| | | Metropolitan Community Churches Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope. |
| | CONGRATULATIONS MCC Transgender Ministries and all of MCC offer a wholehearted congratulations to Rev. Vicky Kolakowski, now also Superior Court Judge Victoria Kolakowski, following her California election last Tuesday. Rev. Kolakowski was ordained in 1988 and has served local MCC congregations in California, including MCC of the New Vision (Walnut Creek), MCC in Santa Cruz, MCC San Jose, and New Spirit Community Church (Berkeley). She began her race for the Alameda County Superior Court Judge seat two years ago and ran as the first openly-transgender candidate. Rev. Kolakowski has been actively engaged in the LGBT community for many years and has used her unique opportunity to educate the legal system about transgender constituents and their needs. Judge Kolakowski is the first transgender person to serve on this bench. |
| INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 20 November 2010  Good Hope MCC (Cape Town, South Africa) will host a special service on 21 November to honor the 12th Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance.
In preparation for this special day, the Transgender Committee of MCC Wichita Falls (Texas) provided lunch after worship, showed a movie, gave a presentation, held a question and answer session, talked about what MCC is doing, and then asked the question: What is God calling our church to do? MCC Louisville (Kentucky) will host their city's Transgender Day of Remembrance Service and activities. |
| | DOING FOR OTHERS Last Saturday, instead of building a new house, Jesus MCC (Indianapolis, Indiana) tore down an old dilapidated one, where drug users were going. It was near a beautiful trail which the Humane Society uses for their dog walkers, making the trail not safe for the homeless dogs and their human friends. Not only did they tear it down, they hauled away all of the debris! MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia) will participate in the 2010 Help the Homeless Walkathon on the National Mall on 20 November. They also recently attended the Poverty Summit for Northern Virginia. Both events are part of their Micah (social justice) ministry.  The Drag'n Angels of MCC Toronto (Ontario) will have their final pot luck of the year next Sunday as they prepare for their 7th year of ministry in 2011. The men in this group do outreach in the community in a fun and fulfilling way.
Between now and World AIDS Day, aChurch4Me? MCC (Chicago, Illinois) is participating in a special food drive to benefit Vital Bridges with the hope of ensuring that the Vital Bridges pantry shelves remain well stocked through the winter. Reconciliation MCC is collecting non-perishable food items and new or gently used clothing for the United Council of Ministries in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All four of the LGBT music ensembles in St. Louis, Missouri, teamed up to produce a concert benefitting the LGBT Center there. Band Together, Gateway Men's Chorus, CHARIS, and the choir from MCC of Greater St. Louis each performed several numbers on the stage at MCC. From the interest generated by the more than 250 who participated in the Candlelight Walk Against Bullying sponsored by King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida), a new coalition has emerged. The Tampa Bay Safe Haven Against Bullying will be assisting middle and high school students who are being bullied. The youth at Exodus MCC (Abilene, Texas) are collecting canned goods and other staples for Thanksgiving baskets to be given to families in the city. The children are asking everyone for their loose change in order to purchase meat and other items. Good Hope MCC (Cape Town, South Africa) was a proud supporter of the 17th South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and sponsor of the Opening Night movie "Loose Cannons" in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Last weekend MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) hosted another Saturday Night Live event at the AIDS Interfaith Network. They prepared and served a Mexican themed meal, interacted with the clients, and had fun singing together. |
| NETWORKS Next Saturday Rev. Elder Darlene Garner will be teaching Board Training at MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia) for the churches in the Central Network, especially those in Virginia. Over 100 people participated in the recent Gathering of the Kansas/Missouri/Nebraska Network representing First MCC of Kansas (Wichita, Kansas), MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri), MCC of Topeka (Kansas), MCC Omaha (Nebraska), Spirit of Christ MCC (Joplin, Missouri), and Spirit of Hope MCC (Kansas City, Missouri). They have already set the date for their next Network Gathering, 1-3 April in St. Louis. |
LITURGICAL CALENDAR Chi Rho Press, the MCC LGBT Christian publishing house, is proud to announce the publication of the Liturgical Calendar and Lectionary for Year A, which starts with the first Sunday in Advent, 28 November. They are $12.95(USD) plus shipping. The Liturgical Calendar is spiral bound so it can lie flat for easy use. Click here to view the product. |
| CAFÉ CANDLEWOOD MCC of the Coachella Valley (Cathedral City, California) sponsors a unique and creative feeding ministry in the Greater Palm Springs area. The Cafe Candlewood is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for those who are living without shelter, the poor, the working poor, or anyone who is hungry. It's not a "everyone eats the same meal" place, but a free restaurant experience. With morbid obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other nutritionally related ailments epidemic among  those living at or below the poverty line, the Cafe provides re-worked comfort foods, fresh salads, and sandwiches made to order from which their patrons choose. The Cafe's volunteers are church members, as well as many others, who make up the core of the wait staff and kitchen crew. Rather than operating from a philosophy of "...they ought to grateful for whatever they get...", the Cafe seeks to serves its guests from a "WWYSJ" standpoint: "What would you serve Jesus" if Christ was coming to dine at your house, standpoint. The changes in behavior, attitude, and demeanor of both those serving and those served are nothing less than miraculous! In addition to the Cafe, the congregation also provides a free store of very gently worn clothing, shoes, household goods, etc. Nothing torn, stained or tattered is distributed. There is also a free shower facility, one of the very few in the entire valley, for those living without shelter. |
| | | | | MCC Remembers The Life & Ministry of Rev. Elder Jean White 
It is with deep sadness that Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) shares with you the news that Rev. Elder Jean White died Monday morning, 8 November 2010, peacefully at 7:50am, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Jean was a pioneer and "leading light" in the early decades of MCC's growth and global calling. Click here to read more. Click here to share your thoughts and memories, |
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Transgender Day of Remembrance Don't forget MCC Transgender Ministries' annual Transgender Day of Remembrance resources! We have news, commentaries, vigils, advertising and other worship resources available for your immediate download. Also - if you are observing Transgender Day of Remembrance, sign on and LET Us Know! Add your voice to our collection of resources, events, and activism opportunities! Link: http://tdor.ufmcc.org |
| Are You Making An Impact In Your Local Community? Tell Us About It... Do you have news to share? If so, please click here to contact Judy Dale, the editor of the MCC Impact to help lift up and share what God is up to in your local MCC! |
Applications are Now Being Accepted for the 2011 Leadership Mentoring Retreat 
Application deadline is 12 November Please note that there is no tuition for the program. If you are in need of assistance with the room and board cost, let us know by emailing Connie Meadows in the Moderator's Office. ~ If you are interested in learning more and applying to participate in this retreat, please click here to complete the online application. Apply Today! |
| Just in Case You Missed It... Seasonal Resources | | Click here to review the latest collection of seasonal resources from MCC! | |
| Clergy License 2011 | | Online License Payments and Downloadable Forms  | |
| | | ACTIVE CHURCHES FirstCoast MCC's Got Talent! Last Saturday night the folks in St. Augustine, Florida, proved it during an Italian Feast, which included a silent auction and the talent show. Last month Trinity MCC in Gainesville (Florida) was recognized as Gainesville's Organization of the Year for its twenty-seven year history of contributions to the greater Gainesville community. In response to the recent increase in gay youth suicides following anti-gay bullying, the church just completed production of its "It Gets Better" video. Trinity was also recognized during August and September for its role with a coalition of faith leaders who stood in solidarity with members of the local Muslim community. MCC Detroit is sponsoring a Gay Christian Bowling League. MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood, California) has launched a new program Spiritual Journeys. Each Wednesday they open to different spiritual practices, such as labyrinth, Taizé, and drumming circle, to bring centeredness and spiritual renewal into the heart of their community. MCC North London (England) has initiated several small groups which are now meeting in Camden, Enfield, and South London. MCC Charleston (South Carolina) is compiling a pet calendar for 2011. MCC of the Rockies (Denver, Colorado) hosted their 7th annual Art for Love fundraiser over the weekend. There were various pieces of art for sale, as well as hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and desserts. MCC Fredricksburg (Virginia) has formed a team to lead music during worship. To keep it green and greener ($$$$$$) at MCC Tampa (Florida), their Living Green Ministry collects newspapers and ads, cardboard, phone books, magazines, actually anything paper; aluminum cans; printer cartridges; cell phones; and even junk vehicles to recycle. Celebration MCC (Naples, Florida) is now worshipping in their very own building! Friends on the Road at MCC Winston-Salem (North Carolina) is studying If Grace is True: Why God Will Save Every Person. In this book, two pastors present their controversial belief in eternal salvation for all through God's perfect grace. The leadership of First MCC of Atlanta (Georgia) became the pace setters for the church's stewardship campaign, Say YES to God's Mission. Their ministry goal for 2011 is $218,000.00 in tithes and offerings. As congregants download and complete their estimate forms, they are given an "I said Yes!" badge to wear. Folks at SunCoast Cathedral MCC (Venice, Florida) are saving their receipts from the local Denny's, which they will submit on 10 December and the church will receive 10% of the total amount they spent.Gentle Shepherd MCC (Phoenix, Arizona) has initiated a creative and welcoming idea by having their first time visitors "go to the head of the line" during fellowship. |
| PEOPLE FEATURED Trans/formations: Controversies in Contextual Theology is edited by Dr. Marcella Althaus-Reid and Lisa Isherwood. Two MCCers were contributors. Rev. Malcolm Himschoot wrote a liturgy for the Trans Day of Remembrance and Lewis Reay has a chapter on the Eunuchs in the Bible. The book was published by SCM Press, London, England. Rev. Tim Agar resigned as the Associate Pastor of MCC NOVA Fairfax, Virginia). The church celebrated his last day with them on 31 October. He will be focusing on finding a fulltime position for his ministry. Greg Kuridan of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed away last week. He was a member of the original Board of Administration, serving as treasurer that first year. He was very active at Sunshine Cathedral MCC, where he had been a deacon and president of the board for the Sunshine Foundation. Two services will be held; one for the family on 15 November and one for his many friends on 20 November. Rev. Dwayne Morgan recently provided the "Just a Thought" column for the Faith Matters section of the Daily Echo, the newspaper in Bournemouth, England. St. John's MCC (Raleigh, North Carolina) just completed a wonderful weekend of praise and worship honoring Rev. B. Y. Boone's 9th anniversary as their pastor. Rev. Marilyn Bowens of MCC New Haven (Connecticut), who trained at St. John's MCC, was the guest preacher. She also led a workshop on prayer. There was a special luncheon to conclude the weekend. Walter Mason, a Ph.D. candidate from MCC Good Shepherd (Granville, Sydney, Australia) has published his first novel, Destination Saigon - Adventures in Vietnam. (Allen & Unwin, publishers) He is fluent in Vietnamese and a brilliant raconteur, who gives regular talks and lectures on a wide range of subjects. He has several entertaining blogs including www.waltermason.com. Dr. Robert Graham, a longtime member of Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) and one of the founding trustees for the Sunshine Community Foundation, passed last month. His memorial service will be 28 November at 5 pm. Rev. June Norris, who is now 88 years old and still going strong, was honored by MCC San Diego (California) recently with "Rev. June Sunday". She was the first heterosexual person ordained as MCC clergy. Read her powerful bio. Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo was invited to write a weekly column on homosexuality last month by Malaysiakini.com, the most read news website in Malaysia delivering over 37 million page views and 750,000 video downloads per month to over 1.6 million absolute unique visitors in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Although Rev. Boon is a prolific writer in the Chinese language, this was his first weekly column in English. Aboard the HSMCC, the crew roasted Captain Nancy during their one last Mexican cruise together. They enjoyed a catered Fajita Bar and beverages. The party was to honor Rev. Dr. Nancy Horvath-Zurn as she leaves the pastorate of Healing Spirit MCC (Rochester, Minnesota). Rev. Charles Tigard, the new senior pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida) and the future plans of the church were featured in a recent newspaper article. http://www.bradenton.com/2010/10/16/2659063/branching-out.html Rev. Carol Lowe, interim pastor of MCC Corpus Christi (Texas) has resigned, having served in that position for almost three years. Rev. Elder Darlene Garner met with the Board and Rev. Mick Hinson, their Network leader, will be working with them. |
| PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS Throughout Advent Healing Spirit MCC (Rochester, Minnesota) is collecting sleeping bags, socks, hats, gloves, and mittens for the homeless. Instead of going to a restaurant for Christmas Dinner this year, MCC Manchester (England) is going  use a caterer for their meal on 11 December. They'll enjoy a three course meal with tea/coffee, some games, and a raffle. They have invited the congregation of their host church, Wilbraham St Ninian's, to join them. MCC San Jose (California) is busy with their 4th Annual Christmas Drive for Youth affected by HIV/AIDS. This year they plan on helping 40 youth, ages 13-17, as well as their families. These teens have one or both parents living with disabling HIV/AIDS and relying on the Ryan White Care Act from the federal government to pay for the health care they receive. The Drama Ministry at All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) will be presenting the liturgy elements during their Advent worship services. Last month MCC Newcastle upon Tyne (England) collected toothbrushes, toothpaste, flannels, and soap. This month it's hats, scarves, colouring pens/pencils and colouring books/notebooks. Then in December, congregants bring in shoeboxes in which they have placed small Christmas gifts. All of the items are then donated to Operation Christmas Child, an activity of Samaritan's Purse, a Christian charity working to alleviate poverty worldwide. The boxes and individual items are given to children who would otherwise receive no gifts. Shoeboxes are also being collected at Pikes Peak MCC (Colorado Springs, Colorado). They will be filling theirs as part of One Nation Walking Together with the Christmas gifts going to Native American (First Nations) reservations in the West and Midwest of the US. |
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