-- We extend a warm welcome to Rev. Paul Fairley, who has joined the MCC Headquarters team as MCC's Conference Director. Paul is a native of Toronto, Canada and has coordinated worship at General Conferences in 2001 in Toronto and 2003 in Dallas. He brings a wealth of talent and experience along with a passion for the ministry of MCC Churches. He will be onsite in the LA Headquarters Offices Wednesday through Friday each week. He may be reached at: revpaulfairley@mccchurch.org or 310-360-8640 ext. 225. In making the announcement, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, Executive Director of MCC, noted, "We are deeply appreciative that Paul is bringing his gifts and expertise to lead our Conference Team. His presence is an answer to our prayers. In biblical words, he truly has been sent "for such a time as this."

-- On April 22 and 23, Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) will host the Jesus Seminar on the Road. This event will feature two noted Fellows of the Jesus Seminar, Robert Miller and Perry Kea. On Friday night there will be a lecture: "The Quest for the Historical Jesus." Saturday will feature a 9:30 am workshop entitled "What Jesus Was and the Kingdom Is." This will be followed by an afternoon workshop "What Jesus Wasn't and the Kingdom Isn't."  Rev. Grant. Lynn Ford, senior pastor of Sunshine Cathedral MCC noted, "The Sunshine Cathedral is pleased to be one of the first churches in MCC to sponsor a Jesus Seminar on the Road. We urge other churches to give it serious consideration. Let’s stretch our theological boundaries!."

-- Congratulations to Rev. Leigh Neighbour (revleigh@callplus.net.nz ), who was unanimously selected as the new senior pastor of MCC Auckland (New Zealand). Leigh's first service took place on March 27.

-- Rev. Brad Wishon's excellent "Letter to the Editor" on LGBT marriage rights appears in the March 15 edition of the Wall Street Journal. Rev. Wishon (gsmcc@gsmcc.org ) is senior pastor of Gentle Shepherd MCC (Phoenix, Arizona).

-- Rev. David Gant (dgant@emmanuelmcc.org), senior pastor of Emmanuel MCC (Albuquerque, New Mexico), has been appointed as volunteer chaplain for the Albuquerque Police Department.

-- Now there are "mystery shoppers" - for churches! "Ship of Fools" is a magazine and website that sends people to visit various churches -- in England, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. -- then post an exhaustive review on their website. Recently, one of their reviewers visited MCC East London (England), where Rev. Jane Clarke (jane@mccel.demon.co.uk) is senior pastor. The review was overwhelmingly positive -- from the comfort of the pews, to the friendliness of the congregation, to the number of people who welcomed the guest, to the after-service fellowship. The reviewer added, "The obvious acceptance of a really wide diversity of people, not something I experience in many churches. " You can read the entire review at http://www.shipoffools.com/Mystery/archive/uk_ireland.html

-- A local TV station in Paducah, Kentucky recently visited MCC Paducah. The station did a very positive news story on MCC ministry. The film crew attended worship services and interviewed MCC members after the service..

-- Have you updated your church's directory listing on the MCC website? It's a key way for new friends to find and contact your church. To update your church's listing, visit www.MCCchurch.org. Click on "Find an MCC Near You" and follow the maps to check your listing. Send changes to RevD1@aol.com.

-- Great news from Canada! There are no differences left in the laws of Ontario between gay and straight people. The final legislation to include gay marriage changed the wording in marriage documents from 'husband and wife' to 'spouse and spouse."  When this legislation passed in February 2005, several legislators recognized Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes and MCC Toronto (Canada) for their heroic efforts in bringing these changes to Ontario law. 

-- When the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego recently refused to hold funeral services for a gay bar owner, Rev. Tony Freeman of MCC San Diego (California) was quick to respond with public support for the deceased and his family, and reminding people of MCC's welcome to all people. Rev. Freeman was widely quoted in the press and the bishop retracted his order and issued a public apology. Thanks for making a difference!

-- The Business Alliance of Los Angeles (BALA) Annual Awards Dinner will honor Rev. Troy Perry on Sunday May 1, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. A Silent Auction benefiting the Trevor Project will start at 6:00 PM and Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $75 dollar in advance, and may be reserved at http://www.BALAweb.org or by calling (818) 708-7609. "The BALA Board was unanimous in its choice of honoring Rev. Perry," said BALA President Dominique Cavelier. "His contributions to the LGBT community and the people who comprise it worldwide have been immense, revolutionary and transformational."

-- Another MCC first! Rev. Johnathan Jones (revjohnathan@gmail.com ), senior pastor of MCC Anchorage (Alaska) performed the first recorded public same-sex wedding by an MCC minister in Singapore on March 19. Singapore still has oppressive anti-gay laws, so this event marked a significant milestone for the gay community in Singapore.

-- In other Singapore news -- and what may be the oddest news story yet this year -- Singapore has canceled a concert by MCC musicians Jason and deMarco -- claiming a gathering of gay people for such an event will lead to increases in HIV in Singapore. You can read the entire story on-line at the Advocate's website: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail.asp?id=2858.

-- MCC Clergy Candidate Onetta Brooks, an MCC leader at MCC Los Angeles (California) was a presenter at the recent National (US) Black Lesbian Conference in Dallas, Texas. She participated in a panel on Spirituality, along with Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, of the City of Refuge (San Francisco, California).

- Women clergy from across Great Britain recently launched the "Make Poverty History" campaign in London. British television actor, Dawn French, who plays Rev. Geraldine Grainger in the BBC comedy series, "The Vicar of Dibley," led the march of over 500 women to Downing Street, where she and several clerics met with the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to ask him to put world poverty at the top of his agenda this year.  Rev. Elder Jean White, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston and Rev. Janice Bowker represented MCC on the march and were interviewed for the BBC program “Heaven and Earth.” To get involved in the “Make Poverty History” campaign in the UK, visit  www.makepovertyhistory.org. For activities worldwide, visit www.whiteband.org.

-- Earlier this year, Rev. Neil Thomas (revneil@mccla.org), of MCC Los Angeles and LA-based Congregation Kol Ami conducted a joint pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  A collection of images from the places they visited can be viewed at www.mccla.org  . On the opening page, click on "Holy Week - Holy Sites."

-- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Religious Archives Network (LGBTRAN) at Chicago Theological Seminary has established an annual LGBT Religious History Award to honor outstanding research and writing. Papers are welcome from established and junior scholars, independent scholars, and graduate and undergraduate students. Deadline for submissions in this first year is October 11, 2005. Honored paper(s) will receive a monetary award and public recognition at LGBTRAN's annual dinner in April, 2006.  For complete details on this award, go to www.lgbtran.org/HistoryAward.htm

--  Rev. Axel Schwaigert, senior pastor of Salz der Erde MCC (Stuttgart, Germany),  has published a collection of his sermons. The book, entitled "Und es Sprach eine Stimme" ("And There Spoke a Voice"). One of the sermons, "Tanz David Tanz" was selected as a "Top Ten" finalist in MCC's international sermon competition. To order a copy of the book, contact Axel at axel@ufmcc.de

-- Response to the MCC Devotional Contest was so strong, we need extra time to read all of the submissions! Contest winners will be announced on May 11, and the winning selections will be featured on the MCC website.

-- From MCC Education: June 13- 17, 2005 MCC Polity Course will be offered at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley,California. Cost still being determined. Housing is available through UC Berkeley at slightly less than $60 (US) per night, which includes three meals. For more information, contact Charles Tigard at CharlesTigard@MCCchurch.org

-- And More MCC Education: June 19-25, 2005 Intensive in the Practice of MCC Ministry, which is required of all clergy candidates and transfers,will take place June 19-25 at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Cost is $500, plus room and board at slightly less than $60 (US) per night. Students outside the US and Canada pay no tuition in recognition of higher transportation costs.

-- Prayers for MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia), which was a target of a break-in and vandalism recently. The break-in appeared to be a robbery, and not an anti-gay hate crime -- other churches in the area were also targeted. No one was in the church at the time of the robbery. Rev. Catherine Houchins (RevRoanoke@aol.com ) is the senior pastor.

-- The social justice organization Equality Florida has moved its new offices to King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida), where the Rev. Elder John Gill (kop-mcc@ij.net ) is senior pastor. Two key projects of Equality Florida fair adoption practices for same-sex  couples and same-sex marriage legislation.

-- MCC New York (New York), where Rev. Pat Bumgardner (MCCNewYork@aol.com ) is senior pastor, has added a new worship service to accommodate the congregation's growth. The church now offers a 9 AM traditional service, an 11 AM am contemporary service, and a 7 PM praise and worship service.

-- New Spirit Community Church (Berkeley, California), where Rev. Karen Foster (admin@newspiritchurch.org) is senior pastor, was recently featured in an excellent news article in the Berkeley Daily Planet. NCCC is an innovative church jointly affiliated with  Metropolitan Community Churches, United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ. You can read this interesting article on-line at http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/text/article.cfm?issue=02-01-05&storyID=20631

-- One of MCC's newest churches 'Ohana Metropolitan Community Church (Honolulu, Hawaii), where Rev. Jon Kwong (OhanaInfo@hawaii.rr.com ) is senior pastor, recently held an open house at their meeting location. Hawaiian United Church of Christ Kahu (pastor) blessed the church's name and meeting house. Rev. Kwong writes, "Please continue to hold our group in your prayers as we discern a strategic plan in the upcoming months" To learn more about this new MCC church, visit www.OhanaMCC.org

-- Rev. Lisa Heilig, who is on staff at Our Hope MCC (Athens, Georgia), works for Georgia Community Support and Solutions, a non-profit agency supporting people with disabilities and their families. Rev. Heilig has been asked to organize an effort in metro Atlanta to use the assets of faith communities to support persons with disabilities. She was also recently named Chair of the Religion Division of the Southeastern American Association on Mental Retardation and appointed to the Advisory Board of the Rainbow Center, a program that provides support and education for the Jewish community and people of all faiths to foster understanding and inclusion of GLBT persons. 

-- Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) dedicated their ninth stained glass window on Palm Sunday. Jackson Hall, a nationally known stained glass artist, was commissioned to create the contemporary designs which allow for the Worship Center to be filled with rays of different colors of light adding beauty and majesty. The distinguished group of donors to the stained glass window project includes Dr. Charlie LoPiccolo, Dr. Fred Hallock, Bob DeCamillo & Ken Sasser, Rick Killoran & Dave Keller, Joe Mumpower, Greg Kurdian and The Sunshine Cathedral Foundation Board of Directors. For more information, visit www.SunshineCathedral.org

-- Lots of news from MCC musicians Jason and deMarco! They are featured in a layout and interview in the newest edition of XY Magazine, which markets to a young LGBT audience. And Jason and deMarco are featured on "Love Rocks," a compilation CD produced by Human Rights Campaign, and which includes music by Christina Aguilera, The Dixie Chicks, Melissa Ethridge, Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper. To learn more about the CD, visit www.hrc.org  To subscribe to Jason and deMarco's free e-mail newsletter, send your request to RJNMusic@aol.com

-- The Toronto Pride 2005 Committee has selected MCC Toronto (Canada) as the honored group for this year's PRIDE parade.  As Toronto Pride celebrates their 25th  anniversary, MCCT's  presence and floats will be first in the parade, just after the Grand Marshall.

-- Congratulations to the friends and members of MCC Charleston (South Carolina). On Easter Sunday, Pastor Tommy Hutson (mccchpastor@knology.net ) baptized five and welcomed ten people as new members of their church.

-- The leading national Danish LGBT organization newsletter for March features two articles about MCC. One is about MCC in Denmark and the second about Rev. Mia Andersen. The interview with Rev. Mia Andersen is a very personal one where she shared her faith journey and why MCC turned out to be the answer to her prayers. The interview is followed up in a debate evening at the GLBT center in Copenhagen on March the 14th. Here are the links to the online articles: "Markens Liljer MCC - en homokirke uden undertrykkelse" at www.lbl.dk/kbh/nyhedsbrev/0305/artikel1.htm and "Interview med Mia Andersen - præst i frikirken Markens Liljer" at www.lbl.dk/kbh/nyhedsbrev/0305/artikel2.htm

-- Rev. Nancy Horvath-Zurn (HealingSpiritMCC@hotmail.com  ), senior pastor of Healing Spirit MCC (Rochester, Minnesota) has been named a Board Member of the Diversity Council of Rochester, MN. Their newsletter recently featured an excellent profile of Rev. Horvath.

-- Congratulations to Rev. Charles Cooper, associate pastor of MCC Sacramento (California) for his nomination for the "Bayard Rustin Award" for his work in community service and civil rights.  Rev. Cooper is Executive Director of the Rev. Ed Sherriff Samaritan Center Food Bank.  He recently wrote "And The Dream Goes On," a stage musical on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

-- News from MCC Region 4: Rev. Caroline Redfearn, became the first person of African-Caribbean descent to be ordained as a MCC minister in the U.K, when she was ordained in November. She is now launching BPMMCC: Black People's Ministry in MCC -- an inclusive ministry for people of African-Caribbean descent and their friends & families, of the Metropolitan Community Church." To sign up for a weekly e-mail message, write to bpmmcc@aol.com.

-- Marc Oakden, HQ staff member, will participate in the San Francisco to Los Angeles AIDS LifeCycle, June 5-11, 2005, a total of 585 miles. Marc welcomes your sponsorship to raise much needed funds for this vital health need in our community. To learn more, write to Marc at MarcOakden@MCCchurch.org

-- New Leaf, a organization that provides professional counseling and support services for the LGBT communities throughout the Bay Area, will honor Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon senior pastor of MCC San Francisco, (California) and the Metropolitan Community Foundation (MCF) at their Spring Gala on April 12!  The church is also receiving the Michael Switzer Leadership Award. For more information, visit  http://www.mccsf.org/mcf/newleaf.html.

-- Has your church sent altar photos yet? Mark Hahn is compiling a beautiful book featuring photos of all MCC altars. The book will be presented to Rev. Perry at MCC General Conference. To learn how your church can participate, write to Mark Hahn at altarbook@uncatigger.com

-- Rev. Miller Hoffman recently completed the feasibility study phase for a proposed church plant in the Binghamton area of New York State. With the study approved, she will now work at developing a core group and ministries prior to the start of public worship services. This planting effort is a parish extension of MCC New York with the support of MCC Region 3. To learn more about this MCC church plant or to help through prayer or financial contributions, contact Rev. Miller at revjenmiller@earthlink.net

-- Rev. Mark Byrd mccws@lycos.com ) has been called as the new senior pastor at MCC Winston Salem (North Carolina).  Congratulations to both Rev. Byrd and the congregation of MCC Winston-Salem. 

-- The Mayor of Bath, England chose “Fighting Prejudice” as the theme for the annual Mayor’s Call to Prayer. Rev. Kieren Bourne, of Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) was invited to speak at the event about the spiritual rejection experienced by many in the LGBT community. The Call to Prayer was attended by many local clergy. Rev. Bourne said: “Afterwards I was congratulated by a number of church leaders."

-- MCC Region 1 will host a Women's Spiritual Retreat June 9-11, 2005 with special guest Rev. Elder Lillie Brock. The retreat will take place at Camp Myrtle, near Roseburg, Oregon. Registration is $100 (US) per adult, $50 per child. For more information, contact, sgvanhout@aol.com.

-- MCC's Supervising and Advising Clergy Training will be held prior to the MCC General Conference July 19-20 in Calgary Canada. Registration forms are available from the Leadership Development department or can be downloaded at MCCchurch.org/education. 

-- Has your church signed on as an endorsing organization for Soulforce's Mayday Confrontation of Dr. James Dobson and Focus on the Family? To add your church or group to the list of endorsers, visit http://www.soulforce.org/televangelists/dobson/2005action/endorsement.pdf

-- MCC Region 4's WUKI (Worship UK Institute) will be held on the weekend of 11-13 November 2005 at Hothorpe Hall, Theddington, Leicestershire, UK. Conference Coordinator Rev. Pressley Sutherland describes this event: “WUKI is an annual event created especially for our worship teams, and people who love to worship. There is no business, no politics-- just plenty of time to soak in prayer and worship, gather ideas to take home for our local worship, and to have a great time re-charging and getting to know other MCCers.”  Last year, over 50 people attended the conference from MCCs in England, Scotland, Denmark and South Africa.

-- Good news! After two failed attempts to purchase property New Life MCC (Hampton Roads, Virginia) has moved to their new worship space at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, reports Rev. Marty Luna-Wolfe mluna3141@verizon.net senior pastor.

-- MCC of the Coachella Valley (Greater Palm Springs, California) was busy during the Lenten Season gathering candy, Easter Baskets, and plastic eggs, for homeless children This year over 1,200 meals were served and 700 children received an Easter Basket. MCCCV provided over 300 Easter Baskets as well as over 1,000 plastic eggs filled with jelly beans.  Church volunteers from MCC also recently participated in a field trip to migrant farm worker camps in Mecca, California, where they distributed Easter baskets, toys and goodies to the children who live there.