United Methodist News

UMW Newsletter THE METROPOLITAN CHURCH

October, 2014 Metropolitan Memorial, St. Luke’s & Wesley United Methodist Churches 202-363-4900 (MMUMC office)

Table Of Contents

Mark Your Calendar October

pg

Reflections

pg

2

4 Sa

Stop the Modern Slavery Walkfest, Nat’l Mall

UMW News

2-4

13 M

UMW Board Mtg (7-8:30pm, Conference Rm)

Metropolitan News

5-7

17 F

RMN Concert & Reception

5

20 M

AARP Mtg

7

22 W

Jewelry Making Group

2

26 Su

Bazaar jewelry pre-sale, Church only

27 M

Newsletter items due

UMW Bazaar (8-3pm, Vestry)

2 Su

UMW Bazaar (10-1pm, Vestry) Church only

5W

Charge Conference (7pm)

10 M

UMW Board Mtg (7-8:30pm, Conference Rm)

27 Th

Thanksgiving

8

Highlights  Bazaar schedule and volunteer request (p 3,4)

November 1 Sa

Circles

3-4

 Reconciling ministries benefit concert (p 5)  Wed night adult study programs (p 6-7)

December 8M

UMW Board Mtg (7-8:30pm, Conference Rm)

14 Su

UMW Recognition Lunch

February 6 F – 8 Su

Women’s Retreat PriestField

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 1 of 8

UMW News

Reflections I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.

After that I liked jazz music.

Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.

I used to not like God because God didn’t resolve. But that was before any of this happened. ~ Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Jewelry-Making Group 4th Wednesdays each month The Jewelry-Making Group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month after the Soup portion of the Soup and Study in the Christie Room. We go over the unsold pieces of jewelry from the last Bazaar, revamp it, and get it ready for the next Bazaar. October 22nd will be the next time we meet. We start at 7:00 p.m. and go until about 8:30 p.m.

The Soup is served at 6:00 p.m. in the Vestry. For questions, contact Kelly D'Angelo at kellysclothes@aol.com. I look forward to us making some fabulous jewelry!

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 2 of 8

UMW News

BAZAAR SCHEDULE Tuesday, October 21 at 10 a.m. -- final deadline for drop-off of donations Sunday, October 26, morning -- Jewelry pre-bazaar sale, for church members only Sunday, October 26, late afternoon -- Rafael and crew set up tables for bazaar Monday, October 27 -- empty closet and tweak table set-up (including tablecloths) in the morning, begin set-up of various "boutiques" in the afternoon Tuesday, October 28 through Friday, October 31 -- bazaar set-up Saturday, November 1 BAZAAR DAY 

7:15 - 7:45 workers arrive; gather at 7:50 for prayer and updates/reminders



8:00 - 3:00 bazaar open to public



3:00 - 5:30 (approx.) full clean-up of Christie Room Choir Room & Stage.

Some items remain in Vestry for Sunday post-bazaar sale to church members only.

Sunday, November 2 

10:00 – 1:00 post-bazaar sale of leftover "better" items from crafts, gifts & collectibles and lunch served in Vestry



1:00 – 3:00 final clean-up

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 3 of 8

UMW News UMW Bazaar November 1, 8am-3pm We have STUFF! Lots of marvelous donations -- thank you so much to the many who have dropped off all manner of things gently-used. It's been great to have new folks drop in on for the Tuesday morning sorting and pricing sessions, and to be able to count on our long-time regulars to keep things going. The work continues from now until the November 1 bazaar, every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and we'd love to have more of you come and pitch in!

But sorting and pricing are only part of the project. We will certainly have nearly every one of our UMW members plus some long-time community friends working on bazaar day, and this is an annual wonder. However, where we're coming up short is on section leaders for critical areas during bazaar set-up week.

Three more individuals are needed who are willing to stretch themselves and take on something new.

We need a coordinator for Attic Treasures, a coordinator for the Gifts&Crafts area, and someone to coordinate the bazaar-day volunteers and make sure that all of the "boutiques" are covered.

You will not need to "re-invent the wheel" -- we have guidelines for you and lots of help available. For Attic Treasures you will need to supervise the unpacking and layout of already-priced items. For Gifts&Crafts, some pricing will need to be done as well. Both the Attic Treasures and Gifts&Crafts areas mean on-site availability for more than a few hours during set-up week leading up to the bazaar.

The coordinator of volunteers does not need to be on site during set-up week but will need to be able to give some time to connecting with folks both by email and by phone.

Yes, these are all time-consuming jobs -- there's no way to sugar-coat that aspect. Those who have taken on these efforts in the past will tell you however that the rewards are great -- you meet new people, encounter those you already know in new ways, discover new creative resources within yourself, and have the extreme satisfaction of knowing that you've played a significant role in helping to ensure that our local UMW unit has raised a lot of money to share with programs benefitting women and children everywhere.

Again, you will not need to "re-invent the wheel." We have guidelines from previous bazaars, and lots of advice and help available. You will not be alone. But we do need your leadership -- the bazaar cannot happen without it. Please prayerfully consider your time commitments and ask yourself if you can "stretch" a bit for this annual effort.

Many thanks, Barbara Gaskill, Bazaar Coordinator Barbara@bgaskill.com

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 4 of 8

Metropolitan & Community News

Metropolitan Hosts Benefit Concert for Reconciling Ministries Network Friday, October 17 Reception at 6:30 pm, Great Hall Concert at 8 pm, Sanctuary Metropolitan hosts Catching Fire: A Concert for Inclusion and Equality . The event is being planned by members of the Marriage Equality Task Force, in cooperation with members from Foundry and Dumbarton, for the purpose of raising funds for the Reconciling Ministries Network. Funds raised will help with organizing to increase the number of Reconciling Congregations, and to support preparations for General Conference in 2016.

The concert is co-sponsored by BWARM (Baltimore Washington Area Reconciling Methodists), and several of the area Reconciling Congregations. Invitations are going out to all of the Reconciling Congregations in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Artistic Director Eileen Guenther plans a musical program that will help express our hopes and longings for justice and equality. Performers will include Bobby Baker and Millicent Scarlett, who are well known at Metropolitan, as well as members of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington. Choirs from the sponsoring churches will join a musical finale.

The 8:00 PM concert will be preceded by a reception at 6:00 PM at which honored guest Frank Schaefer will sign copies of his new book Defrocked. Books will be available for purchase at the reception.

We are very excited to be planning this important event, demonstrating our commitment to LGBTQ inclusion, and hope that Metropolitan members will support the concert with their participation and financial support.

Thank you!

Ellen Bachman

CONCERT TICKETS: PREFERRED SEATING: $50 GENERAL ADMISSION: $25 | $20 FOR STUDENTS BOOK SIGNING & RECEPTION: $10**

Tickets available in advance: visit www.rmnetwork.org/catchingfire for details. **Book Signing & Reception Tickets available only at the Door

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 5 of 8

Metropolitan & Community News

Food for Thought Wednesday evening adult Christian formation programs Dinner 6 pm; Classes 7 pm Childcare available

Food for Thought: Every Wednesday, Every Week Every Wednesday evening, everyone is welcome to a community dinner in the Vestry between 6 and 7 pm. Enjoy a chef-prepared meal with friends old and new. Dinner is $7 per adult, $4 per child, with a maximum of $20 per family. AU students pay what you can. Reservations are appreciated for planning purposes; to reserve your meal, go to http://www.nationalchurch.org/Learning/Adult#wednesday.

After you feed your body, feed your mind and soul with a mid-week study. Food for Thought features two different study opportunities: a Bible study and a topical study. Studies change monthly, so you can choose a Bible study one month and a topical study the next, without missing pieces of either.

The Bible study is led by Bob Olson, co-chair of the Learning Pillar, and Rev. Charlie Parker, the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Church. Topical studies will be led by different individuals throughout the year.

Upcoming sessions: Session 2: October 8-29, 2014 Bible Study: 1st Samuel A miracle baby, a boy prophet, plague mice, kings, battles, a giant, warlords, valiant women – what’s not to love about 1st Samuel? Join us for this study of one of the most engaging books of the Bible. Find out what happens when Israel insists on having a king instead of relying on God. Spoiler alert – it isn’t good.

Topical Study: “A Theology of Creation Care.” Led by the Metropolitan Green Team Christian theology has been abused to justify environmental exploitation, but the Bible actually teaches humankind’s relationship to creation and responsibility to care for it. A healthy natural world is inseparable from humanity’s spiritual life. Join the Green Team as we explore the Green Bible. The Green Bible was published in 2008 by Harper Collins (www.greenbible.com) and is also available as an e-book. We will select four topics and use the companion Green Bible Devotional to help guide our discussion. A number of well-known writers in the creation-care arena have written introductory essays for the Green Bible. We may also select one of these for discussion and can tailor the sessions per interests of the group.

Continued next page Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 6 of 8

Metropolitan & Community News

Session 3: November 12 and 19, 2014 (no class November 5 or 26) Bible Study: The Beatitudes. Found in Matthew 5 and Luke 6, the Beatitudes are a succinct yet profound expression of core Christian values and key example of how the gospel message turns the world’s priorities upside down.

Topical Study: “Mission and Myanmar.” Led by Patrick Landau Our director of youth, Patrick Landau, will lead a two part discussion on missions in a pluralistic world focused on his experiences in Myanmar as a seminarian. The first session will focus on the first missionaries sent by Americans and the impact they had on the country. This will include examining how early missionaries shaped Christianity in the region and their participation in the Anglo-Burmese War with a particular focus on the question “Has Christian missions been harmful or helpful to Burma?” The second session will explore contemporary issues of religious freedom in Burma with a particular focus on the question “Can I be both Buddhist and Christian?”

AARP Meeting October 20, 1pm Please join us on Monday, October 20 in the Vestry. Joao Figureiroa, an outstanding Brazilian classical guitarist, will perform. Then he and Tim Healy, founder and president of the International Conservatory of Music, will tell us about their outreach efforts in area schools.

Social time is at 12:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 1:00.

Refreshments will be served.

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 7 of 8

Circles

2

Contact Jane Cunningham, or Charlotte Carter, char.carter@cox.net

6

Join us for a screening of HAPPY, from Academy Award nominated director, Reko Belic. HAPPY takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy. Combining real life stories of people from around the world and powerful interviews with the leading scientist in happiness research. HAPPY explores the secrets behind our most values emotion. Some of those interviewed are The Dali Lama, Ed Diener, a world leader in the happiness research, Michael Pritchard. We will begin promptly at 7pm (so we can have time for sharing at the end; run time: 75 minutes) in the Parlor, bring your own popcorn and drink! Questions or ideas for meetings, Mary Jo Marchant, mjmarchant@verizon.net or Ann Michel,

amichel@wesleyseminary.edu

8

Circle 8 will meet on October 7th; the 1st Tuesday, at 7:30 pm in the parlor.

Janet Craswell will present our program. She will tell us about herself and her work at Metropolitan. We hope to see everyone and get this new year off to a great start. We welcome guests and new members to an intergenerational group. Contact Eugenia Evans, setevens@comcast.net

9

Circle 9 will meet on Wednesday, October 1 at 10:30 a.m. in the Choir Room. Karen Howard will tell us all about the recent VIM trip. Please contact Bobby Turnbull, bobbyturnbull@comcast.net

10

We will meet the evening of October 19 with the program TBD. Contact Caralee Adams caralee.adams@verizon.net or Suzanne Vieth

msvieth@verizon.net The next UMW Board Meeting will be held October 13, 2014.

Newsletter prepared by Alexandra McPherron. To add items to the next newsletter, email alexmcph@gmail.com by Monday, October 27, 2014.

Metropolitan UMW Newsletter : October 2014

Page 8 of 8