December 2015

December 7, 2015 Volume XXV, No. 12 Nationalchurch.org

The Messenger

METROPOLITAN CHURCH

A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Advent is the time of year when we prepare for the coming of Christ – as a baby at Christmas, as our Risen Lord at the end of time, and every day as Christ is born anew in our hearts. As we wait and watch for Christ, we have lots of opportunities to celebrate, worship, and share during the Advent and Christmas season.

Metropolitan Memorial Night Visitors Sundays, 9am and 11:15am

Following the performance of Gian Carolo Menotti’s holiday classic, Amahl and the Night Visitor’s at Metropolitan Memorial, we are spending Advent looking at the theme of “night visitors.” Many of the important parts of the Christmas story take place at night: the wise men, the shepherds, and – of course – the birth itself. A subtheme throughout the season will be refugees, looking at the parallels between the nativity story and the current controversy about Syrian refugees.

Wesley

A Middle Eastern Family Needs a Place to Stay...

Sundays at 11am wesleydc.org

Share in the joyous sounds of the season on December 12 at 6:30pm as Jazz@ Wesley presents A Jazzy Christmas. Performers include the Wesley Combo featuring Jazz vocalists, Tiya! and Clint Hyson, and special guests: Kim Sator, harpist; Winona Stanback, soprano; and Alfredo Mojica, percussion and vocals. Plus, join the Wesley Choir in a carol sing-a-long! Tickets available at the door and at instantseats.com.

Entry $10 I $7 Seniors I Children 12 and Under Free.

Our annual Evening in Advent is on December 13. We will gather in the Vestry at Metropolitan Memorial from 4-7pm for Christmas crafts, a tasty chili dinner, carol singing, and time with friends from all three Metropolitan sites and Brighter Day Ministries.

Children will be welcomed into a Christmas shop where they can select a (free) gift for a special adult in their lives. Donations of new (or nearly new) costume jewelry, ties, scarves, knickknacks and Christmas ornaments are especially welcome for the Christmas shop; please leave them in the church office before December 13.

In the midst of the Advent festivities, we understand the season isn't joyful for everyone. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a job, or you just want to find a time of peace in the midst of the hectic season, there is a place where you can seek comfort and prayer. You are welcome to the Longest Night service on Tuesday, December 22, from 7-8 pm in the Wesley sanctuary. This quiet service of prayer, reflection, and Holy Communion is a reminder that Christ is our light in the darkness.

Christmas Eve offers several opportunities to worship and celebrate. Our children will lead us in worship at the 5pm service at Metropolitan Memorial – telling the story, and acting out the parts of shepherds, angels, and multiple different animals. Candlelight communion services will take place at 7pm at Wesley and 7:30pm at Metropolitan Memorial. A musical prelude at 10:30pm precedes our 11pm service at Metropolitan Memorial. Come celebrate our God who became a baby in a manger, lived, loved, taught, healed, died and rose again for us, and who lives to bring love and justice to all people today.

And don’t forget – Christmas doesn’t end December 25! Continue to welcome Christ with a service of lessons and carols at Metropolitan Memorial on Sunday, December 27 at 10am (One Service). Or come to Wesley for the 11am Kwanzaa service, to praise the God who created both rich diversity and beloved community.

Blessings, Rev. Janet Craswell

January Sermon Series: From the Heart of the Sea

Over the last several years, our tradition at Metropolitan has been to have the January sermon series focus on a topic that is current and is likely to be of interest to church folks as well as folks who may not be regular church goers. We have an opportunity to promote the topic during our Christmas services, and over the years, a number of folks have become part of our community of faith after they came to a worship service during the month of January because they were intrigued by the topic of the sermon series.

This January, we are going to use the wonderful, powerful story of Moby Dick as the focus for our sermon series. We chose this topic for a couple of reasons, including that there is a new Ron Howard movie coming out in December called “In the Heart of the Sea” that tells the story of one of the two historical events upon which Moby Dick was based (see a preview video and get an overview of the sermon series on our website at nationalchurch.org/Praising/Sermons_Podcasts (continues on page 2).

Life at the Metropolitan Church (cont. from page 1) We will launch this sermon series on January 10, with the theme of The Power of Awe. The central character of Moby Dick – the whale – is essentially a mystery, and in many ways is a tool to explore what it feels like to live in a world that is beyond our control. The whale is a character that inspires awe, a feeling – according to the writers of Scripture – that is at the heart of what it means to be a people of faith. What is awe about? How does it shape our understanding of God? How do we cultivate it?

On January 17, the sermon focus will be on Hate and Madness. Ahab’s response to awe is madness. His anger and bitterness at the loss of his leg, and his powerlessness in the face of the force of the whale, drive him to his mad obsession.

Moby Dick is, in many ways, a meditation on how anger and hate can become consuming forces in people’s lives, and an opportunity to explore how to diffuse this danger in our own lives, and address it when we encounter it in others.

On January 24, the theme of the sermon will be Exploitation of the Earth. A recurring theme throughout the novel of Moby Dick is the exploitation of our natural resources. Melville wonders aloud how long whales will be able to survive in the face of whale hunting, and compares their plight to that of the American bison. The novel gives us a wonderful opportunity to revisit our call to care for the natural order and develop our communities in ways that are sustainable.

On January 31, we will close out the sermon series with a focus on Leaders and Demagogues. In an election year, Captain Ahab gives us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the nature of healthy (and unhealthy leadership). Captain Ahab uses many of the classic tools of the demagogue to manipulate his crew and get them to support him on his unholy quest (and that we also see in many elements of the current election cycle). And Melville spills a great deal of ink over what healthy leadership looks like.

I hope that you will consider doing two things: join us on this journey of exploration as we look at where the rich text of Moby Dick stimulates our consideration of Biblical texts -- where do we see Biblical themes in the four topics we have selected from Moby Dick? The second thing I would encourage you all to do is to extend an invitation to someone in your family or a friend or neighbor or co-worker to join you in worship in January, particularly someone who doesn’t yet have a church home. We have an opportunity to offer life transforming stories of our faith to others who might love to be on this journey with us as we start the new year and live out our church’s Vision of extending radical hospitality, transforming lives, and pursuing justice.

Blessings,

Charlie Parker

~~~ Flowers and Greens Gracing the Church ~~~ The Christmas season isCelebrating a time of joy and peace. your family while beautifying theHonor Arrival of and thefriends Christ Child our church with a donation

toward the flowers and greens that wrap the Sanctuary, building and halls of the church in the living colors of the season.

The Christmas season is a time of joy and peace. Honor your family and friends while beautifying our church with a The greens and flowers in the church are totally supported by your contributions. The Poinsettia are available for a donation donation toward theamount flowersisand greensAll that wrap the building hallson ofSunday, the church in the living of $25. Any donation welcome. donations willSanctuary, be recognized in theand Bulletin December 20, 2015. colors of the season.

Plants may be taken after the 11pm service Christmas Eve. Envelopes for donations are located in the pew racks.

The greens and flowers in the church are totally supported by your contributions. The Poinsettia are Remembering Others at Christmas available for a donation of $25. Any donation amount is welcome. All donations will be recognized in the Bulletin Sunday, December 23rd.

Name: on _________________________________________________Phone:____________________

Plants may_______________________________________________ be taken after the 11:00 pm service Christmas Eve. Envelopes donations are located in the pew racks.

Address: Email:for ____________________ Remembering Others at Christmas

Donation of $______, for #___ Poinsettias. I will ___ will not___ be taking the plant(s) after the Christmas Eve service.

Name: _________________________________________________Phone:____________________ In Memory of ______________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ Email: ____________________

In Honor of _____________________________________________________________ Donation of $______, for #___ Poinsettias. I will ___ will not___ be taking the plant(s) after the Christmas Eve service.

Mail,ofdrop off or donate online at nationalchurch.org/greens 15th . No phone orders please.

In Memory ________________________________________in HonorbyofDecember ____________________________________ Mail, drop off or donate online at nationalchurch.org/greens by December 18th . No phone orders please.

MetropolitanMemorial MemorialUnited UnitedMethodist MethodistChurch, Church, 3401 Nebraska Avenue, Washington, DC 20016 Metropolitan 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW,NW, Washington, DC 20016

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Serving Ministries

Preparing for Feast w/ Friends at Campus Kitchen @ Washington DC

A Day to Be Thankful with the President and First Lady

On the day before Thanksgiving, President Obama and his family came to our St. Luke’s Mission Center (SLMC) to serve a Campus Kitchen meal to the clients of Friendship Place, our partner working to end homelessness in the DC area. Campus Kitchen @ Washington DC (CKWDC) had the honor of preparing this meal, with food donated from local Mom’s Organic Markets (MOMs), recovered by community volunteers, and prepared by our chef and students from local universities.

The Feast w/ Friends, as the event was called, was for veteran families and formerly homeless participants in Friendship Place’s Veterans First Program. The President and First Lady, their daughters, Sasha and Malia, and Marian Robinson (the First Lady’s mother) got to work as soon as they arrived, serving the ThanksgivingMichelle Obama tweeted about the themed meal to over 60 day of service surprised participants. (for more coverage go to cnn. com/2015/11/25/politics/thanksgiving-obama-homelessveterans/index.html.)

Friendship Place launched the federally funded Veterans First program four years ago to provide prevention and rapid rehousing services to veterans and their families. It has grown from a small grant to a regional operation, able to support 550 households in the DC Metropolitan Area each year, and has the ability to move veterans with zero income from homelessness to housing stability in an average of 127 days. Learn more at friendshipplace.org.

Our St. Luke’s Mission Center is part of The Metropolitan Church, a multi-site United Methodist community in NW DC. St. Luke’s Mission Center provides vital ministries and partnerships in the city, including a small group home shelter, a hostel for mission groups, a commercial grade kitchen, and office space for our partners at Friendship Place. Campus Kitchen @ Washington DC has operated out of SLMC for approximately three years. It is part of the Campus Kitchen Program (CKP), a national leader in community service for students and the future of hunger relief. CKP empowers the next generation of leaders to implement innovative models for combating hunger, develop food systems and help communities help themselves.

With a dedicated team of community volunteers, CKWDC recovers about 5,000 pounds of food a month from local MOMs, Chipotle, and farmers markets.

Our chef, Anthony Mickens, along with hundreds of community volunteers and students from local universities, turn that food into approximately 1,500 Chef Anthony Mickens meals a month, which are served cooks turkeys to be served to those in need, including the by President Obama. homeless, at risk youth, seniors, and veterans. Learn more at nationalchurch.org/Serving/ Campus_Kitchen.

While the First Family served the meal, their friends and other family members helped package snacks, toiletries, and other items for the street outreach efforts of Friendship Place and Grate Patrol, our monthly program with the Salvation Army to distribute much-needed resources to people living on the streets throughout the city.

- Dottie Yunger

Ways You Can Serve!

Campus Kitchen DC - Volunteer Now! Tues./Wed./Thurs., 4pm - 7pm Saturdays, 11am - 3pm, St Luke’s Mission Center*

Campus Kitchen needs your help to make meals and recover donated produce and protein we receive from local food operators. Want to volunteer? Contact Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@nationalchurch.org or visit nationalchurch.org/ volunteerhub.

Grate Patrol Sunday, January 3, 6pm St. Luke’s Mission Center*

You can volunteer to put together meals, serve meals by going out in the van Sunday evening or both. Volunteer at nationalchurch.org/volunteerhub! *3655 Calvert St., NW.

Grate Patrol December 27, 10:10am, Vestry December 28, 6:30pm, St. Luke’s Mission Center*

On Sunday, help make sandwiches and prepare meal bags in the Vestry. On Monday, volunteers are needed to load additional meals prepared by Campus Kitchen into the Salvation Army van and distribute them throughout downtown DC. To help put together meal bags on Sunday, come to the vestry. If you can go out on the van on Monday night, volunteer at nationalchurch.org/servenow!

There is a five volunteer limit on the van ride which leaves St. Luke’s around 6:30pm and returns around 8:30pm. *3655 Calvert St. NW.

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Life at the Metropolitan Church What Are You Doing Christmas Eve? Thursday, December 24

Annual Commitment Campaign

Thanks go out to our many members and friends who made their pledges. Due to their generosity, our commitment campaign is off to a strong start. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please mail it to the church office or put it in the offering plate on Sunday. Pledge cards will be in the attendance pads in the pews. Or, submit your 2016 pledge online at nationalchurch.org/Giving/Annual_ Campaign. Your continuing generous support is vital to our church’s mission and ministries!

Alternative Gift Market December 13, 11am - 12:30pm Near the Great Hall

Looking for the perfect gift? Our United Methodist Women are hosting an Alternative Gift Market, a wonderful, creative way to support worthwhile charities in our area and abroad! In exchange for your purchase, you will receive a greeting card that you can present to the person you want to honor. Any contribution will be passed on directly to one of the following organizations that you select. (Receipts available for tax purposes). Beneficiaries include: •Bright Beginnings - Providing child-care to homeless families in Washington, D.C. •Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative - Outreach and mentoring for at-risk children in partnership with Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Md. •Mabel Lossing Jones School, Sitapur, India –Educating boys and many future leaders of India under the auspices of the United Methodist church since 1900.

•The Ballet Studio - Provides academy-quality ballet instruction to girls from underserved minority and immigrant populations in Washington, D.C. •Capital Partners for Education - Financially supporting and mentoring low-income Washington, D.C. youth to ensure they graduate from high school and transition to and complete college.

•Women and Community - Empowering women and promoting action to protect the environment in Nicaragua.

•Tree of Life Ministry - Serving Native Americans in Rosebud, South Dakota.

•Courtney’s House - Helping children and youth escape from being trafficked and find a new life.

•Sasha Bruce Youth Works - Supporting programs and training for homeless youth in Washington, D.C.

UMW Book Sale Donate Your Books!

The United Methodist Women are now collecting books for the annual UMW Book and Bake Sale, March 5, 2016. Donations may be placed on the wire racks in front of the UMW closet at the end of the Vestry hallway. This is a great opportunity to clear your shelves before the holidays.

Help spread the holiday joy! We are in need of greeters and ushers for all three Christmas Eve Services. If you can help us out, please email Bruce Weber, bvweber@msn. com, Derek Stone, derekstone@mindspring.com or Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net. Thank You!

Annual Christmas Coat Drive

The Bible Plus Sunday School Class annual Christmas Coat Drive is in full swing.

We are collecting new (and used in good condition) coats for the children at our sister church Brighter Day. While coats in all sizes are needed, they especially need kids coats in sizes 12, 14, and 16. A collection bin is located in the lobby by the church offices from now until December 20th. Receipts are available at the collection box. Although we encourage you to donate the above items, cash contributions are also welcome and we will shop for you. Please make checks payable to Metropolitan Memorial and annotate on your check that it is for the Coat Drive. Please give your check to the church office, and your receipt will then be mailed to you if you so desire. Many thanks for your gifts that will help keep children warm this winter. Contact: Debbie Gustowski, debgustowski@comcast.net.

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

All book lovers are invited to join us on January 18 as we discuss Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham. Larry Ellsworth will lead the group. Come join us for a fun evening! Our book club does not meet in December. Contacts: Joan Topalian, topajoan62045@gmail.com or Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@aol.com.

Eternally Yours

Coming in January!

Luminous Grace: Visions of Heaven and Earth

In January, the Arts Council will be hosting “Luminous Grace: Visions of Heaven and Earth.” In this art exhibition painter Elise Ritter visually explores "the concept of grace: gifts freely given, and blessings generously bestowed.” As Elise writes, “All around us in nature, and throughout heaven and earth, are light-filled visions of grace: the sun, moon and stars; angels and humanity; the sky and clouds; trees, rivers and gardens. Shining and bright, they reveal the spirit-filled handiwork of the Divine. All is grace; all is love.”

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Caring Ministries Chronic Illness and Caregiving Wednesday, December 16, 7pm, Fireplace Room

If you are living with a chronic illness, you know that it can affect you physically, emotionally, intellectually, vocationally, socially, and spiritually. Both those experiencing chronic illness and people who are caregivers are invited to join our support group that helps both the person with chronic illness, their families and caregivers. For more information, contact Susan Roach, susanroach2@gmail.com or Nancy Cherney, nancy@nutritionmattersnow.com.

AARP Meeting Monday, December 21, 1pm, Vestry

Please join us for our annual holiday luncheon. We will have a delicious meal of turkey and all the trimmings, followed by singing of holiday songs. The cost is $15 per person, and reservations are necessary. Contact Bobby Turnbull, (301) 320-4154, bobbyturnbull@comcast.net by December 16 to reserve your spot.

Lunch and More: “The Music of Christmas” Thursday, December 17, Noon, Great Hall

Join the Lunch and More crowd for a Christmas potluck!

Bring your favorite dish to create a Christmas feast! After sharing a festive meal, Rev. Janet Craswell, Director of Christian Education, will present “Advent Experience: The Music of Christmas.” From Handel’s Messiah to Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors to African-American spirituals about the birth of Christ, Christmas has inspired some of the most uplifting and beautiful music we know. Get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus by reveling in the stories and music of Christmas, and the people who created them.

Hope to see you Thursday, December 17! Please don’t forget your dish and bring a friend! Contact: Phyllis Kokus, PKokus@aol.com and Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@ verizon.net.

Weekly Meditation Practice Wednesdays, 9am, Sanctuary

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

Gentle Yoga for Well-Being Thursdays, 4pm, Great Hall

Join us for Gentle Yoga. Class meets every Thursday and is open to all who are interested. We will do basic yoga poses and movements to stretch, strengthen, improve balance, and lift our spirits. To register or for more information, contact Cathryn Gunnerson, Cathryn@yogawell-being. com or 301-642-3889.

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: Bible Study: Led by Rev. Charlie Parker and Bob Olson •

December 9: Joel. As we prepare for Christmas, we are studying the ancient prophesies of Joel, who looked for the salvation of Israel.

•

December 16: The Christmas Story in Luke. “And there were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night…”

Topical Study: A Season of Light.

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December 9: Starlight - Amahl and the Night Visitors. Learn how this 20th century Christmas classic was created (Led by Casey Campbell). See and hear how it brings new meaning to the story of the magi. Casey Elliott Campbell is an associate enlisted conductor with the Sea Chanters, the US Navy choral group. She currently serves as music director of the Dayspring Choir at Metropolitan Memorial.

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December 16: Angel-Light - Christmas in the Gospel of Luke. Join the Food for Thought Bible study group (see above).

College Bible Study Wednesdays 6pm - Dinner I 7pm - Class, AU Student Lounge

Join us as we focus on questions that have been submitted throughout our “Big Questions” sermon series. Contact: David Hosey, chaplain@aumethodists.org.

Intergenerational Bible Story Hour Sunday, December 20, 9:30am, Wesley*

Join us on the first and third Sundays of the month for an in-depth look at the stories in scripture we’ll be reading in worship at Wesley. We’ll sing, tell stories and reflect on the story using different art mediums--drama, drawing, painting, modeling clay, journaling. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW

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The United Methodist Women United Methodist Women's Bazaar Wrap-Up

Oh my, was it a BAZAAR! There was abundant high-quality inventory, an abundance of workers and shoppers, and an abundance of spirit at the UMW bazaar on November 7. It is most assuredly a great day to remember. And, we have about $14,500 to show for our efforts, to distribute to projects benefitting the welfare of women and children locally, nationally and globally. Thank you, everyone, for your phenomenal help.

all. The above listing is just to give an idea of what it takes to pull off this yearly fundraising effort for the projects our UMW supports. It is a great joy that quite a few new people were involved with the bazaar this year, from both the Wesley and Metropolitan sites. And it is with joy that we note that our AU UMW student friends as well as some long-time members who now live in various retirement communities came to shop and to lunch with us.

Thank you to the men of the congregation who pitched in on Security, to our MANY members and their spouses who donated items, and to all those who turned out for sorting and pricing throughout the year.

Thank you to the church staff, who put up with the mess from June through November, and who dealt with our total take-over of the first floor during bazaar week. Thank you to Bill Potts for buying us lunch on Friday and for his thoughtfulness in providing an ice-cream cake for Lorraine Marsh and Carol Schleicher, whose birthdays fell on Friday of bazaar week. Thank you to Bruce Caviness, Casey Campbell and all of the choir members, who gave up use of the Choir Room during bazaar week for use by Attic Treasures. Thank you to all who were involved in The Metro Players production of "Doubt" that opened on the Friday after Bazaar, for loaning the stage to the Kitchen boutique so close to show time.

Thank you to our leadership team: • Barbara Gaskill - bazaar coordinator • Bobby Turnbull - coordinator of the Sorting and Pricing team, head of the Attic Treasures Team, and organizer of bazaar day volunteers • Alison Daifuku - head of the Jewelry team (along with Kathy Portus and Andrea Banyasz).

• Charlotte Carter - head of the Kitchen boutique (along with her right-hand Lorraine Marsh).

• Connie McWorkman - founder of our Fashion Mania boutique (along with her daughter Heidi) • Phyllis Kokus & Kelly D'Angelo - mother-daughter team serving as coordinators of Accessories • Ann Cochran - head of the Collectibles boutique (along with her right-hand Suzanne Forsyth) • Penny Andrews - head of Gifts & Crafts & Nearly New • Ann Michel & Mary Jo Marchant - Lunch & Bake Sale coordinators (along with Circle 6) • Caralee Adams - founder of our Alternative Gifts booth (along with her mother) • Pam Ellsworth - Our children's section coordinator • Diana Moody - Christmas section coordinator (along with Carol Schleicher & Carol Griffith) • Anita Seline & Barbara Gaskill - Publicity. Anita also coordinated the pick-up of bazaar leftovers by the National Children's Center. Yes, even the leftovers go to charity!

• Mary Rollefson - Bazaar Treasurer (along with Jeanie Mah and her husband Mike Greene) • Clem Gaskill -- Security There were many more involved with the work, and many took on more than one role and pitched in wherever needed. Thinking back to bazaar day itself, many faces come to mind... there are more than a few folks who can always be counted on to pitch in. We apologize for not listing you

Thank you to the Prayer Shawl ministry folks (Mary Jo Marchant, Beverly Fleming, Barbara Tate....and if we're missing someone please let us know!) who knitted and donated scarves and gloves and hats and more for the Crafts table. Thank you to Anne Poe for the lovely delicate items she knitted and donated. And, last but not least, thanks to Addie Owen who repairs damaged items and returns them to us good-as-new, as well as creating new pillows and sewing aprons and more.

Thank you to Rafael Reyes and his crew for all of their help, especially during set-up and clean-up. Thank you to Ann Cochran for connecting us with four young Mormon missionaries who gave their time to our massive clean-up effort on Saturday.

Looking ahead, the 2016 UMW Bazaar will be on...surprise...the first Saturday in November. Oh, right. It's always the first Saturday in November. So please put November 5, 2016 on your calendars now, and block off the full week leading up to and including bazaar day. The more, the merrier. We'd especially love to have more of the younger couples and singles join us, to help shape the future of this annual event.

Bless you all,

Barbara Gaskill

UMW Women’s Retreat - February 5 -7

Calling all women of the Metropolitan Community! Mark your calendars for the 2016 Women’s Retreat. This year our retreat guide will be Denise Hopkins. A native of upstate New York, Ms. Hopkins is a member of the United Church of Christ and a professor of the Hebrew Bible at Wesley Theological Seminary. She is the author of Journey Through the Psalms (Chalice, 2002) and will lead us in a weekend-long meditation on the Psalms during our retreat at PriestField Pastoral Center in Kearneysville, WV. Sponsored by the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan but open to all women in our church family and their invited guests. First-timers are most welcome! Registration opening soon (to make sure you don’t miss it, e-mail MetroUMW@ gmail.com.)

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Children’s Ministry Christmas Eve Family Service Rehearsal December 20, 10:10am

Rehearsal for the Family Christmas Eve service with the children’s Christmas pageant will be Sunday, December 20 in the sanctuary at Metropolitan Memorial. We will have rehearsal instead of Sunday School. Our only other chance to practice the service will be at 4pm Christmas Eve, so it is important that all partipants be present for the Sunday rehearsal. For more information, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115

Nursery School Open House Friday, December 11, 9:30am, Great Hall

The Metropolitan Nursery School invites you to an Open House, where you can learn about our school’s program, curriculum, and admission procedures. The Director will also be available to answer any questions you may have about the nursery school. You will also have the opportunity to see our lively classrooms in action. In order to truly appreciate our program we encourage you to attend.

Love to Sing?

Join the premier Children's Chorus in our Nation's Capital celebrating 20 years of artistic excellence. For singers ages 9 to 18, schedule an audition today on selected dates in December and January. Call 202-237-1005. No previous experience necessary. Dates available: Wednesday, December 16; Thursday, January 7; Wednesday, January 13. For younger singers, 6 to 9, get introduced to the choral experience with no audition necessary. Register for Prep Class directly online at childrenschorus.com/programs/prep-class. For more information, visit childrenschorus.com

Youth Ministries Family Camp 2015!

Family Camp was a wonderful opportunity for families to get together, build relationships, relax, and have fun. Children from ages 4 to 18 and their parents engaged in rock wall climbing, board games, outdoor games, and some much needed R&R. We had a great time getting to know each other and spending time away from all the pressures of our normal week.

We will be looking at having our next Family Camp weekend in October 2016 with the possibility of a one day Family Camp in the spring. For more information, contact Patrick Landau, Director of Youth Ministries, plandau@nationalchurch.org or 203-363-4900, ext. 112.

George Mancinelli climbs to the top with a little help from his dad, Tom.

The gang spent a fun evening playing cards

Caleb Grimm created a marshmallow tree for prime toasting abilities.

Check Out Our Blog

Youth @ Metropolitan

where every high school and middle school student is welcome.

Discover more about our youth and what they are doing! Follow their adventures at youthmetropolitan.wordpress.com.

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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 David Finnegan-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: January 11, 2016

NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on January 5, 2016