Metropolitan Son Dr. Marvis P. May Passes

DR. MARVIS P. MAY, 47, pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church of Baltimore City, Baltimore, Maryland passed away at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2007. Dr. May was born in Los Angeles, California. He received his B.A. degree from Bishop College, Dallas, TX. He was also a graduate of Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, D.C., where he received his Masters of Divinity. He graduated from United Theological Seminary, where he was a Samuel Proctor/Charles Booth Fellow, completing his Doctorate of Ministry degree.

He was the former Pastor of the Union Bethel Baptist Church in King George, Virginia. He also served as assistant to the Pastor at Metropolitan. At the time of his passing, he was the minister of the Macedonia Baptist Church of Baltimore City in Baltimore Maryland.

Read the full obituary: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bal-md.ob.may27nov27,0,3357479.story

All Services will be held at

Macedonia Baptist Church
718 W. Lafayette Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland
(410)669-5776

Friday, November, 30, 2007
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Viewing
7:00 p.m. - A Musical Tribute

Saturday, December 1, 2007
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon - Family Hour/Wake
12:00 noon - Service of Triumph!

Metropolitan Member Mona Calhoun Completes the Marine Corp Marathon

More than 20,000 runners crossed the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon finish line on October 28th including our own Mona Calhoun. The Marine Corp Marathon is the fourth largest marathon in the US and the seventh largest marathon in the world.

Congratulations to Mona for her training and perserverance in completing the 10K race.  Mona, a professor at Coppin State University, is active in the Metropolitan Music Ministry and is Co-Chair of our Memorial Giving Campaign.

Mona is married to Servant Maurice Calhoun.  They have three daughters. View her personal finisher web site.

Servant Reginald Arno Hailed as a Hero

Washington, DC - Fox 5 News reports that "2 DC Department of Transportation workers are being hailed as heroes after saving an elderly man from his burning home. The workers were inspecting a retaining wall on O Street southeast when they saw smoke coming from the house."

View the video of Metropolitan Servant Reginald "Reggie" Arno and his coworker being interviewed about the rescue. Karen Gray Houston reporting.

Metropolitan Member Greg Wragg Empowers the Homeless

Gregory Wragg's STREATS Television takes a focused look at the homeless.
Artifacts By Matthew Borlik

Gregory Wragg has spent his fair share of time and effort aiding Washington, D.C.’s homeless community. But when he first began developing the concept for his homeless-issues-based STREATS Television series a year ago, the 44-year-old District Heights resident quickly decided that the best course of action would be to take the bulk of the work out of his hands.

“Instead of trying to sell [the homeless] on a concept, I decided to let them develop a concept,” Wragg says of the show, for which he serves as executive producer. “I sponsored six individuals to go through some training at DCTV, and in the process they learned about camerawork, camera angles, storylines, editing, directing. That saved me the process of having to do any of that or bringing in anybody to do that. Basically, I said, ‘Why don’t you guys just do the whole thing?’” ...

Read more at The Washington City Paper

Have you seen? Have you heard?

What God is doing in His land in Largo?

I rode past MBC in Largo last evening and was pleased to see - through unclothed trees - the girders, beams and other structures in place. To look upon it is to observe God literally giving birth!!! Allelulia. So, why don't you GO BY, and PRAY, as you "see" what God is doing for and through His people. (Note: I found
the best observation point is on Central Avenue and to peek through the trees - please pull off and pray.) In this session of thanksgiving, let us to continue to:

Pray for God's will and way through Metropolitan,
Pray for Pastor Hicks and his family,
Pray for our church leadership,
Pray for persons whose lives are being transformed by the Word of God,
Pray for yourself, that you will be Light in the world we are called to be, and
that you will fulfill your commitment to Christ and MBC.

Now for today's devotion:

THEN JESUS SPOKE TO THEM, SAYING, I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. HE WHO FOLLOWS ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE. (JOHN 8:12 NKJV)

Dear Co-laborers:
Just as the sun provides our physical light, Jesus is our spiritual light. As Children of God, we always have that Light to give us hope, and to strengthen us, and guide us out of the darkness! SO COME LET US WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD. (ISAIAH 2:5)

What a wonderful Heavenly Father God is! He is always there with us no matter what, and always blessing us with His Hope, Faith, Peace and Love! You see, those dark times in our lives actually strengthened us, and shaped us into the people that we are today! So Co-laborers, as a child of light always: LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. (MATTHEW 5:16) For, EVEN IN DARKNESS LIGHT DAWNS FOR THE UPRIGHT, FOR THE GRACIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE AND RIGHTEOUS MAN. (PSALM 112:4)

Therefore: ARISE, SHINE FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD RISES UPON YOU! (ISAIAH 60:1)

So...Arise, GO BY AND PRAY. Amen.

Rev. Dorothy Davis

WASHINGTON D.C. MARCH ON HATE CRIMES

JOIN REVEREND AL SHARPTON, MARTIN LUTHER KING III, NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK, REALIZING THE DREAM, WARREN BALLANTINE, STEVE HARVEY, AND OTHERS TO MARCH ON THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES

WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH

WHERE: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - 950 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.

TIME: NOON TO 2PM

With hate crimes and noose hangings on the rise across the country, we must have the federal government protect us from local hate and bigotry. From Mychal Bell in Jena, Louisiana, to Sean Bell in New York, it is time for the federal government to intervene, and you can help us achieve this objective.

Get into the action and make a difference by signing up and joining us on November 16th at noon in Washington D.C. Please Call: 646-417-7086 24hours a day, 7 days a week and leave your name, address and telephone number to register for this important event.

You can also RSVP by "Clicking Here” and filing out the web-based form.

Metropolitan's Minister of Music Lands Music on BET's Exalted

Nolan Williams, Jr./ NEWorks Productions Lands Music on BET's "Exalted!"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 10/28/07

Washington, DC---Chief Musician Nolan Williams, Jr. has been tapped to produce music for BET's new "spirit-hit" show "EXALTED!"

Williams, whose extensive industry work and debut CD -- "inSpiration" -- have established him as a gifted songwriter, musician and producer, is one of a select core of musicians tapped to contribute songs for the show's soundtrack.

"EXALTED!" focuses on the lives and ministries of some of the major preachers of our times. The new weekly series explores the path that has led to the success of our country's premiere African American ministers.

Williams' writing and production partners for the "EXALTED!" series include artist/producer JOHN STODDART ("Wings to Walk This Road," Warner Bros.) and writer/producer WARREN JONES (who has also worked with recording artists Gideon Band and Isaiah Thomas).

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute musically to this important work," says Williams. "EXALTED! is a well-conceived show that provides such an insightful look at some of today's premiere preachers."

For Williams, production credit on this new BET show is yet another plateau in a standout career. Williams is Chief Music Editor of the landmark best-selling publication, The African American Heritage Hymnal, with sales now surpassing 300,000 copies sold worldwide. In addition, he has worked with mainstream industry artists, including Diana Ross, Michael MacDonald, Erykah Badu, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Anthony Hamilton, Denyce Graves and Dionne Warwick; and gospel recording artists: Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Lamar Campbell, Daryl Coley, Tramaine Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Donnie McClurkin and Dorothy Norwood. His work also includes songwriting credits with R&B artist Regina Belle and Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood.

"EXALTED!" reflects the effort of BET to launch programming that reaches out to the African American church community," according to Adriane Hopper, co-executive producer. "This show has been an incredible project for the Strange Fruit Films family to produce."

Hopper, along with Strange Fruit Films executive producers D'Angela Steed and Nia Hill created the show.

Don't miss "EXALTED!" on Tuesday, October 30, at 9:00 p.m., or Sunday, November 4 at 12 noon and 9:00 p.m. The show will feature Bishop Charles E. Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, along with NEWorks from Nolan, John and Warren!

Metropolitan's Street Ministry Featured in article about the Homeless

Friday October 5, 2007
Church Gives Homeless a Ride to Services
By BECKIE SUPIANO

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON -- Jill Peddycord and Gary Bradley bow their heads and pray in the front seats of a white van parked outside Metropolitan Baptist Church here.

Peddycord asks for God's blessing as they begin the weekly rounds of Metropolitan's transportation ministry.

Many churches provide rides to worship services for seniors and people with disabilities. Metropolitan takes transport a step further -- sending a van to pick up women from several area homeless shelters.

Metropolitan has a long-standing ministry to homeless people, but it did not always include transportation. Read more

Metropolitan to Host Fourth Annual Fall Benefit Concert featuring the Morgan State University Choir

THIS IS THE WASHINGTON AREA ALUMNI EVENT OF THE SEASON! You won’t want to miss it! The Morgan State University Alumni Association, Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Chapter will sponsor its Fourth Annual Fall Benefit Concert featuring the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1225 “R” Street, NW in Washington, D.C., for this fundraiser to benefit the Chapter’s Scholarship Fund. Concert tickets are $20.00.

For tickets contact any of the following Chapter members:

Charles Pollard 202-269-3466

Jackie Lawson 202-832-3167

Gina Harrell 301-742-5280

See the attached flyer for more information. Morgan State University Choir Concert

Congratulations to Girl Scouts Esther & Arianna Newman!

The Girl Scouts of Metropolitan are proud to announce that we have our first Gold Award recipients, Esther and Arianna Newman. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest recognition that a Girl Scout between the ages of 14-18 many earn. For many, the leadership skills, organizational skills, and the sense of community and commitment that come from achieving the Gold Award set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship.

Esther and Arianna are 2006 and 2007 graduates of McLean High School respectively. Both young women were members of the Alpha and Omega
Church Step Team, the Metropolitan Hand Bell Choir and the Teen Choir. Girl Scout activities for Esther and Arianna include being Teen Program Coordinators for Service Unit 42-3 Encampments, Teen Camp Trainers for the GSCNC DC Taste of Camp and Council Delegate for Association 42-3. Esther is currently enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College studying International Business. Arianna is a Freshman at Virginia State University majoring in Business Management.

Andre and Shirleen Brown-Newman are the proud parents. Esther and Arianna have a younger brother, Andre.

Photos: Esther Newman (top) Arianna Newman (bottom).

500 Volunteers Needed for the Safeway Feast of Sharing

Each year Metropolitan Baptist Church gives leadership to providing volunteers to feed 5000 people at the Convention Center. This will be our 8th year. The largest number of our volunteers have come from Metropolitan. This serves as an important Outreach Ministry for us. For more information contact Rev. Georgia Davis at revgdavis@hotmail.com or register online.

The Union Missionary Council in partnership with the Street Ministry have volunteered to provide clothing for the “Give-Away” clothing portion of the Safeway Feast of Sharing on November 21, 2007 at the Washington Convention Center. We are asking our Metropolitan family to help us in this endeavor. If you have seasoned clothing for men, women, and children, please bring them to the church between the weeks of November 5 - 15, 2007 and leave them in room M-117. The articles can include dresses, suits, sweaters, handbags, and also jewelry. They must be clean and wearable. Please put the apparels on hangers, and the shoes, handbags, and jewelry in plastic sleeves. For more information contact Rev. Georgia Davis on 202-238-5012.