THE MESSENGER
June 10, 2011
For the congregation of the Metropolitan Memorial Cooperative Parish
Volume XXI, No. 5 www.nationalchurch.org
Metropolitan Memorial, St. Luke’s, and Wesley United Methodist Churches
Bread for the Journey (Post Pentecost Sermons) Following Pentecost, we will launch a sermon series on service, with a particular focus on food and hunger. From the beginning of time, food has defined who we are (hunters? gatherers?). Its presence represents stability, security, success; its absence represents vulnerability, failure, death. Meals are where we form community and connection. Cooking is how we express ourselves, how we show love. Sharing food around the table is the most profound metaphor for ministry; it is also the most recurring Scriptural image of the reign of God: the Messianic banquet. Throughout the series, we will use Scriptures and images of bread and how bread sustains us. As we engage in this exploration, we will travel up through Abraham Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs,” looking at how bread relates to basic survival, security, community, self-esteem, and self-actualization. But this series is not simply going to be about studying service ministry: it is going to be about engaging in service. In the midst of the series, we will have two Sundays in which we empty our church and worship by engaging in ministries related to food and hunger: everything from making sandwiches to exploring the dynamics of international food production. On June 26, we will be “closed for service” and have a day of service at the Heifer Project that Sunday morning. On July 17, we will be “closed for service” and have a day of service at the Congress Heights campus of Brighter Day Ministries (the UM cooperative parish in southeast DC). We will spend the morning helping with their food pantry, and in planting and landscaping around the church, followed by a community lunch with the members of the Brighter Day parish. This is something MMUMC has never done before. Please plan on being present for these events! In our worship on June 19, we will look at the structure and central theme for the series of how our relationship with food defines who we are and how we encounter the world. Bread is a metaphor for God’s grace; it is used throughout scripture to describe how God’s love is made manifest; and it is a symbol of our relationship with God. On July 3, the theme is food security and our call to create systems that ensure everyone has enough to eat and how we can build a sustainable agricultural system that feeds our world. On July 10 (moving up Maslow’s hierarchy), we will look at our need for belonging and love, and in particular how food and meals are an expression of our love for one another and how they build community. On July 24, we will move one step higher on Maslow’s hierarchy, looking at the importance of helping people earn their own bread, recognizing that work is the way that we build our self-esteem and our sense of who we are. On July 31, we will have reached the final stage of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, “self-actualization,” the process of finding purpose in our lives, including creativity and self-expression. We can’t be satisfied with merely making sure people can eat, our call is to help people find meaning and purpose. And as Christians, we understand that our meaning and purpose is ultimately only found in God. Looking ahead, through August into early September, we will explore the Scriptural command to observe a Sabbath: we will look at the spiritual discipline of Sabbath-taking, at its history, and how it can be lived out in today’s world. On September 11, the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, we will reflect on how those attacks have changed our understandings of ourselves and our relationship with the rest of the world. In the Sundays following September 11th, we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible and reflect on the role of Scripture in the life of the church and in our lives as Christians. We will explore debates on the role and authority of Scripture and how it gets interpreted, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of various translations. What is inerrancy? What is fundamentalism? In the midst of this series, we will present the third grade class with their Bibles and have the opportunity to explore an exhibit at Wesley Seminary on the spread of Scripture in China. Holy Scripture is not simply a record of God’s past relationship with us, nor merely a book of regulations. St. Paul is clear in telling us that Scripture is “living and active;” through it, God seeks to speak to us today, right now. October 16th is our annual Homelessness Awareness Sunday, following which we will begin our Stewardship series based on the theme of Spiritual Gifts. This will include looking at ways that we discern, assess and use our Spiritual Gifts, as well as how we are gifted to build, to serve, to transform, and to give. Join us as we explore wide ranging topics and issues as we journey together in seeking to hear God’s voice in our midst – in ancient texts, in current events, in our community of faith, and in our daily lives! Blessings,
LIFE AT METROPOLITAN MEMORIAL COOPERATIVE PARISH Best Buddies get big return on special friendships Montgomery County students bond with peers with disabilities by Peggy McEwan, staff writer, The Gazette When Jessie Chin, who has multiple disabilities, was asked about her friend Emily Sartain, she grinned and named some of the things the girls do together. “Movies,” she said, “sleepovers” and “dog.” Jessie, 18, and Emily,17, students at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda were recently recognized for the bond they have developed in their two years as Buddies. They received the Buddy Pair of the Year award at the Best Buddies 2011 Best of Maryland Awards on April 2 in Ellicott City. Best Buddies is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-on-one friendships and leadership opportunities, said Blair Judson, programs supervisor for Best Buddies Maryland. There are 16 Best Buddies chapters in Montgomery County public and private schools, 14 in high schools and two middle school chapters. “Montgomery County is always one of our highest [award] recipients. They work really hard and it pays off,” Judson said.
Jessie Chin and Emily Sartain, Emily is the daughter of Alice and Keith Sartain
Emily, a senior at Whitman, agrees about the positive effects of a Best Buddies relationship. “I think a lot more people should try it. It’s really important because a lot of times students in the special education department don’t get to be around other students their age. It’s good for both sides,” she said. About her kinship with Jessie she added, “It’s just such a good friendship, I don’t think it will end because I’m going away to college.”
Julia Barnhart Watercolors for Sale
This summer a selection of Julia Barnhart’s watercolors will be exhibited in the Great Hall. Julia and her husband, Nelson, were members of Metropolitan Memorial for more than 50 years. Julia herself was a talented watercolorist and her wonderful paintings were exhibited with other watercolorists at an exhibit sponsored by the Arts Council several years ago. Julia Barnhart had an interesting background, traces of which can be found in her watercolors that we offer for sale. Julia went to the University of Southern California from which she received two degrees: a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters in Architecture. During vacations she worked as an artist at Disney Studios in Hollywood. After graduation, Julia worked for nine years as a sketch artist and Art Director at Warner Brothers Studio in Hollywood. Part of her job was making several sketches a day of possible sets. These had to be legible enough for the director to be able to visualize, but not too laden with detail. This practice was actually quite helpful when Julia started travelling with her husband. She knew how to make quick watercolor sketches to take home to work on or, if she had time, she worked right in front of the scene, using a dry brush technique. Almost all of the works feature buildings, which Julia records in loving detail. Julia also designed the house in DC where she lived for over fifty years and raised two children. Julia Barnhart passed away about a year ago and her family donated many of her watercolors to the church to be sold to benefit Metropolitan Memorial. Prices are indicated for each work. If interested in purchasing a piece, contact Helen Simon, 202.363.4900, ext. 10, hsimon@mmumc-dc.org.
Congratulations!
We congratulate our members who have had a very busy and rewarding spring! •Rev. Jimmy Sherrod was commissioned at Annual Conference by Bishop John R. Schol. This begins the provisional member stage of his journey towards full ordination as an Elder in the Church.
•Chris Simon, son of Helen Simon, has been accepted at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in their Masters in Sacred Music program. •Marisa Remez, daughter of Anita Seline and Mike Remez has been accepted into the Suzanne Ferrell ballet program at the Kennedy Center. Suzanne Ferrell was the muse for George Balanchine Thank You for Your Donations!
Our recent special collection to UMCOR for Japan relief enabled us to donate $2,935.51 to this worthy cause. The collection was presented at Annual Conference. Have exciting news to share?! Let us know by contacting Jeff Clouser at jclouser@mmumc-dc.org or 202.363.4900, ext. 23.
LIFE AT METROPOLITAN MEMORIAL COOPERATIVE PARISH (CONT.) Six Sundays of Service Begins June 19, 10:10 a.m. Children, Families, Friends, Members of the Congregation, you are invited to work for others during our Summer Sundays of Service. During the study hour, we’ll be in the Vestry or traveling out into our community to work on a variety of service projects to help our world. Join us for all or any of these Sundays: June 19 - Create stepping stones for our new Butterfly Garden (led by Courtney Leatherman and Susan Elliott); June 26 - Heifer International field trip; July 10 - Service project (led by Caralee Adams and Duane and Cynthia Pugh); July 17 - Community Garden Planting at AP Shaw Congress Heights UMC; July 24 - Create Bags of Grace for Friendship Place (led by the Lordos Family). Prayer Shawl Ministry Sunday, June 19, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 1:30 p.m. Join us for a time of knitting, crocheting, fellowship, ministry and fun! Questions? Contact Annette Fletchall at 301.216.5470.
June AARP Meeting Monday, June 20, Noon, Vestry
Come to our spring luncheon with musical entertainment. Cost of $10 is due by June 16. Please send a check payable to AARP Chapter 2183 to Bobby Turnbull, 5708 Ridgefield Rd., Bethesda, MD 20816.
MET-FLIX: Outdoor Movies at Metropolitan Friday, June 24, 9 p.m. Bring your blankets and chairs and join us on the campus of Metropolitan Memorial for a free evening of fun under the stars! Our movie for the evening will be Universal Pictures’ “Despicable Me.” Movie begins at 9 p.m. (dusk).
Vacation Bible School 2011 June 27 - July 1, 9 a.m. - Noon Kid’s! Visit the Shake It Up Café this summer as we explore the Bible as a cookbook filled with recipes for living out God’s word. Through interactive lessons, we will celebrate biblical festivals that reveal the secret ingredient for being God’s follower. Cost is $40/child. Register at www.nationalchurch.org! Closed to Serve Sunday, June 26 and Sunday July 17 During the upcoming worship series on food and hunger, there will be two Sundays (June 26 and July 17) when most of our congregation, ministers and staff will be off-site to participate in one-day service projects (see front page). We are called to serve and all who are able are encouraged to participate in these events. However, we will have our 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services for those who are unable to participate and for visitors who attend. Leadership for both services on June 26 will be provided by Dr. Maynard Moore. Rev. Lon Chesnutt, former Metropolitan pastor, will be our preacher and the topic is “What is ‘truth’ in the Christian Story.” Music leadership for these services will be shared with our Chancel and Dayspring choirs. Rev. Chesnut has pastored five churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference and most recently served on the Conference staff in planning for new churches and reforming struggling congregations. He now lives with his wife Ellen in Columbia, MD.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN UMW Bazaar - Sorting and Pricing Sessions Begin! Begins Tuesday, June 21, 10 a.m., Fireplace Room Join the UMW as they hold weekly sorting and pricing sessions throughout the summer. Sessions will be held primarily on Tuesdays, however weekend and evening sessions will be announced soon. It is also time to begin bringing in those "gently used" items for the fall bazaar! Donated items must be left at the far rear of the Vestry, where the UMW closet is located (please don't drop things on the stage or elsewhere). Need assistance with your heavy items? Contact Barbara Gaskill, Bazaar Coordinator at Barbara@bgaskill.com or 202.244.3512 to assist you with getting your donations from your car to the closet. Thank you!
UMW Recognition Luncheon Seeking Nominations Each year the United Methodist Women of Metropolitan Memorial hold a Recognition Luncheon honoring women who have made a significant contribution to the church, the nation, and beyond. We are now seeking nominations of outstanding women to honor at this year’s luncheon on December 11. To nominate someone, contact Robin Emery, 202.625.9273 or robinmr3@gmail.com before October 15.
Annual UMW Craft Day Saturday, July 16, 9 to 1, in the Great Hall Craft: (Krãft) n. 1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts. 2. Skill in evasion or deception; guile. We invite you to beguile us with your craftiness! Please join us for the annual Craft Day, where we make a lot of neat things to sell at the fall bazaar: beaded jewelry, Raggedy Ann dolls, greeting cards, bookmarks, picture frames, knitted scarves, and the like. We’re also looking for some new ideas and people to lead or co-lead new craft projects. You needn’t be a certified United Methodist Woman to participate; other adults and kids are welcome. Refreshments will be available. Proceeds from the bazaar go to help women and children in our community and around the world. For more information, contact: Carol Griffith, carolgriffith33@hotmail.com or 202.966.3287 or Addie Owen, 202.362.1645.
Congregational Care Caregiving Support Group
Metropolitan Memorial will be offering a caregiver support group in the fall for those who are actively caring for others or caring from a distance. If interested, please talk with Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, Minister of Congregational Care, dwilson@mmumc-dc.org; 202.363.4900 ext. 19. More details to follow!
Pillow Basket
Pillows are now available in the Narthex for those who would be more comfortable sitting in worship with a pillow for back support. Please pick one up in the Narthex before worship.
Transportation on Sunday mornings
Need a ride to church? Transportation can be arranged by contacting Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson at dwilson@mmumcdc.org or 202.363.4900, ext. 19. Drivers are also needed to provide transportation. If you want to volunteer, please let Rev. McAllisterWilson know.
Senior Care
If you know someone in the congregation who is homebound and would enjoy a visit, please contact Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson, Minister of Congregational Care, dwilson@mmumc-dc.org, 202.363.4900, ext 19.
Nutrition Matters – Eating for Well-Being Mondays, July 11 - August 1 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Join the Wellness Committee in a four part series, “Nutrition Matters – Eating for Well-Being,” as we explore health and wellness through whole foods. Your healthy future is in your hands and in your kitchen—so take charge! Learn simple ways to incorporate glorious greens, great grains, nutrient-dense dishes and mindfulness into every meal. You will receive handouts, recipes and taste treats to inspire your inner chef. Food is life and gives us the power to energize our body, mind and soul, as well as nourish our loved ones. Nancy Nelson, a Certified Health Coach, leads this series. She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Nancy is a graduate of the L’Academie de Cuisine cooking school in Bethesda, MD and a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. This class is being offered at two different times during the day. Advanced registration required. For more information and to register, contact Nancy Nelson, Nancy@NutritionMattersNOW.com, 202.330.3047.
IONA has an extensive resource guide on the many services that seniors may need. There is a wide range of contents such as adult day services, caregiver resources, legal assistance. Call 202.895.9448 or www.iona.org. You do not have to face difficult situations alone! Iona offers a variety of support groups for seniors and caregivers on a variety of topics. Each group is coordinated by a trained professional. Support groups allow people to share challenges and information with one another in a welcoming and confidential setting. For more information or to register for any group, please call us at 202. 895.9448. Alzheimer’s: For current information on Alzheimer’s research, guidance for caregivers, educational materials, advocacy, call toll free, 1-866-232-8484 or www.alzfdn.org.
Remembering Our Loved Ones Susan Roach, Wellness Committee Chair During the 2011 UMW retreat at Priestfield, several of us were moved by a special book displayed there in which people write the names of deceased loved ones. This simple act of writing the names of those whose loss we are grieving can bring comfort, and quoting Blair Gilmer Meeks’ Standing in the Circle of Grief, “through the prayers of the church, the circle of grief can become a circle of blessing.” To begin this ministry at Metropolitan, Rev. Drema McAllisterWilson and the Congregational Care Team obtained a Book of the Departed Saints. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, we invite you to inscribe that person’s name in the book, which is placed in the side chapel of John the Baptist and Jesus. Each page of this book has a quote from poetic texts that can be a source of inspiration and comfort during times of grief. We will lift the book in remembrance on All Saints Sunday, as we give recognition to our loved ones who have entered God’s eternal kingdom.
Companions in Christ “The Way of Forgiveness” Wednesdays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. How do we forgive? How do we let go of that which causes us and others pain? How do we receive God’s forgiveness and offer forgiveness to others? Join us for eight weeks as we explore these questions together through prayer, study, and reflection. Facilitator: Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson Location: 5133 52nd Street NW. Contact Helen Simon, 202.363.4900 or hsimon@mmumc-dc.org to register and order the book.
SERVICE AND ADVOCACY MISSION NEWS Volunteer in Mission Team Traveling in Nicaragua in August It’s not too late to join the team!
Metropolitan Memorial and Wesley United Methodist Churches will send a mission team to Nicaragua under the leadership of Rev. Kate Murphey. The group will travel in and out of Managua and engage in mission work in and around that city. Dates: Saturday, August 6 – Saturday, August 13 Costs: The cost per team member is expected to be around $1,300 dollars, which includes airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and most meals. A deposit of $825 is due on July 1 and the balance is due July 18. Please note that these mission expenses are paid through the church and are a tax deductible contribution. Some scholarships funds are available for those who can’t afford the whole costs of the trip. To inquire confidentially about a scholarship, contact Rev. Dr. Charles Parker, charlie@mmumc-dc.org or 202.363.4900, ext. 11 Team Meetings: There will be a series of meetings in the coming weeks to prepare the team for its mission. All team members and anyone else interested in learning about the trip should attend the next meeting, scheduled for June 13 at 7 p.m. Want to learn more? Please contact Rev. Kate Murphey, kmurphey@mmumc-dc.org.
Missionaries in Nicaragua Visit Metropolitan Attend a Church Supper in Honor of Nan McCurdy and Miguel Mairena Monday, July 18
One of the ways Metropolitan Memorial extends the reach of its mission is to support the work of United Methodist missionaries working in other countries. For many years, our United Methodist Women have supported Nan McCurdy, who has served as a missionary in Nicaragua for over twenty years. And more recently, our congregation has supported Nan’s husband Miguel, also a missionary, through a “missionary covenant” of financial support. In 2008, Nan and Miguel facilitated our VIM team’s work in Nicaragua. And again, this year, they are assisting in the planning of our 2011 trip. Please attend a church supper on Monday, July 18 to celebrate the work of Nan and Miguel and learn more about their unique mission to the people of Nicaragua. They have agreed to come early and stay late so that those who don’t want to be out too late in the evening as well as those coming from work can benefit from their presentation. 5:30 p.m.
Welcome of Nan and Miguel Video Presentation on their work Discussion
6:30 p.m.
Supper (please bring a potluck item or covered dish)
7:30 p.m.
Second showing of Video Presentation for those arriving later
8:00 p.m.
Briefing for those going on the 2011 VIM trip to Nicaragua
Washington Interfaith Network - Standing for Justice in the City
WIN Successful Budget Action. On May 25, Metropolitan members joined others from the Washington Interfaith Network at DC City Hall to protest massive proposed cuts in funding for affordable housing, homeless services, and neighborhood revitalization. Through their efforts, a compromise was achieved, restoring much of what was slated for elimination. The next key budget vote is June 14. Take a stand! For information on how you can help, contact Ann Michel, amichel@mmumc-dc.org or 202.885.8582. Get involved! There are several opportunities this summer for you to learn more about the Washington Interfaith Network. If you are interested in any of these event, let Ann Michel know.
•Retreat for WIN Leaders, July 16. Join leaders from across the city for an opportunity to reflect on WIN’s work over the past ten years and to consider future goals. 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Place TBA. •WIN Summer Institute: Skills for Democracy. This summer, WIN is offering a series of high quality and interactive leadership seminars to train new and seasoned leaders to create positive change in organizations, congregations, neighborhoods, and the city. Each seminar is offered twice. Workshop 1 will be offered July 12 or July 14, 7pm-9pm. And Workshop 2, July 19 or July 21, 7pm-9pm. Location TBA.
Youth News! 2011 Youth Appalachia Service Project
This year our annual ASP trip sends us to Perry County, Kentucky. Three work teams with a total of 22 people, 15 youth and 7 adults, will leave the parking lot on Saturday June 25 to begin our journey to the Appalachian region. We have a pretty even mix of ASP veterans and newcomers, including myself, attending the trip this year and I look forward to experiencing many wonderful things as all the stories I hear indicate. We will spend the week working on houses in the area, but more importantly getting to know the families we will be working with during our trip. Whether we work under a house to build footings to support the foundation of a house, install plumbing for a bathroom, put up drywall for a new room, or simply learn the names and stories from the families, the week will be great. Please pray for all those on the trip during this week. Thanks! Emily Bagwell, Associate Director of Youth Ministries
Children’s Ministries Children’s Celebration Sunday
On Children’s Celebration Sunday, our graduating 5th and 6th graders took to the pulpit and presented the morning sermons. Each sermon was based on a theme that they conceived called “Loyal to the Rock,” based on the lectionary reading for that Sunday. Their sermons are below:
Loyal to the Rock By Caroline Sanford Think of a rock. A rock is hard, strong, and everywhere around you. What is something that has all of those properties? You, your children, your pet, God? I think it is all of those things but mostly I think it is God. God is in all of us but we all need to think about what makes God. Think of this. If you’re going on a walk with your crazy dog and he picks up a rock what do you think, “Bad dog, put it down.” Even if he does chew it up, God is still around you – even in your dog’s stomach. Isabel Brown, Julia Parker, Elena Remez, Caroline Sanford and Cordell Pugh celebrate their graduation!
A couple of days ago I had a fight with a friend. She told me a secret that she promised a group of friends she wouldn’t tell to anyone. Was that being a loyal friend? People have to build their friendships like a rock. If you build you build yourChildren’s friendships with loyalty, on a rock, it becomes a Ministry house. A house of made on rocks holds friends and family together. If you’re not loyal, and build your house on things that are weak, like loose dirt, your house probably isn’t going to stay up. If you treat your friends or family or God that way, they won’t be strong relationships. God is always looking over us, but he trusts us to make our own decisions. God knows that we want to be loyal to him. He is solid, like a rock, so that while we are struggling to be loyal, loving Christians, we have that solid rock underneath us.
The Seline & Remez Family has moved! After more than 16 years in our AU Park home, we pulled up stakes and moved closer to Metropolitan. If you need our new address, please contact me at aseline@mmumc-dc.org or the church office. Our home phone and email addresses remain the same. Thanks,
Anita Seline, Director Children’s Ministries
“Learning To Be Different” by Isabel Brown - To me, without Jesus, “loyal to the rock” means that we are all “rocks” – simple, humble, non-living and sort of boring. But Jesus is loyal to us. He “rocks” and he brings us to life. God made us all different. Jesus is loving and loyal to us no matter how different are and how different we want to be. I used to worry about being different. I wanted to be like everyone else – the same clothes, hair, likes, dislikes and even the same personality. The reason I wanted to be like everyone else was that I wasn’t sure if I’d still be liked by others if I was different. I still feel this way sometimes. But then I remember that Jesus loves me just the same. So I try to be a little different now and more like myself. I try not to just want to be friends with the so-called “cool” and popular kids at school. I try to become friends with the people I personally want to become friends with because they are nice and I like their personalities and I think that they would be good friends to me – not just because other kids think they are cool. Do you know what has happened since I’ve been focusing on making real friends? People like me just the same. I used to be more of a boring “rock” who was exactly the same as everyone else. But Jesus was loyal and loving to me and he helped me become more of myself. (continued on next page.)
Children’s Ministries “Bread and Rocks” by Elena Remez - I think God is the rock. He is indestructible, and the base for almost everything. Think of a house. What do you build it on? Rocks. Cement What is it made of? Rocks. Look this beautiful building around us. It’s made out of rocks. As we said in the children’s sermon, God is everywhere: sand, pebbles, rocks, or boulders. Being loyal to God is important. I’m just saying I don’t think anyone would want another flood. As God said, “You shall have no other gods before me.” That means we should not worship anything or anyone other than God. Imagine you were Moses. When Moses went up to the top of Mount Sinai and got the Ten Commandments how would you feel if you came back from that tall mountain tired from climbing and you found your companions worshiping a golden statue of a cow, I don’t know about you but I would do exactly what Moses did, break those Ten Commandments in half. On World Communion Sunday, the other girls in my class and I made lunches for the homeless. We asked all of you to bring loaves of bread. At the start of the day, we collected all the bread that had been in the baskets and took them downstairs to the Vestry kitchen and made sandwiches. Soon, we ran out of bread but we needed more. So, we went upstairs to the basket and found more bread. Every time we needed more bread that morning we would return to the basket and we always found some waiting for us. By the end of the morning, we had made enough sandwiches for our project and even had more bread left over to give to Bread of the City. Everyone contributed to that project by making sandwiches or bringing bread. That day was a lot like the day of “loaves and fishes” in the Bible, the day when Jesus had only two fishes and a few loaves of bread to feed 5,000 people. But it was a miracle when Jesus blessed the bread and fishes. He could give the bread and fishes to 5,000 people and have leftovers. On World Communion Sunday, we were all loyal to the rock (God). We were loyal by helping Him make everyone happy. And I am pretty sure that he wants all of us Christians – Protestant or Catholic, Jews or Muslims to be happy, and I bet He thinks that we all deserve a healthy way to live, if we are loyal to God the rock.
“What Does Loyalty Mean to You?” by Julia Parker - A couple weeks ago, at school during recess, I ran to a certain tree on the playground: a tree that was a “meeting base” for my friends and me. I waited a little while for them, getting sort of bored, when finally I saw them coming across the bridge to the field. But they didn’t come towards me; they just plopped down in the shade of some other tree and started talking. I didn’t have perfect view of what was going on, but I’m pretty sure they got up and started walking around under that tree, standing still for a while and occasionally yelling at each other playfully. I wanted to go over there, but at the same time I didn’t: if they didn’t want to spend time with me, and not even come over to say “hi” or something, then I did not exactly want to spend time with them. After recess we went to the cafeteria for lunch. This time I abandoned them. I sat at a different table and unpacked my lunch. About a third of the way into the period on of them came over to my table and said, “Sorry we couldn’t come talk to you on the tree; we were practicing our skit for the talent show.” I nodded, but did not feel any better. For one thing, they could have told me beforehand; and for another, they didn’t even ask me if I wanted to do it with them. I felt lonely: very lonely and a little mad. So if you have ever felt lonely and unloved, you know how I felt. But at that point I forgot that I was not alone; God was with me; every little moment of that recess, God was with me. He is a friend that is always there, even in the darkest times. Let me ask you a question: what does loyal to the rock mean to you? Think about it. To you it could mean many things: it could mean rocks are strong; it could mean there is your base of support, etc., etc. But what it means to me is that a rock is always there, just like God. Now don’t misunderstand me; I know you can crush a rock, you can crush it until the pieces are like grains of sand; but it’s still there... Still there... Just like God. If you crush it till you can’t see it (but mind that is very hard to do) it’s still there, just in the air floating all around you just... like God. A few months ago, the 5th grade went on a field trip to Philadelphia. We were walking around with the tour guide, when we got to a historical house that she wanted to talk about. Surrounding the house was a brick wall about three feet of the ground. We had been walking around for a while, so all of us took a seat on it. The kid sitting next to me, Jackson, had got hold of some loose bricks, and was pounding on a rock with the brick making it smaller and smaller, but I could still see it, it was still there and exists right now to... Just like God.
Exemplar by Edna Hamilton Read by Cordell Pugh, her great-grandson I want to live to be as fine and strong As the lone tall pine that stands on the far hill, Serene through summer’s scorching sun and drought, Confident: it braves cold winds and winter’s chill. It praises God, in robes of richest green, His tender love, this one lone pine has known, New growth hides each bent twig and broken branch, It braved all kinds of weather and has grown. God, make me strong and brave as this pine tree And I will give my thanks and praise to Thee. Carolyne Willis’ drawing titled, From the story of Easter morning was featured on the cover or our Children’s Celebration Sunday bulletin.
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 - 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, DC - 202.363.4900
www.nationalchurch.org
Pastoral Emergency Number - 202.510.8555 Rev. Dr. Charles Parker –– Senior Pastor, ext. 11, cparker@mmumc-dc.org Rev. Drema McAllister-Wilson — Minister of Congregational Care, ext. 19, dwilson@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 Emily Bagwell -- Associate Director of Youth Ministries, ebagwell@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 - Executive Assistant to Dr. Parker, ext. 10, hsimon@mmumc-dc.org Bob Weintraub -- Bookkeeper, ext. 18, bweintraub@mmumc-dc.org Rafael Reyes -- Director of Building and Grounds, ext. 20, rreyes@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: July 15, 2011 NEXT DEADLINE: Noon on July 12, 2011