Dear MCC Leader:
I'm writing today with an important and timely invitation for your church. I encourage you to read to the end of this message, where I'll share some specific steps you can take to respond to this opportunity.
Let me explain...
In the next few days, I'll publicly unveil this year's plans for an important MCC tradition -- our annual Easter Offering Campaign for Global Justice.
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I'm feeling such a keen sense of excitement
and anticipation about this year's Easter Offering
Campaign for Global Justice! I know in my heart that it's
going to bless your church, and it's going to bless our world!
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Today, I want to share some advance information with you about this campaign. And I want to share with you how your church can join the 2012 List of MCC Pacesetter Churches -- churches recognized by our denomination for "setting the pace" on behalf of social justice -- before this project is publicly announced.
Beginning next week, I'll share details of this year's project with you each week until Easter, and I'll let you know about brand-new, helpful local church resources for this year's campaign.
But today, I want to share these advance highlights with you:
<< This year's Easter project will birth The Global Justice Institute, a permanent and lasting extension of Rev. Troy Perry's founding vision for MCC, a vision rooted in salvation, community and social justice.
<< The Global Justice Institute will carry out its work through a three-pronged strategy of theological reconciliation, economic development and positive press coverage for LGBT peoples.
<< The Institute is already having an impact! Three MCCers were invited to attend U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's United Nations' speech in Geneva, Switzerland. Only 38 activists from around the world were invited.
<< This year's goal for the Easter Offering Campaign for Global Justice is $40,000 USD. That represents a significant 33% increase over last year's goal, but I believe it is achievable. I know it's what is needed to establish this new Institute on a firm foundation.
<< I am pleased to announce that the Institute is a joint partnership between MCC and The Fellowship. MCC's Rev. Pat Bumgardner serves as the volunteer executive director, and The Fellowship's Rev. Joseph Tolton serves as Director of African Affairs.
<< I am especially pleased to share with you that for the very first time, the churches of The Fellowship will partner with MCC by collecting offerings for the Easter Offering Campaign for Global Justice! Bishop Yvette Flunder, presiding bishop of The Fellowship, said, "We're partnering in the Easter Offering Campaign because justice work is Jesus' work. Whenever we stand with the oppressed, the marginalized, the rejected, the persecuted, we stand with Jesus and we minister to Jesus."
<< The GJI is now fully incorporated in New York as a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation. The GJI has formal ties to the MCC Moderator's Office and to the MCC Governing Board through its organizing documents.
These are the highlights of this year's Easter campaign. Further details will be released within a few days when we officially launch the campaign.
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Every MCC church participating in the Easter
Offering Campaign for Global Justice will be added
to 2012's list of Pacesetter Churches -- churches that
are "setting the pace" for MCC's social justice ministries.
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Here's the second reason I am writing today:
When I make the first public announcement of this year's 2012 Easter Offering just days from now, I plan to include an initial list of 2012 MCC Pacesetter Churches. I've observed that when the initial public announcement includes a list of participating churches, it always inspires and motivates other churches to participate.
I'm inviting your church to take part in this wonderful MCC tradition that touches so many lives -- and to be included in the public announcement just days from now.
Here's how your church can sign up to participate in the 2012 Easter Offering Campaign for Global Justice and be recognized as a 2012 Pacesetter Church:
1. Write to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net and let me know that your church will receive a special, designated 2012 Easter offering.
2. When you write to me, be sure to include the church name, city, province or state, country, pastor's name, and the date your church will receive its Easter offering.
3. Begin now to share this news with your congregation -- and especially remember MCC's Global Justice Institute in prayer during worship services leading up to Easter Sunday.
4. Look for more news, resources and details coming soon!
This Easter season, you and your church can make a profound difference in our world through our Easter Offering Campaign. And your church's early, advance participation can extend your impact by inspiring other congregations to join your lead and take part as well.
Won't you join hands with me to help
birth the Global Justice Institute through this year's
2012 MCC Easter Offering Campaign for Global Justice?
Together, we have a God-given opportunity to mid-wife this new Institute and to nurture its growth in these early stages of its life.
I can think of no better time than Easter, the season of new life, for us to partner in this way.
May I look for your response this week?
Grace and peace,
+ Nancy
Rev. Dr. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
Easter@MCCchurch.net
P.S. Remember, when you write to me at Easter@MCCchurch.net to let me know of your church's participation in MCC's denominational Easter Offering, we'll promptly add you to the list of 2012 Pacesetter Churches that are leading the way in support of MCC's global justice ministries.
