| MCC European Network Newsletter June 2010 In this Issue Reflection Our Deepest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking
so that other people won't feel unsure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others. .... Nelson Mandela, 1994 at his inauguration
originally attributed to Marianne Williamson We have much to celebrate this year, starting with Pride, World Cup 2010 & General Conference in Acapulco; this is our time to celebrate who we are and the freedoms we have in our country, & remembering those who are still without such freedoms. I felt encouraged by reading this speech and wanted to share it with you all. Mandela not only had pride in himself but also in his country; so as we move toward Pride season, let our own light shine & our presence liberate others. Rev Janice Bowker
European Network Leader (back to top) Who Cares For Me? Your Care & Connection Network Leaders are:
Europe: Rev Kieren Bourne -
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Rev Janice Bowker -
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Jochen Gewecke -
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Africa: Sharon Cox -
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Admin: Marina Laws -
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Celebrations
On Sunday 16th May 2010 Rev Margarita Sanchez celebrated her 1 year Anniversary as Pastor at MCC East London and MCC East London celebrated 19 years of Ministry.
Congratulations to you all.
Congratulations also to Rev Kieren Bourne (Living Springs MCC, Bath) who has been appointed to be the Mayor of Bath's Chaplain for 2010/2011. Kieren will start his new role on 5th June and will serve Cllr Shaun McGall. Well done Kieren. Salz der Erde MCC will celebrate their 10th Anniversary, Axel's Ordination and Graduation on: 12th June 2010 at 6.30 pm with a service of thanksgiving and a reception.
Visitors are always welcome & you are invited to the celebrations Please let Axel know if you are able to attend ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
)
River of Life MCC have now moved into their new building in Dorchester. The building was once home to the Salvation Army & has long been left empty; now, thanks to many helping hands, it is habitable once again.
It will be known as the River of Life Centre and will be made available to the people of Dorchester for community events. For further details, please visit: http://www.river-of-life.org.uk/news
The Revd Sharon Ferguson MA, has been elected to serve as the new Senior Pastor of MCC North London.
All are warmly invited to the Installation Service as Senior Pastor which will take place on: Sunday the 13th June at 7pm at MCC North London, Trinity URC, Buck St, Camden Town, London (Directly behind Camden Town Tube station). Further Details can be obtained from Neil Jones at:
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(back to top) PRIDE Season Birmingham Pride
29th & 30th May 2010
http://www.birminghampride.com
Marche des Diversités
Montpellier Pride
5th June 2010
http://www.montpelliergay.com
Pride Torbay
11th to 13th June 2010
http://www.pridetorbay.org
Pride Scotia
Edinburgh's Pride Event
26th June 2010
http://www.pride-scotia.org/
London Gay Pride March
Sat 3rd July 2010
http://www.pridelondon.org/
Cologne Gay Pride
2nd to 4th July 2010
http://nighttours.com/gaypride/
Frankfurt Pride
16th to 18th July 2010
http://nighttours.com/gaypride/
Bourne Free
Bournemouth's Pride
8th to 11th July 2010
http://bournefree.co.uk
Northern Pride
17th July 2010
(Newcastle Upon Tyne)
http://npride.org.uk
Glasgow Pride
17th July 2010
http://prideglasgow.co.uk
Stuttgart Pride
23rd July to 1st August 2010
http://csd-stuttgart.de/cms/
Hamburg Pride
31st July to 8th August
http://nighttours.com/gaypride
Brighton Pride Parade
7th August 2010
http://brightonpride.org
Copenhagen Pride
18th to 22nd August 2010
http://www.copenhagenpride.dk/
Bristol Pride
21st August 2010
http://www.pridebristol.com
Manchester Pride
27th to 30th August 2010
http://manchesterpride.com
Dorchester Pride
27th to 30th August 2010
Contact River of Life MCC for further info
www.river-of-life.org.uk
For a complete list of ALL international Gay Prides & Events please visit: http://nighttours.com/gaypride/ (If you are planning to be in any major city, for Gay Pride and would like to join in with any MCC event, then please email the churches directly). (back to top) Church Happenings Living Springs MCC will be holding their annual Pride Service on Sunday 11th July at 6pm. Benny Hazlehurst will be the guest speaker; he formed Accepting Evangelicals six years ago after God changed his heart towards LGBT people. MCC North London took part in, and had a stall at, London Deaf Day, held at the City Lit College in Central London. All services (and some mid week study groups) at MCCNL, have BSL interpretation and participation. MCCNL marked International Day against Homophobia, with a fantastic service and concert with Singer/Songwriter: the Revd Rizi Timane MCC North London held a fantastic series of services through Holy Week and Easter. They celebrated the Pass Over/Maundy Thursday with a Seder Meal; on Good Friday journeyed through the stations of the Cross; on Holy Saturday they held a service of reflection; followed by an all night Candlelight vigil. At dawn they celebrated with a service of Holy Communion, followed by a cooked breakfast. On Easter Sunday they welcomed 6 New Members, 1 Baptism and 1 Transfer of membership into the MCCNL Family. Street Pastors Congratulations to Emily and Alan Worman, who are both long standing members of MCC South London; they graduate as Street Pastors on the 28th May.
Street Pastors is a Church response to our urban problems and is dedicated to taking the love of God out onto the streets. This inter-denominational project has seen remarkable results, which have been noticed by local communities and by the Police. It all started in Brixton, with one patrol in 2003, and now there are over 100 boroughs with patrols all over the United Kingdom.
Emily and Alan got involved in the project after being inspired by its founder, Les Isaac, who spoke at Westminster Abbey after the Easter walk in 2009. They both signed up to the twelve days of training almost straight away; after all it felt like an answer to prayer as they had been asking the 'Big Guy Upstairs' for direction for quite some time!
This project was so appealing to them, as it's all about 'doing' the message and not preaching it. On their patrols from 10pm until 4am on the streets of Camberwell and Peckham, they have had many chats with folk which have brought a smile or just general peace of mind. They had the privilege of escorting a gentleman home who was in physical danger from some undesirables.
Emily and Alan are clear this is not just something the two of them do. It really is a team effort with the other people on patrol, the project organisers behind the scenes and all the 'Prayer Pastors' who pray for them during the night.
MCC South London make up the bulk of the 'Prayer Pastors' and through their love and support ensure that Emily and Alan keep going back for more!
It would be great if you too could pray for this amazing project and if you'd like to find out how to get involved please visit the website: www.streetpastors.co.uk. You won't regret it! | 
