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There are only 5 days before we gather together to celebrate the 7th MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies in beautiful Washington D.C.
God has blessed us in that, Rev. Dr. Alton Pollard, Dean of Howard University Divinity School, will offer our keynote address on Saturday night at the Gala Banquet. Ms. Val Kalende from Uganda and Rev. Joseph Tolton of the Global Justice Institute will speak on the issue of Homophobia in Uganda and provide us with up-to-date information on the Ugandan "Kill the Gays" Bill. Our thanks to UNAIDS for making it possible for Val to be with us.. My heartfelt thanks to our presenters for offering their knowledge, their stories and themselves to stretch and deepen each of us. Thanks to Rev. Cedric Harmon, Rev. Dr. Christine Wiley, Rev. Dr. Dennis Wiley, Pastor, Dr. Sylvia Rhue, Val Kalende, DeWayne Davis, Rev. Marilyn Bowens, Rev. Michael Diaz, Rev. Harry Knox, Rev. Jeff Jordan, Rev. Carmen Margarita Sanchez De Leon, Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin, Rev. Dr. Traci West, Rev. Dr. Joan Martin, Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng, Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Rev. Dwayne Johnson, Rev. Darren Phelps, Kareem Murphy, Rev. Sharon Groves, Jasper Hendricks Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Rev. Darlene Nipper, Rev. Dr. Abena McCray, Hutson Inniss, Imani Woody, Minister Anthony Sullivan, Diane Johnson, Bishop Tonyia Rawls, Rev. Steve Andrews, Rev. Mari Castellanos, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Rev. Franc Perry,Rev. Joseph Tolton, Theresa Coley-Kouadio, Rev. Troy Sanders, Mykal Slack, Esq., Rev. Louis Mitchell, Chris Page, Christine Campbell, Dr. Ron Simmons, Rev. Jorge Delgado, Rev. Allyson Robinson, Danielle King, Rev. B.Y. Boone, Rev. Kevin Taylor, Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos and Rev. Dr. Mona West. We are also excited to have as Conference special musical guests: Batala, Cassandra White, Charlene Moore, Umoja Dono Drum Orchestra, Freedom Mime Dancers and professional interpretive dancer, Rev. Brian Harris. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have and are supporting the PAD Conference -- all worship participants, sponsors, Pillars, MCC, Fellowship, and Unity Fellowship churches, local organizations/businesses, vendors, seminary partners, volunteers, MCC staff/leadeship, and our Planning team. So come and be blessed by what God has in store for you. See you at the PAD Conference!
Peace,
Rev. Elder Darlene
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| A Prayer For You | | As we prepare to gather together: | 
"God of Grace and Glory, we ask for your goodness and mercy as we approach the time for our People of African Descent Conference. Be with all those who are working so hard to make this conference a success, and a blessing to all who attend. We ask for traveling mercies for those coming a long distance, and those driving from nearby cities. Bless the leaders and organizers, those will be attending for the first time. May the Conference shine a light on all that You would have us know and see and understand. May we be inspired and uplifted as we draw together in Your name! In Jesus name, Amen! Rev. Nancy L. Wilson |
| Worship is Open To All
A reminder to all, participation and attendance in all worship services at the MCC PAD Conference are open to everyone. So come and worship. |
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| Inspiring A New Way When preparing for the PAD Conference we sometimes get the question "Why should I come to this conference? What's in it for me?" Sometimes the best way to answer these questions is to hear the answer from someone's story.
Let's hear from
DeWayne Davis
MCC of Washington DC "I attended my first PAD Conference in St. Louis in 2008. It was a vivid illustration of how a diverse community can come together in mutuality and common purpose to learn, worship, and celebrate. I was so impressed with the way the conference preachers, presenters, and programming effectively focused on inspiring and empowering each of us to step out on faith to make a difference in the world. I felt supported and encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity the conference provided, from the powerful worship to the afternoon workshops and plenary sessions to the receptions and entertainment. Every worship and workshop inspired some new way of thinking about and participating in my church, my community, and MCC. Also, I met some wonderful new people who I know will be my life-long friends." DeWayne Davis Domestic Policy Analyst in The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations |
| Looking for a Roommate during Conference - Go to the Forum
If you have a room and would like to share or are looking for someone willing to share a room, visit the MCC PAD Forum by clicking here.
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| Conference Pillars | 
| | Rev. Y'Lon Dozier Mary Ann Lawson MCC of Northern Virginia Connie Meadows and Haviland Houston Jake Kopmeier Preston Pulliam Bryan Parker Joan Saniuk and Sharilyn Steketee Cassandra White & The Resurrection MCC Gospel Ensemble City of Refuge - Washington, DC |
| Conference Parking Options |
| There are multiple parking options available to you during the Conference: Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC, 474 Ridge Street N.W. Washington, DC 20001 has graciously offered several free parking places for PAD Conference vehicles. For information on how to apply for these spaces click here. MCC DC is a 10 minute taxi ride to/from the Fairmont or a 15 minute ride via Metro. If you take the Metro from MCC DC - MCC DC is located 2 blocks east of the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center Metro station. Take the Metro to Foggy Bottom on the Orange or Blue lines. At the top of the escalator you will be facing 23rd Street. Turn Left onto 23rd Street. At the next corner, turn Left onto "K" Street. Walk one block to 24th St., make a right onto 24th. The hotel is 4 blocks North, on the left, after you cross "M" Street, at the corner of 24th and "M" Streets. (The lettered streets will become higher in the alphabet from "K" to "M"). So FIRST drop off your bags at the hotel and park at MCC DC. Another option is p arking at MD and VA Metro Train stations - catch Metro into DC. Click here for a guide to the DC Metro System Parking costs vary by station, starting at $4.50 per day. Union Station - Click here for information on parking at the Union Station (DC's train station) Parking is available 24/7. Access is available from Massachusetts Avenue, NE - from a ramp on the East side of Union Station and from H Street, NE. Parking Fees:
0 - 1 hr: $6.00
1 - 2 hrs: $9.00
2 - 3 hrs: $12.00
3 - 5 hrs: $15.00
5 - 24 hrs: $20.00 Valet parking at the Fairmont Washington , 2401 "M" St., NW, Washington, D.C. .20037, ranges from $12-30 during the day and is $40.00 overnight. For information on DC Taxi service click here. |
| | | | | | | About Our Keynote Speaker
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| People of African Descent Conference 2011 |
| The MCC PAD Conference is excited to announce its distinguished roster of guest speakers, preachers, and worship leaders. These talented individuals will bring their unique and inspirational voices to the PAD Conference. Thursday, May 19th - Evening Worship Preacher - Bishop Yvette Flunder Worship Leader - Rev. Brendan Boone Friday, May 20th - Morning Worship Preacher - Rev. Dr. William Knight Worship Leader - Rev. Dr. Y'Lon Dozier AM Plenary Speaker - Rev. Dr. Traci West PM Plenary Speaker - Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng Afternoon Presentation - Val Kalende Friday, May 20th - Evening Worship Preacher - Rev. Joseph Tolton, Worship Leader - Rev. Troy Sanders Saturday, May 21st - Morning Worship Preacher - Rev. Marilyn Bowens, Worship Leader - Rev. Carolyn Mobley Plenary Speaker - Ms. Sharon Lettman-Hicks Saturday, May 21st - Closing Worship and Wrap Up Preacher - Rev. Eric Lee Worship Leader - Rev. Doretha Williams - Flournoy
Saturday, May 21st -Gala Banquet and Celebration Banquet Keynote Speaker - Rev. Dr. Alton Pollard Banquet Program Emcee - Rev. Franc Perry |
| Dance the Night Away with DJ Myra! | | 
| | We are excited to announce a dance party with DJ Myra (from City of Refuge, Washington DC) following the Gala Banquet on Saturday May 22, 2011 from 10:30 PM until 1:00 AM, Grand Ballroom. Admittance is free to all. |
Tickets Still Available Sail Away on the 2012 Valentine's Cruise! How? Win the Raffle | | 
| Sailaway on the Carnival Imagination for a Valentine's Day Getaway. Enjoy the comfort a a Balcony Suite Stateroom as you sail the Western Caribbean. Tickets are only $5.00 or $20.00 for 5 tickets. Proceeds benefit the PAD Conference as Linda Hardy Travel donated the cruise. The drawing will be held on Saturday 21 May during the PAD Conference. Tickets will be available onsite at the Cruise Raffle table in the Grand Ballroom Lobby. For More information on the 2012 Valentine's Cruise, click here or email 2011padcruiseraffle@mccchurch.net |
| Volunteer!  With 450 + people in attendance, Kareem, while fabulous, can't provide all the hospitality, security, worship and workshop assistance alone.
Kareem explains his needs here.
Would you consider lending him a hand?
If you are able to volunteer at Conference, let Kareem know by filling out the volunteer form and emailing it to him at PADVolunteers@MCCchurch.net. . |
| Join the Conference Mass Choir |  | | |
|  Partners - PAD Conference and HRC's Clergy Call
May 22 - 24, 2011 Washington, DC A Faithful Movement for LGBT Justice It's time to register for Clergy Call 2011! We call on all clergy and faith community leaders to support justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Join us in Washington, DC from May 22 - 24, 2011 to have your voice heard by Congress on critical issues affecting the LGBT community. For more information, go to http://www.hrc.org/clergycall2011/ |
| Quick Links! |  | | |
| Attention Clergy
Did you know you receive CEU's while attending the 2011 MCC PAD Conference? This is also a great opportunity for you to connect with other faith leaders from around the world and establish relationships. To see who is attending, click here. |
| Connect With Us! |   |
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