Region 3 Conference - REGISTER TODAY
Go to ufmcc.com and click on Regional Conferences. There you can you register for conference and obtain hotel information for Region 3. Be sure to sign up for the special breakfast with Rev. Troy Perry.
Conference Panel: "The Many Faces of the Puerto Rican Religious Identity"
The members of the panel will be:
Rev. Margarita Sánchez-De León - The political and activist church in Puerto Rico. An MCC Ordained minister, Margarita is the Director of Amnesty International in Puerto Rico.
Rev. Pablo Navarro-Hernández - Open and Affirming Churches in Puerto Rico.
Prof. Mariel Marrero - Non Traditional and Popular Religion in Puerto Rico. Mariel is Adjunct Professor of Religion at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. She is member of the United Methodist Church of Puerto Rico.
Rev. Edgard Danielsen-Morales - Assimilation and Resistance. Co-interim pastor of ICM Cristo Sanador.
CC Fredericksburg Begin Strategic Growth Initiative
Two weeks ago MCC Fredericksburg worked with Rev. Elder Ackerman in beginning the SGI work. As a result of their first weekend together they completed their Vision, Mission and Core Values statements and established their strategic priorities for the next two years. Their Vision Statements says:
Loved By God! Led By Christ! Empowered to Serve!
Their core values are:
We are a Christ Centered Church - Christ is Our Example!
God's Love is Unconditional!
The Priesthood of All Believers, Ministering to the World.
Supporting Each Other's Spiritual Growth.
Prayer Requests
+ The father of Rev. Catherine Houchins, pastor of MCC of the Blue Ridge, Roanoke, VA is very ill, recovering from surgery for a large brain tumor.
+ The mother of Rev. Loen Arrington has entered hospice in Tampa, FL. Keep the entire family in your prayers.
CNN Headline News - May 7 - Rev. Karla Fleshman
Rev. Karla Fleshman, pastor of Imago Dei MCC, Glen Mills, PA - Region Three, will be on Seeking Solutions with Suzanne on May 7, 2004 at 11:55 am, 4:55 pm, and 9:55 pm on CNN Headline News on all Comcast Cable Systems. The topic is "Same Sex Marriage: Legal & Spiritual Perspective".
A Pastors Letter
I pastor an inclusive church whose primary ministry is to GLBT people. I would like to paint you a picture of gay and lesbian people who belong to churches which condemn all sexual expression outside of marriage - and that includes all the gay and lesbian people who belong to those churches. They are told that the church "loves the sinner and hates the sin." They are told that they can only be right with God if they become straight or if they stay celibate and have no intimate relationship in their lives. They are denied the basic human need of intimate committed expression and relationship. That is what Touchstone and Goff want for gay and lesbian people as they seek to deny civil marriage to gay and lesbian children of God. And they want to impose their view of faith on everyone, believers and unbelievers alike. They want to eliminate separation of church and state by denying the states the right to allow civil marriages to all persons.
On Sunday at my church, we cried tears of pain as we remembered a gay man who tried to be straight and tried to be a good member of his so-called bible-believing church. We cried tears of pain because in his despair at both being alone and trying to be that kind of Christian, he committed suicide. We cried tears of pain because he didn't know that God loved him just exactly the way he was. Where is the Christian love in that kind of church?
Rev. Jim Mulcahy, Interim Pastoral Leader, Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church, Rochester, NY
Come to where the Wisdom of the Desert meets Dark Ages Britain
Spend a day with Rev. Chris Dowd exploring the rich and interesting world of Celtic Christianity. Explore it's beginnings in the Egyptian desert through to it's Flourishing in Dark ages Britain to it's revival today. Take part in an ancient Celtic Liturgy from Carmina Gadelica. Explore how the Celtic revival is a powerful force for Christian ecological action in the world today. Celtic Christianity Workshop at MCC Fredericksburg
Saturday, May 15th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., DisAbility Resource Center, 409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA, $10 requested donation to support to MCC church plant, MCC Journey, Birmingham, England Please RSVP via e-mail - revsburns@msn.com or phone (540)295-5878 by May 1st.
Schedule: 10 - 4:30, Meditation - "The Magpie", Introductions, A Brief History of Celtic Christianity, Lunch - on your own, Hagiography- The Study of Saints, The Role of the Natural World in Celtic Christianity, Closing Worship (based on the Celtic sourcebook Carmina Gadelica)
Biography.
Do You Have A Will?
Or, are you considering drawing up a will or revising it in the near future? Consider putting your church or UFMCC in your will. It is a good way to support the your church with a lasting gift.
Marriage Project site
The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. has launched a new web-based Marriage Project site. This site is designed for communities of faith, LGBT activists, and secular and religious news media. The site will provide materials on the history of marriage in Christian traditions, talking points for understanding the civil rights involved in marriage, liturgical and theological resources for engaging this issue in faith communities, and links to denominational and other organizational resources for sorting through the implications of the debate for our religious and civic institutions.
Rev. Elder Don Eastman At Imago Dei MCC
Imago Dei MCC, Glenn Mills, PA, experienced an incredible 3rd anniversary weekend! Rev. Elder Don Eastman (Vice-Moderator of the UFMCC) and Ms. Orgena Rose (Sacred Rose Ministries) were our special guests. The Friday night anniversary dinner of Celebrating 3 Years/Committing to 30! brought together 72 folks to share in the celebration of three years of worship! Eight out-of fifteen people from the first bible study of four years ago, were present; and eleven out-of twenty-two who came to the very first planning meeting were also at our party! Rev. Eastman gave a powerful message on making a difference and Ms. Rose wowed us with her gift of song! We had a professional photographer on site to take pictures of the couples dressed up in the fine clothes, but most importantly we share our stories, our songs, and our celebration for thirty more years!
Our Saturday retreat of Building For Ministry brought together members from Vision of Hope MCC, MCC of the Lehigh Valley, MCC Rehoboth, and Imago Dei MCC! We spent the day with Rev. Elder Eastman discovery how we can strengthen our churches through our wholistic stewardship, purposeful building use, and incorporation of new members through wholistic growth! In total, 45 different folks attended this incredible retreat, but most importantly it was an opportunity for our churches to share stories and strengthen relationships outside of a Regional Conference!
Our Sunday worship services--the 9:30 AM and the 6:06 PM--were led by Rev. Elder Eastman. He preached Being Saved at the morning service and Fire from Heaven at our evening service. WOW!!! Between both services, 78 folks were blessed at least once (and some twice) by worship experience of Rev. Eastman's message, Ms. Rose's ministry, our INCREDIBLE choir, and musicians.
Our anniversary weekend was transformative and powerful to our community! We are truly getting ready to make a powerful, positive impact in our part of the world! One by one we feel the call to go out into our communities and share the good news of God's love! One by one, we tell our stories and one by one lives are being changed because one by one God's love is being proclaimed!
325 Attend Community Celebration at MCC of the Spirit
MCC of the Spirit, Harrisburg, PA celebrated community Sunday, March 21 in a major way! In a congregation that has been averaging 150 at all 3 services, last Sunday we had a total of 449, with 325 of those at our evening celebration! There were more than 25 churches and community organizations represented! It began as Fred Phelps declared he would visit Central Pennsylvania once again and we decided to turn it into an opportunity to build bridges and celebrate community. Phelps had been to the Harrisburg area in the fall and we celebrated "Unity Day." This time his group came to picket 6 churches in Harrisburg and Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon County where they recently approved a gay/straight alliance. The churches picketed included 2 Catholic churches, 2 Episcopal churches, the Unitarian Universalist church, and MCC of the Spirit. We began by calling everyone together and invited the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to educate the churches on who Fred Phelps is and what they could expect from his visit. Five churches were to be picketed in the morning, MCC of the Spirit was to be picketed in the evening. We helped train Silent Witnesses in each of the churches with special training being offered for one Episcopal church that had never even considered this type of protest and the largest Catholic church, Holy Name of Jesus. Bridges were built that will never allow us to be the same again. But the celebration for us at MCC of the Spirit came on Sunday afternoon as people began to gather. Phelps was not due until 6:30 p.m. but we began at 4:30 with the showing of the movie, Jim in Bold. This became a fundraiser for Common Roads, the GLBT youth support group in Harrisburg. Over 150 people came and we showed the movie simultaneously in the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. Close to $1,000 was raised for Common Roads! About 3:30 p.m. two local picketers arrived, so the Silent Witness began then. When the movie finished at 6 p.m. the Silent Witness crowd grew. The police arrived around that time, blocking off the entire street in front of the church and using yellow tape, blocked the area in front of the church and across from the church. News crews began to arrive and Silent Witnesses could be seen on 6 o'clock live! We were joined by many churches in the community…by MCC's (I know that Open Door MCC, Vision of Hope MCC and MCC Baltimore were represented)…friends in the community. By the time the Phelp's group arrived, there were 80 to 100 people in front of the church singing songs from Amazing Grace to God Bless America. At 7 p.m., we began a Celebration of Community. One of our children, Nicholas Byrd, led the service off by reciting a portion of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a Dream" speech. What followed was an evening of testimony and witness in both spoken word and song. Speakers included: Ann Van Dyke, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Rev. Ron Stiscia, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church; Rev. Daphne Messersmith, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; Rev. Howard Dana, Unitarian Universalist Church of Harrisburg; Carol Reisinger, Common Roads; Jackie Rucker, Christian Churches United; Rabbi Eric Cytryn, Temple Beth El; and Rev. Eva O'Diam, MCC of the Spirit. Musicians included: Sonny Ditzler, drumming; The Unitones; MCC of the Spirit Gospel Choir; Scott Conlan, Executive Director of Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition; Arcona Reel Band; David Payne; MCC of the Spirit Evening Choir; Plan B; Central Pennsylvania Womyn's Chorus; MCC of the Spirit Praise Band; and Rev. David Glasgow, Associate Pastor and Minister of Music of MCC of the Spirit, directed a Mass Choir singing Love is Right, a song he wrote for the occasion. Donations were received for the Downtown Homeless Project
Elders Note
As Easter fast approaches and winter fades away my prayer for us all is that we will again discover what it means to live as people of the resurrection. We live in disturbing times. War really has not ended, our humans rights are being debated as if we don't exist, the economy has not recovered. In other words, we have many reasons to not feel hope. Except - - that we are a people of hope, a people of faith, a people who believe that God holds the future and that we do not walk this journey of faith alone. This winter has challenged many of us but I believe that our best days are yet to come.
This Easter, celebrate the risen Christ! Let us proclaim, as our own, the words of Jesus when he said, " I am with you even to the end of age!"
APRIL 15, 2004
MCC of the Blue Ridge - Largest Church In Region 3
Are you surprised? Last weekend I had the privilege to visit and work with MCC BR in Roanoke, VA. Last fall, they purchased their church facility. A beautiful building that seats 700 in the sanctuary, has a social hall with kitchen, office space and three floors of meeting rooms. Prior to the move MCC BR was averaging 75 or so in worship in a store front facility. Today, they are averaging 150 in weekly worship. Under the leadership of Rev. Catherine Houchins this congregation has boldly stepped into the future with God given dreams. Last Sunday evening their choir and youth put together a cantata titled, "3 Days." It was absolutely wonderful and I would say that this choir is as good as any choir in our fellowship. (See photo's below, not accessible on all servers.)
Youth Pride Interfaith Worship Service
MCC Washington, DC is pleased to offer, for the first time, a Youth Pride Interfaith Worship service in conjunction with Youth Pride 2004 in Washington, DC. The service will be held at MCC-DC, 474 Ridge Street, Washington, DC, on Sunday, April 18, 2004 @ 3:00 PM and will be ONE hour in length. A planning meeting is being scheduled, so interested parties should please respond ASAP via email. Hope to see you there either way!! Shawn Henderson, leader Access Ministries (youth/young adults), MCC Washington, DC, 474 Ridge Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202.669.5620 (m)
Region 3 Churches Who Have Kept Their UFMCC Assessments At 15%
The 1/2% additional tithe will be used towards church planting and church development funding towards the costs of attending Regional and General conference. If you board or congregation has voted to keep the tithe at 15%, please contact the Regional office and Margaret Mahlman, Chief Financial Officer of MCC margaretmahlman@MCCChurch.org
So far, the following churches are keeping the 15%:
CHURCH PASTOR
MCC of the Lehigh Valley Rev Beth Goudy
MCC Richmond VA Rev Robin Hawley
MCC of Northern Virginia Rev Kharma Amos
MCC Fredericksburg VA Rev Stephanie Burns
MCC Washington Rev Candace Shultis
MCC Rehoboth Rev Thomas Bohache
MCC of the Blue Ridge Rev Catherine Houchins
MCC Pittsburgh Rev Roberta Dunn
MCC of the Hudson Valley Rev Jill Farnham
Imago Dei MCC Rev Karla Fleshman
MCC of the Spirit Rev Eva O'Diam
Open Door MCC Rev Rob Taylor
"International Day of Clergy Support For Same-Sex Marriage"
April 29, 2004
A Message
From Rev. Troy D. Perry
MCC Founder and Moderator
Dear Friend:
This is an advance notice.
In the next few days, Metropolitan Community Churches will call upon clergy of all faiths and denominations to participate in an "International Day of Clergy Support for Same-Sex Marriage" on April 29th.
This international event was conceived by Rev. Pat Bumgardner, senior pastor of MCC New York in New York City -- and offers an opportunity for a broad diversity of clergy people to take a public stand on behalf of same-sex marriage rights.
Here is the important background information:
New York is one of the states in the U.S. that has a law prohibiting clergy from "solemnizing" any marriage ceremony without a government-issued civil marriage license. In March, charges were field against two Unitarian ministers who performed same-sex weddings without a government license.
(These are the very same ceremonies that MCC ministers perform more than 6000 times every year.)
Rev. Bumgardner responded with a bold act of civil disobedience: In defiance of New York law, she performed two same-sex weddings on the steps of New York City Hall -- and was joined by clergy of many denominations and faiths.
The event received significant international press attention.
But...
There are still many states in the United States -- and many countries --
that have unjust laws similar to New York's.
Accordingly, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) is calling for clergy to perform public same-sex wedding ceremonies on April 29. Our MCC Headquarters staff will work with you to generate media coverage of your events.
This "International Day of Clergy Support for Same-Sex Marriage Rights" will accomplish three significant goals:
FIRST:
In states or countries that do not have restrictive clergy marriage laws, these public events will draw attention to marriage equality for LGBT people.
SECOND:
In states and countries with restrictive clergy marriage laws, these events will be civil disobedience actions to call public attention to this injustice in the laws.
THIRD:
By joining hands with a diverse coalition of religious leaders, we will put a broader face on religion, exercise our prophetic voice, and let our society know that the intolerant voice of the religious fundamentalist is not the only voice of religion.
Full details on these international actions will follow shortly.
Rev. Bumgardner, along with her staff and volunteers, will coordinate the public events. In those places where the law currently prohibits clergy from performing such marriages, organizers will provide suggested guidelines for participation in civil disobedience.
The MCC Communications Department will coordinate media efforts and press coverage.
For 35 years, MCC has had a bold, prophetic witness to our society -- a prophetic voice that has challenged injustice wherever it is found.
I am writing today to encourage you to mark April 29 on your calendars... inviting your church to participate in these historic actions... and encouraging our MCC clergy to participate in these events.
If you want to sign-up now, the first step is to contact Rev. Pat Bumgardner. Simply send an e-mail with your name, the name of your group or church, your city, and your contact information by e-mail to RvPatMCCNY@aol.com.
The other step you can begin immediately is to invite individual clergy of all faiths to support this international day of clergy actions, and to invite ministerial groups, along with local or regional councils of churches and interfaith groups.
Again, additional information will follow soon. This is an advance notice so you can mark your calendar and begin to prepare for these events.
/signed/
Rev. Troy D. Perry
MCC Founder and Moderator
APRIL 20, 2004
Easter News From Region 3
Every pastor has been invited to write something about how their church celebrated Holy Week. What follows is what has come in thus far. I hope you will see that we are a MCC region rich with diversity and depth in worship of God.
Imago Dei MCC, Glen Mills, PA
We had one incredible Holy Week! Our Palm Sunday Service involved the waving of palms and the singing of praises by our choir and congregation! There were 65 folks at this service; and 16 remained for a leadership training. Holy Thursday brought together 20 people who gathered around tables to remember Jesus' last supper as he remembered Passover. Hebrew and Christian scriptures were read aloud. Feet were washed. Bitter herbs were tasted; and milk and honey was shared before the breaking of bread and pouring of cup. Forty people gathered for our Good Friday service, which is a Tenebrae Service of Shadows. The story of the passion of Jesus was retold through Scripture taken from all four gospels interspersed with special music, as well as the extinguishing of candle light. This is one of our most powerful services. Our Easter Sunday service brought over 70 people together to celebrate our faith. Our special music involved our choir, one of our children on trumpet, and a violen player, along with several guitarist and two pianists. The message was taken from John 20 and was entitled "No Legal Standing," in which we discover that through a Risen Christ, we - who once may have had no legal standing - now have legal standing; and are to stand up for God's way of power and love as we stand up for the rights of all people.
MCC of the Blue Ridge, Roanoke, VA
Our Holy Week at MCC of the Blue Ridge began on Palm Sunday with a visit by our Regional Elder, Rev. Arlene Ackerman. That evening our choir presented Three Days, an Easter cantata with dramatic vignettes. Maundy Thursday 45 people celebrated communion and shared in a foot/hand/cheek washing service. For the first time, we had children coming forward to participate in the washing. 50 gathered for hushed contemplation of the sayings from the cross. Sunrise found 60 of us at Wasena Park for our traditional service followed by breakfast together later. Not a drop of rain fell during our time in the park. Our first Easter in our new home was shared by 300 people. During the service, 15 were baptized and 4 became new members. This year we claim the promise of resurrection realities in our daily lives as we have never claimed them before. Alleluia!
MCC Richmond, VA
Holy Week and Easter at MCC Richmond were rich and full of spirit. Attendance on Easter Sunday was 179 - and I admit to liking to see the church that full! The offering was $4,500 which, while not a record, is very good given the high number of people in attendance without the habit of giving. Most importantly, the service was beautiful and moving - we will not soon forget Cindy Rollins and Billy Davis in a stunning Mary Magdalene/Jesus duet or the Spirits of Joy singing Randall Thompson's Alleluia. The worship team offered us a joyous liturgy, and our Fellowship Team served fabulous dinner to more than 120 after service. We had much smaller attendance at Holy Thursday and Good Friday services, but the Worship Team offered those who attended very spiritually rich worship experiences. Both services were non-traditional, and I was deeply moved. Easter Sunday also saw the inauguration of our new "brand" -- a rainbow cross with the words, "MCC Richmond.........for ALL God's People." The new outreach look is on the new 9X9 banner hanging from the front of the church (twice the size of our old banner) and on the new brochures for newcomers which we gave out for the first time on Easter. Resurrection is what's happening at MCC Richmond!
Open Arms MCC, Rochester, NY
We had a beautiful observance of holy week and Easter at Open Arms MCC this year. On Good Friday evening, Lon Beery hosted a Christian Seder and led us through the story of deliverance begun in Exodus and completed in Jesus. Lon did all the preparation for the meal himself and did a wonderful job leading the service. A few people at the meal overindulged in the bitter herb, which was horseradish! Easter Sunday celebration was joyful. Jim and Deacon Debbie both wore new Easter robes and the congregation got into the spirit of Easter. In commemoration of our baptismal vows, we threw lots of water around. NO ONE was missed! The sermon title was "we are an Easter people," during which we explored being witness as well as bearing witness.
MCC Baltimore, MD
At MCC Baltimore we were blessed with the preaching and musical talents of our own Rev. Delores Berry. Easter has been a homecoming for Delores for three years running now, and this year we also had a full choir loft with our Gospel Chorus with director Joseph Kendrick and a new soloist, Antoinne Barnes, along with Jim Roark and Michael Tan providing direction and accompaniment. 36 people attended our Good Friday Tenebrae Service, and 115 our Resurrection Sunday service. We were glad that we had rearranged the seating to provide a center aisle and better access for everyone. We were blessed with God's presence and power among us.
Merciful Grace MCC, Harford County, MD
WOW!! Merciful Grace MCC had a great first Holy Week in Harford County Md. In January of this year Merciful Grace began gathering in a Unitarian Universalistic Church in Fallston Md. Since that first gathering the new Parish Extension of Baltimore MCC has been very active. This year during Holy Week we gathered together and carried the Cross down Rt 152 stopping along the way to remember the Stations of the Cross. People blew their horns and waved as they passed by. Some slowed and yelled words of encouragement. We walked about three miles witnessing our commitment to Jesus Christ. On Good Friday we joined in the celebration at MCC Baltimore. A solemn service of candlelight and scriptures blessed everyone who attended. At 6am on Easter Morning Merciful Grace and Baltimore MCC gathered in the still cold morning air to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord at sunrise; twenty-three attended the early morning gathering. Again at 6pm we gathered for a wonderful celebration of the Resurrection with flowers and balloons. Everyone who attended heard, at the children's moment, about many symbols of new life. Everyone who attended received a hand made chocolate Easter egg. Like Jesus, We Are Alive! WOW What an Easter.
Easter Blessings!