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)
July 27, 2004
Reflection on Region 3 Conference
Conference was better than I had dreamed it could be. So many people came to me to express gratitude for making the decision to take the conference to San Juan. My goals were met and continue to be. I had hoped that the people of ICM (MCC) Cristo Sanador would experience their larger MCC family and discover that they are not alone. Plus I wanted the US churches to discover the hospitality, gifts, culture and insights of ICM. And, I wanted to raise the consciousness of the US congregations as what it means to be multi cultural, multi lingual and I had hopes that they would take away some insights and begin to think about ways to reach out to the Puerto Rican/latino/latina community back home.
Over the past few days I am beginning to hear of a number churches planning special worship service so they can share the conference experience with their congregation. Others are looking at ways to reach into the Puerto Rican community back home. Others are thinking about how they might staff their churches to create a way to reach out into the greater community. Again, the largest number of Puerto Ricans outside of Puerto Rico live within Region 3 in the US.
The Region 3 conference had 177 people registered for conference including 5 youth. Plus, over 50 more came in for worship from the local church and a few hotel staff members. We also received an offering for church planting for over $1,100.
Special recognition must be given to the people of ICM Cristo Sanador. They created an amazing rainforest in the front of ballroom complete with a waterfall (Thank you Jorge and Rafael). (We may have been in a hotel but we knew we were in Puerto Rico.) They gifted the conference in so many ways: music, a special video welcome to Puerto Rico, translation, a walking tour of Old San Juan, an incredible panel discussion, punch and most of all their presence and hospitality. The co-interim pastors did an amazing job and I especially want to thank Rev. Manual Guzmán-Arizmendi and Rev. Edgard Danielsen-Morales. Both went above and beyond the call of duty.
I must give a special thank you to Rev. Elder Troy Perry and Rev. Steve Taylor for being our special guest speakers. Our preachers were the finest: Rev. Pablo Navarro-Hernández, founder of ICM in San Juan, Rev. Pat Bumgardner and Rev. Troy Perry. This was some of the finest preaching I have ever heard.
More than anything I want to thank the conference planning team and staff. They are the ones who put together this amazing conference. Rev. David Smith - Conference Coordinator, Rev. Lance Mullins - Worship Coordinator, Howard Raudenbush - Music Coordinator, Rev. Edgard Danielsen-Morales - Puerto Rico Coordinator, Rev. Marian Humphrey - Speaker Coordinator and Shawn Henderson - Youth Coordinator. UFMCC staff: Carlos Chavez (Powerpoint Coordinator), Jim Birkitt (Media Coordinator) and Rory Webb (Registration Coordinator). This is clearly one of the best teams I have ever worked with.
Over one hundred people helped lead something at the conference: musicians, ushers, workshop leaders, registration volunteers - the list is almost endless. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. And, yes, I look to the day when we will return to Puerto Rico.
Blessings,
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman
Prayer Requests
The grandmother of Rev. Durrell Watkins passed away recently. Durrell was able to be at her bedside. Please keep Durrell and the family in your prayers.
On July 11th, Rev. Elder Don Eastman was contacted with tragic family news. His brother's grandson passed away unexpectedly in the night. Don's grand-nephew- Jack- was 5 years old. We ask that you hold Don and the entire Eastman family in your prayers during this period of grief and loss.
New Life MCC in Norfolk, VA is seriously in need of a new church home. Every attempt to find a new home seems to be blocked. Prayer just may be the answer.
MCC Christ The Liberator, NJ - is also seriously looking for a new church facility. They too have experienced a very difficult time in finding a large enough location. Please pray.
Free Stewardship Resource
Injoy Stewardship Services is offering a FREE - NEW book called "The 33 Laws of Stewardship" Principals for a Life of True Fulfillment by Dave Sutherland and Kirk Nowery. If you're a pastor, please call 1-800-333-6509 and order your free, no obligation book. Retail is normally $24.95. They will even pay shipping. Call M-F, 9-5, EST.
MCC Announces International Executive Director Search
APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2004 MCC is conducting an international search for an Executive Director.
The denomination's Executive Director will lead a talented and committed headquarters staff that operates in five areas: communications, development, administration and finance, leadership development and education, and regional operations. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall administration and management of the organization including all programs, fundraising, and business operations. Currently, MCC's budget exceeds $3 million.
According to Rev. Jeff Miner, member of the MCC Board of Administration, "This position offers the opportunity to play a critical leadership role in the world's foremost LGBT religious organization."
Miner also notes, "God has given the MCC denomination an incredible mission, and we are living at a time when the opportunities facing MCC are greater than ever. The person who fills the Executive Director's position is going to have an exciting job with an opportunity to make a significant contribution to our world."
The MCC denomination is looking for someone who has: (a) a proven track record of managing and growing complex organizations; (b) superior people skills; (c) a customer-service focus toward our congregations; (d) financial savvy; (e) a passion for MCC's mission; and (f) a deep personal spiritual journey.
MCC offers an attractive salary and benefits package. To see the full position description, go to www.mccchurch.org. For consideration, forward a resume and cover letter to: ED Search Committee, MCC Churches, 8704 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 200, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Phone 310-360-8640 ext. 216 or email edsearchteam@mccchurch.org. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2004.
For more complete information and a detailed job description, visit www.mccchurch.org.
Growing Plans
"[Some] suggest that the primary reason the small-membership church tends not to grow is because it is too inward-oriented and most of the limited resources are concentrated on serving the members and on institutional survival. The small church tends to focus on nurture, not mission." - Lyle Schaller (Church growth consultant)
Most Protestant churches in the U.S. are small churches (double digit congregations). Lyle Schaller tries to identify why that is, and what churches can do to move forward to the next level. One of the things vibrant churches do is keep the mission and vision of the church before them. They remain dedicated to their mission. They focus more on out-reach than in-reach, more on serving than being served, more what they have to give than on what they want to get. Vibrant churches are made up of members who think of themselves as ministers. Vibrant churches believe that they are able to be Christ in the world.
(taken from the Christ The Liberator MCC E-Newsletter)
Regional Elders Travel Schedule
August 5 Travel and meetings in Baltimore
6 Church Planting Education Team Meeting
13 Small Church Pastors Gathering - Vision of Hope MCC
20 - 21 Installation/Ordination of Rev. Jim Mulcahy, Rochester, NY
24 Mid Sized Church Pastors Gathering - Harrisburg, PA
27 - 29 New Light MCC, Hagerstown, MD - SGI weekend
September 6 Holiday - office closed
10 - 12 MCC Richmond - SGI follow-up
18 - 19 Installation/Ordination of Rev. Rob Taylor - Open Door MCC
25 Holy Union - MCC Baltimore
28 Large Church Pastors Dinner - Baltimore
29 Teaching Church Pastors Gathering - MCC Baltimore