HEADLINE NEWS
13 April 2019
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Award Presentations Honor Local Leaders
By Lauren Bennett, Strategic Leadership Team
Thank you again to all who have nominated so many amazing MCC ministries through our awards process. Most awards will be given in a local context between now and General Conference, and slowly revealed as local churches celebrate. The first round of these awards were given in the past couple of weeks. The words below were shared during the award presentation, based on their nominations. May you be inspired as you read of their amazing ministry.
The Purple Grass Award
is named for a sermon still preached by Rev. Elder Freda Smith, the first woman ordained in MCC and elected an Elder. It is given to persons who have a passion for evangelism, sharing the vision and message of MCC in creative and innovative ways.
We are thrilled to announce Rev. Peta Evans as this year's recipient!
"Rev. Peta has become a torch bearer for the Trans community at The Village MCC, in Brighton, UK. As an openly, non-binary trans man, they have continued to step out and preach a radically inclusive Gospel.Their Re-Translation Bible Series helps to connect the Trans community to scripture and us to the trans community. The Church Garden has brought people together in ways that encourage connection and healing. Rev. Peta's pastoral care is excellent and spirit led. Their preaching is always challenging. Despite many hundreds of hate messages, even someone daring to attack them as we prayed together at the close of communion, Rev. Peta never wavered in their commitment to the church, the Gospel message, and the larger community that we serve. We are all honoured and proud to be able to serve with them."
The Phoenix Award
has historically been presented to MCC communities that have experienced periods of decline, devastation, or loss; but then, because of inspired leadership and a committed community effort, have risen from the ashes like the mythical phoenix, to become a new, effective, loving and thriving community.
It is with joy we announce Rev. Kenny Callaghan and MCC Richmond as the recipient of this award!
"Rev. Kenny Callaghan became the pastor at Richmond after going several months without a pastor which [debilitated] the congregation. During this time, church hurt and loss of attendance caused hurt and financial losses. MCC Richmond had to cut salaries and then make decisions about what bills to pay and what had to wait; the heat was out for over a year. After receiving a loan, the church was able to hire Rev. Kenny. Upon arrival, Rev. Kenny began addressing church hurt, racism, and sexism. With his leadership and guidance, a finance team was created and the church is now able to pay bills on time! Through generous donations, MCC Richmond has been able to remodel the Parish House and it is now a Community Center. Rev. Kenny is doing the work to make MCC Richmond a thriving and sound church in the LGBTQ community."
Join us as we congratulate
Rev. Peta Evans
and
Rev. Kenny Callaghan
on their awards and thank them for their incredible ministries!
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We want YOU in the conference program book!
Plan to take a group photo of your congregation in your Sunday best in the next few weeks and send to
[email protected]
! We are excited to include every congregation in the conference program book!
Don't forget to send in your shout outs too! All submissions are due May 1!
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Your ministry has something to share
.... an excellent book study, prayer practice, technology for worship, sermon series.... This is your time to share the things you are doing well with all of MCC at General Conference during our Resource Exchange on Friday, 5 July. The Resource Exchange gives you the chance to learn from other churches and take usable, tested and practiced resources back to your church. Submit your resource using the link below, and the Programming Team will contact you with directions to submit your resource.
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Earth Day 2019
Caring for Our Planet as Spiritual Practice
By Jared Vázquez, Diversity and Inclusion
In the beginning God created, and God called it good. The creation story in Genesis reminds us of the vast diversity that exists in our world. All kinds of animals and plant life live in symbiotic relationship that shapes our planet into the beautiful wonder that it is. I was reminded of that beauty recently while watching Our Planet on Netflix. Watching, I was amazed at the diversity of life and ecosystems. I was also saddened at the depletion of habitats due to human activity. It made me wonder aloud to my roommates how I might make a difference, how I might be a part of the solution, how I might help others see how important it is for us to protect our home from harm and destruction.
This year the Earth Day Network has as its theme “Protect Our Species.” This theme is aimed at inspiring us to think what about we can do differently so that extinction does not become our enduring legacy. I pose the question in this way: how might we, as people of faith, live differently in the world to preserve the home that God called good?
Earth Day falls on the day after Easter. With the story of death, resurrection, and the promise of new life fresh on our minds, I encourage each of you to consider ways in which your local church community might be a witness to the world around you. Your testimony can inspire others to consider the importance of protecting our planet and ensuring its flourishing for generations to come.
Below are links to resources for honoring Earth Day and taking active steps in ecological preservation designed for people of faith. I hope you will take the time to look at them and take action this year on Earth Day.
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(from left in alphabetical order)
Ms. Elizabeth Bisordi, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Rev. Elder Tony Freeman
Moderator Candidate Town Hall Webinars
The Moderator Nominating Committee (MNC) will host an hour-long webinar for each candidate in a "Town Hall" setting. The MNC will moderate the Question and Answer session.
Ms. Elizabeth Bisordi
23 April at 7pm EDT / 23:00 UTC
Rev. Elder Tony Freeman
30 April at 7pm EDT / 23:00 UTC
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
07 May at 7pm EDT / 23:00 UTC
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Recordings Available:
"Meet the Moderator Candidates" Webinars
ENGLISH:
02 April 2019
SPANISH:
02 April 2019
ENGLISH:
04 April 2019
YouTube allows viewers to access a transcript of the video and add subtitles of the language of choice.
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Registration is not required for the Governing Board or Moderator Nominating Committee webinars. Webinars will be recorded and posted on social media.
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Upcoming Events, Webinars
Lay Delegate Count Date
The freeze date for churches to determine their Lay Delegate count for General Conference is
1 May 2019
. Send Lay Delegate updates--names and email addresses--to MCC staff member Janine McCarthy at
[email protected]
Save the Date: Governing Board Listening Webinar
An agenda and additional information to follow.
May 21 at 7 pm EDT / 23:00 UTC
Delegates:
Get Ready for the Business Meeting
General Conference Business Meeting documents and reports are ready for download to read and share with your congregation. Additional documents and reports will be posted as they become available.
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Board of Pensions, USA, Calls for Applications to Fill Layperson Seat
by Rev. Tom Emmett, President, Board of Pensions, USA
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Our MCC clergy are the lifeblood of our community. The MCC Pension Plan is one way we show them we care about their future. The Board of Pensions, USA, is an active board which not only oversees the clergy pension plan, but strives to improve and expand it as well.
We have one (1) opening on our National Board, which carries a four-year term. The current opening is a non-clergy position. Investment knowledge, marketing, ability to understand and interpret our plan document, legal, communication and/or technological skills would perfectly complement our Board make up. Please contact us for more information. The successful candidate will be appointed by the Governing Board and Moderator.
Our deadline to receive resumes/references is 13 May 2019. Please send your resume and references to Rev. Tom Emmett, President, Board of Pensions at
[email protected]
.
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Rev. Adrain Mobley-Bowie
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Wonderful Emerging Ministries News
by Rev. Wanda Floyd, Emerging Church Specialist
Our newest Emerging Church is
Breath of Life Spiritual Center MCC
in Saginaw, MI. The church is pastored by Rev. Adrain Mobley-Bowie, ordained clergy within MCC. She has been active in MCC as a transitional pastor and other capacities including being a part of People of African Descent conferences.
Reflection MCC
, pastored by Rev. Sharon Henry, in Folsom, CA has been granted full affiliation status within MCC. They had been an emerging church since 2016. They were supported by their partner churches, Many Journeys and Valley Ministries MCC along the way.
Empowerment Liberation Cathedral
in DC has just had a status change from emerging church to being an aligned organization. An aligned organization is one in which their values and mission are aligned with MCC. The church is pastored by Bishop Allyson Abrams.
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Billboard Campaign Promotes Love and Respect to Counteract Hate
Excerpts from a press release by Rev. Rich Hendricks
Co-founder of One Human Family QCA
Senior Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church Quad Cities, Iowa, USA
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The message above was one of three designs used in the "One Human Family QCA" billboard campaign.
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Expressions of hate...have been occurring with greater frequency around the world, including within our own country.
One Human Family QCA
seeks to promote positive messages of love in order to raise the level of respect and appreciation for all people.... To that end, OHF QCA is launching 10 weeks of 10 billboards...beginning April 1.
“We have no illusions that just these billboards will eliminate hate here,” says [Rev. Rich] Hendricks, “but we hope the positive messages will inspire people to stand up and speak out when they encounter hate-based speech or activities. Our ultimate goal is to improve the climate in our area; away from fear and hate towards love and caring.”
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Sun, Jun 30, 2019 7:15 PM EST
50th Anniversary Gayla - A Cabaret Style Event
Hilton Orlando,
Orlando
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Employment Opportunities
The links below list churches seeking a transitional pastor or settled pastor, in addition to national secular jobs.
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Metropolitan Community Churches is celebrating 50 Years!
Founded in 1968,
Metropolitan Community Churches
(MCC) has been at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements by addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, economics, climate change, aging, and global human rights. MCC was the first to perform same gender marriages and has been on the forefront of the struggle towards marriage equality in the USA and other countries worldwide. MCC recognizes a state of need around the world in the areas of human rights and justice, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer communities. As people of faith, MCC endeavors to build bridges that liberate and unite voices of sacred defiance. MCC leads from the margins and transforms.
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