Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches

Greetings to all of you in Metropolitan Community Churches and outposts throughout the world today. This is MCC's 40th Christmas as a movement and a denomination. At Christmas of 1968, no one could have imagined the world as it is today. No one could have imagined MCC churches and ministries stretched around the globe.
 
But this is who we are today. And I want to encourage you.

Christmas is a season of giving, and I want to thank you for all you have given - your time, talent, and your tithe, your generosity over and above to your local church, as well as to MCC's global ministries. I want to thank every local MCC church that has reached out, all year long and in this season, into the wider community. The more MCC reaches out and blesses others with what God has given us, the stronger we will be.
 
We face tough times of economic challenge today and in the near future. At times like these we can be tempted personally, and as church communities, to pull inward, to withdraw from our external, wider engagement. Resist that temptation! If we can't give much or any money, we can give our time, or our talent, our skills. We can invest in prayer. We can find ways to encourage other organizations and individuals in our communities who are also hurting or struggling. Our God is our Provider, and will provide for our needs. How often has we heard Rev. Troy Perry say, "Our God can do anything but fail!"
 
Most of all, keep the doors of Metropolitan Community Churches open wide in this season. Our people need us more than ever - to be faithful, prophetic, justice-seeking, loving, healthy, whole and joyful.
 
MCC has so much to be grateful for at this 40th Christmas. God is alive and moving, raising up new leaders, churches and communities all over the world. People in Brazil, El Salvador, Pakistan, Rwanda, Nigeria, the Ukraine, Scotland, New Orleans, Tijuana, Seattle, New Haven, Key West, and hundreds of other cities and dozens of countries are hungry for an inclusive message and a welcoming, engaged community that is out, open and fearless. This is who we are and who we were called to be, without apology.
 
I want to thank my fellow Elders in MCC, Arlene, Lillie, Diane, Darlene, Ken and Glenna; Cindi and our amazing MCC global staff and teams; our Board of Administration, Jeff, Julie, Barb, Marvin, John and Marsha.
 
Jesus, Emmanuel, is with us. The Christ who was born in Bethlehem, is willing to be born in us today. This is the good news of the Gospel.
 
Merry Christmas, MCC, and a Happy New Year!
 
Grace and peace,
 
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Office of the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
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