The Messenger
August 11, 2014 Volume XXIV, No. 8 Nationalchurch.org
The Caring Pillar Begins Ministries for Life Transitions
Fall Picnic Sunday, September 7 After the 11:15am Worship Come one; come all! It’s fall picnic time!
On Sunday, September 7, after the 11:15am worship service, we will celebrate the kick-off of a new Sunday School Season and Charlie Parker’s return from sabbatical. It will be an afternoon of food, moon bounces, and fun! So mark your calendars now and invite neighbors and friends to join us. The church will provide the main course and beverages, and we’re asking you all to bring a salad and/or dessert for 10-12 people to share. Please keep in mind we’ll need dairy and gluten-free options as well. Thanks for helping to make this a spectacular event! For more information and to volunteer with set-up and teardown, please contact Rev. Kate Murphey Payton, kmurphey@ nationalchurch.org or 202-3634900, ext. 110.
“According to Mark Twain, ‘No one likes change, except a wet baby,’” says Drema McAllister-Wilson, Minister of Pastoral Care. “When we are experiencing life transitions, we may find ourselves not only disliking the change but not knowing how to move through it to the other side.” The Caring Pillar is organizing a new initiative to provide peer emotional and spiritual support for members of the Metropolitan Church’s faith community who are going through major life transitions. Ministries for Life Transitions will provide support in a number of ways: on-line resources on the church’s website, one-on-one mentoring from other members who have been through similar experiences, support groups, and educational events and speakers. Life transitions are inevitable; everyone goes through them. They can function as an equalizer across races, classes, nationalities and other divisions. People can be at their most vulnerable and confused when they go through transitions. Loneliness and a sense of isolation are common. Yet when support is offered, people bond strongly at those times of vulnerability. A Design Team has been working for several months to develop the purpose and structure for Ministries for Life Transitions. They have chosen five transitions to focus on for the first year of this ministry. They are: birth/adoption; career (finding a job, losing a job, changing a job); divorce; retirement; and end of life/bereavement. The Design Team planned a committee to coordinate this ministry and small teams each to work specifically on one transition. William Bridges wrote the book Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, after a forty year career in transition management. According to Bridges, every transition has three stages: an ending, a “between time” of gathering information and sorting things out, and acceptance and implementation of the new reality. Each of these stages brings its own needs, including needing support and fellowship from other church members, need for information and need for ritual. We are looking for people who would like to participate in this ministry, either on the committee or one of the transition teams. For more information or to join us, please contact Barbara Green, bgreen@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 105 or Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 104. Blessings,
Rev. Barbara Green
Met-Flix: “The Lego Movie” Friday, August 22, 8pm, Metropolitan Parking Lot
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for this free, fun family evening. Invite your friends and neighbors! Popcorn, candy, and drinks available. Movie begins at dusk.
Life at the Metropolitan Church Our prayers go out to...
The family and friends of Janice Mathews Stromsem who died on August 4. A memorial service will be held at 10:30am on August 23, at Metropolitan Memorial.
Parking Lot Renovation
We’d like to thank the Trustees for the renovations to our parking lots here at Metropolitan Memorial and at our St. Luke’s Mission Center.
Guest Preacher, Dr. Terri Lynn Simpson Sunday, August 17, 9am and 11:15am, Sanctuary
We welcome Dr. Terri Lynn Simpson, who will be our guest preacher on Sunday, August 17. She was our retreat leader for the United Methodist Women’s retreat this past February. Terri Lynn is the founder of Anam Cara Retreats and Consulting. She is a certified teacher of Centering Prayer and labyrinth facilitator gifted in building community through spiritual practices. In her ten year tenure at the Washington National Cathedral, she promoted spiritual growth through programs, pilgrimages, courses, and gatherings.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday, August 19, 1:30pm Sunday, August 24, 12:30pm
Enjoy a time of knitting, crocheting, fellowship, ministry and fun in the Parlor! If you are interested in joining, contact Barbara Tate, Bdtate@verizon.net.
Metropolitan Memorial Book Club September 15, 7:30pm, Parlor
Join us as Regula Guess leads our discussion of Christina Baker Kline’s, The Orphan Train. For questions, please contact Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@aol.com or Joan Topalian, jtopa62045@gmail.com.
Overnight Discussion Retreat September 19 - 20 West River Conference Center*
WesleyNexus, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for persons in the Wesleyan tradition who have an interest in the science and religion dialogue, is hosting an overnight retreat featuring discussion leadership by Dr. Connie Bertka, Consultant to the Smithsonian Institution on Science and Human Origins, and Adjunct Professor at Wesley Theological Seminary. A principal objective of this retreat is to equip lay persons in their local congregations for ministry and outreach to young adults and others who are concerned and committed to bring 21st century language and concepts into study and liturgy. Dr. Bertka says, as a scientist and a theist, “I have a commitment to a ‘free and responsible search for truth and meaning.’ For me this commitment encourages a worldview that embraces both religious and secular opportunities for greater understanding, yet acknowledges the challenge of living, always, with incomplete knowledge.” A full listing of discussion topics can be found at Wesleynexus.org. Space is limited to 50 persons. Cost for Friday overnight and Saturday meals is $61.50/person. For more information, go to wesleynexus.org or contact Kent Weaver, kenthweaver@ gmail.com. * 5100 Chalk Point Road, West River, MD.
This Tablet is Erected...
The names of forty-four Metropolitan Memorial men who fought in World War 1 are listed on a plaque in the south aisle, immediately after you enter the sanctuary. Since this is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of this war, we would appreciate members giving us any information about these brave men. Birth and Death Dates? Where did they serve ? What was their rank? Did they die in World War I? In addition, a window dedicated to Rev. Latch by Rev. Ernest Bryant and his wife Mildred is from the 1959 extension. Rev. Bryant is a mystery. If you have information, please contact Marilu Wood, 202-667-3620 or shedelwood@gmail.com.
“Honor to whom honor is due.” Franklin E. Allison Ferguson Fague E. F. Anderson William J. Fay, Jr. Milton A. Bosley Nelson Capen Harry L. Bosley Walter C. Hamilton Lester W. Bosley Claude C. Hamel Raymond Bristol Walling E. Harvey Harlow Bristol E. C. Hunter Glenn M. Billings Franklin M. Johnson Oliver Burton Charles L. Lanham B. Allison Colonna Ellwood L. Mitchell Thomas N. Chapman Harry D. Mitchell, Jr. Malcolm Duvall Lester E. Nelson Walker Duvall Walter Nold William W. Dodge, Jr. Earl Packer Asa w. De La Vergne Paul Ruhe Harold H. Dewhirst Henry L. Rochelle John Edwards Milton F. Schwab C. Glendower Ellicott W. Vernon Steger Archibald B. Evans Arthur Newman Tasker John Eldridge Wallace W. True Joseph Herbert Ford Raymond O. Wilmarth C. Clarence Frick Raymond S. Washburn
Greener Lights at St. Luke's and Wesley
No, the light color isn't greener, but the energy savings are. All of the T12 fluorescent tubes at our St. Luke's Mission Center and Wesley sites have been replaced by more efficient T8 fluorescent tubes. The T12 was developed in the 1970’s in response to the energy crisis of those days. Although a more efficient alternative to incandescent lighting, T12s over time were found to have reduced lamp life, poor color rendering (the spectrum of color emitted), low light output, and only modest energy saving. T12s use 37 watts to produce 2,376 lumens, while T8s use 29 watts to produce 2,668 lumens. T8 lamps, combined with a high-frequency electronic ballast, deliver more light per watt, better color range, and better efficiency. Bill Potts successfully brokered another grant from the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) to make this change. DCSEU paid 70% of the cost of the new tubes and the church paid 30%, saving us nearly $5,000. In a second energy-saving change, all of the exit signs at our St. Luke's Mission Center and Wesley which were illuminated by incandescent bulbs have been replaced by exit signs lit by LED (light emitting diodes) bulbs. Incandescent bulbs had a lifespan of about 1,000 hours, while LEDs will last some 25,000 hours.
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Please Remember Metropolitan While You are on Vacation!
Summer is the time that many of us retreat from the frantic pace of the school year, and many of us are away on vacations. Please remember that our church’s financial needs do not take a vacation, and we rely on your continued pledge support even when we must miss you in worship. Please keep your pledge current while you enjoy a wonderful summer break!
The Arts at the Metropolitan Church Jazz@Wesley Saturday, August 23, 6:30pm, Wesley UMC*
Enjoy the sounds of Bertrand Uberal and The Mark Meadows Quartet, playing the music of Bobby Timmons and Wayne Shorter. $10 entry l $7 Senior l 12 and under free. Purchase tickets at instantseats.com. For more information, call the Jazz@Wesley Information line, 202-966-5144 ext. 325 or email WesleyInfo@nationalchurch.org.*5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Art Show Concert and Exhibition Sunday, September 28 3pm - Concert 4:30pm - Reception
The Arts Council presents their first art show and concert of the new season! Join us as the Chicago Piano Duo performs twohand and four-hand piano works. Following the concert, join us in the Great Hall for “Stitched Together.” The exhibit will feature the quilt art of Special Interest Group, Serious Art Critique (SIG-SAC) with seven fiber artists, who transform simple cotton material and multi-colored thread into gorgeous wall hangings.
Feeling a Bit Dusty? Get Involved in the Arts
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” Pablo Picasso supposedly said. It’s worth a try, and the Arts Council is offering you the opportunity. We want to expand both our membership and our program in the upcoming season, and we cordially invite interested persons to join us. No special arts-related skills are required-just a general interest in the things we do. The programs we have sponsored have in recent years been mainly in music and art; we hope to expand our range to include some literary and dance events. We’d love to have some younger members. Beginning in September we’ll meet on the second Thursday of the month, at 7:30pm. We do four Sunday-afternoon concert/art-show/receptions each year, as well as occasional events such as the biennial creche exhibit. Interested? Contact Carol Schleicher, rschlei@verizon.net, Carol Griffith, carolgriffith33@hotmail. com or Marilu Wood, shedelwood@gmail.com.
United Methodist Women UMW Bazaar is Coming! Saturday, November 1, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Yes, it’s that time already! Work towards the United Methodist Women’s annual bazaar has begun, and all manner of help is needed. Each year, thanks to the efforts of many, this event raises significant funds that the UMW passes on to projects aiding the welfare of women and children locally, nationally, and around the world. You can be part of this wonderful effort and time of fellowship during the summer:
• Work with the sorting and pricing team on Tuesdays between 10am and noon. Just drop by – all are welcome! It’s an excellent way to meet new people and to learn about our activities. We’ll be near the Parlor/UMW closet area. • Work with the Jewelry team. Contact: Alison Daifuku, adaifuku@verizon.net or 202-363-4885. • Donate gently-used items for sale at the bazaar. Most items can be dropped off at any time outside the UMW closet. Exceptions: 1. Boutique-quality ladies’ wear – Contact: Connie McWorkman, 301-320-4242 or Elaine Chan, elainechan73@gmail.com. 2. Jewelry – please deliver to the church office for safety/ security reasons.
What can you donate? What’s for sale? All manner of gentlyused items, such as: Things for the kitchen/China and other Collectibles/ Puzzles and games/“Attic Treasures”/ Christmas decorations/Jewelry/Accessories, Scarves, Belts, Handbags/Boutique-quality ladies’ wear such as jackets, sweaters and gowns/Handmade crafts/New and like-new items for the Gifts boutique/ And yes, the Bake Sale and Meals-to-go, as well as Lunch on site featuring our renowned Harvest Soup and more, will continue! What we don’t take: No furniture (we don't have space); No used electronics, no magazines, no textbooks (these don't sell well); No clothing (except for Boutique-quality ladies’ wear such as jackets, sweaters, and gowns); No books at this time (We WILL take children's books. These will be included in the Children's area at the bazaar.) Questions, ideas? Contact bazaar coordinator Barbara Gaskill, Barbara@bgaskill.com or 202-244-3512.
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Caring Ministries What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are lay people -men and women—trained to provide one-to-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation due to military deployment. Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life. They have a desire and commitment to care for people during a time of need. A Stephen Minister begins a caring relationship when he or she is matched with a person experiencing a life crisis. The Stephen Minister then meets with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the person is in need of care. Since 1975, more than 600,000 people from more than 11,000 congregations and other organizations have been trained as Stephen Ministers. You might say, “I’m not trained for that.” Great News! Area churches send members to National Presbyterian Church (at Nebraska and Van Ness) which coordinates the 50 hours of training program. Usually the class meets on Tuesday evenings from 7pm – 9:30pm, October – April. And then when your training is finished, you will become a part of our Stephen Ministers that meet on the first Tuesdays of the month from 7pm – 8:30pm for support and encouragement. If you sense that God might be calling you to this caring ministry, please contact me, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202.363.4900 ext. 104. I would love to explore this possible calling with you! Blessings, Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson
Gentle Yoga for Well-Being with Cathryn Gunnerson, Yoga Teacher, AYS Beginning Thursday, September 2, 4pm
This 8-class series, September 2 - November 13 (no class 9/25 or 10/30), is open to all who are interested in practicing this gentle exercise. We will do basic yoga poses (asanas) and movements that stretch, strengthen, and lighten us, and improve balance. We will also practice yogic breathing and relaxation/meditation techniques. There will be chairs available for those who require the assistance of a prop in the practice, or for getting on and off the floor. Please bring a yoga mat, and wear loose or stretchy comfortable clothing. To register or for more information, contact Cathryn, Cathryn@yogawell-being.com This series is sponsored by the Congregational Care Committee.
Lunch and More Thursday, September 18, Noon, Great Hall
Join us for “Lunch and More,” a time of feasting, fellowship and fun! After we feast on a good meal, the group will brainstorm potential programs for the coming year. Please come with your ideas and suggestions. Please invite anyone that you think would enjoy the fellowship! For more information, contact Phyllis Kokus, PKokus@aol.com or Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net
“The Practice of Presence” Friday, September 19, 8am Silver Spring Civic Building*
Montgomery Hospice presents “The Practice of Presence: Using Compassion-Based Practices in Loss and Grief.” Registration required. To register and for more information go to montgomeryhospice.org/compassion or call 301.921.4400. *1 Veterans Pl, Silver Spring, MD.
Service and Advocacy Washington Interfaith Network Advocates for Homeless Families at DC General Hospital
The number of homeless families in DC has been on the rise. And the abduction of eight-year-old Ralisha Rudd by an employee of the family shelter at DC General Hospital has focused attention on the poor conditions there. The Washington Interfaith Network has been working to empower residents, many of whom fear reprisals when they speak out about poor conditions, and to hold accountable those responsible for running the shelter. To learn more or get involved, contact Linda Davenport, linda@davenport-associates.com or Ann Michel, amichel@wesleyseminary.edu.
Donate a Meal this Summer to the St. Luke’s Shelter
The St. Luke’s Shelter operates 365 days a year so the need for donated meals continues throughout the summer. While the seven residents take care of their own food needs some evenings, they enjoy donated meals on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings. If you’ve ever donated a meal to Metropolitan House, the process is almost identical. Claim a date on the volunteer calendar found at nationalchurch.org/servenow. The shelter is located on the lower level of the St. Luke’s Mission Center, 3655 Calvert St., NW. Meals should be delivered between 6:30pm and 6:45 pm. Questions? Contact Kent Weaver, 240-426-8282 or Miriam Nek, 786-423-4577.
Grate Patrol- 2 Locations to Serve! August 31, 10:10am, Vestry Kitchen
Make sandwiches and prepare the meal bags that are distributed to those in need in our area. For more information, contact Maura Porcelli, maura.porcelli@gmail.com or volunteer at nationalchurch.org/servenow!
Sunday, September 7, 5:30pm St. Luke’s Mission Center*
Help assemble the meals (provided by our Campus Kitchen Program) in to-go containers and load them into the Salvation Army van and distribute them throughout the city. You can volunteer to put together meals, serve meals by going out in the van, or both; 4-6 volunteers are especially needed to ride in the van from approximately 6:45pm - 8pm. No experience necessary. Questions? Contact Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@nationalchurch.org. *3655 Calvert St., NW.
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Youth Ministry Last week our middle school youth focused on service projects and field trips in the DC area. The week began with a tour of the Anacostia Watershed led by our very own Rev. Dottie Yunger and an afternoon at St. Luke’s Mission Center where we helped clean and prep our St. Luke’s kitchen for the National Campus Kitchen Training week. Below are some pics of the cleanup fun.
Children’s Ministry Let’s go outside!
Children love to play outside. And teachers love outdoor time, too. It’s a relaxing, stress-reducing, tension-relieving part of the day, but just as importantly it is a time when much development and learning takes place. The playground is an extension of the classroom. We plan for this part of the day just as we do the other parts of the daily routine. Teachers often bring classroom equipment outside to enrich the outdoor environment and so with that in mind, the Nursery School staff started to brainstorm. What if we had a play platform where the children could build, create, and expand their imaginations? We could have music outside or a puppet show or even have Chapel outside. We could finish our Halloween parade on the platform singing spooky songs for our families. What if we added outdoor blocks to capture the imagination of our children? Blocks are the cornerstone of developmentally appropriate play. This creative play magnifies the pleasure of learning. So with the blessings of the Trustees and the generosity of the parent group, the Nursery School has expanded our playground to include a beautiful play platform. In addition to the platform, we purchased a system of interlocking wooden blocks and planks to promote discovery and open-ended play. One day the blocks may be an airplane. The next day those same blocks may be a pirate boat or an enchanted castle. The ideas of our young architects are never-ending. We are so excited about our playground extension! It took many to make it work. But we would especially like to thank Amy and Rob Gresinger, RGM Gresinger Construction, for generously donating the design and build of the play platform. We also want to thank T.W. Perry for donating the high-quality, maintenance-free decking materials. The funds for the remainder of the project were raised at our annual spring fundraiser co-chaired by Meghan Blair and Kay McGrath-King. Thank you all. Now, let’s go outside and play!
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Our Mission
Building an inclusive, caring Christian community that invites all into a deepening challenges all of us to grow as disciples, seeking justice and joy for the transformation of the world.
relationship
with
God
and
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 Murphey Payton — Associate Pastor, Sharing, Lead Pastor at Wesley UMC, ext. 110, kmurphey@nationalchurch.org Rev. Dottie Yunger –– Associate Pastor, Service/Advocacy, ext. 111, dyunger@nationalchurch.org Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson — Minister of Congregational Care, ext. 104, dwilson@nationalchurch.org Rev. Janet Craswell—Director of Christian Education, ext. 115, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org Rev. Barbara Green – Minister of Life Transitions, bgreen@nationalchurch.org, ext. 105 David Hosey - Campus Ministry Coordinator, dhosey@nationalchurch.org Princess Bethea — Office Coordinator, ext. 102, pbethea@nationalchurch.org Bruce Caviness — 11a.m. Organist-Choirmaster, ext. 152, bcaviness@nationalchurch.org Jeff Clouser — Director of Communications and Outreach, ext. 113, jclouser@nationalchurch.org Dona Collary — Pastoral Care Assistant/Wedding and Funeral Coordinator, ext. 106, dcollary@nationalchurch.org Casey Elliott — Dayspring Choir Director/9am Worship Leader/Youth Choir Director, ext. 151, celliott@nationalchurch.org Patrisha House — Director of Worship, Music and Arts, ext. 114, phouse@nationalchurch.org Patrick Landau — Director of Youth Ministries, ext. 112, plandau@nationalchurch.org Bill Potts –– Executive Director of Operations, ext. 101, wpotts@nationalchurch.org Rafael Reyes — Director of Building and Grounds, ext. 116, rreyes@nationalchurch.org Helen Simon — Executive Assistant to Dr. Parker, ext. 109, hsimon@nationalchurch.org Linda Smith — Director of Nursery School, 202.362.8746, lsmith@nationalchurch.org
The Messenger is published by The Metropolitan Church - A Multi-site United Methodist Community Metropolitan Memorial - 3401 Nebraska Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20016 Tel: 202.363.4900 St. Luke’s Mission Center (3655 Calvert St., NW)/Wesley UMC (5312 Conn. Ave., NW) Fax: 202.686.2056 E-Mail: jclouser@nationalchurch.org website: nationalchurch.org NEXT ISSUE: September 8, 2014 NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on September 2, 2014