THE MESSENGER
For the congregation of the Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish
August 13, 2010 Volume XX, No. 8 www.nationalchurch.org
Metropolitan Memorial, St. Luke’s, and Wesley United Methodist Churches
ASP 2010 Reflections As I prepared for this year’s Appalachia Service Project trip, I began to do the same thing I do each year: complain. There is so much to do and so much to plan that it can be overwhelming at times. However, like every year, when we hit the road I left all of that behind me. The time with the volunteers and the people of Appalachia is so meaningful. Our team was quite unique this year. We had veterans and rookies in the mix this year, and it is always fun to watch the team come together on Saturday night and Sunday morning before we arrive at the site. The first 24 hours were great, but then Marissa and I went to visit our work-site on Sunday evening. The positive energy that I had built up for 24 hours was quickly erased. Upon seeing our project, I confess that I quickly moved to the negative and was frustrated at what we were facing. We were staring at spending a week under a house with little space to move — and really big spiders! We were putting in a girder system, but before that happened, we had to dig holes. We immediately faced adversity with the huge spider and a mistake made by the prior team. We had to re-dig a hole and pour another footer. As discouraging as that was, rather than get down, our team rose to the occasion. Whether it was the small “plastic Jesus” that was sitting above us, or Virgil the 4 inch spider, we found strength in our team. The Holy Spirit created an environment that allowed us to come together to sing, tell jokes, to bond, to laugh, to worship, and to dig. The reality in the situation was that we were responsible for the foundation of this house. For our new friends Jason, Stacey and Michael,
the very place they lived everyday was dependent upon our work under that house. That was powerful. That is powerful. That week was probably one of the best weeks of the past year. From playing the pick-ax guitar while the team sang “Oh, we’re halfway there...oh-oh we’re living on a prayer” to our own rendition of “Proud Mary” in the road to our final prayer and blessing with Jason, Stacey and Michael, the week was filled with ups and downs, ice cream and dodgeball — and digging holes. There’s something to be said about spending a week underneath a house — digging holes. The harder and bigger the rocks, the softer your heart becomes. That is the power of serving your neighbor, whether they be in West Virginia or next door. I pray that our team can live like that all year long. Below are some more reflections from our ASP trip. As you read each one, think about how you can serve your neighbors in the coming year!
Laura Klinestiver - At first when Jimmy approached me about going on this year’s ASP trip I was excited to go but did not fully understand what the trip would entail. As the weeks before the trip sped by and we prepared to leave I started to get nervous. I had all sorts of questions about what the trip would be like and worries that I would be ineffective as a group leader. Jimmy quickly assuaged my concerns and on the 10th, we set out early in the morning for West Virginia. Over the next week, through the rush of activities and work, I found the attitude of the residents of Logan County to be inspirational. The pure generosity and good-will that I found in the people whose homes we were working on brought me to a greater understanding of what the Grace of God truly means and how it presents itself in our lives. I look forward to going on many more ASP trips in the future and have found that the plight of families in Appalachia has helped me to better put my own life in perspective and learn to not sweat the small stuff so much. continued on pg. 2
ASP 2010 Reflections Cont. from pg. 1 “Plastic Jesus” by Marissa Mizroch - One does not expect to find Jesus under an old, dilapidated house, but on APS 2010, that is exactly where my work crew found him. The work site I was on this year was not a place I ever thought I would find myself in. I was under a house once again, this time fitting a girder to support the floor above us. It was difficult work to say the least. We had to dig, pour cement, and lift the heavy girder in a very confined space that made every task so much harder. It shouldn’t have been fun, but it was. When anything would go wrong, every member in my work crew was there to help raise our spirits again. We would sing, tells jokes, and shares stories to make the time pass easier. And every now and then, we would shine our flashlights on a small plastic Jesus statue that had recently taken up residence under the house, along with the spiders and crickets that lived there too. It was nice to have that constant reminder of God, even if it was only a tacky plastic image of him. But as the week progressed, I realized that my reminder of God’s presence did not come from that statue, but from the people around me. It came from the members of my work crew, always there for me and our project. It came from the homeowners, so poor in material things but so rich in love and spirit. In life, we all have our plastic Jesus’...the things that remind us that God is close. All we have to do is realize that they are there. Danielle Whitehead - This is my second year on ASP. Both of my experiences have been in West Virginia. My first year, I helped underpin a woman’s house. This year, I helped build a porch and bedroom roof. I had a special experience with this family. This lady had two children. One was three years old, and the other was eleven months old. She needed some help with her house. She had just gone through a rough relationship, and I really connected with her. I am adopted, as many in the church know, and I could relate to some of what she was going through. Being eleven months old and going through abuse made me really change. Having to battle all of the flash backs is hard, but it helped me to be with this family. It’s as if God put me on this team to be with this family. Meeting someone who is going through the same experiences that I went through made me want to do something to help. I saw myself as the eleven month old baby, and my sister as the three year old. The mother, though, wants to do something, and wants to start over. I believe that by helping her, it helps me get through the past and move towards the future. We did help her in so many ways. Our ASP team donated some of our money to help cover expenses when she has the surgery that she needs. This experience was so important for her, but it has helped me to heal too. That was my experience at ASP in Logan County, WV.
Crossroads: A New Beginning! Sundays at 5 p.m. The past year and a half has been amazing at Crossroads. If you move could position us as a commuhad the chance to be a part of the worship experience on Satur- nity of faith to live into our vision of day nights, then you know the energy, the spirit and community extending radical hospitality, transthat takes place there. When Metropolitan put forth a vision to forming lives, and pursuing justice. start a new worship service two years ago, there were all sorts We are hopeful that the Crossroads of questions about time, location, style, musicians, marketing, community will connect worship etc. There were also questions about what “success” would with service through the mission cenlook like. Should we measure success in the number of people ter at St. Luke’s. We are also hopeful that the community that is who attended church? Should we measure success by lives be- taking shape there will intersect with those who attend services ing transformed (through testimony and service)? There were a at Metropolitan and Wesley through the service opportunities lot of variables to consider, but it was clear that we wanted that will develop. people to engage in worship and be present. While we have had some amazing worship experiences and have heard testimonies We are excited about this new chapter in the life of our church. about what Crossroads has meant to people, we haven’t really We invite you to aid us with this new venture by helping us to create the energy and stability that this community needs. Would seen the numerical growth that we would like to have. you consider attending Crossroads for at least two Sundays of Earlier this summer, we began a discernment process into what the month, beginning September 12? Of course, if you can atthe next steps would look like. We researched other churches in tend more than that, it would be helpful. This would create a DC and throughout the region to find what was working in their more comfortable space for visitors, and bring energy and a situation. We also spoke with consultants and interviewed people good dynamic to the worship experience. This “seeding” as we who currently attend or those who have considered attending call it will help the Crossroads community to re-launch this worCrossroads. It was clear that the vision of the church still in- ship experience with a renewed sense of hope, purpose and cludes a service like Crossroads. The question became “What is calling. If you have any questions, please contact me at the right day and time?” Through our discernment process, we jsherrod@mmumc-dc.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 24 and we can have reached the decision to move Crossroads from Saturdays talk. If you cannot make it on Sunday nights, please keep us in at 5 p.m. to Sundays at 5 p.m. beginning September 12. It will your prayers as we seek to live out our vision and calling. still take place at the St. Luke’s campus, and we will still have Joy and Peace, the same great worship band led by Tony Small. We will continue to build community, and we will continue to celebrate communion together each week. Starting anything new is hard work, and the Crossroads team recognizes that things won’t necessarily change with a new day and time. However, we feel this
Life at Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry Sunday, August 15, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 17, 1:30 p.m. Join us for a time of knitting, crocheting, fellowship, ministry and fun! Questions? Contact Annette Fletchall at 202.363.9231. Deadline for Photographers Friday, August 20 The final deadline for notification of interest in participating in the exhibit of photography is August 20. If you are interested in our next exhibit opening on September 26, please notify Carol Schleicher at 301-229-2385 or rschlei@verizon.net or Marilu Wood at shedelwood@yahoo.com before August 20. The theme is “Where Do You See God?” Ice Cream Social Sunday, August 22, 10:10 a.m., Great Hall Ice Cream in the Morning? Why Not! Come by the Great Hall on Sunday, Aug. 22 from 10:10-11 a.m. for a free ice cream social hosted by the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan. Enjoy catching up with friends and welcoming AU students back to campus.
Mayoral Debate Tuesday, August 24, 8 p.m. Adrian Fenty and Vincent Gray will participate in a debate at the Jewish Community Relations Council’s Mayoral Forum on August 24 at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue (6th and I St., NW). The debate will include a question on our primary concern about the mayor-to-be’s relationship with the diverse religious community in Washington. The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington has been collaborating on planning this event and encourages all Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish members and the WIN Committee to reserve their spot immediately. Please sign up to attend by going to www.jcouncil.org/MayoralDebate. You MUST make a reservation to attend. The JCRC is very glad for our support and for helping to insure a religiously diverse audience attends. More information is available at http://www.sixthandi.org/EventDetails.aspx?evntID=407.
Worship at Wesley UMC (5312 Conn. Ave., NW) Sunday Worship at 11 a.m. Worship at Wesley-a truly diverse and welcoming church with a rocking Gospel choir. Questions? Contact Kate Murphey, kmurphey@mmumc-dc.org or 202.363.4900, ext. 21.
Our prayers go out to our members who have lost a loved one... •to the family and friends of Grace Hudgins who died on June 12. •to the family and who died on July 6.
friends
of Virginia
Grieb
Met-Flix Outdoor Movie at Metropolitan Memorial Friday, August 27 at 8 p.m. Join us for a free showing of DisneyPixar's "UP!" An animated comedic adventure starring 78-year old Carl Fredricksen, who thinks his life has "passed him by" until 8-year old Russell changes his outlook on life. Bring your blankets and chairs and join us for this fun adventure-filled intergenerational film! Movie begins at dusk.
Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 29 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Children and Youth will join together for the Blessing of the Backpacks as we pray for a productive school year ahead and for love and support during the year. During the study hour, children and youth will assemble school kits for UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR sends these kits to locales all over the world to help kids get an education. We are asking congregation members to donate supplies to this effort, tote bags to carry them, and money to offset shipping costs. If donating supplies, please send in new, unused supplies and drop them off at the church office. Each kit contains: 1pair blunt scissors (rounded tip), 3-pads (or loose leaf) of 81/2" x 11" ruled paper, 1-30 centimeter ruler, 1-hand held pencil sharpener, 6-unsharpened pencils with erasers, 1-2 1/2" eraser, and 1box of 24 crayons (only 24).
Crossroads: A Weekly Worship Experience Saturdays, 5 p.m. At St. Luke’s Campus (3655 Calvert Street N.W.) Join us for a worship experience that features a high energy band as well as creative uses of visuals and multimedia. A nursery is provided, and a time of gathering to build community over refreshments follows the service. Questions? Contact Jimmy Sherrod, 202.363.4900, ext. 24 or jsherrod@mmumc-dc.org and check out our blog at www.xroadsdc.blogspot.com.
Life at Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish (cont.) 2010 InterFaith Unity Walk - Sunday, September 12 On September 12, the 6th school students from diverse backgrounds to become leaders in Annual Unity Walk will wel- interfaith dialogue and service. In partnership with ML Resources come all people to “Build- Social Vision, a venture philanthropy that invests in innovative ing Peace by Serving Each initiatives, the Interfaith Youth Action Group (IYAG) will build on Other.” Participation in this previous efforts by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s Faiths Act metro-area event will help Fellows and the Interfaith Youth Core. forge a link between the people of Metropolitan Memorial, including the youth groups, and IYAG has four main objectives. (1)GUIDE selected Youth Action the students of American University. There are many opportuni- members (also known as the leadership core) to design year-long ties during the day for participants to interact and be in dialogue community service initiatives with both a global and local expreswith each other, deepening interfaith understanding and creating sion, using the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals as their platform. (2)EMPOWER and build capacity of these youth bonds of community. members to become leaders and role models in their respective Building on last year’s focus on service, the Unity Walk continues faith communities, colleges and schools. (3)FOSTER dialogue to empower diverse individuals to come together for dialogue and among participants on issues of faith, ethnicity, and race. (4) volunteer opportunities. Again, participants are invited to visit a CREATE momentum and deliver impact of these efforts in the variety of religious congregations for open houses and celebra- Washington, DC area. tion located along Washington, DC’s picturesque Embassy Row. We are looking for enthusiastic and open-minded college and high Pilot program for interfaith youth leadership development: school students to participate. If you are interested, please conThis summer, the Unity Walk is proud to announce a pilot initia- tact Meg Poole, 9/11 Unity Walk at mpoole@meridian.org. tive in the Washington, DC area that empowers college and high Share Your Reflections on “Transforming Lives – Transforming the World” This fall, our congregation will be reflecting on the theme “Trans- ordinate this project. If you are interforming Lives – Transforming the World” through the lens of ested in contributing to this stewardthe five pillars of our individual and collective lives of faith: Serv- ship devotional guide, please sign up now to contribute an original devoing ! Learning ! Sharing ! Praising ! Caring. tional sketch (1 paragraph to 1 page, Do you have a witness, faith story, reflection, personal prayer, or max). Send your devotional to Maynard scripture meditation related to this theme and these expressions Moore at emaynard8@yahoo.com, and indicate which of the five of faith? If so, we invite you to share it as part of a daily devo- topics you will focus on. tional series to be used in conjunction with a five-week sermon series Rev. Dr. Charles Parker will be preaching during our fall •Begin to think about what you want to say. Dr. Moore will be stewardship campaign. Like last spring’s popular Lenten Devo- back in touch with you concerning the details and the deadline tional, this promises to be spiritually enriching for both contribu- date when your piece should be ready. tors and readers, as we engage many voices from among the That’s all there is to it. But the impact could be very significant, members of friends of our church. Dr. Maynard Moore will coand this is a wonderful way for you to participate in this important ministry of our church. Thank you.
Volunteers to Make a Difference in Appalachia The Metropolitan Volunteers in Mission group is planning an adult weekend with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to repair homes of families who are in serious need of help. The trip to the ASP year-round center in Jonesville, Virginia is scheduled for the weekend of October 28 - 31. No construction experience is needed, just a willingness to work hard. We will leave early on the morning of Thursday, October 28, work on homes Friday and Saturday, and return on Sunday, October 31. The reservation covers two groups of 12 to 14 people. There will be two preparatory meetings on September 19 and October 17 after the 11:15 a.m. service. The cost is $145/person. Join us and experience what generations of Metropolitan youth have come to love and appreciate about ASP. To volunteer or request more information, contact Ned Bachman, 703.212.9045 or nedbachman@comcast.net.
Study at Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish Sunday Morning Adult Study at Metropolitan Memorial Science & Religion Class - Sundays, 10:10 a.m., Parlor August is a month of analysis, discussion and FUN as we discuss “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.” Robert Pirsig wrote this book in the 1960s, a time of U.S. social upheaval and the coming of age of the “lost” generation, and finally published in 1973, after 120 publishers declined interest. His editor said of it: "This book is brilliant beyond belief, it is probably a work of genius and will, I'll wager, attain classic stature." There are many serious existential, psychological and philosophical issues in the text, interwoven with a compelling journal/narrative, so there is lots to talk about! Background material is available in the Parlor for visitors. Questions? Contact Maynard Moore, emaynard8@yahoo.com or Kent Weaver, kenthweaver@gmail.com.
Questions of Faith Sundays, 10:10 a.m., Conference Room Join us for a series of lectures on “Living the Questions” of our faith journey, reconciliation, and transformation given by 30 scholars and theologians, followed by a spirited discussion.
Bible Plus Class Sundays, 10:10 a.m., Christie Room The Bible Plus Class is conducting an in-depth study of the Gospel of Mark, using a video series by Dr. Mickey Efird, professor emeritus of Duke University Divinity School. Dr. Efird has taught Greek, trained pastors at Duke, and conducted Bible studies in churches for more than 40 years. He is characterized as being able to explain Bible passages "in ways that make sense to our intellect, while appealing also to our spirit." If you can't make it one week, don't worry, you will still benefit from whichever lesson we are on. Please join us!
Choir News On the last Sunday of the choir’s 2009-10 season, June 27, we held our customary potluck party to celebrate the end of a year of successful singing and to honor milestones of faithful choir membership. Joan Rixey was our gracious hostess—thank you, Joan! We were delighted that Charlie and Joshua Parker joined us for the festivities. The most important milestone we marked was the departure of Jill Cottine, who has been our soprano soloist for 33 years. We will never forget her faithful service, week in and week out, and her heavenly voice, which gave us so much pleasure and inspiration. We all wish her a wonderful new life in Kansas City, KS. We also recognized other choir members who had reached significant plateaus. We thanked Darius Lee for his outstanding service as our bass soloist this past year and congratulated him for receiving a music scholarship to Hartford College in CT. We honored John and Phyllis Kokus, who rejoined the choir and completed 25 years of singing. Two singers, Rose Kelley and Annie Butler, received personalized hymnals to mark 5 years of membership. Members completing 1 year with the choir were given hymnal markers made of ribbons in liturgical colors. Newcomers included Jackson Caesar and Morgan Pursley, our fantastic tenor and mezzo soloists; Darius Lee, and tenors Jeff Dokken and Daniel McGinley. We also welcomed Shelley Preslar, who rejoined the choir after some years away. The choir is on vacation for the summer, but we look forward to regrouping in September for the upcoming season. Jackson and Morgan will return as soloists, and Rachael Goldman-Gorbutt will pick up Jill Cottine’s torch. Our music would be even better with more voices, and we would love to welcome new members. So, if you have ever wanted to be in the choir, now is the time to step forward. Our first rehearsal will be Thursday, September 9, at 7:30 in the music room. In BBC America’s delightful summer series, “The Choir,” a young English choral director tells a bunch of skeptical London high schoolers that singing in a choir is a tremendous experience, in which they will bond with their fellow choristers in a way unlike any other and will learn magnificent music that they will carry with them their whole lives. Our Chancel Choir offers great music, warm fellowship, and friendships that last for years. Moreover, every member will tell you what fun we have under the leadership of our wonderful director, Bruce Caviness. Give him a call or leave a message at the church office, 202-363-4900. We hope to see you! - Article submitted by Joanne Reams, Choir Editor
AU Campus Ministry Metropolitan welcomes AU students As this issue goes to press, college students from all over the country, and the world, are arriving at American University to begin, continue, or conclude their college adventure. With their arrival, we begin our third year actively engaging the university community. Over the past two years, the AU Outreach Team has been working to “Build a bridge across Nebraska.” Our efforts have included: housing students; dinners with the AU Methodist-Protestant Community; a Lenten Devotional; care packages - including international packages to students studying abroad; a growing graduate/non-traditional student group; and, many new personal relationships. All of these have helped build our connection to the university community.
The second, will pair AU students with members of the Metropolitan congregation. The AU-Metropolitan relationships will be framed by an exciting new program being developed by Mark Schaefer and the Kay Spiritual Life Center, called the Center for Religion and Civic Life. We encourage you, as a congregation, to join us in this continuing endeavor to strengthen our relationship with the campus across the street. You are already aiding our ministry simply by being a welcoming presence in worship. You can also help by providing us with advance notice of the activities your group is planning. This will allow us to extent more effective invitations for those events to the students. If you are interested in being directly involved with the students, faculty and staff, please contact me about becoming a member of the AU Outreach team.
So, as we begin another year, we look across the street, and not This year, we plan to continue these established avenues of out- only reach out to the community of AU, but cross the street, and reach, and institute new ones. Our calendar includes a service walk into their midst to greet them, steadily “Building a bridge opportunity with the Bread for the City’s gleaning project, the across Nebraska.” Welcome back to campus ministry. Interfaith Unity walk (more information on both elsewhere in - J. Cody Nielsen this issue) and our second annual, community Lenten devotional. Also in the works are two mentoring programs. The first will bring together AU students and the older Metropolitan youth.
Glean (v ) 1: to gather (grain or the like) after the reapers or regular gatherers. You + 1 Morning = Fresh Produce for 90 People Is that a math problem you can get excited about? Then please join us on October 23 for a day of gleaning. The AU Outreach committee is sponsoring a day of service for the combined congregations of Metropolitan Memorial, Wesley UMC and American University. We invite you to spend a day harvesting produce for Bread for the City’s Glean for the City project.
Our group will be gleaning broccoli from the Parker Farm in Colonial Beach, Virginia. The van(s) will leave the MMUMC parking lot at 7:30 a.m. so they can arrive at the farm by 9:30 a.m. We’ll pick for 11/2 - 2 hours. In that short time, each person can pick enough broccoli for 90 people. We’ll stop for a quick lunch How does the gleaning project work? After the commercial har- on the way back and return to DC at approximately 1:30 p.m. All vest, regional farmers donate the surplus produce left in their are invited to join us. Pickers under the age of 12 must have an fields to Bread for the City. Volunteers spend a morning picking adult buddy. that produce, which would otherwise be left to waste. Bread is then able to provide fresh produce along with the groceries they hand out to more than 10,000 needy mothers, children, senior citizens, and disabled individuals every month. (To learn more, visit breadforthecity.org or read the Beyond Bread blog at breadforthecity.blogspot.com.)
20 People x October 23 = Broccoli for 1750 Individuals and Families! If you’d like to be a part of this equation, contact Angela Gildner, angelacgildner@verizon.net or 240.460.2108 for more information or to reserve your place today.
United Methodist Women Recognition Luncheon: Nominations Being Accepted Sunday, December 12, 12:30pm. Each year the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church hold a Recognition Luncheon honoring women who have made a significant contribution to the church, the nation, and the world. The Recognition Luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 12, beginning at 12:30pm in the Great Hall. We are seeking nominations of outstanding women to honor this year. Please submit nominations by calling Robin Emery at 202-625-9273 or by email to emerymjon@aol.com by October 15th. In addition to recognizing these special women we will also celebrate the babies who have been born this year and remember with gratitude those who died last year.
Children’s Ministries August Happenings There will be no children’s Sunday School in August. However, because school starts so early for some children, we have activities planned for the study hour later in the month! Ice Cream Social, Sunday, August 22 - Join the United Methodist Women in the Great Hall for the second annual Ice Cream Social. Enjoy ice cream treats and the company of good friends. Blessing of the Backpacks, Sunday, August 29 - Children and Youth will join together for the Blessing of the Backpacks. With the start of school we pray for a productive year ahead and for love and support during the year. During the study hour, children and youth will assemble school kits for UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR sends these kits to locales all over the world to help kids there get an education. We are hoping the congregation will donate supplies to this effort, tote bags to carry them, and money for to offset shipping costs. See items requested below:
UMCOR School Kit Supplies Please send in new, unused supplies. Drop them off at the church office. KIT CONTENTS
•1 pair blunt scissors (rounded tip) •3 pads (or loose leaf) of 8 1/2" x 11" ruled paper •1 30-centimeter ruler •1 hand held pencil sharpener •6 unsharpened pencils with erasers •1 eraser, 2 1/2" •1 box of 24 crayons (only 24)
Also needed:
•Cloth totebags to pack each kit. •Monetary donations towards mailing the completed kits to the UMCOR Depot. (Last year’s very successful project also resulted in $300 in shipping charges. Donations can sent to the church, with UMCOR School Supply Drive in the memo field. Thank you.)
Bibles for Third-Graders for Next School Year Can You Help This Year? As you make your plans for the fall, Will your child be in third-grade please plan to be a part of our next school year? children’s Christian education, by Metropolitan’s tradition is to volunteering to be a greeter or a present a “first Bible” to these teacher for our Sunday School children in the fall of the new Godly Play classes. We are looking school year. If you would like for volunteers to help at all age levto your son or daughter to be a els from 4 years old to 5th grade. part of this presentation, please contact Anita Seline at 202363-4900, ext. 22 or aseline@mmumc-dc.org. Please provide Training provided. Please prayerfully consider becoming part of this your child’s full name for the Bible’s personalization. Deadline important ministry at Metropolitan. is August 31, 2010, in order to have the Bibles personalized by Contact Anita Seline at aseline@mmumc-dc.org or 202-363-4900, the presentation on Sept. 26, 2010. ext. 22, if you are interested or have questions.
Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Congregational Feedback Each fall the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), together with the Senior Pastor and other clergy, evaluates the performance of the Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors, and church staff. Our pastors, staff, and SPRC welcome feedback from the congregation as part of this process. At the end of this process, as required by our Conference, SPRC makes a recommendation to the Bishop as to whether each pastor should be reappointed. The Bishop considers the recommendation, along with other factors, in deciding whether to reappoint a pastor. We encourage members of the congregation to provide feedback directly to our pastors and staff throughout the year. We also want to invite members of the congregation to write to the Chair of SPRC, in care of Metropolitan Memorial (there is a separate SPRC “box” in the mail room), or write to or talk with any member of the SPRC with your feedback concerning any pastor or staff. Our policy with regard to confidentiality is the following: SPRC will not consider any unsigned letters. We will, however, respect and agree to requests for confidentiality, if a member of the congregation fears embarrassment or retaliation. We encourage an open dialogue as the most constructive way to address issues of concern, and our goal is to achieve that type of dialogue whenever possible. Please contact SPRC by October 1 if you wish to have your comments concerning any clergy or staff considered as part of this year’s evaluation process. Members of the SPRC are John Long (Chair), Phyllis Kokus, Eugenia Evans, Barbara Tate, Leigh Rollins, Eric Imperial, Bill Roach, Kris Oberdick, Ina Morgan (Wesley UMC), and Shirley Barnes (Wesley UMC).
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 Pastoral Emergency Number - 202.510-8555 Rev. Dr. Charles Parker –– Senior Pastor, ext. 11, cparker@mmumc-dc.org Rev. Jimmy Sherrod — Associate Pastor, ext. 24, jsherrod@mmumc-dc.org Rev. Kate Murphey — Associate Pastor, ext. 21, kmurphey@mmumc-dc.org Anita Seline — Director of Children’s Ministries, ext. 22, aseline@mmumc-dc.org Patrisha House — Director of Worship, Music and Arts, ext. 28, phouse@mmumc-dc.org Jeff Clouser — Director of Communications and Outreach, ext. 23, jclouser@mmumc-dc.org Rev. J. Cody Nielsen –– Associate for Campus Ministry, ext. 25, cnielsen@mmumc-dc.org Bruce Caviness — 11a.m. Organist-Choirmaster, ext. 15, bcaviness@mmumc-dc.org Casey Elliott — Dayspring Choir Director and 9 a.m. Worship Leader, ext. 12, celliott@mmumc-dc.org Dona Collary — Director of Church Administration, ext. 17, dcollary@mmumc-dc.org Helen Simon - Office Manager, ext. 10, hsimon@mmumc-dc.org Rafael Reyes - Director of Building and Grounds, ext. 20, rreyes@mmumc-dc.org Bob Weintraub - Bookkeeper, ext, 18, bweintraub@mmumc-dc.org Linda Smith - Director of Nursery School, 202.362.8746, lsmith@mmumc-dc.org
THE MESSENGER is published by: The Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish Metropolitan Memorial, St. Luke’s, and Wesley United Methodist Churches Metropolitan Memorial - 3401 Nebraska Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20016 Tel: 202.363.4900 Fax: 202.686.2056 E-Mail: jclouser@mmumc-dc.org website: http://www.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: September 3, 2010
NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on August 31, 2010