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MCC of Corpus Christi
E – Newsletter
July 28th to August 4th 2010
www.mcccorpuschristi.org
This Week
Many men many voices continues at MCC of Corpus Christi!!!
This 7 session class is intended for those who have sex with men and may be at risk for AIDS. There is transportation, food and a stipend available. Please contact Manuel for more information. Sessions are from 6 to 8 pm each of the following Mondays: July 19th, July 26th, Aug. 2nd, Aug. 9th, Aug. 16th, and Aug. 23rd. For more information contact Manuel Garza
Project BESOS Outreach Educator
Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation
Office: 361.814.2001 ext.114
Cell: 361.510.0743
www.cbaf.org
www.cbaf.org/3MV
Soda Machine Survey: The vending machine team would like to know what you think. Please take the survey located at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CTV9RBZ
Coming Soon
Board of Directors Meeting: The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be Sunday, August 15 at 1:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend and observe. If you have any suggestions for Bylaws amendments, they must be given to the Clerk of the Board before this meeting to be considered this year.
This Month
Toilet Paper: Please bring Toilet Paper to church with you! We are collecting these items to give to the Food Pantry patrons who need them. Thank you!!! As always, grocery bags are greatly appreciated!!
Ongoing
Bible Study! – The Bible Study is going strong! Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 PM folks will gather at the church to study the Bible. Come join us to increase your knowledge of the scriptures.
Inmate requesting a letter—Michael Treakle is in the Houston Detention Center. He would love to hear from you. Thank you!!! His address is: Federal Bureau of Prisons--Michael Harold Treakle reg. #43148279--P.O. Box 474701--Des Moines, Iowa 50947-0001
Movie Night – On the 2nd and 4th Saturday night of every month, we will gather at the church to watch a movie. If you have a suggestion for a movie to watch, See Howie or Lisa or write it on the clipboard.
Transgender Support Group—A monthly transgender support group meets here. Each third Saturday of the month, our Transgender brothers and sisters are invited to come and learn more about who we are as people of faith. This is a closed meeting and all participation is confidential. To learn more about the group please speak with Lisa B. Lancaster. She will be glad to assist you.
The Christ-Centered Prayer group: A prayer group focusing on quiet listening is held on Fridays at 9am. Yes, in the morning!!! Come and increase your peace.
Sound System: Would you like to assist with the sound system or the PowerPoint presentation (Especially when Tom and Andy are out of town)? Please see Pastor Carol, Tom, or Andy to sign up. Tom, Andy or Howie will train you before you're expected to fly solo.
T shirts: We are selling T-shirts for $10 each. The sizes run from Small-3x to raise money for the Conference fund. See Andy or Pat. They make a great gift. We have 2 styles available, ask to see them!
Facebook group page: Our church now has a "Facebook" group page. A good place to post church photos, prayer request, events, etc... The possibilities are boundless. Login to Facebook and search for MCC of Corpus Christi
MySpace page: MCC of CC has a MySpace page! Find us at http://www.myspace.com/mccofcorpus
MCC of CC Blog! This newsletter is posted in a blog each week. Go to http://mccofcc.blogspot.com/ We are also posting UFMCC notices there. This week, 4 items were added. One of these 4 is below in the "Fellowship News" section of this newsletter.
FINANCES
As it says in Mark 12:42-44: A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."
Just FYI: Our Bookkeeper, Andy Wilcox, says we need approximately $1028 each week to keep current with all of our bills.
Donate online! -If you have a paypal or Alertpay account, simply send money to treasurer@mcccorpuschristi.org or click the appropriate button below. If you do not have a paypal account, you can use your credit card at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HWB7L9PLBXBDJ Cut and paste the link if clicking does not work.
For Paypal payments: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RHQY9482AWDZC
For Alertpay Payments: https://www.alertpay.com/checkout?BDVBfXhteHJleXVjdGUqQUFVXnZHRWw3fHQvamVpTmt9NXJxd0ZMQWhteGd5aHN2dGN0ZQA=
If you do not have and would like to have either a paypal or Alertpay account, click the link you are interested in below and MCC of CC may get a commission:
Alertpay (preferred by editor, personal preference): https://www.alertpay.com/?Yxe%2fZIRsrFbS%2ffeN3AfnxQ%3d%3d
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=MP5445LVSFMNY
Support MCC of CC with your everyday purchases! Turn your everyday spending into meaningful donations. With our custom credit card, cash donations for every purchase you make—plus a $50 first purchase bonus—will be donated to MCC of CC. There is an introductory 0% financing. Go to https://www.cardlabconnect.com/mccofcc to apply or learn more!
We received the first check for this program in the amount of $50.74. Thank you to the one person who signed up for this card!
Good Search--Did you know? Each time someone does a search using Good Search, a charity gets 1 cent. If you put MCC of Corpus Christi in the "Who do you GoodSearch for?" box, MCC of Corpus Christi gets that penny. You can set Good search as your homepage and/or default search engine. You can also download and install a Good Search toolbar to ensure MCC of Corpus Christi gets donations when you buy online! Visit http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/metropolitan-community-church-mcc-of-corpus-christi.aspx for more details!
Need some suggestions to search? Try these: Luke 12, Greed, arbitrator, tithe, survey, Skype, network. You never have to buy anything for MCC of Corpus Christi to get the credit. Happy searching!
Goodshop.com: Goodshop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 % of each purchase to your favorite cause! More than 1000 great Stores including Old Navy, Dell, Expedia, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with Good Shop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause. Be sure to put MCC of Corpus Christi in the "Who do you support?" box. And if you download the toolbar from http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/metropolitan-community-church-mcc-of-corpus-christi.aspx you will ensure MCC of CC gets credit from every store available when you shop online!
FROM THE FELLOWSHIP
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| | | METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope. | | 
| | This Just In... A Day of Progress toward Marriage Equality On Thursday, the Argentine Senate approved by a slim margin the proposed law that recognizes gay marriage after an intense debate in Parliament that lasted for almost 15 hours. The initiative was | 
| | Rev. Victor Bracuto, Pastor of ICM de Argentina in Buenos Aires | approved by a vote of 33 in favor, 27 against, and 3 abstentions. With the approval of this law that authorizes marriage equality, Argentina becomes the first country in Latin America to allow weddings to be celebrated between person of the same gender throughout the country. "Argentina has made history by approving marriage for all. The enabling law passed exactly the same rights for all couples. God bless Argentina," said The Rev. Victor Bracuto, Clergy of Metropolitan Community Churches in Argentina. Also today, the DC Court of Appeals ruled against foes of DC marriage equality who had wanted to put an initiative on the ballot to invalidate same-sex marriages entered into in the District. In its decision, the Court of Appeals, D.C.'s highest court, decided 5-4 to support the City Council in its efforts to prevent discrimination against gays and lesbians in the District, which is prohibited by the D.C. Human Rights Act. The Rev. Jim Merritt, Marriage Equality Coordinator of MCC's Global Justice Team said "We celebrate with people of faith and others who believe in equality and justice, including Marriage Equality for all people. On this day of progress, we renew our commitment to supporting Marriage Equality all over the United States of America and all over the world." For more information contact MCC's Marriage Equality Coordinator, The Rev. Jim Merritt, telephone: 352-495-3378, Email: Revjim@revjim.org This statement prepared in conjunction with the Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair | | TAKE ACTION! Good Samaritan Society, the largest non-profit provider of care for seniors in the United States, operates under the umbrella of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. They withdrew a job offer as Administrator in Training when Rev. Ken Ehrke honestly answered the question, "Are you an openly Gay male?" He was told he could apply for any other position in their system, but not as administrator, the upfront face of a facility.
Please help by emailing the following Good Samaritan Society leadership and let them know it is unjust and unfair to refuse hiring Rev. Ken Ehrke. Click the following link to take action EveryoneIsSomeone@yahoo.com. Rev. Ken can also be reached at 682-465-1156. | | MCCers and The Fellowship Representing People of Faith at International AIDS Conference The 18th International AIDS Conference will convene in Vienna, Austria July 18-23, 2010 under the theme of "Rights Here, Rights Now." Conference organizers are committing to address the issue of human rights abuses and the way oppression feeds the spread of HIV/AIDS. Among those attending will be Bishop Yvette Flunder of The Fellowship. She will be joined by John Hassell of Metropolitan Community Chuches' Governing Board, and Lucky Michaels, Director of Homeless Youth Services at MCCNY, who will represent MCC's Global Justice Team. Please remember all those traveling to and participating in the Conference in prayer. And pray for a world without AIDS. | | SPOTLIGHT ON CHURCHES MCC/ICM Los Angeles (California) is now streaming their 11 am worship service live, as well as the Spanish service at 1:30 (PDT). Go to http://www.mccla.org/ to connect. MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) is planning a choir reunion and concert weekend for 31 July - 1 August. In the past 16 years almost 200 people have participated with their choir, which has performed in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; and Knoxville. The concert will be on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the church. Taking it to the People! Vision of Hope MCC (Mountville, Pennsylvania) is hosting a Bible Study twice a month at the Berkshire Mall Food Court. Ray Boltz performed at a fundraiser at New Light MCC (Hagerstown Maryland). With 80+ people in attendance, the church's scholarship fund was greatly increased. At the 5th anniversary celebration for Peninsula MCC (San Mateo, California), Rev. Terri Echelbarger honored her pledge to wear a dress, heels, make-up and hair styling, since the congregation raised $10,000 (USD) to balance the budget for the fiscal year ending this month. Great idea! Barry Hundley, Lay Delegate for First MCC of Atlanta (Georgia), reported to the congregation via Skype from Acapulco during their worship service on 27 June. Heartland MCC (Springfield, Illinois) in conjunction with First Church of the Brethren held their first Vacation Bible School for Children this year. The theme was "Peace" and the children painted wood signs which were placed on each church's lawn for the local community to see. Eight MCCs and two other churches joined together for Pride in Washington, DC. They marched as one unit in the parade and shared a booth at the festival. Area MCCs participating were Holy Redeemer MCC (College Park, Maryland), MCC-DC (Washington), MCC Fredricksburg (Virginia), MCC of the Chesapeake (Annapolis, Maryland), MCC of Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Virginia), New Covenant MCC (Laurel, Maryland), New Light MCC (Hagerstown, Maryland), and Open Door MCC (Boyds, Maryland). | | MCC at the Gay Games MCC Cologne (Germany) will host a special worship service for the participants and guests at the 2010 Gay Games, which is happening in their hometown, 31 July - 7 August. The service will be on Sunday, 1 August, at noon at Aachener Weiher, Köln. Click here to learn more. | | DOCUMENTARY ON HOMOPHOBIA IN UGANDA In "Missionaries of Hate" correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to Uganda, where many question whether the growing influence of conservative American religious groups has led to a movement to make homosexuality a crime punishable by death. You can watch the full six part video on www.houseofrainbow.org. | | Would Jesus Discriminate? The campaign is still moving forward in several locations, including the Metroplex area in Texas. The "Would Jesus Discriminate?" documentary by Jonathon Quam features the involvement of Harvest MCC (Denton), MCC of Greater Dallas, and Trinity MCC (Arlington) in the campaign. The other churches working with them are Agape MCC (Fort Worth) and Promise MCC (Dallas). The documentary was shown at the Q Cinema in Fort Worth along with other short films, one of which was about "trannies". MCCers held an informational rally following the viewing to support the transgender community. The documentary was also featured at OUT Takes in Dallas, where it was followed by "Children of God". | | STREET PASTORS Emily and Alan Worman, long time members of MCC South London (England) just graduated as Street Pastors. They will serve with an interdenominational group who take God's love out into the streets in response to problems in urban neighborhoods. There are groups in over 100 boroughs across the UK, which, according to police and community leaders, are making a real difference. The Wormans and others patrol the streets in Camberwell and Peckham from 10 pm until 4 am. They engage in friendly chats with folks, escort them home, bring a smile to their faces, or do whatever they can to be helpful. They don't preach, but live their faith on the streets. Many members of MCC South London have become their Prayer Pastors, people who pray for those on patrol during the night. They would welcome your prayers, too! www.streetpastors.co.uk. . | | CONGRATULATIONS! Rebecca Anderson and Victor H. Floyd were approved for ordination at the recent NorCal (Northern California) Network gathering. On 30 July The Community Letter, an LGBT newspaper distributed in six states, will present the first annual Rev. Dee and Judy Dale Spiritual Service Award. The recipient will be the late Rev. Dr. George Edwards, a Presbyterian minister who advocated for human rights for over 50 years in Louisville, Kentucky. Rev. Michael Kimundu spoke on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation's weekly morning family talk show, calling churches to talk with zeal and openness about fundamental human rights and not use the Bible to demonize members of the LGBTI community. "We are calling on church pastors, leaders and Imams in Mosques to help root out stigma directed at LGBTI members in their faith organizations. This is how the church can promote equality and human rights as is written in the Holy Scripture and the Koran, that all human beings are the same in the eyes of God."
Rev. Chris Glaser will keynote the Disciples GLAD Summer Retreat "It's Your Story to Tell" next weekend at Chapman University in Orange, California.
Dr. Tony Thieman-Somora just had a piece of music copyrighted. "Come One, Come All!" is a processional piece based on MCC's four Core Values and written for organ and four trumpets, as well as for guitar. heartlandcommunitymcc@yahoo.com Rev. Jennifer Hall has become a certified ACPE Candidate Supervisor and is supervising her first unit of CPE Interns this summer at Iowa Health - Des Moines. Rev. Paul Graetz served on the very first FBI educational panel for the Matthew Shepard and James Bryd Jr. Hate Crime Act. Similar conference will be held around the US to acquaint the community and law enforcement with this new law. | | REV. ROY BEANY Rev. Roy Beany first entered MCC London (England), where Rev. Elder Jean White was pastor, when he was 19 years old. That was 1979. In the years that ensued, he felt called to ministry and trained to become MCC clergy with Rev. Andy Braunston and Rev. Jane Clark. When he was ordained in 1988, the church asked him to stay on as assistant pastor. Rev. Roy served well and, because of his culinary gifts and personality, was a great fundraiser for the church, AIDS causes, and the MCCs in Nigeria. Whenever he was worried about something, he would repeatedly sing the chorus, "Because You live, I can face tomorrow ..." putting his faith and trust in God. In 1996 he was elected the District Coordinator for the European District, which meant traveling to the churches there to support them, as well as to the US twice a year for meetings of the General Council. He resigned in 1999 to pursue his dream of catering full time. He continued sharing his faith with people at Telscombe Tavern, which he owned. Last September he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He appeared to be making good progress, but passed the day after his 50th birthday. He will be missed by all who knew him and whose lives he touched. He leaves his parents, Roy and Rosemary, and his brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Sue. | | ACROSS FAITH LINES? During three burglaries in the course of two weeks over $4000 (USD) worth of electronics and six Bibles Rev. David Pelletier had since he was in seminary were taken from MCC of the Coachella Valley (Cathedral City, California). Then Rabbi Shimon Posner, leader of the Chabad of Rancho Mirage synagogue, a Hasidic Jewish group and extremely conservative, called to say that MCC was welcomed to anything the church needed from the Chabad's Nu4U thrift store. The Rabbi said, "We don't see this as reaching across any lines; we see people who are in need because of some dastardly act." Rev. Pelletier was able to pick up two computer towers and other equipment from the electronics room at the thrift store before hurrying back to feed lunch to the hungry at his own church | | TRANSITIONS Because of a $60,000 (USD) budget deficit and her love for All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis resigned her position as co-pastor. MCC Santa Rosa/New Hope! MCC (California) held their final worship service on 23 May. Sharon Henry, the Bay Area/Valley Network Leader, and Rev. Stedney Phillips, Region 1 Executive Assistant, joined in the celebration of almost 25 years of MCC ministry in Sonoma County. Rev. Bob Galloway, pastor of MCC Knoxville (Tennessee), is retiring on 1 August, but will continue in a part-time role of teaching and preaching with the church and the new pastor, when one is called. MCC United (Tulsa, Oklahoma) had a congregational meeting and voted to end services at MCCU after 37 years of worship and outreach. It was the hardest decision they have ever made. If you can, please join them for their last service on 18 July. This will leave us without any congregations in Oklahoma. | | CONDOLENCES Juley Andersen's sister Wendy passed unexpectedly last month. She resided with Juley, Rev. Elder Lillie Brock, and their daughter Savannah. Remember them and their extended family in your prayers. Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder and her wife Mother Shirley Miller are grieving the passing of her cousin Bishop Walter Hawkins of The Fellowship who passed last Sunday. His Homegoing Service will be at 11 am on Wednesday, 21 July at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California. | | RAINBOW PLAYERS THEATER COMPANY Dean Hiatt founded the Rainbow Players through MCC of the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Pennsylvania) and serves as its artistic director. All of the proceeds from matinee performances go to a selected LBGT organization in their community, which is highlighted at the show. For evening performances, 60% of the proceeds are used by MCCLV for outreach programs and the other 40% provides the start up funds needed for the next production. Organizations which have been featured and supported include F.A.C.T. (Fighting AIDS Continuously Together), Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley (a safe haven for domestic abuse victims), PRIDE of the Greater Lehigh Valley's Rainbow Youth Scholarship Fund, Pennsylvania Diversity Network's Youth Initiative Program, and Allentown Public Theatre's Youth and Culture Program. The theater has served as a great evangelistic tool because people, who are reluctant to come to church, will come to a production. Recently they performed "Q - The Songs of Dan Martin & Michael Biello", a musical revue and celebration of LGBT life as a choice, plus a Bonus Cabaret Showcase. On Friday, 23 July, there will be a single performance by R. Dale Smith in his one-man show, Jesus Phreak: The Story of a Very Unlikely Disciple. For more information call Dean Hiatt at 718-664-3713. | | DO YOU HAVE NEWS?  If so, please send it to JudyDale@MCCchurch.net. Thanks!
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