| MCC European Network Newsletter September 2010
In this Issue Reflection
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed, But so much more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. In the business of life, we are run ragged. We go from meeting to meeting, spend hours on our computers, respond to crises in our life and in the lives of others around us. We rush home from work and out the door for groceries, to pick up our children, to appointments, to church. Our lives are consumed with doing and we leave very little time for being. In other words, life just rushes past us.
As I get older, time seems to pass more quickly, seasons run into seasons, and years rush past each other. I am the first to admit that I do not take the time I need to refresh my spirit and take care of myself. There is always just one more thing that "needs" to get done - emails, phone calls, trips, budget preparation, size summits, and even writing reflections. The list I can construct is endless, and I forget that I need to take the time to refill, replenish and refocus myself. There is so much in this world to experience and explore, and if I am always busy doing, I will never find the time to encounter God's amazing creation.
I want to take the "time to smell the roses," to read for fun, to really be able to speak another language (like most of the world), to take pictures, to play with my dog, to pray slowly, to visit with friends, and to spend time with my daughter. I want to see parts of the world and get to know them (not only the inside of the churches). I want to watch the birds, see butterflies emerge from their cocoons, and watch the moon ease over the horizon. I want to ride my bike, ride horses, drive to nowhere in particular, fide a café and have a meal. What I really want is to embrace life and to laugh into it, with the sheer joy of it. I must take the time to just be.
I say all these things knowing that I have to carve the time out for myself regularly. I know that many of the people in MCCs around the globe are likewise driven and caught up in the business of doing church. We all have to take the time to stop doing and just be...to encounter God's amazing world.
God rested after creation. Jesus went to mountaintops, the wilderness and lonely places to pray. I wonder why, as followers of Christ and believers in God, we sometimes forget to do the same and take the time for renewal and reflection. I pray every morning, which always helps to centre me. I think that there are so many ways for us to renew. We can take a bath instead of a shower; we can take a train somewhere we have never been and explore; or we can go to a retreat centre, just as a few examples.
The important piece of all this is that we need to be rested and renewed to be our best selves. I'll be the first to admit I have not set the best example for this. To begin to take self-care more seriously, I will be on Sabbatical beginning September 1st, 2010, until November 30th, 2010.
In 2003, when the Board of Administration created MCC's Human Resources Policy, they wisely included a Sabbatical section; elders who have served for seven years are eligible for a three-month Sabbatical. I am blessed to be the first of the elders taking advantage of that policy.
My prayer for each of you is that you each find some Sabbath time for yourselves.
During my time away, the Reverend Elders Nancy Wilson, Lillie Brock, Darlene Garner and Ken Martin will continue to be available to offer support to your churches.
I have great faith in all of you and know that you will continue to be the amazing churches you already are.
If you should find that you need some assistance, please feel free to contact Marina Laws
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or Jason O'Neill
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, and they will connect you with an elder if needed.
Blessings from the endless well of God's love,
Diane
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher's sabbatical Dear Saints:
I am pleased to announce that Rev. Elder Diane Fisher will begin a well-deserved sabbatical of three months beginning September 1, 2010. She has served more than seven years as an Elder, and, prior to that, many years as an MCC District Coordinator. The purpose of a sabbatical is refreshment and renewal, and, hopefully some well-deserved rest. In addition, Rev. Elder Fisher wants to use this time to improve her command of French, which will help in her work in Canada, Europe, and in the world of Human Rights. Rev. Elder Fisher has made arrangement for Elder coverage of her networks and the churches she has been serving, and for the support of her capable staff. Rev. Fisher is sending out a special communication with the particulars. Join me in praying for Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, and that she will return to us with energy and renewed passion for the global ministry of MCC! Rev. Nancy Wilson, Moderator (back to top) Rev Caroline Redfearn
On Wednesday 11th August, after more than two years struggling with cancer, Rev. Caroline Redfearn passed away. She was ordained, as a minister of MCC, in 2001 and was the first black woman to be ordained in MCC within the United Kingdom.
Rev. Redfearn identified strongly with the black liberations theologies and most of her monthly reflections were inspired by those theologies. She was a regular preacher for The Fellowship in the UK and also at MCC East London.
Born in the United Kingdom and from Jamaican descent she considered herself Caribbean, and she served in that region as a social worker for several years; she was finalizing her doctorate studies in theology.
Rev Redfearn's funeral took place on Thursday 26th August in Nottingham. Caroline requested family flowers only; in lieu of this and in line with her wishes, a donation in Caroline's name was made, from UFMCC to: Macmillan Cancer Support.
New Home for MCC Montpellier MCC Montpellier have a new home and now gather every two weeks at 5.30pm. Their new address is: MCC Montpellier
Centre Oecumenique
Av. J-S. Bach
34830 Jacou
France Thierry Sereno has asked for prayers for their community and their goals. Thierry also asks for special prayers for: Anna & Marina (Lay Delegate) who lost their baby, Lisa, one week before her birth in June; also for the two fathers, David & David, and the future of the baby project for this co-parental family. (back to top) Bright Waves from Brightwaves MCC Brighton Pride was held on 7th August with the theme, 'Pride and No Predjudice' and, despite weather forecasts of rain for the day, the sun shone brightly. Rev Debbie Gaston had a vision that the faith groups from around Brighton and Hove would show a united front by walking together in the Parade and host a multi-faith blessings area in the heart of the park.
And that is exactly what happened; after Rev Debbie Gaston blessed the parade for the fourth year running, Brighton Pride saw, for the first time in its history, people of faith walking together under a banner with the words, 'Pride in Faith' emblazoned across it.
Led by Brightwaves MCC who were joined by, River of Life MCC and representative groups from LGCM, Changing Attitudes, the progressive synagogue, Brighton Quakers and members of the interfaith seminary led by our good friend in life and faith, Rev Anthea Ballam.
The faith leaders led the parade into the heart of the park and gave a blessing, led by Rev Debbie Gaston, from the huge community stage; this was followed by Rev Ruth Scott singing 'Don't rain on my parade' all broadcast on a massive screen across the park in front of 150,000 people. The blessings area was a success with many people coming for prayer or to ask their questions and with the stall opposite the tent, there was a great variety of people coming and talking and finding more out about their faith.
This was followed by a fantastic Pride service the following day which involved the children lighting the candles, Cannon Jerome Lloyd from the Old Catholics and Rev Anthea Ballam bringing prayers during the service. There was much celebration of our differences with a special communion led by Rev Ruth where various people came to the table and lit candles together to represent the wide variety of folk who are often excluded from communion for various reasons.
Overall it was a ground breaking and wonderful weekend celebrating the wonderful diversity and gifts of people of faith. Fundraising Success Congratulations to everyone at Living Springs MCC, in Bath. They held a coffee morning and table top sale on 7th August and raised £265 on the day; with Gift Aid this will take them just over £300. The Mayor of Bath, Cllr Shaun McGall opened the event and stayed to enjoy the refreshments for well over an hour! Well done everyone!
The Mayor has also kindly given another chance for Living Springs to raise more money. He has offered a raffle prize of a buffet lunch for four people in the Mayor's Parlour, situated in the Guildhall. The parlour is being refurbished during August, so the lucky winners will get a chance to see it in all its glittering glory.
Tickets are £1 each and the draw will take place on Sunday 12th September. If you would like a ticket, please contact Rev Kieren Bourne at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Moderator's Corner The MCC Moderator's Corner is a place for you to connect with the ministry and vision of Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches. Search this page for Nancy's Sermon Archive, Nancy's Calendar, and News Releases from the Moderator's office about the business and ministry of MCC. MCC is on a mission. We are called to tear down walls and build up hope. Learn how we accomplish this through the ministries linked to this page! http://moderatorscorner.ufmcc.com/ Wedding Congratulations Congratulations to Allan Beattie & Clive Brooks, of MCC North London, who were married in a civil ceremony in London, on Saturday 21st August, followed by a Ceremony to Bless their civil partnership officiated by Rev Janice Bowker, one of our European Network Leaders.
.
Allan & Clive were joined by family, friends and members of various MCC's from all over the world. River of Life Service of Dedication & Celebration River of Life MCC, Dorchester UK, will be holding a service of Dedication & Celebration on Saturday 16th October 2010, at 4pm at the River of Life Centre.
The service will celebrate the two year anniversary of River of Life MCC & dedicate their new building.
People from all faith groups will be taking part in the service, along with many from the local community. This service will bring their ethos of creating a centre that truly reflects the diversity of Dorchester, to fruition.
All are invited to come along and celebrate with members and friends.
The River of Life MCC website, will have more information nearer the time. www.river-of-life.org.uk New Website for MCC East London MCC East London have recently rebuilt their website; please take a few moments to visit and find out what they are up to: http://mcceastlondon.org.uk/
East London hold Special Children's Service MCC East London have recently held a special service for children; they plan to make this a regular part of their worship programming. Please visit their website for further details of future services. Their regular services are every Sunday at 5.30pm |
