Welcome to the special Pride edition of the MCC IMPACT!  Pride happens almost year round across the world.  Here are just some of the highlights for 2009.

April Happenings

Church of Our Savior MCC (Boynton Beach, Florida) and MCC of the Palm Beaches (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) were among the churches and faith groups participating in an interfaith Pride service. 
 
Cornerstone MCC (Mobile, Alabama) participated in Pridefest 2009 and hosted a special Pride affirmation worship celebration on the last Sunday of April.
 
Besides having their own booth at the festival, at which they handed out Frisbees advertising the church, and marching in the parade, Gentle Shepherd MCC (Phoenix, Arizona) made $6 (USD) per hour for each person who worked for the festival.
 
FirstCoast MCC (St. Augustine, Florida) not only participated in their Ancient City Pride activities, but also in the festival in Daytona and the events in Jacksonville.
 
Gentle Shepherd MCC (Tallahassee, Florida) had an information booth at Pride in the Park, which they shared with the Unitarian and St. Stephen churches. Jay Hudson spoke at the city's interfaith Pride worship service.

May Activities

Some folks from the California congregations of Christ Chapel MCC (Santa Ana), Good Samaritan MCC (Whittier), and Resurrection Beach (Costa Mesa) participated in the Long Beach Gay Pride festival and parade 15-16 May, while others attended the Region 6 conference that weekend.

Both Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida) and Trinity Charities had booths at Sarasota Pride at the Van Wezel. SunCoast Cathedral MCC (Venice, Florida) was there, too.

June Celebrations

"I rode in the parade, wearing a Would Jesus Discriminate? tee shirt over my white clerical shirt, and a tiara with three birthday candles in felt. My congregation came up with the tiara!  It was indeed a joy to be in the parade, and especially on my 80th birthday.  When I came out in 1945, I never imagined what the gay world would look like 64 years later, and as one of the early gay parents, I never imagined there would be so many of us. There was a group in the parade, walking with strollers and their kids. My daughter rode with me. It's a whole different world and it's nice to have lived long enough to appreciate the changes. It isn't perfect, but by God, it is a whole lot healthier for us than it was when we were all hiding in the bars." ~ Rev. Marge Ragona, Bethel MCC (Birmingham, Alabama)
 
For Capital Pride in Washington, DC, eight churches marched together as the last and largest contingent in parade: Holy Redeemer MCC (College Park, Maryland), MCC Baltimore (Maryland), MCC of the Chesapeake (Annapolis, Maryland), MCC DC, MCC Fredricksburg (Virginia), MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia), New Light MCC (Hagerstown, Maryland), and Open Door MCC (Boyds, Maryland). They also had a joint booth at the festival.
 
Donna Payne, a member of MCC DC and a staff member of HRC, was named a 2009 Capital Pride Hero, honoring her outstanding contributions to the community.
 
MCC Key West (Florida) held a contest to design their float and even offered a $50 (USD) prize.  Besides building their float and participating in the parade, they had a booth at the festival and a special service at church. And, they won Best Float in the non-profit competition!
 
For many years MCC Boston (Massachusetts) has participated in three Pride parades and festivals: Boston Youth Pride, Boston Pride, and Providence, Rhode Island, Pride.  They were a co-sponsor of the interfaith worship service held just before the start of Boston's parade and staffed a booth at the festival distributing literature and selling raffle tickets.
 
Their annual outdoor BBQ and Spirit service kicked off Pride at All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota). Their Praise Band played on the main stage at the festival one day. They had two booths both days and offered an entire worship service in the park on Sunday morning.  Their float "There is no place like home!" depicted a furnished family room. The legally married folks carried signs with the date and location of their wedding. They also participated in the Twin Cities Dyke March.
 
For at least 20 years MCC Portland (Oregon) has given out free water at their booth.  This year they highlighted their kids' program and advertised a picnic they were hosting. For several years there have been religiously based protesters, berating people at the gate with hate-filled signs, so MCCP posted their own people at the gate with uplifting signs about God's inclusive love, which was extremely well received, except by that other group!
 
Reconciliation MCC (Grand Rapids, Michigan) participated in the West Michigan festival. At their Pride service Rev. Deb Dysert's father played his harmonica and their choir re-débuted in robes with pride colors, singing a special song remembering Stonewall.
 
MCC Topeka (Kansas) hosted their annual Pride picnic again with over 300 in attendance.  It's their gift to the community. There was a talent show and Pride hat contest this year. Shawn Thomas was there to perform.
 
MCC Quezon City (Philippines) participated in the Baguio Pride march, celebrating the 25th anniversary of this event, the oldest in the Philippines and in Asia.
 
Would Jesus Discriminate? was the theme for MCC Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). Sixty people in WJD shirts, carrying their giant banner, marched in the parade, while others staffed their WJD table at the festival.
 
Holding their Pride service on Saturday is a tradition at Holy Covenant MCC (Brookfield, Illinois) so that they can march with the MCC contingent in the Chicago parade on Sunday.
 
Rev. Dwayne Johnson and Rev. Rev. Kristen Klein-Cechettini, along with the Gospel Ensemble of Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas), participated in the interfaith Pride service. For the parade they wore their blue WJD shirts. Their contingent was led by the Resurrection Singers, backed up by members of the Gospel Ensemble and Sanctuary Choir. They again offered Communion in the streets, taking the Table beyond their walls and out to God's people.
 
MCC Seattle (Washington) set a goal of raising $5,000 to underwrite their presence at Pride, Pridefest, Capitol Hill Pride, and the October Coming Out Month activities.  They became a sponsor of Pride 2009, the only church to do so! They held a Decorate Your Umbrella party so that everyone could adorn a black umbrella with rainbow and other trimmings for the parade, which was viewed by over 400,000 people. At both the parade and the Dyke March, they handed out beads and bracelets proclaiming "God loves you" with the church's website included.
 
Jeff Lutes was the featured speaker at the Pride multifaith service with the MCC Austin(Texas) 30 voice choir singing, David Blackburn as the pianist and featured soloist, and Daniel Arredondo leading the worship music.  Several MCCA members sang with Austin's Capital City Men's Chorus for special music.  Over 100 folks created visibility at the festival and marched in the parade, during which the 6:24 Band rocked the streets.
 
Wearing their WJD? or Jesus MCC (Indianapolis, Indiana) shirts, the church was one of the largest contingents in the parade there. Their choirs and instrumental ensemble performed on the main stage at the festival.
 
MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) viewed and discussed portions of For the Bible Tells Me So over coffee each Sunday morning in June.
 
MCC of the Rockies (Denver, Colorado) kicked off Pride with their own potluck picnic, which included swimming, volleyball, and other activities. There were balloons everywhere in their parade contingent.  
 
MCC San Jose (California) was visible in Pride events in two cities by marching in the Santa Cruz parade and participating in the San Jose parade and festival.
 
MCC Baltimore (Maryland) was extremely busy during June.  They hosted a showing of A Jihad for Love at the church, participated in the interfaith service, marched in the parade, enjoyed a block party, served cookies and lemonade at their festival booth, and joined the other area MCCs to be visible in the parade and festival in Washington, DC.
 
New Life MCC at Hampton Roads (Virginia) had a table during Out in the Park to promote their church.  They wore their Khaki hats with embroidered rainbow crosses on the front and New Life MCC on the back.
 
Vision of Hope MCC (Mountville, Pennsylvania) participated in Lancaster Pride.  
 
MCC Amarillo (Texas) hosted the interfaith Pride service.  Others participating included Temple B'nai Israel, Amarillo Unitarian Universalist Association, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
 
aChurch4Me? MCC (Chicago, Illinois) offered a hands on study of the Bible, Tradition and Christianity, providing historical context for the "clobber" passages, as well as exploring the stories that actually affirm LGBT persons and same gender relationships. They held an early morning special Pride service so that they could participate in the huge parade downtown viewed by over 450,000 people, for which they were joined by Holy Covenant MCC (Brookfield, Illinois) and MCC Illiana (Lake Station, Indiana).  Rev. Kevin Downer was quoted extensively in an article in The Chicago Tribune asking "Should gay flocks have their own churches?"  (Click here to read the comments. They are enlightening!)
 
MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) marched in the parade which was followed by a festival at Market Square.  However, their biggest event was the Pride picnic which they have sponsored for the community for the last 25 years!  Groups and organizations had tables to display information and goods while everyone grilled out and visited.
 
Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) worked two days filling goodie bags for GayDays. In return they receive free vendor space at the Expo, permission to sell WJD shirts, and a place for the Sunday worship service.  During the weekend event they had more than 200 folks wearing their WJD and conversing with folks all over Disney World. They closed the month with a potluck picnic and an evening of praise and prose with Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Adrain Bowie.
 
Christ Chapel MCC (Santa Ana, California) participated in the Pride festivities in Los Angeles, as well as earlier in the year in Long Beach.
 
MCC United (Tulsa, Oklahoma) participated in the Diversity Festival and the Pride parade, as well as a number of other activities 28 May - 6 June.
 
Safe Harbour MCC (Halifax, Nova Scotia) coordinated the interfaith service for Halifax Pride 2009.  The theme was Breaking Down Walls and Building Bridges with representatives of different congregations and faith traditions offering words of invitation to the LGBT community.
 
New Light MCC (Hagerstown, Maryland) held a Leather Pride Service on 7 June.
 
MCC Elizabethtown (Kentucky) and MCC Louisville joined together to be the largest contingent in the Kentuckiana Pride festival parade with flags, church and WJD banners, convertibles, and a float.  They also staffed two booths at the festival, one to sell items and one to share information. MCCL handed out CDs about their ministry. Rev. Dee Dale was one of the speakers at the interfaith service.
 
MCC Sydney (Australia) hosted a party and the Pride worship service for their community.
 
Over 120,000 people participate in the Stonewall Columbus (Ohio) Pride Holiday. New Creation MCC took advantage of that with a float in the parade and a booth at the festival to let folks know that MCC was there.
 
Spirit of Hope MCC (Kansas City, Missouri) hosted the Gay Pride interfaith service this year. Rev. Kurt Krieger gave the invocation both days at the festival, as well as performed the commitment ceremony on Sunday.
 
Harvest MCC (Denton, Texas) joined with Trinity Presbyterian Church for a showing of the documentaryOut of the Past followed by a panel of guest speakers, awards, and refreshments.
 
Brightwaves MCC (Brighton, England) had a blessings area in the park where anyone, or any pet, could receive a blessing or healing prayer.  Additionally, Rev. Debbie Gaston was asked to bless the parade for the third year in a row.
 
MCC Santa Rosa (California) had a booth at the Sonoma County celebration. Rev. Leanna Hamilton participated in the third interfaith service there.
 
MCC El Paso (Texas) was extremely busy this year!  They helped sponsor the Frontera Pride film festival, as well as having a float in the parade and a booth at the festival.  They hosted another event at the El Paso Community College Valle Verde, a panel of experts speaking about Gay and Lesbian history, including Rev. Kati Houts whose topic was Religion and Homosexuality.
 
MCC Omaha (Nebraska) was the only group selling water and soda for the 2009 Nebraska Pride celebrationwith 7000 people in attendance.  Of course, their members, who had donated all the water, got it for free!
 
MCC Illiana (Lake Station, Indiana) participated in the second Pride parade in Gary, Indiana, which was followed by the Gay Family Pride picnic.  They also joined in the Chicago parade.
 
MCC San Francisco (California) had a sign making party so that they would have fabulous signs for their large contingent to carry in the parade and to let people know that they were once again home at 150 Eureka in the Castro. They also had runners in the Pride Treasury.
 
MCC Albuquerque (New Mexico) folks not only staffed their own booth but also volunteered in many other areas at the festival.  Of course, they were in the parade, too. They hosted a special service to give God thanks and praise for creating such a diverse world followed by a potluck picnic, and joined others in the community at Gay Day at Cliff's Amusement Park.
 
MCC/ICM Los Angeles (California) and MCC in the Valley (North Hollywood) joined with other churches, synagogues and faith communities in California Faith for Equality to ride on a gaily decorated double decker bus and to march, carrying their banners and signs, in the Christopher Street West LGBT Pride Parade and Festival in West Hollywood. Before the parade the LGBT Interfaith Clergy Council of Los Angeles and MCCLA hosted an interfaith worship service on the corner of La Cienega & Santa Monica. The church also had a contingent in the Dyke March in Silverlake. 
 
Christ Covenant MCC (Decatur, Georgia) hosted Family Picture Day, a fundraiser for Atlanta Pride.
 
As part of protest against homophobia, ICM Fortaleza (Brazil) held an Art Party on 26 June at the church and on 27 June at Ponte Metalica.  Then on Sunday they hosted a breakfast at the church and joined in the parade.
 
Open Arms MCC (Pahoa, Hawai'i) hosted a booth at the festival in Kona.
 
The Praise Team from A Church for All MCC (Sacramento, California) was featured on the main stage at Pride and the church had a booth. For their own Pride service they had a concert with hip hop & Gospel artists, as well as dancers and a little spoken Word.
 
King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida) enjoyed a Masquerade Ball complete with drag kings and queens, dancing, a pianist, a live auction, and a costume contest.  Their theme for the month was Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence.
 
MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) marched in the Pride parade as part of the Faithful and Proud initiative of the Open and Welcoming Congregations of St. Louis. They also participated in the two day festival, the interfaith service, and in Metro East Pride in Bellville, Illinois.  At the Pridefest they provided the Kids' Corner with crafts and games for the older children and a place for parents to cool off, change diapers, or breast feed.
 
SunCoast Cathedral MCC (Venice, Florida) hosted an event each weekend during June including a concert by Justin Ryan, showings of Milk and Prayers for Bobby, and a picnic.
 
MCC Baton Rouge (Louisiana) again organized and sponsored Pride Fest for their city. There was a Drag Bingo and reception, a picnic and resources fair where they sold their cookbooks and gave free tasters to folks, a blessing of relationships, and a line up of entertainers including singers, The Krewe of Divas, and comedians. They ended the weekend with their Pride worship service and an afternoon of movies at the church.
 
Rev. Pat Bumgardner was Grand Marshall for the parade in Queens, New York.  There was a huge banner welcoming her to the borough and honoring her for her social justice work. Congregants from MCC New York joined her for the parade, handing out their "God made me ..." stickers and wearing their God made me Queer shirts.  There was a breakfast, a rally during which the MCC NY choir sang, and an opportunity to share information about the church. And, that was just in Queens! They also participated in the parade, the AIDS vigil, and the UN International Day for Survivors and Victims of Torture in New York City. Because of their active schedule during Pride, they held two fundraisers. One was a raffle with over $1300 (USD) worth of prizes. The other was even better ... a Clergy Auction. Bidders could win an afternoon with Rev. Pat Bumgardner at the Trapeze School of New York overlooking the Hudson River as they learned the art of trapeze, or be accompanied by Rev. Edgard Francisco Danielsen-Morales to an Unlimited Mimosa Brunch at Philip Marie in the West Village, or sushi and conversation at Bamboo 52 in Hell's Kitchen with Rev. Boon Ngeo, or a wine and dine evening at Philip Marie with Rev. Gayle Davis.
 
During the Pride Scotia celebrations, MCC Edinburgh (Scotland) honored two organizations for their contributions to the LGBT community during their annual Pride Service of Liberation.  This year they recognized Affirmation Scotland for their affirming religious voice within The Church of Scotland and Loud and Proud, Scotland's only LGBT choir.
 
Divine Peace MCC (Pontiac, Michigan) had a table at Motor City Pride in Detroit, as well as working during Michigan Pride in Lansing.  They received free advertising in Between the Lines by distributing material for them at the event.
 
MCC Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) had two booths at their festival ... Food for Fundraising and Food for Thought.
 
Rev. Carolyn Mobley and Adrain Bowie were the special guests at Potter's House International's Pride Sunday celebration where they shared their Ministry of Inspiration.
 
New Spirit Community Church MCC/UCC/DOC (Berkeley, California) did a three week series celebrating Diversity and Pride.

Eternal Joy MCC (Dayton, Ohio) raised $469 (USD) at their booth at the Pride festival by selling home baked goods, bottles of water, and other items. They also raffled a fabulous quilt made by Angela Harris and shared information about their church.
 
New Heart MCC/UCC (Tacoma, Washington) joined MCC Seattle for Communion on the street.  Their group included many children and youth.
 
MCC Toronto (Canada) moved everything down to Pride to produce Church on Church Street for the festival goers, which is a big undertaking, but great advertisement for the church.  Their choir also performed on the stage later during the festival.
 
Pride was held for the first time in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and The Upstate Church MCC was there! Over 600 people came out to march in support of the LGBT community.  Despite 100 protestors lining the route, the march was uneventful.  Rev. Randy Besta was interviewed by Fox News.
 
MCC of the Redwood Empire (Guerneville, California) had a float in their city's parade.

28 June - 40th Anniversary of Stonewall

MCC Richmond (Virginia) hosted a showing of Call Me Troy on Saturday and then a special commemorative worship celebration on Sunday where they were joined by People of Faith for Equality in Virginia.
 
In the Metroplex (Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas) they held a march and rally as part of the Million Gay March. Would Jesus Discriminate shirts were worn by folks from Agape MCC, Harvest MCC, MCC of Greater Dallas, Promise MCC, and Trinity MCC as they marched together. Their WJD coalition had a booth at the rally in the park.
 
MCC Melbourne (Australia) hosted their traditional Stonewall service, which included numbers by the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus.
 
Wearing tie-dyed t-shirts, fringe leather, peace signs and other outfits from 1969, MCC Fredricksburg (Virginia) held a special service to remember Stonewall.
 
MCC El Paso (Texas) and Rio Grande Adalante hosted a free Stonewall Remembrance Picnic for the community, followed by volleyball, and music under the stars. 
 
ICM Casa de Luz (Monterrey, Mexico) participated in the March for Sexual Diversity to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stonewall.
 
First MCC of Atlanta (Georgia) presented "A Generation of Pride - the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall Riots" during which they honored their s/heroes.
 
Pride in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia focused on the Stonewall anniversary. New Life MCC had a table at Out in the Park to share information about the church.
 
Wichita MCC (Kansas) found themselves everywhere on Pride Sunday, from the church service in the park, to their float in the parade, to entertainment, to the food booth! 
 
Light University of Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) hosted a matinee showing of God, Gays, and the Gospel, the history of Rev. Elder Troy Perry and MCC. During their evening worship they concluded a series on Our Story, Too.

July Festivities

Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) will combine their Pride celebration with a farewell service for Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd on 19 July at 6:00.  Others hosting this special event include Brightwaves MCC (Brighton, England), Good Hope MCC (Cape Town, South Africa), and Serenity Healing Ministry.
 
Healing Spirit MCC (Rochester, Minnesota) did almost everything to make Pride in the Park successful from decorating the site with balloons, to managing the children's area, to hosting a blessing for couples, to facilitating the Drag Queen Bingo, to selling desserts at their own booth. Then they hosted a special service on Sunday.  Whew! The Praise Team and Band from All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) was one of the featured performers at Pridefest.
 
The Bourne Free festival began as a result of anti-gay preaching in the town square in 2004.  Rev. Dwayne Morgan is a trustee of the charity which plans the event.  MCC Bournemouth (England) will be donning top hats, canes and whips as Ringmasters as they march in this year's circus themed parade. 
 
July will be filled with at least five float building and festival preparation parties at MCC San Diego (California) as they get ready for a big showing during Pride. MCC/ICM Los Angeles will be bringing a bus full of people to join in the festivities.

'Thank God for Gay Men, Lesbians and Transgender People' marketing materials designed by Rev. Andy Braunston were distributed by MCC Manchester (England) to promote their church during Sparkle, a festival for the trans community. 

Pikes Peak MCC (Colorado Springs, Colorado) will participate in Pridefest in Acacia Park on 19 July. Their float this year will feature their 30th anniversary. They will also lead an interfaith service at the park.
 
MCC Charlotte (North Carolina) will participate for the fourth year in Pride Charlotte, proclaiming that Jesus doesn't discriminate. One of their members will open the festivities and their choir will sing. 
 
MCC Newcastle (England) will have to provide two stewards to march with their contingent because it is such a large one in the parade.  A Pink Picnic follows the parade on 18 July and their Pride service will be the next day.
 
MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) is hosting a showing of Call Me Troy for the community.
 
London, England, celebrated Pride on 4 July.  Those participating in the parade and festivities included MCC East London, MCC North London, MCC South London, and MCC Bournemouth. Robin Brook served as a steward for the Pride parade/festival.
 
MCC San Antonio (Texas) had a float and a group of 40 marching in their parade earlier this month. They won second prize for their float and handed out fans, candy, and pens complete with the church's information.

August Events

The Gospel Choir of Jesus MCC (Indianapolis, Indiana) will be a highlight of the annual Black Pride Service on 9 August.
 
Dorchester, England, is observing Pride for the first time ever, so River of Life MCC will be in the midst of it, plus hosting a Pride service on the evening of 23 August.
 
Gay on the Bay is the theme for the Chesapeake festival on 1 August at Mayo Beach Park.  MCC of the Chesapeake (Annapolis, Maryland) will be visible there, just like they were for the festivities in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland earlier.
 
MCC Manchester (England) will begin the arts festival there with a comedy evening on 21 August featuring Clare Summerskill, a very popular comedienne and the partner of Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd, who will preach at the church on Sunday. That is followed by Pride. Last year they purchased professional "roll-up" and "pop-up" displays and flooring for their stand, which made them really stand out. Since then, their attendance has increased by an average of 12 people a week. This year's Pride will conclude with a special worship service for the community in their new venue.

September Happenings

MCC Fredericksburg (Virginia) will have a booth at their city's festival in September.
 
MCC of Greater Dallas (Texas) will march in the Dallas parade on the 21st.

October Celebrations

Agape MCC's Vision Quest Meeting recently was devoted to planning the church's participation in the October Pride Week events in Fort Worth, Texas. Their parade will be on the 4th and the picnic on the 11th, Coming Out Day.