| International Newsletter of Metropolitan Community Churches
In this Issue Justice and Social Action Rev. George McDermott is active with BFLAG, Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Currently this is a US organization under the American Council of the Blind. There are BFLAG chapters in Atlanta, Boston, Houston, and Washington DC, but more are needed. If you or someone you know is blind or is an ally of persons who are blind and part of the LBGT community, then please call Rev. George in the evening (Eastern time) for more information. 508-795-1118
The MCC Rainbow Walkers of MCC Lubbock (Texas) participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
MCC Anchorage (Alaska) hosted the director of TWO (Truth Wins Out) as a speaker and workshop presenter to counter a fundamentalist church's promotion of the ex-gay group Love Wins Out.
MCC of the Redwood Empire (Guerneville, California) provided backpacks with school supplies to children in their area.
Yea, God! And thanks to so many folks! On her second appeal Prossy Kakooza has been granted asylum in the UK! Over 5200 people and congregations from around the world signed the petition; hundreds of others sent emails or letters, collected signatures, prayed, stood by her in court, etc. The judge ruled that, as an out and proud lesbian, there was no way she could be safely returned to any location in Uganda. Pray for her partner Leah, who remains in Uganda. Good work, MCC Manchester (England)!
Rev. Durrell Watkins was quoted in the Sun-Sentinel in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, about the injustices of not allowing partners from other nations to come and live with their spouses in the United States.
Mary Ann Norman headed the team from MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia) to raise funds during the annual Light the Night Walk sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Participants carried lighted balloons to signify their commitment to finding a cure for blood cancers.
The Thanksgiving Food Drive Team at Joy MCC (Orlando) organized a variety show to benefit this year's Garrett-Reed Thanksgiving Food Drive. Debra Winters and David Taulbee were the MCs.
Rev. Lea Brown fasts on the 25th of every month and will do so until the vast majority of troops are brought home from Iraq and Don't Ask, Don't Tell is ended in the United States. Each month she writes to members of Congress about her fast. Her most recent letter can be found at http://www.sfqlive.com/iraq.html .
After having marched in the parade in Newcastle in September, folks from MCC Newcastle Upon Tyne (England), marched in the first-ever parade in Teeside and shared information about their church. The rainbow flag flew above City Hall and the Mayor opened the day with a supportive speech. This was followed by Fun Day, a festival complete with rides.
All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) gathered winter clothes for children and gave them to an elementary school in their neighborhood.
Congregants at Christ Chapel MCC (Santa Ana, California) have launched a drive for items for a food pantry so that they may help others during the upcoming holidays.
Educating folks! Open Arms MCC (Pahoa, Hawai'i) hosted a political candidates' forum. Six of the 17 candidates for Mayor, State Representative and County Counsel joined them for a spectacular worship service, which was followed by the forum with 11 candidates participating and over 100 in attendance. Rev. Elder Debbie Martin facilitated the session focusing on such issues as gay marriage, solar power, coastline problems, and health care.
MCC Good Shepherd (Granville, NSW, Australia) sponsored the Parrametta Pride Picnic.
On a recent Sunday, Big Easy MCC (New Orleans, Louisiana) focused on the plight of the LGBT community in Jamaica. They are now reaching out with emails, donations, and by writing to their Senators about the injustices in both Jamaica and Nigeria.
Earlier this month the Rainbow World Fund http://www.rainbowfund.org/ delivered medical and school supplies and cash grants to an orphanage, an HIV/AIDS medical clinic, and an educational nonprofit in Tijuana, Mexico, thanks to the support of three California congregations: MCC/ICM Los Angeles, MCC San Diego, and MCC San Francisco. If your church would like to participate in future projects, contact Jeff Cotter at 415-608-5333 or
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Folks from MCC of the Rockies (Denver, Colorado) will be participating in the first LGBT build for Habitat for Humanity for their community.
Holy Cross MCC (Pensacola, Florida) filled bags with clothes and food and then distributed them to people living in homeless camps.
Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) collects both perishable and non-perishable food items for Julian House.
Agape MCC (Ft. Worth, Texas) and Promise MCC (Oak Park, Texas) hosted a dinner for the Soulforce Equality Riders when they were in town to visit Dallas Baptist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southwestern Assemblies of God University to promote positive dialogue and treatment for LBGT students.
MCC Charleston (South Carolina) recently collected school supplies for a school in Columbia which has 98% of their students on 'free lunch'. They were able to supply one classroom, taught by a church member, for the entire year!
Great Outreach! A growing number of community organizations make First MCC of Atlanta (Georgia) their official home: Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus, Atlanta Freedom Marching Band, Georgia Equality, Atlanta Executive Network, and Hotlanta Squares (square-dancing club).
MCC Key West (Florida) joined with the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League to sponsor a conversation on homelessness during which they presented the experiences of homeless people in an open community forum.
MCC Omaha (Nebraska) has partnered with State Senator Gwen Howard to help re-open Yates School in one of the most disadvantaged areas. They are collecting Box Tops for Education to purchase school supplies.
Hurricane Ike refugees emptied the Denton (Texas) Food Pantry, so the folks from Harvest MCC helped replenish it.
Folks from New Life MCC of Hampton Roads (Virginia) participate each month in Klub Sandwich, preparing meals for children and the homeless.
Congregants from MCC Melbourne (Australia) volunteer and serve at a local soup kitchen.
MCC Hartford (Connecticut) participated in a rally at the capitol and an interfaith service to celebrate the ruling in favor of same sex marriages in their state. Rev. George Chien prepared the liturgy for the service and performed a solo; Rev. Julio Flores offered one of the reflections; and the MCC Hartford choir sang. Sharron Emmons and Mary Roche were interviewed by ABC news.
(back to top) We're going Green The Green Team of MCC of the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Pennsylvania) hosted a hayride and pumpkin picking venture to a local farm where participants could also purchase locally grown organic vegetables, gourds, and fruit, as well as home canned items.
Instead of printing a large photo directory, Jesus MCC (Indianapolis, Indiana) is putting theirs online through the church's website. Yes, it will be password protected, but it will also save a lot of paper and ink!
Region 1 went green at their conference. Instead of binders, participants received portfolios made from recycled materials with pages printed on recycled paper. No one received printed materials for worship or workshops, except for those with visual impairments. Registration materials came in a reusable bag.
In an effort to save electricity for air conditioning at King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida) they put room thermostats on 80 (F) when the room is not in use.
The $2 million (USD) renovation at MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) will include a fully accessible, state-of-the-art "LEED certified/green" worship space, with additional areas for education, meeting rooms, parking, a full kitchen, and The Hope and Help Center.
Rev. Mark Hayhurst, an intern at All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) and former Lutheran pastor, preached a sermon entitled "It's Not Easy Being Green" about moving from non-green to green in his personal life. And there to applaud him was Kermit the Frog!
MCC Edinburgh (Scotland) began collecting inkjet cartridges and within a few weeks sent the first batch of cartridges to recycling.
MCC New York (New York) is making its very own eco-friendly shopping bags available for $6.50 (USD) including shipping. Send your order to MCCNY, 446 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018, USA. 100% of the proceeds support the Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry.
"Would Jesus Discriminate?" Campaign Update Great FREE advertising! Rev. Phyllis Hunt and 11 other people from MCC Tampa (Florida) participated in the NBC's Today Show broadcast from the campus of the University of Tampa. Their WJDbanner and t-shirts were very visible, along with their MCC Tampa standard with the UFMCC logo and their Say NO to 2 signs, protesting the amendment to the state constitution.
At Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas) Rev. Dwayne Johnson used the entire month of October to preach on the theme Would Jesus Discriminate? as they kicked off their campaign.
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love was the special guest for the Town Hall meeting sponsored by the Florida churches working together. People from Bradenton, Venice, Sarasota, and surrounding areas were invited to attend the event at Sarasota Unity Church.
The WJD campaign was covered by the ABC channel in Fort Worth, Texas.
(back to top) Ecumenical and Interfaith Activities Your MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious team has been very busy. Several new items are now available in the resources section of their website
These new resources will assist churches in working with other denominations and religious faiths. There is
- A guide to help evaluate if a potential new ecumenical or inter-religious involvement would be beneficial or feasible
- Information on MCC's ongoing relationship with the United Church of Christ (USA) denomination
- An update on the team's work presented to the Board of Elders
Please check the webpage frequently for updates and never hesitate to contact team chair Stan Kimer at
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At MCC Toronto (Canada) folks gather to learn the Dances of Universal Peace, which are simple, joyous, circle dances that honor the sacred traditions of the world, bringing participants closer to the Divine.
Rev. Rosario Vargas participated with clergy from various denominations and faiths in a Service of Remembrance at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento, California.
At a press conference leaders from Episcopal, Roman Catholic, United Methodist, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker, and Jewish traditions joined Rev. Renwick Bell of Church of Our Savior MCC (Boynton Beach, Florida) in signing a call for attention to immigration issues, asking for justice and compassion for the more than 12 million undocumented men and women in the US.
MCC Albuquerque (New Mexico) hosted an interfaith Labyrinth Walk for Peace.
Maurice Harris, director of music at New Spirit MCC (Cincinnati, Ohio), performed at A Year of Living in Promise concert for churches committed to full inclusion of all God's people.
MCC of the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) and the Unitarian Church of the Quad Cities held a joint worship service, From Tragedy to Hope, in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the slaying of Matthew Shepard.
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love and Rev. Dr. Nancy Horvath-Zurn were two of the speakers from various faith traditions at the Faith and Fairness Town Hall Forum in Rochester, Minnesota. (back to top) HIV and AIDS Ministries Every year Open Arms MCC (Rochester, New York) provides Thanksgiving dinners for at least 20 families served by AIDS Rochester. Mary Ellen Johnson and Reggie Wright are leading the food collection effort.
Rev. Kevin Downer ran in the Chicago Marathon to raise money for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. It was his very first marathon. A group from aChurch4Me? MCC came out to cheer him on before their morning worship service.
Wichita Falls MCC (Texas) participated in the North Central Texas AIDS Run/Walk.
Preben Bakbo Sloth of Markens Liljer MCC (Copenhagen, Denmark) serves on the Board of the National Lutheran AIDS Service and represents that body on the Danish Council of Churches.
Gentle Shepherd MCC (Phoenix, Arizona) supports the Agape Network with food and other donations, in turn assisting 279 people with HIV/AIDS.
Not only have the congregation, support groups, and neighbors of MCC Topeka (Kansas) enjoyed the beautiful flowers in the children's garden, including zinnias that reached 5' tall, but so have the children at the Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe. The MCC children gather the seeds from the flowers, sell them, and donate the money to the orphanage. (Click Here)
MCC San Jose (California) had their worship service at the Walk for AIDS in addition to staffing a booth, participating in the walk, and performing in the opening ceremonies.
Folks from MCC Sydney (Australia) engaged in the 2 km Walk for AIDS on November 23 at the Botanical Gardens.
Angels of Hope MCC (Green Bay and Appleton, Wisconsin) collects both perishable and non-perishable foods for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.
Water of Life MCC (Tucson, Arizona) works each month at the Poz Café and donates needed products to the Tihan's Poz Marketplace.
Gene Behlen is leading the initiative at SunCoast Cathedral MCC to raise $500 (USD) to repair the interior of the AIDS Resource Center in the Dominican Republic. ICM Santo Domingo also uses that space for their weekly worship services.
Valley Ministries MCC (Stockton, California) participated in the Sierra Hope AIDS Walk, a Hike for AIDS and Hepatitis.
If you have not already done so, please send the names and year of passing of those friends and family members who have died of AIDS to
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. Also, visit the MCC Global HIV/AIDS Blog at www.MCCGHAM.org . Click on the menu to subscribe. It's free and an excellent way to keep current with this ministry.
Conferences, Clases and Retreats They had a Halloween Extravaganza! The folks from MCC Richmond (Virginia) went on retreat over the Halloween weekend.
At MCC Bournemouth (England) their small group Bible study is using excerpts from Emmaus: the Way of Faith.
A group at MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) is discussing The Shack, a book with the Christ figure represented as a Black woman.
LEAD like Jesus is the current series at Imago Dei MCC (Glen Mills, Pennsylvania). It is an acronym for Learning, Encouraging, Adoration, and Devotion that stands for a combination of relationship-building (discipleship) and skill-building (apostleship) for the participants.
MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia) spent almost two months studying various world religions.
MCC Manchester (England) will host a 24 hour retreat to mark the start of Advent. There will be time for prayer, worship, and reflection on the Advent Promises, so that they can spiritually prepare for Christmas.
WOW! Rev. Dr. Mona West is teaching the Word on Wednesday (WOW) at MCC Austin (Texas). The current class is Biblical Spiritual Formation.
Cornerstone MCC (Mobile, Alabama) hosted their annual Great Gulf Coast Camp Meeting. Rev. Keith Mozingo was the featured preacher.
Fantastic! Open Door MCC (Boyds, Maryland) has 20% of their membership (over 20 people) participating in a 34 week Disciple Bible Study.
Jesus and Pasta! is the Bible study event at MCC Boston (Massachusetts) where folks enjoy a vegetarian pasta meal and time of learning and discussion with friends.
In November Kevin Light is presenting a course at Good Hope MCC (Cape Town, South Africa) on Expanding Your Picture of God, which focuses on spiritual growth.
Students at MCC Baltimore (Maryland) are engaged in a class on Genesis - from Adam to Abraham.
At MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) on Wednesday evenings instead of driving to church, folks just join the conference call for a time of study, reflection, and prayer. Currently they are looking at the Fruits of the Spirit.
Many folks at MCC San Francisco (California) are engaged in Spiritual Journey Groups, small groups created to discuss spirituality and get to really know one another.
The current class at MCC Portland (Oregon) is focusing on the bad girls and boys of the Bible!
Rev. Edgar Francisco has begun a new Bible class at MCC New York (New York) with exercises on queer reading connecting Scripture to everyday life.
Church and Pastoral Anniversaries Germany celebrated MCC's 20th anniversary in that nation. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson joined in the festivities at MCC Hamburg.
The Rock MCC (Chattanooga, Tennessee) celebrated their 20th anniversary with a mortgage burning ceremony! Jeremiah Cummings, Eric Eubanks, Undra Finley, Jim Martin, Mary Moore, and Tammy Riley planned the events over two weekends with Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski and Ritchie Crownfield there one Sunday and Rev. Bob Galloway preaching another. At a special evening service the Expressions of Hope Dance Ministry performed, while both the Brothers of Expressions of Hope and the Sisters of Expressions of Hope provided musical renditions. The Rock's choir also performed various numbers.
Free to Be MCC (Bellville, Ontario, Canada) celebrated their 18th anniversary last month.
Marsha Stevens-Pino was the special guest for the 28th anniversary weekend at Exodus MCC (Abilene, Texas).
St. John's MCC (Raleigh, North Carolina) celebrated Rev. Belva Boone's 7th pastoral anniversary with a Jason & DeMarco concert and Strategic Growth Initiative workshops by Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman.
For Pastor Appreciation Month, FirstCoast MCC (St. Augustine, Florida) held a surprise Southern cooking potluck for Rev. Ruth Jensen-Forbell and showered her with cards and letters from all the congregants.
MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) celebrated their 35th anniversary the end of October.
Gentle Shepherd MCC (Tallahassee, Florida) celebrated their 15th Anniversary with a Homecoming Celebration Service in their very own building!
MCC Louisville (Kentucky) will be celebrating the 25th pastoral anniversary of Rev. Dee Dale December 5-7. There will be a reception and music/testimonial evening on Friday, a banquet and silent auction on Saturday, and a special service with Rev. Elder Diane Fisher preaching and luncheon on Sunday. For additional information contact Juston Brinley at
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New Heart MCC/UCC (Tacoma, Washington) celebrated 32 years of ministry on Halloween.
Rev. Elder Jean White was the guest preacher for the 29th anniversary at MCC Bournemouth (England) the end of October. They also had a disco party with a finger buffet.
MCC of the Palm Beaches (West Palm Beach, Florida) celebrates their 27th anniversary November 16th with gospel singer Marvin Matthews.
Rev. Elder Ken Martin was the special guest for the 34th anniversary of MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood, California). There was also a pipe organ recital by Paul Allison and Bob Crocker.
MCC of the Chesapeake (Annapolis, Maryland) may have had to move their 10th anniversary garden party inside due to weather, but they still had a two week celebration with pictures, memories, a dinner/dance, and guest speakers, including Larry Griffin, president of We Care and Friends, and Alderman Sam Shropshire.
Healing Spirit MCC (Rochester, Minnesota) celebrated their 10th anniversary with a Marshall-Grant concert.
(back to top) Resources Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) has just published the first issue of their new theological journal Sharing the Light. The lead article is by Father John McNeill. An annual subscription is $10 (USD). Send your request to 1480 SW 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315-1375, USA. They also have begun an internet program by the same name.
Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, author of Omnigender, a friend to MCC, and one of the foremost theologians writing today, has just published a beautifully revised and expanded edition of her classic text, Sensuous Spirituality: Out from Fundamentalism.
Wise and accessible, provocative and holy, this new edition offers fresh wisdom on transgender experience combined with the paradigm shattering analysis of the original version.
Especially for youth groups! Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School explores this potentially explosive topic with sensitivity and intelligence. The story focuses on her courageous fight to establish a gay-straight alliance. The DVD comes with curriculum materials. http://www.hineinithefilm.org/
When film maker Macky Alston's fellow seminarian, Alan Smith, died of AIDS, Alston had a crisis of faith that caused him to make a new documentary, Questioning Faith. He explores faith and how human beings navigate through the darkest hours of seemingly senseless loss. The DVD is available through Docurama Films at (646)259-4113 or
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LayLink has expanded again. Dale Burkholder has set up a Facebook group in addition to the Yahoo discussion group and PrayLink. You must be registered on Facebook to participate. Go to "groups", then "search group", and look for "LayLink". For more information on any of the groups, contact Dale at
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Bilaal Rajan of Toronto, Canada, first started fundraising at the age of 4, selling clementines to raise funds for earthquake victims in India. Now 12, he's also raised funds for hurricane victims in Haiti, tsunami victims in South East Asia, and HIV/AIDS victims in Malawi. He's raised huge amounts of money. He's also a UNICEF child ambassador. His book, Making Change - Tips from an Underage Overachiever, is intended for children and teens, and is amazing for adults, too. ISBN 9781554690015 Orca Book Publishers
Creating Change, the 21st US conference on LGBT equality, will be in Denver, Colorado, January 28 - February 1. Registration is $250(USD) through the end of November. http://www.creatingchange.org/ Congratulations! Rev. Carolyn Mobley was honored by Oklahomans for Equality for her outstanding work while serving as the interim pastor of MCC United in Tulsa. She had also participated with PFLAG, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, Diversity Arts, Tulsa Interfaith Alliance, Sisters in Song Chorale, YWCA, Tulsa Pride, HOPE, Divas Concert, and the City of Tulsa's Center for Racial Justice. October 26 was proclaimed a day to honor her commitment and service.
(back to top) World Outgames and Conference
The second World Outgames are scheduled for Copenhagen, Denmark, July 25 - August 2, 2009. You can register now to participate or attend. Not only will there be the olympic type events, there will also be a human rights conference with five keynote plenaries and numerous workshops. (Click Here)
What is Your Church Planning? Please let me know about your congregation's observance of the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Thanks! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
And what plans you have for the upcoming December holidays ... Advent, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's ... for fun, to learn, to engage the community, to be the embodiment of Christ for others.
Harbor MCC
Many of us have forgotten about Hurricane Ike and the devastation it wreaked, but the folks at Harbor MCC (Galveston, Texas) are still living with the destruction daily. The only items they were able to salvage were some kitchenware, their chalices, a few books, and their liquid wax candles. Gone were 50 sanctuary chairs and other furniture, all electronics from computers to sound systems, all appliances from refrigerators to microwave, carpet, phones, DVD/CD/VHS players, piano, and the list goes on. As your church thinks about helping families or organizations for Christmas, why not consider Harbor MCC, both the church and their families, many of whom were left with nothing. Gift cards from major chains can be used by both the church and the people to get what is most needed. Gifts may be sent to Vickey Gibbs, Region 6 Office, % Resurrection MCC, 2025 West 11th Street, Houston, Texas 77008, USA.
Prop 8, Amendment 2, etc. ...
Not only in California, but in Florida and Arizona as well, MCCers were at the forefront of the battle for marriage rights. In Arkansas they battled for the right to be foster parents and to adopt. Remember them as they met a step backwards in their journeys and their vow to continue fighting for equality. All the California MCCs were open to minister to the community in the wake of the defeat. Pastors from many churches in those states issued pastoral letters to their congregations.
MCC of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, California) donated office and meeting space for their regional "No on 8" campaign and hosted a phone bank.
Faith Leaders for the Freedom to Marry video included Rev. Doretha Williams of A Church for All MCC (Sacramento, California) and Rev. Elder Darlene Garner. (Click Here)
MCC San Diego (California) participated in a phone bank, a candlelight vigil and rally, and an ecumenical service, as well as writing letters to the editor.
MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood) raised funds with a screening of Call Me Troy.
Rev. Michael Patrick Ellard and others from the Council of Churches in Santa Clara County created videos. English - (Click Here ) Spanish - (Click Here )
Rev. Rosario Vargas appeared on Univision, a Spanish TV channel, encouraging viewers to vote against ending same-sex marriage in California.
Film producer Marjorie Alexander created two public service announcements encouraging Californians to vote against Prop 8.
The Advocate pictured Rev. Brad Wishon in an article about the anti-marriage initiative in Arizona.
EditorJudy Dale, Metropolitan Community Churches
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