| | | Connie Meadows Announces Her Retirement
Connie Meadows will retire in December 2011, after serving for 5 1/2 years on MCC staff in the role of the Moderator's Assistant. Connie started working for Rev. Nancy Wilson when she was pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, Florida, in 2002. Connie volunteered at the church office and made a significant contribution there as Rev. Wilson's assistant. When Rev. Elder Wilson became Moderator in 2005, Connie joined her on staff with MCC at the denominational level. Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson had this to say, "Connie speaks 6 languages and was a corporate planner in the Hague years ago in the insurance industry, and she had run her own successful business here in the U.S. She was new to MCC but 'got it' right away! It was clear to me she had the special kinds of organizational skills that could support me as I succeeded Rev. Perry and set up a new Moderator's Office here in Florida. I knew that Connie was a gift to me and to us and that she was the perfect person to help me as we helped MCC make this transition. Connie traveled to meetings and conferences, many times at her own expense, and contributed enormously to moving MCC into the global arena. She also got an M.A. in Theology along the way so as to more deeply appreciate and contribute to her work with me, the Elders, and our boards and teams over the years. Connie has been the 'detail person' who helped me be prepared to travel and work in many challenging contexts. I have always appreciated her clarity, honesty, work ethic, devotion to the cause, and the ways she has 'looked out' for me. I am grateful to have met her and had the privilege to work with her. I know she will continue to serve me in various ways, as needed, in her retirement. At the same time, I know her partner Haviland will be glad to have more time for them to travel and enjoy retirement together." We invite you to visit MCC's In Our Own Words History Archive at http://www.InOurOwnWordsMCC.org or to click here to post a message of congratulations or share a favorite memory with Connie. You may also mail a card to: Connie Meadows c/o MCC 3293 Fruitville Rd #105 Sarasota, FL 34237 USA We pray for abundant blessings as Connie retires and are grateful for her presence with us during these years of transition. The Senior Leadership Team will celebrate with Connie at their December meeting. |
| Moderator Assistant Position Open Now that Connie Meadows is retiring (see above article), we are looking for a top-notch assistant for our Moderator, Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson. Submission deadline is 30 October 2011. Click here for a full job description and to find out how to apply.
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Now Accepting Applications for the 2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat 
16-19 January 2012 DaySpring Conference Center Ellenton, Florida Join the ranks of current and up-and-coming leaders within MCC! Leadership Mentoring Retreat alumni include:  | | 2010 Leadership Mentoring Retreat alumni and staff |
Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos Brianna Johnston Kathy Beasley Rev. Dan Koeshall Annette Billings Kevin Marik Rev. Brendan Boone Rev. Mel Martinez Rev. Marilyn Bowens Nancy Maxwell Rev. Onetta Brooks Rev. Judith Maynard Michelle Burnett Rev. Jim Merritt Woody Camacho Sandra Millar Rev. Jackie Carter Rev. Wes Mullins Rev. Dr. Edgard Danielsen-Morales DeWayne Davis Kareem Murphy Rev. Michael Diaz Thom O'Bryant Rev. Kevin Downer Jason O'Neill Tamara Dunlap-Elkins Rev. Carol Rawlings-Chambers Rev. Sharon Ferguson Rev. Joseph Shore-Goss Jochen Gewecke Sara Sills Rev. Lisa Heilig Rev. Danny Spears Kevin Highfield Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas  | | 2011 Leadership Mentoring Retreat alumni and staff |
Compelling Reasons to Attend the 2012 MCC Leadership Mentoring Retreat 1. To help discern if you are called to help change the world through serving in MCC beyond the local level as a clergy or lay leader. 2. To have a concentrated time away from your daily responsibilities in a retreat setting so you can truly focus on your calling and your ministry development. 3. To have a concentrated time to focus on putting together a robust, proactive plan for enhancing your ministry skills and deepening your walk with God. 4. To understand more about the relationship of the local church movement and MCC's global denominational/movement goals. 5. To connect with a small group of like-minded MCC leaders to build an ongoing network of mutual accountability and support. 6. To spend concentrated time with MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson and other experienced senior leaders of the denomination. Click here for details about the 2012 Leadership Mentoring Retreat and to learn how to apply. Application Must Be Received By 14 November 2011. |
| International Task Force Steering Committee Meeting Update
Following our very successful first face-to-face meeting in May 2011, Mark Dalgleish (Group Grace), Carol Scherfenberg (Group Hope) and Jochen Gewecke (Group Faith) of the International Task Force (ITF) Steering Committee met once again from 22nd to 24th September, along with Raquel Benitez (Governing Board), Rev. Hector Gutierrez (Staff) and Marina Laws (Staff) in Toronto (Ontario, Canada). The ITF continues to make progress towards presenting their final report to General Conference in 2013. During the 3 days of conversation, we were fortunate enough to hold face-to-face meetings with Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson (Moderator), Rev. Elder Don Eastman and Rev. Tom Decker, as well as hold group Skype calls with Rev. Dr. Mona West (OFLD), Rev. Elder Darlene Garner (OEM), Dr. Christopher Duraisingh (Episcopal Divinity School) and Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin, along with written input from Barb Crabtree (Operations Director) and Rev. Stedney Phillips (Staff). We would invite you all to follow our progress and offer suggestions via the ITF web page. The group would like to thank Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes and the Board and Members of MCC Toronto for their generous hospitality and support in assisting the important work in furthering the goals of MCC in the world today. In Christ, Raquel Benitez (Governing Board), Mark Dalgleish, Carol Scherfenberg, Jochen Gewecke (ITF Steering Committee), Rev. Hector Gutierrez and Marina Laws (Staff Members) |
| International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 20 November 2011
Save the Date! Be watching for resources in the next issue of Headline News.
Click here for more information and for a list of international events, as well as how to submit your event. |
| Theologies Team Survey Since our first meeting in December 2007, we have been working on a number of projects that support our vision of equipping everyone in MCC to be both reflective and practical theologians. Descriptive Theologies Project We're excited to announce the launch of our new Descriptive Theologies project, designed with three goals in mind: 1. To provide an accurate picture of practices "on the ground" in our churches around the world; 2. To facilitate our understanding of who we are as a denomination/movement; and, 3. To help us identify areas where the MCC Theologies Team may assist our churches. Friend? Member? Clergy? Board Member? Elder?
We want to hear from you! Our goal is to survey as widely as possible, soliciting responses from every individual associated with MCC in any way. Our short questionnaire has three sections for you to describe your experiences around baptism, to tell us what you were taught, and to tell us about your current beliefs around this important topic. Continuing on work begun at the 2007 General Conference in Phoenix and the Holy Conversations congregational resource, we've designed our first surveys around the Sacrament of Baptism. Visit the survey page, and choose the Baptism survey for individuals. The password for the survey is Baptism2011. It is case sensitive, so make sure to use a capital B and lowercase letters for the rest. |
| | | | | Go Purple for Spirit Day (20 October)
For the second year, GLAAD is promoting Spirit Day. Many of you may remember Spirit Day more as "Wear Purple" Day and "Turn Facebook Purple" Day. It was developed by a high school student in Canada who wanted to show support for those LGBTQI youth being bullied. This year, Spirit Day is Thursday, 20 October 2011. Metropolitan Community Churches and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries join together in asking all our churches and affiliate ministries to support this important day by wearing purple to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQI youth. We also ask you to consider posting supportive comments on your facebook pages and to tweet with hashtag #SpiritDay. Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator, reminds us: "LGBT people have made significant contributions to the world throughout history. We have a spiritual contribution to make in this century that has begun with so much chaos and violence, and we are able to express love and passion for justice in ways that move others to action." For more information, click here. For your support and solidarity - Blessings! Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson Bishop Yvette Flunder |
| U.S. and Canada Clergy License Renewal
Dear Clergy in the U.S. and Canada, It is time to renew your License to Practice for 2012. The fee for your 2012 License is $175 USD, which is due, along with your completed form, by 1 December 2011. After 1 December, late fees will begin to accrue:
2 December 2011 - 29 February 2012 = $225 USD
1 March 2012 and beyond = $300 USD
This year, you will be able to complete 90% of the license renewal process online! Please click here to begin completion of your form and to pay online. If you wish to pay by check, you can also download and print the form at this link and mail it in with your check.
Peace, Rev. Mona West, Ph.D Director of Formation and Leadership Development |
| Upcoming MCC Events 
11-12 November Worship Summit Registration Deadline: 18 October 28-31 October Young Adult Leadership Mentoring Retreat 16-19 January Leadership Mentoring Retreat Registration Deadline: 14 November A list of future MCC events will be available soon. |
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