M E T R O O N Our Theme for 2012 T H E S Q U A R E Monthly Newsletter 2012 Rev. Michelle Holmes Chaney Stephon Smith Louis Spencer Stephanie Johnson Pettaway 1121 West Lanvale Street Baltimore, MD 21217 (410) 523-1366 info@metropolitanlafayettesquare.org Senior Pastor Director of Music Choir Director Lay Leader Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, District Superintendent, Baltimore Region Rev. John R. Schol, Bishop, Baltimore-Washington Conference
Pastor s Letter M ETRO ON THE SQUARE M ETROPOLITAN U NITED M ETHODIST C HURCH B ALTIMORE MD 21217 February 2012 Volume 2, Issue 2 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ M with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:3) artin s birthday is behind us. And as I write this pastor s letter, I am preparing to watch the State of the Union address from our first African American president. My, my, my haven t we come a long way! Unfortunately, we still have such a long way to go. If we are not careful, the progress we made as a people of color in this nation will come to a screeching halt. Now more than ever, we need to be willing to press forward and upward the same way our ancestors did, if not for ourselves, then for our children and children s children. The same could be said for the state of the church, not just ours but the church universal. If we are not willing to continue to press toward the mark (Philippians 3:14), then we too will come to a screeching halt and the church will be nothing more than a modern day monastery. The truth is the state of our church is no different from the state of the country, needing to be in a position to do more, but not having the resources to do what you are currently doing. The difference is we cannot print any money or clone any people! We have to do it the old fashioned way by being the church we are called to be, by being the church God called us to be. We have a lot we need to do, and we don t have a quick fix. It is going to take great sacrifice and effort to turn things around. I know God can and God will, but God needs us to make it happen. He has already done His best. He sent His Son, now it s time for us to do our best. Grace & Peace, Pastor Chaney
METRO ON THE SQUARE February 2012 BLACK HISTORY MONTH The United States has been celebrating Black History Month since l976, 50 years after Carter G. Woodson was able to get Americans to celebrate the work of African-Americans, with Black History Week (or Negro History Week). It is said that he chose February because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were both born in February. At Metropolitan, the African American Ministry is coordinating four activities to celebrate Black History Month. FEBRUARY 12 th RED DRESS SUNDAY is an innovative faith-based health education and outreach program designed to raise awareness of the devastating effects of heart disease. Statistics show that each year more African-American women die from heart disease than breast cancer, stroke and lung cancer combined, making it the number one killer of African- American women in the United States. RED DRESS SUNDAY has become a Baltimore tradition; held annually on the Sunday before Valentine s Day. Saint Agnes Hospital provides health fairs and health screenings free of charge throughout the community. We are asking all Metropolitan members to wear RED on this Sunday. There will be a presentation during the worship service highlighting the importance of this initiative. Pink Ribbon Awareness Initiative. Sisters Network Baltimore Metropolitan (SNBM), Affiliate of Sisters Network, Inc., will worship with us and then present an educational outreach seminar, in the social hall, immediately after our worship service. The Pink Ribbon Awareness Initiative is a Sisters national faith-placed educational outreach program that reaches women in the church and communities with information on how to access breast care services and resources. The focus of this outreach is to increase the number of women obtaining mammograms and heighten their general knowledge. SNBM members will provide breast health facts and give testimonies as survivor role models to encourage and inspire the women.
METRO ON THE SQUARE February 2012 BLACK HISTORY MONTH (continued) FREED (Female RE:Enactors of Distinction). FREED will perform for us immediately following the educational outreach seminar. FREED is the auxiliary organization of the African American Civil War Museum. They are a group of ladies who desire to teach American history. They dress in period clothing to portray the women of the Civil War era who contributed to our history. FREED performs for schools, libraries, community groups, government agencies, conferences, and parades. Light fare will be served. FEBRUARY 26 th SOUL FOOD FEAST and HARAMBEE MARKET Metropolitan began the tradition of hosting the Soul Food Feast the last Sunday of February. This tradition has been coordinated by the African American Disciple Ministry since their consecration. This event is the culmination of Metropolitan s black history month celebration each year. The Soul Food Feast highlights the Metropolitan cooks while the Harambee Market highlights the wares of the community. At the Soul Food Feast, some of our favorite foods will be served: fried chicken, pig s feet, potato salad, ham, barbecued spareribs, barbecued chicken, corn bread, collards, mac and cheese, cabbage, minced barbecue, corn pudding, chicken and dumplings, bread pudding, sweet potato casserole, chitterlings, pound cake, sweet potato pie, and apple pie. Lynnadine Curry is the Soul Food coordinator. Please let her know what specialty you will be preparing. The Harambee Market is also a favorite event at Metropolitan on Soul Food Sunday. Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events. Harambee means to pull together. Harambee is based on the principles of Kwanza, the community pulls together to help businesses that are owned by African Americans. Please come prepared to purchase handbags, hats, clothing and accessories, jewelry, dolls, or cosmetics. Stephanie Pettaway is the Harambee Market coordinator. Please see her if you would like to sell your goods. Please come prepared to eat well and shop with our vendors! You don t want to miss it! See you there! FEBRUARY PROMISES TO BE AN EXCITING MONTH! BE COOL AND BE THERE!
METRO ON THE SQUARE February 2012 Ministry and Committee Reports Membership Ministry On January 22, 2012, Darren R. Pack was read into full membership. During January, four young people joined our congregation. Metropolitan, please welcome LaTiesha Bailey, Aisha Kane-Washington, Kyle A. Chatmon, and Vinton E. Moore. The four new members and any others who joined by March 11 th will be invited to attend the next exploring membership class scheduled for Saturday, March l7th. Congratulations to all new members! Submitted by, Donnell J. Moore, Minister of Membership Beginning with the March issue of the METRO ON THE SQUARE, we will only mail the monthly newsletter to our members that are homebound. We are inviting all other members who have email access, to receive the newsletter by e-mail. Copies of the newsletter will be in the Narthex, at the beginning of each month, for members that do not have access to e-mail. Please send your e-mail address to the church at: info@metropolitanlafayettesquare.org. This will ensure that you will receive the next issue of the newsletter in a timely manner. The monthly newsletter is also available on our website: metropolitanlafayettesquare.org. The newsletter staff thanks each of you for your support as we strive to provide you with information in the most efficient manner. The Metropolitan Community Book Club Do you enjoy reading? Please come to the book club meeting on Saturday, February 18 th at 12 p.m. Call the church office at 410-523-1366 for more information. New Staff Appointment Mr. James Cox has joined the Metropolitan staff to serve as the part-time sexton. We extend a BIG Metropolitan welcome to Mr. Cox.
Bible Study The focus of the study is Real-Life Discipleship. Bible Study is held every Tuesday evening from 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m., and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. noon. All are welcome! If you cannot join us, please feel free to follow along by studying these scriptures: Romans 8:29, John 12:26, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 4:13, John 15:5, Ephesians 3:16-19, Luke 19:1-10, John 21:15-19, and Matthew 28:18.20. For Reflection: If you had to write a definition for the word disciple what scriptures would you use to support your definition? Then, write your definition and place it where you can read it often. February 2012 The next baptism class will be held on Sunday, February 12 th at 10:00 a.m. Persons who attended the class are eligible for baptism on the 2 nd Sunday. The 411 During the season of Lent, starting Sunday, February 26th Pastor will be leading a bible study and discussion especially for our new members. The study called "The 411" is an opportunity for new members to get the 411 on what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be in the United Methodist Church and how can anyone live holy in this day and time. During the season of Lent, starting Sunday, February 26th Pastor will be leading a bible study and discussion especially for our new members. The study called "The 411" is an opportunity for new members to get the 411 on what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be in the United Methodist Church and how can anyone live holy in this day and time. Inclement Weather Policy Every effort will be made to hold worship services and Sunday school should inclement weather occur on a Sunday morning. Decisions regarding Sunday morning worship and Sunday school will be recorded on the church voice mail, the church s web site, and Facebook page as soon as a decision has been made. If the inclement weather is snow related, and Baltimore City puts Phase 2 of the snow emergency plan into effect, all services and/or activities will be cancelled immediately. To get the Snow Emergency Updates, please call the Baltimore City Emergency Line @ 410-396-SNOW (7669). leader for that event. Should inclement weather of any kind affect the church-scheduled activities, the church voice mail will be updated as soon as possible. Please listen to the voice mail in its entirety. If you are in doubt about a specific activity, please contact the Metro on the Square Newsletter Staff Lesley Etheridge Rita Whiting Rev. Michelle Holmes Chaney
Metropolitan United Methodist Church 1121 W. Lanvale Street Baltimore, MD 21217 410 523 1366 metropolitanlafayettesquare.org E mail: info@metropolitanlafayettesquare.org Women s Day 2012 Upcoming Events WOMEN UNITED TO GROW IN FAITH AND LOVE Until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God...Ephesians 4:13 EVERYBODY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY Saturday, March 24, 2012 1:00pm 5:00pm Donation: $20.00 Chairperson: Angela Bethea, Co Chair: Pauline Linthicum PRAYER BREAKFAST Saturday, April 28, 2012 9:00am 12:00pm Donation $15.00 Chairperson: Lynn Curry WOMEN S DAY WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, May 20, 2012 11:00am Speaker: Rev. Dr. Alfreda Wiggins Chairperson: Quanta Pierce, Co Chair: Patricia Tunstall Women s Day 2012 Chairperson: Quanta Pierce, Co Chair: Patricia Tunstall Rev. Michelle Holmes Chaney, Pastor Contact the church office at 410 523 1366 for more information or to purchase tickets.
Metropolitan United Methodist Church 1121 West Lanvale Street Baltimore, MD 21217 Phone: 410 523 1366 Fax: 410 728 1912 metropolitanlafayettesquare.org E mail: info@metropolitanlafayettesquare.org Like us on Facebook! Visit the Metropolitan United Methodist Church Lafayette Square Fan Page Metropolitan Church is called to minister to all persons, to spread the Gospel and to make disciples.