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

August 2006

A FUTURE and a HOPE 2006 MCC REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Pittsburgh, PA November 2 - 5
Dates: Conference :
Thursday, November 2, 2006 - registration open mid-day
Friday, November 3, 2006
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Sunday, November 5, 2006 - ending after morning worship

Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, August 4, 2006
Registration Refund Deadline:       Friday, August 4, 2006
Hotel Rate Guaranteed until:   October 11, 2006

Location: City:      Monroeville, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. [near Pittsburgh]
Hotel:           The Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh
Nearest Airport(s):   Pittsburgh [PGH] International

Regions: This conference incorporates the following Regions: 3 and 5. To read more about how combined Regional Conferences are going to work, CLICK HERE: http://www.mccconferences.org/regionalconferences/index.html#QA

Open Arms MCC, Rochester, NY, Celebrated Their 25th Anniversary on August 19 and 20
On Saturday, August 19, there were two events.  Starting at 11am, there was a session with Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman about the state of MCC Region 3 and the current initiatives of Metropolitan Community Churches throughout the world.  That evening at 6pm, there was an Anniversary Banquet and dance.  On Sunday, the Anniversary Worship was held.  Rev. Delores Berry and her spouse, Judy, joined them for worship. 

In addition, Open Arms will be moving and they are still awaiting details on a firm closing date for their new church.  In the meantime, they are arranging with Calvary Assembly of God for a Sunday afternoon time slot of 2-4pm for Open Arms MCC members and friends to walk through their new church to get them psyched for the move.  The Open House will be arranged for either July 30 or August 6. 

Prayer Request
Please pray for Rev. Donna Stroud, Pastor of MCC of the Upstate, Duncan, SC, who had an emergency appendectomy and is now recovering.

Please keep the father of Rev. Tom Bohache, Pastor at MCC Rehoboth, DE, in your prayers.  Lew Bohache suffered a fall, broke his hip, and underwent surgery.  Mr. Bohache has not been doing well. He is also on dialysis three times a week.  Much prayer is needed.

Rev. Dr. Koch Teaches at PSR
Rev. Dr. Tim Koch, pastor of New Life MCC, Charlotte, NC, was a guest teacher July 15 through July 24, teaching a class on biblical interpretation for the Pacific School of Religion (PSR) in Berkeley, CA, as part of its GLBT Studies in Religion program.  This program is a one of a kind program in the United States. This was a great privilege for Tim to be asked to teach at PSR.

MCC at World Pride
Rev. Pat Bumgardner, from MCC New York traveled to Jerusalem for World Pride. Also in the group are two members of MCC New York, Gayle and Russell.  Rev. Pat was a keynote speaker at World Pride and also offered a workshop on Bible and Homosexuality.

After completing her responsibilities in Jerusalem, Rev. Pat traveled to Iceland where she preached at the religious celebration of Pride Day in Reykjavik, the capital.  Five hundred people gathered for this celebration at the biggest church in Iceland.  She also met with queer leadership.

This week Rev. Pat travels to Malaysia with Clergy Candidate Boon Lin Ngeo as part of our denomination's efforts to plant a new church in that country.  In his native Malaysia, Boon – a prolific author in the Chinese language – will present his new book, a coming out story.  Rev. Pat and Boon will make public presentations on queer theology, and the ministry of MCC.

Please keep Rev. Pat and Boon in your prayers. 

(During this tour from Jerusalem to Iceland to Malaysia, Rev. Pat is representing the MCC Commission on Global Justice.)

MCC in the Dominican Republic
The Inaugural MCC-DC Dominican Republic Outreach Ministry in July was a huge success!  Led by Associate Pastor Reverend Venson Phillip Mathews, you can read more about their experience at the blogspot, http://mccdc-dominican-outreach.blogspot.com/ .

Rev. Delores P. Berry Evangelistic Ministries Has NEW Website
Rev. Delores Berry announces a NEW and improved website for her Evangelistic Ministries.  Please check out www.revdeloresberry.com ! 


Baptisms at the New Life MCC of Hampton Roads
Lauri Dlubala-Madison reports that New Life MCC of Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach, VA recently performed the Rite of Baptism for four young children. These children where special in many ways – they where baptized into God's people and they where baptized in a Metropolitan Community Church.

During the Sunday service, the large entourage approached the front of the sanctuary as the Vice Moderator of New Life MCC with a Student in Formation assisting, gathered the blessed water and joined the family and Godparents. The family filled the front of the sanctuary in double rows with the children standing in front and parents behind them. The Godparents stood to either side of each of the children. The Rite of Baptism started, the questions of faith and intentions where asked, the parents and Godparent made their replies, the congregation accepted their part as well. The children where baptized and the blessing said. There where smiles all around as the congregation applauded and welcomed these youngsters into the family of God.

This story may sound familiar to members of other churches but one thing made it very unique. The children are all from heterosexual relationships and their Godparents are lesbian couples. In a world filled with discrimination and hate it was a pleasant sight to see these children, their parents and the Godparents united as one with the congregation of New Life MCC of Hampton Roads. The family of New Life MCC of Hampton Roads welcomes them and prays that God continues to bless this MCC family with more children and parents of all sexual orientations.

Eighth Anniversary for MCC of the Chesapeake
MCC of the Chesapeake , Annapolis, MD is scheduled to celebrate theirEighth Anniversary on Sunday, September 17.    Worship will be at 6 PM.  Dinner after worship will be at the Macaroni Grill.  Contact Rev. Wayne Schwandt, SchwandtW@aol.com for more information.

Regional Elder Schedule
While traveling Elder Ackerman can be reached via cell phone, instructions are given by calling the office phone number below.

PLEASE NOTE an email change:  Effective immediately, please use revarleneackerman@mccchurch.net or arleneackerman@mccchurch.net for correspondence with Elder Ackerman.  Shortly she will no longer be using the AOL account for business regarding Region 3.  Thank you.

The Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Glass is normally in the office from 9:30 - 2:30 Tues, Weds, & Thursdays.

August      
            19 – 20                      Open Arms MCC - 25th Anniversary
             21                              Travel Day
             22 – 28                      Board of Elders Meetings- Ft. Lauderdale, FL
             29                              Travel Day
             30 - 31                       Office

Nov. 2 - 5           MCC Region 3 & 5 Conference in Pittsburgh, PA (Monroeville)
                    http://www.mccconferences.org/regionalconferences/pittsburgh.html

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

Newsletter Archive

MCC HEADQUARTERS HAS A NEW MAILING ADDRESS!
       MCC Headquarters
       P. O. Box 691728
       West Hollywood, CA 90069
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.