Metropolitan Minister of Music Performs for the Pope

Congratulations to our own Minister of Music, Rev. Nolan E. Williams, Jr. and his ensemble Voices of Inspiration. Read his press release below.

Rev. Nolan Williams, Jr. and his Inspiration Ensemble to join renowned singers Placido Domingo and Denyce Graves as musical guests for historic Papal Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Washington, DC


WASHINGTON, DC, April 15, 2008 --- Rev. Nolan Williams, Jr. and his Inspiration Ensemble have been confirmed to join renowned tenor, Placido Domingo, and mezzo soprano, Denyce Graves, as part of the music lineup for the historic papal visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Rev. Williams and his ensemble will render special music for the public Mass at the new Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium on Thursday, April 17.

Rev. Williams is no stranger to the Catholic and Jesuit community as 2008 also marks his fifth year as music director for the annual MLK "Let Freedom Ring" Celebration, jointly-sponsored by Georgetown University and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Williams was also invited to Italy last year as featured artist and guest lecturer for the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival and the Music & Philosophy Festival in Naples.

Williams is best known for his work as Chief Music Editor of the landmark publication, the African American Heritage Hymnal (over 300,000 copies sold worldwide), and is an established songwriter and emerging recording artist whose debut CD, inSpiration, is receiving critical acclaim ( www.newinspiration.us ). Additionally, Rev. Williams is Founder and CEO of NEWorks, a music ministry consulting, production and publishing company, and serves as minister of music at the Metropolitan Baptist Church (Washington, DC).

The six-day trip of Pope Benedict XVI will begin in Washington, D.C., and continue to New York City. The trip is historic, especially since the Holy Father will address the United Nations General Assembly, meet with President George W. Bush and visit Ground Zero.

Mother Mattie Taylor Highlighted by HFA Soundcheck

Mattie Taylor never thought she would work in music publishing. A retired government official raising two children, she unexpectedly received a crash course in the business in 1987 when she visited the vacant home of her late foster brother Van McCoy, who had written hits such as “The Hustle” and “Baby, I’m Yours.” While she knew Van was a prolific songwriter, she was amazed to find boxes full of sheet music and crates of recordings in his home. Read more. . .

Servant Norm Jenkins featured in Howard Magazine

Metropolitan Member and Newly Ordained Servant Norm Jenkins is featured in the Spring 2008 edition of Howard Magazine. The article entitle, Marriott Executive Credits Business School with Success discusses Servant Jenkins' experience as a student at Howard University's School of Business in the 1980's.
You may read the full story here.

Metropolitan receives special greeting from Senator Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama sent a special greeting to the Metropolitan congregation which was read to the congregation on February 10, 2008. Senator Obama implores people of faith to vote and states, "I believe it is a moral imperative for people of all faiths to engage the world around them, and hold our elected officials accountable for the policies they advocate and the values they share."

Click here to view the letter.

Metropolitan does not endorse any candidates in any elections and we will post letters of greeting from any other candidate.

Celebrating the Life of Cmdr. Christopher Riley

Metropolitan mourns the loss of Commander Christopher G. Riley, pipe organist and New Psalmist, who was to celebrate his promotion to Commander in the United States Navy on January 11, 2008.

Commander Christopher G. Riley, U.S. Navy, passed away suddenly from an aortic aneurysm on December 23, 2007. He was 36.

The husband of Treska Riley and the devoted father of three children; Tarin, 8, Julian, 4, and Eden, 2 years old, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1992 and Syracuse University in 1994.

A published author, he wrote The Modern Organ Guide and founded Modern Organ Consulting, facilitating greater understanding of the organ. He was a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. A Memorial service will be held at Metropolitan on Sat. Jan. 5, 2008 at 11:00 am.

His additional family includes his father Robert T. Riley, Sr.; sisters Bobette Wynter (Courtney); Terry Riley Patton; aunt Bernice Gibson, uncle Ronald Coleman (Lawonna); Godmother Alex Babione; nieces Jerrica Patton, Andrea Bradley (George), Kira Tabron, Danielle Tabron, Elizabeth Wynter and Ayana Wynter; nephews Jason Patton, Rowan Wynter and Aidan Bradley.

Donations can be sent to:

CDR Chris Riley Memoriam,
PEO Submarines (PMS450),
614 Sicard Street, SE,
Washington, DC 20376

Read more. . .

Congratulations to Charlotte Brookins Hudson, Esq.

Metropolitan member Charlotte Brookins-Hudson is the recipient of the prestigious Beatrice Rosenberg Award in recognition of 30 years of government service. She is the first lawyer from the legislative branch of the District government to receive this honor. Beatrice Rosenberg’s 35 years of government service included positions at the US Department of Justice and the EEOC. In honor of her dedication and exemplary government service, the DC Bar established an award in her name to present to a Bar member who has shown outstanding performance in his or her government career. The nominees must be persons who have had a long-term government career on the local, state, or federal level with outstanding performance. They must also show excellent judgment on their own matters and matters handled by those under their supervision. The award will be presented on Friday, April 11, 2008 at the luncheon during the 2008 Judicial and Bar Conference at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Charlotte is the spouse of Servant Gregory Hudson. They have two children.

Metropolitan Member Rev. E. Terri LaVelle Named Staff Director of DNC's Faith in Action Initiative

Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee announced today that Reverend E. Terri LaVelle has been named staff director of the DNC's Faith in Action Initiative. Under the leadership of DNC Chairman Dean and Chief of Staff Rev. Leah Daughtry, the Faith in Action Initiative has worked to strengthen and build relationships with members of the Faith community through regular outreach based on our shared values and priorities. These efforts include national and state level outreach to diverse Faiths in coordination with the DNC's 50 State Strategy.

"We are so glad to have Reverend LaVelle join the DNC," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "Democrats are a big tent party, and Reverend LaVelle's unique talent and proven track record of bringing people together around our shared values are critical to our ongoing effort to engage in a meaningful dialog with the Faith community and reach out to Democrats everywhere as we work together for the common good."

"It's so important for Democrats of Faith to come together and talk about how our values shape our positions," said Reverend LaVelle. "During my time at The Faith & Politics Institute, I had the privilege of working with Democratic Members of Congress who are also people of Faith and saw firsthand how their Faith had called them to public service. I'm excited to contribute to Faith in Action's successes so far and continue the Democratic Party's efforts to work towards a common good agenda based on shared values."

Reverend LaVelle comes to the DNC after serving as Program Director of The Faith & Politics Institute in Washington, DC, an organization that brings Members of Congress, staff, and other public officials together across partisan lines to talk about Faith and values. During her tenure there, she facilitated Member reflection groups, dialogues about Faith, diversity, race, and poverty among other issues and co-led pilgrimages to Alabama, Tennessee, and South Africa.

An ordained Baptist minister, Reverend LaVelle serves as an Associate Minister at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, DC and is a Chaplain in Residence at Georgetown University. Before coming to Washington, she spent over 20 years at the St. Luke Church of God in Christ in Chicago, where she served as a licensed evangelist. She holds an M.A.T.S from McCormick Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Rush University.

The DNC's Faith in Action initiative offers a variety of resources to assist Democratic Party members on the national and local levels to engage the press, provide rapid response, continue message development on core policy issues, and strengthen Faith community relationships and contacts.