Remember to visit the Resource Bank as you plan and prepare to observe different Awareness Months and liturgical seasons.
MCC Supports Ukraine
It’s not too late to support LGBTQ+ refugees from Ukraine. Take some inspiration from what one church did: “On April 3, 2022, Saint John the Apostle MCC held a Ukraine Sunday. During this difficult time, we lifted Ukrainians up in prayer, wore yellow and blue in solidarity, and received a special offering for the MCC Disaster Relief Fund. Enclosed you will find… $1,299 in support of Ukraine. In addition to the special offering, Saint John the Apostle MCC made a separate contribution of $2,250.00 to World Central Kitchen. We felt an immediate need to assist in feeding fleeing refugees.”
APPLY NOW for the next THRIVING IN MINISTRY Cohort Training! New Dates Aug 24-26, 2022
Receive instruction and hands on learning opportunities to be a mentor or a mentee. Join us and experience unique chances to grow as an individual and as a team. This is for USA Clergy only as it is funded by a grant from the Lily Foundation. Request an application and more information from [email protected].
EVENTS and Opportunities
AIDS, Activism, and American Christianity: A Conversation
Thursday, May 5, 2022 AT 8 PM EDT
Sponsored by the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network
Please join us for this conversation about Christian activism during the HIV/AIDS crisis, featuring three leaders who have been at the forefront of AIDS work since the 1980s. What challenges has the AIDS crisis presented, especially for leaders of religious communities that welcome queer people and people of color? How have progressive Christian leaders responded to the emerging and ongoing pandemic? And what work is left to be done?
WHO: Anyone interested in learning more about the March on Washington
Saturday, 18 June 22 – March on Washington
There are many ways to participate. For those interested in going to DC, there are buses departing from many states. MCCers in the Raleigh-Durham area are also preparing options for travel to DC on Friday and returning on Saturday or Sunday for those interested in an overnight stay. Get on the Organizing Call for more information.
Two-Part Spiritual Formation Series from MCC of the Lehigh Valley and Rev. Elder Goudy
Christian Teaching on Alcohol
– Tuesday, 10 May 2022 – 6pm EDT / 10pm GMT
Christian Teaching on Gambling
– Tuesday, 17 May 2022 – 6pm EDT / 10pm GMT
Facilitated by Rev. Elder Goudy, the classes are free and open to the public, no registration is needed. The Zoom ID is 876 0624 8826.
Sin Fronteras
El viernes 13 de mayo a las 7 pm EDT se reunirá la Comunidad Espiritual “Sin Fronteras”. Este es un grupo de personas como tú que se reúnen virtualmente para construir conexiones y relaciones en un espacio sagrado, para hablar y compartir en nuestro propio idioma. Si está interesado, envíe un correo electrónico a: [email protected] para obtener el enlace ZOOM.
Beyond Pink and Blue: Trans+ Family Spiritual Care
Saturday, 14 May 2022 9:30-4:00 EST / 1:30-8:00 GMT
For all laity and clergy. Cost $35. Cosponsored by Pennsylvania Academy of Ministiry (PAM – part of Lancaster Theological Seminary) and the MESA office of the UCC. Registration and information: https://tinyurl.com/May14Conference.
In honor of National Honor LGBTQ Elders Day, you are invited to join the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, SAGE, and National Center on Elder Abuse on May 17 and 18, 1:00 – 4:00 pm ET each day to discuss and explore the financial issues experienced among the older LGBTQ+ community. This two-day virtual event will include a listening session on Day One followed by breakout working sessions on Day Two to center the experiences of older LGBTQ+ people and identify cross-sector synergies and opportunities for collaboration.
Come ready to share information and anecdotes from the people you serve during Day One’s listening sessions to promote collaboration among partners and inform ongoing policy priorities. During Day Two, you will be sorted into a working session to collaborate with colleagues across the country from your sector to brainstorm prevention and response strategies based on the learnings from Day One.
Workshop Series on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Participants will explore obtainable ways of implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the personal and public sphere. These workshops are designed to encourage participants to examine how their own identity may create areas for further growth in their efforts of creating inclusive and diverse spaces. This interactive workshop series will gently challenge participants to push their own edges and create their own plan of practicing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the spaces they navigate. Participants will have the opportunity to practice what they learn and report back their successes and challenges when practicing diversity and inclusivity. Open to laity and clergy. Space is limited.
The scheduled dates are Wednesdays: May 18th, May 25th, and June 1st.
Each session will run from 12:00 noon-3:00 pm CST / 1:00 pm-4:00 pm EST / 6pm – 9pm GMT.
For more information or to register please contact Rev. Cathy Alexander [email protected].
Though contrary to popular belief, conflict is not bad. Rather, it is essential and even holds a tremendous opportunity for personal and congregational growth when handled well. This on-demand course will walk you through how to handle conflict in healthy, balanced ways that open doors for community transformation.
If you identify as a person of African Descent (PAD), please join other PAD for a time of fellowship, connection and relationship building. The link for the calls is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83199409411 If you would like to receive a reminder of the calls, please email Rev. Wanda Floyd at [email protected].
Learn about MCC’s history and polity in this great class that is open to anyone. Get more information and register now at:
This weekend offers a time of exploration and information for those who are discerning a call to vocational ministry in MCC.If you are interested please contact Rev Cathy Alexander at [email protected]
October 28-29, 2022 | 3D Interactive Virtual Conference
Our spiritual communities have forever changed these past few years.
COVID has luminated the best (and worst) aspects of our spirituality, perhaps forever changing how communities will gather, communicate, and offer support to their members and beyond. Spirituality, at its best, offers personal growth, inner peace, and indomitable hope. How will our spiritual communities meet these needs and communicate to the broader world that our faith based hubs are committed to such healing work? Some of the best progressive spiritual leaders of our time will help us envision a spiritual message and mission for the needs of our day rather simply recycling the ways and words of the past.
Sunshine Cathedral Lumination: The Visioning Conference will create a space for exploration, conversation, and crafting of visions of what our spiritual communities will look like after COVID.
Before holy week, we will have several episodes available on the appointed texts for Good Friday (April 8), Easter Vigil (April 10), and Easter Day (April 11).
Past Events from Yale Divinity
If you missed our recent webinar, Borders and Walls in the New Jerusalem and American History with Dr. Yii-Jan Lin, you missed a fascinating look at the use of walls in the Book of Revelation and the use of borders in American History. You can watch it at Borders and Walls in the New Jerusalem and American History.
We also have recordings of our online Yale Bible Studies on Genesis, Exodus, Mark, John, Philippians and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Watch them here.
Check out all the great classes and resources still available at Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) including MCC specific classes. Yes, we no longer have the OFLD (Office of Formation and Leadership Development) but SSOL classes are still available. http://www.sacredspaceonlinelearning.com/
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
Please share with your Treasurer and Clerk of the Board 2775 NW 49th Ave. Ste: 205-327 Ocala, FL 34482 USA
HIV/AIDS Kinship Group
Sin Fronteras
Tea Time with the Elders!
Prayer Time with the Moderator
MCC Clergy Connection Call
Chapter, Verse, and Season: A Lectionary Podcast from Yale Bible Study
Check out all the great classes and resources still available at Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) including MCC specific classes. Yes, we no longer have the OFLD (Office of Formation and Leadership Development) but SSOL classes are still available.