themessenger nationalchurch.org | Volume 28, No.5
May 2017
Worship at The Metropolitan Church
Dear Friends,
Sunday, May 14 Mother’s Day & Youth Sunday 9 & 11 AM services at Metropolitan Memorial 11 AM service at Wesley
These are fascinating times, both in the life of our nation and our church. While we may be tempted to wish away some of the current political and ecclesiastical conflicts, there is also a great sense – particularly at this moment – of opportunity and purpose. As we live out God’s call to extend radical hospitality, transform lives, and pursue justice, we model what God’s Kingdom looks like. To quote the musical Hamilton, “how lucky we are to be alive right now,” just when the world so desperately needs what we as a community of faith have to offer.
Sunday, May 21 Immigration Series: Part III 9 & 11 AM services at Metropolitan Memorial 11 AM service at Wesley Sunday, May 28 Memorial Day Weekend Immigration Series: Part IV 9 & 11 AM services at Metropolitan Memorial 11 AM service at Wesley Wednesday, May 31Friday, June 2 Baltimore-Washington Conference’s 2017 Annual Conference Wardman Park Hotel Washington, DC
While I’m not usually one for taking victory laps, we have had some pretty significant “wins” in the past few months. And while we are already off engaging in many other important issues – in the enthusiastic, full-throttle way that our community does – it’s important to take a little time to acknowledge our successes. It’s not about being selfcongratulatory; it’s about reminding ourselves that God is at work and that with God all things are possible. One of the places where we saw God at work was in the recent effort – with the Washington Interfaith Network – to bring a much-needed homeless shelter into Ward 3. This shelter was one of eight that are planned for every Ward in the city (one in each Ward) in an effort to close down the very dysfunctional shelter at the old DC General site. There was some resistance to putting a shelter in our Ward, and I was thrilled that last month the Board of Zoning Adjustment last month approved all of the needed variances, clearing the way for the shelter’s construction. Campus Kitchen continues to thrive and grow; a year ago, we were averaging roughly 2,600 meals per month, while currently we average 3,700 meals every month (occasionally climbing over 5,000!). These meals both feed many hungry people each month, and build our partnerships with churches and organizations around the city and across the river. We are beginning to implement the work of our Communications Task Force, and have been changing the look of our electronic and print publications. I’m blogging and tweeting, and finding that to be a really interesting way to be in dialogue with our community.
Sunday, June 4 Pentecost & Reconciling Sunday Guest preacher: Rev. Lisa Dunson 11:00 AM joint service at Wesley 12:30 PM Picnic afterwards Sunday, June 11 Pride Sunday 9 & 11 AM services at Metropolitan Memorial 11 AM service at Wesley
And, of course, that powerful worship service last Sunday, led by our children, was a tremendous gift. How inspiring to see our children lead with such confidence and insight. It was a testimony to God’s work in both to our children’s education program and our dynamic worship ministry. How lucky we are to be alive right now! And how wonderful to see all the ways that God is at work in our community of faith. Blessings,
Charlie Rev. Dr. Charles A. Parker The Metropolitan Church
Pentecost Service & Picnic Sunday, June 4
Jeff Clouser: An Appreciation By Anita Seline
11:00 AM Single Worship Service at Wesley UMC 12:30 PM Pride Picnic at Wesley UMC 5312 Connecticut Avenue, NW (at the corner of Jenifer Street, NW)
We will celebrate together as one community of faith at our Wesley campus with an 11:00 AM Worship Service and Pride Picnic to follow. If you are able, please bring a side dish to contribute to the potluck. This will be a wonderful opportunity to put our radical hospitality in action as we welcome the neighbors and celebrate our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.
If you have ever read a Messenger, Metro Update, Sunday morning bulletin, looked at the church web site, had to figure out how to use the office copy machine, wanted to publicize a church event, or even needed some “dog therapy,” then your life has been touched by Jeff Clouser. Clouser recently left Metropolitan’s staff after a more than 17-year career that began as the front desk receptionist and ended as director of communications and outreach. “I’ve enjoyed working with the congregation very much. It’s a very supportive community,” Clouser said. Clouser has been an integral part of Metropolitan’s operations. He was instrumental in launching the church’s first web site and managed it ever since. He handled the many different iterations of the church database. He directed Metropolitan’s advertising in The Washington Post, and oversaw our presence on Facebook. He rolled out the implementation of a new brand for Metropolitan, twice! “I could always count on Jeff to help me with the most mundane tasks – from printing the United Methodist Women’s directory, to formatting the bulletin announcements for Vacation Bible School,” said Courtney Leatherman, a member of the congregation. At one time, Clouser even supervised weddings, until it became too painful to watch couples getting married in a church while he and his longtime partner, Brian Cusick, could not. But, when the District of Columbia passed the Religious Freedom and civil Marriage Equality Act in 2009, Clouser approached senior pastor Charlie Parker about marrying them. Parker recalled that it was typical of Clouser, during this joyful moment of his life, to worry that Parker would be sticking his neck out in performing the marriage. “When he and Brian got married it meant that members of our family were getting married. It really crossed boundaries,” Parker said. “A gift he brought to our community was to focus on our response to the LGBTQ community and that has shaped our congregation in a very profound way.” Clouser said he was pleasantly surprised by the reaction from members of the congregation when they heard about the nuptials. “People like Annette Fletchall, Lorraine Marsh, and Connie McWorkman all told me they were glad that they lived long enough to see our wedding at Metropolitan.” Clouser and Cusick started attending Metropolitan when Clouser left Penn State to join Cusick here in Washington. One Sunday, Clouser saw a notice for a job posting for a “problem solver” position in the church bulletin. He got the job and grew with it as it evolved. During this time, he returned to school part time and eventually earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University. Clouser said his graduation would not have happened if not for the stability and support of Metropolitan.
An Appreciation continued Parker also credits Clouser for creating the dog friendly environment at Metropolitan Memorial’s office. At first, Clouser tried to bring his older dog, Maggie, to work – but she didn’t last an entire day at the office. But, when Clouser’s diminutive Yorkie, Bailey, came on the scene – at first secured with a puppy gate across Clouser’s office door – dogs became part of the office. Chewy, Parker’s dog, Zorro, Rev. Janet Craswell’s dog, and even Buster, staff volunteer Joan Topalian’s dog, formed a furry community. “People always comment on it when they come into the office,” Parker said. Clouser is joining his husband’s realtor company, Cusick Group Realtors, which recently moved to Tenleytown – applying his skills learned at Metropolitan to his new job managing the office, the company’s communications, and more. But still, his absence will be felt here, and not just by Chewy – who heads straight for Clouser’s former office when he and Parker enter the church office every morning. “As a coworker, Jeff was always non-judgmental and quick to praise,” said Pat House, director of worship. “As a friend, he is a quiet listener and very compassionate. I am going to miss him.”
May AARP Meeting Monday, May 15 Social Time at 12:30 PM, Meeting at 1:00 PM; in the Vestry at the Metropolitan Memorial campus Louise Stewart, the Move-In and Community Outreach Coordinator for Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, will speak to us about retirement communities and what they are all about. She also will discuss successful aging and downsizing. Refreshments will be served.
Metropolitan Book Club Monday, May 15 At 7:30 PM, in the Parlor at the Metropolitan Memorial campus All readers are invited to our discussion of the historical novel, The News of the World, by Paulette Jiles. For questions, contact Suzanne Clewell at reader1021@aol.com, or Joan Topalian at topajoan62045@gmail.com.
Lunch and More Thursday, May 18 At Noon, in the Great Hall at the Metropolitan Memorial campus Come and enjoy friends and good food! After a meal together, we may play a game (like Banana-grams, Trivial Pursuits, or bring your favorite!), play bridge, or watch a movie. (This month’s selection is “Lion,” a 2016 biographical film based on the non-fiction book, A Long Way Home, by Saroo Brierly with Larry Buttrose.) If you committed to bringing a game or playing cards for bridge, don’t forget. Also, bring a friend. For questions, contact Phyllis Kokus at pkokus@aol.com, Mary Jo Marchant at mjmarchant@verizon.net, or Drema McAllister-Wilson at dwilson@nationalchurch.org.
Life Transitions Educational Forum:
Aging in Place
Sunday, May 21, from 12:15-1:30 PM, in the Great Hall at the Metropolitan Memorial campus How do we address the practicalities of an aging loved one wanting to remain at home? What are ways to assess maintaining quality of life and safety while living at home? How do we begin to discuss planning for aging in place with loved ones who don’t see the need to plan? Deb Rubenstein, MSW, LICSW, will lead us in an interactive discussion about “Aging in Place.” Deb, the Director of Consultation, Care Management, and Counseling at Iona Senior Services, has shared her expertise with us at Metropolitan before, and was a popular speaker at our Life Transitions Chronic Illness/Caregiving group last year. Join us for a light lunch and rich discussion.
Food for Thought:
Heaven & Hell: What do you Believe? Wednesday, May 17, at 7:00 PM
Join us as we explore whether choices we make now impact our afterlife. Kris and Randy Oberdick will lead stimulating conversation offering provocative ideas on the impact of choices. Community dinner available at 6:00 pm for $8 in the Vestry; class at 7:00 pm in the Great Hall, at the Metropolitan Memorial campus.
Maynard Moore Recognized for Civil Rights Work
UMW Tea at Wesley Saturday, June 3, from 3:30-6:30 PM, at Wesley’s Fellowship Hall The United Methodist Women’s Annual Tea, hosted by all the UMW Circles, invites everyone – including men and children – to join them for an afternoon of friendship.
Grate Patrol Sunday, May 28 at 10:15 AM, in the Vestry at the Metropolitan Memorial campus, and at 12:30 pm in Wesley’s Fellowship Hall Our colleague, Dr. Maynard Moore, was recognized for his work in the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s at an event on May 3rd hosted by Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Maynard was part of the student-led leadership team at SMU that peacefully implemented integration of public facilities in Dallas; participated in numerous other direct actions in the South and in Chicago while he was in graduate school; participated in the march into Montgomery in 1965 with Dr. King; and, for 18 months, headed the national office of the Student Interracial Ministry for the National Council of Churches. Congratulations, Maynard!
Wesley’s Grounds for Conversation Sunday, May 28, 2017 12:45-1:30 PM, in Wesley’s Fellowship Hall Join us for the first in a series of conversations at our Wesley campus immediately following the 11:00 AM worship service. Through these informal, facilitated conversations we hope to deepen our fellowship, to live into our calling as God’s people, and to support all members of our local and broader communities. This first conversation will reflect on the rotation of preachers between our campuses and the sharing of pastoral talents and multiple responsibilities. Please grab a plate of delicious food from our community table and join us in conversation. For more information and questions, please contact Rita Guenther at ritaguenther@yahoo.com.
Help make sandwiches and prepare meal bags. Simply come to the Vestry to help, or, if a group, contact Anita Seline at amseline@aol.com.
Monday, May 29 at 6:30 PM, at St. Luke’s Mission Center 3655 Calvert Street, NW Load additional meals, prepared by the Campus Kitchen Project, into the Salvation Army van and distribute them throughout downtown DC. If you are available to go out on the van on Monday night, sign up at nationalchurch.org/servenow.
Service Greeters Needed Metropolitan depends on its members to be the face of the church. Can you volunteer one Sunday a month to greet members and guests as they enter the sanctuary? It is a great way to meet other members, put a face with a name, and really show the warmth and hospitality of our church. If you can help, please contact Mary Jo Marchant at Metropolitan Memorial, at mjmarchant@verizon.net; or Julian Blair at Wesley, at jblair@jebmarketing.com. Thank you.
Gun Violence Prevention Group This group at Metropolitan Church advocates for pro-gun safety legislation. Our current focus is working with Everytown for Gun Safety and with MOMs Demand Action Against Gun Violence to prevent passage of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity (CCR) legislation introduced in Congress by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-8). If passed, CCR would allow people who legally carry concealed weapons in their home state to legally carry concealed weapons in every other state, even in states where requirements for licensing are much more stringent. How can you learn more? Connect with us through pastorsoffice@nationalchurch.org.
Jazz at Wesley featuring the Tiya Adé Ensemble Saturday, May 27, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at Wesley Tiya! a vocalist songwriter who has recorded and performed locally in a variety of music styles and genres throughout her career, was for 16 years the resident vocalist at Channel Inn Hotel, and for 10 years the lead vocalist with Bobby Felder’s Blue Notes Big Band. “Tiya! Close to You,” her CD, showcases her versatility with jazz standards. The concert is family friendly, with sweet and savory items available for purchase. Tickets: $10 for Adult, $7 for seniors, $5 for students, and free entry for 12 and under, are also available online at www.instantseats.com. Bring a non-perishable food item to jazz up someone else’s life (to be donated to Friendship Place at St. Luke’s Mission Center).
Like or follow Metropolitan on Facebook at nationalmethodistchurch Read Charlie’s blog at revcharlieparker.org Follow Charlie on Twitter at @revcparker
“. . . I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” MATTHEW 25: 35
One of the hallmark features of our congregation is a passion for justice and a commitment to act. The recent national and international focus on immigration has made us aware of the need to be vocal in our opposition to anything that fails to welcome a stranger and support for making all immigrants feel welcomed. In response, on April 26, 2017, our Church Council unanimously approved the following statement on being a sanctuary church:
The Metropolitan Church, a multi-site United Methodist community, is dedicated to extending radical hospitality, working for justice and transforming lives. As Christians, we are called to love, respect, and have compassion for all people. We therefore seek to be in community with our brothers and sisters in need, within the evolving context of our city, nation, and world. Our ongoing efforts to respond to those within our city who are hungry or homeless now need to extend to providing support and sanctuary to those who are immigrants and refugees within our city. We therefore declare ourselves in support of the sanctuary movement, and covenant to partner with others in the Washington metropolitan area to protect our immigrant neighbors. Our response to this call may take many different forms and will change over time. It may include supporting others in their sanctuary efforts, promoting education and advocacy on immigrant and refugee issues and offering support to those in legal proceedings. We may subsequently be called to expand our response, including by providing short-term physical shelter. This statement was the result of an extensive and deliberative series of church-wide conversations focused on discerning where God is calling us to become involved in immigration issues. We recognize that the language in this approved statement has some ambiguities, particularly in the use of the term “sanctuary.” It is important to understand that the present-day understanding of “sanctuary” is much broader than in the 1980s, when houses of worship physically sheltered people on their premises. The current understanding of sanctuary has opened up a much wider range of options for responding to the needs of affected immigrants and their families. The statement on sanctuary adopted by the Church Council at the end of April reflects the contemporary understanding of the sanctuary movement.
For our Metropolitan community, at this time, being a Sanctuary church will involve four broad areas of work: AU outreach: We built on the partnership that we have with American University (AU) and reached out to the Office of International Students and Scholars at AU offering to help international students affected by immigration issues, particularly as it came to be characterized as a Muslim ban. Becoming a “sanctuary” church: We will officially join the network of congregations and organizations committed to challenging current restrictive immigration policies. Legal support: We will explore providing a variety of support to our immigrant neighbors in going through the legal process. This might include such efforts as hosting “Know your rights” clinics and accompanying our neighbors to legal and administrative hearings. Community building: We will engage in getting to know and build relationships with our Hispanic and Muslim neighbors. Our initial efforts in this area will include closer partnering and volunteering with the Carlos Rosario Center.
This discernment has been the result of a long process of community conversation. On Sunday, February 19, well over 70 congregation members gathered after worship to begin exploring this sense of call. We followed up on that meeting throughout March, as we engaged in a five-week Food for Thought series on Wednesday evenings, open to all members of our congregation and visitors, to explore immigration and refugee issues, related legal issues, and the concept of “sanctuary.” An Immigration Leadership team was formed during the time in which the Food for Thought series was occurring. This new group met on April 2 to plan the fifth and final Food for Thought session. The four working groups (listed to the left) emerged from this conversation. We have continued this conversation through a sermon series on immigration, which was initiated immediately after Easter and will continue through the end of May. In the announcements below, you will find two immediate opportunities to help out today! Many more opportunities will no doubt emerge over time, and we invite you to get engaged in this area of ministry and to hold it in prayer. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions as well as your own sense of being called to serve the immigrant community. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Stephanie Quammen, our Serving Pillar Coordinator, at squammen@nationalchurch.org. Welcoming Strangers: How we can extend radical hospitality? Sunday, May 21, from 10:10 – 10:50 AM, in the Great Hall As we conclude our sermon series on Welcoming Strangers, in which we have been exploring different aspects of immigration and refugee issues, we will hold a discussion, led by Rev. Charlie Parker, where we look at questions related to the sermon series, including the “statement on sanctuary” recently passed by the Church Council. We will also explore ways that we as a congregation and as individuals may become involved in extending radical hospitality, love, and kindness to our immigrant and refugee neighbors who may have particular needs at this time. For more information or if you have questions, contact Stephanie Quammen, at squammen@nationalchurch.org. Pen Pal Program with Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School April-June, 2017 Carlos Rosario is a DC public charter school that offers adult English classes, GEDs, and career certifications to immigrants and refugees, with the goal of welcoming and supporting students in their integration and participation in American society. This spring, Metropolitan and Carlos Rosario School launched a Pen Pal Program to connect our church family with students and their families. The Pen Pal Program involves a visit to the school, written correspondence with an immigrant English language learner during April and May, and a potluck reception at the end of the school year in June. For more information please contact Stephanie Quammen, at squammen@nationalchurch.org.
Open Doors for All Here at The Metropolitan Church, we take great pride in being a Reconciling Congregation. We welcome and celebrate the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) persons and advocate for their full inclusion in the church and society. When we say the UMC motto of “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors,” we mean open for all of God’s children. The reconciling movement within The United Methodist Church (UMC) was dealt a disheartening set-back earlier this month by the Judicial Council, the UMC’s version of the Supreme Court. They ruled that the recent election and consecration of a married LGBTQ woman, Bishop Karen Oliveto, violated the Discipline. In the words of Rev. Charlie Parker, “it was yet another slap in the face to our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and another message to our country that The United Methodist Church is mired in a previous era.” This and other disappointments make the reconciling work and ministry of our church all the more important, and there are plenty of upcoming opportunities for everyone to get involved in this important outreach.
First, in response to your requests for scriptural guidance, Patrick Landau will be hosting a workshop to discuss the six biblical passages commonly invoked by those who seek to marginalize LGBTQ persons. These passages are frequently referred to as the “clobber passages,” as they are used by social and religious conservatives to rhetorically “clobber” those of us who are fully welcoming of LGBTQ persons into the life of the church. This workshop will be held three times – twice in a stand-alone, one-week format, and in a two-week format during the Sunday School hour – so that all have the chance to participate, as outlined below: 1) Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00 PM Great Hall, at Metropolitan Memorial Following dinner in the Vestry at 6:00 PM This will be the final “Food for Thought” session for this semester. 2) Part One: Sunday, June 11 at 10:00 AM Great Hall, at Metropolitan Memorial Part Two: Sunday, June 18 at 10:00 AM Great Hall, at Metropolitan Memorial 3) Sunday, June 18 at 12:15 PM Great Hall, at Metropolitan Memorial Secondly, mark your calendars for Reconciling Sunday, which we will celebrate on Pentecost Sunday, June 4. We will gather together as one community of faith at our Wesley campus with an 11:00 AM Worship Service and Pride Picnic to follow. (If you are able, please bring a side dish to contribute to the potluck.) This will be a wonderful opportunity to put our radical hospitality in action as we welcome the neighborhood and celebrate our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.
As always, we will be participating in the annual Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10, together with our friends from other DC United Methodist Churches. This year’s parade, “Unapologetically Proud,” will begin at 4:30 PM from 22nd and P Streets, NW, traveling through the Dupont and Logan Circle neighborhoods, and is expected to conclude around 7:30 PM. Please e-mail Bob Benn at bobbenn2@yahoo.com for more information if you would like to participate. When you see Ellen Bachman, be sure to thank her for her leadership as our liaison with the Baltimore-Washington Area Reconciling Ministries Network (BWARM). Please contact Ellen at ellenbachman@comcast.net for more information or to get more involved in this important ministry of our church. Finally, Pastor Charlie has started a blog and has written some great blog posts on the topic of LGBTQ inclusion in the past two weeks. Check that out at www.RevCharlieParker.org.
The Metropolitan Church is a multi-site community of United Methodists consisting of three campuses:
Wesley UMC, Metropolitan Memorial UMC, and St. Luke’s Mission Center.
Pastoral and Administrative Staff: The Metropolitan Church 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 20016 Rev. Dr. Charles Parker Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson Rev. Janet Craswell Bruce Caviness Melissa ChĂĄvez Dona Collary Patrisha House Patrick Landau Pam Murdoch Stephanie Quammen Rafael Reyes Helen Simon Linda Smith Megan Blanchard Louisa Imperiale Non-Staff Ministry Partners Rick Sullivan
Senior Pastor Minister of Congregational Care Director of Christian Education 11:00 am Organist & Choirmaster Dayspring Choir Director 9:00 am Worship Leader Youth Choir Director Pastoral Care Assistant Wedding & Funeral Coordinator Director of Worship, Music & Arts Director of Youth Ministries Finance Coordinator Serving Pillar Coordinator Director of Building and Grounds Executive Assistant to Dr. Parker Directory of Nursery School Interim Director of Operations Interim Director of Communications
AU Associate Chaplain for Community Engagement
202.363.4900
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cparker@nationalchurch.org dwilson@nationalchurch.org jcraswell@nationalchurch.org bcaviness@nationalchurch.org mchavez@nationalchurch.org
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