| International Newsletter of Metropolitan Community Churches with the focus on MCC congregations all over the world.
In this Issue Justice and Social Action Heartland Community MCC (Springfield, Illinois) began a new social action ministry HOME (Heartland Outreach Ministry Effort) with half of their congregants volunteering to work with Habitat for Humanity doing construction work, helping on site, running errands, or fixing meals for the workers. The Winnie Toal Food Pantry at Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) served 120% more families last month than in May 2008. Once a month worshippers bring forward gifts of food and place them at the altar during the offertory.
MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia) Nursing Home Ministry resumed their monthly visits to Fairfax Nursing Center.
Gift cards! MCC of the Rockies (Denver, Colorado) is collecting gift cards to discount stores, Goodwill, etc., and distributing them to people in need.
MCC Charleston (South Carolina) assists with grocery packing for the Food Bank.
There are two food programs in which MCC Key West (Florida) participates on a weekly basis. Their Cooking with Love program serves 110 hot meals to seniors and Ms. Kitty's Pantry averages over 250 bag lunches, which means they provide over 350 meals every week.
The Equality Ministry of Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas), which works for justice year round, asked for congregational input in deciding upcoming projects.
Holy Covenant MCC (Brookfield, Illinois) contributes food and money to the Center on Halstead in Chicago, where they work to meet the needs of the LGBT community.
Three members of MCC Manchester (England) are involved with Proud Tameside, a network of individuals there working to identify, promote, and improve services for LGBT people in that borough. They instituted a walk and rally for IDAHO and had the Rainbow flag flown at the Town Hall.
MCC Seattle (Washington) is collecting health and beauty aids and clothing for the abused women and children seeking shelter at Mary's Place.
The Homeless Ministry of Jesus MCC (Indianapolis, Indiana) participated in the annual Homeward Bound Walk earlier this month, which raises funds to help end homelessness. Their team's contributions went to Horizon House.
MCC Fredricksburg (Virginia) supplies requested items to the Thruman Brisben Shelter, even trash bags!
For the tenth year, a team from MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Helping one another! MCC Las Vegas (Nevada) collected the money for MCC Quezon City (Philippines) to purchase an air conditioner, which makes all the difference for them.
All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) held a seminar on Marriage? Should I? Can I? to address issues around same sex marriage, which is not legal in their state, but is just to the south in Iowa. It was led by Janet Totter, who is on the board of directors for the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association.
During Trans Unity, a five day celebration in Los Angeles, California, several members of MCC/ICM LA led workshops, marched in the parade, and participated in other events.
King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida) has opened its building to house offices for St. Pete Pride and the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
On Wednesday nights at First MCC of Atlanta (Georgia) they are now serving over 50 people each week who are hungry or homeless. They also distribute clothing to their guests.
Bournemouth 2026 is a plan for the future of the city. MCC Bournemouth (England) has been asked to participate in this planning.
A group from MCC Illiana (Lake Station, Indiana) attended a dinner to benefit the Cancer Health Treatment Center.
(back to top) We're going Green World Environment Day was 5 June.
Folks from MCC Sydney (Australia) joined other faith groups in a unified section of a walk and rally to urge the government to do something about climate change. Banners proclaimed "Australian Religious Response to Climate Change" and "Faith and Ecology Network" to show that people of all faiths were committed to making a difference in the future of their country and the world.
Plastic bags. Gentle Shepherd MCC (Phoenix, Arizona) has found a great way to recycle plastic grocery bags by donating them to The Agape Network to use in distributing food that is donated by the church and other groups. MCC Corpus Christi (Texas) saves theirs for Locher Food Pantry. This month they are also collecting canned fruit and toiletry items for them.
Reconciliation MCC (Grand Rapids) is collecting bottles and cans to recycle, using the proceeds to buy coffee mugs to use instead of styrofoam or paper cups.
The Green Team of MCC Omaha (Nebraska) spent a day trimming trees, weeding flower beds, and cleaning up their yard and gardens because they are partnering with the Big Garden organization to provide garden space for people in the surrounding community.
MCC of the Quad Cities (Iowa) and others in the LGBT community joined Habitat for Humanity and Sierra Club members to help build the first "green" Habitat home in their area.
There is a Green Tip every week in the E-News of MCC Louisville (Kentucky).
Last month MCC of the Chesapeake (Annapolis, Maryland) received $60 for office supplies from recycled cartridges and sent in 23 used cell phones.
Save the trees! The New Image newsletter is now on the MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) website.
MCC United (Tulsa, Oklahoma) recycles aluminum cans.
(back to top) Would Jesus Discriminate? New Creation MCC (Columbus, Ohio) is taking their campaign to the next level. They had a workshop for congregants to explore why they need the initiative in their city and what to do next. Last year they handed out postcards at several events. This year there were bracelets and bumper stickers given away during Pride and a Bible study seminar is planned for the community in August.
New Life MCC at Hampton Roads (Virginia) is holding training sessions to be prepared to participate in the WJD campaign in their area.
(back to top) Ecumenical and Interfaith Activities Crave MCC, MCC of the Good Shepherd, and MCC Sydney all participated in the LGBT Interfaith Service in Sydney, Australia, on the 24th.
River of Life MCC (Dorchester, England) is arranging for a leading Imman to address the congregation about the Islamic tradition and then they will invite a local Buddhist leader to speak about that faith.
Rev. Jide Macaulay was the guest preacher at The Methodist Church in London, England.
(back to top) HIV and AIDS Ministries MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood, California) provided two scholarships for HIV+ persons for the Strength for the Journey Retreat in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Joe Shackelford of MCC San Jose (California) completed his ninth AIDS Lifecycle Ride, bicycling 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles and raising over $6300 (USD) for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Click Here
Michael Lamarre, who worked in intelligence for the National Security Administration while serving in the Air Force from 1984 to 1987, was refused a job with the Transportation Security Administration because he has been HIV+ for 19 years. Last November he completed a 165 mile charity bike ride with Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) in just 2 days. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) has filed suit on his behalf.
MCC of Topeka (Kansas) hosted the Dr. Phyllis and Flo Show to raise money for themselves and the Topeka AIDS Project Food Pantry.
Gentle Shepherd MCC (Tallahassee, Florida) is collecting pennies and other change for Big Bend Cares.
To begin their ministry at Belle Reve, an assisted living facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, Big Easy MCC (New Orleans, Louisiana) hosted an ice cream social.
In response to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's effort to slash HIV funding, members of MCC San Francisco participated in a rally at City Hall, which was followed by a pilgrimage to Sacramento for a large protest at the Capitol.
(back to top) Reports from the Moderator's Teams The Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team Stan Kimer, Chair
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Stan Kimer was elected first vice president of the North Carolina Council of Churches last month. He had just completed two one-year terms as second vice president. http://www.nccouncilofchurches.org/
The Global Justice Team Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair
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There is so much work going on around the world. Rev. Jim Merritt is busy with marriage equality. Pride has, or hasn't, taken place in many communities, depending on where one lives. Some fear for their lives if they are outed, while others celebrate openly in the streets. Rev. Pressley Sutherland gave a sermon at the Green Market Square Methodist Church during a political commemorative service for victims of hate crimes ... with an emphasis on black lesbians who have been raped and murdered without justice in South African townships. The event happened on the eve of the general election when many were anxious that the hard-won gains in the constitution might be dismantled by the incoming government. The action was sponsored by the Triangle Project, where Marlow Valentine and Sharon Cox work, and the 07-07-07 Campaign Coalition of which Good Hope MCC (Cape Town) is a part.
(back to top) Conferences, Classes and Retreats Bad Girls? Yes, at MCC San Diego (California) they are studying Bad Girls of the Bible, including Eve, Delilah, and Jezebel.
MCC Newcastle (England) is "Going Deeper" on a church retreat at St. Anthony's Priory in Durham.
Fifty adults from MCC Wichita (Kansas) participated in their 2nd annual I.C.E Day (Imagine Church Exciting, Energizing, Expanding-you fill in the blank!). They wrote a new Mission Statement and reviewed the concepts presented in The Four Agreements.
At Open Arms MCC (Rochester, New York) they are studying the Gnostic Gospels.
Both this month and next, the Pastoral Care Ministry Team at MCC Richmond (Virginia) is offering an opportunity for members and friends to learn about some of the basics of caring for each other.
In conjunction with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas) is offering Gender Identity and Our Faith Communities on 18 July. They will discuss the intersection of gender identity, gender expression, and religious beliefs.
Rev. Elder Ken Martin spent Pentecost weekend at the MCC Portland church retreat in the Oregon Cascade foothills. Dreaming Dreams and Seeing Visions completed with the Sunday evening service back at the church.
Several MCCers participated in The Fellowship Conference, held 8-12 July in Atlanta, Georgia. Visit www.radicallyinclusive.com .
For the next 16 weeks Topics at Ten on Sunday mornings at St. John's MCC (Raleigh, North Carolina) will be studying The Gospel of the Revelation According to St. John the Divine to discover the positive messages for God's Rainbow people.
Q-Spirit, a weekly discussion group at Eternal Joy MCC (Dayton, Ohio), digs deep into matters of life and faith and how being LGBT fits into the scheme of things.
At Vision of Hope MCC (Mountville, Pennsylvania) they are studying If You Want To Walk On Water, You Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. They meet by the pool at the pastor's home and after the one hour study, everyone is invited to swim!
An introspective study based on The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz will meet weekly next month at MCC El Paso (Texas).
The newest Genesis Group of MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) is meeting in Southlake and studying excerpts from The Secret and The Shack for application in their daily lives.
MCC Toronto (Canada) just graduated another 35 students from the CLM (Creating a Life that Matters) course, making over 100 from their congregation who have completed this MCC course!
In July Imago Dei MCC (Glen Mills, Pennsylvania) will have a series on the Meaning(s) of the Eucharist.
MCC Lehigh Valley(Allentown, Pennsylvania) will present physicist Dr. Tom Padikal in a seminar on 12 September during which he will explore the relationship between science and spirituality, helping participants to remember their divine lineage and providing a glimpse into its implications. Lunch will be served. To register, go to www.spiritsci.webs.com .
FirstCoast MCC (St. Augustine, Florida) is planning their first congregational retreat. Their Excel team will lead the day long event on 15 August at a state park where many will camp and fellowship for the weekend.
New Spirit Community MCC/UCC/DOC (Berkeley, California) offered Queering the Rosary: Relational Mysteries. Graduate student Eugene McMullan devised a series of meditations on Praying the Queer Rosary, based on stories from the bible which depict Queer Families or Relationships.
MCC Sydney (Australia) participated in Crave Camp earlier this month. There were group activities and games, jam sessions, and times for prayer and just hanging out together.
The third annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp will be 21-26 July at Towson University (Maryland) to train LGBT and ally college leaders. http://www.CampusPride.org
Water of Life MCC (Tucson, Arizona) hosted a Conflict Resolution seminar.
(back to top) Church and Pastoral Anniversaries Pikes Peak MCC (Colorado Springs, Colorado) celebrated 30 years of ministry in July. On the 10th Rev. Elder Troy Perry was present for a showing of Call Me Troy and discussion. On Saturday there was a festive banquet. Rev. Perry preached on Sunday. To surprise Rev. Wes Mullins for his first anniversary as their pastor, they purchased and hung new black pipe and drape with colored pieces for each season. Plus, they painted all of the bathrooms!
Brightwaves MCC (Brighton, England) was seven years old last month.
Rev. Delores Berry was the special guest for the 31st anniversary of MCC Richmond (Virginia). Besides concerts and worship services, there was a wine tasting, silent auction, and picnic.
As part of their 39th anniversary celebration, the Celebration Choir of MCC San Diego (California) performed Broadway, Our Way. And, for a $100 (USD) donation you could select one of the show tunes to be sung! The money went to support their Pride activities.
MCC of East London (England) was founded on Pentecost 18 years ago.
Our Hope MCC (Athens, Georgia) is making plans for their 10th anniversary celebration 21-23 August.
Central Texas MCC (Waco, Texas) had their 28th anniversary on the 28th last month.
Rev. Paul Eknes-Tucker has been with All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis Minnesota) for seven years.
Earlier this month Rev. Peter Trabaris and Rev. Axel Schwaigert celebrated their respective 18th and 9th ordination anniversaries.
Lubbock (Texas) observed their 29th anniversary by beginning to plan for their 30th on 17 June 2010.
MCC Charleston (South Carolina) celebrated their 28th anniversary 11-12 July with Rev. Delores Berry in concert and preaching.
(back to top) Resources Casa de Luz ICM (Monterrey, Jalisco Mexico) is offering several new programs in Spanish via their Christian Voices website, including roundtable discussions, testimonials, Biblical coming out, meditations, and more. Check it out! www.vocescristianas.net
Chi Rho Press is again carrying the sterling silver MCC crosses and logos. The crosses are $19.95 (USD) each plus shipping and handling. The newer logos are $24.95 each plus shipping and handling. http://www.chirhopress.com/products/silver_jewelry.html
The MCC Office of Formation and Leadership Development has launched a new website, complete with forms, manuals, class offerings, a place to post information, and so much more! This is a great site for clergy and those in process. http://www.ofld.mccchurch.org
The DVDs from the 2008 PAD Conference are finally available. The ten disk set is only $100 (USD) plus shipping and handling. Individual disks are $10 plus S&H. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Do you subscribe to The Alban Weekly, an e-publication of the Alban Institute? It has vital information for church ministry. Recently an issue focused on Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church and Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry, which are also books. In these economically challenging times, both ideas can bring needed programmatic income into your church. Check out the above links and then subscribe for the newsletter at http://www.alban.org/AlbanWeeklySignup.asp .
Rev. Jide Macaulay has written a new pocket devotional for LGBT Christians. It is available at http://www.listbooks.co.uk/isbn/9780954999704 or http://revrowlandjidemacaulay.blogspot.com/2009/05/order-your-copy-of-pocket-devotional.html .
(back to top) Juneteenth Celebrations Juneteenth celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation finally being realized in Texas ... 2 ½ years after it took effect. US President Abraham Lincoln issued the declaration on 22 September 1862, with an effective date of 1 January 1863. Yet it was not until 19 June 1865 that the message of freedom arrived to those who were enslaved in the State of Texas.
Additional persons joined the Sanctuary Choir for a special number at the Juneteenth celebration service at MCC Austin (Texas).
There was an excellent article on Juneteenth in the newsletter of Christ Chapel MCC (Santa Ana, California).
Folks from MCC Corpus Christi (Texas) will be participating in various events over the 10 day celebration in their city.
MCC/ICM Los Angeles (California) held two events to celebrate Juneteenth: a concert by Scotch Ellis Loring and a BBQ dinner hosted by Azania, the African American group at MCCLA.
At MCC New York (New York) they know that there is a connection between remembering the old stories and freedom, and between remembrance and social justice, so they dedicated one service to remembering the stories of Juneteenth.
Dates to Remember
Some of our churches observe these two dates, but they are ones on which we should all focus.
In Soweto, South Africa, on 16 June 1976 thousands of black children took to the streets to protest their inferior education. Hundreds of those children were gunned down. During the next two weeks of demonstrations, over 100 died and more than 1000 were injured. We need to remember the millions of African children who receive no education in today's world.
The UN declared 20 June World Refugee Day.
There are millions of refugees globally who live without material, social, and legal protection. They are often without food, shelter, medicine, or even clean water. Some are denied refugee status and protection by other nations, even though returning to their homeland means certain death. Click here to read more. (back to top) No Action was Best
Rev. Dr. Joe McMurray was instrumental in leading a community-wide effort to resist protesting at Fred Phelps' anti-gay, anti-Semitic appearance in Key West, Florida. MCC Key West hosted a community meeting including City Commissioners, police, the school superintendent, and other civic and business leaders. They decided to ignore Phelps' people, which proved to be a huge success, since reaction was minimal and radio and television stations refused to air Phelps' event.
Marriage Caravan
Five couples from MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) joined 12 other couples to go to Iowa City, Iowa, to officially tie the knot. They were accompanied by five clergy and the media. MCCGSL is planning to host another marriage caravan to Iowa in the coming months. (back to top) Working Together
Hope and Unity MCC (Johannesburg, South Africa) is one of three organizations on the management committee of the (LGBTQI) Joint Working Group, a collaborative body of organizations working within their various communities in South Africa. Good Hope MCC (Cape Town) is also a JWG member and will take the lead on a project to promote greater awareness of and pride in the progressive human rights included in their country's Constitution. They will also train activists, leaders, and care providers in better self-care strategies.
MCC Responds to California Ruling
MCCers across the US participated in the rallies in their own cities to demonstrate their disappointment in the ruling handed down by the California Supreme Court denying gay and lesbians the right to marry in that state.
Rev. Jeff Bert, Rev. Lea Brown, and Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon, along with several members of MCC San Francisco were arrested during a peaceful protest in San Francisco. To read more, click here and here .
Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas) held a public rally in support of marriage equality. Click here for more information.
MCC El Paso (Texas) participated in a public rally in solidarity with California's LGBT community. Click here to read the article.
Rev. Clinton Crenshaw as a featured speaker at the Day of Decision Rally in New Orleans, Louisiana.
MCC San Jose (California) opened their doors for the LGBT community to gather for prayer and support. Rev. Sky Anderson led a prayer gathering at church as soon as the decision was announced. Rev. Mike Ellard served as the M.C. for the rally and march to protest the decision.
Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida) organized a Day of Decision event at which MCC's Moderator, Rev. Nancy Wilson, was a featured speaker.
MCC of San Diego took part in their city's peaceful rally and march.
Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, president of California Faith for Equality, was the public face and voice for people of many different faiths supporting marriage equality. Click here to read the article. Rev. Troy Perry participated in a press conference at the offices of attorney Gloria Allred, was interviewed by the Associated Press and Religion News Service, and took part in public rallies and events, including a demonstration at the Beverly Hilton where U.S. President Obama was attending a private event. He also spoke at the Meet in the Middle rally in Fresno, California.
Additionally, several press releases from MCC were sent out within minutes of the ruling being posted.
(back to top) Editor Judy Dale, Metropolitan Community Churches
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