October 12, 2015 Volume XXV, No. 10 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
METROPOLITAN CHURCH
A MULTI-SITE UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
A New Direction for Metropolitan House
Tyler Rusch Homeless Walk Sunday October 18 10am and 12:30pm
On Sunday, October 18, Metropolitan Church will once again host the Tyler Rusch Homeless Walk. This annual event has come to symbolize our congregation’s commitment to serving the homeless. And over the years, it has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to support the work of Metropolitan House and other homeless ministries of our church. There will be two start times: 10am and 12:30pm, so you can walk after either church service. Persons of all ages are encouraged to take part. The Mann School Track will be used by the youngest children and anyone else who prefers a shorter walk. There will be a three-quarters mile course through the neighborhood for those who prefer a longer route. Sunday School students will participate with their classes during the Sunday School hour. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $15 for people under 25 years of age. Registration will be on the Newark Street side of the church just outside the office foyer.
Each fall for the past 23 years, we have prepared to open the doors of Metropolitan House to a new group of men. This year, we are preparing for a new beginning of a different sort. For the past two summers, we have piloted a program that provides transitional housing at Metropolitan House for four women. It is modeled on the highly successful “vocational rehabilitation” model we instituted in partnership with Friendship Place at our St. Luke’s Shelter in 2012. The Metropolitan House Board of Directors has decided to explore with Friendship Place offering the women’s program at Metropolitan House on a year-round basis. Planning discussions are ongoing and we hope to finalize a revised partnership agreement soon. In brief, our intent is to house men at our St. Luke’s Mission Center and women at Metropolitan Memorial. Both programs would be managed by the Metropolitan House Board working in partnership with Friendship Place’s AIMHire employment program. Both shelters would provide 24-hour-a-day access to residents, making it easier for them to work nights or jobs with odd hours, and more autonomy and flexibility to encourage the development of independent living skills. Based on our experience at St. Luke’s, we expect that we would be able to serve many, many more individuals because the intensive support provided by AIMHire has cut the average shelter stay to about 3 months. The success rate in transitioning residents into jobs and permanent housing has been more than 95 percent! As we explore this new approach, we remain committed to one of the founding principles of our homeless ministry, which is providing ways for church and community members to be engaged in hands-on, person-to-person ministry with their unhoused neighbors. As we refine our new program model, we will be sharing ways that you can volunteer by providing meals and supplies, taking part in community meals, mentoring, and social events with residents of both Metropolitan House and our St. Luke’s Mission Center, or helping with upkeep and maintenance tasks. But one significant change is that the new program model will not rely on volunteers for overnight staffing. It has been more than two decades since Metropolitan Memorial and St. Luke’s made the bold decision to open our buildings and our hearts to our homeless neighbors. In moving to this new approach, we reaffirm our long-standing commitment to serving the homeless while also bringing our programs more in line with today’s standards for effective homeless services. Metropolitan House will be open to visitors on Sunday, October 18, the day of our annual Tyler Rusch Homeless Walk. We encourage you to stop by and learn how you can be involved. Blessings, Ann Michel
Ministries at Metropolitan: Opportunities for You to Make a Difference
Can you name all of the ministries that we have at our Metropolitan church? We are not sure that anyone can name all of the ways that God is at work in our community of faith (!) so we are going to bring a focus to each of our programmatic areas (our Pillars) on a Sunday in October and November. We will have information on the full range of ministry opportunities as well as the top few ministries where we especially need to have increased leadership or increased bench depth. On October 11, the focus will be on our Learning/Study ministries for people of all ages; on October 18, we will focus on Serving ministries, including our annual Tyler Rusch Walk for Homelessness; on October 25, we will focus on our Sharing/evangelism ministries; on November 1, we will bring a focus to our Caring ministries on All Saints Day; and we will close out the series on November 8 with a focus on our Praising/worship ministries. As you learn about all of the ways in which we are working together to make a difference through our many diverse ministries, we hope that each of you will explore where it is that God might be calling you to work with other folks in your church family to transform our church, our city, our nation and our world.
Life at the Metropolitan Church DC Choral Arts Society: Wesley Hymn Project Sunday, October 18, 4pm, Sanctuary
Norman Scribner, Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus , in his last project carefully selected twenty hymns of Charles Wesley to be recorded in Spanish and English through a program of the Wesley Heritage Foundation. The Choral Arts Chamber Singers recorded the hymns in July 2015 and will perform a selection from the albums in both Spanish and English, accompanied by anthems and organ works by Samuel Wesley and Samuel Sebastian Wesley. Tickets available at choralarts.org. Suggested Donation: $20/Person. Reserve a seat in the Front Orchestra in advance for $25/Person.
Metropolitan Book Club Monday, October 19, 7:30pm, Parlor
Join us as Suzanne Clewell leads our discussion of Harper Lee’s, Go Set a Watchman. Contacts: Joan Topalian, topajoan62045@gmail.com or Suzanne Clewell, reader1021@ aol.com.
Jazz@wesley Saturday, October 24 6:30pm, Wesley*
Jazz@Wesley celebrates the Genius, Strength & Essence of Billy Strayhorn with Coniece Washington. Ms. Washington is a nationally recognized jazz vocalist who captivates her audience with her distinctive sultry sweet song stylings. Tickets available at the door and at instantseats.com. Entry $10 I $7 Seniors I Children 12 and Under Free. For more information email wesleyinfo@nationalchurch.org or call 202-966-5144, ext. 325. Bring a non-perishable food item to jazz up someone else’s life. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Saturday, October 24, 6pm, Great Hall
You’re invited to the Metro Players’ 30th anniversary gala toasting our longevity and honoring our founding director, Frances Bartley Cleaver. Wear cocktail attire or come dressed as your favorite theatre character! Tickets: $30/Person. Learn more and reserve your ticket at nationalchurch. org/metroplayers30!
Overflow parking is available on Sundays in the School of International Studies (SIS) parking garage across the street at American University or in the Mann School parking lot.
Pumpkin Night Sunday, October 25, 5pm, Vestry
A non-scary celebration of our favorite Halloween vegetable! Enjoy pumpkin games, pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, and pumpkin pie! Wear a (non-scary) costume and bring a pair of socks, gloves or mittens for our homeless neighbors. B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Pumpkin)
All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 2, 2014
All Saints Day is a universal festival of the church that directs our attention to the richness of Christian history through the faith and lives of the saints. On this day, we celebrate not only the martyrs and saints, but all the people of God, living and dead, who together form the Body of Christ. During both the 9am and 11:15am services, the names of Metropolitan members who have died since the last All Saints Day will be read, remembered, and lifted in prayer and thanksgiving. Also, the “Book of the Departed Saints” (located in the side Phillips Chapel) will be placed on the altar and those names will be symbolically lifted to God as well. You are welcome to write in names of persons you knew who have died, so they can be remembered. Candles will also be available to light in the Phillips Chapel in memory of loved ones. If you wish to remember a loved one who has passed away since November 3, 2014, please provide the full name and date of death by Wednesday, October 29 to Jeff Clouser, jclouser@nationalchurch.org.
Annual Charge Conference Thursday, November 5, 7pm, Great Hall
Metropolitan will hold its annual Charge Conference led by Rev. Dr. Joe Daniels, Superintendent, Greater Washington District, on November 5 at 7pm in the Great Hall at Metropolitan Memorial. This will be held as a “Charge/Church Conference,” meaning that all are invited to attend, and all church members can vote.
Save the Date! The Metro Players Present Doubt: A Parable Nov. 13, 8pm I Nov. 14, 5pm Nov. 15, 2pm
In this powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the students. Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. Directed by Bob Benn and Trish Long.
Front Desk Volunteer Needed
Have fun and meet nice people! Volunteer at the front desk! If you have a couple of hours to give on Wednesdays (9am to 5pm), please contact Princess Bethea, pbethea@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 102.
2
Study at the Metropolitan Church Intergenerational Bible Story Hour Sunday, October 18, 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 sing a few songs, hear the days story in the story tent in the fellowship hall, and reflect on the story using different art mediums--drama, drawing, painting, modeling clay, journaling. This is a time for all of us to gather together no matter what age! Contact: Rev. Kate Payton, kpayton@nationalchurch.org. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
"Meal from Below" Bible Study Wednesday, October 25, 7pm, Wesley Library*
Are you Hungry? Join us for a shared journey centered on the words of Jesus when he “took the bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, ‘this is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me.'" In the same way, we too are taken, blessed, broken, given and spoken in God’s love – that we might become instruments of peace in a hurting world. For more information, contact Duncan Wilson, duncanscottwilson@yahoo.com. *5312 Connecticut Ave., NW.
Food for Thought Wednesday October 14 and 21 6pm - Dinner 7pm - Class
Feed your mind, body and soul! Classes include: •
Bible Study: Jonah. Too often dismissed as a simple story about a man and a big fish, Jonah is actually a complex story about reconciling with enemies and God’s inclusive love for all people. (led by Rev. Charlie Parker and Bob Olson)
•
Race & Bias: Explore the enculturated and unconscious bias we all carry in one form or another through study of scripture, sociological research, and prayerful listening. (led by Rev. Kate Payton and Dr. Esther Barkat.)
Community dinner available at 6pm, $8/person. Reserve your spot for dinner at nationalchurch.org/foodforthought! Contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115.
Serving Ministries Please Join Us for a Special Opportunity for Inter-Generational Work Community Improvement Day - Saturday, October 17, 8am - Noon East Capitol Urban Farm (5900 East Capitol St. SE)
Thanks to all our many partners & friends, our East Capitol Urban Farm Build Day was a huge success! We broke gound on an Urban Food Hub at the East Capitol Street Urban Farm. Countless partner organizations and neighborhood groups brought together close to 1000 volunteers who transformed a vacant corner lot into a fabulous community-oriented project consisting of a farming space, community gardens, rain gardens, a nature trail, playground, and community art space. The joint effort was a model community oriented partnership that will measurably improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of people and communities in the District of Columbia. We completed about 75% of the work on Saturday, September 26. We will complete the remainder on Saturday, October 17. We need YOU again! We also need volunteers to help water and maintain the site on a continual basis. The tasks of watering and maintenance can begin immediately. Please come out and join us on October 17 and bring a friend! For more information, contact Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 111.
Campus Kitchen DC Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays 4pm - 7pm Saturdays, 11am - 3pm St Luke’s Mission Center*
Volunteers are needed to make meals and recover donated produce and protein received from local food operators. Volunteer at nationalchurch.org/volunteerhub. Contacts: Rev. Dottie Yunger, dyunger@nationalchurch.org or David Hackney, gdavidhackney@gmail.com. *3655 Calvert St., NW.
Serve Now!
Sign up for our many ongoing service activities at nationalchurch.org/servenow.
Work begins at the East Capitol Urban Farm
Grate Patrol - Two Locations to Serve
The Metropolitan Church participates in Grate Patrol twice each month, preparing food and then riding in the Salvation Army van to deliver it to the homeless. St. Luke’s participates on the first Sunday of each month, and Campus Kitchen prepares the food. Metropolitan Memorial participates the last weekend of each month. Sandwiches are prepared on Sunday and delivered Monday evening.
Sunday, October 25, 10:10am, Vestry Kitchen
You can volunteer to make sandwiches on Sunday, serve meals by going out in the van on Monday evening, or both. Volunteer at nationalchurch.org/servenow!
Sunday, November 1, 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.
3
Serving Ministries Cross-river partnership targets homelessness in DC By Erik Alsgaard
In Washington D.C.’s Ward 8, near what is now Brighter Day UMC, an abandoned apartment complex that once housed more than 1,000 residents sits empty. Parkway Overlook, with 266 apartments, has been vacant since 2007, when the property failed safety inspections. This complex is not alone. They are called “abandomoniums” and they dot the Washington, D.C., landscape, especially east of the Anacostia River. Some United Methodist and civic leaders, instead of seeing blight and decay, see opportunity, especially as it relates to alleviating chronic homelessness in the District. And so it was that a group of interfaith leaders gathered in what used to be busy and bustling streets to pray just outside the fenced and locked gates of Parkway Overlook. They came following a worship service at Brighter Day that highlighted the need – and the opportunity – to be in ministry. “We’re trying to call attention to the need for affordable housing in our city,” said the Rev. Earnest Lyles, pastor at Brighter Day. “This property has been vacant since 2007 and we want the city to move expeditiously in getting this property developed so that our citizens will have an affordable place to live.” According to the “Homelessness in Washington, D.C.,” report (May 2015), 11,623 people were homeless in the nine regions that comprise the Metropolitan D.C. area when the Jan. 28 “enumeration” was taken. This represented a 2.7 percent drop in one year, the report stated. In the District itself, homelessness declined by 6 percent from 2014, with 7,298 people listed as “homeless.” Still, that number is 11 percent higher than the 2011 enumeration, the report noted. “A lack of affordable, permanent housing opportunities remains the most significant and persistent obstacle to ending homelessness in our region,” the report states. “Increases in the region’s already high rents make it very difficult for extremely low income households to find or maintain housing that they can afford.” For the Rev. Charlie Parker, senior pastor at Metropolitan Memorial UMC in Washington, the day’s events were a way to keep the process moving. Metropolitan, which is in partnership with Brighter Day, has made ending homelessness in the District one of its ministry priorities. “We started this two years ago,” he said, noting that the mayor of D.C. and other government officials were present. “There was a lot of exciting, initial movement, and then it’s sputtered since.” Parker and Lyles decided that an event of some sort was needed to “kick-start” the process again, and more than 100 people gathered that Sunday afternoon to worship and hear from former residents of Parkway Overlook about the need for affordable housing. As a result, even before the worship service occurred, “as soon as the invitations were sent out to the mayor and the D.C. City Council,” Parker said, “that week, the D.C. Housing Authority called and said that they had the pre-development work all finished.” A meeting between former residents and city officials also occurred, Parker said. Parker also stressed the importance of this event as highlighting what he called “cross-river partnerships.” “I really do think that this is a model that we would love to see other churches in our connection replicate,” he said. “It’s been a great, great gift.”
Staff-Parish Relations Committee Congregational Feedback - Submissions Due by October 12
Each fall, as required by our Conference, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) evaluates the performance of our clergy and makes a recommendation to the Bishop as to whether each clergy should be reappointed. The Bishop considers this recommendation, along with other factors, in deciding whether to reappoint a clergy member. SPRC encourages members of the congregation to provide feedback directly to our clergy throughout the year, and it also welcomes congregation input as part of this evaluation process. Members of the congregation may write the Chair of SPRC, Julian Blair, in care of The Metropolitan Church (there is a SPRC “box” in the church office mail room), or they may write to or talk with any member of the SPRC with feedback concerning Rev. Dr. Charles Parker, Rev. Drema McAllisterWilson, Rev. Kate Payton, Rev. Dottie Yunger, and Rev. Janet Craswell. While the SPRC will not consider any unsigned letters, it will respect and agree to requests for confidentiality. Please contact the SPRC to have your feedback concerning any clergy considered as part of this year’s evaluation process. Members of the SPRC are: Julian Blair (Chair), jblair@jebmarketing.com, Chris Brown, Josh Fowkes, Helene Lilly, Eric Lundell, Beth Peters, Joan Topalian, and Suzanne Vieth (Vice Chair), msvieth@verizon.net.
4
Caring Ministries Life Transitions Offers Many Program Opportunities This Fall
The Life Transitions program is committed to helping members and friends during times of difficult transitions. Come and explore our fall support groups and educational events below.
“Time for Letting Go and Welcoming the New” with Marjory Bankson Sunday, October 25, 12:30pm, Great Hall
Marjory Zoet Bankson is a published author, working artist, and seasoned spiritual guide. Her books, Call to the Soul and Creative Aging, present a spiritual template for discerning call at every stage of life. Light lunch provided.
Fall Support Groups Wednesdays, 6PM Dinner I 7pm - Group Meeting
Come and explore our support groups this fall. Join us for the community dinner at 6pm (see Food for Thought below).
Grief Support Group Wednesdays, 7pm, Great Hall
Have you experienced the death of a loved one within the last year? Our Life Transitions Ministry offers a grief support group. Contact: Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 104.
Creative Aging Wednesday, October 14, 7pm, Great Hall
Explore the aspects of continuing to work or retiring through the sharing of personal anecdotes. Meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Contacts: Susan Elliott, overlookzoo@verizon.net and Ann Cochran, ann@annpcochran.com.
Chronic Illness and Caregiving Wednesday, October 21, 7pm, Fireplace Room
Join us the 3rd Wednesday of each month! Just come, or contact Susan Roach, susanroach2@gmail.com or Nancy Cherney, nancy@nutritionmattersnow.com.
Food for Thought: Life Transitions Wednesday Evenings, October 28 - November 18, Dinner - 6pm*, Vestry; Program - 7pm, Great Hall Join us as Life Transitions presents four programs at Food for Thought
October 28 - Advance Directives: Chronic Illness/Caregiving presents nationally known Elder Law Attorney, William (Bill) Fralin, who will discuss the two parts of an advance directive, a living will and a health care power of attorney, plus more. Join us and learn how you can plan and protect your loved one’s wishes. November 4 - My Gift of Grace: A Conversation Game for Living and Dying Well: Chronic Illness/Caregiving presents “My Gift of Grace.” A conversation game for living and dying well, in hopes of encouraging good conversation and advance care planning. We welcome both new participants and those who previously attended our Chronic Illness/Caregiving Life Transitions events. Contacts: Susan Roach, susanroach2@gmail.com and Nancy Cherney, nancy@nutritionmattersnow. com. November 11 - Aging Creatively: Join us for a conversation on aging creatively. Contacts: Susan Elliott, overlookzoo@ verizon.net and Ann Cochran, ann@annpcochran.com. November 18 - Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande: A Book Discussion Led by Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson: (Please note that you don’t have to read the book beforehand). In his bestselling books, Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon, has fearlessly revealed the struggles of his profession. Now he examines its ultimate limitations and failures—in his own practices as well as others’—as life draws to a close. And he discovers how we can do better. He follows a hospice nurse on her rounds, a geriatrician in his clinic, and reformers turning nursing homes upside down. He finds people who show us how to have the hard conversations and how to ensure we never sacrifice what people really care about. Being Mortal shows how the ultimate goal is not a good death but a good life----all the way to the very end. *Community dinner available at 6pm, $8/person. Reserve your spot for dinner at nationalchurch.org/foodforthought!
Lunch and More Thursday, October 15, Noon, Great Hall
Join us for games like Banana-grams, Trivial Pursuits, bridge or watch a movie. For more information, contact Drema McAllister-Wilson, dwilson@nationalchurch.org.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Sunday, October 18 12:30pm, Parlor
Enjoy a time of knitting, crocheting, fellowship, ministry and fun! If you are interested in joining, contact Barbara Tate, Bdtate@verizon.net
AARP Meeting Monday, October 19, 1pm, Vestry
Join representatives from The Arts Club of Washington as they discuss their programs, and the historic James Monroe House in which they meet. Social time is at 12:30pm. Refreshments will be served.
Weekly Meditation Practice Wednesdays, 9am, Sanctuary
Nurture a sense of inner peace, calm and balance with guided and walking meditation. All are welcome. Contact: Betty Rogers, betty.rogers24@verizon.net.
5
The United Methodist Women Mark your calendars for the Bazaar! - Saturday, November 7, 8am – 3pm Don’t miss the Pre-bazaar Jewelry Sale Sunday, November 1, Between Services* Why do the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan “Bazaar” each November (yes, we’ve been doing it so long, it’s become a verb)? Bazaar season actually begins in July, when a group of 4 to 6 women gather each Tuesday, for an hour or two, to begin sorting and pricing donations. This weekly ritual of chipping away against a Sisyphean mountain of gently-used merchandise connects us to our roots as United Methodist Women. The UMW of today started in 1869, when two missionary wives shared their witness of the neglected spiritual, medical and educational needs of women and girls in India with a group of only 8 women. From this tiny assembly, a larger, committed group grew, which collected “Pledges to Mission” of 5 cents each – via snail mail! – ultimately raising enough money to send a female educator and a female doctor to India. As part of our call as a UMW unit, we pledge over $6,000 each year to support the U.S. and international missions sponsored by the wider UMW. These missions intentionally focus on the health and education of women, youth and children (see unitedmethodistwomen.org/what-we-fund).
Our unit also has a tradition of “local” giving in order to support women, youth and children close to home and close to the hearts of our members. Local mission donations have supported organizations like Courtney’s House, a safe haven for trafficked youth; Sasha Bruce Youth Works for homeless youth; Bright Beginnings, childcare and early learning for homeless families; and Health in Harmony, “Saving the Rainforest with a Stethoscope” to name just a few. But the other reason we love to “Bazaar” is that it’s just plain fun! We get to see friends whom we haven’t seen all year and with whom we keep meaning to catch up. We’re also bound to meet new friends while browsing for “Attic Treasures.” Whether you love to browse or simply relax with a steaming hot cup of Harvest soup and a sandwich, drop by the Bazaar and drop a few nickels on us. You never know how far they’ll go – maybe to India and back. *parishioners only - closed to the general public! Can you volunteer on November 7th or the week before? Contact Bobby Turnbull, bobbyturnbull@comcast.net or 301-320-4154.
An overlooked need of homeless and poor women is feminine hygiene. Pads and tampons cannot be purchased with SNAP subsidies and homeless shelters don't always have enough supply. The United Methodist Women of Metropolitan Memorial and Wesley have launched "The Red Tent Project" to help female clients of the Mt. Vernon UMC in Northeast DC who don't have the money to adequately respond to their "time of the month." The UMW calls it "The Red Tent Project" after the 1997 book by Anita Diamant. The Red Tent refers to Old Testament times in which the women of the tribe of Jacob retreated to a red tent during their menstrual cycle where they found the support of sisters, mothers, and friends. In that spirit of support, the UMW will be collecting donations of pads and tampons. Find the "red tent" in the Metropolitan Memorial foyer and at Wesley where you can drop off new or opened packages of feminine protection. Organizers of a free meal program at Mt. Vernon UMC recently turned to Metroplitan when they discovered that the homeless and poor women eating at Mt. Vernon's twice-weekly program were reusing their feminine protection, as the clients lacked money to buy their own adequate monthly supply. Metropolitan provides the free meals to Mt. Vernon through the Campus Kitchen program. Metropolitan then turned to the United Methodist Women, because if not the UMW, then who?
Youth Ministries Serving in DC
On September 26th, our youth joined in the large volunteer effort to build the East Capitol Urban Farm. This project, led by the University of the District of Columbia, is turning three acres of unused land near the Capitol Heights Metro into an urban farm. Our youth were working on the community garden portion of the farm. In addition to our youth, we also had children, college students, and adults working together on the project. Pictured at right are Isabel Brown, Caroline Brown, and Holly Adams.
Family Camp Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 15
Join us for a weekend away at West River Camp! Located about an hour away on the Chesapeake Bay, West River Camp is a wonderful place to spend time with families from across our church. There will be games, campfires, a ropes course, climbing wall, arts, and food! Sponsored by our Children and Youth ministries, all families are welcome. To register or get more information please contact Patrick Landau, plandau@nationalchurch. org or 202-363-4900, ext. 112.
6
Children’s Ministry Bible Sunday - September 27
Do you remember your first Bible? On September 27, we presented our 3rd graders with their own Bibles continuing a beautiful tradition that recognizes that as our children grow, they grow ever more able to read and interpret scripture for themselves. Recipients included: Etson Franklyn Duporte Jr. Gabrielle Lucy Griffin Eden Gabrielle Grim Cameron Hershey Shanwai Lin Zavier Price Lordos Wyatt Kwasi Mitchell Isabelle Ronah Posner Brown Sophia Drina Posner Brown Josephine G. Query Justin Marshall Rommel Emma Ofosua Yeboah
Nursery School Open House Thursday, October 22, 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 any one of the scheduled dates below: • • • •
October 22, 9:30am-10:30am, Great Hall November 17, 9:30am-10:30am, Great Hall December 11, 9:30am-10:30am, Great Hall January 21, 9:30am-10:30am, Great Hall
Inspired Parenting Class Sundays, 10:10am, Fireplace Room
Metropolitan Youth and Children’s Ministry invites you to an Inspired Parenting Class. This class is open to parents with kids of all ages and offers a safe space to share the week’s parenting challenges and joys. We talk about helping keep our kids grounded and passing along lessons of our faith. It’s a great place to find advice, feel affirmed, and become connected with other parents in our church community. Drop in as you can—newcomers always welcome. For more information, contact Rev. Janet Craswell, jcraswell@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 115.
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 with-
out 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.
7
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: November 9, 2015
NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on November 3, 2015