An Invitation from
The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson
Office of the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
Advance Notice About
MCC's 2011 Easter Offerings for Global Ministries
March 9, 2011
Dear MCC Leader:
I'm writing today with an important and timely invitation for your church. I encourage you to read to the end of this message, where I'll share some specific steps you can take to respond to this opportunity.
Let me explain...
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| Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson |
In the next few days, I'll publicly unveil this year's plans for an important MCC tradition -- our annual MCC Easter Offerings for Global Ministries.
This is a wonderful opportunity for local congregations throughout MCC to receive a special, designated Easter offering to strategically advance MCC's international ministries.
Our denominational goal for 2011 is to raise a minimum of $30,000 USD through local church Easter offerings, which will be invested in the following ministries:
-- One-third of the offering will be used for the ministry of MCC's new Global Justice Institute, in general, and to open MCC's first safe house in Uganda, where LGBT Christians and activists face ongoing persecution.
-- One-third of the offering will be used to extend MCC's ministry in Russia by supporting two vital projects. MCC published the first and only booklet in Russian on homosexuality and the Bible, theology and human rights issues. The first printing went quickly; now only two copies are left. MCC's 2011 Easter Offering funds will be used to update and reprint this resource. Also, Russia's first-ever LGBT Christian Conference will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia, in September. MCC Easter Offering funds will supplement grants we have received to insure that our leadership can train and inspire the many new groups and activists Russia.
-- As a follow-up to last year's first-ever REVM in the Philippines, MCC's Asia Pacific Initiative is sending a ministry team there for a month to support churches, leaders and new ministries exploding across the Philippines. To date, all funding for these efforts has been raised entirely by donors -- this year we want to give MCC churches the opportunity to support our anchor efforts in Asia.
Every MCC church participating in the 2011 Easter Offerings for Global Ministries will be added to 2011's list of Pacesetter Churches -- churches that are "setting the pace" for MCC's vital international ministries.
Here's why I am writing today:
I'm inviting your church to take part in this wonderful MCC tradition that touches so many lives -- and to be included in the public announcement just days from now.
That announcement of this year's 2011 Easter Offering will include an initial list of 2011 MCC Pacesetter Churches. I've observed that when the public announcement includes an initial list of participating churches, it invariably inspires and motivates other churches to participate.
Here's how your church can sign-up to participate in the 2011 Easter Offerings for Global Ministries and become a 2011 Pacesetter Church.
1. Write to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net and let me know that your church will receive a special, designated 2011 Easter offering.
2. When you write to me, be sure to include the following information: church name, city, province or state, country, pastor's name, and the date your church will receive its Easter offering.
3. Begin to share this news now with your congregation - and especially remember MCC's international ministries in prayer during worship services leading up to Easter Sunday.
4. Look for more news, resources and details coming soon!
This Easter season, you and your church can make a profound difference in our world through MCC's 2011 Easter Offerings for Global Ministries. And please know that your church's early, advance participation can extend your impact by inspiring other congregations to join your lead and take part as well.
May I look for your response this week?
Grace and peace,
+ Nancy
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
Easter@MCCchurch.net
P.S. As I've thought about this year's MCC Easter Offering campaign and prayed for the needs of MCCers around the world, I've been inspired by this verse from God's Word: "When God's people are in need, be ready to help them!" (Romans 12:13, New Living Translation)
P.P.S. When you write to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net to let me know of your church's participation in MCC's denominational Easter Offering, we'll promptly add you to the list of 2011 Pacesetter Churches that are leading the way in support of MCC's global ministries.
