Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad, Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands and the U.S. States of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, the District of Columbia (Washington, DC), North Carolina, South Carolina
February 2007
Happy Valentine's Day!
"In the season of Lent, we may benefit from encouraging ourselves and those with whom we worship to explore spiritual practices that emerge from somewhere deep inside, from our drive toward life and wholeness."
Rev. Kharma Amos, Out In Scripture
Online Commentary Features Rev. Kharma Amos, Senior Pastor, MCC NOVA
Out In Scripture is a weekly resource sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to provide distinctive insights into the Bible from a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight-supportive perspective.
Out In Scripture is developed by diverse teams of skilled and prayerful scholars, as well as LGBT and straight-supportive persons who explore the Bible together. These teams listen for how God is connecting the world of the Bible, the world of LGBT people, with church and society and their weekly commentary is a summary and celebration of their prayerful — at times comforting, often challenging — conversation.
We are pleased and excited that our own Rev. Kharma Amos, MCC of Northern Virginia , has been selected as a contributor to HRC's Out In Scripture commentary. Her contributions for the season of Lent can be found at: www.hrc.org/scripture/season.asp#02-21-07
Holy Redeemer MCC, College Park , MD , Held First Congregational Meeting
After worship on Sunday, January 28, held its first congregational business meeting since officially becoming an independent MCC church in 2006. Congratulations to the community of HRMCC!
Anniversary of Rev. Pat Bumgardner's Call to Pastor MCC NY
On February 4th MCC New York marked the 20th Anniversary of The Rev. Pat Bumgardner's call to pastor the church.
Rev. Pat's leadership within MCC NY spans for almost 30 years: for six years before her appointment as Senior Pastor, she held different positions at MCC New York: Liturgy Coordinator, Assistant and Associate Pastor.
During Rev. Pat's tenure as Senior Pastor, the church has experienced significant transformations and has grown both in membership (from 70 members to 450) and in outreach ministries to the community.
Under Rev. Pat's leadership, the church now serves more than 5000 people every month through the food pantry, a ministry which includes a lunch bag program, groceries, special services for the homeless, a program for people living with HIV/AIDS, and monthly dinners with the neighbors and the transgendered community. Also, the Homeless Queer Youth Ministry maintains a shelter open 365 nights, serving between 10 and 20 youth, and provides special services such as counseling and medical attention. In addition, a new center, to open in a few months, will provide 24/7 service to the homeless youth.
We celebrate the call and ministry of Rev Pat Bumgardner, and we thank God for her leadership here at MCC New York and in the wider community of MCC around the globe as chair the Global Justice Team of the Fellowship.
Open Door MCC, Boyds, MD, Celebrates 25th Year
Rev. Dr. Rob Apgar-Taylor, pastor, has been trying to arrange for some special events throughout Open Door's 25 th year. Some of them include:
Jason & DeMarco are Returning to Open Door MCC! Come celebrate the vocal talents of these two men as they share their life experiences through songs, April 15, 2007 at 7:30pm. A special collection will be taken for their ministry.
2007 Soulforce Equality Riders
Soulforce has announced their 2007 Equality Riders. Among them is Angel Collie of Imani MCC. Check out the info on Angel and consider adding your support:
https://www.soulforce.org/angel_collie .
All-New MCC Resources Are Now Available On-Line!
Visit or download the all new MCC Resources for Lent and Easter!
Among the talented team of clergy and laity who prepared these materials was Shirli Hughes, Music Minster at MCC Washington, DC
MCC at the 3rd National LGBTI Health Summit
Rev. Karla Fleshman, pastor at Imago Dei MCC, Glen Mills, PA, will be co-leading a workshop with Joshua Love at " Beyond Boundaries: A Blueprint for LGBTI Healthcare Equality", March 14 - 18, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA.
http://www.healthsummit2007.org/
The 3rd National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Health Summit will convene in Philadelphia from Wednesday, March 14th through Sunday, March 18th. This summit will bring together over five hundred health care professionals, academics, activists, community members, and their allies to share cutting-edge information and develop strategies to better serve the health and wellness of the nation's LGBTI communities.
This year's theme, Beyond Boundaries: A Blueprint for LGBTI Healthcare Equality , is a call to all LGBTI communities across the country to come together to develop a long-term strategic plan for LGBTI health and wellness. The summit's leadership team includes key figures from national LGBTI advocacy groups; local LGBTI health centers such as summit host Mazzoni Center ; the City of Philadelphia; researchers and educators from institutes and universities, such as summit co-host Drexel University's School of Public Health ; health care practitioners, and more.
Joshua Love MCC HIV/AIDS Program Specialist will also be the guest preacher at Imago Dei on Sunday, March 18.
Prayer Request
My name is Christopher Bel l and I am a member of MCC Baltimore , MD and a lay delegate. I have been working at Cold Stone Creamery in Cockeysville , MD for a little over two years. I recently returned from the 2007 Annual Franchise Meeting in Las Vegas where I was named CREW MEMBER OF THE YEAR ( Praise God). I will also be general manager of the new Cold Stone Creamery - Charles Village (near Johns Hopkins University , MCC Baltimore and the Mt Vernon Neighborhood. I am very excited as to the possibilities for ministry as I start 2007. Please share this with the region and I ask for your prayers.
Applications Accepted for MCC's U.S. Board of Pensions
Applications are now being accepted for appointment to the U.S. Board of Pensions of Metropolitan Community Churches.
The MCC Board of Pensions manages the pension program for U.S. clergy as well as the funds held within the pension program. The Board meets once each year in May and during each General Conference Session.
Service on the Board is appointed by the MCC Board of Elders. The term of service for the Board is four years.
Applicants should provide a resume and a minimum of three professional references, and must be willing to undergo a background check.
For additional information, and to access the on-line application form in PDF format, visit http://www.mccchurch.org/aboutus/B OP/BOPApplication.pdf.
Completed applications may be e-mailed to RevNancyWilson@MCCchurch.net , faxed to (941) 847- 0867 or mailed to Office of the Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches , 3293 Fruitville Road, Suite 105 , Sarasota , Florida 34237 .
DEADLINE: March 15, 2007
2008 MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends, and Allies
2008 MCC CONFERENCE FOR
PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT, OUR FRIENDS, AND ALLIES
17 - 20 April 2008
Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet
St. Louis, Missouri
AN ABBREVIATED HISTORY OF THE CONFERENCE
1995 During the MCC World Jubilee & General Conference in Atlanta , GA , 40+ people of African descent gathered to connect with one another and expressed the desire to stay connected. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to influence the efforts of MCC to recruit and retain African-Americans in U.S. and international churches within the denomination. Out of this meeting the group submitted a report to the Board of Elders and General Council (the governing bodies of MCC) The First Report on the State of African-Americans in MCC to General Council and the Board of Elders. One of the recommendations within this report was that the denomination should begin sponsoring a bi-annual conference for People of African Descent in MCC. The Board of Elders asked Rev. Elder Darlene Garner to be responsible for ensuring follow-through on the recommendations contained in The Report, including convening biennial MCC conferences for people of African descent.
1998 1st MCC Leadership Conference for African Americans ( Beltsville , MD ); chaired by Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Conference Convener.
2000 2nd MCC Leadership Conference for African- Americans ( McLean , VA ); chaired by Ms. Onetta Brooks of MCC LA.
2002 3rd MCC Leadership Conference for People of African Descent (Atlanta, GA); convened by Rev. Wanda Floyd of Imani MCC in Durham, NC, and Mr. Barry Hundley of First MCC in Atlanta, GA.
2004 4th MCC Leadership Conference for People of African Descent and Parallel Track (Houston, TX); co-chaired by Ms. Anita Jones-Merritt, Mr. Kenneth M. Samuel, and Ms. Philippa Lynn Jenkins of Resurrection MCC in Houston, TX.
2006 5th MCC Leadership Conference for People of African Descent and our Friends and Allies (Tampa, FL); co-chaired by Rev. Candy Holmes of Christ the Liberator MCC in North Brunswick, NJ, and Rev. Franc Perry of First MCC of Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.
If you are interested in serving on any of the Conference Teams, please contact Rev. Elder Darlene Garner's office.
The Conference Teams and Team Leaders are:
Conference Chair: Rev. Candy Holmes
Support Functions
Logistics: Mr. Robert Ferguson
Marketing: Ms. Valarie Parson
Programming Team Lead: Ms. Debra Rose
Supported by:
Rev. Franc Perry and Ms. Kathy Beasley
Worship & Music Team Leads: Ms. Orgena Rose and Mr. Jeremy Johnson
Volunteers Team Lead: Rev. Wanda Floyd
Supported by:
Ms. Andrea Ferguson
Friends & Allies Team Lead: Rev. Robin Gorsline
ON-SITE TEAM LEADS
Registration: Ms. Norma Sharpe
Security: Ms. Renee Dubignon
Culinary: Rev. Franc Perry
Entertainment: Paulette Armstead and Abby Watson
Technology: To be determined
Vendors: To be determined
CONFERENCE STAFF
Administrative Assistant: Ms. Vickey Gibbs
Graphic Design: Sr. Enrique Zenteno
Finance: Ms. Marsha Warren
Info to Forward from Rev. Miller Jen Hoffman, MCC NY
Wanted: Brave LGBTQ Youth! Reward: Ten Thousand Dollars Each!
The Colin Higgins Foundation is requesting nominations for its annual Youth Courage Awards. Each year the Colin Higgins Foundation salutes LGBTQ individuals who demonstrate courage in the face of adversity and discrimination based on gender and/or sexual orientation.
Many LGBTQ Youth grow up in family, school and community environments that threaten their well being. They find themselves ostracized, marginalized, in psychological or even physical danger. Colin Higgins Foundation Youth Courage Award winners rise above such circumstances to inspire others by taking action, rallying support, and working to transform the systems and institutions that impact their lives.
This year the Foundation will be awarding $10,0 00 grants to:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer and Questioning youth (through age 24) who have bravely stood up to hostility and intolerance based on their gender and/or sexual orientation and triumphed over bigotry through working for LGBTQ rights and social justice.
The deadline for all nominations is 5pm (Pacific Standard Time) Friday, March 2, 2007. Late nominations will not be accepted. The Foundation encourages all nominations to be made via the online submission tool, which can be found at:
http://www.colinhiggins.org/courageawards/nomin_mat.cfm or www.colinhiggins.org .
Message forwarded by:
Claudia E. Stallman
Project Director
Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project
c/o Ferre Institute, Inc.
124 Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905
607.724.4308 ext. 21
FAX: 607.724.8290
EMAIL: LesGayFamBldg@aol.com
WEB: www.PrideAndJoyFamilies.org
A Prayer From Open Arms MCC E-link February 7
Deacon's Corner:
Yo God-
You've told me to talk to that person directly.
The Bible has told me to talk to that person directly.
Rev. Jim has told me when I have a problem with someone,
I am to go and talk to them directly. That is direct dealing.
I am not to talk about them behind their back.
If someone comes to me talking behind someone's back,
I am to tell them to talk to that person directly.
I'm not to complain to others about them.
If someone comes to me complaining about someone, I am
to tell them to talk to that person directly.
I'm not to let the difficulty, the problem go unattended.
I am to go and talk to them. That is direct dealing.
I am to do direct dealing in a kind and caring way.
It is not easy God, but it is what You have called me to do.
Be with me God as I follow the path of direct dealing. Amen
Regional Elder Schedule
February
15: Region 3 Facilitation Team Meeting
16 – 17: PLACE TRAINING
18 – 20: Days off
21: Office
22: Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman's BIRTHDAY
23 – 25 : Days off
26 – 28: Office
While traveling Elder Ackerman can be reached via cell phone, instructions are given by calling the office phone.
The Administrative Assistant, Rev. Jennifer Glass is normally in the office from 9:30 - 2:30 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays.
Rev. Elder Arlene J. Ackerman
UFMCC Regional Elder
Region 3
PO Box 276
Landisville, PA 17538
Phone: 717 898-3713
Fax: 717 898-3714
E-mail: arleneackerman@mccchurch.net
MCC HEADQUARTERS MAILING ADDRESS!
MCC Headquarters
P. O. Box 691728
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Please update your mailing lists and files. Please begin using this new address, effective immediately. Please share this information with your church staff and your church treasurer, in your church's newsletter, and with anyone who may need to contact MCC Headquarters.