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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)
August 12, 2003
Bishops Training at the Alban Institute
Recently I and two other UFMCC Elders had the opportunity to participate
in this exciting training for middle judicatory leaders mostly from
mainline Protestant denominations. The training was insightful in unique
ways: 1. it was helpful to know that other denominations are dealing
with the same issues that we are: resourcing local churches, church
planting, credentialing qualified clergy and so much more; 2. Gil Rendell
was especially helpful as he taught us ways to look at our core process,
and problem solving verses adaptive work. Some of these learnings will
inform future work of both our region and the board of Elders. We have
asked Gil to be a trainer at our next Board of Elders meeting.
MCC Fredricksburg
I met with a wonderful group recently in Fredricksburg, VA. where Rev.
Stephanie Burns has been working to build up a core group of committed
people to plant our newest church. Already the choir is about to begin
practicing. They have a few more to add to their core group before public
weekly worship will begin. MCC Richmond recently received a love offering
for over $800. They are hopeful to begin worship in a few months. MCC
Fredricksburg is a parish extension of MCC Richmond and is working in
partnership with MCC Region 3.
Two Approved For Ordination
Congratulations to Rev. Elect Marion Humphrey of MCC Washington and
Rev. Elect David Glasgow of MCC of the Spirit. Both were approved for
ordination during General Conference. David will be ordained Sunday,
August 24, 2003, 2:00 PM at MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson Street,
Harrisburg, PA. Marion's ordination service is scheduled for November
9 at 3PM at MCC Washington, DC.
Open Arms MCC Has A New Vision Statement
Last weekend, I had the privilege to work with the majority of the congregation
in Rochester, NY as they began the Strategic Growth Initiative. The
process helped the congregation articulate their vision, core values
and mission statement. This process will not only help the congregation
in long range planning but will inform their pastoral search process.
Jim Mulcahy, a former Jesuit priest, is serving as their Interim Pastoral
Leader.
New Vision Statement:
Empowering People, Embracing the Journey, Touching the World.
Region 3 Conference 2004
At General Conference we announced that the next Region 3 conference
will be held next July in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As of today the exact
date is not confirmed, we are still in hotel negotiations. When I am
in Puerto Rico later this month I will be visiting the site along with
our conference site planner, Rory Webb and hopefully we can share more
exact dates and prices when I return.
Rev. Eva O'Diam Marries 15 Couples
Congratulations to Rev. Eva O'Diam pastor of MCC of the Spirit in Harrisburg,
PA. Last weekend, Eva performed a mass Holy Union at Gay Pride in Harrisburg
of 15 couples. 15 gay couples took part in Pride Festival of Central
Pennsylvania's first commitment ceremony, publicly declaring their love,
as a heterosexual couple could at a wedding. "We are gathered this
day to witness and bless these couples' mutual vows, which will unite
them in marriage, regardless of what the state may say," the Rev.
Eva O'Diam told the assembled crowd. Pennsylvania is one of 37 states
that have enacted laws that ban same-sex marriages and prohibit recognition
of such marriages sanctioned in other jurisdictions. "To say 'I
love you' means 'Let the revolution begin!'" O'Diam later told
the crowd, which cheered and took photos of the couples.
Witness Our Welcome 2003 (WOW2003)
The WOW conference to be held in Philadelphia in a couple of weeks.
For more information go to WWW.WOW2K.ORG
Christmas in July Worship Sunday - A great idea!
This will be the third time that New Light MCC, Hagerstown, MD, has
conducted a Christmas in July service. Everyone is invited to bring
a new unwrapped toy for boys and girls and any form of personal hygiene
items. All donations will be presented to our area HotSpot Program to
be distributed to needy children in the area during Christmas
New Life MCC Update
New Life MCC of Hampton Roads, Norfolk, VA, has had an eventful summer;
we have become an Incorporated Non-Profit church under a new Virginia
Law and in fact, delayed the issue of our bonds in order to finish the
procedure of incorporation. We are now very, very close to the start
of the bond issue and will be issuing $570,000.00 of bonds to purchase
our building which is just been appraised at $695,000.00. Our long-term
relationship with our landlord has made this possible and the good work
of Tony Crisp over the years with him.
Our music department is blossoming under the direction of Rev. Lisa
Belongia and its hard to tell who is having the most fun; Rev. Lisa
or the music department. We have a new Praise Band with 7 members, a
Praise Vocal Group called Expressions and a growing choir. We are living
the "Excellence in Music and Arts" life in worship.
At the beginning of September, we will be starting 4 Disciple classes
with a teacher's squad of twelve people, ten of whom are not the pastors.
This is a major community building program here at New Life and the
lay teachers have taken over the teaching.
Also in September, we will be having a congregational wide weekend retreat
where we will be teaching "The Change Cycle". Some of us attended
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock's workshop at conference and know the book and
workshop can help our church learn how to effectively do the process
of change.
In addition, Rev. Maria is going into clergy coaching with Wendy Foxworth
and Rev. Lisa is going to start seminary part-time. And, lest we forget,
New Life has added Rev. Pat Robertson to our prayer list; our local
conservative who is doing his best to change the Supreme Court makeup.
Marty Luna-Wolfe
Some good news!
Two months ago, Rev. Perry asked MCC churches around the world to assist
The Rock MCC in Chattanooga, TN. The church was almost destroyed in
a flood -- and because the church is not in a flood plain, they did
not have flood insurance. Since sending the appeal, MCC churches have
sent more than $10,000 (US) to help this local church rebuild. Here's
an excerpt from an e-mail received at MCC HQ:
The good news for the day is that The Rock MCC plans to be back in our
own church building this coming Sunday, Aug. 3. If all goes as planned
this week, the carpet will be laid Wednesday and we will move our belongings
back in and set up for service. It has been a trying 3 months since
the flood, but praise God we have overcome and survived. We could not
have done it without the financial help of this denomination. Thanks
to the e-mails sent by our own region and Rev. Perry, we received over
$10,000 in donations. For some reason, the states of Texas, Virginia,
and Florida were especially generous. We are so grateful considering
the electrical cost topped out at about $11,000, three times more than
we estimated.
99 Days To A Miracle - Another Great Idea!
Starting June 15, members and friends of CHRIST THE LIBERATOR are being
asked to put aside a dollar a day for 99 days. Then at our 26th anniversary
service, we will each be able to make a $99 contribution above and beyond
our normal giving. Putting aside just one dollar a day is an easy way
to keep the church in our thoughts and to save extra money to give to
the future of our church. Join the fun of setting aside one extra dollar
each day and help make our anniversary celebration in the Fall a "Miracle
Sunday."
The Co-facilitator of our Recent Excel Weekend Passes Away
Chris Lenz who moved to Philadelphia 2 years ago to help get an Excel
weekend started in our area because he felt that was God's call on his
life. Chris was the "Johnny Appleseed" of Excel and spent
his time getting new teams started in several places. We found out that
Chris lost his fight with stomach cancer but I know he was actually
the winner when he saw Jesus face. It is us that are feeling the loss.
He had to return to CA before participating in the June weekend because
of his illness but I spoke to him before his passing and he was excited
that there would be a team forming in this area and expressed the hope
that someday he would be able to come back and be part of the weekend.
We will feel his presence with us as we go forward.
Regional Elder Travel Schedule - AUGUST
August 14 - 24 ICM Cristo Sanador, Puerto Rico - Strategic
Growth Initiative,
Board of Director Training & Pastoral Search Orientation
Sept. 1 Holiday - office closed for Labor Day
6 - 7 MCC Richmond, VA - Installation of Rev. Gorsline as pastor
13 - 15 Long Island, NY - meeting with a group who are considering
affiliation
20 MCC of Northern Virginia - Installation service of Rev.
Amos
22 - 25 vacation
26 - 29 MCC Pittsburg, PA - Strategic Growth Initiative Weekend
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
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