This Week at MCC of CC: MCC Impact

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Metropolitan Community Churches

Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.

Never Alone...

MCC Impact

OUR CHILDREN

Every fifth Sunday the children at Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas) serve as the ushers, greeters, and Eucharistic ministers for worship. There is also a weekly choir practice for those in grades 3-7.

The Rainbow Sunday School Kids at MCC San Diego (California) read the Scripture in unison at a recent Sunday morning service.

Beginning this month, a special program is being offered during the worship service at SunCoast Cathedral MCC (Venice, Florida) for the children to enjoy learning activities, crafts and more.

Three of the elementary school children at MCC Louisville (Kentucky) serve regularly as ushers, lighting the candles, taking the offering, and directing people at Communion.

St. John's MCC (Raleigh, North Carolina) just began a Children's Church during their 11:00 service on twice a month. Newborns through 11 year olds will engage in Christian education and fellowship before joining their parents for Communion.

SUPPORTING OTHERS

MCC Windsor (Ontario) joined with Egale Canada, the Windsor Police, and other local LGBT organizations to roll out the "Report Homophobic Violence, Period!" campaign.

Working together! A crew from Open Circle at the Villages MCC (Oxford, Florida) traveled to St. Augustine to help the folks at FirstCoast MCC plant 36 trees on their property as they move closer to finishing their new building and grounds.

MCC Illiana (Portage, Indiana) has joined with the Hoosierettes to sponsor Strikes 4 Tina, a bowling event to raise funds for a stem cell transplant for a person with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

MCC/ICM Los Angeles (California) sponsors monthly spirituality groups for men, women, leather folks, and those who are HIV positive. The groups provide a safe space for participants to explore their spirituality and share their faith.

MCC Toronto (Ontario) offers a monthly Refugee Peer Support Group as part of the ministry of their Refugee Team.

Next Sunday All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) will offer a meal to the community. This will become a monthly outreach for the church.

"Unto one of the least". From 27 February - 6 March volunteers from MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia) will cook, clean, walk the grounds, and most importantly, hang-out with the homeless guests at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as part of the area's Hypothermia Prevention Program.

Steph Branson and Angie Thurnall of Jesus MCC (Indianapolis, Indiana) have journeyed to Sudan. They will visit Nimule, Narus, and Pageri to see how the church's donations have made a significant difference in the lives of the people.

As a service to their community, MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood, California) participates in the Treasure Box program. Families can purchase $65-100's worth of frozen food for $32 (USD) each month.

The Emergency Food Bank at Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) provided groceries to 380 people last month. When they began to run short, church members brought needed items to refill the shelves.

PEOPLE IN MINISTRY

People in Ministry

Rev. Beth Rakestraw has been moved to full-time as pastor of Divine Peace MCC (Pontiac, Michigan).

Dan Savage was the final speaker, completing the lecture series on the "It gets Better Campaign" at the University of Windsor (Ontario).

In a press release following Joel Osteen's appearance on the new Piers Morgan show on CNN, Rev. Harry Knox stated, "Joel Osteen's audience numbers in the millions. He owes it to his listeners not to be lazy in his scholarship. Spreading the lie that homosexuality is a sin causes people in Houston to lose jobs, families to split, and young people to despair. The good news is that Osteen's old fashioned thinking does not represent most Christians in Texas or throughout America."

Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston's profile has been added to the LGBT Religious Archives Network at http://www.lgbtran.org/Profile.aspx?ID=287.

Rev. Rebecca Anderson is the new part-time provisional pastor for MCC San Jose (California). She had previously served Peninsula MCC (San Mateo, California) as interim pastor while Rev. Terri Echelbarger was on sabbatical and since then as a volunteer as pastor of congregational care.

Rev. Ty Sweeting was elected to a two year term as Vice President of Interfaith of Topeka (Kansas).

Congratulations to the following people who have been appointed to the new Western Europe/United Kingdom Network Team: Rev. Kieren Bourne, pastor of Living Springs MCC (Bath, UK); Rev. Catherine Dearlove, planting pastor of River of Life MCC (Dorchester, UK); Rev. Chris Dowd, pastor of Journey MCC (Birmingham, UK); Jochen Gewecke, a member of Salz der Erde MCC Gemeinde (Stuttgart, Germany); and Neil Jones, in care at MCC North London (UK).

Rev. Bob Galloway has announced his resignation from MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) effective 8 March. He had served as pastor and then co-pastor there for 20 years. Rev. Jill Sizemore, who was recently installed by Rev. Elder Ken Martin, will continue as senior pastor.

As part of the celebration of their 30th year of ministry and the installation of Rev. Charles Tigard as senior pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida), Rev. Elder Troy Perry was featured in an article in the local newspaper. Click here for the recent Herald Tribune Article highlighting MCC's work for marriage equality.

Rev. Lori-Jean Riveria was elected as the new full-time pastor of MCC of the Spirit (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania). She will begin her ministry there on 27 February.

Rev. Elder Freda Smith was the guest preacher at MCC San Francisco (California) earlier this month. She was the first woman ordained in MCC and the first to serve on the Board of Elders.

MCC of the Palm Beaches (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) elected Rev. Dr. Leah Brown as their new pastor with over 98% of the vote.

Shawn Thomas will be in concert Saturday night at Reconciliation MCC (Grand Rapids, Michigan).

The congregation of Spirit of Life MCC (Port Richey, Florida) will be bidding farewell to their pastor, Rev. Suzie Chamness, with a specially planned worship service and buffet luncheon honoring her upon her retirement next Sunday.

LEARNING EVENTS

Next Saturday MCC Austin (Texas) is joining with the Transgender Education Network of Texas to host "Transgender Basics Plus", a workshop to explore the challenges faced by the trans community and to share stories and experiences.

Rev. Elder Darlene Garner will lead an all day workshop at MCC Richmond (Virginia) on 26 February focusing on the church becoming the gathered people God wants them to be. She will also facilitate a Board Training at Exodus MCC (Abilene, Texas) on 5 March.

MCC Tampa (Florida) has just begun the six week "Saving Jesus" course. After listening on DVD to a host of theologians, the group discusses the relevance of Jesus for today ... not the one captured by the religious right or discarded by the secular left.

MCC New York (New York) hosted a Veganism Conversation, giving folks the opportunity to learn more, hear stories, ask questions, and listen to special speakers about being a vegan. There was even a reception complete with vegan snacks, treats, and cookies! Putting the Pieces Together

MCC Charleston (South Carolina) has just begun a Wednesday night Bible study, "Outlive Your Life".

Rev. Stedney Phillips will not be able to lead the Church Size Summit for churches in the Pacific Northwest next weekend at Emerald City MCC (Seattle, Washington), because she is recuperating from a stay in ICU with major breathing problems.

Our Tribe, MCC's presence in Edinburgh, Scotland, will present "Transcendence - Being Transgender is a Gift from God", as part of the Edinburgh International Festival of Spirituality and Peace. There will be a screening of 'Transgender and Faith', a short film made by MCC and Augustine United Church members in partnership with the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art in Glasgow in 2009. The film's contributors will lead a discussion afterwards about transgender, identity, and faith.

The Bethlehem Shepherd group at MCC Winston-Salem (North Carolina) is currently studying a basic program from Jesus Walk.

Redeemer MCC (Flint, Michigan) is beginning a class in American Sign Language in order to reach out to all in the community. The focus will be on learning to communicate in ASL, tailored specifically to mid-central Michigan, including those at the Michigan State School for the Deaf in Flint. The class will be taught by Rev. Edwin Yates and Mark Farrington, who is a member of the church and deaf himself.

Radical Hospitality. Imagine being part of a congregation that practices radical hospitality: praying, planning, working to offer a surprising and unexpected depth of authenticity and effectiveness in caring for a stranger. At King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida) this week they will be completing a study of just that.

At MCC Albuquerque (New Mexico) the team to plan their Easter celebration is already meeting.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE US

Cornerstone MCC (Mobile, Alabama) will salute Black History Month on 27 February when their people of African descent will present the worship celebration focused on Inclusion and Love as the greatest moral values.

MCC Detroit (Michigan) is celebrating by having a reading from a contemporary African American author at each service.

In their e-newsletter MCC Fredricksburg (Virginia) shared a great deal of history about Black History Month in the US, including the following. "We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age twenty. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. He was disturbed to find that history books largely ignored the black American population. In 1926 Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln."

Yummy! As part of their celebration this month, First MCC of Atlanta (Georgia) will observe Soul Food Sunday next Sunday to celebrate the African-American contributions to our culture.

As part of Black History Month celebration at achurch4me? MCC, the Nunafatima Dance Company enlivened yesterday's worship service and the Youth Pride Center will lead worship next Sunday.

An email from New Life MCC of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia) sent to their congregation contained the following information: The song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" happened by accident. In 1900, renowned author, lawyer and intellectual James Weldon Johnson was asked to introduce Booker T. Washington at a birthday celebration for Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was nervous and decided to craft a poem, instead of a straight-forward oration. The poem became the lyrics for the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing", which his brother, John Rosamond Johnson, set to music in 1905. Today that song is known as the Black National Anthem.

Rev. Dr. William Knight was featured in an articlefrom the Bay Area Reporter. http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=5434 It was also carried in the 5 February e-letter of the National Black Justice Coalition.

BUSY CHURCHES

Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) will have special services at 10:30 and 6:00 next Sunday to mark LGBT History Month in the UK.

At the end of the month MCC Topeka (Kansas) will celebrate their 30^th anniversary with special guests Rev. Elder Troy Perry, founding pastor Rev. Liz Leech, pastor emeritus Rev. Paul Evans, and musicians Linda and Susie Brenner-Beckstead. There will be a showing of "Call Me Troy" on Friday night, an anniversary dinner and concert by Shawn Thomas on Saturday, and worship on Sunday morning.

Vision of Hope MCC (Mountville, Reading, and York, Pennsylvania) will host a Drag Bingo next Saturday at their Mountville location.

MCC Sacred Journey (Hendersonville, North Carolina) has a new exciting "Lunch Bunch", which gathers monthly at a local restaurant after service for social time and fellowship.

Congratulations! River of Life MCC (Dorchester, England) was accepted into Dorchester Churches Together. Because of that move, two other churches resigned.

The First Annual MCC Circles of Hope Gala will feature outstanding cuisine, beverage, music and entertainment at the Mansion on Fleming. The event on 26 February will benefit the programs and ministries of MCC Key West.

Agape MCC (Fort Worth, Texas) will have their annual Chili and Brownie Cook-Off on the 26^th. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each category, depending on how many dollar votes each recipe receives.

Folks from MCC Portland (Oregon) are participating in Winter Feast for the Soul, 40 days of commitment to daily meditation and prayer made by people around the world. The meditations include thoughts of Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Sufi and other faith communities.

The Making Room Sanctuary project ay MCC of the Rockies (Denver, Colorado) has raised over $29,000 (USD) to date. Their building is now fully accessible and soon they will have 50 new seats, more storage for the food pantry, and an enhanced worship area.

Away with the Birds! A group from MCC Newcastle (England) will go on a social to Beamish Wild, where they will view birds of prey up close and personal. The outing will be followed by a cream tea.

Resurrection Beach MCC (Costa Mesa, California) held a blessing of couples on Sunday. Roi Anaya was the guest speaker.

New Light MCC (Hagerstown, Maryland) celebrated their 15^th anniversary last Sunday with a pot luck meal after worship.

Our Hope MCC (Athens, Georgia) will have an Administrative Council and Lay Ministry retreat on the last weekend of the month.

Next Sunday after worship the men of MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) will enjoy their monthly lunch together.

Staying busy! Open Door MCC (Boyds, Maryland) held a Heartburn Chili Dinner-Dance last Saturday and will host Bingo this Friday night.

On Saturday night award-winning TV personality and host, known as the "Hilarious Hottie", Scott Nevins, will perform at Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). He is also featured on the cover of the March edition of Instinct magazine.

Sunday afternoon Open Arms MCC (Rochester, New York), in conjunction with Marriage Equality New York, hosted The Nearly Newly-Wed Game.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Excel in Faithfulness "a bunch of them" team is hosting their 30th spiritual retreat weekend exercise at the Christian Renewal Center Dickinson, Texas, 4-6 March. For more information please
contact Jerry Reitz at exceljerry@mac.com.

The (US) National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Academy for Leadership and Action (the Academy) prepares leaders and potential leaders, primarily at the local and state levels, to fill the staff, board, and volunteer roles critical to the success of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement. The Summer Academy Fellowship is a paid social justice fellowship that's furiously intense. The program provides the first-hand real-world experience working for social justice. One of the focuses this year is on religious and denominational work. For more information, contact Evangeline Weiss, Leadership Programs Director at eweiss@thetaskforce.org, or call 202-639-6314.

MCC YOUNG ADULT MISSION TRIP

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

JUNE 23 - 30, 2011

Applications are now being accepted for MCC's Young Adult Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic (D.R.)! The Mission Trip is scheduled for June 23 though 30, 2011. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 25. During the trip, MCC mission team members will spend several days working and worshiping with one of MCC's newest churches in Latin America, MCC Santo Domingo. In addition, the mission team will present a three day Bible School to 100 elementary school students attending the El Tamarindo School, located in an impoverished area outside of Santo Domingo. All successful applicants will be required to sign a Code of Conduct and to raise at least $1,800 (we have a great fund-raising program to assist you). Transportation to and from the D.R., lodging, some meals, and traveler's insurance are provided. The cost of some meals and money for snacks and souvenirs are the responsibility of the mission team member. To receive an application or for further information, please contact Mission Coordinator Tim Helm at tjhelm@aol.com. Applications must be received by March 7, 2011!