May 11, 2015 Volume XXV, No. 5 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
METROPOLITAN CHURCH
A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
Pentecost 2015
Lord, make us one with you, one with one another, and one in ministry to all the world. This year two of our three church goals are oriented toward building unity, internally within our multi-site, multi-ethnic parish, and externally in terms of partnerships that address the social inequalities in our city and foster sustainability and reconciliation. In light of this, Judy Edstrom, Patrick Landau, David Hackney, Pam Rogers, and Pastor Kate Payton, traveled to Memphis, TN for a multi-ethnic church conference.
Spring Sermon Series May Deep Call to Deep: Studying Other Religions
Our spring series has been exploring the other major religious traditions of the world, the wondrous similarities across different faiths as well as the important differences. All of these sermons have been framed by the question, “Why does a Christian congregation need to engage other religions?” If you haven’t joined the discussion yet, there is still time. On Sunday, May 17 we’ll look at Hinduism/Sikhism and on May 24, Charlie Parker, Dottie Yunger, Janet Craswell, and Kate Payton will be completing our sermon series by talking about the diversity—and unity—of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions of Christianity. If you have missed 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.
We came back to riots in Baltimore. The 6 miles between Roland Park and Hollins Market in Baltimore come with a difference of 20 years in life expectancy, a household income difference of $67,000, and in Baltimore black infants are almost 9 times more likely to die before age 1 than white infants. In DC, there are unemployment rates that differ by 11.1% east and west of the river. Intentionally or not, we are a part of systems of injustice and inequality. Dr. Michael Emerson, a leading scholar on race and religion with books United by Faith, Divided by Faith, Against All Odds, shared some of his statistical findings at the conference. In 1998, 7% of churches in the US were multi-ethnic, meaning there was at least 20% of one ethnic group in the community as that is the tipping point of moving from tokenism to inclusion in power structures. Upon further research, he and his team found that churches were on average 10 times more segregated than their communities, and 20 times more segregated than the public schools.1 What does this kind of segregation do? It reproduces inequality. Think of how as the church we care for one another—helping each other find jobs, for instance—yet some communities have access to a history of wealth slanted in their direction and others do not. Yet—thanks be to God—the opposite is also true. Multi-ethnic churches in simply being the church and caring for one another across boundaries of race and ethnicity can reduce inequality in our cities. In the months ahead we will be initiating studies to bring awareness to our own bias, dinner gatherings, times of prayerful listening, and joint service projects as a way to intentionally build unity within our own multi-site, multi-ethnic parish and within our city. If you are interested in learning more or participating in/leading this work, please see Pastors Kate Payton or Dottie Yunger. For all of us, on Sunday May 24th at 10am, we will be celebrating Pentecost in a joint service at Wesley. We will celebrate the miracle of Pentecost that did not have the crowds all understanding the language of the disciples but the disciples speaking in the many languages of the crowds. As the body of Christ, we will celebrate in worship and in communion the unity of our diversity, committing ourselves to our common baptism and common call to live the future reality of the kingdom of God here and now. It is a journey of not only sharing our story but hearing others, partnering with one another, fostering equality, and altering racial attitudes. Just as the early church overcame the divisions of Jew and Gentile, so may we re-build our cities and communities so that racism does not undo the equality, love, freedom, mutual submission, and radical grace of the gospel. Diamond, D. (2015, April 28). Why Baltimore Burned. Retrieved May 6, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/04/28/why-baltimore-burned 1
Baltimore Appeal
Through the month of May, we are collecting toiletries for people in Baltimore, partnering with a congregation in the heart of the riot area to distribute what we collect. This is a tangible way to help the disrupted lives of our brothers and sisters in Baltimore. Please bring toiletries of any kind to the church and put them in the collection bin in the foyer at Metropolitan. Want to contribute funds? Please make your check out to Metropolitan Church and put Baltimore Aid in the memo line, and our shoppers will turn your financial gifts into life-enhancing toiletries. Please give generously as we continue our efforts to build bridges between people and across our conference. And please continue to hold the people of Baltimore in your thoughts and prayers.
Life at the Metropolitan Church
Congratulations • to Kent and Lois Weaver, on the birth of their Granddaughter, Clara Jane Weaver born on May 2 (Parents are Todd and Debbie Weaver)
We wish John Parker, Father of Charlie Parker, a happy birthday! John turns 90 years old on Sunday, May 17. See an exhibit of his work on the big day! See page 3.
• to Danielle Whitehead and Michael Hamilton on the birth of their son, Michael Kyle Hamilton, Jr. born on April 22.
Several members of Metropolitan have recently expressed interest in having copies of Reverend Poynter’s sermons. Bruce has graciously agreed to provide copies of “For the Interim,” the sermons he preached during his Interim Pastorate at Metropolitan in 2001, as well as “Afterthoughts,” a two-volume collection drawn from sermons preached at other times in his ministry. If you would like copies of one or both of these collections, please contact Pat Nicolette, 202362-5585 or zoomaster2@verizon.net. The cost for each volume is $12.
Get Your Rainbow Reconciling Stole Sundays After Worship
Are you prepared to show your colors on Reconciling Sunday? We will celebrate the anniversary of becoming a Reconciling Congregation on June 7, just a few weeks away. The Reconciling Ministries team returns to the Office Lobby each Sunday until then, with Rainbow Stoles, Frank Schaefer’s book, Defrocked and other information. Also, mark you calendar to march with other United Methodists in the Capitol Pride Parade, Saturday, June 13. Details to follow.
Trustee Saturday Saturday, May 16, 9:30am - 2pm, Wesley*
Join us on Saturday, May 16 (lunch provided) to spruce up the exterior of Wesley (think flowers!) and organize our interior. We’ll be re-claiming rooms that have been used for storage to create more space for ministry. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Metropolitan Book Club Monday, May 18, 7:30pm, Parlor
Join us for our upcoming monthly Book Club meetings! On May 18th, Suzanne Clewell will lead our discussion of Kristin Hannah’s, The Nightingale; a story of love and grace involving sisters in France during World War II. On June 15th, Barbara Gaskill leads our discussion of Chris Bohjalian’s, The Sandcastle Girls; a deeply moving story of survival and hope during the Armenian genocide. Contacts: Joan Topalian, jtopa62045@gmail.com or Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@ aol.com.
Rev. Bruce Poynter’s Sermons Available
News from the Library
New books have been donated to our church library by Iman Javed Choudry and are ready to be checked out. Books donated: • The Holy Quaran w/ English Translation • The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets Vol. 1 & 11 • An Elementary Study of Islam by Mirza. Tahis Ahmad • The Philosoph of the Teachings of Islam by Mirza Ghulam ahmad • World Crisis & the Pathway to Peace by Mirza masroor ahmad Library Hours: Sunday 9am – 1pm. Books are due 3 weeks from check out date. - Joan Davenport Library Coordinator
Make a Financial Gift to Support Our Ministries
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Arts at the Metropolitan Church Art Exhibition: Art is in the Details Drawings by John Parker Sunday, May 17, 10:10am, Great Hall
On Sunday, May 17, a selection of drawings by medical artist John Parker will be featured in a display in the Great Hall. The show, sponsored by Metropolitan’s Arts Council, coincides with Parker’s 90th birthday. Parker came to his profession after a zoology professor of his noticed his skill in illustrating zoological concepts on the blackboard for other students. At the professor’s urging, Parker switched majors and enrolled in art classes, eventually receiving a degree in applied art. Over the course of a long career, he has worked as a medical illustrator for the National Institutes of Health, at medical schools in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, and for various local medical practices. Many of his drawings have been published in journal articles and medical textbooks. Beth Sanford, Parker’s daughter, says her father often took his sketchpad into the operating room, creating pencil preliminaries as the surgeon operated on a patient and dictated his findings. Parker would then take the sketches and rework them into pen-and-ink finals. Sanford says his children (including Metropolitan’s Senior Pastor, Charlie Parker) often were asked to review the drawings and describe what they saw. It was, Sanford says, her father’s way of making sure that he had gotten the details precisely right. Now a resident at Asbury Village in Gaithersburg, Parker retired from his private practice as a medical artist only in the past decade. He still keeps up with art, however. His latest projects, Sanford says, are sculpting in bronze.
Piano and Cello Concert Mid-May Sounds Sunday, May 17, 3pm, Sanctuary
The Arts Council will bring its concert season to a beautiful close on Sunday, May 17. Pianist Ralitza Patcheva will play two of the three pieces in Ravel's suite Gaspard de la Nuit, "Ondine" and "Scarbo." The latter is considered one of the most difficult piano pieces, but having heard Ralitza perform at Metropolitan previously, we have no doubt that she will slay this dragon! For the rest of the program, cellist Vasily Popov will join his wife to perform two treasured members of the cello-and-piano repertoire, Schumann's Fantasiestücke ("fantasy pieces") and Brahms's second Cello Sonata. Ralitza is on the faculties of the Catholic University of America and Levine Music, and Vasily is on the Levine faculty. Both have won numerous prizes and made solo and ensemble appearances in many venues here and abroad. A post-concert reception in the Great Hall will provide the opportunity both to meet the performers and to look at the fine illustrations hung on the walls. The artist is former medical illustrator John Parker, who is the father of Metropolitan's senior pastor and who will be celebrating his 90th birthday that very day (see above)!
Jazz@wesley Saturday, May 30 6:30pm, Wesley*
Join us for a free pre-concert exhibit and reception at 5:30pm followed by “An Evening of Gershwin” with the outstanding vocalist Shirli Hughes at 6:30pm. George Gershwin is regarded as the man who first brought Jazz to the concert hall. His legacy includes many songs that are great American Jazz Standards. Tickets available at instantseats.com. $10 entry │$5 seniors │12 & under free. Bring a nonperishable food item or lightly used coat to jazz up someone else’s life. Jazz@Wesley information line 202-966-5144, ext. 325. Check out the 5th season jazz promo at youtube.com/watch?v=N8FhXoQZmSk&feat ure=youtu.be.
Salutations from San Salvatore
The Metro Players wish to thank all of the congregation, their neighbors and friends, and "those who appreciate sunshine and wisteria," who filled the theater with laughter and tears and shared in our journey from the dreary confines of London to the warmth and beauty of the Italian coast. As the celebration of The Players' 30th year continues, we invite you to be a part of the journey. We would love to welcome others to the community of Metro Players. In addition to actors, we need publicists, stage managers, prop managers, costumers, set builders, and more. Inerested? Please contact Bob Benn, rjb2graphicdesign@ yahoo.com or Pat House, phouse@nationalchurch.org. Upcoming Metro Players Productions Fall, 2015 - Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley
In this powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the students. Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award.
Winter 2015 - Amahl and the Night Visitors Music and Lyrics by Gian Carlo Menotti
A Christmas story from the view of a widow and her crippled son, living in poverty, and the miraculous visit to their home of the three kings, who are following the star towards Bethlehem. Performed in partnership with The Metro Players, and the Dayspring, Chancel, and Youth Choirs.
Spring, 2016 - Rumors By Neil Simon
In Neil Simon’s murderous farce, four couples arrive at the 10th anniversary celebration party for New York’s deputy mayor and his wife, only to find the mayor wounded in bed and the wife missing. Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh. - The New York Times
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Adult Study Food for Thought Wednesday, May 13, 6pm - Dinner, 7pm - Study
Join us as we feed our body, mind and soul with a chefprepared dinner followed by a choice of two classes. Dinner is $7/adult, $4/child, with a maximum of $20/family. AU students pay what you can. Reserve your spot for dinner (requested but not required) by contacting Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org! Classes include: • Bible Study: The Acts of the Apostles - Led by Rev. Charlie Parker and Bob Olson. Discover the fascinating story of our beginnings as a faith. • Topical Study: Understanding Islam - Led by Dr. Homayra Ziad and Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad. There are more than 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, making Islam the second largest religion globally. As Christians, what do we really know about Islam? Muslim scholars Dr. Homayra Ziad and Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad will lead us through a study of the origins, theology, and modern practices of Islam.
Walking Bible Study Wednesdays, 7pm, Wesley Library*
Join us as we walk our Bible Studies. We will gather in the library, read an “Act” of the early church, and then discuss the passage while walking the neighborhood. For more information, contact Rev. Kate Payton, kpayton@nationalchurch.org. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Mondays at the Parsonage Monday, May 18, 6:30pm, Parsonage*
Come to the parsonage for a potluck dinner and reflection on how we make space for God, using Don Postema’s Space for God. Be ready to share your stories about connecting with God! Contact: Rev. Kate Payton, kpayton@nationalchurch.org. *3311 Nebraska Ave., NW.
Serving Ministries Metro House Summer Residence Program for Women
Following a successful pilot last summer, Metropolitan House will provide up to four women a residence beginning late May through mid-September. Partnering with Friendship Place and AimHire who will identify candidates and oversee residents’ needs and services, Metro House will target individuals who are likely to have the ability to move to independent housing after their summer stay. Unlike the winter program that provides access during the hours from 7 pm to 7 am, the summer program will offer 24-hour residency. Residents will be free to come and go during the day, and will be responsible for their own meals and other living needs. Several candidates have already been identified. These are women who are currently working or close to finding employment, for whom a few months of Metro House residence will permit them to attain some stability and build resources to become independent. Metro House is excited to be able to use our facilities year around and to offer this program to a new segment of the homeless community, for whom transition to housing stability will contribute to the vibrancy of our city. Postscript on one of Metro House 2014-2015 residents: Many of you will remember Ibrahim, a sight-impaired gentleman who resided at Metro House and who regularly attended both Sunday services this past winter. Ibrahim had been scheduled for cataract surgery during his Metro House stay, but it had to be postponed pending stabilization of some other health indicators. Ibrahim is now under the care of Christ House; they will be working with him in the hope of getting these stabilized and finding a longer-term residency plan for him.
Grate Patrol - Two Locations to Serve Grate Patrol on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, Following Worship, Wesley*
Metropolitan’s Grate Patrol, which makes bag lunches for the homeless every last Sunday of the month, is hoping you will help this Pentecost. On Sunday May 24, we will visit Wesley UMC for a single worship service. Afterward, please join us in the fellowship hall and help us complete our lunchmaking work. Grate Patrol leaders will be there to show you what needs to be done. Make a sandwich, help the homeless, this Pentecost at Wesley. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Grate Patrol at St. Luke’s Mission Center* June 7, 5:30pm
Join us at the St. Luke’s Mission Center to help assemble and deliver the meal (provided by our Campus Kitchen Program). No experience necessary. Contact: Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 111. *3655 Calvert St., NW.
Campus Kitchen Volunteer Now!
Campus Kitchen offers 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.
Serve Now!
Sign up for our many ongoing service activities at nationalchurch.org/servenow.
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The United Methodist Women Great Day of Service
“Welcomed by God – Welcoming All” Saturday, May 23 , 9am- Noon, Vestry
Many volunteers are needed to help our United Methodist Women’s unit host the Greater Washington District Annual Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 23. This event traditionally draws nearly 100 UMW members from across our District so if you are in town that Saturday, we need you! • Advance egg casserole-makers • Greeters • Décor and Set-up • Kitchen Support • Volunteers to Assist Throughout the Morning • Clean-up To find out how you can be involved in this monumental event, contact Helene Lilly, j718hel@aol.com or 202-7331876; your Circle chair; or others on the planning team: Ann Michel, Mary Jo Marchant and Ellen Bachman. We hear that our UMW sisters from Brighter Day Ministries will be in attendance, so this will be a morning not to be missed!
Books for Brighter Day – Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who contributed books and funds to our book collection for Brighter Day Ministries, our ministry partner east of the Anacostia River. During Lent, our congregation donated more than 85 new books to create a library for Brighter Day’s after school program and summer academic camp. Many books were selected from a list of titles crafted by two librarians to reflect the interests, culture, and reading abilities of the children served by Brighter Day. The United Methodist Women also donated gently-used children’s books from their March book sale. Thanks to this generosity, Brighter Day now has a beautiful and interesting library that the children can use every day – a proven way to promote the love of reading! During the summer we hope to have volunteers from Metropolitan visit this library periodically to read to the children and run a reading incentive program. If you are interested in participating in this volunteer effort, please contact Cynthia Pugh (Cynthia.pugh1@verizon.net) or Martha Mizroch (martha_miz@hotmail.com).
The United Methodist Women’s Great Day of Service on April 25th was indeed a great day of fellowship and of serving our neighbors. The following projects were completed by 26 dedicated volunteers at St. Luke’s Mission Center: • At least 100 Bags of Grace, which were distributed at the Welcome Center of Friendship Place. Each bag contained a turkey and cheese sandwich, a bottle of water, a granola bar and a baggie of cookies. • 72 Outreach bags for Courtney’s House, containing a bottle of water, chips, fruit gummy snacks, a breakfast bar and a pack of gum. • 60 “Good morning, Sunshine!” bags for the children of Brighter Day Ministries and their families. Each bag contained a comb, hairbrush, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, washcloth and soap with a soap box. • 46 watercolor cards painted with love for the Birthday Card ministry, which reaches out to seniors of the Metropolitan community. • Dozens of onions, apples and carrots chopped for future Campus Kitchen meals. Chef Anthony was overheard saying that a week’s worth of prep work was accomplished in 3 hours! Thank you to Chef Anthony, Bill Potts and Rev. Dottie Yunger for making us feel so at home at St. Luke’s! …And that’s not all! Five UMW volunteers helped bundle 6,025 diapers during their 3 hour volunteer stint at the DC Diaper Bank warehouse in Silver Spring (see below).
DC Diaper Bank
During our Great Day of Service five women volunteered to spend time at the dcdiaper bank warehouse in silver spring: Anita Seline, Ellen Bachman, Cindy Love, Sue Roach and Penny Andrews. The dc diaper bank, founded by Corrine Cannon, was recently named one of the best small charities in the greater Washington region. In three hours we bundled 6,025 diapers, which were then sent out to various organizations to be distributed to needy families. Everyone agreed that it was a very worthwhile and wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning and all said we would like to volunteer again. Peace, Penny Andrews
Joan Davenport, Connie Sommers and Holly Adams compile “Good Morning, Sunshine!” kits for Brighter Day Ministries. Penny Andrews, Susan Roach, Ellen Bachman, Cindy Love and Anita Seline among the diapers at the DC Diaper Bank warehouse.
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Caring Ministries Ministries for Life Transitions Educational Event Sunday, June 14 12:30pm, Compassionate Friends
Everyone hopes to never lose a child of their own. Yet at some point, most of us will know someone who loses a child or grandchild. Compassionate Friends is an organization which provides support to families facing these losses. Come learn how to be supportive when someone you know loses a child or grandchild. Light lunch provided.
Weekly Meditation Practice Wednesdays, 8:30am, Sanctuary
Nurture a sense of inner peace, calm and balance with guided and walking meditation. All are welcome. Contact: Betty Rogers, betty.rogers24@verizon.net.
Gentle Yoga for Well-Being Thursdays, 4pm, Great Hall
Practice gentle yoga with Cathryn Gunnerson, AYS. Please bring a yoga mat, and wear loose or stretchy, comfortable clothing. Register by contacting Cathryn Gunnerson, Cathryn@yogawell-being.com. Classes are ongoing and open to all.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Sunday, May 17, 12:30pm Tuesday, May 19, 1:30pm
On-Going Groups
Four groups meet to address specific transitions in member’s lives. New participants welcome. For more information, contact Barbara Green, bgreen@nationalchurch.org. • Creative Aging – Susan Elliott, overlookzoo@verizon.net: Next meeting: May 13 and 27 at “Food for Thought” at 7pm, Great Hall. • Careers – Suzanne Forsyth, suzanneforsyth@aol.com: Next Meeting: May 16 at 10am at Suzanne Forsyth’s home (5306 MacArthur Blvd, NW). • Chronic Illness and Caregiving – Susan Roach, susanroach@verizon.net and Nancy Nelson, nnelson5758@yahoo.com: Next meeting: May 20, 7pm at “Food for Thought,” Fireplace Room. Ann Cochran will share her story of how she found a facility in this area to care for her father. • End of Life and Bereavement - Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org. Next meeting TBD. The next bereavement support group will begin in the Fall 2015. The spring sessions have finished. If you are going through a divorce and would like to be part of a support group, contact Gail Crane, gcpianokeys.com or Barbara Green, bgreen@nationalchurch.org.
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.
May AARP Meeting Monday, May 18, 1pm, Vestry
Please join us as Nancy Weinberg, a physical therapist at Sibley Memorial Hospital, presents a program on fall prevention. Social time is at 12:30pm. Meeting starts at 1pm. Refreshments will be served.
Learn More About Our Ministries for Life Transitions nationalchurch.org/caring/ministries_for_life_transitions
Youth Ministry Save the Date! Senior Recognition Sunday Sunday, May 31
As our youth prepare for their 41st year of participating on ASP, we would like you to consider adopting a youth volunteer. What does this entail? We are suggesting that each sponsor assemble a goodie bag for their adopted youth to take with them on the trip and then pray for them during the week they are serving. Also, we would like to invite you to a breakfast to be held on June 20th when we send off our youth (time is TBD). If you would like to adopt a youth or learn how to support our mission work in Appalachia, please contact Patrick Landau, plandau@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 112.
Every year we celebrate our graduating seniors as they mark the significant milestone of completing high school and heading off to start their adult lives. This is an important service that I hope everyone will attend. Between the services at Metropolitan Memorial, we will be having a reception to talk with each of our graduating seniors, celebrate this rite of passage, and eat cake! For more details, please contact our director of youth Patrick Landau, plandau@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 112
Check Out Our Youth Blog
youthmetropolitan.wordpress.com
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Children’s Ministry Summer Sundays of Service Begins Sunday, May 31 10:10am, Vestry
This summer our children will meet during the study hour for a chance to live out their faith through service. Past service projects have included making meals for the shelter, preparing sandwiches for Grate Patrol, creating dog toys for the animal shelter, writing letters to the troops, and drawing birthday cards for Metropolitan’s birthday card ministry. Summer Sundays of Service are also a perfect chance for adults to volunteer with our kids. If you could offer one Sunday morning this summer, you would give our Sunday school teachers a much-needed vacation, show our children that the adults of this community love and support them, and get to spend time with some amazing, funny, caring kids. Sign up at nationalchurch.org/children_service or contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org.
VBS “Splash in God’s Word” - Register Now! July 13 - July 17 9am – Noon (with limited space until 3pm)
This year Metropolitan will host Vacation Bible School for kids age 4 through rising 5th graders. (Youth helpers, grades 6 and up, are welcome.) To accommodate more families, we’re offering extended day from noon to 3pm for a limited number of children. Cost for the half-day camp is $60. Extended day option is an additional $100 ($160 total). Contact: Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org. Register and learn more at nationalchurch.org/vbs.
Temporary Summer Child Care Position
We are looking for help from 12pm - 3pm the week of July 13-17 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 at least 18 years old. Ideal for college students. Contact Rev. Janet Craswell, Jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115.
Children’s Chorus of Washington Now Enrolling for our 20th Anniversary season! May 28 I June 1, 4, 8 & 13, Metropolitan Memorial
Join Children's Chorus of Washington (CCW), the finest in the Nation’s capital - Winner of 2014 DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline. Call (202) 237-1005 to schedule an audition for placement in one of our performing ensembles (Treble, Bel Canto, Concert Choruses and our Young Men's Ensemble). No preparation or experience needed, just the love of singing! For younger singers, ages 6 to 9: no audition necessary. Register for Prep Class at childrenschorus. com/programs/prep-class. For more information, please visit childrenschorus.com or call (202) 237-1005 and we will be happy to answer your questions. Partial Tuition scholarships are provided to all students with demonstrated financial needs.
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.
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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 IT and Communications, ext. 113, jclouser@nationalchurch.org Dona Collary — Pastoral Care Assistant/Wedding and Funeral Coordinator, ext. 106, dcollary@nationalchurch.org Casey Campbell — 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: June 8, 2015
NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on June 2, 2015