Metropolitan Community Churches

Around The Fellowship

Judy Dale, Editor

A Publication of MCC's Communications Department 

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MCC's 2008 Women in Ministry Conference will take place in Sarasota, Florida during January 31 -  February 3, 2008. For details, schedule and registration information, CLICK HERE

  The MCC People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies will take place in St. Louis, Missouri during April 17-19, 2008.

For full details and registration information, CLICK HERE.

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MCC's online auction will benefit children and youth through MCC's programs for HIV/AIDS and school discrimination, the Rainbow Endowment Fund, and MCC New York's shelter for homeless queer youth.

To visit the auction site and place your bids, CLICK HERE.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ø   Spotlight On Local Churches and Leaders  
Ø   Special Observances and Special Events!
Ø   General Conference DVDs
Ø   MCC Transitions
Ø   Supporting One Another

 

Roger Hardesty and Ron Price celebrated 35 years of playing music for MCC, including at MCC Los Angeles, General Conference, and currently at Christ Chapel MCC (Santa Ana, California). Roger is still playing the organ which survived the MCC LA arson years ago! Rev. Elder Freda Smith led a Spiritual Renewal Weekend at New Heart MCC/UCC (Tacoma, Washington) -- complete with a Healing Service, workshops, a cookout, and her famous sermon Purple Grass. She is eager to visit other MCCs. www.revelderfredasmithmcc.com. Rev. Rich Hendricks has been named to U.S. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama's LGBT National Advisory Committee. Saxophonist Christopher Creviston was the featured musician in a concert benefiting MCC New York's Homeless Youth Services at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City. Pacific School of Religion has instituted the Rev. Jim Mitulski Scholarship. The former congregation of City of Angels MCC (Los Angeles, California) initiated it with a gift of $7500 (USD) and MCC San Francisco (California) raised another $1500. Rev. Paul Mokgethi, co-pastor of Hope and Unity MCC (Johannesburg, South Africa) appeared live on "We The People" on CNBC Africa in an interview about being a gay person of faith. Rev. Michelle Kirby created banners for MCC San Francisco (California) which are replicas of the stained glass windows in their former facility. Congratulations to the following persons who were appointed by the Board of Elders: Lay Ministry Council ~ Marsha Stevens-Pino, Vice-Chair (St. Petersburg, Florida), and new members Charlene Bisordi (Venice, Florida) and Paul Johnstone (Rochester, New York) Elder's Nominating Committee ~ Rev. Elijah Nealy, Chair (New York City), and reappointed Lupe Valdez (Dallas, Texas) Board of Pensions (USA) ~ Rev. Carolyn Mobley (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Board of Administration ~ reappointed Marsha Warren (San Antonio, Texas) The Elders also expressed their thanks and appreciation to Shawn Henderson, and Elder Mel Johnson, Chair, for service on the Lay Ministry Council; to Elaine German, Chair, and Rev. Elder Jean White who served on the Moderator’s Nominating Committee since its inception; to Rev. Ken Pilot for his work on the Board of Pensions (USA); and to Stephen Harte for his faithful service on the Board of Administration since its creation in 2003. Rev. Heather Creighton was featured on SameSame.com in Australia discussing homophobia and the Bible. http://www.samesame.com.au/article/1292/new_news_item Thank you! MCC Portland (Oregon) is the first church to make a donation to the new Asian Pacific Initiative. They collected $525 (USD). Rev. Jide Macauley is preaching, sharing about House of Rainbow MCC (Lagos, Nigeria), and raising funds to support this church plant. He has been to Holy Trinity MCC (Edinburgh, Scotland), MCC North London (England), Johannesburg, South Africa, and Chicago, Illinois. He has trips planned to Kigali, Rwanda and Accra, Ghana, and has initiated a blog about the happenings in Nigeria. http://www.revrowlandjidemacaulay.blogspots.com/ WOW!!! Call Me Troy was the only film shown on the Opening Night for the Austin (Texas) Gay and Lesbian Film Fest. Both theaters, seating 600 each, were sold out! The documentary received rave reviews in the Austin Chronicle and the Austin American Statesman printed an excellent interview with him. The Barcelona (Spain) G&L Film Festival has shown it with Spanish sub-titles. It will premiere in Los Angeles on December 7 and will be featured at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. To request a screening of the documentary on Rev. Elder Troy Perry’s life, contact Scott Bloom at Tragoidia@aol.com. A trailer can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5tvATGIT64. Rev. Mick Hinson is the new chair of the Police Academy Training Committee, a sub-committee within the San Antonio (Texas) Stonewall Democrats. He and MCC Treasurer Marsha Warren  conducted "Training on LGBTQI Issues" with the cadets. At the Oxford University (England) Debating Society Rev. Debbie Gaston spoke against the motion: "This house believes that all children should have heterosexual parents. " Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) launched their Would Jesus Discriminate? Campaign, complete with media coverage, a radio interview, T-shirts, and outreach. They held an open air rally, during which Rev. Kieren Bourne spoke and Rev. Delores Berry sang "Orphans of God." Church members passed out postcards and dialogued with passers-by. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson was the keynote speaker at the Miracle Weekend of the Greater Hope Fellowship Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of Bishop Yvette Flunder's work. Rev. James Mills, pastor, participated in the meeting of the Ecclesiastical Board of The Fellowship and the Board of Elders. While there, the Moderator and Connie Meadows enjoyed dinner with Rev. Mark Byrd, the new Assistant Pastor for Congregational Life at MCC Washington DC; Rev. Ursula Cargill, who is planting a church in Newark, New Jersey; Rev. Debbie Coggin, Vision of Hope MCC (Mountville, Pennsylvania); Rev. Karla Fleshman, Imago Dei MCC (Gradyville, Pennsylvania); Rev. Jen Glass, assistant for Region 3; Rev. Beth Goudy, MCC of the Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Pennsylvania); and Rev. Candy Holmes, Hallelujah Ministries. Exodus MCC (Abilene, Texas) honors people with their Community Service Awards. This year's recipients were Tennie McCarty for her work in recovery, Rev. Connie Mangin for her care and concern, and Sarah Mulkey for providing programs to empower others. MCC Koln (Germany) has been accepted into the CRI program (Church Revitalization Initiative). Experienced pastors and lay leaders will be working with their congregation and their Interim Pastoral Leader Ines-Paul Baumann to strategize, plan, and implement their vision. Helping One Another! While Rev. Wayne Schwandt is on sabbatical for three months, worship at MCC of the Chesapeake (Annapolis, Maryland) is being led by Rev. Dr. Tom Bohache of MCC Rehoboth (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) and Rev. Michael Hydes of New Light MCC (Hagerstown, Maryland). ICM Vitória (Brazil) was featured in A Tribuna. Interim Pastoral Leader Filipe Alves was quoted as saying, "The church was founded because of the prejudice lived by our people both in the Catholic and the Protestant churches. Here, we reach our main aim: to be in communion with God. Many people hadn't taken Communion for years and now they feel happy to participate in the Eucharist." Thank you! MCC San Antonio (Texas) voted to tithe at 16% for the coming year! The Board felt a great need to support the denomination, especially knowing how much MCC has helped their church for the past year. They are not designating the extra 3% and are challenging other churches to join them in this commitment. Spirit of Life MCC (New Port Richey, Florida) is experiencing amazing growth in ministry, activities, and fellowship under the guidance of Interim Pastor Rev. Suzi Chamness. They just added 27 new members and have another class scheduled! Good Hope MCC (Cape Town, South Africa) was the proud sponsor of the Opening Night at the Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas) was voted "Best Place to Worship" in the OutSmart 11th Annual Readers' Choice Awards for 2007! Interesting media coverage! A recent religion column in the Fredericksburg (Virginia) Free Lance Star newspaper focused on the plight of persecuted people around the world. The author, a retired Southern Baptist pastor and missionary, saluted MCC and encouraged people to "pray for the Metropolitan Community Church congregations as they extend the Gospel to everyone, especially gays and lesbians, a large group of people who are not welcomed in most churches." http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/122007/12012007/331680 Rev. LisaDawn McCabe is available to work on church computer systems (She is nationally certified in the US.) and to preach while pastors are on vacation or sabbaticals. She only needs a safe place to park her winterized camper with access to a bathroom, electricity, and water (house current and a hose are adequate). In return she would want a love offering to help with the travel costs for herself and her two hearing dogs. Her home church is Spirit of Hope MCC (Kansas City, Missouri). Rev. Elder Don Eastman met with Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson and Connie Meadows to complete 2008 work plans for the Moderator and himself. He will work contractually, providing consulting and support service to the Office of the Moderator and to the Board of Elders for leadership development and facilitation of the 360 Degree Feedback and Assessment Process. He will also continue as a part of the Leadership Team in a voluntary advisory role as Vice Moderator Emeritus and with his church development/growth consultations. Congratulations to Rev. Steve Torrance, who received the Medal of Valor from Key West (Florida) Police Chief Bill Maudin. As a first responder to an incident of carbon-monoxide poisoning at one of the resorts, despite the known threat, he stayed on the scene evacuating hotel guests and employees until everyone was safely out of the building. Dr. Paula Schoenwether led a coming out workshop on International Coming Out Day at MCC Naples (Florida). Following that she and her partner, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, facilitated Love the One You're With. Two members of MCC Los Angeles (California) were honored in Frontiers Magazine for being among the Top 25 Angelenos Who Redefine What's Hot. Christine Daniels (formerly Mike Penner), a sportswriter for the LA Times, announced to her readership that she was transitioning. Since then, she has received a promotion and writes two columns! Rev. Pat Langlois trains and empowers volunteers to make positive differences in people's lives, including their own. MCC Newcastle (England) has raised an amazing £1600 for the Out in Africa campaign. Additionally they have sent packages filled with magazines and literature to Nairobi. MCC Austin (Texas) held a Personal Ad Contest as part of the process of their upcoming pastoral search. Partners Lee Miller and T.A. Beadnell won a brand new toaster oven for their entry. "Thirty two year old Pillar of the Community, seeking Partner for a Long Term Relationship. Prefer adventurous, exciting, fun loving individual capable of Cuddling the Lambs, Feeding the Sheep, Leading the Flocks, and yes, even Entertaining a few Old Goats. Must be able to accept current baggage of an approximate 450 member flock from previous partners, and willing to spend endless hours under 'The Big Top'! If these requirements whet your appetite, let's talk of the warm, caring and loving feelings of acceptance awaiting a serious respondent in search of a super faith based family." Rev. Jeffrey Jordan received the Bridge Award from the Philadelphia Transgender Community for building bridges between the Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender communities. Rick Sawyer of MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) leads their community's Gay Men's Discussion Group. Rev. June Norris preached at the United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, California, for their International Coming Out Day observance. Rev. Dr. Nancy Horvath-Zurn of Healing Spirit MCC (Rochester, Minnesota) and Rev. Paul Eknes-Tucker of All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) exchanged pulpits one Sunday. achurch4me? MCC (Chicago, Illinois) and Sankofa Way co-hosted Change: Black Sexuality in the 21st Century. Rev. Jide Macaulay was one of the featured speakers. Mayor Morgan McPherson recently attended worship and fellowship time at MCC Key West (Florida). Rev. Pat Farnin and Harbor MCC were featured in an article in The Daily News about the first Pride Festival on Galveston (Texas) Island. The church held a special service in conjunction with the festival. We’re All Angels, the film about Jason & deMarco, won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Memphis (Tennessee) LGBT Film Festival. It has been viewed at several festivals and will be shown on television next year. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson was the guest preacher at a recent worship service at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. All Saints' MCC (Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand) held a special Afternoon Tea to honor the faithful service of Robin Barrett, Valerie Marshall, and Neil Hellewell. Unleash the Power of Personal Advantage is the latest book by Ellen Denise Junious, a member of Resurrection MCC. It was launched at a book signing at the Houston (Texas) City Club. www.getmysuccess.com Eileen Dalusong, Sandra Fontenelle, Bruce Lee, and Bill Wade were installed as Deacons at MCC Toronto (Ontario, Canada). As part of their process, they instituted a Community Visitation program.

GENERAL CONFERENCE DVDS

A Message from Melanie Martinez:   The General Conference DVDs have been re-mastered to correct audio variances. They are better balanced and should play on a wide variety of media players. The only exception is the "Jesus and Justice (Jay Bakker) Plenary," which has a non-correctable echo for the first 19:24 minutes. We hope to provide a subtitled version soon.   If you purchased a set at conference and received the original recordings, you are able to get a replacement set at no cost. Contact Franklin Calvin (FranklinCalvin@MCCchurch.net) at the Abilene office with each title that needs to be replaced. The DVDs available are worship (music, liturgy, preaching, etc.) on July 2 pm, July 3 am, July 3 pm, July 4 am, July 4 pm, July 5 am, July 5 pm (2 discs), July 6 pm, Peggy Campolo plenary, and the HIV plenary. Not included in the sets at Conference, but now available are the Awards Ceremony and the Don Eastman Tribute.   The DVDs cannot be ordered online, but a faxable order form may be downloaded at: http://www.mccchurch.org/events/gc2007/GCDVDOrderForm.pdf.   As soon as they become available online, I will highlight that with a homepage advertisement at www.MCCchurch.org.   Thank you for your patience and understanding.   Melanie Martinez Director, MCC Online Services MelanieMartinez@MCCchurch.net     TRANSITIONS   Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis, who has been elected senior pastor of King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida). MCC Naples (Florida) voted to change their name to Celebration MCC. They have moved to a more contemporary style of worship which matches their new name and focus. Rev. Tony Freeman is the new executive director of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (www.sdhdf.org), whose mission is to improve the quality of life within San Diego's LGBT community by promoting responsible philanthropy to enact positive social change. He has just completed his tenure as interim pastor of MCC Sacramento and plans to continue working with the new Ministry Excellence Center. Rev. Andrew Donaldson accepted the call to become the interim pastoral leader of All Saints’ MCC (Christchurch, New Zealand). Neil Hellewell, who has faithfully served in recent years as IPL, assumed the role of vice-moderator. Rev. Robin White is the new assistant pastor at MCC Louisville (Kentucky). Rev. Dan Koeshall has been elected senior pastor of MCC San Diego (California). Rev. Melody Wolder will serve as interim pastor of New Spirit MCC (Cincinnati, Ohio) following the retirement of Rev. Bonnie Daniel. The church honored Rev. Daniels at a party attended by friends and colleagues from throughout her long MCC career. Rev. Onetta Brooks has been elected interim pastor for Christ Chapel MCC (Santa Ana, California). Rev. Marilyn Bowers was elected unanimously as pastor of MCC New Haven (Connecticut). Heartland Community MCC (Springfield, Illinois) has twice the space, now that they are sharing a former Baptist church building with St. Nicholas Faith Community (United Independent Catholic Church). Rev. Lea Brown accepted the call of senior pastor of MCC San Francisco (California). Angles of Hope MCC (Green Bay and Appleton, Wisconsin) hosted a Farewell Luncheon for Rev. Elaine Thomas as she concluded her ministry to pursue hospice chaplaincy. Rev. Gail Simonds was appointed to serve as interim pastor. Rev. Durrell Watkins was installed as senior pastor of Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). The church used that special occasion to take their Fellowship Sunday Offering for Latin America. Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston was elected as pastor of MCC Newcastle (England). She and Monica will be moving there soon. MCC of the Fox Valley has moved their worship location to the First Church of Christ Scientist in Elgin, Illinois, with Christian Education at 10:45 AM followed by worship at 11:45. Rev. Elder Darlene Garner officiated at the Installation of Rev. Mick Hinson as pastor of MCC San Antonio (Texas). Rev. Stephanie Burns resigned as the founding pastor of MCC Fredericksburg (Virginia). They held "A Celebration of Our Journey Together" in her honor. God's Promise MCC (Granville, Ohio) has become Church Without Walls, a special ministry focusing on social justice activism led by Rev. Marj Creech. MCC Richmond (Virginia) celebrated the move back into their sanctuary by taking their Fellowship Sunday Offering for Latin America. Rev. Terri Steed was elected as Pastor of MCC Charleston (South Carolina). Rev. Catherine Houchins has announced her resignation from MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia) effective December 31.   SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER   Congratulations to Rev. Birte Beuck and Janette Wolf, both members of New Spirit Community Church (MCC/UCC/DOC, Berkeley, California), who were married on October 13. Rev. Karen Foster officiated and Rev. Jack Hoggatt was the musician. The service was opened by 17 clergy colleagues and friends bringing blessings from 13 different traditions, including Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, and Sikh. Margaret, the partner of Rev. Dr. Fran Mayes, had a major stroke a few months ago. An implanted device puts medicine directly into her spinal canal to reduce the severe pain and spasticity. She is not responding to treatment and her condition has been worsening. frnmayes@umich.edu. Barbara, the sister of Rev. Elder John Gill, had surgery for breast cancer. Both his mother and grandmother also had breast cancer. The 93-year old father of Rev. Bob Bond went home to Heaven in early November. He was able to live independently all his life. bondr@tir.com Rev. Renee McCoy's nephew died after being shot. This is the second nephew she has lost to such violence. mccdetroit@aol.com Rev. Marty Luna had surgery to redo her earlier hip replacement. She is recuperating nicely. MLuna3141@aol.com The grandfather of Bryan Parker passed away. He was more like a father to Bryan and Bryan did the eulogy at the funeral. BryanParker@MCCchurch.net Rev. Delores Berry is finally home from the hospital and rehab. She continues with IV antibiotics. RevDBerry@aol.com Correction: Rev. Elders Jeri Ann Harvey and Gil Story reside in Spain, not in England. Please continue your prayers for them.    ___________________________________________   View The Most Recent Action Alerts of MCC's Global Justice Team at www.MCCchurch.org ____________________________________________