May 2024

Monthly Newsletter

A Message from Pastor Bob Melone

May 2024

At the end of the month I will finally be having a knee replacement; and while I can’t say that I’m looking forward to the surgery, I AM looking forward to getting it over with. Because as we all know . . . “No pain! No gain!”

Or, as I’ve been preaching over the past several weeks . . . “No death! No resurrection!”

Sometimes, we have to choose the hard things in order to eventually experience better things. And while that is hard, it’s a life lesson that we all need to learn. We will never find a healthier relationship, until we give up on our current relationship. We will never find a better job, until we realize we need to leave our current job. We will never stop fearing the skeleton in our closet, until we open the door meet that skeleton face to face.

I don’t know what’s facing each of you these days, but as the old saying goes . . . the height of insanity is doing the same things, the same, but expecting different results. So, let’s together, address whatever challenge is before us, and make whatever changes needed to be made in order to experience the new life that is so central to our faith. For as hard as the change may be, we are never alone. God will be present in all the people around us, especially in this church family called MVPC.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and be patient with me as I recover. Peace and much love,

Pastor Bob

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ICYMI - MEMORIES FROM MVPC IN APRIL

FAMILY MISSION PROJECT AND GAME NIGHT

The youth students held a fundraiser to receive donations for Presbyterian Disaster Association. They had a service night and put together 120 hygiene kits then competed and showed off their moves playing Just Dance!

KIDS' CHURCH

Students in pre-k through 12th grade enjoyed kids' church where they talked about what makes them special and unique. Pictured above is a cross they made out of dots which represent their different traits.

BE THE CHURCH SUNDAY

Friends and members joined together to help complete different projects around the church for Be the Church Sunday.

REMBRANCE OF THE LYNCHING OF JOSEPH MCCOY

A group from MVPC went to Virginia Seminary together for The Role of White Supremacy in American Christianity: a presentation and discussion in Remembrance of the Lynching of Joseph McCoy. Then, they enjoyed a discussion together about it over dinner.

MONTHLY MOVIE REVIEW BY MARCUS PERRIELLO

Dead Poets Society, 1989: Drama, Comedy

Academy Award Winner: Best Original Screenplay

English Professor John Keating (Robin Williams) has just come to his former New England prep school where he was once a stellar student. Only this time, he is brought in to teach English to a group of boys who are expected to adhere to the traditional and Conservative values and behaviors of the school. Through his unique and unorthodox lessons, the students find their spirits reinvigorated as they are encouraged to engage in their own visions of self-expression, throwing the school's entire administrative hierarchy into disarray. Rules are made to be broken, just as life is meant to be lived.

The Oscar-winning screen play shows a terrific character arc involving the entire cast, which is not an easy feat to achieve. Director Peter Weir also lends his filmmaking prowess to what could have been an otherwise-dull film, making it much more engaging and heartfelt as you find yourself rooting for the boys and their teacher to keep pushing the boundaries of dissent.

One of the film's themes is the effects (and sometimes necessity) of Rebellion. Following the Established Order has its uses, but it can also lead to more negative impacts on the lives of those under its yolk; and this shows when it may be time for a change so things can begin to improve. Robin Williams is perfect as the quirky and animated Keating, who serves as a symbol of hope in a rather drab and sterile environment. Definitely worth the watch.

Grade: B+

MAY BIRTHDAYS

5/01 Jacob Williams

5/03 Jim Jacoby

5/09 Brandi Harrison

5/11 Suzanne Hansen

Caryl Grant

Jamar Harrison

5/14 Ebenezer Allotey

5/16 Paul Quigley

5/17 Kay Wood

5/18 Ivana Allotey

Jovana Allotey

Robin Winchell

5/19 Ruth Guirard

05/25 Mel Kankelfritz

5/26 Adam Ganser

5/30 Jalen Harrison

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE IN MAY

May 3 - Help with AGAPE

May 5 - Bring cookies for Fellowship Hour if your last name begins with the letter A-F

May 10 - Help with AGAPE

May 12 - Volunteer for Kids Church

May 12 - Bring cookies for Fellowship Hour if your last name begins with the letter G-L

May 17 - Help with AGAPE

May 19 - Participate in Messy Church

May 19 - Volunteer for Fellowship Coffee Hour

May 19 - Bring cookies for Fellowship Hour if your last name begins with the letter M-R

May 19 - Bring in a side or dessert for our church cookout

May 24 - Help with AGAPE

May 24 - Bring a birthday cake for AGAPE

May 26 - Volunteer for Fellowship Coffee Hour

May 26 - Bring cookies for Fellowship Hour if your last name begins with the letter S-Z

For more information, please contact the OFFICE. Thank you for helping us BE the church!

BUDGET REPORT - 3/2024

INCOME	Actual	Budget to Date
Offerings	$80,805	$78,750
Per Capita	$300	$286

MVPC MINISTRY POINT CONTACTS

**If you need to get in touch with anyone from list,

simply click their name to send an email directly to them**

	Point Person	Session Liaison
Adult Discipleship/Small Groups	Chuck Norville
Confronting Racism	Valerie Norville	Chuck Norville
Congregational Care	Kay Wood	Janet Kumi-Bemmah
Family Ministries	Brandi Harrison	Chuck Norville
Fellowship		Janice Latimer & Valerie McLean
Finance & Administration	Jeff Fitch
Mission	Danita Dempsey	Ebenezer Allotey
Personnel	Susan Kaiden
Property	Brandi Harrison	Marcia Quigley
Treasurer	Jeremy Latimer
Worship	Bob Melone

2001 SHERWOOD HALL LANE

Alexandria, VA, 22306