This Week at MCC of CC: MCC News

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Metropolitan Community Churches

Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.

Synergy! - "The effect that is created by the combined
cooperative efforts of a willing community."

More News & Information from OFLD

Click here to view a new resource for clergy beginning a pastoral search.

Not a member of the US Board of Pensions? Click here to find out more information about this important retirement resource.

Is your church looking for a speaker or wanting to plan a book event? Chris Glaser is an MCC Clergy person and has published widely in the area of LGBT spirituality. His latest book is titled, The Final Deadline: What Death Has Taught Me About Life. To contact Chris go to his website at www.chrisglaser.com.

A friend and ally of MCC, Frank Schaffer, has recently published the book SEX, MOM and GOD: How the Bible's Strange Take on Sex Led to Crazy Politics--and How I Learned to Love Women (and Jesus) Anyway. To find out more about the book and Frank's availability for speaking engagements contact him at frankschaeffer@aol.com.

Diana Butler Bass

Reflect, Renew, Refresh!

OFLD Clergy Retreat with Diana Butler Bass

September 12-14, 2011

Duncan Retreat Center, Delray Beach, FL

Come join us in sunny Florida, September 12-14 for a time of clergy renewal and retreat! More and more studies are indicating the work of clergy in a post-modern culture can quickly lead to burn out. The OFLD is offering this retreat as a time for MCC clergy to come together to reflect on their calling, renew their spirits and refresh their souls. We are not going to 'over program' this retreat. There will be time for connection and sharing, prayer, and walking on the beach. Diana Butler Bass will be with us all day on September 13 and we will have opportunity to engage her in an intimate retreat setting as she shares how clergy can take care of themselves and their families while staying grounded in their calling during a time when Christendom is radically changing.

Cost of the retreat is $275 US which includes 2 nights lodging (double occupancy with a private bath and wireless internet) and six meals. The $275 rate is good until May 5, 2011. After May 5 through July 5, 2011 cost for the retreat will be $325. Absolute deadline for all registrations is July 5, 2011. Click here to register.

Thanks to a generous donation from MCC Austin, the OFLD will be able to offer a limited number of scholarships to help with the cost of registration for the retreat. Please contact Rev. Dr. Mona West (revmonawest@mccchurch.net) to inquire about scholarship applications.

For more information on Diana Butler Bass and to view a video of one of her presentations go to

http://www.dianabutlerbass.com/. To find out more about the Duncan Retreat Center go to www.duncancenter.org.

Lilly Endowment Renewal Grants for Pastors

Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic Renewal foundation, seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the obligations of parish life and engage in a period of renewal, intentional exploration, and reflection. In the 2011 National Clergy Renewal Program, the Endowment anticipates awarding as many as 150 grants of up to $50,000 each directly to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program. Deadline for submission of proposals is May 12, 2011. For more information, go to www.clergyrenewal.org.