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MCC e-news 27 Jan 12

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   501 South Staples St.

                                                   Corpus Christi, TX 78401 

E-News

27 January 2012

www.mcccorpuschristi.org

 

 

Church Office and Locher Food Pantry hours:

Wednesday 11:00am to 3:00pm and Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm

Telephone:  882-8255 email: mccofcc@gmail.com

                                             locherfoodpantry@mcccorpuschristi.org

 

Board of Directors:

Vice Moderator:  Mary Jo Smith   

Clerk: Thomas Dollard  clerk@mcccorpuschristi.org 

Treasurer: Cynthia Velasquez treasurer@mcccorpuschristi.org   

AtLarge: Russell Young   

At-Large:  Sharon Scott  

 

Sunday Lunch Schedule. the first Sunday will be a potluck and birthday celebration. The second Sunday of each month will be the "Lunch Bunch"  we will all have lunch together at fast food restaurant,   The 3rd Sunday will be provided by Mary Jo and Diane (talk to them if you want to help), and the 4th and 5th sundays will be on your own.

 Locher Food Pantry : Our food pantry is very low.  Please bring donations to church on Sunday.  Peanut butter, canned veggies, rice and beans are needed.

Our 30^th Anniversary:   It's less than a month away.  We have invited the Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson to celebrate with us.  We will be having dessert auctions and other "fun"raising events to help cover the cost of her visit.  Sign up sheets are posted if you're interested in helping make our 30^th anniversary special!

Dessert Auction: Sunday January 29th will be our next dessert auction.  Bring your sweets, your sweettooth and your money!

Voter ID update: As many of you know, during the last legislative session the Texas Legislature passed a bill (SB 14) that would require voters to show a photo ID when they vote.  This law is still up in the air, but we need to be prepared. The types of ID that will be necessary IF the voter ID bill is approved are:

• Driver's license, election identification certificate, personal identification card, or concealed handgun license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety;
• United States Military identification card containing the person's photograph;
• United States citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph; or
• United States passport.

If you do not have any of the above, you will be able to obtain a free Election Identification Certificate (EIC) from the Department of Public Safety, IF the law is precleared.  You will not be able to apply for an EIC unless and until preclearance is granted. In order to obtain an EIC, you will need to bring the same type of documentation used to prove your identity that you would need if you were apply for a Driver's License or Personal Identification card.  If you do not currently have the required documentation to obtain an EIC, now would be a good time to start the process of obtaining the necessary documentation.  The list of acceptable documents is at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/identificationrequirements.htm.

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                                                                                   Opportunities for Service

Galatians 5:13 (Contemporary English Version)

"My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love."

Mortgage Retirement Committee: If you are interested in serving on this committee, or have any questions, contact any member of the Board of Directors.

Finance Committee: If you are interested in serving on this committee, or have any questions, contact any member of the Board of Directors.

Sound System: Would you like to assist with the sound system or the PowerPoint presentation (Especially when Tom and Andy are out of town)? Please see Tom, or Andy to sign up.  Tom, Andy or Howie will train you before you're expected to fly solo.

Got Muscles? The Locher Food Pantry needs you on Wednesdays to help unload the food from the Corpus Christi Food Bank.  If you're interested be at the Church on Wednesdays at 10:00am.

Want to be part of the Worship Experience? We need singers, ushers, acolytes and people to help set up and clean up (Alter Guild).  See the Worship Team (Andy, Lisa and Russell Y.)

Sunday School: We are looking for adults who are willing to help teach our young people.  If you're interested in the very important ministry, see Tom D or Mary Jo.

 

Ongoing

AA group: meets at the Church each Monday night at 8 PM

 T shirts:  We are selling T-shirts for $10 each.  The sizes run from Small-3x to raise money for the Conference fund. See Andy. They make a great gift. We have 2 styles available, ask to see them! 

Facebook group page:  Our church has a "Facebook" group page.  A good place to post church photos, prayer request, events, etc...  The possibilities are boundless.    Login to Facebook and search for MCC of Corpus Christi

MySpace page: MCC of CC has a MySpace page!  Find us at http://www.myspace.com/mccofcorpus

MCC of CC Blog! This newsletter is posted in a blog each issue.  Go to http://mccofcc.blogspot.com/  we are also posting UFMCC notices there. 

Support MCC of CC with your everyday purchases! Turn your everyday spending into meaningful donations. With our custom credit card, cash donations for every purchase you make—plus a $50 first purchase bonus—will be donated to MCC of CC. There is an introductory 0% financing.  Go to https://www.cardlabconnect.com/mccofcc to apply or learn more!  If you get this card and use it once, then pay it off and cut it up, MCC of CC will still get the $50!

Finances

As it says in Mark 12:42-44: A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Donate online! -If you have a PayPal or Alert pay account, simply send money to treasurer@mcccorpuschristi.org or click the appropriate button below.  If you do not have a PayPal account, you can use your credit card at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HWB7L9PLBXBDJ Cut and paste the link if clicking does not work.

For PayPal payments: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RHQY9482AWDZC

For Alert pay Payments: https://www.alertpay.com/checkout?BDVBfXhteHJleXVjdGUqQUFVXnZHRWw3fHQvamVpTmt9NXJxd0ZMQWhteGd5aHN2dGN0ZQA=

If you do not have and would like to have either a PayPal or Alert pay account, click the link you are interested in below and MCC of CC may get a commission:

Alert pay (preferred by editor, personal preference): https://www.alertpay.com/?Yxe%2fZIRsrFbS%2ffeN3AfnxQ%3d%3d

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/us/mrb/pal=MP5445LVSFMNY

Support MCC of CC with your everyday purchases! Turn your everyday spending into meaningful donations. With our custom credit card, cash donations for every purchase you make—plus a $50 first purchase bonus—will be donated to MCC of CC. There is an introductory 0% financing.  Go to https://www.cardlabconnect.com/mccofcc to apply or learn more!  If you get this card and use it once, then pay it off and cut it up, MCC of CC will still get the $50!

GoodSearch--Did you know? Each time someone does a search using GoodSearch, a charity gets 1 cent.  If you put MCC of Corpus Christi in the "Who do you GoodSearch for?" box, MCC of Corpus Christi gets that penny.  You can set GoodSearch as your homepage and/or default search engine.  You can also download and install a Good Search toolbar to ensure MCC of Corpus Christi gets donations when you buy online! 

 Visit http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/metropolitan-community-church-mcc-of-corpus-christi.aspx  for more details!

Need some suggestions to search? Try these: Anniversary, altar guild, worship, help, acolyte, committee, powerpoint.  You never have to buy anything for MCC of Corpus Christi to get the credit.  Happy searching!

Goodshop.com:  Goodshop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 % of each purchase to your favorite cause!  More than 1000 great Stores including Old Navy, Dell, Expedia, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with Good Shop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause. Be sure to put MCC of Corpus Christi in the "Who do you support?" box.  And if you download the toolbar from: http://www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/metropolitan-community-church-mcc-of-corpus-christi.aspx you will ensure MCC of CC gets credit from every store available when you shop online! 

 

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MCC - Moving Ahead and New OCLH Position!

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Moving Ahead! Wow, do we have a lot going on! And we thought you might like to know about it. Especially when you need to contact us.   Please be patient with us as we balance your requests with our other ongoing work  for you.   Keep reading for more information about events, improvements and opportunities.     Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson hosted another successful Leadership Mentoring Retreat last week!  Congratulations to the following graduates:   Cathy Alexander - MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia, USA) Linda Brenner-Beckstead - MCC Omaha (Nebraska, USA) Rev. Dexter Brecht - Spirit of Life MCC (New Port Richey, Florida, USA) Rev. Joe Cobb - MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia, USA) Rev. Catherine Dearlove - River of Life MCC (Dorchester, UK) Rev. Tom Decker - MCC Toronto (Ontario, Canada) Vickey Gibbs - Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas, USA) Phil Griffin - MCC of Topeka (Kansas, USA) R. J. Hadley - Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA) Richard Henry - Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida, USA) Rev. Brian Hutchison - Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA) Carmen Llanos - MCC Toronto (Ontario, Canada) David Lord - MCC DC (Washington, DC, USA) Imani Woody Macko - MCC DC (Washington, DC, USA) James Newkirk - MCC DC (Washington, DC, USA) Rev. John Paul Ransom - King of Peace MCC (Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA) Rev Dr. Joan Saniuk - MCC New Haven (Connecticut, USA) Rev. Peter Trabaris - Holy Covenant MCC (Brookfield, Illinois, USA)   Rev. Wilson and Angel Collie are representing MCC at the Creating Change conference this week and weekend.  Also present are Rev. Candy Holmes, representing MCC and the National Black Justice Coalition, as well as Bishop Yvette Flunder, representing The Fellowship.  Other MCCers present include Kareem Murphy (MCC Governing Board) and DeWayne Davis.   Rev. Elder Ken Martin fell earlier this month and broke two ribs.  He is recovering slowly but surely.  Extra prayers are appreciated.       Rev. Elder Lillie Brock continues her time of service as a Consulting Pastor to Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas, USA).  This remains a half-time commitment, in addition to her full-time role as an Elder.   Rev. Elder Darlene Garner is on sabbatical through March.  (Is April here yet? *big grin*)  Seriously though, we wish her the best and pray for a time of true rest and renewal.   The process of closing our Abilene (Texas, USA) office will begin in February, followed by a move of necessary items to the Moderator's office in Sarasota, Florida (USA).   Friendly reminder: We will be sending out a notice with the new address when we are ready to receive mail in Sarasota.   Barb Crabtree, Jason O'Neill and Carlos Chavez are working diligently with Blur Advertising on a brand new website.  We are creating a streamlined experience that is green, user-friendly and accessible.  Think international, bold and forward-thinking!  We are significantly updating content and technical capabilities.  The non-programmers (read: ultimate optimists) in us are still hoping for a March launch!   In addition to the website, we are planning how to better market our MCC brand and conducting focus groups throughout February.  More updates on that later this year!   The International Task Force steering committee (Mark Dalgleish, Jochen Gewecke, and Carol Scherfenberg) will be meeting next week with Rev. Wilson, Barb, Rev. Don Eastman, and some members of the Governing Board.  We are grateful to King of Peace MCC for hosting this face-to-face meeting.   We will be releasing new resources soon!  Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman is putting the final touches on a sample policy manual.   Vickey Gibbs has led a team of MCC Treasurers to create a comprehensive treasurer's manual.  Board of Directors, rejoice!   Click here for the 2012 Program Book, which lists our exciting events for this year! Curious yet? The Office of Church Life and Health Announces a New Position! We are happy to announce a new job position in our office!  Often, Elders have been the ones who are called on when churches are in need of some kind of intervention. Sometimes these interventions are needed as a proactive response and sometimes because of a crisis.  Whatever the reason, being able to respond in a timely and professional way is crucial to the outcome of the situation.   To meet this need in a significantly more productive way, we have designed a position for an Intervention Specialist.  To review the job description and learn how to apply, click here.  Intrigued?  Respond soon!  Applications are due by 15 February.   If you, or those you know, have an interest in this position, please encourage them to apply!  We are excited about the ways in which this will provide our churches with much better responsiveness in this arena.   Thanks for your interest and your help to spread the word!   Rev. Elders Lillie Brock and Ken Martin

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MCC's Rev. Lee Carlton Retires

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Celebrates   Rev. Lee Carlton's Retirement! Former MCC LA (California) Pastors: Rev. Troy Perry, Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Rev. Lee Carlton, Rev. Don Pederson, Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas (MCC Anniversary 2008)     I met Lee Carlton at a clergy conference in Boston, Massachusetts, early in 1973, but we probably didn't really speak much at all until the very first General Conference I attended later that year in Atlanta, Georgia. Lee was newly elected the second pastor of MCC Los Angeles, succeeding Troy.   He was so young and so gifted for ministry.   I remember Lee as deeply spiritual, passionate about both MCC and the gospel. He was thoroughly Pentecostal in his piety but open-hearted and open-minded about inclusivity, about dealing with sexism and racism, and so many other issues that could divide human beings or the Body of Christ. I remember the risks he took to leave MCC LA and move to Australia, to affiliate the first MCC there, and start the work in Sydney.    For a long time, Lee deepened his roots here in Florida, where I have now lived for a decade. His legacy and imprint are on many churches he pastored or served as an interim or temporary pastor. He is well-loved in our state and fondly remembered in many cities. He has stories to tell, including about the march for civil and spiritual rights ("the Trek") across Northern Florida, from Jacksonville to Tallahassee . . .   Lee has been a long time survivor of HIV/AIDS, and has experienced all the grief and loss, and also the miracles.   I know that Lee Carlton helped MCC in Mobile, Alabama, reach for the stars and grow beyond their vision for themselves.  I treasure Lee's friendship, his values, and faith in the message and ministry that God revealed to Troy Perry, and to us. . .I know that in retirement, Lee will continue to love and serve our God and be a witness to the Holy Spirit's amazing work. . . Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson     In order: Rev. Lee Carlton at wedding in San Francisco (California) in 1970s; Rev. Don Pederson with Rev. Lee Carlton as The Bugle Boys; Rev. Lee Carlton at MCCLA (Los Angeles, California) Rev. Lee Carlton, you were among that great cloud of witnesses who first welcomed me to MCC in 1976. Through the years, I have admired you for the profound depth of your faith and for your commitment to carrying the Good News of Jesus Christ into all corners of the world. You have served MCC in our times of want and of plenty. Even at great personal sacrifice, you carried the liberating message of the Gospel to people who had never imagined that God's love could be broad enough to cover them. And so I thank you for welcoming me and for reaching out to others. Your contributions to our great movement will always be admired and remembered!            Rev. Elder Darlene Garner     Rev. Lee Carlton (MCC General Conference 2007)     Lee, you are a true MCC pioneer, someone I have looked up to with great respect. Because of your faithfulness and deep commitment to the call of Christ, thousands of lives have been touched, including mine. Thank you for being so faith-filled. Enjoy your retirement. You deserve some rest and renewal.  With love, Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman     Rev. June Norris, Rev. Lee Carlton (MCC General Conference 1999)   Feel free to send your best wishes and thanksgiving for Rev. Lee Carlton's ministry directly to him at RevLeeCarlton@aol.com.

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MCC Staff Transition, FAQs

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Staff Transition In mid-December, the Governing Board and Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson announced some necessary staff reductions. If you missed that message or would like to see it again, click here.  Since then, we have received feedback from some of you; we appreciate your thoughtfulness and expressions of concern.  As promised, Rev. Wilson is following that announcement with more details about staff operations.   With fewer staff, we needed to make adjustments and shift staff responsibilities to provide essential coverage.  Following is a description of these changes and the roles of our current staff by office and function.  Please remember to hold us in your prayers as we go through this transition together, and we ask for your patience as we modify how we work and provide coverage while Rev. Elder Darlene Garner is on sabbatical.   Moderator's Office   The Office of Outreach is being consolidated with the Moderator's Office.  Florin Buhuceanu (MCC staff in Eastern Europe) and Sharon Cox Ludwig (MCC staff in Africa) will report directly to the Moderator, Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson. Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman remains part-time with MCC focusing on resource development and will continue reporting to the Moderator.  Rev. Ackerman will also begin working with the Office of Church Life and Health to support churches in the Pastoral Search process.   Linda Brenner-Beckstead has been hired to replace Connie Meadows, who retired at the end of December.  Linda began her duties as Rev. Wilson's assistant this month and will also serve as project manager for the International Task Force (ITF).       Office of Development   We will hire a new Development Director in mid-2012.  The new Director will work in our Sarasota office to provide more direct and consistent opportunities for collaboration with the Moderator.   Marina Laws will continue her current responsibilities with the Development Office (now reporting to the Moderator) and providing support for the critically-important work of the ITF.  In addition, she will begin supporting the OFLD. Office of Formation and Leadership Development (OFLD)   Rev. Dr. Mona West continues in her role as the Director of the Office of Formation and Leadership Development.  Thanks to a generous grant from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos will continue in her role as the Associate Director of the OFLD.     Office of Church Life and Health (OCLH)   Rev. Elder Lillie Brock and Rev. Elder Ken Martin will continue as the Directors of the Office of Church Life and Health.  Rev. Martin will move to semi-retirement and serve half-time with the OCLH.  He will spend most of his time on program development, teaching at church summits, and continuing his work with the Asia Pacific Initiative (API).   Rev. Stedney Phillips will continue supporting the church Summits, will assume leadership of API, and will begin coordinating the Interim Pastor Ministry.  Kay Hale will continue providing Administrative Support to the OCLH.   We will be hiring a staff person for the Office of Church Life and Health in the first quarter to close the gap caused by the change in Elder positions. Office of Emerging Ministries (OEM)   Rev. Elder Darlene Garner will continue to serve as the Director of the Office of Emerging Ministries.  Vickey Gibbs continues in her position in this office, developing resources for churches and emerging ministries.  Angel Collie serves as our Trans* Ministry lead, now reporting to the OEM.  Rev. Cristiano Valerio continues in his role assisting with support for our developing ministries in Brazil.   Rev. Hector Gutierrez has worked with Rev. Garner since 2003 as the Coordinator of Leadership and Church Development for Latin America.  During this time, Latin America experienced very strong growth and stability.  Rev. Gutierrez organized and serves as the Dean of MCC's virtual seminary for Spanish-speaking clergy candidates; provides direct support to 35 new church starts; and mentors the Pastors of the 10 affiliated churches in Latin America.  It is our pleasure to announce that because of these tremendous contributions, Rev. Hector will now become the Associate Director of the OEM.   Office of Operations   Barb Crabtree remains the Director of Operations and is now based in Sarasota, Florida.  During the first quarter of 2012, we will consolidate more of our operations in the Sarasota office.  As a result, we will close the administrative office in Abilene, Texas.    Bill Hooper, the Board of Pensions Administrator, will be relocating from Abilene to Sarasota. Leah Sloan, who handles all of our tithe tracking and data analysis, will remain in Abilene and work remotely.    Our Accounting Manager, Tammy Erwin, has been a dedicated staff leader in the Abilene office and has served MCC with grace and skill.  She has decided not to move to Sarasota.  We are finalizing a job description to post soon.  Tammy will work remotely until the new Accounting Manager is on board.   For the near future, all mail (including tithe payments) will still be sent to MCC, PO Box 1374, Abilene, TX 79604, USA.  We will communicate the new mailing address when we are set up in Sarasota.   Carlos Chavez and Jennifer Justice jointly lead our conference planning work, which will be much of their focus over the next months as planning for General Conference XXV moves into high gear.  In addition, Carlos will continue to handle all of our Information Technology needs.  Jennifer will become staff liaison to our Young Adult initiatives.   Jason O'Neill will spend significantly more of his time working on our internal and external communications (including press releases, social media, marketing, etc), which has been identified by the Governing Board as a priority for MCC.  So we are increasing the amount of resources we dedicate to this important area.  As part of his duties, Jason will be working closely with the team from Blur Advertising, the agency we have contracted with to overhaul our communications, marketing, public relations and the way we manage our brand.  Blur Advertising is headed by Rev. Joseph Tolton, who is a pastor at a Fellowship of Affirming Churches congregation in New York.  For their work with MCC, Blur is collaborating with Ann Craig, former Religion Director for GLAAD and owner of Craig Media Strategy.  Both Joseph and Ann know MCC well and have extensive experience in communications and brand management.  We are energized by this new partnership.  Expect some exciting updates in the coming months!   Network-Reporting Relationships   All US and Canada Networks and Network leaders will now report to Rev. Elder Lillie Brock.   Leadership of the Asia Pacific Initiative will transition to Rev. Stedney Phillips, with continued involvement and support from Rev. Elder Ken Martin.   The following Networks and Network leaders will continue to report to Rev. Elder Darlene Garner (Jason O'Neill and Rev. Hector Gutierrez are providing coverage during her sabbatical): Europe (Western and Eastern) Latin America and Caribbean Australia and New Zealand   The Africa Network and Network leaders will report to the Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson.   We are extremely grateful for our Networks and Network leaders, and especially the Network Coordinators (Terry Curry and Gordon McCoy) -- your work with churches is even more important in these times!   We greatly appreciate each and every one of you, as well as your generosity toward MCC and our combined work to change the world.  Thank you for your patience as we implement all these changes.  Questions can be directed to Transition@MCCchurch.net.

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