Friday, April 15, 2011

Discover How Your Easter Gifts Support MCC's Global Ministry

MCC LOGO

 

Tearing Down Walls.
Building Up Hope.

 

In This Issue
2011 PACESETTER CHURCHES
MESSAGE FROM REV. NANCY WILSON
EASTER RESOURCES
MAKE A PERSONAL GIFT

MCC 2011

PACESETTER

CHURCHES

Churches Participating

in MCC's Easter

Offering for

Global Ministries 

 

1.  achurch4me? MCC 

(Chicago, Illinois) - Rev. Kevin Downer, Pastor

 

2.  Agape MCC (Ft, Worth, Texas) - Rev. David Wynn, Sr., Pastor

 

3.  All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - Rev. Paul Tucker, Pastor

 

4.  Celebration MCC (Naples, Florida) - Rev. Rick Sosbe, Pastor 

 

5.  Central Texas MCC 

(Waco, Texas) - Rev. Charley Garrison, Pastor

 

6.  Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida) - Rev. Charles Tigard, Pastor

 

7.  Cornerstone MCC 

(Mobile, Alabama) - Rev. Lee Carlton, Pastor

 

8.  Emerald City MCC (Seattle, Washington) - Rev. Ray Neal, Pastor

 

9.  Exodus MCC (Abilene, Texas)Rev. Margaret Walker, Pastor

 

10.  First MCC (Wichita, Kansas) - Rev. Jackie Carter, Pastor

 

11.  FirstCoast MCC (St. Augustine, Florida)Rev. Ruth Jensen-Forbell, Pastor

 

12. Heartland Community MCC (Springfield, Illinois) - Tony Thieman-Somora, Pastoral Leader

 

13.  Holy Covenant MCC 

(Brookfield, Illinois) - Rev. Danny Spears, Pastor

 

14.  Imago Dei MCC 

(Pennsylvania) - Rev. Janice Bowker, Intentional Interim Specialist

 

15.  Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) - Rev. Lisa Heilig, Interim Pastor

 

16.  King of Peace MCC 

(St. Petersburg, Florida) - Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis, Pastor

 

17.  Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) - Rev. Kieren Bourne, Pastor

 

18.  MCC Albuquerque 

(New Mexico) - Rev. Judith Maynard, Pastor

 

19.  MCC Austin (Texas) - Rev. Karen Thompson, Pastor

 

20. MCC Baton Rouge 

(Louisiana) - Rev. Keith Mozingo, Pastor

  

21.  MCC Boston 

(Massachusetts) - Rev. Michael Cooper, Pastor

 

22.  MCC Cologne (Germany) - Rev. Ines-Paul Baumann

 

23.  MCC Corpus Christi (Texas) - Rev. Ken Ehrke, Interim Pastor

 

24.  MCC Detroit (Michigan) 

Rev. Mark Bidwell, Pastor

 

25.  MCC Elizabethtown (Kentucky) - Rev. Cathy Porter, Pastor

 

26.  MCC Family in Christ (Fort Collins, Colorado) - Rev. Ken Pilot, Pastor

 

27.  MCC Fredericksburg (Virginia) - Rev. Paulette Armstead, Interim Pastor

 

28.  MCC Good Shepherd 

(Granville, Australia) - Rev. Robert Clark, Pastor

 

29.  MCC Las Vegas 

(Nevada) - Rev. Wayne Lindsey, Pastor

 

30.  MCC London (Ontario, Canada) - Rev. Paul Whiting, Pastor

 

31.  MCC Los Angeles 

(California) Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Pastor

 

32.  MCC Lubbock (Texas) - Rev. Renae Phillips, Pastor

 

33.  MCC New Haven (Connecticut) - Rev. Marilyn Bowens, Pastor

 

34.  MCC Newcastle Upon
 Tyne
 (England) - Rev. Cecilia Eggleston, Pastor; Rev. Pressley Sutherland, Interim Support Pastor

 

35.  MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) - Rev. Carol Trissel, Pastor

 

36.  MCC of New York 

(New York) - Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Pastor

 

37.  MCC of Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Virginia) - Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, Pastor

 

38.  MCC of Paducah 

(Kentucky) - Rev. Lillian Ferguson, Pastor

 

39.  MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia) - Rev. Joe Cobb, Pastor

 

40.  MCC of the Palm Beaches (Florida) - Rev. Dr. Lea Brown, Pastor

 

41.  MCC of the Spirit 

(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Rev. Lori E. Rivera, Pastor

 

42.  MCC of Topeka 

(Kansas) - Rev. Dr. Ty Sweeting, Pastor

 

43.  MCC Rehoboth 

(Delaware) - Rev. Dr. Dusty Pruitt, Interim Pastor

 

44.  MCC Richmond 

(Virginia) - Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Pastor

 

45.  MCC San Antonio 

(Texas) - Rev. Mick Hinson, Pastor

 

46.  MCC San Francisco (California) - Rev. Dr. William Knight, Pastor

 

47.  MCC Winston-Salem 

(North Carolina) - Rev. Ron LaRocque, Pastor

 

48.  Milwaukee MCC (Wisconsin) - Rev. Wendy Woodruff, Pastor

 

49.  New Creation MCC (Columbus, Ohio) - Rev. Margaret Hawk, Pastor

 

50.  New Hope MCC (Montgomery, Alabama) - Rev. Jo Crisco, Pastor

 

51.  New Life MCC 

(Charlotte, North Carolina) - Rev. Mark Deane Pastor

 

52.  New Light MCC 

(Hagerstown, Maryland) - Rev. Michael Hydes, Pastor

 

53.  New Spirit MCC 

(Cincinnati, Ohio) - Open Pulpit

 

54.  Open Arms MCC 

(Rochester, New York) - Rev. Jim Mulcahy, Pastor

 

55.  Open Circle at The Villages MCC (Florida) - Rev. Carol Rawlings-Chambers, Pastor

 

56.  Our Hope MCC (Athens, Georgia) - Rev. Dr. Renee DuBose, Pastor

 

57.  Peninsula MCC (San Mateo, California) - Rev. Terri Echelbarger, Pastor

 

58.  Pikes Peak MCC 

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) - Rev. Wes Mullins, Pastor

 

59.  Redeemer MCC (Flint, Michigan) - Rev. Ed Yates, Pastor

 

60.  Resurrection MCC 
(Houston, Texas) - Rev. Harry Knox, Pastor

 

61.  Resurrection Beach MCC (Costa Mesa, California) - Open Pulpit

 

62.  River of Life MCC 

(Dorchester, England) - Rev Catherine Dearlove, Pastor

 

63.  Saint John the Apostle MCC (Fort Myers, Florida) - Rev. Steve Filizzi, Pastor

 

64.  Saint Jude's MCC 

(Wilmington, North Carolina) - Rev. John McLaughlin, Pastor

  

65.  Spirit of Life MCC (New Port Richey, Florida) - Rev. Vickie Miller, Interim Pastor

 

66.  SunCoast Cathedral MCC (Venice, Florida) - Rev. Dr. Sherry Kennedy, Pastor

 

67. The Rock MCC (Chattanooga, Tennessee) - Rev. Brad Rice, Pastor

 

68.  Tree of Life MCC (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - Rev. Dr. Fran Mayes, Pastor

 

69.  Trinity MCC 

(Gainesville, Florida) - Rev. Jim Merritt, Pastor

 

70.  Water of Life MCC (Tucson, Arizona) - Rev. Dr. Charlie Arehart, Pastor

 

MCC's 2011 Easter

Offerings for Global Ministries

Impacting Our World Through Easter Generosity

 

A Message from Rev. Nancy Wilson, MCC Moderator

 

Nancy 200px

 

The Rev. Nancy L. Wilson

Office of the Moderator

Metropolitan Community Churches

  

Dear MCC Friend:

 

As we prepare to enter Holy Week, I want to remind you that it's not too late for your congregation to participate in MCC's annual Easter Offerings for Global Ministries campaign!

 

To see if your church has signed up yet, simply check the left column for the list of MCC's 2011 Pacesetter Churches -- churches that are "setting the pace" for MCC's global ministries.

 

If your church has already signed up to participate... you may wish to skip to Section Two below to learn more about available resources to promote your Easter Offering for Global Ministries.

 

If your church has not yet signed up to participate... there are a few personal thoughts I'd like to share with you today.

 

Perhaps your church has not yet signed up to participate in MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries for one of the following reasons:

 

"Our church calendar is too full right now." You don't need to receive your special offering on Easter Sunday to participate! Some churches select another Sunday during the year to receive their offering -- a Sunday after Easter, or their anniversary Sunday, or during a special event or concert. Why not select another date on this year's calendar -- then write to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net and let me know of your plans?

 

"Our church's offering might be too small to make a difference." Over many years I've discovered that the effectiveness of this annual campaign does not require a huge offering from your church. Instead, MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries is most effective when many churches participate. There is a wonderful old gospel song that says, "Little is much when God is in it."  That's true! When we put all of our offerings together -- some large and some small -- we are able to accomplish what none of us could do alone.

 

"Our church budget is just too tight right now." I certainly understand this concern! We are still emerging from the global recession that impacted all of us. Perhaps you would prayerfully consider participating -- and challenge your congregants to give "over-and-above" gifts to MCC's global ministries. Perhaps your participation might become a "teachable moment" about sacrificial giving. Over the years I have heard from so many churches who summed up their participation this way: "It was when we focused on the needs of others far from our local community, that God (and our own congregation!) came through and met our local needs!"

 

"We already have too many special offerings scheduled this year." Some churches participate in ways other than offerings. Some hold a special fundraiser during the year and designate the proceeds for MCC's global ministries. Some designate the proceeds of a special event, concert or dinner during the year. Some hold yard sales, craft sales or raffles. Perhaps there is a creative way your church can participate as an alternative to receiving an offering.

 

________________________________________________________________

 

It's not too late

for  your church to participate in

MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries!

________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

St. Petersburg

 

A portion of your Easter Offerings for Global Ministries 

will help support the first LGBT Christian conference in Russia, 

scheduled for St. Petersburg in September of this year.

 

 

 

Holy Week is almost here! In the midst of all our preparations, I wanted to take these few minutes to remind you that it's not too late for your church to participate in our annual Easter Offerings for Global Ministries campaign.

 

To take part, here's all you need to do:

 

1. Simply send an e-mail to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net and let me know of your church's plans. Let me know whether you will receive your offering on Easter Sunday, or on another Sunday this year, or through a special fundraising event. As soon as I hear from you, we'll add your church to the list of 2011 Pacesetter Churches -- churches that are "setting the pace" in support of MCC's commitment to global ministry.

 

2. You'll find resources to promote your church's participation -- including a downloadable bulletin insert, photos, a PowerPoint presentation, and offertory sentences and prayers on the MCC website. See Section Two below for full details.

 

As you prayerfully consider your church's participation, hear the words of II Corinthians 9:10-11: "Now God who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

 

Won't you write to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net today?

 

Grace and peace,

 

+ Nancy

 

Rev. Nancy L. Wilson 

Moderator

Metropolitan Community Churches

Easter@MCCchurch.net

 

 

P.S. As of today, 70 congregations have signed up to participate in MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries. Won't your church prayerfully consider becoming #71?





Memorial Service - David Kato

 

MCC's Global Justice Institute organized the NYC Memorial Service 

of David Kato, LGBT activist murdered in Uganda. 

A portion of MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries will support 

safe space for LGBT Ugandans facing violence and persecution.

 

 


Resources for Your Church's Easter Offering

 

Be sure to visit MCCchurch.org for downloadable resources to promote your church's participation in MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries.

 

Here's what you'll find on-line:

 

-- To view all items on the MCC Easter Offerings for Global Ministries page, Click Here.

 

-- For photos of projects that will receive funds from MCC's Easter Offerings campaign, Click Here. Right click on any photo, then select "Save As" to download to your computer. You may follow the same steps with any photo from these weekly newsletters.

 

-- For a downloadable, full-color bulletin insert in PDF format, Click Here.

 

-- For a downloadable PowerPoint presentation of this year's 2011 Easter Offerings for Global Ministries, Click Here. Scroll down to the center of the page, below Easter Offering Pacesetter Tools, where it reads "Easter Offering 2011 - Congregational Presentation."

 

-- To preview the PowerPoint presentation that is available online, Click Here.

 

-- For Offertory Sentences and Offertory Prayers for the 2011 Easter Offerings for Global Ministries, Click Here. Scroll two-thirds down the page for these items. 





Philippines map

 

Your MCC Easter Offerings will support MCC's growing

ministries in the Philippines, the gateway to Southeast Asia.

 
 


How to Make a Personal Gift for MCC's Global Ministries

 

Did you know... there are three ways you can make your personal gift to MCC's Easter Offerings for Global Ministries?

 

GIVING OPTION #1:

Locate an MCC Pacesetter church in the left column and make your contribution through a local participating church. For step-by-step guidelines, Click Here and scroll down the page to "Donate Through A Pacesetter Church."

 

GIVING OPTION #2:

Visit the MCC Easter Offerings web page and scroll down to the yellow "Donate" button to make an on-line donation.

 

GIVING OPTION #3:

Mail your donation via check or money order, made out to "Metropolitan Community Churches," to P.O. Box 1374, Abilene, Texas  79604. In notation section, add "Easter Offering."

 

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

 

Christ Is Risen!

 

Christ Is Risen Indeed!

 

__________________________________________________________________

 

 

This email was sent to mccofcc.thisweek@blogger.com by jasononeill@mccchurch.net |  
MCC | PO Box 1374 | Abilene | TX | 79604