids were just from the neighborhood whose parents had seen our banners driving by our church.

Our VBS has also provided an opportunity for us to reach across the confines of our denomination by working in tandem with the VBS program at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

St. Paul's holds their camp the week before Metropolitan's and we cross market each program at our respective congregations. Often members from both congregations attend both programs. This year, St. Paul’s program is called “Sky, Everything is Possible with God,” and will be held the week before our program, June 18-22. Check out the St. Paul’s website for more information on their program.

What can you do to support VBS? We have a nice group of volunteers already lined up but there’s always room for more. If you want to help with decorations or shopping ahead of VBS week, we could use the help. For instance, some of the youth will be helping to build giant sea turtles and fish to decorate the Vestry in preparation. Maybe your interest is food and you’d be interested in coordinating snacks for us. Or maybe you can help us with a special mission project for the group to work on during the week. You can also help us spread the word. We’re making a special effort this year to advertise VBS widely, using advertising opportunities in local newspapers, list serves, and flyers. If you know of kids who are looking for a special summer treat this summer, please tell them about our VBS program!

We’ll have a special kick off for VBS on Sunday, June 24, when we’ll hold an ice cream social in the Great Hall between the two services. So please join us in blessing the kids and the volunteers as we embark on another VBS adventure together. Help us make VBS a success and Metropolitan a welcoming place to those who come through our doors.

Life at Metropolitan Memorial “NEW” E-Giving Service

I’d like to thank each and every person who helped to make our worship services so special from Palm Sunday through Holy Week and Easter. From the joyful voices of our children’s choir on Palm Sunday and the Faure Requiem to the foot washing, the reflections and music by Chancel Choir that took us to the darkness of the Garden on Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday we were blessed with seven preachers from around the DC area during our service of “The Seven Last Words” with haunting music provided by flute, viola, organ, voice and shakuhachi. If you have never attended you should consider attending all or part of this wonderful and ancient tradition. Our evening worship took us to the deep darkness of Good Friday. Music by Dayspring and the gospel readings along with the sermon brought us face to face with the sin and despair we all feel from time to time.

The responsive actions of hammering nails into the cross or lighting candles offer a reminder of hope and redemption.

We left in darkness and silence following the Christ Candle.

On Easter morn we were welcomed back to the church with streams of sunlight, a gorgeous array of flowers throughout the church and joyous music lifting us from the first note of the prelude to the closing postlude. What a joyous day! And, all of this was followed by a delicious brunch hosted by our Caring Ministry in the Great Hall.

None of this would be possible without the many, many hands and voices that participate in Holy Week preparation.

So my heartfelt thanks to all who participated from Rafael with his ever pleasant smile and helping hand to the ushers and greeters who welcomed so many visitors to the many lay members who provided support to the worship, to the flower committee, the choirs, the staff and our ministers.

Hallelujah! The Lord is Risen.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Michael Smith, who died on March 25.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Marisa and Nathaniel Remez who are long time members of the Maryland Youth Ballet and were both recognized for their achievements in ballet.

Marisa has accepted the offer of the outstanding program in Summer Study 2012 at Ballet Austin, but she was also accepted at the American Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Kaatsbaan, and the Orlando Ballet. Nathaniel accepted the offer of the prestigious Houston Ballet’s Summer Study 2012, but he was also accepted at the Atlanta Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. Our church family is blessed by their involvement in many ministries in the life of our church, and we celebrate these wonderful achievements with them.

Metropolitan has upgraded our online giving service. We have switched vendors and are now using Morehouse Publishing’s “E-Giving” service as our vendor. The new service is much easier to use and the fees associated with the service, and paid by the church, are less than our previous vendor. If you would like to sign up for the service, simply follow the quick link “Give Online” at nationalchurch. org and the system will walk you through the steps to start your E-Giving donations to the church. If you currently use our online giving service, you will need to transfer your information to the new service. If you have questions or need help to make the transition, please contact Bill Potts, wpotts@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 17.

Worship in the Great Hall Sunday, April 29, 10:15 a.m.

Join us in the Great Hall as we welcome guest speaker, Alexis Baden-Mayer, Director for the Organic Consumers Association, who will present issues concerning the production and consumption of food. This 45 minute service is part of a series of events based on Dr. Bill Holmes’ 2009 book Mature Christianity. Volunteers to lead the participatory service are needed. For more information contact Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo.com or Kent Weaver, kenthweaver@gmail.com.

Hospitality 101 point, NO, show me the way, please...

I witnessed a powerful example of radical hospitality during Holy Week. How many times have you asked someone for directions and they just stand there and point, or they try to give you cumbersome directions that set your mind to spinning?

On Thursday of Holy Week, a woman came into our church office and said she was hoping to bring her mother to church here on Sunday (for Easter). They have never been here, and her mother is in a wheelchair. She simple asked, "how do I get in?" Rather than just point or try to give cumbersome instructions, our front desk volunteer was incredibly joyful and hospitable. Without hesitation, she offered to show the woman around our church, including taking her to the entrance so that she could find the accessibility ramp into the building and the elevator, should she need them.

In our rushed lives, most of the time we simply stop and point. What if we took the time to not only point or to give a few words, but what if we made an effort to "show the way?" Where in our lives and in our church can we go beyond pointing and really extend radical hospitality?

Next time someone asks you where the coffee is located or where a class is meeting, consider taking time to walk them there. When you do that, you also have a unique opportunity to begin to build a relationship. In the process, as we create authentic and meaningful relationships, we also share the story of God's love.

Something to think about...

Sharing Team Ministries

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Life at Metropolitan Memorial (Cont.)

A Rain Garden in Metropolitan’s Parking Lot Mary Rollefson – Watershed Steward

In May, volunteers from Metropolitan and American University, in cooperation with the Watershed Stewards Academy of the National Capital Region and with a grant from the DC Department of the Environment RiverSmart Communities Program, will plant a rain garden in the large bed in the MMUMC parking lot. What is a rain garden, you might ask, and why are we planting one in the parking lot?

A rain garden is a shallow depression planted with deeprooted native plants and grasses. The existing soil is dug out and replaced with a mix of compost, sand, and top soil. The garden is positioned to capture stormwater, to hold it in place and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the ground. The purpose of a rain garden is to prevent or mitigate stormwater runoff, which carries untreated pollutants into our storm drains and further downstream into the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. The rain garden filters the water, cleansing it before it recharges the ground water.

Parking lots, with their impervious and hot surfaces, collect pollutants from cars and create heat islands, and thus are ideal sites for rain gardens. New regulations from the EPA are now requiring mitigation of stormwater in public areas including parking lots. Metropolitan Church already has two filter systems in place to handle most of the stormwater runoff from the parking lot. The rain garden will increase the efficiency of the existing filter systems by capturing the runoff from a large section of the parking lot and preventing it from entering the filter systems.

In addition to mitigating stormwater runoff, the rain garden will add beauty to our parking lot and will support butterflies, other pollinators and small wildlife. For years we have tried to grow plants in that large bed, but the intensity of the summer sun and difficulty in watering have lead to early plant demise. While this was happening, a lot of water was running past that planting bed. The beauty of a rain garden is that that water, which previously was wasted and polluting, will now serve two good purposes, environmental and aesthetic.

Watch for further notice about the planting of the rain garden.

We will be asking for volunteers to help with the planting.

The Birth of “Radical Hospitality” at Metropolitan

by Marilu Wood

One hundred and sixty years ago, in May of 1852, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met in Boston, Massachusetts. A group of laymen from Washington traveled on horseback to Boston to present a memorial, or petition, to the Conference. On May 4, they asked the attention and cooperation of that body to the erection of a house of worship, of convenient and prominent location, combining commodiousness in its size, and attractiveness in its interior and exterior style of architecture.

feel comfortable attending them.

According to Peter Cartwright, a minister of the church and an attendee at the 1852 Conference: “For my own part, I always feel embarrassed when, as a stranger, I enter a pewed church, and how mortifying it is to be directed by the sexton to some back, dirty, or dingy seat.”

A committee of members of the Conference was asked to Pew rents were a major source of consider the resolution. On May 10, they delivered their re- income for churches, so that the petitioners from Washingport, which read, in part: ton knew that they would need outside sources of funding ...We cordially approve of the erection of a new house of for both the construction and the general expenses of Metworship...in the city of Washington...That regarding the ropolitan (Eventually, Metropolitan had to charge pew rents.) success of this enterprise as of high importance...to the Another possible motivation for the idea of Metropolitan interests of Methodism...we will give it our individual influ- could have been political. At the 1844 General Conference, ence in our respective Annual Conference... the Methodist Episcopal Church had split over the issue of Thus was born Metropolitan Memorial Church, the National Church of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The above communications give no concrete reasons for adding yet another Methodist Episcopal Church to those already existing in Washington. However, concern had been expressed over the numbers of people- members of Congress, their staffers, and visitors on government business-who did not seem to feel comfortable in the existing churches.

slavery. The same concern was threatening to dissolve the Union. A church in the nation’s capitol that was open to all –government workers, visitors, and residents – from all parts of the country could help to heal the rift.

The Methodists were taking a big-perhaps financially ruinous-step. However, they felt strongly enough about their mission that they were willing to take an enormous leap of faith to extend RADICAL HOSPITALITY to those who were Because most churches, not just those of the Methodist per- in need in Washington (When Metropolitan opened its doors suasion, were “pewed” churches, meaning that families rent- in 1869, a large number of the ninety-seven original memed a pew annually, visitors-both short- and long-term, did not bers came from Wesley Chapel.)

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Caring and Learning Quiet Days of Retreat April 28, June 30, August 18 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Soup and Study Wednesday, April 25, 6 p.m., Vestry

Join us for a light dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the fellowship and learning opportunities listed below at 7 p.m. Childcare is available.

Questions? Contact Rev. Barbara Green, bgreen@nationalchurch.org or Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org.

Bible Study: Join Dr. Parker as he focuses on the book of Revelation and explores where God is speaking to us today through this ancient text. (Room 203) Caregiver’s Support Group: Caring for a family member or friend? Join us as we support one another and share our experiences together. Need someone to stay with your family member during this time? Contact Rev. Barbara Green, bgreen@nationalchurch.org or Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org. (Great Hall) Faith and Film: Join us for the film “On the Waterfront” (Choir Room) Test of Faith: Does Science Threaten Belief in God? Dr. Maynard Moore and Ned Bachman will teach this class on science and religion which studies some of the BIG questions, such as “Faith and the Universe” and “Creation and Evolution.” Contact: Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo. com or Kent Weaver, kenthweaver@gmail.com. (Conference Room)

Science & Religion: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Sundays, 10:10 a.m., Parlor

Join the Science and Religion class this spring as we focus on the work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the French Jesuit philosopher/paleontologist whose works published posthumously since 1955 have been a great influence in modern theology. Reference material will be available for visitors, who are always welcome. For more information contact Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo.com or Kent Weaver, kenthweaver@gmail.com.

You’re invited to “A Day Apart” for prayerful reflection at Priest Field Pastoral Center (4030 Middleway Pike, Kearneysville, WV 25430...only 90 minutes from the church). Cost is $30 and includes lunch. To register, call 304-725-1435 or email priestfieldpc@aol.com.

Lunch and More - Revised Date: September 2012

This fall, you are invited to come to lunch in the Great Hall.

After eating together we will plan future activities which might include watching movies, study, bridge, and/or book discussions. Mark your calendar! Questions or input, talk with Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202.363.4900, ext 19.

Concerned about memory loss?

Iona and the Alzheimer's Association's National Capital Area Chapter are providing an informational series about memory loss, led by members of the Alzheimer's Association speakers bureau. Sessions are as follows: •

Thursday, April 19 - The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

•

Thursday, May 17 - Legal Planning for Alzheimer's

•

Thursday, June 21 - Financial Planning for Alzheimer's

Need care services? Please let us know if you will need care services when you register, and donations will be accepted for this service. All sessions are free; contributions for care services are gratefully accepted. Refreshments served at 6:30 pm; presentation from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. To register call 202- 895-9448 [option 4].

Avon Walk 2012 Saturday, May 5

Metropolitan will be one of the main stops on this year’s Avon Walk throughout the day.

Please join us at the corner of Nebraska and New Mexico, near the church sign, to cheer the walkers and welcome them to Metropolitan. (Walkers should begin arriving around 10:30 a.m.)

Resources to Help You and Your Family Find Your Way Through Grief and Loss:

When Your Grandparent Dies by Victoria Ryan: Losing a grandparent may be a child’s first experience with death. The elves in this well illustrated book speak from a child’s eye view. They explore feelings, funerals, the meaning of death and how children can hold love as memory.

The Divorce Workbook for Children by Lisa M. Schab: Offers parents 40 simple and engaging activities to help kids address and cope with parental divorce. Activities are designed to help kids not feel “caught in the middle” and learn resilience and self-reliance.

Facing Change: Coming Together and Falling Apart in the Teen Years by Donna O’Toole. Helps teens understand their losses and discover creative coping strategies to deal with them.

How To Go On Living: When Someone You Love Dies by Therese Rando. This comprehensive guide encourages people to grieve in their own way. Readers whose loved one has died suddenly or through an expected death will find solace and useful information.

Empty Arms by Sherokee Ilse. This hope-filled book reaches out to all who have been touched by infant death or miscarriage.

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The Arts Wesley Concert Series at Wesley UMC (5312 Conn. Ave. NW) Jazz@Wesley Saturday, April 28, 6:30 p.m.,

Operatic Overtures for the Cherry Blossom Season Sunday, April 22, 4 p.m.

Internationally renowned Soprano, Alison Buchanan, presents a selection of arias, spirituals, musicals and songs for the soul accompanied by Virginia Lum and Collette Young.

Free entry. An free-will offering benefitting Wesley’s music program will be collected.

Jazz@Wesley presents The Sharon Thomas Experience (saxophonist Sharon Thomas & Friends). $10/person - $7/seniors - 12 & under free ($2 discount for advance tickets).

Songs of Peace, Justice, Love, Community Sunday, April 29, 4 p.m.

The Wesley Concert Series presents In Process…, an African American Women’s A Cappella Ensemble. $15 admission.

For more information go to wesleydc.org

Azusa Pacific Men’s Chorale Thursday, May 3, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary

Metropolitan is honored to host the DC leg of the Azusa Pacific Men’s Chorale East Coast tour. The Azusa Pacific Men’s Chorale is a 120 voice men’s chorale that is known for their incredible interpretation of classic choral music and traditional hymnody along with moving a capella pieces.

You will not want to miss this amazing evening of music.

There is no charge for the concert, but a free-will offering will be collected. If you would like more information, please contact Bill Potts at the church office, wpotts@nationalchurch. org or 202-363-4900, ext. 17. You can also search “YouTube” for an opportunity to hear some of their work.

Sacred Arias II

Sunday, May 20, 7 p.m.

A Recital by B. Jackson Caesar, Tenor

Come and enjoy a sacred and beautiful concert by our very own B. Jackson Caesar as he presents, “Sacred Arias II.” Joining him will be Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music and the Children of Metropolitan Memorial. Accompanists include: Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, Organist; Alma O. Sanford, Pianist; Symphony Chamber Orchestra of Arlington; Jeffrey Dokken, Conductor.

Free and open to the public (Donations Accepted). For more information go to bjacksoncaesar.com

Save the Date!

Metro Players Present: “The Dining Room” by A.R. Gurney Friday, May 11 at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $10/$5 students

Join the Metro Players as they look back into the vault and prepare for a 20th anniversary reprise of “The Dining Room.”

The play is a comedy of manners, set in a single dining room where 18 scenes from different households overlap and intertwine. Presumably, each story is focused around a different family during different time periods who has in their possession the same dining room furniture set, manufactured in 1898.

From the back of the play book: “The play is set in the dining room of a typical well-to-do household, the place where the family assembled daily for breakfast and dinner and for any and all special occasions. The action is a mosaic of interrelated scenes—some funny, some touching, some rueful—which, taken together, create an in-depth portrait of a vanishing species: the upper-middle-class WASP. The actors change roles, personalities and ages with virtuoso skill as they portray a wide variety of characters, from little boys to stern grandfathers, and from giggling teenage girls to Irish housemaids. Each vignette introduces a new set of people and events; a father lectures his son on grammar and politics; a boy returns from boarding school to discover his mother's infidelity; a senile grandmother doesn't recognize her own sons at Christmas dinner; a daughter, her marriage a shambles, pleads futilely to return home, etc. Dovetailing swiftly and smoothly, the varied scenes coalesce, ultimately, into a theatrical experience of exceptional range, compassionate humor and abundant humanity.”

Bring your family and friends for an evening of laughs and celebrate “Mother’s Day Weekend” the old-fashioned way.

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Service and Advocacy Campus Kitchen Project @ St. Luke’s Mission Center!

Saturday, April 21

The Campus Kitchen Project is an emerging leader in community service for students and resourceful anti-hunger programs for communities around the country. They empower thousands of students each year to recycle food from their cafeterias, turn these donations into nourishing meals, and deliver those meals to those who need them most. How can you get involved? Join us and help feed the hungry. There are 2 shifts. Join us at from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. at St. Luke’s to prepare the food or join us at Regency House (5201 Connecticut Ave., NW) from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. to serve. For more information, contact Rev. Kate Murphey, kmurphey@nationalchurch.org or 202.363.4900, ext. 21.

Symposium on Ending Homelessness in D.C. Tuesday, April 24, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Two years ago, DC put forth a plan to end homelessness in the District within five years. This community symposium, hosted by Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place, examines the plan’s progress and what it will take to reach that goal. Hear from experts representing the DC Department of Human Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and National Alliance to End Homelessness, as well as a formerly homeless advocate. All are welcome to attend this free event. For more information or to RSVP: 202-215-9071 or rsvp@cchfp.org.

Serve Now! It is easier than ever for you to get connected! Sign up for our many ongoing parish service activities with our online volunteer scheduling system at lotsahelpinghands.com/c/622058/login!

2012 Nicaragua Volunteer In Mission Trip

This August, our VIM Team will return to the Matagalpa region in Nicaragua, where last year’s ten-person VIM team served. This year’s team will work cooperatively with United Methodist Missionaries in Nicaragua.

This third mission trip reflects a deepening commitment to a long-term partnership in serving the underprivileged people of Nicaragua. Following last year’s trip, the cooperative parish raised almost $10,000 through our Christmas Eve offering to help establish and equip a new dental clinic to treat rural populations and finance the construction of a schoolhouse for children in Matagalpa. Interested in joining us?

Contact Rev. Kate Murphey, kmurphey@nationalchurch.org or Ohemaa Nyanin, onyanin@gmail.com.

Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding Day - Saturday, April 28

Rebuilding Together’s annual Rebuilding Day will be Saturday, April 28! Metropolitan will again field a work crew to repair the home of an elderly woman who lives on 2nd Street, NE (a couple blocks off Riggs Road). Her house was damaged during the earthquake, so there are cracks to repair and some painting as well as general repair work. As in the past, we will likely need people to do prep work on April 21 as well as on April 28. This is a great opportunity to help a disadvantaged senior citizen stay in her home. If you have questions, or can participate, please contact Lee Crockett, leecrockett@verizon.net. No construction experience required!

Children’s Ministries Summer Sundays of Service

Children’s Sunday School in the summer will be dedicated to service work. Each Sunday the children will tackle a different service project and we are looking for parents to lead this work one Sunday during this season. This is the perfect opportunity for parents who cannot commit to teaching Sunday School during the school year.

Pick a Service Sunday that fits into your family’s calendar and think of a service project (or one can be provided, as long as you’re willing to lead it). Last year, our projects included building bags of grace for the homeless and making cards for Veterans for the 4th of July. Other potential projects are creating care packages for the families supported by the ASP trip, prep work for the Campus Kitchen Project, and helping the Grate Patrol.

Won’t you please help out? Your commitment is just for the Sunday that you select. We are looking for teams for the following Sundays: June 10 & 17, and July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.

If you can step forward to help, please contact Anita Seline, aseline@nationalchurch.org.

Members of the children’s choir rehearse “Riding on the Road to Jerusalem” before the Palm Sunday worship service.

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Youth Ministries Youth 4 the DC Cause

Our middle-school-aged youth have a new, special opportunity to do service right here in Washington, DC. We are launching the first Youth 4 the DC Cause, and invite all youth from rising sixth graders to rising high school freshmen to participate in serving mission projects throughout our city.

We begin on June 17 to the 19th with two overnight stays at Metropolitan's Shalom Place in our St. Luke's Mission Center in Glover Park. If you would like to participate or have questions, please contact Ohemaa Nyanin, youthministry@ nationalchurch.org.

Youth Talent Show Sunday, June 10!

Are you between the ages of 8 and 20? Have a talent that you would like to show the world? Then this year’s Youth Talent Show is right up your alley! Hosted by Metropolitan, this fun event will showcase the many talents of our amazing youth. Sing a song, play an instrument or plan a routine with your friends! To showcase your talent, contact Ohemaa Nyanin, youthministry@national-

Save the Date! Kings Dominion - May 5

Rollercoasters, junk food, road trip! Sounds like the perfect youth outing. We’re firing up the church van and heading to Kings Dominion Saturday, May 5. We will depart at 8 a.m. and return around 10 p.m. There is a fee for this trip and we’re getting a group rate, so if you’re in, please RSVP to Ohemaa Nyanin, youthministry@nationalchurch.org. Details to follow!

Confirmation Class 2012

Every two years Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church’s Cooperative Parish hosts a confirmation class. The class usually ranges from 7th grade -9th grade, and they meet throughout the first part of the year to take classes and are confirmed at the end of May, early June. This year we would like you to get to know our confirmation class before they are confirmed on June 3, 2012. Please feel free to engage them when you see them.

My best quality is my kindness. In my spare time I like to drum, play basketball, and hang out with friends.

One thing I am curious about the church is the Holy Spirit.

- Spencer Adams

My best quality is I am smart.

In my spare time I like to play soccer and run. One thing I am curious about the church is why is communion like cannibalism?

- Owen Brody

My best quality is making people laugh. In my spare time I like to play basketball.One thing I am curious about the church is God real?

- Jacob Sanford

My best quality is how I am always asking questions about the world around me. In my spare time I like to sleep and play with my little sister. One thing I am curious about the church is what does it mean to be a “Methodist”?

- Isabel Brown My best quality is humor. In my spare time I like to do stage crew and lighting stuff.

One thing I am curious about the church is how it started?

– Amanda Gamage

My best quality is reading. In my spare time I like to read.

One thing I am curious about the church is what does the church not want us to know?

- Kevin Eastridge

My best quality is I am observant. In my spare time I like to draw, paint, sew, and read.

One thing I am curious about the church is the founding of the church.

- Elizabeth Vogt

My best quality is I am a hardworker. I never have free time, I’m always doing something. One thing I am curious about the church is how did different sects of the church come to be?

- AJ Gamage

My best quality is my leadership ability. In my spare time I like to play basketball. One thing I am curious about the church is what they do with the donations?

- James Matthews

My best quality is I care about others. In my spare time I like to play sports and spend time with friends and family. One thing I am curious about the church is where is God represented in the church?

- Anna Hukill

My best quality is that I’m a very nice and like to think positive. In my spare time I like to listen to music, and spend time with friends.

One thing I am curious about the church is why was there a New Testament and an Old Testament?

- Wallace Megginson

My best quality is my personality. In my spare time I like to hang out with friends.

One thing I am curious about the church is how do you know what you believe?

- Kate Peters

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Our Mission Building an inclusive, caring Christian community that invites others into a deepening relationship with God and challenges them to grow as disciples 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. 11, cparker@nationalchurch.org Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson — Minister of Congregational Care, ext. 19, dwilson@nationalchurch.org Rev. Barbara Green – Director of Learning, ext. 25, bgreen @nationalchurch.org Rev. Jimmy Sherrod — Associate Pastor, ext. 24, jsherrod@nationalchurch.org Rev. Kate Murphey — Associate Pastor, ext. 21, kmurphey@nationalchurch.org Bruce Caviness — 11a.m. Organist-Choirmaster, ext. 15, bcaviness@nationalchurch.org Jeff Clouser — Director of Communications and Outreach, ext. 23, jclouser@nationalchurch.org Dona Collary — Director of Finance, ext. 18, dcollary@nationalchurch.org Casey Elliott — Dayspring Choir Director and 9 a.m. Worship Leader, ext. 12, celliott@nationalchurch.org Caleb Frazier — Campus Ministry Coordinator, ext. 14, campusministry@nationalchurch.org David Hosey — Campus Ministry Coordinator, ext. 14, campusministry@nationalchurch.org Patrisha House — Director of Worship, Music and Arts, ext. 28, phouse@nationalchurch.org Ohemaa Nyanin — Interim Associate Director of Youth Ministries, youthministry@nationalchurch.org Bill Potts –– Executive Director of Operations, ext. 17, wpotts@nationalchurch.org Rafael Reyes — Director of Building and Grounds, ext. 20, rreyes@nationalchurch.org Anita Seline — Director of Children’s Ministries, ext. 22, aseline@nationalchurch.org Helen Simon - Executive Assistant to Dr. Parker, ext. 10, hsimon@nationalchurch.org Linda Smith — Director of Nursery School, 202.362.8746, lsmith@nationalchurch.org

The Messenger is published by: The Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish Metropolitan Memorial - 3401 Nebraska Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20016 Tel: 202.363.4900 Fax: 202.686.2056 E-Mail: jclouser@nationalchurch.org website: nationalchurch.org St. Luke’s Campus - 3655 Calvert Street N.W., Washington, DC 20007 Wesley United Methodist Church - 5312 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20015 NEXT ISSUE: May 14, 2012 NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on May 8, 2012