After this I looked and there was a great multitude
that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples
and languages, standing before the throne, and before the
Lamb…(Revelation 7:9)
Clergy Conference 2008 - "OneTribe"
Co-Sponsored by Metropolitan Community Churches and The Fellowship
February 20-23, 2008
Los Angeles, California (USA)
Coordinators:
Jennifer Justice, JenniferJustice@MCCchurch.net,
213-447-2953
Carlos Chavez, CarlosChavez@MCCchurch.net,
310-489-3899
Ritchie Crownfield, RitchieCrownfield@MCCchurch.net,
678-983-9888
Introduction
Are you about ready for a retreat designed specially for
clergy and leaders?
Would you like to meet your colleagues from The Fellowship, the largest
largely African American network of churches serving the same gender
loving constituency also served by MCC?
Are you as passionate about challenging racism as you are about
challenging homophobia?
Do you need an infusion of energy, creativity and insight about the
mission of MCC in the world?
Are you hungry for cathartic worship that also restores your soul?
The 2008 Clergy Conference will take place February
20-23, 2008 in Los Angeles. One of the fruits of our deepening and
evolving relationship with Bishop Yvette Flunder and her denomination,
the Fellowship ( http://www.radicallyinclusive.com
), is the opportunity for us to host together their Annual Leadership
Retreat and our annual Clergy Conference.
The theme for this Gathering is “One Tribe.”
This gathering of ministers, seminarians, and leaders from both
denominations will be a chance for members of this One Tribe to pray and
worship and learn together.
This gathering is designed for ministers and for people
engaged or preparing for the ordination process.
Schedule of Events
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2008
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
CHECK-IN & REGISTRATION
Location: Ballroom Foyer
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WELCOME FELLOWSHIP
Facilitators: Bishop Yvette Flunder & Reverend Elder
Jim Mitulski
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2008
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
BREAKFAST
Location: Matisse Dining Room
OPTIONAL MEETING: Open Discussion for MCC Seminarians
Facilitator: Rev. Jim Mitulski
Locations: Matisse Dining Room
Event Description: Casual opportunity for MCC Seminarians
to meet one
another. Bring your breakfast with you or simply sit in on
the conversation.
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
REGISTRATION
Location: Ballroom Foyer
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
PRAYER & WORSHIP
Facilitator: Bishop Wyatt Greenlee
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
BREAK
9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
OPENING PLENARY: ONE TRIBE, ONE TABLE
Facilitators: Bishop Yvette Flunder
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
PRESENATION: Distance Learning
Facilitator: Dr. Paul Bradley
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLENARY: The State of HIV in Communities of Color
Facilitators: Pastor Jeffrey Campbell, Joshua Love
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
Workshop Description: In the past 27 years HIV and AIDS has
attacked
marginalized communities like hungry wolves after herds of
unguarded sheep.
Studies over the past decade indicate that newly diagnosed
cases of HIV are
most prevalent among women of color, youth of color and
same-gender loving
men of color.
This plenary will attempt to accomplish
the following:
1. Provide plenary participants with
updated numbers of new cases of
HIV and AIDS
2. Lead a discussion on what various
Fellowship Churches are doing in their
communities in the
fight against the spread of the virus.
3. Lead a discussion on how The
Fellowship can effectively position itself to
become a major
party at the table to receive designated and unrestricted
funds that will
be utilized to establish and/or strengthen prevention and
primary care
services in areas with the highest rate of infection among
members of
communities of color.
MCC's Minister of HIV Programs Joshua Love will also
discuss trends that he is
observing in Metropolitan Community Churches, and discuss
the Fellowship/MCC
collaboration at Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe,
which he has now
visited twice.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
LUNCH (ON OWN)
OPTIONAL LUNCH GATHERING: Justice Work in Jamaica
Facilitator: Rev. Robert Griffin
Location: To Be Determined
Description: Come hear about MCC's justice work among GLBTQ
people in
Jamaica, from Rev. Robert Griffin, principal coordinator of
the effort.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
WORKSHOP 1: Basic Protocol and Etiquette for Clergy
Facilitator: Apostle Alex Byrd
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci Room
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed to give our
clergy a cursory
understanding of the need for protocol and ministerial
etiquette and to identify
some of the basic expectations in this regard for The
Fellowship clergy
WORKSHOP 2: Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Leaders -
Part 1
Facilitator: Mr. Ravi Verma
Location: Florentine Room
Workshop Description: Ravi Verma is the Administrative
Director of the
Brentwood Presbyterian Church, and the former Executive
Director of MCC.
Now a trained Spiritual Director he will present on the
value of spiritual
direction for clergy and lay leaders, and describe the
benefits of this
contemplative practice. The first part of the workshop is a
lecture; the second
half is an experience.
WORKSHOP 3: Seminary Connections
Facilitator: Pastor Kendal Brown, Reverend Ann
Jefferson
Location: Provence Boardroom
*Limited Capacity
Workshop Description: Theological education is essential to
the work of radical
inclusion. However for many persons sensing a call to
pursue theological
education, the process of discernment can be both
intimidating and
overwhelming. In this workshop, Rev. Kendal Brown,
Director of Admissions at
Wesley Theological Seminary and Pastor of City of Refuge
DC, will provide
practical insights on the importance of theological
education and the ways to
navigate the discernment process of determining whether
seminary is right for
you.
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
BREAK
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
WORKSHOP 4: Developing Transgender Ministries
Facilitators: Min. Carmarion Anderson and Min. Chris
Paige
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci Room
Workshop Description: Are you hoping to expand your local
church's welcome
to the transgender community? Are you confused about
transgender issues? Or
have you personally felt alienated from church communities
because of your
gender expression or experience? Please join us for a
panel discussion including
diverse Transgender individuals who will discuss the
blessings and challenges of
transgender ministry in affirming churches. Together,
we can share God's
radically inclusive love with EVERYONE -- including the
Transgender
community.
WORKSHOP 5: Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Leaders -
Part 2
Facilitator: Mr. Ravi Verma
Location: Florentine Room
Workshop Description: Ravi Verma is the Administrative
Director of the
Brentwood Presbyterian Church, and the former Executive
Director of MCC.
Now a trained Spiritual Director he will present on the
value of spiritual
direction for clergy and lay leaders, and describe the
benefits of this
contemplative practice. The first part of the workshop is a
lecture; the second
half is an experience.
WORKSHOP 6: Recovery by Faith
Facilitators: Reverend Pam Harris and inister Sherry
Thomas
Location: Provence Boardroom
*Limited Capacity
Workshop Description: Recovery by faith recognize the
wounds imposed upon
our LGBTQ family by mainline churches. We know that this
often grief filled
injury has often been the source leading to our using
drugs, alcohol, sex and
other addictions and behaviors to anesthetize the hurt and
distress of non-
acceptance and rejection by the church. Through the
therapeutic value of
one addict helping another we share the good news that here
is a place that
knows and teaches God's love. We emphasize the God of your
own
understanding found in the 3rd step of AA. We hope to
provide an opportunity
for revelation and recognition that we are an intentional
creation of God. We
take hold of the opportunity to be reconciled into
relationship with a God who
loves us unconditionally. In Recovery by Faith we reclaim
our liberation from
the bondage of addictions through the 12 steps, prayer,
praise and fellowship.
Recovery by Faith is open to all who have a desire to
recover from any
addiction in a safe and accepting surrounding.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
WORSHIP AND REFLECTION
Presiding Officiant: Bishop Yvette Flunder
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FELLOWSHIP/MCC SOCIAL EVENT
Location: Ayers Hotel Courtyard
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
BREAKFAST
Location: Matisse Dining Room
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
REGISTRATION
Location: Ballroom Foyer
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
PRAYER & WORSHIP
Facilitator: Reverend Candy Holmes
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
Description: A service of healing and laying on of
hands,
Led by Rev. Candy Holmes
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
BREAK
9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
PLENARY: Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Facilitators: Reverend Darlene Garner, Vice Moderator
MCC
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
Workshop Description: MCC and The Fellowship have begun a
journey that can
lead us toward becoming the Beloved Community for which
Jesus prayed. As
people of all colors in a divided world, we will need
radically inclusive love to
make it through. But do we really have the will to be
on this journey? Can we
find a way to travel together as compassionate companions
on the Christ
Journey?
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
PRESENTATION: Planning and Praying for Continuing Education
for Clergy
Facilitators: Rev. Jim Mitulski, Joshua Love, Rev. Candy
Holmes and others
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
Workshop Description: Come hear about Episcopal Divinity
School's Flexible
Study programs for both M.Div and D.Min. degrees, as well
as take time to
make an educational plan for your future and pray with
others for dissolving
barriers to it and seeing its completion.
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLENARY: Appropriate Boundaries and Ethics - What does it
mean?
Facilitator: Charlene Smith
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
Workshop Description: Boundaries build trust or betray
trust. Understanding,
recognizing and honoring boundaries is essential to growing
a healthy, radically
inclusive and vital church. Examine situations and
determine when you are
being pastoral, showing radical hospitality, exhibiting
good leadership and when
you have crossed over the line.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
LUNCH (ON OWN)
OPTIONAL LUNCH GATHERING: "The Fire Next Time" Book
Discussion
Facilitator: Rev. Jim Mitulski
Location: To Be Determined
Description: MCC clergy have been asked to read James
Baldwin's "The Fire
Next Time" in anticipation of this conference; this is a
lunch gathering for
people want to discuss the book in small groups.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
WORKSHOP 1: Church Marketing 101: Putting Your Best
Foot Forward
Facilitator: Reverend Troy Sanders
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci Room
Workshop Description: Have you ever wondered how a ministry
or group
creates the kind of marketing materials that attract a
large audience? In this
age of digital design and cutting edge creativity, how do I
produce a church
flyer or brochure that will produce the kind of presence
that pops! Or what
type of conversations should I be having with website
designer/web hosting
company regarding the look and feel of a website that will
appeal to a growing
and ever changing internet community. This workshop is
designed to give you
helpful hints and creative ways to brand your church or
organization. We will
look at the role of color in publications as well how to
strategically build a
marketing portfolio that includes paraphernalia that is top
notch and cost
effective. You are also encouraged to bring examples of
current
church/organizational literature.
WORKSHOP 2: Tips for MCC Clergy for By Lay Leader
Facilitator: Dr. Cindi Acker
Location: Florentine Room
Workshop Description: Distinguished Educator and Lay Leader
communicates to
clergy her best thoughts on what clergy deed to hear from
the laity about
leadership and ministry
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
BREAK
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
WORKSHOP 4: Development and Fundraising
Facilitators: Pastor Derrick Wilson and Rashad Burgess
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci Room
WORKSHOP 5: Career Options for MCC Clergy
Facilitators: Rev. Jim Mitulski & Rev. Lillie Brock
Location: Florentine Room
Workshop Description: Everything you want to know about the
MCC Clergy
Manual, the REVM process, and prospects for employment
-including
chaplaincy, intentional interim ministry, solo pastoring,
staff pastoring and
senior pastoring.
WORKSHOP 6: Nar-Anon Meeting: 12-Step Family Recovery
Meeting
Facilitator: Pastor Roger Hayes
Location: Provence Boardroom
Workshop Description: (The Family) Addiction is a family
disease. It affects
the relationships of those close to the user.
Parents, spouse, long time
friends, children, employers. All these who care the
most suffer the most from
the erratic behavior of the user. They try to control
and are ashamed of the
scenes caused. Soon they begin to think they are to
blame and assume the
guilt, fears, and responsibilities of the user. Thus they
become sick too. In
Nar-Anon we learn how to live one day a time, we stop
projecting, how to deal
with our feelings of guilt obsession, anxiety and
denial. We look at ourselves
and put our energy to use where we do have some power
over--our own lives.
5:45 PM
Depart for World Pride and Power Event
Venue Location: Olympic Collection Conference Center
11301 Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2008
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
BREAKFAST
Location: Matisse Dining Room
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
PLENARY: Linkages between The Fellowship, UCC and MCC
Facilitators: Bishop Yvette Flunder, Rev. Ruth Garwood,
Rev. Jim Mitulski
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
BREAK
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
CLOSING WORSHIP
Facilitator: Bishop Carlton Pearson
Location: Palladio/Da Vinci/ Florentine Ballrooms
Registration and Accomodations
We invite you to register for conference, and
reserve your hotel accommodations early.
Register Online Here!
(login required)
Registration rates are as follows:
Early Registration
(before 1 February 2008)
Fee: $100
Regular Registration - $150
Student Registration - $50
Your registration for the Fellowship Leadership Retreat/MCC
Clergy Conference will include the Friday night event of the historic
World Pride and Power Conference www.worldprideandpower.com where Bishop Yvette
Flunder will be speaking.
Accomodations...
This year's retreat will be held at the Ayres Manhattan Beach
Hotel. We have reserved 100 rooms for MCC clergy and seminarian
participants.
PLEASE NOTE:
THE AYRES HOTEL IS SOLD OUT OF ROOMS, SEE BELOW FOR OVERFLOW HOTEL
INFORMATION
For more information about the Ayres Mahattan Beach
Hotel, click here.
Ayres Manhattan Beach Hotel
14400 Hindry Ave.
Hawthorne, California
800-675-3550
OVERFLOW HOTEL
INFORMATION
Due to the overwhelming response by both The
Fellowship and MCC the Ayres Hotel, where the conference is being held,
has completely sold out of rooms. We have made additional arrangements
at the RAMADA PLAZA Hotel.
PLEASE CALL THE HOTEL AT THE NUMBER LISTED BELOW
TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM
Hotel:
Ramada Plaza Hotel - LAX
5250 West El Segundo Boulevard
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Tel:
(310) 536-9800
Fax: (310) 536-9535
http://www.ramadaplazalax.com/
Room
Rate: $99.00*
Group
Code:
Metropolitan Community Churches
Included Amenities:
Complimentary Airport Shuttle
Daily Shuttle to Ayres Hotel for Conference
Complimentary
Continental Breakfast
Free Wireless Internet Access
Complimentary Parking
Wyndham
ByRequest benefits to ByRequest Members
Reservation Deadline:
February 4, 2007
*US Dollars, per night + 12% hotel tax, flat rate for single or
double occupancy, use group code: Metropolitan Community Churches
Below is a Map of West Los Angeles and the surrounding areas
including the Los Angeles Airport, West Hollywood, MCC Los Angeles and
the conference hotel and overflow hotel. Click on the icons for more
information.
You may also CLICK HERE for a complete map of the
area.
View
Larger Map
Preparatory Reading
The Fire Next Time
by James Baldwin
This brief book from 1963 is available in a number of
editions. Buy it now, read it, mark it up, and pray over the ways it
speaks to you. Baldwin writes to his nephew on the one hundredth
anniversary celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, a celebration
he terms "one hundred years too soon”. (p. 10) Read as he
explores the nuances of “acceptance” versus
“integration” (p. 8) two words still of use in
analyzing the dynamics of both race and color, but also terms which are
valuable as we discuss the meaning of “open and affirming”
churches in regard to sexual orientation and of
“self-determined” churches.
Reflect too on the beauty of the prose as Baldwin
displays his simultaneous love for and disappointment in the institution
called church:
The church was very exciting. It took a long time for me
to disengage myself from this excitement, and on the blindest, most
visceral level, I never really have, and never will. There is no music
like that music, no drama like the drama of the saints rejoicing, the
sinners moaning, the tambourines racing, and all their voices coming
together and crying holy unto the Lord. There is still, for me, no
pathos like the pathos of those multicolored, worn, somehow triumphant
and transfigured faces, speaking from the depths of a visible, tangible
continuing despair of the goodness of the Lord. I have never seen
anything to equal the fire and excitement that sometimes, without
warning, fill a church, causing the church, as Leadbelly and so many
others have testified, to “rock.” Nothing that has happened
to me since equals the power and the glory that I sometimes felt when,
in the middle of a sermon, I knew that I was somehow, by some miracle,
really carrying, as they said, "the Word”- when the church and I
were one. (p.33)
“The Fire This Time”
by Randall Kenan (Melville House, 2007)
This is a contemporary essay in dialogue with
Baldwin’s essay by a distinguished gay and African American
writer.
Additional Information
This will be an excellent opportunity for you to
experience a life-changing spiritual and social event. There will
be healings received and healings participated in. God is going to
do something remarkable in bringing our two groups together for this
conference, and we hope you will want to be part of
it. The combined efforts of MCC and the Fellowship will be
catalysts for social change and reconciliation as we tackle both racism
and homophobia within and beyond our communities. Together this
retreat can be a source of renewal for us.
The retreat will also provide a venue to hear some
fabulous preachers, including an address by a member of the MCC Laity,
Dr. Cindy Acker. Former MCC leader Mr. Ravi Verma will
conduct a session on “Spiritual Direction for Clergy” with
respondents who are MCC professional Spiritual Directors.
Media
Download the promotional flyer for this conference by
clicking the image or link below.
Click
Here to Download Flyer
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