| | | The Governing Board of the Metropolitan Community Churches has been working closely with the Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson to honor our pledge to keep spending within income and lay the groundwork for our future. 2011 has been an extremely difficult year for tithe income from our churches, and we expect tough economic conditions to continue through 2012. In keeping with our commitment to financial responsibility made at General Conference 2010, we had to make some painful decisions around reductions, relocation and reorganization, amounting to approximately $300,000 (USD) in staff cuts. Today, we are communicating the staff reductions. For effectiveness and efficiency, we are consolidating the Moderator's Office, Business Office and Development Office in Sarasota, Florida. In the coming weeks, we will send more detailed communication to describe shifts in responsibilities among staff as a result of these changes. It is sad to lose beloved colleagues through realignment of staff and resources. We stand on the shoulders of so many people - Elders, pastors, leaders, staff members - who made a difference, who have been faithful and courageous, and who have blessed us for years, or in some cases, for decades. We know how difficult change can be at times. Please remember to hold all of us in your prayers as we go through this transition together with you.  The Office of Outreach is being consolidated with the Moderator's Office, so the Rev. Elder Diane Fisher will no longer be on staff. We want to express deep appreciation for Rev. Fisher's service as an elder for the past nine years. For the six years before that, she was the District Coordinator for Eastern Canada and the Northeast District. Rev. Fisher has served in many other denominational roles, including the Ecumenical Liaison for Canada, Chair of the Women's Secretariat, Vice-Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministries in Eastern Canada, as well as served on the Ecumenical and Inter-religious Team and Global Justice Team. Thanks to her tireless work in Eastern Europe, MCC became identified as the Human Rights Church, and she was the recipient of MCC's Human Rights Award in 2010. "Rev. Diane Fisher has modeled courage and love for the work of global justice, and she has been an inspiration to millions around the world seeking human rights," said Rev. Nancy Wilson. "I know that Diane's legacy will endure and that her ministry will continue to change lives and history."
Rev. Fisher will continue to hold the title "Elder," as is the case with all who have served in this position in the past, and she will continue to be clergy in MCC. You can thank Rev. Fisher via email at RevDianeFisher@gmail.com. |
 Irma Bauer-Levesque will be leaving after nearly four years on staff. Irma oversaw a successful sponsorship program for General Conference, especially in working with our partner seminaries. She completed the work for the Elton John AIDS Foundation grant for MCC, obtained two successful grants from the Carpenter Foundation to advance our Office of Formation and Leadership Development, and introduced a Planned Giving resource. You can thank Irma via email at ibaulev@gmail.com. |
 We say goodbye to Ritchie Crownfield after nearly six years of faithful service. Ritchie's spirit of service and kindness is unparalleled. He has helped tremendously with General Conferences, Networks, support for local churches, and the OFLD. Ritchie's duties will be absorbed by other MCC administrative staff. You can thank Ritchie via email at rcrownfield@gmail.com. |
 Franklin Calvin is leaving staff after having served MCC in our business office for five years. We appreciate his dedication and devotion. Franklin is the partner of Frank Zerilli, long-time confidential assistant to Rev. Troy Perry, who retired last year. Franklin's duties will be absorbed by other staff and volunteers. You can thank Franklin via email at FranklinCalvin3@yahoo.com. |
 We say goodbye to Rev. Margaret Walker, with great appreciation for her work as the Interim Ministry Program Coordinator. Over the last several years, she has significantly raised the bar on supervision of interims, tracking progress of churches in transition, and developing reporting mechanisms, assessment tools and protocols. Along with her pastoral experience, Rev. Walker has brought to this program a determined work ethic and love of the interims she has supervised. You can thank Rev. Walker via email at revmwalker@sbcglobal.net. |
 In addition to these changes, Rev. Elder Ken Martin will be reducing his work schedule in 2012. Rev. Martin shares some of his reasoning behind his decision, "Next year, I will celebrate 50 years as a clergyperson and pastor. This seemed like the perfect time for semi-retirement." Rev. Martin wants to focus his work in the areas he loves the most - in teaching, mentoring and helping our churches grow and deepen their ministries. He also wants to take time to write and to work on several projects for MCC. We are grateful to Rev. Martin for his pivotal role in developing MCC's work with our church summits, and in teaching and preaching. He has also done groundbreaking work in advancing MCC's presence in Asia. Rev. Martin will continue to serve on the Senior Leadership Team. As part of efforts to consolidate office locations in Sarasota, Barb Crabtree, Director of Operations, has relocated from Abilene. Other than office location, there is no change in Barb's position. As we say goodbye, we do so with much gratitude for each and every one of our colleagues and friends, for your generosity toward MCC and for our combined work to change the world. Remember, more details will be sent in the coming weeks regarding the realignment of all remaining staff and our vision for our continued ministry together. In the meantime, all questions can be sent to Transition@MCCchurch.net. |
| | | | | | |
