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There are only 8 weeks before we gather together to celebrate the 8th MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies in beautiful Washington D.C.
Our excitement grows as we continue to make preparation for your time with us. It is our great pleasure to announce additional confirmed PAD Conference speakers -- Valerie Kalende (Sexual Minorites Uganda), Sharon Lettman-Hicks (NBJC), Pastor Joseph Tolton (Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church). Come and be blessed by what God has in store for you through these amazing speakers! Periodically, we will announce other speakers as are they are confirmed via Facebook and Twitter. See you at the PAD Conference!
Peace,
Rev. Elder Darlene
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| Our Speakers
 Valerie Kalende is a radical Ugandan LGBT rights activist, leader, community builder, and organizer. Valerie and her partner Mimi currently live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as Valerie pursues a Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree at the Episcopal Divinity School. Valerie helped to start the only lesbian organization in Uganda and has been at the frontline of the campaign against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, legislation that proposes the death penalty for LGBT people in Uganda.. More About Val
 Sharon Lettman-Hicks became the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in October of 2009. Since 2003, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of mainstream civil rights groups and mainstream LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African-American LGBT community, which are often relegated to the sidelines.. More About Sharonn
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| Volunteer!  With 450 + people in attendance, Kareem, while fabulous, can't provide all the hospitality, security, worship and workshop assistance alone.
Kareem explains his needs here.
Would you consider lending him a hand?
If you are able to volunteer at Conference, let Kareem know by filling out the volunteer form and emailing it to him at PADVolunteers@MCCchurch.net. . |
We Support the PAD Conference!
 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Welcome to everyone attending the 2011 People of African Descent, Allies and Friends
Conference. I applaud Reverend Darlene Garner for her continued commitment of providing a message of hope, determination, and support to your congregation. This year's theme "Loving Ourselves into Liberation" will provide the discussion and tools necessary to address the growing issues in the District. My best wishes for a fantastic event and continued future success. Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton NGLTF's Rev. Rebecca Voelkel 
As the Faith Work Director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, I am pleased to extend the Task Force's full support to the 2011 MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends, and Allies that will convene May 19-21, 2011 in Washington DC. The conference theme - Loving Ourselves Into Liberation - calls peoples of all colors to learn and to move forward together as we build an inclusive and liberated community. To read the full letter of support for this year's PAD Conference from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, click here! |
| An Ally Tells His Story When preparing for the PAD Conference we sometimes get the question from people who are not of African descent "Why should I come to this conference? What's in it for me?" The most common response is that though the PAD Conference has as it's focus people of African descent, it is a conference where our friends and allies can come to share in learning more about diversity and inclusion, and how to take practical tools back to their local communities. And sometimes the best way to answer these questions is to hear the story from someone who had the same question and found the answer. Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline's story --  I went to my first PAD Conference in 2006 in Tampa. It was one of the richest, most spiritually rewarding experiences of my life. I vowed then not to miss any in the future. So, I was in St. Louis in 2008-even better than the first.
I am sometimes asked, "Why do you, Robin, about as WASP as they come, participate in the People of African Descent Conference?' I have several ways of approaching this, but no matter the words I use, the truth is simple: my life as a pastor, as a Christian, as a U.S. citizen, as a human being, is not complete without Africa and African peoples. I cannot be all God calls me to be if I leave out that part of my life. Read more here. Many thanks to Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline for sharing his story and for helping us to see that we all have much to learn and that we are all in this thing together. Peace and blessings,Candy |
| | Programming Sneak Peek We thought you might like a sneak peek of some of the programming we will be offering at the PAD Conference, so here you go.
Sexuality as Gift or Problem: Re-educating the Black Church about LGBT Issues - Rev. Cedric Harmon, Pastor, City of Refuge, Washington, DC, DeWayne Davis "Coming Out" - A Sacred Journey: Self-Affirmation in Church and Scripture - Rev. Marilyn Bowens, Pastor, MCC of New Haven, Rev. Michael Diaz, Resurrection MCC The S Word - Liberating Sin and Sex - Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng Embracing Many Cultures: Making Worship Culturally and Ethnically Conscious - Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Pastor, MCC Richmond, Rev. Dwayne Johnson, Pastor, MCC Washington, DC, Rev. Darren Phelps, Pastor, Bethel Christian Church Engaging the Powers: Faith Advocacy on LGBT Issues in Government - Kareem Murphy, Rev. Sharon Groves (HRC), Jasper Kendricks (NBJC), Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies Our Health Matters! Loving Ourselves into Health and Well-Being - Darlene Nipper, NGLTF, Rev. Abena McCray, Pastor, Unity Fellowship Church of Washington, DC, Imani Woody, MHS, Minister Anthony Sullivan, Pillar of Love Fellowship Church The complete Conference Programming Schedule will be announced soon! |
| Attention Clergy
Did you know you receive CEU's while attending the 2011 MCC PAD Conference? This is also a great opportunity for you to connect with other faith leaders from around the world and establish relationships. Clergy and Faith Leaders currently registered: Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Bishop Yvette Flunder, Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Rev. Candy Holmes, Rev. Elder Troy Perry, Rev. Dr. Patrick Cheng, Rev. Dr. Traci West, Rev. Dr. William Knight, Rev. Harry Knox, Rev. Marilyn Bowens, Rev. Darren Phelps, Val Kalende, Rev. Cedric Harmon, Rev. Y'Lon Dozier, Rev. Doretha Williams-Flourney, Rev. Dwayne Johnson, Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Rev. Dr. Mona West, Rev. Elder Ken Martin, Bishop Tania Rawls, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, Rev. Jeffery Jordan-Pickett, Rev. Joseph Tolton, Rev. Troy Sanders, Rev. Brendan Boone, Rev. Dr. Joan Martin, Rev. Margarita Sanchez, Rev. Anthony Sullivan, Rev. Stedney Phillips and. Rev. Elder Lillie Brock .. |
| |  Partners - PAD Conference and HRC's Clergy Call
May 22 - 24, 2011 Washington, DC A Faithful Movement for LGBT Justice It's time to register for Clergy Call 2011! We call on all clergy and faith community leaders to support justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Join us in Washington, DC from May 22 - 24, 2011 to have your voice heard by Congress on critical issues affecting the LGBT community. For more information, go to www.hrc.org/issues/religion/9194.htm. Special Offer: By special arrangement between MCC and HRC, clergy and religious leaders who register for both the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies and HRC Clergy Call can apply for a special HRC scholarship to cover 3 nights of lodging at either the Fairmont Washington or another hotel (nights of Saturday through Monday, 21 - 23 May). For more information, go to the HRC website above and submit the online scholarship application form. Scholarships are not guaranteed. Please apply early. |
| | | Register Now for the 2011 MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies | |  | 19 - 22 May 2011 in Washington, DC |
| Announcing the 2011 MCC PAD Conference Travel Agency: Linda Hardy & Global Travel International | | 
| Linda Hardy, a member of New Life MCC of Hampton Roads in Norfolk, VA wants to assist you with your travel needs to the 2011 MCC PAD Conference and beyond. Linda Hardy brings years of travel expertise and quality service. Get your travel quote by contacting Linda via emal at GlobalTrvl2@aol.com, or via phone at (757) 597- 4102, or via fax at (707) 248-7348 or on her website at www.LindaHardy.GlobalTravel.com Download the quote request form and let Linda handle your travel needs. |
| There is Plenty of Good Room for You! |  | We are pleased to announce that the Fairmont Hotel, Washington, D.C. is the host hotel for the 2011 MCC PAD Conference. This beautiful facility is located in Washington's West End and adjacent to historic Georgetown. The Fairmont Washington, D.C. hotel is pleased to welcome us in true capital style. Rooms are going fast. Don't delay. to make your room reservation today! |
| Join the Conference Mass Choir |  | For the first time in PAD Conference history, we are combining the voices from The Fellowship, Unity Fellowship, MCC, friends and Allies to offer a joyful noise unto our God.If you sing, please consider joining the PAD Conference Mass choir. All are welcome. Having all these voices in one choir will be historic. Ms. Cassandra White, Director of Worship at Resurrection MCC, will lead the 2011 PAD Conference Mass Choir. Links will be available soon for you to download the Conference music. To join the choir, complete the worship volunteer form and return it to CassandraWhite@MCCchurch.net. |
| Get Married at PAD | | 
| Coming to Washington, DC has many benefits. There are monuments to visit - impressive government buildings, including The White House and the United States Capitol, and more. So, why not take advantage of another benefit of being in Washington, DC - get married while attending the 2011 MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends, and Allies. Complete your Marriage License Application with the Marriage Bureau of the D.C. Superior Court no later than May 16. Visit http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/family/marriage.jsp Three (3) full business days must pass between the application submission and the pick-up of the license. The application fee is $35.00 and the license costs $10.00 payable to Clerk, D.C. Superior Court. You may phone the Court at 202-879-4840. If you do plan to get married while in Washington for the MCC PAD Conference, please contact Rev. Cedric Harmon at GetMarriedatPad@MCCchurch.net. He will answer your questions and send you a list of Authorized Clergy who will be available to you during the Conference. |
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