April 2016

April 11, 2016 Volume XXVI, No. 4 Nationalchurch.org

The Messenger

METROPOLITAN CHURCH

A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY

Going to Carolina! ASP 2016

This summer, our youth and a dozen and a half adults will head out for our 42nd trip to rural Appalachia to build houses as part of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Founded by a Methodist pastor nearly 50 years ago, ASP provides a transformational opportunity for youth in their engagement with the people of Appalachia. It is a hallmark of our youth programs here at the Metropolitan Church and continues to be supported by the generosity of church members, their friends, and their families.

ASP Auction Schedule Sunday, April 24

10:00am - Silent Auction begins 12:30pm - Lunch Begins and Silent Auction Starts to Close 1:00pm - Dessert and ASP Presentation 1:10pm - Live Auction and Closing Appeal Donate Now! Have something to donate for the auction? Fill out our online donation form at nationalchurch.org/ASP_donation or contact Patrick Landau, Director of Youth Ministries, plandau@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 112.

ASP began in 1969 when Pastor Tex Evans noticed that many of the people of Appalachia with which he worked needed assistance with home repairs. He gathered together fifty youth and adults who worked during the day and worshiped at night. By the end of that summer, four homes were repaired and the foundation was laid for what ASP would become. Today, ASP has over 16,000 volunteers in the summer and repairs 500 to 600 homes throughout Central Appalachia.

In addition to helping some of the poorest people throughout Central Appalachia have warm, dry and safe homes, our youth have a deeply meaningful experience that often results in lasting transformations. For many of our youth, the first experience they have of building something is on ASP. It is also one of the few times in which they get out of their comfort zone for an entire week to learn about a different culture and to build relationships with people who in many ways are not like them.

ASP has been a long tradition here at Metropolitan. Some of our adult leaders have been going on trips for well over a decade. Many adults have told me about how their ASP experience helped shape their values and push them in the direction that their career has now taken them. As we continue our commitment to such a strong program, I would like to ask your support in funding our ASP program.

Last year, we took our largest known group to ASP with 34 teens and 14 adults (see inset). As our ASP group continues to grow, so do our costs. You can contribute to this important tradition through our Youth in Mission Lunch and Auction on April 24th. This live and silent auction needs your donations. If you have anything you wish to donate, please fill out our online donation form at nationalchurch.org/ ASP_donation or contact Patrick Landau, Director of Youth Ministries, plandau@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 112. After donating, please come to the auction and outbid your fellow church members! See inset for a schedule of the day!

Thank you for your ongoing support of our young people, and please help make this the best ASP trip yet!

Our 2015 ASP members in Sullivan County, TN, worked on seven different projects on four different homes.

Blessings, Patrick Landau

Save the Date and Wear Red! Pentecost, Sunday, May 15 — One service at 10am!

We will celebrate Pentecost with a joint worship service at Metropolitan Memorial on Sunday, May 15 at 10am. It will be a glorious day of music with offerings from Dayspring, Chancel and Wesley Gospel choirs. New members will be joining from both Wesley and Metropolitan Memorial and Rev. Kate Payton will offer the message. Following worship the new Hospitality Team will be hosting a “Party on the Plaza” with strawberries, cupcakes, cake pops, strawberry lemonade, and time to visit with friends. Hope to see you there!

Life at the Metropolitan Church A Note From Our Staff Parish Relations Committee Dear Friends, Recently, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) shared important news about Rev. Kate Payton and Rev. Dottie Yunger, who will be moving on from the Metropolitan Church this summer to begin new appointments. Rev. Kate will become senior pastor at Epworth UMC in Cockeysville, MD, north of Baltimore. Epworth is a vibrant congregation that averages about 125 in weekly worship, strongly values diversity, and seeks to explore ways to further connect with their local community. Rev. Dottie will be taking the helm at Solomons UMC in Southern Maryland. Solomons UMC values their strong connections in the community, as well as the beauty and inclusiveness of their worship styles. The new appointments will be effective July 1, 2016.

As is so often true of transitions, this news evokes in us as parishioners -- and in Dottie and Kate as pastors -- an array of feelings: excitement around the new possibilities for ministry for Kate and Dottie, as well as the inevitable sense of loss and perhaps even anxiety that accompanies leave-taking. In the coming weeks, we will have opportunities to help Dottie and Kate as they set about the work of preparing for their respective transitions in their areas of ministry. We will also have opportunities to celebrate the considerable contributions that each of these dynamic and gifted women has made to the Metropolitan-Wesley community. Stay tuned for an announcement about a time and place to celebrate the ministry of Kate and of Dottie—in addition to celebrating Dottie’s upcoming ordination as an elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church.

The United Methodist Church places clergy in pastoral appointments within a system known as itineracy—a tradition with roots that reach back to the days of circuit riders. As a practical matter, this means clergy are guaranteed an appointment and churches are guaranteed a pastor; however, each specific assignment is ultimately decided by the local bishop. This is in contrast to some other Protestant denominations that rely on a “call” system, in which congregations are responsible for recruiting, vetting and hiring their pastors. Because pastoral transitions are a common occurrence within our denomination, the UMC Book of Discipline has clear guidelines addressing the “do’s and don’ts” that apply when a member of the clergy takes a new appointment. These guidelines are designed to ensure that transitioning clergy have an opportunity to focus fully on their new appointments, and for the congregation located at the prior appointment to be able to adjust to the changes they are experiencing. Specifically, the Discipline states: Returning to a Previous Appointment.— 1. As of the effective date of a new appointment, a pastor shall immediately cease all pastoral counseling and pastoral visitation with members or member families in the previous appointment. Since appointments are generally announced several weeks in advance, each pastor has adequate time in which to effect closure and make appropriate referral to another for the pastoral care of members.

2. Pastors shall have a clear understanding with former congregations that they will not return to officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals, or do pastoral counseling or pastoral visitation in that parish. Pastors, active or retired, shall respectfully decline to participate in such duties when invited by members of a former congregation. Declining all such invitations is the responsibility of the previous pastor. The present pastor, at his or her discretion, may invite the previous pastor to return for pastoral functions. However, the present pastor should never be under any pressure to invite the previous pastor.

Questions about the above guidelines, as well as feedback, questions or concerns can be directed to members of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee: Julian Blair (Chair/Wesley); Suzanne Vieth (Vice Chair/Metropolitan Memorial); Beth Peters (Metropolitan Memorial); Helene Lilly (Wesley); Joyce Shields (Metropolitan Memorial), Glen Lauber (Metropolitan Memorial), and Derek Willis (Metropolitan Memorial).

Congratulations •

to Lara and Nate Kline (and big brother Gabe) on the birth of Jacob Thomas Kline, on March 22.

Check out our blog at nationalchurch.blogspot.com!

Our prayers go out to...

• the family and friends of Eunice Jones Mathews, who died on February 27.

• the family and friends of Lois Perry, who died on March 18.

Front Desk Volunteer Needed

Have fun and meet nice people! If you have a couple of hours to volunteer in our office during the week (9am to 5pm), please contact Princess Bethea, pbethea@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 102.

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Life at the Metropolitan Church Spring Sermon Series A People called Muslim

Our new sermon series is focusing on A People called Muslim. Islam is the world’s second largest religion, with over one billion adherents. While the Islamic world includes Muslim countries stretching from North Africa to Southeast Asia, significant numbers of Muslims may be found throughout the entire world. On April 3, we began with a focus on A People of the Book. We laid the groundwork for our series and looked at some of the connections between the Bible and the Qur’an. The following Sundays will be focused on: A People of Prayer (including the call to prayer Christians and Muslims share); A People of Generosity (including the sacred call that Christians and Muslims share to care for the most vulnerable); and People of Pilgrimage (including the rich tradition of pilgrimage to places of spiritual significance that Christians and Muslims share, and the shared call to go out in pilgrimage to spread their faiths and how this has brought us to conflict).

We hope that you will join us on this journey as we learn more about a major religion of the world and explore together where God might be calling us to be in dialogue and ministry with our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Were you unable to attend worship on Sunday?

If you miss any of the sermons in this enlightening series, you can listen to the audio version of the sermons on our website at nationalchurch.org/Praising/Sermons_ Podcasts.

Family Day Camp - Sign up Now! Sunday, April 17, 10:15am, Manidoken Camp*

Join us for a day of fun and fellowship with friends from the Metropolitan Church Community. There will be activities for kids and adults of all ages, including a zip line, ropes course, and games. $10/Individual or $25/Family. Includes lunch, snacks and activities. Meet at Metropolitan Memorial to caravan there or meet us on your own. Sign up at nationalchurch.org/familycamp. Contact: Patrick Landau, plandau@nationalchurch.org. *1600 Harpers Ferry Rd, Knoxville, MD 21758.

Metropolitan Book Club Monday, April 18, 7:30pm, Parlor

Join us for our discussion of the book, The Lady in Gold by Anne-Marie O’Connor. In May, we will be discussing Daniel James Brown’s, Boys in the Boat. We meet every third Monday of the month and welcome new persons who enjoy reading and talking about the books we read. Contacts: Joan Topalian, topajoan62045@gmail.com or Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@aol.com.

Thanks to All for a Glorious Easter!

by Patrisha House

It takes a village to raise a child and it takes an army of volunteers to prepare for Easter.

On Maundy Thursday, Drema McAllister-Wilson offered her message in four short meditations woven through the words, music, foot washing and communion, setting the scene for the days to come. Thank you to Craig Gildner and Lois Weaver who read the story so beautifully; to Ann Michel and Anita Seline who offered the foot washing; to Bruce Caviness and the Chancel Choir for their beautiful music; Dottie for the words at communion; our acolytes, Elena Remez and Bob Benn; and to those who sat in the silence to remember On Good Friday, our service of The Seven Last Words, included preachers from across DC and Baltimore, including our own Kate Payton and alumnus, Amy Peed McCullough.

Our pastoral staff offered their time as liturgists and music was provided by Bruce Caviness on organ and vocalists, Ian Urriolla and Elliott Methany. Good Friday evening, we worshiped together at Wesley with music offered by Dayspring, directed by Nevin Bender and the Wesley Gospel Choir, directed by Pam Rogers. The scripture was interpreted magnificently by Erik Dellums and Curtis Pree. Our acolytes were Olivia Greene and Eliora Brown, directed by Bob Benn. Charlie Parker provided the sermon and worshipers were able to participate by hammering a nail into a cross and/or lighting a candle. Our worship again ended in silence as we prepared for Easter day.

Our Easter Vigil on Saturday, was led by Kate Payton and Dottie Yunger. They departed our St. Luke’s Mission Center after reading the Genesis Creation story. Next stop was Asbury UMC reading the story of Exodus and praying for those who are enslaved. Followed by the Prophecy of Abundance from Isaiah and participating in the food ministry at Mt. Vernon and the story of the valley of dry bones from Ezekiel at the site of the trash trap where police searched for Relisha Rudd’s body. The last stop was a walk to the river to remember our baptism and finally expecting the resurrection.

We arrived Sunday morning at Metropolitan Memorial to a sanctuary returned to its glory and enhanced by the beauty of flowers. Many thanks to the flower committee and volunteers who worked to bring our space back to life. Our worship services were filled with the sounds of bells, organ, piano, brass and choirs as our voices joined together singing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” Many thanks to the bearers of the Christ Candle, Richard Staines (9am) and Julia Parker (11:15am) and Caroline Sanford as acolyte. A delicious brunch was offered thanks to Bill Potts and his Hospitality Team with decorations provided by the Caring Team.

Easter Sunday at Wesley was a joyous celebration led by Dottie Yunger, preacher and Princess Bethea, liturgist. A large crowd joined in the music and celebration led by the Wesley Rockin’ Gospel choir, Pam Rogers, director.

I am so thankful for everyone who donated their time, their voices, their creativity and their spirit to our Holy Week worship services and Easter Sunday.

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The Arts at the Metropolitan Church Jazz@Wesley Saturday, April 23 6:30pm, Wesley*

Jazz@Wesley presents Nasar Abadey, founder, leader and driving force of SUPERNOVA® - music from the threshold of Jazz to beyond. 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.

Creativity Reminder: Think About It - October 23

On October 23, instead of an art show by outsiders, the Arts Council wants to show the work of insiders 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 things can be shown for only a single day. If you have any questions about the art show, contact Carol Schleicher, rschlei@verizon.net or Marilu Wood, shedelwood@gmail.com. Our Arts Council Chair is Carol Griffith, carolgriffith33@hotmail.com.

Metro Players Present “Rumors”* A Farce by Neil Simon April 29, 8pm April 30, 5pm May 1, 2pm In the Vestry Theater

The Metro Players are concluding their 30th anniversary season with the Neil Simon farce, “Rumors.” The play, set in a large, tastefully appointed townhouse, begins as the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife is nowhere in sight. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. When it premiered on Broadway, The New York Times' reviewer said the play "has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh."

Our production, directed by Bob Benn, features the acting talents of Carol Bartlett, Judy Edstrom, John Long, Trish Long, Pat Nicolette, Randy Oberdick, Phil Potter, Sharon Smith, Christina Stockhoff, and Jon White.

General Admission tickets are available at the door, and cost $15 for adults, and $10 for Students and Seniors. *Please note that the production contains some adult language.

The United Methodist Women Great Day of Service: Love Your Neighbor. Help Your Neighbor Saturday, April 16, 8am to 1pm, St. Luke’s Mission Center*

The United Methodist Women invite you to a Great Day of Service at our St. Luke's Mission Center. Gather for breakfast, provided by Chef Anthony, and then work for the good of your neighbor. There are several projects to choose from: travel to the DC Diaper Bank's warehouse in Silver Spring to help with distributing diapers; travel to Grand Oaks at Sibley Hospital to visit and play games with senior citizen residents (many are needed to do work at the center too); assemble UMCOR health kits; personalize teddy bears for the Wendt's Center on Loss and Healing's summer camp for grieving children; pack hygiene kits and school kits for Educare; create birthday cards for the birthday card ministry; and write letters and sew stoles for the Methodist church's reconciling ministries. You don't have to be a member of UMW to participate in the Great Day of Service, it’s open to all members of our congregation. To facilitate RSVPs and the volunteer work, please let us know you're coming and where you will serve by signing up at SignUpGenius.com/go/70A0E4DA8A6238-great.

Participants are asked to bring a food item for weekly grocery bags given to residents of the Metropolitan and the St. Luke's shelters. Please bring one of the following: box of instant oatmeal (individual packets, 15 oz); boxed soup (17 oz); canned pasta (such as spaghetti, ravioli, etc, 15 oz); canned vegetables (individual serving, 5 oz); and canned meat or fish (5 oz). *3655 Calvert St., NW.

UMW Recognition Lunch - Call for Nominations

Each year the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan Memorial hold a Recognition Luncheon honoring women who have made a significant contribution to the church, the nation and the world. This year the luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 4 at 12:30pm. We are seeking nominations of outstanding women to honor this year. Please submit nominations to Beverly Fleming, Beverly.fleming@gmail.com or 703-978-7654.

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Serving at the Metropolitan Church The Success of St. Luke’s New Approach to Transitional Housing

In 2012, Metropolitan transitioned the St. Luke’s Shelter to a new operating model allowing it to better serve its mission of providing transitional shelter and support for homeless men. Working in close partnership with Friendship Place’s AimHire program, St. Luke’s now serves a growing segment of the homeless population – those who are employed or moving toward employment. It is expected that every resident will be working actively toward sustainable employment and permanent housing with the goal of transitioning out of St. Luke’s House in as short a time as possible. To better meet the needs of these individuals, St. Luke’s expanded its operating hours with residents now having access to the shelter 24 hours a day making it easier for them to work nights or jobs with odd hours. This approach has allowed us to serve a larger number of men and it has generated tremendous results.

Since 2012 • 55 residents transitioned from St. Luke's. 52 of those residents were employed upon exit.

• 48 of those 52 employed upon exit, were still employed 3 months after they moved out.

• 41 of those 55 moved to permanent housing upon exit. 14 of those 55 moved in to transitional housing upon exit. 6 of those that moved to transitional housing upon exit are now in permanent housing as well.

Grate Patrol Opportunities to Serve

Sunday, April 24, 10:10am, Vestry Monday, April 25, 6:30pm 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.

May 1, 6pm, St. Luke’s Mission Center*

Help assemble meals (provided by our Campus Kitchen Program) in to-go containers. Volunteers are also 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.

East Capitol Urban Farm Grand Re-Opening Saturday, May 21, 9am - 1pm East Capitol Urban Farm*

Come join us for the community grand re-opening of the East Capital Urban Farm. Enjoy food, games and tons of fun. To learn more, contact Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@ nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 111. *5929 East Capitol St., NE.

Food Recovery at Metropolitan

One of the very exciting areas of growth in our Serving Ministries over the past couple of years has been our Campus Kitchen Program, in which we collect tons – literally – of food that would otherwise go to waste, and re-prepare it for thousands – literally – of meals for those in our city who are hungry. According to a report released in February 2015, about 60 million metric tons of food is wasted a year in the United States, with an estimated value of $162 billion. About 32 million metric tons of it end up in municipal landfills, at a cost of about $1.5 billion a year to local governments. (New York Times, February 25, 2015) There is a lot of food out there to recover, and the only limit in our growing this program is a lack of volunteers.

We desperately need volunteers to go to the stores (mostly Mom’s Organic Markets) and farmer's markets which donate the food to us and pick it up. We have a particular need during the summer. Detailed instructions and scheduling are provided to all who do pick up. There are a variety of locations and days where pick up is needed. So whether you would like to pick up once a week, once a month, on a substitute basis, with or without a partner, there is a place for you! Let us know what works for you.

This is truly a gratifying way to give to the community and you may learn about a fruit or vegetable you have never seen before. For information and to volunteer contact the church office at 202-363-4900 or pastorsoffice@nationalchurch. org.

Serve Now!

Sign up for our many service activities with our online volunteer scheduling system at nationalchurch.org/servenow.

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Caring Ministries Life Transitions: National Healthcare Decisions Day Sunday, April 17, Following Worship Outside the Great Hall

National Healthcare Decisions Day is a national initiative that encourages adults of all ages to plan ahead of a health crisis. Stop by and pick up a copy of “Aging with Dignity’s Five Wishes,” a living will that deals with personal, family and spiritual matters in addition to medical and legal concerns.

Nurture a sense of inner peace, calm and balance with guided and walking meditation. All are welcome. Meets every Wednesday at 9am. Contact: Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net.

Life Transitions Sunday Educational Forum Wally and Elizabeth Moore: How They Survived and Thrived After a Life-Changing Accident Sunday, April 17, 12:30pm, Great Hall

Several years ago, Wally Moore had an accident that required months of rehabilitation. He and his wife, Elizabeth, will share their personal experience of loss, coping, and finding a path to new ways of living. Light lunch provided.

April AARP Meeting Monday, April 18, 1pm, Vestry

Please join us as Sally White, Executive Director of Iona Senior Services, discusses the services Iona provides for local seniors. 12:30pm social time.

Life Transitions: Chronic Illness and Caregiving Wednesday, April 20, 7pm, Fireplace Room

Both those experiencing chronic illness and people who are caregivers are invited to join our support group. Meets every third Wednesday of the month. Contacts: Susan Roach, susanroach2@gmail.com or Nancy Cherney, nancy@ nutritionmattersnow.com.

Lunch and More Thursday, April 21, Noon, Great Hall

Weekly Meditation Practice Wednesdays, 9am, Sanctuary

Join us for lunch, a bridge game, a board game or a movie!

This month’s movie is “Brooklyn.” A 2015 Irish-BritishCanadian romantic drama that tells the story of a young Irish woman’s immigration to Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within them for her. If you committed to bringing a game, please don’t forget! Contacts: Phyllis Kokus, PKokus@aol.com and Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net.

Gentle Yoga with Cathryn Ellen Pethick Thursdays 4pm, Great Hall

All* are invited to explore basic yoga movements and “poses” (asanas) to help us be more conscious of our body and mental condition, and to stretch, strengthen, and improve balance. Eight classes/ $100; seniors (65+)/ $80; drop-in fee $15/class. To register contact Cathryn, cathryn@ yogawell-being.com or 301-946-7045/301-642-3889. *The ability to get up and down from the floor is necessary for this class; you may use a chair to do so, if needed. Sponsored by the Congregational Care Committee.

Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer Wednesday, May 4 10:15am, Great Hall

Live longer & be happier! Join the Wellness Team for Dan Buettner’s, “Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer” and discover healthy ways to thrive, discover true happiness, & unlock personal vitality. 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.

Bishop Matthews Love Offering

Bishop Marcus Matthews, Bishop of our Baltimore Washington Conference, is retiring this year. The Bishop asked the Conference to honor his legacy by giving financial gifts in his and Mrs. Matthews' name to be used to construct a Health and Fitness Center at Africa University. This gift is a Love Offering that will make a significant impact on present and future students at Africa University. Every gift - large or small - is appreciated.

Churches are encouraged to make a special appeal to support this Love Offering. A video resource is available from the BWC's YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qqtoS5a7630, or may be downloaded from bwcumc.org/love. The Conference website has a user-friendly portal that allows givers to give electronically. Visit bwcumc. org/love. Once on the site, you can give a personal gift. Checks may be mailed to: BWC Treasurer, c/o Bishop Matthews Love Offering, 11711 East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759. If you are in the Mission Center, there is a giving "tree" with envelopes marked with different amounts to contribute.

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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: Session 7: April 13, 20, and 27 •

Bible Study: Romans. A theologically deep, complex book, Romans offers profound messages of God’s grace (Led by Bob Olson and Charlie Parker).

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Topical Study: The Middle East: What is wrong, is there hope, and how can we help? With the pain of the recent events in Syria, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine, it can be hard to see a way forward in the Middle East.

Join us for a discussion led by area experts on Middle East politics, diplomacy, and the work of the church in the area (Led by Ken Longmyer, a retired Foreign Service officer whose postings included US vice-consul in Jerusalem and Rev. Doris Warrell, the former Field Director for Churches for Middle East Peace).

Racial Justice Task Force Wednesday, April 13, 7pm, Room 204

The Racial Justice Task Force (an informal working group) welcomes those who would like to join our discussions, during Food for Thought on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Contact: Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo. com.

Jesus Seminar on the Road April 15-16, St Mark's Episcopal Church*

Come to the annual Jesus Seminar on the Road.

During 2014 and 2015, Metropolitan hosted this event in partnership with St. Mark's Church. The 2016 topic is “Christianity before Christianity” – the period when the Jesus movement was “finding its way” as a coherent faith midst the many and varied cults and sects in the Mediterranean world. Leadership is provided by Dr. Charles Bobertz, professor of New Testament at Yale University, and Dr. Stephen A Patterson, professor of religious studies at Claremont Graduate School. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration is preferred at westarinstitute.org. One can register or attend each session separately (Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon) or attend the entire event. For more information, contact Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo.com. *301 A St., NE.

Children’s Ministries VBS - 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. VBS kicks off with a family event, including a potluck dinner, on Sunday evening July 10.

With the arrival of spring, it’s time for us to turn our attention to celebrate an important milestone in the life of our community: the 50th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Nursery School.

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!

What a truly remarkable accomplishment that our beloved nursery school has been around for half a century.

Metropolitan Nursery School has a reputation for showering its students with love, energy, and personal attention, and laying a strong educational and emotional foundation for the future of these children, and for our community.

Children’s Chorus of Washington Auditions

We have several fun events planned to mark this special occasion, and we hope you’ll save the date to help us celebrate!

Love to Sing? Join the premier youth choral program in the national capital area in its 21st season with new artistic director Margaret Nomura Clark.

For singers ages 5 to 18, schedule an audition today on selected dates in June. Call 202-237-1005. No previous experience necessary. Dates available: Tuesday, June 7; Tuesday, June 14; Monday, June 20; Tuesday, June 21; and Saturday, June 25 Also, check out our programs for younger singers 5 to 8, an introduction to the choral experience with no audition necessary. Register for Prep Class directly online at childrenschorus.com/programs/prep-class (next session in September).

50th Birthday Party Back-to-School Picnic & Groundbreaking Sunday, September 11 Metropolitan Memorial 50th Anniversary Gala Thursday, October 20, Great Hall

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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 Princess Bethea — Office Coordintor, 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/AU Campus 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

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