May 2018 messenger

May 2018 Volume 29, No. 1 nationalchurch.org

the

messenger

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May 13, 2018 Services at 9:00 & 11:00 AM “Are We there Yet?” Rev. Michael Chamberlain Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM Service at 11:00 AM “God as Parent” Christopher Simon Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

May 20, 2018 Pentecost & Confirmation Sunday Service at 9:00 AM “Words We Can’t Say in Church Anymore” Rev. Michael Chamberlain Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM Service of Morning Prayer at 11:00 AM Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson Metropolitan Memorial campus Service at 11:00 AM “Words We Can’t Say in Church Anymore” Rev. Michael Chamberlain Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

May 27, 2018 Memorial Day Weekend Services at 9:00 & 11:00 AM “Nicodemus” Rev. Michael Chamberlain Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM Continued on next page

Drema McAllister-Wilson Drema McAllister-Wilson has been the Minister of Congregational Care at National UMC since August, 2010. An ordained United Methodist Pastor who has served in various pastoral settings for the past thirty-two years – Drema has finally decided to retire to spend more time with her precious grandchildren.

Drema has recently received certification as an End of Life Coach, a ministry she intends to continue in the coming years. She received certification in thanatology in 2006 at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and taught a “Spirituality and Loss” class at George Washington University for several years. Drema is committed to helping persons at end of life confront their dying so that they can die peacefully and unafraid. In 2010, she received recognition by the National Council of Churches USA for her ministry of care and compassion for those suffering grief and loss.

She is married to Rev. Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, President of the nearby Wesley Theological Seminary. They have four children and five grandchildren.

Drema has walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain and she plans to continue long distance hiking, meditation, reading historical novels, Israeli dancing, poetry, travel, and meaningful conversation!

On Sunday, June 24, NUMC will celebrate Drema’s ministry at both the 9:00 and 11:00 AM services at the Metropolitan Memorial campus. Please join us at a reception afterwards to honor Drema and her time with us at NUMC. In the meantime, in these final few weeks of her ministry, please try to find a moment when you can express your appreciation for her ministry with us.

This past Sunday (May 6), Rev. Frances Stewart was announced as the incoming Director of Congregational Care following her introduction to the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. Watch for further information in next month’s Messenger. Rev. Stewart will begin her service at NUMC in July.

May 27 continued: Service at 11:00 AM Christopher Simon Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

Reconciling Sunday: Stretch Out Your Hands June 3, 2018, 9:00 & 11:00 am worship services at the Metropolitan Memorial campus

Guest Preacher: Rev. Cynthia Meyer

Reconciling Sunday Services at 9:00 & 11:00 AM “Stretch Out Your Hands” Rev. Cynthia Meyer Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM

“My heart [was] broken, yet I trusted that God would work through even this for good,” the Rev. Cynthia Meyer said about going on involuntary leave from her post at Edgerton United Methodist Church in Johnson County, Kansas. She had come out to her congregation in January, 2016. To avoid a church trial, Meyer and UMC officials agreed that she would give up her duties. Placed on a leave of absence as a result, Meyer now finds herself experiencing the hospitality of the United Church of Christ – welcomed there for who she is – where she began serving as interim pastor at Central UCC in Topeka on November 21, 2017. (Meyer feels that the situation with the Methodist church has not been resolved. She remains on an involuntary leave of absence, which began in 2016 and could last until the denomination's next worldwide conference in 2020. And the charge filed against her by judicatory leaders – a "self-avowed practicing" gay clergy member – still remains.)

Service at 11:00 AM Christopher Simon Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

"My first Sunday coincided with the first Sunday of Advent," she said. "The congregation [has been] Open and Affirming for more than 20 years and has welcomed me warmly. I appreciate being in a congregation and denomination in which I can serve openly and authentically."

NUMC is CLOSED on Monday, May 28 in honor of Memorial Day.

June 3, 2018

June 10, 2018 Services at 9:00 & 11:00 AM Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM Service at 11:00 AM Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

A former colleague of Interim Senior Pastor, Rev. Michael Chamberlain, Meyer was chosen by members of NUMC’s Reconciling Team to speak on NUMC’s anniversary of becoming a Reconciling Congregation. Her powerful witness of her treatment by the United Methodist Church comes to us at a time when we find ourselves at a crossroads about the UMC’s recognition of women in general and LGBT people in particular.

Join us on June 3 as she speaks on themes of loving and claiming one’s full self, living authentically, speaking and reaching out, working for justice – all “the wonderful themes of reconciliation.”

June 17, 2017 Services at 9:00 & 11:00 AM Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM Service at 11:00 AM Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

June 24, 2018 Retirement Recognition for Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson Services at 9:00 & 11:00 AM Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour at 10:00 AM Service at 11:00 AM Rev. Dr. Mary Ellen Huzzard Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

Summer Worship Schedule: July 1 – September 2, 2018

Favorite Stories from the Bible Single Service at 10:00 AM, at the Metropolitan Memorial campus With Coffee Hour afterwards Summer Worship topics at Wesley to be announced.

Regularly scheduled service at 11:00 AM, at the Wesley campus Followed by “More Than Coffee Hour” afterwards

Food for Thought Wednesday, May 16 Community Dinner available at 6:00 PM Donation is $8 per person; college students pay what they can In Metropolitan Memorial’s Vestry Final Session at 7:00 PM in Metropolitan Memorial’s Vestry Topic to be Announced.

Wellness: Exercise

by Stephanie Quammen

squammen@nationalchurch.org One of the aspects of wellness that has been found to be effective is that of exercise. Still, I have found that one thing enhances exercise, and that is community.

There are many ways that people participate in group exercise; whether it is running groups, cycling classes, or yoga classes, to name a few. I have found my stride in group high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts.

I have been participating in these almost a year, since last July.

Recently, a group of friends from those classes opened up a new location in NW Washington called Legacy Fitness and Nutrition. I love working out in this group because they focus on taking care of the whole person.

We often say it is, “20% fitness, 80% nutrition, 100% mindset”.

Many things have sprung up in my life since joining this exercise group. My nutrition has improved. I am also inspired to be more physically active outside of our group meet-ups.

The greatest shift for me though, has been a shift of mindset.

Through the community I have been able to see greater perspective in my own life and goals. Exercise is indeed an important aspect of wellness and I am grateful to have found something that works for me.

NUMC’s Serving Team is seeking people to be readers, provide a meal, or to purchase books and supplies. This summer literacy camp will help children at Hughes Memorial UMC and Brighter Day UMC with their reading skills. NUMC has volunteered to read with campers two weeks this summer: June 25-28 and July 2326. To sign up and for more information, please visit the Service Calendar of NUMC’s web site. Collection bins are located at the Metropolitan Memorial and Wesley campuses.

Jazz at Wesley Saturday, May 19, 6:00-8:30 PM the Wesley campus Mark your calendars now for Jazz at Wesley. Featuring local, national, and international jazz musicians and vocalists, these engaging concerts provide entertainment for the whole family. All events run from 6:00-8:30 PM. Each program will feature a dance demonstration or instruction starting at 6:00 PM. Next on the schedule is:

Clynt Hyson and Swing Away

led by Clynt, has played numerous venues in the DC area. Clynt’s musical track record includes trombonist/vocalist with the Navy Band and local venues, percussionist with the African-American Dancers and Drummers and sharing the stage with noted R&B and jazz artists. He was awarded Honorable Mention in the Songwriters Association of Washington’s Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for Don’t Leave Me Now, I’ve Got Things To Do and To Grow With Love.

Vacation Bible School for Children Monday – Friday, July 9–13, 2018 9:00 AM - Noon Metropolitan Memorial campus The hunt to find the treasures in God’s Word starts here!

Campers: age 4 to 9 or Helpers: age 10 and up Cost: $50. Sign up at: www.nationalchurch.org/vbs Registration Deadline: Sunday, June 10, 2018

Upcoming Events:

Grate Patrol

Youth 4 DC

Prepare meal bags in Metropolitan Memorial’s Vestry (the next scheduled time is May 27)

June 17-22, 2018

Appalachia Service Project July 14 – 21, 2018

Last Sunday of each month, at 10:10 AM and on the following Mondays, the service van leaves St. Luke’s Mission Center at 6:30 PM (the next scheduled time is May 28)

Gun Violence Prevention Group

NUMC’s GVPG educates and advocates for gun safety legislation, drawing on guidance from The Brady Center, Giffords Law Center, and Everytown for Gun Safety. You are invited to join the group by adding your name to their email list. Contact Lois Weaver at lois.weaver@gmail.com. AND, mark your calendar now for the annual Silence the Violence Concert to be held Saturday, September 22, 2018!

NUMC’s Drama Camp for Children & Youth August 6-10, 2018 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily the Metropolitan Memorial campus NUMC is holding a Drama Camp for children and youth – ages 816 – this summer. Trained acting coaches will provide a fun and innovative environment to learn what happens behind and onstage. The week will end with a live performance! Previous acting experience is not required. Fee: $200. Space is limited.

Sign-up at: www.nationalchurch.org/ dramacamp For more information, contact: Kris Oberdick at ktoberdick@gmail.com.

National United Methodist Church 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 202.363.4900

NUMC consists of three campuses:  Metropolitan Memorial Campus 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 Location of Metro House Shelter

 St. Luke’s Mission Center

3655 Calvert Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Location of St. Luke’s House Shelter, Campus Kitchen of DC, and Shalom Place

 Wesley Campus

5312 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20015 For a complete listing of our ministerial and administrative staff, please visit our web site:

www.nationalchurch.org