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

November 2006

Regional Conference
I want to thank everyone who helped make the Region 3 & 5 conference such a success. Over 430 people were registered for conference and many more from the community attended worship services, this far exceeding our expectations. The opportunity for growth, networking and community building were well taken advantage of. The overall evaluations were very good. If you have not yet sent in your evaluations or completed one on-line I pray you do so soon.

We are also learning how to improve the conference for the next one. One thing I would do very different was how we set up the bylaws forum. Clearly we needed time more to thoroughly discuss the bylaw amendments that were being voted on at the business meeting. Next time I commit to seeing that that happens. With that said, most of the bylaw proposals voted on really needed time for discussion not as a bylaw but first as a theological discussion. It is my belief that it would be most helpful to do the theological work before trying to pass a bylaw. Fortunately our Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson is putting together a team of people to help lead us as a movement in doing just this kind of theological work.  This is something that we have needed for a long time.

I am pleased to share with you that the offerings brought in an all time high of much needed money. 
Thank you all for your support:

THU PM Conference Fund - 790.51
FRI AM Church Revitialization Initiative - 781.05
FRI PM UFMCC Church Planting Fund - 2,614.39 (includes 1,000 given after service)
SAT AM HIV/AIDS Ministry - 1,404.30
SAT PM Global Justice Work - 1,987.27
SUN AM European Initiative - 3,262.54 (includes 1,000 given after service), There was also a pledge of $6,000.00
TOTAL - 10,840.06

Regional Anniversaries
Rev. Pat Bumgardner of MCC NY celebrated her 20th anniversary of ordination on November 9.

Rev. Bobbie Dunn celebrated 20 years as Pastor of MCC Pittsburgh , PA on October 14. 

New Covenant MCC , Laurel, MD celebrated its Second Anniversary on the weekend of November 17, 18, and 19.

Pastoral Transitions
Rev. Margarita Sanchez Deleon has been approved as reentry clergy in MCC. She will also be installed as the pastor of ICM Cristo Sanador on January 7, 2007.

Christ the Liberator MCC has just gone through a process to determine their next steps in pastoral search. In consultation with the Regional Elder they have decided to utilize an intentional interim pastor. Rev. Mark Byrd has been appointed in consultation with the Board of Directors.

Rev. Janet Avery has been appointed as the new Interim Pastor of MCC Hudson Valley , Albany, NY and has been appointed by the Regional Elder in consultation with the local church.

MCC Charleston , SC is beginning the pastoral search process. Please keep them in prayer. After three years of faithful service their pastor, Rev. Tommy Hudson has needed to step down. Tommy will continue to serve until the end of the year.

Also, continue to keep New Life MCC in Norfolk, VA and MCC Winston Salem , NC in your prayers as they continue their pastoral search process.

Clergy seeking pastorates in Region 3: If any MCC clergyperson is interested in learning more about pastoral positions in the region please contact the Regional Elder Arlene Ackerman.

MCC OBITUARY:  Rev. Joseph Gilbert, Early MCC Leader and Pioneer
Rev. Joseph Gilbert, an early leader in the international movement of Metropolitan Community Churches, died on Thursday, November 23, 2006.

Rev. Gilbert had ties to Region 3.  He was pastor of MCC Philadelphia in the early 1980's.  In 1984 he was also instrumental in the church plant that resulted in MCC of the Lehigh Valley.  Region 3 honors his life, blessings and gifts to MCC.  He will be missed.

Information on his memorial service will be posted on the website of MCC San Diego at www.mccsd.org as it becomes available.

REGION 3 OBITUARY:  Clergy Candidate Helen Daniels
Clergy Candidate Helen Daniels died on Friday, November 17.  Her body had been found in her home.  The medical examiner's report is still pending.  We do know that Helen had been ill for approximately two weeks prior to her death and was last seen when a member of MCC Baltimore, MD, drove with her to pick up her car on Friday, November 10, after a hospital stay that week.

As some of you know Helen was working on her reapplication for ordination this next summer, after completing her Candidacy at MCC Baltimore, MD and her first application this past Summer.  She was absolutely moving forward in ministry and toward being a church planter.   We must not let her calling be lost with her death.

Internment was scheduled for 10 AM on Saturday, December 2, at Rockcreek Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

There was a memorial service at 1 PM also on Saturday, December 2, at MCC Baltimore at 401 W. Monument Street in Baltimore. 

Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to Helen's oldest sister Ann Zinzsser, 10217 Capital View Ave., Silver Spring, MD  20910.

Please keep Ann, the community of MCC Baltimore and their pastor, Rev. David Smith, in your prayers during this time of loss.  May Helen rest in peace, and may perpetual life shine upon her.

Prayer Request
On Wednesday October 17, Rev. David North , Pastor of  Holy Redeemer MCC, College Park, MD, became a Grandpa again. Sarah, his youngest gave birth to a baby girl, "Allayah Michelle" weighed 5lb 12oz. Both Mama and baby are doing fine.  The baby was two months premature. His oldest daughter, Prinion, was also to have her second baby in October.  Please keep all the families in your prayers.

Continue to keep Judy Dale in your prayers. Judy had major surgery recently as is recovering now at home. Judy is the former District Coordinator and chair of the Board of Administration and now serves on staff for MCC.  Bill Hooper and Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski are both out due to illness.  Keep them all in your prayers as well.

NEW QUEER BIBLE COMENTARY
The Bible was not written by God. We know that. It was written by human beings struggling to be in relationship, in community, with God.  Thus, in MCC, we believe that it is up to us, as individuals and as part of a larger community, to use the Bible in ways that help us make sense of our lives.

There is a new book out that can help many of us do that.  It is called The Queer Bible Commentary. The editors include three MCC pastors - Bob Goss, Mona West, and our own Tom Bohache (pastor of MCC Rehoboth, DE), each a scholar of considerable note-and the other contributors are excellent scholars. Several MCC clergy wrote commentaries for this book, including Rev. Robin Gorsline of MCC Richmond, VA, who contributed an essay about the books known as 1st and 2nd Peter. The publisher is SCM Press, a very high quality English publisher.

It can be purchased through Amazon or Barnes & Noble (if you go through www.MCCRichmond.org the church receives a small portion of the sale).

Lancaster Theological Seminary Begins MCC's Scholarships
MCC raised nearly $5,000 for the Rev. Delores Berry Preaching Prize and nearly $3,000 for the Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman Master of Divinity Scholarship Fund at the school on Wednesday, November 8.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house when Delores acknowledged the honor of this distinction. 

If you've been touched by either of their ministries we hope you will consider a donation to these funds. You can contribute to these and other scholarship funds through our secure website at http://www.mccchurch.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Contribute.  Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski was present during GLBT Week and he is proud to be a regular personal contributor to Rev. Berry's work of preaching, healing, singing and evangelism and urges you to consider making the same commitment at www.revdeloresberry.com.

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

December
1 - 5            Latin American Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
             Church Planting Training

While away in Brazil, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher will be on emergency back up.  Rev. Elder Fisher can be emailed at RevDianeFisher@mccchurch.net or phoned at (617) 448-2396.

6 - 7       Days Off
11 - 13       Office
14        Meeting
15 - 17       MCC New York - meetings and worship
18 - 19       Days Off
21 - 31       Vacation

January
1 -  4       Vacation
5 - 7       ICM Cristo Sanador, Puerto Rico - installation of Rev. Sanchez-Deleon
8        Travel Day
9        Day Off
10 - 11       Office
12 - 14       MCC Richmond, VA - Board Training, worship
15 - 20       Board of Elders meeting - in Texas
21        Travel Day
22 - 23       Days off
24 - 26       Office
26 - 28       Vision of Hope MCC, Mountville, PA
29 - 30       Days off

While traveling Elder Ackerman can be reached via cell phone, instructions are given by calling the office phone number below. The Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Glass is normally in the office from 9:30 - 2:30 Tues., Weds., and Thursdays.

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.

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.