The Messenger
June 18, 2012 Volume XXII, No. 6 Nationalchurch.org
How are you spending your summer “Staycation?” When Jeff asked me to write this article, I wanted to find a different way to think about what church can offer us in the summer that is different from other times of the year. As I let my mind drift, what came to me were so many “songs” of summer. The Lovin’ Spoonful and “Summer in the City,” Billie Holiday and “Summertime,” Alice Cooper and “Schools Out (for Summer)” and, of course, the iconic “Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer” by Nat “King” Cole. Of course there are many songs we can all remember from summers past and not all are entirely appropriate for church! On Pentecost we left the church to the words and music of Martha and the Vandellas, singing “Dancing in the Street.” What an appropriate way to kick off summer. When this song was released in 1964, the civil rights movement was taking shape; it may long be divorced from its context but seems even more celebratory in retrospect. Moving forward a decade we all are familiar with the 1970 hit “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge. Who hasn’t danced to this, no matter what your age, at a family reunion, block party or wedding? For progressive rock fans there is “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum with a stately organ appropriated from J.S. Bach -- what better way to imagine the cool inside of a stone cathedral. And, lastly, there is “See you in September” by The Happenings. Along with many other mainline denominations, our attendance at Sunday worship in the summer often declines. Many churches, locally and nationwide, combine their worship services, which in some ways seems to encourage “taking the summer off.” Here at our Metropolitan Cooperative Parish we maintain our regular worship opportunities: 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship at Metropolitan; 11 a.m. at Wesley and the 5 p.m. Crossroads worship at St. Luke’s Mission Center. We discovered several years ago, that continuing our regular schedule actually increased our attendance over the years that we combined for a single service. And, over the last three years, has continued to grow. So I invite you to consider adding to that growth by exploring all that we have to offer this summer. Vacation Bible School “Dare to Go Overboard” begins on Monday, June 25. Rev. Parker will “jump in” with his sermon on June 24. Even if you don’t have children and aren’t able to volunteer – you can still be connected. Imagine how
excited our children would be if they could share their experiences with you. We have lots of our congregation involved in this; from our pastors who share in the leadership, music direction by a returning college student home on summer “vacation,” high school and middle school youth, as well as parents and friends. We have ongoing opportunities to serve: Brighter Day Ministries and their summer academic camp, Grate Patrol, Volunteers in Mission (VIM), Appalachian Service Project (ASP), DC for the Cause, and Sundays of Service in the Vestry at 10 a.m. We can experience God at the Movies beginning with the first outdoor movie of the summer at St. Luke’s Cinema at the Mission Center. On Friday, June 29, at 9 p.m. in the courtyard your family and friends can watch “Where the Wild Things Are” under the stars. Remember those drive-in movies of the past … this is your chance to recreate this experience for your children. Each Sunday in July, our sermons will be on selected movies which will be shown at Wesley on the preceding Wednesday evening. We end the summer with MetFlix at Metropolitan on August 24 at 9 p.m. in the parking lot, as we offer “The Lorax” in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s 100th birthday. Home from the beach, home from family visits, the last weekend before school – come and meet friends old and new. Meet an American University student away from home for the first time, looking for a connection. But that’s not all, folks! We have opportunities to connect and retreat: beginning with the 2012 Wellness Fair on June 23, the Quiet Days of Retreat on June 30 and August 19, the Prayer Shawl Ministry and more. Read through this Messenger for a wealth of worship, service and learning opportunities. Make this the summer you “experience” church in a new and different way. Let’s not Pass the Peace and say “see you in September” but rather Pass the Peace and say “see you next week.” With prayers for a peaceful and safe summer “vacation” for all.
Life at Metropolitan Memorial Summer Sermon Series: God at the Movies
Each week in July we will look at religious themes in the movies. Each movie will be shown on the preceding Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Wesley UMC Library (5312 Connecticut Ave., NW). July 1 - Babette’s Feast; Isaiah 55: 1-5; I Corinthians 11: 23-26 July 8 - Pay It Forward; Psalm 126: 4-6; Luke 13: 18-20 July 15 - Glory; Exodus 3: 7-12; Ephesians 4: 11-15 July 22 - The Incredibles; Genesis 17: 1-5; Matthew 5: 43-48 July 29 - The Way; John 1:35-39
Monday Night Book Club Monday, June 18, 7:30 p.m., Library
Join us on Monday, June 18 as we discuss "The Hunger Games" (book #1). This is a current book that teenagers, in particular, are reading. However, the books are actually written for adults as well according to the author. Please join us at 7:30 p.m. in the church library for a stimulating discussion where everyone participates. For more information contact, Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@aol.com or Joan Topalian, jtopa62045@gmail.com. We do NOT meet in July or August.
St. Luke’s Cinema “Where the Wild Things Are” Friday, June 29, 9 p.m. St. Luke’s Mission Center
Bring your blankets and chairs and join us in the courtyard at St. Luke’s Mission Center (3655 Calvert St., NW) for a free evening of fun under the stars! Our movie for the evening will be the Warner Brothers Picture, “Where the Wild Things Are.” Movie begins at 9 p.m. (dusk).
Quiet Days of Retreat Saturday, June 30 and August 18, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
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. Register at priestfieldpc@aol.com.
Campus Kitchen Project @St. Luke’s Mission Center Saturday, June 30, 3 p.m. (Please note the date change)
The Campus Kitchen Project empowers thousands of students each year to recycle food from their cafeterias into nourishing meals that are then delivered to those in need. How can you get involved? Join us from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. at St. Luke’s Mission Center to prepare the food or join us at Regency House (5201 Connecticut Ave., NW) from 6 p.m. 9 p.m. to serve. To volunteer, sign up online at https://www. lotsahelpinghands.com/c/622058/login. Contact: Rev. Kate Murphey, kmurphey@nationalchurch.org, 202-363-4900, ext. 21.
Happy 90th Birthday! We wish Mary Greer, who turns 90 on July 3, a happy birthday!
Congratulations! We congratulate Heather Creek and Greg Miller on the birth of their daughter, Miranda, on June 10!
Welcome! We welcome our new members Jared Wolfe and Heather Mahaffey who joined Metropolitan in May. •
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Summer Office Hours M-Th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Jared joins us from Harmony-Zelienople UMC in Zelienople, PA. He is currently a medical student at Georgetown. Heather came to DC from Fayetteville, Georgia and is a medical student at Georgetown. Heather and Jared will be marrying at Metropolitan Memorial next April.
Please note our new summer office hours. We will return to our regular office hours in September.
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Life at Metropolitan Memorial Pentecost on the Plaza
On Sunday, May 27, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday with a “Pentecost on the Plaza” complete with kids games and birthday cake for the church. We also created origami doves that were “released” throughout our community in the spirit of “passing the peace.” When someone finds one of our doves they can go on our website and let us know where they discovered their dove. With each “discovery” $2 is donated to the Brighter Day Summer Camp for Youth in Southeast Washington. So far 40 people from our parish, parish friends and people from the surrounding neighborhood community have found our doves. Below are some pictures from the event.
Kathy Portus, Cathy Anderson and members of the Brighter Day community sample the birthday cupcakes
Sarah McKibben and Andy Millman try their hand at origami
John Parker and Amy Parker-Grant enjoy conversation on the plaza
Caroline and Jacob got creative with spin art
Margot blows bubbles in celebration of Pentecost
Caring and Learning “LIFE LESSONS ALONG THE WAY” 2012 Wellness Fair Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m. to Noon, Great Hall (Sponsored by the Wellness Committee)
This morning offers reflection on life lessons learned by Joyce Rupp when she completed the 500 mile pilgrimage walk along the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. These “learned lessons can help all of us travel on life’s up-and-down journey with more grace and lightness,” and increase awareness of God’s presence in everyday life. Reverend Drema McAllister Wilson sets the tone of the day with her reflections on the Camino. The event includes meditation, yoga, faith booking (through pictures and journaling), and aromatherapy as we explore what life lessons speak to us. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail Sue Roach, susanroach@ verizon.net or Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org.
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Service and Advocacy 2012 Pride Parade
On Saturday, June 9, members of the Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish walked along with other reconciling congregation members in the DC Pride Parade. Below are some pictures and reflections from the parade.
Parenting and the Pride Parade By Lesli Bales-Sherrod
I grew up participating in small town Christmas parades – dancing and cheering, smiling and waving – but now my son Henry has me beat at only 14 months old! On June 9, Henry participated in his first parade – not performing a choreographed routine or riding on a decorated float, but simply showing support for our GLBT loved ones (and the community at large) by “marching” in the Capital Pride Parade. (Henry, of course, is too little to march, so his Daddy pulled or pushed him in his little blue car while his Mama threw beads to the crowds huddled along the streets of Dupont Circle.) As a parent, I know that Henry is too young to grasp the importance of the parade. He will not remember what he saw, but I certainly will. What I saw was people of ALL ages, ALL colors and ALL sexual orientations coming together to support a common cause: equal rights for ALL Americans. What I saw was people celebrating who they are and who they love. And not just who they love romantically, but who they love as parents, children, family members and friends. Some dressed in elaborate costumes. Some stripped down to the bare essentials. On the surface, the participants couldn’t have looked more different from each other, but that was what struck me: this diverse group of people came together to support the same thing. We were unique, but we were united. Maybe you’re not a member of the GLBT community. Maybe you don’t have any GLBT family members or friends (that you know of). But you have things that make you YOU, and you should be proud of who you are. That is what I want for the people I love, particularly those who have felt – or still feel – that they have to hide who they are or pretend to be someone they’re not.
Proud to be a Reconciling Methodist! by Bill Potts
Saturday, June 9, was my first experience at the DC Capital Pride parade. One of the things that drew me to Metropolitan last year was the participation in the annual PRIDE parade and festivities. I have been looking forward to joining other members of the church in showing our support of the GLBT community. I have to say, this was one of the most enriching, rewarding, and just plain ol’ fun times I have had in my 25 years in ministry. The expressions on the faces of the parade goers when they realized we represented a group of Methodist churches was absolutely priceless and so incredibly rewarding. I was, without reservation, so proud to walk with this group of Methodists and to proudly wear my Metropolitan Memorial t-shirt. Thanks to all who joined together on the 9th and made this such a special outing. And, I want to encourage all of you to participate next year in the parade. What a wonderful time!
At 14 months old, Henry is already a lot of things – a preemie, a “preacher’s kid,” a son, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin – and he’ll grow into even more. I don’t know who he’s going to turn out to be, but I know I wouldn’t want him to be ashamed of himself. And I certainly wouldn’t want him to be treated as a second-class citizen and denied equal rights as his peers. That’s why I wanted this to be Henry’s first parade: because no matter who he ends up, he’s perfect JUST THE WAY HE IS. And so are you.
Beverly Fleming and David Rice show their spirit at the 2012 Pride parade
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Service and Advocacy 2012 Nicaragua Volunteer In Mission Trip August 3 - 11
This August, our VIM team returns to the Matagalpa region in Nicaragua, where last year’s 10-person VIM team served. This year’s team will be working with United Methodist Missionaries and bringing back pictures of what our Christmas Eve donations accomplished in building a school and equipping a dental clinic. They’ll be working again with Christian Medical Action (AMC), this time instead of painting desks, building latrines! Where we’ll be, 22.6% of the population have no sanitation disposal system, and 43.2% have poor quality latrines. This is an effect of the overwhelming poverty of the area. Basic cost of living per month there is estimated at $420/month with an average household income at $124/month. AMC continues the work that has gone into the community at Nueva Jerusalén (such as the new latrine pictured on the right) at Nuevo Progreso, a new community with 37 families—and thus 37 latrines needed!—where we’ll be serving this year. Come and join us on Saturday, July 14, from 5-8pm in the Great Hall as we celebrate our partnerships and work in Nicaragua. Meet the 2012 team, experience a typical Nicaraguan meal, and make a financial contribution to not only bring about sustainable social change in Nicaraguan communities but also support the faith and leadership development of our cooperative parish members!
Campus Ministry In May, Metropolitan’s American University campus ministry finished out a 2012 spring semester filled with fellowship, study, and laughter. Forty students gathered to celebrate the end of the academic year with BBQ and a movie at the Gildner home. The end of the year was also marked by the assembling and distribution of 65 finals bags, which boosted spirits…and blood sugar levels! At the final AU worship of the year, senior members of the United Methodist Student Association were recognized with stoles sewed by Beverly Fleming and Ann Michel. Throughout the semester, American University students gathered together to study and to grow together in faith. Metropolitan provided 4 monthly dinners to students, feeding an average of 45 students at each dinner. In a vital opportunity to connect with young adults, members of MetroKathleen Kimball and politan had the chance to be in conversation with students at these dinners. Additionally, MetMaggie McGuire model ropolitan provided space for a Bible study, a Lenten study on vocation, and student-led United their UMSA stoles after Methodist Women and United Methodist Men groups. Space was also provided for weekly graduation. “Free Food Fridays,” an opportunity for student fellowship and of course, food! AU students and members of Metropolitan, Wesley, and Crossroads also collaborated to create a Lenten devotional for each weekday in Lent. Writers shared their thoughts on the topic of mindfulness, and offered a way to reflect on faith throughout Lent. Next year we’ll look to increase collaboration through mentoring relationships between Metropolitan members and AU students. It’s been a successful semester, and we are looking forward to continuing our efforts in the fall. If you are interested in being involved, email campusministry@nationalchurch.org for more information.
- David Hosey
Children’s Ministries Sundays of Service
Allie plants her seeds
Eight children from Metropolitan visited St. Luke’s Mission Center on Sunday, June 10 to help plant a community garden. The kids learned about the importance of gardening and helping others while they planted spinach, lettuce, and green beans. The garden will be used to feed men in the St. Luke’s homeless shelter. The kids plan to return later this summer to see how their garden is growing. The project is part of this summer’s Season of Service, in which children complete service projects every Sunday during the study hour. Evan, Andrew, and Andy plant a row in the community garden.
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Children’s Ministries
Children’s Celebration Sunday
On Children’s Celebration Sunday, our graduating 5th and 6th graders took to the pulpit and presented the morning sermons. Each sermon was based on a theme that they conceived called “Feeding the Family of God” based on the lectionary reading for that Sunday. Their sermons are below: Olivia Greene: Whenever somebody asks me if I’ve read The Hunger Games, I always say no. And that’s the truth. I haven’t. I know a little about the books, but not much. Whenever I think about this, I think about how little I know, compared to how much God knows. He knows so much about us and the world, and all I know is how he created the world, how his son was crucified, and a little pre-algebra. As I said, not much. Also, by talking to my Hunger Game crazed friends or reading the books, I can learn more about the concept, just like by going to church or reading the Bible, I can learn more about God and be closer to Him. Still, I don’t know exactly what the book is about. It is all a mystery to me, just like the Bible is a mystery to everyone. Not knowing can be hard, but maybe sometimes it can help you see things better. In Sunday School, we were talking about making sacrifices and taking risks in The Hunger Games. Apparently, in the book, there are sacrifices made and risks taken. I think we all make sacrifices sometime in our lives. I sacrifice my afterschool time for musical rehearsal. Sometimes rehearsals can be hard, especially when we get to the end and our director starts to get mean. But I never miss a rehearsal for a party or a movie night. I know that I’m helping the musical by doing this. Also, I have given up many relaxing Sundays and been here at church instead, making sandwiches or volunteering with my Sunday School class. And sometimes I leave sleepovers early to be here. It’s hard, but I know that I’m doing the right thing. I think that by learning more about God, helping others through volunteer work, making sacrifices, and working hard in musical rehearsal, I can make myself into a better person. George Imperial: What is sacrifice? A sacrifice is doing something that helps another person. Sometimes it can mean that you give up something that is important to you. It can also mean to sacrifice an offering, like the “fatted calf”. A lot of people sacrifice things in life. Is sacrifice hard or easy? Well it depends on the type of sacrifice. There are big and little sacrifices. The little every day ones are like taking out the trash for your parents or washing the dishes. There are medium sacrifices such as people who volunteer for our ASP and give up a week of their summer, or teachers who work hard for low pay. And there are big sacrifices. The big sacrifices are like risking your life for someone else, or soldiers dying to protect their country. I think that by making little every day sacrifices you develop a habit so that it is easier to make the medium sacrifices and at some point a big sacrifice. In The Hunger Games, there are examples of the different characters making small and big sacrifices. Examples of small sacrifices were sharing Katniss’ sleeping bag with Ru, and sharing food with Peeta and Ru. Two of the main characters make very big sacrifices. Peeta, who is in love with Katniss, sacrifices himself for her by shielding her from Cato, the hunter who is trying to kill Katniss. And the story begins with Katniss’ sacrifice when she volunteers to participate in the hunger games in place of her younger sister Prim.
To me, the lessons we learn from Jesus in the Bible are reflected in the examples of sacrifice in The Hunger Games. Of course, in the Bible, Jesus sacrifices himself for us to forgive our sins and because of the love that God has for us. Peeta protects Katniss because he loves her. Katniss offers to take her sister’s place in the games because she loves her and does not want her sister to be killed. Katniss was willing to die even though in the end she didn’t. Jesus is able to live with us in our hearts because of the big sacrifice he made. Many big sacrifices are acted out of love and loyalty. Sacrifice is not easy. It can be very hard to do, but it is ALWAYS the right thing to do. Jesus taught us how to love our neighbors and be kind to everyone. If we all are willing to make sacrifices, I think that we can make the world a better place. Perry Ann Brody: When I began thinking about this sermon, I didn’t know what to write, so I began to just write ideas. I thought about sacrifices – how they can be big or small. The focus of our service today is on themes in The Hunger Games. In the story, Katniss Everdeen made many sacrifices to help the people she loves. When her sister is chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. This is a big sacrifice because the Hunger Games is a fight to the death and Katniss will most likely be killed. This is a fictional story, but many real people make sacrifices in their own lives. Recently, I read an article about girls in Afghanistan who can’t go to school because of their religion. They have to sneak to schools hidden in people’s houses, and if they or their teachers are caught, there can be harsh punishments. For example, religious fighters have poisoned 100 girls for going to school. These girls are making big sacrifices to try to learn. I make sacrifices by doing homework – or writing this sermon – instead of playing outside or watching TV. But now I can realize how small my sacrifices are compared to other people. Like the people in the Capitol of Panem in The Hunger Games, I am blessed that I always have food, shelter, and even entertainment. But unlike them, I realize that I am blessed, and I don’t have to make sacrifices just to practice my religion or go to school. Sacrifice is to do something that isn’t what you really want to do, but you do it to help others. Sometimes it can be hard because choosing to sacrifice is not usually the easiest route. After a recent Crossroads service one night, they needed volunteers to make sandwich bags for the Grate Patrol. I was tired and hungry and didn’t really want to stay. But we stayed and helped. In the end, I was happy because I helped others, but at first, I just wanted to go home and eat and chillax. Some make enormous sacrifices – like Jesus. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice when he died on the cross to forgive us of our sins. But he didn’t always want to die. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and knew it was time for
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Children’s Ministries him to die on the cross, he asked God ‘to take this cup’ away from him. That meant that he wanted God to let him live. But Jesus knew that it was best for him to die for others, so he told God he would do it. If you have a chance to do something for others, you should – even if it seems like what you don’t want to do at the time. Ava Schutte Lundell: We all have times when we are tired and don’t feel like going to church or when we have something really big planned for Sunday afternoon and worry that church will interfere. Like when I had my friends over one Saturday night and stayed up really late, the next morning I was so tired and felt like skipping church just so I could sleep in. However, when I went to church that morning, I was wide awake, ready to go to choir and Sunday School. I didn’t realize until I was at church how hungry I was to learn about God, Jesus and Heaven. Just like in the passage Luke 10:38-42: “Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’” We all get distracted sometimes, like Martha, but I think we also all have a spiritual hunger, like Mary showed, that needs to be fed. We can see in John 6 verse 35: Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ If we believe in God and follow his teaching we will never go spiritually hungry or thirsty, his spirit will fill us to the brim and our spirits will never starve. In Sunday school class, the 5th graders make a dinner for the homeless shelter. We write a note to them as well to show them that we care about them and we are always thinking and praying for them. This is one way we can follow God’s teachings and help others that passes on God’s love and not only fills them up physically but also hopefully open them up spiritually as well. I hope our cards will warm their hearts. We are so fortunate. When we are hungry, we eat. When we are thirsty, we drink. Some people are hungry and thirsty but do not have anything to nourish themselves: homeless people, people who don’t have money to get the food and drink they need. We are also all fortunate because when our spirits are hungry the Lord will never let us starve. God has given us Jesus and the bible. God is in our minds, are souls and our hearts. Grace Schutte Lundell: Have you ever seen a homeless person on the street; just sitting there, hungry, alone, with no place to find a meal? When you see them, what do you think? Have you thought about what they eat or if they go for days without eating because they do not have enough money to buy food? And if they do find food, do you wonder if they have a loved one to share it with? Well, just like we may think about that homeless person hungry and alone on the street, God thinks about hunger - not
just hunger in Washington, DC or the United States - but the hunger in the world. And this is more than physical hunger - God thinks about our spiritual hunger - the hunger we all feel at times when we are sad or disconnected from those around us. And in those times, we need to remember that God is there - feeding God’s family, the family of God. We just need to be willing to accept God’s hand-out. Most of you probably know the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Matthew 14 verses 13-21. The verse follows so. “Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed the sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said ‘This is a remote place, and it is already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’ ‘We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Bring them here to me,’ he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand.” Five thousand people! When Jesus fed the five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish, it was a miracle. Jesus would not send them home because they had a hunger - a physical hunger and a hunger in their spirit - a spiritual hunger. Jesus blessed the bread and everyone was fed. He addressed their physical hunger with food. And then he addressed their spiritual hunger by sharing with them the good news of God. Jesus was sensitive to both their physical hunger and their spiritual hunger. In Sunday school, the classes volunteer with other church members for Grate Patrol. For those of you who do not know what Grate Patrol is, Grate Patrol is a monthly gathering in the Vestry when volunteers make lunch for homeless people and then others in the church community help distribute the lunches. When we, as a church community, come together for Grate Patrol, we are helping the less fortunate and the needy. And when we distribute the lunches, we share not only the food but God’s love. All of us are God’s disciples. Through our actions, such as helping with Grate Patrol, we have the opportunity to help the less fortunate to be fed. And through our daily interactions with our families, friends and teachers, we can help feed our spiritual hunger by sharing the story of God’s love, not just in words but through our actions. God and Jesus want everyone to be fed both spiritually and physically. As Gods disciples and followers we should follow their teachings. So every time you wonder why you are going to church, think about the fact that you are feeding your own spiritual hunger. When you wonder why you are helping to feed others, remember the fact that you are God’s disciple. You can help others be fed both spiritually and physically. We all need to be willing to accept and share God’s hand-out - LOVE.
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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: July 16, 2012 NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on July 10, 2012