REGION 3 UPDATE
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 April 2008 SAVE THESE DATES!
MCC REGION 3 ANNOUNCES THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:
Breaking the Growth Barriers online TAP Class When : Wednesday, April 2 , 2008 Time : 6:30pm (EDT) Cost : $20 (USD) Facilitator : Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman Every church faces a growth barrier. While some churches seem to break through other churches seem to grow to a certain size and then decrease in attendance only to grow over time to the same level. Many churches repeat this scenario many times over. Breaking the growth barriers is not about working harder or being more faithful, it is about learning how to be church and community in new ways. Come and learn about the predictable plateaus. Develop an understanding of each size and what strategies are needed to break through to the next level. Children and Youth Ministry Leaders' Summit Saturday, May 3 Please come and join us at our 3 rd Annual C&Y Ministry Summit !
This is your opportunity to share ideas, resources, and inspiration in support of this critical ministry. WHO: This meeting is open to anyone in MCC Region 3 -- Delaware , DC, Maryland , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , South Carolina , Pennsylvania , Virginia, and Puerto Rico -- who serves in any capacity in your children and youth programs -- or who would like to build a C&Y program in your church. WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 2008, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
RSVP: We will ask for a contribution of $10 to cover the cost of lunch and parking, payable the day of the event. RSVP by phone or email to: § Jennifer Glass at 310-861-4630, jenniferglass@mccchurch.net , § Mary Ann Durburow, 717-364-8111, redheadedpenguin@verizon.net Or speak to the C&Y Ministry leaders in your church. Sub-Regional Gatherings Northern: September 12 / 13 Location: MCC of the Spirit, Harrisburg , PA Plenary: Affirming Our Spiritual/Theological Diversity OR Spiritual Journeys Go In Different Directions And That's OK, No Reason To Get All Bent Out Of Shape If Yours Is Different Than Mine And Mine Is Different Than Yours! Rev. Dr. Mona West Central: November 14 / 15 Location: Open Door MCC Boyd's, MD Plenary: Affirming Our Spiritual/Theological Diversity OR Spiritual Journeys Go In Different Directions And That's OK, No Reason To Get All Bent Out Of Shape If Yours Is Different Than Mine And Mine Is Different Than Yours! Rev. Dr. Mona West Southern: October 24 / 25 Location: St. John 's MCC, Raleigh , NC Plenary: Practical Strategies For Stewardship and Spiritual Formation At The Congregational Level Tentative Agenda for Sub-Regionals Friday 7:30 Musical Service Saturday Opening Worship Plenary Workshops Closing Worship Cost: $25 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN REGISTER IN ADVANCE WILL BE SENT IN A FUTURE EMAIL. Joys and Prayers Rev. Karla Fleshman's wedding was on March 17 in Maui . Her betrothed is Mary Tipping – a wonderful red head, funny, and vivacious mommy! Her daughter (Karla's step-daughter) is Maya a creative, animal-loving artist of 9.5 years of age. Please keep them in your prayers. Congratulations to the family! Buddy Kennedy, father of Tracey Kennedy, Rev. Stephanie Burns' partner, passed away on Thursday, February 21st, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. The Celebration of Life service was held on Wednesday, February 27th at 2:30 pm at First United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson , TX with Rev Charles Geller and Rev. Stephanie Burns presiding. Tracey was a member of the Board of Administration for many years and Stephanie was the founding pastor of MCC Fredericksburg. Please continue to pray for Stephanie and Tracey and their family. Clergy Transitions Rev. Margarita Sanchez resigned from ICM Cristo Sanador , San Juan , Puerto Rico , and her last weekend was at the end of February. Rev. Jim Martin has resigned as Interim Pastor of MCC Charlotte , NC, effective at the end of March. Imani MCC , Durham , NC , MCC Washington, DC, and MCC of the Blue Ridge , VA, are both working with Rev. Elder Arlene in searching for interim pastors; MCC Christ the Liberator , NJ, continues their pastoral search; MCC Fredericksburg , VA, remains in an interim period with Rev. Lori McPherson. Please pray for the leaders of your local church , the churches in region 3 , your regional elder and staff and for the international ministry of MCC around the world and your board of Elders. MCC of the Lehigh Valley Building Dedication MCCLV celebrated God's extravagant love as it dedicated its new Special guest speakers included: Pawlowski, Guridy and Bradbury all congratulated the church on its new building and emphasized themes of inclusivity and diversity. MCCLV Pastor Beth Goudy preached on the gospel story about the extravagant act of an unnamed woman pouring out her all for Jesus. The MCCLV Choir led the congregation in hymns such as "Ours The Journey" "Sing To The Power of the Lord Come Down," "Come Out of the Wilderness" and "Sign Me Up." Channel 69 News filmed the event for the evening news. News from MCC Charleston , SC MCC Charleston continues to grow. Their Sunday attendance has increased from approximately 35 worshippers per Sunday to 81 on past Sunday, March 2, 2008. They had their first ‘inquirer's class' on February 4 th and had 20 potential members in attendance. Of those 20, 8 have joined so far with many others signing up. They are having another class this Sunday and thus far 7 more people have signed up to attend. They average 20 in Bible Study on Wednesday evenings. They have dedicated/baptized three children this year and have 3 adult baptisms scheduled for this Sunday! Rev. Terri Steed's installation is Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 2pm. Rev. Elder Ackerman will be the guest preacher that Sunday morning. Here I am, Lord! Send me! Lay Ministry Training Event Open Door Center for Spirituality May 2-3, 2008 Have you looked for an easy way to enhance your abilities to serve God in your faith community? Are you interested in using your gifts but want to know how to develop them in ways that really make a difference? Join the Open Door Center for Spirituality as we learn together the basic skills for leading ministry in and with the local church. Together, we will learn the basics of: How to write a prayer, praying and reading Scripture in public, the Christian year, lectionary and non-lectionary based preaching, basic preaching techniques, choosing hymns and other music for worship, Contemporary/ Traditional/Blended worship styles, preparing worship that is “guest friendly”, and simple tips and rules for home/hospital/nursing home visitation. Join us Friday, May 2 nd and Saturday May 3 rd at Open Door MCC , Boyd's Maryland for this exciting and empowering weekend that will help you take lay ministry to the next level. The cost for this event will be $40 which includes a catered lunch and refreshments throughout the event. Hotel accommodations are available at a group rate for those who need them. 8 CEU's are available. Cost: $40.00 Friday evening snacks, a light breakfast and full lunch on Saturday will be served. You must register by April 18! Send your check or money order for $40.00 made out to Open Door Center for Spirituality, P.O. Box 127 , Boyds, MD, 20841. 301/916-5777. See www.opendoormcc.com for directions. Please include your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Housing is not included in the registration fee. We have made arrangements with the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, 2 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879; 301/948-8900. Web site: www.higaithersburg.com The hotel has an indoor pool, exercise room, and Jacuzzi. They provide a shuttle to the Shady Grove Metro Stop ( Washington DC 's subway system) until 9 pm. Our block of rooms will be held until two weeks before the retreat, April 18. The room rate is $79.00 a night, plus 12% tax. Room rates are for single, double, triple, or quad occupancy. We will provide shuttle service to and from the hotel to the Center for Spirituality throughout the retreat. Please indicate when you register that you will need a ride. Our instructor will be the Rev. Dr. Rob Apgar-Taylor. Rob celebrates the 20 th anniversary of his being in Ministry this year and has served in both pastoral and educational settings in Central Pennsylvania, Utah , and Maryland . With his doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary, Rob has taught liturgy at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington , D.C. (adjunct faculty) and currently is the adjunct professor of German and Religion at Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown , MD. , as well as the full-time pastor of Open Door Metropolitan Community Church, Boyds, MD. For more information call 301.916.5777 Or visit www.opendoormcc.com . This event is offered in cooperation with New Light MCC Holy Redeemer MCC MCC of the Spirit Open Door MCC Summer Academy 2008 @ Lancaster Theological Seminary Dear Friend in Christ, A thinking church is a growing and vital church! In a time of pluralism and rapid change, Christian leaders are called to be “thinking hearts,” able to integrate creatively vision, planning, and management. The cultivation of “thinking hearts” for today's congregations is one of the goals of Lancaster Theological Seminary's Summer Academy . This year's Summer Academy is scheduled for June 16-20 and July 7-11. This holy adventure in Christian growth and leadership integrates traditional and innovative classes in theology, spiritual formation, pastoral care, scripture, preaching, and worship with workshops in themes as diverse as the arts, music, yoga, dance, and spiritual autobiography. Each day of the Summer Academy is framed with morning and evening prayer. We believe that anyone, clergy or lay, who participates in this year's Summer Academy will experience new insights and energy for congregational leadership and personal growth. For more information on Summer Academy classes and registration materials, please consult our website ( www.lancasterseminary.edu ) at the top of the home page under “continuing education.” MCCers Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Rev. Dr. Mona West and Dr. David Mellott will be among the instructors. We want to remind you that pastors receive a 50% scholarship. Scholarship assistance may be available for laypersons on request. Participants may either commute or live on campus during the week. (Some residential scholarship assistance is also available based on availability and need.) Please consider coming and pass this information along to laypersons in your congregation. You and your congregation will be blessed and energized. If you need more information, please contact Rikki Jones at 717-290-8758 or rjones@lancasterseminary.edu . Blessings on the new year, Rev. Bruce Epperly, Ph.D. Upcoming MCC Conferences People of African Descent 2008, April 17-19, 2008 in St. Louis , MO. www.mccchurch.org/PAD2008 . Regional Elder Schedule March 28 – 29 MCC Washington, DC April 1 Day off 2 TAP Class – Breaking the Church Growth Barriers 3 – 4 Office 5 – 6 MCC Philadelphia 7 – 8 Days off 9 – 11 Office 14 – 16 Office 17 Travel to PAD Conference 18 – 20 PAD Conference, St. Louis , MO 20 Travel to National New Church Conference Exponential 2008 21 – 24 National New Church Conference Exponential 2008 , Orlando , FL 25 Travel day The Administrative Assistant, Rev. Jennifer Glass is normally in the office from 9:30 - 2:30 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays.
Rev. Elder Arlene J. Ackerman PO Box 276 Phone: 717 898-3713 E-mail: arleneackerman@mccchurch.net MCC HEADQUARTERS MAILING ADDRESS! 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. |