Tuesday, November 29, 2011

MCC Headline News - December deadlines and a LIVE Christmas message from the Moderator

MCC
Headline News
Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.



2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat
(Deadline: 1 December 2011)
LMR 2012 logo 16-19 January 2012
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 Elders Nancy Wilson and Don Eastman tell unpublished stories of MCC folklore?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 this Thursday, 1 December 2011.
 
U.S. and Canada Clergy License Renewal
(Deadline: 1 December 2011)

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, along with your completed form, is due 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

 

WAD2011 logo
1 December 2011

 

If you missed our announcement a couple weeks ago...

 

The first World AIDS Day happened because of a Metropolitan Community Church.  Click here to read a statement by Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, Director of Outreach.

 

Click here for a video from our Moderator, Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson. We encourage you to use it during your worship service.

 

Click here for prayers written by members of our Outreach Health & Wholeness Team.

 

Click here for UNAIDS' Strategy Goals by 2015, as referenced in Rev. Elder Fisher's letter and Rev. Elder Wilson's video.

 

Click here for more information about World AIDS Day.

 

Click here for the official WAD campaign website.

 

Click here for resources from the official WAD campaign. For resources specific to people of faith, click here.

 

Tweet with hashtag #WAD2011.

 

Next Elder Sabbatical 
darlene garner
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner is eligible for her sabbatical, per MCC's by-laws. Her sabbatical will be January-March 2012. Please keep her in your prayers during this time of rest and spiritual renewal.
 
LEAD logo
The Office of Formation and Leadership Development is pleased to announce the second L.E.A.D. retreat, 17-20 February 2012. The L.E.A.D. (Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship) Certificate Program provides MCC laity with an opportunity for spiritual growth and the development of leadership skills. Persons who complete the L.E.A.D. Certificate will be placed on a Leadership List available to Elders, Senior Staff, and MCC Clergy for the purpose of creating a leadership pool from which to choose trained laity to serve in leadership positions in MCC at the local, denominational, and international levels.

Twelve persons were selected for the first retreat in August of 2011, and since that time, they have been actively pursuing their certificate requirements. 

To participate in the upcoming L.E.A.D. Retreat, individuals should complete the program application found here: L.E.A.D. App link. The cost of the retreat is $475 USD, which includes tuition, three nights' lodging, and all meals. The location of the retreat at The Balcones Retreat Center, Marble Falls, Texas, is accessible from either the Austin or San Antonio airport. The deadline for applications to the program is 6 January 2012.

The number of participants for the L.E.A.D. retreat is approximately 20 individuals. The L.E.A.D. Manual, which explains the program in more detail, can be obtained here: L.E.A.D. Manual link. To access our L.E.A.D. Brochure to print for your church, click here.

 

For more information or questions about the L.E.A.D. program, contact either L.E.A.D. Coordinator: Barry Hundley via barhun@aol.com or Nancy Maxwell via nancy.maxwell@washburn.edu.
 
Making Headlines!
2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat
U.S. and Canada Clergy Renewal
World AIDS Day (1 December 2011)
Next Elder Sabbatical
L.E.A.D. Retreat
Senior Leadership Team Meeting
Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson's Christmas Message
2012 Women's Conference
2012 Men's Conference
Senior Leadership Team Meeting

Please pray for our Elders and Senior Leadership Team as they gather 2-11 December 2011 in Austin, Texas, at the home of Rev. Elder Ken Martin (and his partner Tom) to strategize for 2012 and beyond.

 

Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson's Christmas Message
Nancy 200px
Be watching in the next issue of Headline News. We will be announcing how to view Nancy's Christmas message LIVE. She will be preaching at Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida) on Christmas day.

2012 Women's Conference
(Extended Deadline:
30 November 2011)

Women's Conference 2012

2-5 February 2012

Sarasota, Florida

 

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

Metropolitan Community Churches and The Fellowship, presents the 2012 Women's Conference - Holy Trust: Together in the Struggle for Justice. 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. Elder Nancy Wilson and Bishop Yvette Flunder. For more information and to register, click here.

 

Early registration deadline extended. Sign up by 30 November 2011 to receive 10% off.

 
2012 Men's Conference
Men's Conference 2012
14-16 March 2012
San Diego, California

It gives me great joy and pleasure, on behalf of the Design Team of the MCC Men's Conference, to invite you to join us for a gathering at our host church, MCC San Diego.  Our theme is Holy Trust: Building A Lasting Bond!

 

It has been five years since the men of MCC gathered, and this Design Team has organized a wonderful gathering which will allow each of us an opportunity to re-connect or connect, share, bond and grow.  There are networking opportunities for both clergy and laity to share together, as well as safe space to share separately in breakout session.
 
Early registration is $75.00 (USD) through 31 January 2012, and $100.00 (USD) thereafter. 
 

Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin, Convener

Vice Chair, MCC Governing Board

 

 

To view/print a flyer with all the details, click here.

 

To learn more, and for updates, click here.

 

To register, click here.

 

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

View our videos on YouTube

Join Our Mailing List

DONATE
This email was sent to mccofcc.thisweek@blogger.com by connect@mccchurch.net |  
MCC | PO Box 1374 | Abilene | TX | 79604

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Advent: A Video Message from MCC's Moderator

MCC
Advent 2011

 

Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC, invites you to watch her Advent greeting. Churches are welcome to show this video during worship services.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmRbKv0ZSwI&feature=youtu.be


Friendly reminder: Pray about your participation in the upcoming Leadership Mentoring Retreat. Applications are due 1 December 2011. Details can be found in past issues of Headline News, as well as in the upcoming issue scheduled for release early next week. You can also email

 

This email was sent to mccofcc.thisweek@blogger.com by connect@mccchurch.net |  
MCC | PO Box 1374 | Abilene | TX | 79604

Thursday, November 10, 2011

MCC Headline News - Special Edition

MCC
Headline News
Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.



WAD2011 logo 

1 December 2011  

 

World AIDS Day is quickly approaching.  If you are like me, you had probably hoped we would have a cure by now and that it was accessible to all.  Sadly, that is not the case.  We are still dealing with an incredibly devastating disease where millions are infected and unable to get the treatment they need.  Governments are cutting spending, and the economic crisis has hit the most marginalized the hardest.  World AIDS Day reminds us to not get complacent.  The first World AIDS Day happened because of a Metropolitan Community Church.  Rev. David Farrell, then pastor of MCC San Diego, had the very first service marking a week-long prayer vigil focused on remembering and praying for those infected with, living with, and those who had died from HIV/AIDS.  Click here to read more by Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, Director of Outreach.

 

Click here for a video from our Moderator, Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson. We encourage you to use it during your worship service.

 

Click here for prayers written by members of our Outreach Health & Wholeness Team.

 

Click here for UNAIDS' Strategy Goals by 2015, as referenced in Rev. Elder Fisher's letter and Rev. Elder Wilson's video.

 

Click here for more information about World AIDS Day.

 

Click here for the official WAD campaign website.

 

Click here for resources from the official WAD campaign. For resources specific to people of faith, click here.

 

Tweet with hashtag #WAD2011.

 

2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat
(Application Deadline Extended)

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 1 December 2011.

  

Registration Now Open for 
Next L.E.A.D. Retreat
LEAD logo
The Office of Formation and Leadership Development is pleased to announce the second L.E.A.D. retreat, 17-20 February 2012. The L.E.A.D. (Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship) Certificate Program provides MCC laity with an opportunity for spiritual growth and the development of leadership skills. Persons who complete the L.E.A.D. Certificate will be placed on a Leadership List available to Elders, Senior Staff, and MCC Clergy for the purpose of creating a leadership pool from which to choose trained laity to serve in leadership positions in MCC at the local, denominational, and international levels.

To participate in the upcoming L.E.A.D. Retreat, individuals should complete the program application found here: L.E.A.D. App link. The cost of the retreat is $475 USD, which includes tuition, three nights' lodging, and all meals. The location of the retreat at The Balcones Retreat Center, Marble Falls, Texas, is accessible from either the Austin or San Antonio airport. The deadline for applications to the program is 6 January 2012.
The L.E.A.D. Manual, which explains the program in more detail, can be obtained here: L.E.A.D. Manual link. To access our L.E.A.D. Brochure to print for your church, click here.

 

For questions about the L.E.A.D. program, contact either L.E.A.D. Coordinator: Barry Hundley via barhun@aol.com or Nancy Maxwell via nancy.maxwell@washburn.edu.
 
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
View our videos on YouTube
Join Our Mailing List
DONATE
Making Headlines!
World AIDS Day (1 December 2011)
2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat
Registration Now Open for Next L.E.A.D. Retreat
International Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 November 2011)
We Congratulate MCC of Greater St. Louis!
Governing Board Webinar
International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)
TDOR2011 banner 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.
 
We Congratulate MCC of Greater St. Louis!
MCCGSL HSTS 2011 Finale 
I was proud to be a Governing Board member witnessing MCC of Greater Saint Louis' choir participation in Verizon's "How Sweet the Sound" Finale on October 28 at Los Angeles' Staples Center. There were nine choirs in this national gospel choir competition from various parts of the USA. It was an honor for MCCGSL to represent their geographical region, as well as MCC, in this event. The choir was commended for its diversity. There were about 50 MCCers in the audience to show our support. Thank you and congratulations, MCCGSL, for your achievement! - Rev. Onetta Brooks
 
HSTS 2011 Troy & Phillip
Visit the MCCGSL website
to read the press releases and watch a video of their regional performance, which won them the top prize of $10,000 USD!

 

Governing Board Webinar

If you missed the State of MCC webinar presented by the Governing Board a couple weeks ago, 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.)

 

This email was sent to mccofcc.thisweek@blogger.com by connect@mccchurch.net |  
MCC | PO Box 1374 | Abilene | TX | 79604