Region 3 News

REGION 3 UPDATE

March 11, 2003

Region 3 Directory Is Out
Each local church, lay delegate and UFMCC clergy in Region 3 will be receiving this week a copy of the Region 3 Directory. If we didn't have your home address a copy was sent to the church. Pastors, please see that the directory's are distributed. And, send to the regional office any corrections.

Rev. Steve Filizzi Elected Pastor
The Rev. Steve Filizzi, was elected with a vote of 93% to become the new pastor St. John the Apostle in Fr. Myers. For the past six months Steve has been working with Open Door MCC and prior to that was on staff at MCC of the Spirit in Harrisburg, PA. Steve and his family will be moving in early April and Steve will preach in Florida for Palm Sunday.

Prayer Request
Rev. Debbie Coggin, pastor of Vision of Hope MCC in Mountville, PA has broken her ankle and foot, 4 bones in all.

Unanimous Vote To Purchase Building
New Life MCC, Norfolk, VA voted unanimously to proceed with a bond issue to buy the building that they have occupied for the last seven years.

Imago Dei MCC Update & Possible Move
There were 72 Imago Dei folks at church and 8 wonderful guests from New Life MCC, MCC/DC & MCC/NY who attended our wonderful worship!

There were just about 60 folks at the Special Congregational Forum called to discuss the possible move to Gradyville United Methodist Church, near Media, PA. There were a total of 52 persons - 30 (out-of 36) active members, 4 (out-of 6) Friends of the Church, and 18 future members & friends - at the Special Congregational Meeting in which we voted on signing the lease effective March 15, 2003 to begin transitioning our ministries.

I am happy to report that all 30 members voted to move; all 4 friends of the church affirmed their commitment to the church move; and 17 future members and friends voiced their affirmation to join with the members and friends in moving to Gradyville.

Fred Phelps & MCC Fredericksburg
On Saturday, March 1, over 400 students and members of the Fredericksburg community gathered in a Candlelight Vigil Against Hate in response to the planned protest by Fred Phelp's Westboro Baptist Church (WBC). The WBC targeted Mary Washington College's recent production of "The Laramie Project" (A play that depicts the aftermath of Matthew Shepherd's murder). For those not be familiar with Rev. Fred Phelps or the activities of his organization, you can learn more by going to the Anti-Defamation League's Website: http://www.adl.org/special_reports/wbc/default.asp . The vigil was led by PRISM (Mary Washington's Gay & Lesbian Student group) and was fully supported by the college. MCC Fredericksburg worked with other community groups to plan a united, positive response and participated in getting the word out about the vigil. On Sunday, March 2, PRISM led a discussion forum for the community to discuss the impact of the play and the protests. MCC Fredericksburg was the only visible church presence at these events.

Pastor Of Holy Redeemer MCC Announces His Leaving
Rev. Clay Witt has announced to the congregation of Holy Redeemer MCC, College Park, MD, that he will be leaving HRMCC when they find a replacement for him. Clay says that the journey with HRMCC during the church's first 5 years has been a fulfilling and rewarding one. He believes that God called him to plant the church, but that task is now complete and it is time for someone else to build on that foundation. Clay told the congregation that he has no doubt that God has important work for HRMCC to do for many years to come in building God's reign in the community and continuing to carry the Good News to all people.

HRMCC's Parish Advisory Board is now engaged in the pastoral search process. Clay says that after the transition at HRMCC he plans to take a 6-month break for rest and to think and pray about where God may call him next.

Vision of Hope MCC Has New Worship Time
Beginning March 9, the evening service at Vision of Hope will begin at 5 p.m. Please make note of this new earlier time.

Bellringer Available Online
MCC Philadelphia's newest newsletter, the Bellringer is available online at www.mccphiladelphia.com. Go to newsletter Articles in this month's newsletter include: "Now is the time for love", "Love Poem, Spirits in Love", "True Desire, The Freedom to be Who You Are", "Lost Love: How to find it again", "My Miracle", "When God is singing there's no sweeter music," and "What's Love Got To Do With It".

Rev. Delores Berry Featured on UFMCC Webpage
Go to www.mccchurch.org and enter the Intranet site and see the write-up on our own Delores Berry. For access to the Intranet contact your local MCC.

March 4th, 2003 Update

Note from Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman
On Feb. 24, I returned to the Regional office after being away for two weeks recovering from sinus surgery. So many of you sent cards, flowers and prayers and I want to thank you all for your support. While I'm not quite functioning at 100% I am well on my way. Bless you all. Arlene

MCC Cristo Sanador Celebrates Anniversary
This past Sunday our church in San Juan celebrated their seventh anniversary. Rev. Elder Armando Sánchez was their special guest. The community dedicated this anniversary to Rev. Pablo Navarro-Hernández, founder of the church in San Juan.

Couples Retreat
MCC-DC is sponsoring its annual Couples Retreat on March 21 and 22. Four dynamic therapists will facilitate 2 full days of exciting workshops to help couples with communication skills, sex and intimacy, independence and interdependence. The retreat will take place at MCC-DC and the fee is $150. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Mathews at202-638-7373 or Adriane Burton atapper@erols.com.

EXCEL Returns To Region 3

We are so very pleased to announce that EXCEL International, will be bringing EXCEL to Region 3 this Summer 2003. We are also excited that Rev. Delores Berry will be the chaplain for this weekend and we are anticipating that the Holy Spirit will be delivering blessings abundantly. (EXCEL: "Yet I will show you a more excellent way." 1 Cor 12:31)

First of all let me introduce who "we" are. My name is Christopher Lenz. I first became a member of the Mother Church in Los Angeles, California in 1982. I would be blessed to have Rev. Jerri Ann Harvey my first MCC Pastor. It was that year I attended my first Excel Weekend. Twenty years later I am on the Executive Committee for EXCEL International and am currently living in the East Coast. I attend MCC Philadelphia, St. Luke's Episcopal, and Dignity of Philadelphia. I was ordained as a deacon by Rev. David Pellietier in Palm Springs in 2000 and am currently on sabbatical to work on Excel in Region 3, or as we are calling for this area, The National Capitol EXCEL Weekend.

I also have two very special sisters in Christ, Ginny Barnett and Kathy Loveland, who are working with me to put this weekend on and get a team established for this area. They are members of Open Door MCC in Maryland and have been attending there for 2 1/2 years. They have spent many years previously working with "A walk to Emmaus" which is similar to EXCEL and attended their first EXCEL weekend two years ago with EXCEL of the Armadillo in Texas. There will also be several other women and men from various regions who are trained to put on EXCEL weekends that currently serve on other EXCEL Teams coming to be apart of our National Capitol Weekend #1.

EXCEL use to be a thriving ministry in this area, but has not been so for quite some time. We believe that God is calling us to rebuild this team and ministry and we cannot express to you the joy and excitement that is in our hearts about this upcoming weekend.

Excel International De Colores currently has teams in;

California (San Francisco & Los Angeles areas), Canada (Calgary), Colorado (Colorado Springs), Florida (St. Petersburg & Jacksonville), Georgia (Atlanta)

Mexico (Monterrey), Nebraska (Bellevue), Texas (Galveston & Corpus Christi)

We have also brought the EXCEL experience to England, Australia and South

Africa where we will be going again September 2003.

These teams serve many MCC's in their area and the result from the weekend experience is returning those saints back to their local churches rejuvenated, uplifted and prepared to make new commitments to God and their churches. As you can see, currently to experience an EXCEL weekend, you have to travel quite far from this area. Excel is a wonderful ministry and program that was introduced to MCC in the 70's. Rev. Troy Perry is an EXCEL graduate and will be serving as the chaplain for an upcoming weekend this fall in Texas.

National Capitol Excel Weekend #1

Theme: "Angels Among Us"

Chaplain & Special Music: Rev. Delores Berry

DATE: June 6,7 & 8, 2003

LOCATION: Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference and Educational Center

ADDRESS: 3200 Mar-Lu-Ridge Rd, Jefferson, MD

WEB: www.mar-lu-ridge.org (browse the conference center)

COST: *$125.00 per/person (see below for special information) includes 6 meals (Fri dinner, Sat 3 meals, Sun brkfst/lunch), 2 nights lodging, bedding, single beds (3 beds per private room w/private shower/toilet)

Not included is transportation, however we will work on carpooling to get there those without transportation or for those who would rather travel with someone from there area.

MORE INFO: Chris Lenz 215-880-8144

Chris4Excel@aol.com

*Regarding the cost, we have full (minimum payment of $25.00) and partial scholarships available. We also make payment arrangements

**There are also sliding scale discounts for couples, clergy and student clergy, those living with disabilities including HIV and those who are on fixed incomes. To inquire about discounts please contact Chris Lenz by phone or email.

Pastor Of Imago Dei Published
Rev. Karla Fleshman, pastor of Imago Dei MCC, Media, PA has just recently had some of her work published. Her chapter, "Understanding and Dealing With Spiritual Violence: Preaching, Testifying, and Gandhi's Satyagrapha as Tools in the Queer Social Justice Movement" has been included in the book entitled Understanding and Dealing With Violence: A Multicultural Approach published by SAGE Publications (2003) and edited by Dr. Barbara C. Wallace & Dr. Robert T. Carter of Columbia University. This is her first publication; and it originated from a sermon preached at MCC Philadelphia two weeks after attending Soulforces' first action in Lynchburg, VA in the Fall of 1999.

UFMCC Top 20 Per Capita For December 2002

Local Church Giving Per Worshipper Per Service
6. MCC Pittsburgh, PA $43.68
7. MCC Chesapeake, Annapolis, MD $43.07
14. MCC Washington, DC $29.83

UFMCC TOP TWENTY CHURCHES FOR DECEMBER 2002

In Tithes Sent To MCC Headquarters
2. MCC Washington, Washington, DC $9106
5. MCC New York, NY $7156

Record High Membership - MCC Christ The Liberator, NJ received their 73 member last Sunday. With the increase of members and attendance the pastor reports that they will soon need to find a larger facility.

MCC of the Spirit Begins Charismatic Service
Our church in Harrisburg, PA has started this new worship experience which is scheduled for the first and third and fifth Saturdays at 6:00 PM. It will be a full Gospel style, prophetic worship style.

Final Thoughts
The last few weeks have been challenging for many of our churches. Some have been hit with two to three feet of snow while others have 70 inches of snow in their front yards. A good number of our churches have had to cancel worship for at least one Sunday. Please join me in praying daily for the ministry of each of our churches. Whether it is the weather or to small of building or some other challenge we can allow nothing to prevent us from doing the work of Christ in our hurting world.

Peace be with you,

Arlene Ackerman

Previous Regional Updates:
[Jan. 03, Feb. 03]

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.org


	REGION 3 UPDATE March 11, 2003 Region 3 Directory Is Out Each local church, lay delegate and UFMCC clergy in Region 3 will be receiving this week a copy of the Region 3 Directory. If we didn't have your home address a copy was sent to the church. Pastors, please see that the directory's are distributed. And, send to the regional office any corrections. Rev. Steve Filizzi Elected Pastor The Rev. Steve Filizzi, was elected with a vote of 93% to become the new pastor St. John the Apostle in Fr. Myers. For the past six months Steve has been working with Open Door MCC and prior to that was on staff at MCC of the Spirit in Harrisburg, PA. Steve and his family will be moving in early April and Steve will preach in Florida for Palm Sunday. Prayer Request Rev. Debbie Coggin, pastor of Vision of Hope MCC in Mountville, PA has broken her ankle and foot, 4 bones in all. Unanimous Vote To Purchase Building New Life MCC, Norfolk, VA voted unanimously to proceed with a bond issue to buy the building that they have occupied for the last seven years. Imago Dei MCC Update & Possible Move There were 72 Imago Dei folks at church and 8 wonderful guests from New Life MCC, MCC/DC & MCC/NY who attended our wonderful worship! There were just about 60 folks at the Special Congregational Forum called to discuss the possible move to Gradyville United Methodist Church, near Media, PA. There were a total of 52 persons - 30 (out-of 36) active members, 4 (out-of 6) Friends of the Church, and 18 future members & friends - at the Special Congregational Meeting in which we voted on signing the lease effective March 15, 2003 to begin transitioning our ministries. I am happy to report that all 30 members voted to move; all 4 friends of the church affirmed their commitment to the church move; and 17 future members and friends voiced their affirmation to join with the members and friends in moving to Gradyville. Fred Phelps & MCC Fredericksburg On Saturday, March 1, over 400 students and members of the Fredericksburg community gathered in a Candlelight Vigil Against Hate in response to the planned protest by Fred Phelp's Westboro Baptist Church (WBC). The WBC targeted Mary Washington College's recent production of "The Laramie Project" (A play that depicts the aftermath of Matthew Shepherd's murder). For those not be familiar with Rev. Fred Phelps or the activities of his organization, you can learn more by going to the Anti-Defamation League's Website: http://www.adl.org/special_reports/wbc/default.asp . The vigil was led by PRISM (Mary Washington's Gay & Lesbian Student group) and was fully supported by the college. MCC Fredericksburg worked with other community groups to plan a united, positive response and participated in getting the word out about the vigil. On Sunday, March 2, PRISM led a discussion forum for the community to discuss the impact of the play and the protests. MCC Fredericksburg was the only visible church presence at these events. Pastor Of Holy Redeemer MCC Announces His Leaving Rev. Clay Witt has announced to the congregation of Holy Redeemer MCC, College Park, MD, that he will be leaving HRMCC when they find a replacement for him. Clay says that the journey with HRMCC during the church's first 5 years has been a fulfilling and rewarding one. He believes that God called him to plant the church, but that task is now complete and it is time for someone else to build on that foundation. Clay told the congregation that he has no doubt that God has important work for HRMCC to do for many years to come in building God's reign in the community and continuing to carry the Good News to all people. HRMCC's Parish Advisory Board is now engaged in the pastoral search process. Clay says that after the transition at HRMCC he plans to take a 6-month break for rest and to think and pray about where God may call him next. Vision of Hope MCC Has New Worship Time Beginning March 9, the evening service at Vision of Hope will begin at 5 p.m. Please make note of this new earlier time. Bellringer Available Online MCC Philadelphia's newest newsletter, the Bellringer is available online at www.mccphiladelphia.com. Go to newsletter Articles in this month's newsletter include: "Now is the time for love", "Love Poem, Spirits in Love", "True Desire, The Freedom to be Who You Are", "Lost Love: How to find it again", "My Miracle", "When God is singing there's no sweeter music," and "What's Love Got To Do With It". Rev. Delores Berry Featured on UFMCC Webpage Go to www.mccchurch.org and enter the Intranet site and see the write-up on our own Delores Berry. For access to the Intranet contact your local MCC. March 4th, 2003 Update Note from Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman On Feb. 24, I returned to the Regional office after being away for two weeks recovering from sinus surgery. So many of you sent cards, flowers and prayers and I want to thank you all for your support. While I'm not quite functioning at 100% I am well on my way. Bless you all. Arlene MCC Cristo Sanador Celebrates Anniversary This past Sunday our church in San Juan celebrated their seventh anniversary. Rev. Elder Armando Sánchez was their special guest. The community dedicated this anniversary to Rev. Pablo Navarro-Hernández, founder of the church in San Juan. Couples Retreat MCC-DC is sponsoring its annual Couples Retreat on March 21 and 22. Four dynamic therapists will facilitate 2 full days of exciting workshops to help couples with communication skills, sex and intimacy, independence and interdependence. The retreat will take place at MCC-DC and the fee is $150. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Mathews at202-638-7373 or Adriane Burton atapper@erols.com. EXCEL Returns To Region 3 We are so very pleased to announce that EXCEL International, will be bringing EXCEL to Region 3 this Summer 2003. We are also excited that Rev. Delores Berry will be the chaplain for this weekend and we are anticipating that the Holy Spirit will be delivering blessings abundantly. (EXCEL: "Yet I will show you a more excellent way." 1 Cor 12:31) First of all let me introduce who "we" are. My name is Christopher Lenz. I first became a member of the Mother Church in Los Angeles, California in 1982. I would be blessed to have Rev. Jerri Ann Harvey my first MCC Pastor. It was that year I attended my first Excel Weekend. Twenty years later I am on the Executive Committee for EXCEL International and am currently living in the East Coast. I attend MCC Philadelphia, St. Luke's Episcopal, and Dignity of Philadelphia. I was ordained as a deacon by Rev. David Pellietier in Palm Springs in 2000 and am currently on sabbatical to work on Excel in Region 3, or as we are calling for this area, The National Capitol EXCEL Weekend. I also have two very special sisters in Christ, Ginny Barnett and Kathy Loveland, who are working with me to put this weekend on and get a team established for this area. They are members of Open Door MCC in Maryland and have been attending there for 2 1/2 years. They have spent many years previously working with "A walk to Emmaus" which is similar to EXCEL and attended their first EXCEL weekend two years ago with EXCEL of the Armadillo in Texas. There will also be several other women and men from various regions who are trained to put on EXCEL weekends that currently serve on other EXCEL Teams coming to be apart of our National Capitol Weekend #1. EXCEL use to be a thriving ministry in this area, but has not been so for quite some time. We believe that God is calling us to rebuild this team and ministry and we cannot express to you the joy and excitement that is in our hearts about this upcoming weekend. Excel International De Colores currently has teams in; California (San Francisco & Los Angeles areas), Canada (Calgary), Colorado (Colorado Springs), Florida (St. Petersburg & Jacksonville), Georgia (Atlanta) Mexico (Monterrey), Nebraska (Bellevue), Texas (Galveston & Corpus Christi) We have also brought the EXCEL experience to England, Australia and South Africa where we will be going again September 2003. These teams serve many MCC's in their area and the result from the weekend experience is returning those saints back to their local churches rejuvenated, uplifted and prepared to make new commitments to God and their churches. As you can see, currently to experience an EXCEL weekend, you have to travel quite far from this area. Excel is a wonderful ministry and program that was introduced to MCC in the 70's. Rev. Troy Perry is an EXCEL graduate and will be serving as the chaplain for an upcoming weekend this fall in Texas. National Capitol Excel Weekend #1 Theme: "Angels Among Us" Chaplain & Special Music: Rev. Delores Berry DATE: June 6,7 & 8, 2003 LOCATION: Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference and Educational Center ADDRESS: 3200 Mar-Lu-Ridge Rd, Jefferson, MD WEB: www.mar-lu-ridge.org (browse the conference center) COST: $125.00 per/person (see below for special information) includes 6 meals (Fri dinner, Sat 3 meals, Sun brkfst/lunch), 2 nights lodging, bedding, single beds (3 beds per private room w/private shower/toilet) Not included is transportation, however we will work on carpooling to get there those without transportation or for those who would rather travel with someone from there area. MORE INFO: Chris Lenz 215-880-8144 Chris4Excel@aol.com Regarding the cost, we have full (minimum payment of $25.00) and partial scholarships available. We also make payment arrangements There are also sliding scale discounts for couples, clergy and student clergy, those living with disabilities including HIV and those who are on fixed incomes. To inquire about discounts please contact Chris Lenz by phone or email. Pastor Of Imago Dei Published Rev. Karla Fleshman, pastor of Imago Dei MCC, Media, PA has just recently had some of her work published. Her chapter, "Understanding and Dealing With Spiritual Violence: Preaching, Testifying, and Gandhi's Satyagrapha as Tools in the Queer Social Justice Movement" has been included in the book entitled Understanding and Dealing With Violence: A Multicultural Approach published by SAGE Publications (2003) and edited by Dr. Barbara C. Wallace & Dr. Robert T. Carter of Columbia University. This is her first publication; and it originated from a sermon preached at MCC Philadelphia two weeks after attending Soulforces' first action in Lynchburg, VA in the Fall of 1999. UFMCC Top 20 Per Capita For December 2002 Local Church Giving Per Worshipper Per Service 6. MCC Pittsburgh, PA $43.68 7. MCC Chesapeake, Annapolis, MD $43.07 14. MCC Washington, DC $29.83 UFMCC TOP TWENTY CHURCHES FOR DECEMBER 2002 In Tithes Sent To MCC Headquarters 2. MCC Washington, Washington, DC $9106 5. MCC New York, NY $7156 Record High Membership - MCC Christ The Liberator, NJ received their 73 member last Sunday. With the increase of members and attendance the pastor reports that they will soon need to find a larger facility. MCC of the Spirit Begins Charismatic Service Our church in Harrisburg, PA has started this new worship experience which is scheduled for the first and third and fifth Saturdays at 6:00 PM. It will be a full Gospel style, prophetic worship style. Final Thoughts The last few weeks have been challenging for many of our churches. Some have been hit with two to three feet of snow while others have 70 inches of snow in their front yards. A good number of our churches have had to cancel worship for at least one Sunday. Please join me in praying daily for the ministry of each of our churches. Whether it is the weather or to small of building or some other challenge we can allow nothing to prevent us from doing the work of Christ in our hurting world. Peace be with you,** Arlene Ackerman Previous Regional Updates: [Jan. 03, Feb. 03] 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.org