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REV. ELDER DARLENE GARNER
CONVENER
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Darlene Garner was baptized into the
National Baptist Church at the age of 7 and joined the Episcopal Church
as a young adult. She joined MCC Washington, DC, in 1976.
She served MCC DC as Church Treasurer and Lay Delegate and later served
the Mid-Atlantic District as Assistant District Coordinator.
Garner received her clergy credentials in 1988. She has served as
Associate Pastor |
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of MCC in Philadelphia, PA; Pastor of MCC in Baltimore, MD; and
Senior Pastor of MCC of Northern Virginia. She has been the
convener of MCC’s Conferences for African-American Leaders since
1998. Garner has been a member of the Board of Elders since
1993. She currently serves as the Regional Elder for Region 6,
which includes the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America,
and South America.
Before entering the professional ministry, Garner was the Executive
Director of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Sexual
Minorities. She is a founding co-chair of the National Coalition
of Black Lesbians and Gays, and chaired the first International
Conference for Gay and Lesbian People of Color. She has served as
the chaplain for an AIDS hospice and as President of the Board of
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry. Garner has also served as a
member of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (hearing
complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, gender,
and national origin) and of the West Hollywood Business License
Commission. Garner has received numerous awards and citations for
her service to the community.
Darlene Garner has attended Ohio State University, Samaritan College,
and Lancaster Theological Seminary. She is the mother of four
children and has seven grandchildren. She and her partner Leticia
García Vargas live in Guadalajara, Mexico.
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REV. CANDY
HOLMES
CHAIR
Rev. Candy Holmes brings to MCC rich perspectives and insights stemming
from her spiritually diverse and musical life experience. From her
Baptist, Pentecostal, and Interfaith background, she has honed gifts and
skills of musical direction, healing, preaching, diversity work, event
planning, and program administration. In addition, Candy has been
a leader in weaving these same abilities with social justice and
ecumenical endeavors in the local community |
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and nationally.
While pursuing a secular management career within the Federal
Government, Rev. Holmes passionately pursues a multi-faceted ministry.
Rev. Holmes is an ordained Interfaith minister (graduate of The New
Seminary, New York, NY), is currently pursuing her Masters of Divinity
degree (Episcopal School of Divinity), and has completed the MCC
transfer clergy process. One of Rev. Candy’s passions is
participating in the MCC Conference for People of African Descent,
Friend and Allies. She has served in varying leadership roles with the
Conference for 10 years and it has been her honor to be the Chair for
the PAD Conference for two successive sessions. Candy has also served as
Worship Coordinator and Music Director for multiple MCC Regional and
General Conferences.
Regardless of the aspect of ministry, Rev. Candy is engaged,
energized, and excited with doing what the Divine has placed within her
hands to do. Whether planning a conference event, conducting a
workshop, preaching, leading a healing service, or supporting or
organizing music ministry; you will find her happily working out her
mission and motto – “Be the change you want to
see.” She hales from Washington, DC and has been a part of
MCC since 1988. Rev. Candy resides in Laurel, Maryland with her
partner, Debra Rose.
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VICKEY GIBBS
ADMINISTRATOR
CULINARY AND SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
Vickey Gibbs began attending MCC in 1981 upon her move to Houston,
Texas. She became a member of Resurrection MCC in 1984. Vickey has
served Resurrection MCC and the Fellowship in a variety of ministries
including: Lay Delegate, Board of Directors, Clerk of the Board of
Directors, Member of the Department of the People of Color, Co- |
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Chair of WIND/MDISC – South Central District, Committee Member
of National National WIND/MDISC, Team Member of PAD Conference,
Executive Committee of EXCEL International, Director and Convener of
Resurrection’s Soul Force Retreat Team, Administrative Assistant
to the MCC Governance Team and Administrative Lead to the South Central
District Board of Ordained Ministry to name a few. She currently serves
as the Confidential Executive Assistant to Rev. Elder Darlene Garner of
Region 6. She is developing a protocol for church assimilation. Vickey
is also in formation towards ordination in MCC.
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PAULETTE ARMSTEAD
ENTERTAINMENT
Born and raised in south Florida, Paulette now resides in Washington,
DC where she is a full-time graduate student at Wesley Theological
Seminary. She will receive a Master of Divinity degree in May 2008. For
the past ten years, Paulette has been an active member and lay leader in
various MCC churches. Currently, she is a clergy intern at MCC DC and is
pursuing ordination in UFMCC. Paulette’s
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previous PAD Conference experience was 2006 when she served as a
member of the Programming Team and as co-team lead for the Entertainment
Team. Paulette is single and is self-employed as an attorney,
mediator and arbitrator.
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MARSHA WARREN
FINANCE
Marsha was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has one sister. After
serving in the US Army, Marsha pursued a career as a Social
Worker. She attended St. Leo College in Florida, where she
graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration and Human
Resources Management. After working for the Georgia State
Department of Human Resources, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, and
enrolled in the University of Texas where earned a degree in Accounting
and is now a Certified Public Accountant.
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Since 1986, Marsha has been helping people as an expert in
individual, non-profit, church, and corporate federal income tax rules,
and currently serves as a Financial Products Specialist for the Internal
Revenue Service, which involves providing tax advice to Fortune 500
companies.
Marsha was raised in the Church of God in Christ, where she served in
various capacities. She joined MCC San Antonio in 1998 and has
served as Chair of the Fund-Raising Committee, Chair of the Finance
Committee, Treasurer for Women’s Ministry and church
representative to the local Pride Day planning committee. She also
served as the Treasurer of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.
In addition to her work within the church, Marsha has also donated time
for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. She is the
recipient of numerous work related and GBLT community awards.
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HERMAN
SIMPSON
HOST TEAM - MCC OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
Herman was raised in the Methodist church where he learned about
God’s love. In 1998, he joined MCC Washington DC After
joining MCC his eyes were to God’s unconditional love for him as a
black gay man. He is currently a member of MCC Greater St
Louis. As an active member of MCC-DC and MCC-Greater St Louis
(MCC-GSL), Herman has served on the church board and on worship teams,
as leader of the People of Color and Out-N-About ministries and enjoys
singing in |
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the church choir. He is blessed to share his life with his
partner. His MCC-GSL covenant family is a blessing from God.
Herman’s motto is to live by these words spoken each Sunday at
MCC-DC “Affirm God’s Love, Share Christ’s Message, and
Serve in the Spirit.”
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REV. ROBERT
FERGUSON
LOGISTICS
Robert Ferguson is a native Hoosier, attending both North Central High
School as well as Indiana State University. After being honorably
discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1989 Robert embarked on a journey for
direction and purpose that would take him through Chicago, Atlanta,
Washington DC, the Million Man March, and eventually landing in the
pulpit of one of Indianapolis's most prominent African American Baptist
churches. Ordained and licensed October 10, 1999, |
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Robert served several years in the pulpit. During that time questions
surrounding gender equality, sexuality, and spirituality began to
surface and his journey toward true enlightenment began.
In 2002, Robert joined Jesus Metropolitan Community Church and is an
ordained Deacon. Joining Jesus MCC provided opportunity to study and
learn more about GLBT theology and inclusive doctrine. On the horizon
Robert intends to pursue an education in religion. In Indianapolis and
surrounding communities, Robert speaks publicly to the struggles of
African American gays and lesbians, particularly Christians who have
been censured under the institution of the Black church.
Robert is the founder of the Diversity ministry at Jesus MCC, which
addresses the ministry needs of the Black GLBT community. He is also the
founder of the Indiana Black Pride (IBP) Inc. IBP was born out of the
need to unify and empower the marginalized Indiana Black GBLT community.
What started as a small ministry and movement has grown to a state-wide
organization with more than 300 supporters and is a charter member of
the International Federation of Black Prides.
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KATHY BEASLEY
PROGRAMMING
My professional career includes 10 years of
decorated military service, over 10 years of information technology
systems support and management combined with human capital and change
management along with customer
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expectation building for both public sector and
nonprofit organizations. Currently, I am the Executive Operations
Liaison for Metropolitan Community Churches and enrolled in the MDiv
program as seminary student at the Florida Center for Theological
Studies. My educational accomplishments include being awarded the
Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Masters of Arts in
Organizational Management along with other professional
certifications. I am a resident of beautiful Orlando, FL where I
share my life with my best friend and partner of over 7 years, Valarie
Parson and our three dogs Bandit, Rascal & Harley.
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RENEE
DUBIGNON
SECURITY
Renee Dubignon is one of the foremost security consultants in the Tampa
Bay Florida Area. She brings with her over 25 years of
experience in Law Enforcement with the New York City Police
Department. She served in various capacities. Renee served
primarily as an in-service trainer, moderator, developer and policy
consultant. She has also received notable commendations for saving
lives. Renee retired from the rank of Detective.
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Additionally, Renee served as the Military Police Brigade Liaison for
the United States of America Army Reserves. She was the Training Manager
at the Empire State Military Academy. Renee retired after serving
25 years in the Army reserves and from the Executive Officer position at
a Reserve Combat Support Hospital. She retired from the rank of
Major.
Renee received her Master of Social Work form the City University of
New York Hunter College and her Bachelor of Science degree from the
University of the State of New York, Excelsior College. She is
also the recipient of the Command and General Staff College
Certification and holds a Microsoft Certified Professional and A+
Certification. Along Renee’s career path, she also served as
a Combat Support Medic.
Renee Dubignon is the proud mother of her adult son, Dominique Dubignon
and is an active member of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa,
Florida. She is an active supporter of the MCC PAD Conferences.
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ORGENA ROSE
WORSHIP
Orgena Rose is an inspirational singer/songwriter, dancer, actor, and
vocal coach who travels around the country leading vocal workshops and
sharing the unconditional love of God through song, drama and liturgical
dance. Having over 14 years experience as a teacher, music director and
director, Orgena has served as a music director for Gentle Shepherd MCC
and Imago Dei MCC where she was a founding member and served as Vice
Moderator. She has served as a music director for the |
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Mid-Atlantic District (of Region 3), and Region 6 conferences and as
worship coordinator for the 2006 MCC PAD conferences. As an accomplished
professional singer, Orgena has performed in Ragtime on Broadway, Porgy
and Bess at Carnegie Hall, on Rosie O'Donnell, theTony Awards, and the
Today Show, in two PBS specials, and in three movies, Pandemic, Snappers
and Jake’s Corner. She can be heard on the first GBLT-produced
Balm upBeat CD, Songs of Praise from a Strange Land. Her new CD, It's
All About Love, is a collection of Orgena’s original songs that
will inspire the heart, lift the spirit and heal the soul. For more
information visit www.orgenarose.com.
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JEREMY JOHNSON
MUSIC
Jeremy Johnson is the Minister of Music & Transformational Worship
at MCC Christ the Liberator where he combines the truth of music with
the word of God. The result is a worship service that is never
mechanical, but rather life-affirming.
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REV. WANDA
FLOYD
VOLUNTEERS
Rev. Wanda Floyd is pastor of Imani MCC of Durham, North Carolina.
She currently serves as the PAD ’08 Conference Volunteer Team
Chair and has participated in the previous PAD conferences. She
has served the fellowship in various positions since 1987 when she
joined MCC. In her local committee, she serves as co-chair of the
North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality and is
currently enrolled in Shaw Divinity School working on her Masters in
Divinity. Rev. Floyd is married to Sheryl Griffin, her life
partner of 12 years. |
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RACHEL LEE
MULTI-MEDIA
Rachel Lee is a Nashville, TN native who moved to St. Louis, MO in
order to pursue a degree in Media Communications. While at Webster she
served as secretary of the Association of African American Collegians,
award-winning starter for the Women’s Basketball Team and
founder/president of Webster’s first Gospel Choir, Webster
Worshipers.
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She graduated from Webster University in May of 2007, with a degree in
Video Production and departmental honors. She served as one of the first
Non-Linear Editing Assistants in 2005, and was hired as the first
supervisor for the work-study program.
In addition to Webster University, she works as a freelance
videographer and editor. Her passion lies with video editing and is
diligently working towards a career in film editing.
She was introduced to MCC of Greater St. Louis at the end of 2004 and
has since been a volunteer in the Children’s Church, Visual Arts
Team, Equinox, Generations and the MCCGSL choir.
Her mentor, introduced her to a wonderful experience at the PAD
Conference two years ago in Tampa, FL. The conference was such a
“home-coming” for her and she is so excited to be able to
assist in making it a success as it travels to St. Louis, MO.
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HOST CHURCH
MCC of Greater St.
Louis
Rev. Carol Trissel, Senior Pastor
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| candy holmes, darlene garner, pad, people of african descent |
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