| 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! | 
