Fw: MCC Congratulates Washington D.C. on this Historic Day of U.S. Marriage Equality

 

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Tearing Down Walls.   Building Up Hope. Office of the Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches For Immediate Release:March 3, 2010    Metropolitan Community Churches around the Globe Congratulate Washington D.C. on this  Historic Day of U.S. Marriage Equality                "Metropolitan Community Churches worldwide offer our hearty thanks to God and congratulations to the Mayor and City Council of Washington D.C. as Marriage Equality becomes law in the Capital City of the United States of America," said The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches.  On Wednesday morning, 3 March 2010, at 12:00AM, the new marriage equality law became effective.   "Leaders from throughout the community contributed to this amazing success, furthering the cause of Marriage Equality throughout the land," said Pastor Dwayne Johnson of Metropolitan Community Church in Washington, D.C.  Many members of MCC DC played significant roles in making this effort successful, including Clergy Candidate DeWayne Davis who offered testimony before the City Council.   "As a person of faith and a minister, it is my firm belief that legalizing same-sex marriage is the right thing to do," said Mr. Davis.  "It reaffirms this nation's historic commitment to guaranteeing religious freedom while extending and protecting basic civil rights for all."   The City Council overwhelmingly approved the bill and on 18 December 2009, Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill into law.   "We look forward to the day," added The Rev. Jim Merritt, Marriage Equality Coordinator for the Moderator's Global Justice Team, "when every jurisdiction across this land will follow the lead of our Capital City and honor America's foundational principle of equality for all."   This statement prepared in conjunction with the Moderator's Global Justice Team, The Pat Bumgardner, Chair and The Rev. Jim Merritt, Coordinator for Marriage Equality. About Metropolitan Community Churches   Metropolitan Community Church, founded in 1968, is a human-rights movement and ministry operating as a Christian denomination in 25 countries around the world. MCC has often been and continues to be one of few leading advocates for vulnerable people in places where religious orthodoxy, sexism, and homophobia can result in violence and death. MCC's promise is stated in its tagline "Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope." For more information about MCC visit: http://www.mccchurch.org.  For Additional Information, Contact:  Kathy Beasley, Communications Director Metropolitan Community Churches P.O. Box 1374 Abilene, TX (USA) 79604 Email: Kathy Beasley Website:  www.mccchurch.org

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Fw: MCC Announces Partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau and Our Families Count

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Metropolitan Community Churches Tearing Down Walls.  Building Up Hope. Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) Partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to Support the 2010 Census Dear Members and Friends of MCC,   As part of our commitment to social justice, beloved community, radical inclusion and spiritual transformation, MCC is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau and Our Families Count to spread the word about the importance of the 2010 Census to our U.S.-based churches and local communities.    When examined from a global perspective, census in any country impacts the world. Almost every nation conducts some sort of census or accounting of residents on a regular basis.  To date, the United States Census has never taken into account Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities by including married or coupled LGBT people in our households.  2010 marks the end of this incongruity in the census of United States residents!   In previous census years, data received for households required gender identifications of male and female if "married" or "domestic partner" was selected.  For the first time in U.S. Census history, marriage and/or domestic partnership will not be limited to male-and-female gender indicators.  In other words, the United States Census will count as valid all households which indicate a partnership, regardless of the gender identifiers.    Our transgender siblings will also receive the privilege of indicating the gender (unfortunately still limited to only "male" or "female") that they prefer.  This is a change from previous years when our transgender siblings were expected to indicate the gender assigned at birth.  We still have much work to do for this cause!   Every year, the U.S. federal government distributes more than $400 billion (USD) to state, local and tribal governments based on the collected census data.  Accurate census data helps determine congressional representation, grant funding and serves to guide local decision-makers on where to build new roads, hospitals, housing, schools, places of worship and more.   We have the opportunity to participate in the census as people of faith.  In doing so, we rise up to be counted and add integrity to the data collected; we also aid in determining the social, economic, and spiritual needs for our local communities.  Pledging our commitment to be counted in this United States 2010 Census is another way to lift our voice to improve the quality of life in our U.S.-based communities.  We are hopeful and hope-filled that our efforts will continue to bring about changes positively affecting the safety and livelihood of all of our LGBT siblings.   MCCers, I ask you to please prayerfully consider how you, your family and friends, and your local church congregation can find a way to get involved in the census wherever you are in the world.  MCC, can we count on YOU?  (See below for some suggestions.)   Grace and Peace,   + Nancy   Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches     Additional Information and Media Contact  Kathy Beasley, Communications Director Metropolitan Community Churches P.O. Box 1374 Abilene, TX (USA) 79604 Email: KathyBeasley@mccchurch.net Website:  www.mccchurch.org Do You Live Outside of the United States?   Almost every nation has provisions for enumerating domestic residents and citizens abroad.  As census polls are taken throughout 2010 and 2011, please join all of our global family in prayer, participation, and accurate accounting of our siblings.  Local Churches We are inviting each of our local churches to sign up as Census Advocates committed to partnering with us as family in being counted this March!  Click here to sign up! Members & Friends  Individual members and friends of MCC, we are asking you to consider one or both of the following options:     1) Consider volunteering to help your local MCC to spread the word.   2) Consider volunteering with your local census program in getting our local LGBT family engaged in the census. Census Facts 2010 Census data will be collected in The Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil and other nations.    2011 Census data will be collected in Australia (which included same-sex de facto marriage in 2006), European Union, South Africa, United Kingdom and other nations. About Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)  Metropolitan Community Church, founded in 1968, is a human-rights movement and ministry operating as a Christian denomination in 25 countries around the world. MCC has often been and continues to be one of few leading advocates for vulnerable people in places where religious orthodoxy, sexism, and homophobia can result in violence and death. MCC's promise is stated in its tagline "Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope." For more information about MCC visit: http://www.mccchurch.org.

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Fw: Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches Calls for Vigilant Prayer in the Aftermath of Chilean Earthquake

 

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Tearing Down Walls.   Building Up Hope. From the Office of the Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches For Immediate Release: 01 March 2010     Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches Calls for Vigilant Prayer in the Aftermath of Chilean Earthquake     In the early morning hours of Saturday, February 27th, the people of Chile suffered what experts are saying was the 5th largest earthquake the world has known since 1900.  It comes just a month after the devastation in Haiti, and was followed by an earthquake of smaller magnitude in Argentina, which took the life of an 8-year-old boy.   I am in contact with The Rev. Hector Gutierrez, our program coordinator for South America and he has been in communication with his contacts in Chile and they report, "We are ok and there are no deaths in our close circle of friends and their families".  Though little information is available at this time, we know that at least 700 people in the areas surrounding the epicenter of the earthquake have died and that as many as 1.5 million have been left homeless.  At least two dozen aftershocks of significant force have been reported.    The quake also triggererd tsunami waves in the Pacific.  Thankfully, the islands of Hawaii appear to have been spared destruction, and the alerts for Japan and the Philippines cancelled.   Today, I am asking all MCCers and people of faith to join me in praying for our brothers and sisters in Chile, especially the members, families and friends of Nuevo Espiritu ICM in Santiago and Grupo Cafarnaum in Concepcion.     The Chilean Red Cross is handling disaster relief, and at this time believes it has the resources to care for people in need.  Should that change, I will share with you how MCCers can provide further assistance.   For now, I ask that you pray with me for those who have died and their loved ones who survive, for those left homeless and in shock, and for the healing of the earth.   We know that losses could have been much more severe, and give thanks for the modern building codes of the Chilean government that helped prevent the kind of devastation we saw in Haiti. --- I ask you to join me in praying for the day when housing for all God's children will be as safe to withstand disaster as humanly possible.        We are a people of strong faith and conviction, and we know that in all suffering and disaster God is working for restoration and healing.  May our prayers be joined to that good and saving work.   Grace and Peace,     //signed//     The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches             This statement prepared in conjuction with The Global Justice Team of Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair.     O God, We know that in all things You are near and working for good. Be with those who have suffered such shock and loss in Chile. Comfort our brothers and sisters who have survived, and hold close to your bosom those who have been lost in this latest disaster. Steady and encourage the members and friends of Nuevo Espiritu ICM and Grupo Cafarnaum, as they struggle to both deal with their own trauma and offer consolation to those around them.  We pray for safe space for people in need of housing and shelter, and that everyone have food and water and the medical attention needed this day and night. God, we pray for the earth and its healing, too. Quiet its rage, and protect the islands and people and sea creatures now in danger of tsunami waves. God, help all of us to live in a way that promotes and advocates for a just and equal sharing of the earth's resources. In this way, may all of us have as much safety and security as possible in our world. We trust that your love and healing will be poured out this day on the people of Chile. Hear our petition for their protection.  In Jesus' name we pray.  +Amen      About Metropolitan Community Churches   Metropolitan Community Church, founded in 1968, is a human-rights movement and ministry operating as a Christian denomination in 25 countries around the world. MCC has often been and continues to be one of few leading advocates for vulnerable people in places where religious orthodoxy, sexism, and homophobia can result in violence and death. MCC's promise is stated in its tagline "Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope." For more information about MCC visit: http://www.mccchurch.org.  For Additional Information, Contact:  Kathy Beasley, Communications Director Metropolitan Community Churches P.O. Box 1374 Abilene, TX (USA) 79604 Email: Kathy Beasley Website:  www.mccchurch.org

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