Monday, October 31, 2011

MCC Headline News - 31 October 2011

MCC
Headline News
Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.



International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)
20 November 2011

With the International Transgender Day of Remembrance falling on a Sunday this year, we want to encourage each of our churches to participate.  Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and Angel Collie have created a new TDOR Liturgy piece for your use in worship and/or in a special service.

Click here for more information and for a list of international events, as well as how to submit your event.
 
Prayers for Latin America

Our churches, members and friends in Latin America have been greatly affected by flooding. Please pray with us:

Dear God,

 

May your Holy Spirit move the hearts of all people to solidarity with our brothers and sisters in El Salvador, Guatemala and Tabasco (Mexico) who are suffering the ravages of the torrential rains. May our solidarity be an example of your blessing and your presence among them during this difficult time in their lives.

 

In your many names we pray,

Amen.

 

 

Querido Dios,

 

Que tu Santo Espíritu mueva los corazones de todas las personas a la solidaridad con nuestros hermanos y hermanas en El Salvador, Guatemala y Tabasco (México), quienes están sufriendo por los desastres ocasionados por la lluvias torrenciales. Que sea nuestra solidaridad un ejemplo de tu bendición y tu presencia entre ellos en este tiempo difícil en sus vidas.

 

En tus muchos nombres oramos.

Amén.

 
Now Accepting Applications for the 2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat
 

LMR 2012 logo

16-19 January 2012

DaySpring Conference Center

Ellenton, Florida

 

What is that nagging sensation??

Is the Holy Spirit urging you to join with others who want to change lives and change history?

Are you in need of inspiration and re-direction in your ministry, whether as a layperson or as clergy?

Would you enjoy hearing Rev. Elders Nancy Wilson and Don Eastman tell unpublished stories of MCC folklore?

Have you always felt a call beyond the local church to connect the global to the local?

THEN JOIN US . . .

Click here for details about the 2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat and to learn how to apply. Application must be received by 14 November 2011.

  

Grant Writing for the Local Church

The Office of Emergence, in partnership with the Office of Development, has designed a series of webinars entitled Grant Writing for the Local Church. This series grew out of an expressed need from church planters and congregations who are germinating the seeds of new ministries within and outside of their walls to secure funding to transform their vision into viable vocation. This four-part series began on Friday, 21 October, with 81 people attending, representing 60 churches, 5 new works and 5 partnering organizations.

 

We understand that not everyone can be available at the time we are offering the webinars live (1:00pm Eastern US time), thus we are making them accessible on demand. 

 

Click here for further information.

 

U.S. and Canada
Clergy License Renewal

Dear Clergy in the U.S. and Canada,

 

It is time to renew your License to Practice for 2012.  The fee for your 2012 License is $175 USD, which is due, along with your completed form, by 1 December 2011.  After 1 December, late fees will apply:

2 December 2011 - 29 February 2012 = $225 USD


1 March 2012 and beyond = $300 USD

This year, you will be able to complete 90% of the license renewal process online!  Please click here to begin completion of your form and to pay online.  If you wish to pay by check, you can also download and print the form at this link and mail it in with your check.

 

Peace,

Rev. Mona West, Ph.D

Director of Formation and Leadership Development

 

Making Headlines!
International Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 November 2011)
Prayers for Latin America
Now Accepting Applications for the 2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat
Grant Writing for the Local Church
U.S. and Canada Clergy Renewal
Give Online to MCC Emergency Relief
World AIDS Day (1 December 2011)
Governing Board Webinar
2012 Women's Conference
You Can Give Online to MCC Emergency Relief

Your gifts to MCC Emergency Relief ensure that when we have requests for financial or resource assistance, we are able to immediately respond on your behalf. It's easy to give to MCC online. Due to enhanced security, MCC accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards through PayPal. NOTE: You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to give! 

Donate

 

World AIDS Day
"Getting to Zero"
1 December 2011

 

Be watching for MCC resources in the next issue of Headline News.

Click here for more information about World AIDS Day.

 

Click here for the official WAD campaign website.

 

Governing Board Webinar

If you missed the State of MCC webinar presented by the Governing Board this week, click here to access the recording. There was some great conversation about stewardship and programming resources in the chat window during the webinar. Click here to view a summary of that chat. (Thank you, Bryan Parker.)

 

2012 Women's Conference

Women's Conference 2012

2-5 February 2012

 

Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida), in partnership with 

Metropolitan Community Churches and The Fellowship, presents The Holy Trust Conference. The focus is women empowering women to assume leadership roles in their communities by developing the trusting relationships essential to achieving social justice. This conference is open to women, transwomen and those who identify themselves as women who are interested in improving their leadership skills and connecting with others in the common pursuit for social justice.

 

Keynote speakers are Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson and Bishop Yvette Flunder. Early registration deadline: 1 November 2011. For more information and to register, click here.

 
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MCC | PO Box 1374 | Abilene | TX | 79604

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

2011 MCC Fellowship Sunday Offering - Thank you!

MCC

 

Tearing Down Walls.
Building Up Hope.

 


2011 Fellowship Sunday

Pacesetters

 

      (Hong Kong, China) - Rev. Dr. 
      Ying-chi Ngan, President
 
2.   All God's Children MCC
      (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - 
      Rev. Kevin Downer, Pastor
 
3.   Church of Our Savior MCC 
      (Boynton Beach, Florida) - 
      Rev. Renwick Bell, Pastor
 
4.   Church of the Trinity MCC 
      (Sarasota, Florida) - Rev. 
      Charles Tigard, Pastor

 

5.   Cornerstone MCC (Mobile, 
      Alabama) - Open Pulpit

 

6.   Emerald City MCC (Seattle, 
      Washington) - Rev. Ray 
      Neal, Pastor

 

7.   Exodus MCC (Abilene, 
      Texas) Rev. Margaret 
      Walker, Pastor

 

8.   First MCC of Kansas
      (Wichita, Kansas) - Rev. 
      Jackie Carter, Pastor
 
9.   FirstCoast MCC (St. 
      Augustine, Florida) - Rev. 
      Ruth Jensen-Forbell, Pastor

 

10. Gentle Shepherd MCC 
      (Phoenix, Arizona) - Rev. 
      Gale Rawson, Pastor

11. Good Hope MCC (Cape 
      Town, South Africa) - Open 
      Pulpit

 

12. Heartland MCC (Springfield, 
      Illinois) - Rev. Dr. Tony 
      Thieman-Somora, Pastor

13. Holy Covenant MCC 
      (Brookfield, Illinois) - Rev. Dr.
      Danny Spears, Pastor

 

14. Holy Cross MCC 
      (Pensacola, Florida) - Rev. 
      Sandy O'Steen, Pastor

 

15. Imago Dei MCC (Glen Mills,
      Pennsylvania) - Rev. Janice 
      Bowker, Intentional Interim 
      Pastor

16. Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) - 
      Rev. Lisa Heilig, Interim Pastor

 

17. King of Peace MCC (St. 
      Petersburg, Florida) - Rev. 
      Dr. Candace Shultis, Pastor

 

18. Living Springs MCC (Bath, 
      England) - Rev. Kieren 
      Bourne, Pastor

19. MCC Amarillo (Texas) - Rev. 
      Bernie Barbour, Pastor

20. MCC Boston
      (Massachusetts) - Open Pulpit

 

21. MCC Brisbane (Australia) - 
      Rev. Dr. Leigh Neighbour, 
      Pastor

 

22. MCC Charlotte (North 
      Carolina) - Rev. Catherine 
      Houchins, Pastor
 
23. MCC DC (Washington, DC) - 
      Rev. Dwayne Johnson, Pastor

 

24. MCC Elizabethtown 
      (Kentucky) - Rev. Cathy 
      Porter, Pastor

25. MCC Good Shepherd
      (Granville, Australia) - Rev. 
      Robert Clark, Pastor

26. MCC Hartford (Connecticut) - 
      Rev. Aaron Miller, Interim 
      Pastor

27. MCC Illiana (Portage, Indiana) 
      - Rev. Michael Cooper, Pastor

28. MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) 
      - Rev. Jill Sizemore, Pastor

 

29. MCC Los Angeles 
      (California) Rev. Dr. Neil 
      Thomas, Pastor

 

30. MCC Lubbock (Texas) - 
      Rev. Renae Phillips, Pastor
 
31. MCC Newcastle (United 
      Kingdom) - Rev. Elder Cecilia 
      Eggleston, Pastor
 
32. MCC of Albuquerque (New 
      Mexico) - Rev. Judith Maynard, 
      Pastor

 

33. MCC of Baton Rouge 
      (Louisiana) - Rev. Keith 
      Mozingo, Pastor

 

34. MCC of Greater St. Louis
      (Missouri) - Rev. Dr. Carol
      Trissell, Pastor

 

35. MCC of New York (New 
      York) - Rev. Pat 
      Bumgardner, Pastor

36. MCC of Our Redeemer
      (Augusta, Georgia) - Rev. Jeff 
      Pullium, Pastor

 

37. MCC of Paducah (Kentucky) 
      - Rev. Lillian Ferguson, Pastor

38. MCC of San Diego 
      (California) Rev. Dan 
      Koeshall, Pastor

 

39. MCC of the Blue Ridge 
      (Roanoke, Virginia) - Rev. Joe 
      Cobb, Pastor

40. MCC of the Palm Beaches
      (Florida) - Rev. Dr. Lea Brown, 
      Pastor

 

41. MCC of the Spirit 
      (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) - 
      Rev. Lori Rivera, Pastor

 

42. MCC of Topeka (Kansas) 
      Rev. Dr. Ty Sweeting, Pastor

 

43. MCC of Winston-Salem 
      (North Carolina) - Rev. Ron 
       LaRocque, Pastor

 

44. MCC Portland (Oregon) - 
      Rev. Nathan Meckley, Pastor

 

45. MCC Pueblo (Colorado) - 
      Rev. John Mark Hild, Pastor

 

46. MCC Quezon City 
      (Philippines) - Rev. Ceejay 
      Agbayani, Pastor

47. MCC Rehoboth (Delaware) - 
      Rev. K'Lynne McKinley, Pastor

 

48. MCC Richmond (Virginia) - 
      Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, 
      Pastor
 
49. MCC Sacred Journey
      (Hendersonville, North 
      Carolina) Rev. Jane Nelson, 
      Pastor

 

50. MCC San Antonio (Texas) - 
      Rev. Mick Hinson, Pastor

  

51. MCC Sydney (Australia) - 
      Rev. Greg Smith, Pastor

 

52. New Creation MCC 
      (Columbus, Ohio) - Rev. 
      Margaret Hawk, Pastor
 
53. New Light MCC
      (Hagerstown, Maryland) - 
      Rev. Michael Hydes, Pastor

 

54. New Spirit Community 
      Church (Berkeley, 
      California) - Rev. Elder Jim 
      Mitulski, Pastor

 

55. New Spirit MCC (Cincinnati, 
      Ohio) - Open Pulpit

 

56. Open Arms MCC
      (Rochester, New York) - Rev. 
       Jim Mulcahy, Pastor

 

57. Open Circle at The Villages 
      MCC (Oxford, Florida) - Rev. 
      CaroRawlings-Chambers, 
      Pastor
 
58. Peninsula MCC (San Mateo, 
      California) - Rev. Terri 
      Echelbarger, Pastor

59. Reconciliation MCC (Grand 
      Rapids, Michigan) - Rev. Steph 
      Maxson, Pastor

 

60. Resurrection MCC 
      (Houston, Texas) - Rev. Elder 
      Lillie Brock, Consulting Pastor

 

61. River of Life MCC 
      (Dorchester, England) - Rev. 
      Catherine Dearlove, Pastor

 

62. River of Life MCC
      (Kennewick, Washington) - 
      Rev. Janet Pierce, Pastor
 
63. Spirit of Christ MCC (Joplin, 
      Missouri) - Rev. Steve Urie, 
      Pastor

 

64. Spirit of Life MCC (New Port 
       Richey, Florida) - Rev. 
       Dexter Brecht, Interim Pastor

65. St. John the Apostle MCC
      (Fort Myers, Florida) - Rev. 
      Steve Filizzi, Pastor

 

66. SunCoast Cathedral MCC 
      (Venice, Florida) - Rev. Dr. 
      Sherry Kennedy, Pastor

 

67. Trinity MCC (Gainesville, 
      Florida) - Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt, 
      Pastor

 

68. Water of Life MCC (Tucson, 
      Arizona) - Rev. Elder Dr. 
      Charlie Arehart, Pastor
 
69. Wichita Falls MCC (Texas) - 
      Open Pulpit

 

 

A Message from

Rev. Dr. Nancy L. Wilson

Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

Nancy 200px

  
 

_________________________________________________

  

An MCC 43rd Anniversary Thank You To

2011 Fellowship Sunday Pacesetter Churches

________________________________________

  

 

Dear MCC Leader:

  

I have three thoughts on my mind that I'd like to share with you today.

  

FIRST:

I trust your congregation had a wonderful Fellowship Sunday observance and celebration of MCC's 43rd anniversary this month!

  

What a blessing to see so many ways God has blessed and guided Metropolitan Community Churches since that very first service with 12 worshippers in Rev. Troy Perry's home on 6 October 1968!

  

By their very nature, anniversaries are times of thankfulness. I am so thankful today that God has called us to minister together as colleagues in this amazing, world-wide ministry that is touching lives in 40 countries around the globe.

  

SECOND:

I love hearing the many ways our Pacesetter churches observed Fellowship Sunday this year!

  

If you haven't already done so already, I'd love for you to write to me at FellowshipSunday@MCCchurch.net and let me know how your church celebrated. What was memorable or unique? Did you have special music or testimonies? How did you receive your Fellowship Sunday Offering? Were you able to use the Fellowship Sunday Offering resources?

  

I encourage you to take a few minutes to write and share your church's anniversary experiences with me. 

  

THIRD:

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to your church for being a MCC Pacesetter Church and for participating in the 2011 Fellowship Sunday Offering Campaign!

  

Please convey my deep appreciation to your congregation for their investment in MCC's future and in MCC's growing, emerging international ministry.

  

Thanks to the generosity of Fellowship Sunday Pacesetter Churches, the MCC International Task Force will be able to hold face-to-face meetings to complete their vital work, and I believe their work will lead to strategies and systems that will strengthen MCC's global ministry for decades to come.

  

I've also prepared an online video message to say "thank you" for your church's leadership and generosity:

  

Nancy 2011 FS TY vid
Click this image to view my thank you message to you and your congregation.

 

Please feel free to share this video with your church, or post it on your church's website. Here is the direct link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5V2ipJ9xQ0&feature=player_embedded

 

As we begin our 44th year of MCC ministry, let me say again how honored I am to serve as Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches and how pleased I am that we are colleagues in this incredible ministry to which God has called us.

  

Please know that you and your church continue to be in my prayers, and I, in turn, welcome your prayers for God's blessing and guidance.

  

As MCC looks to a hope-filled future, I encourage you to hold fast to this promise from God's Word:

  

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has

 imagined what God is preparing for those who love God!"

                                              -- I Corinthians 2:9

  

In the Spirit of Jesus,

  

   Nancy

 

Rev. Dr. Nancy L. Wilson

MCC Moderator

FellowshipSunday@MCCchurch.net

  

2011 Fellowship Sunday Offering Campaign

 

We are on our way to our goal of $25,000 USD. It's not too late to donate, if you or your church has not participated yet.

 

Ways to Remit Your Donation to MCC:

 

1.  Send in your Fellowship Sunday offering with your tithe payment and make a note to let us know how much is designated for this offering.

 

2.  Mail in a check to MCC, PO Box 1374, Abilene, TX 79604, USA. Be sure to note "Fellowship Sunday offering."

 

3.  Click the link below to make a donation online.

 

Donate Now
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MCC | PO Box 1374 | Abilene | TX | 79604